H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /IbUk v /wP n /pIs
    
His IbUk iz f H Vs v eniwan eniwX in H /VnFtad /stEts n
mOst aHx pRts v H wxld At nO kost n wiH YlmOst nO ristrikSanz
wotsOevx. V mE kopi it, giv it awE P rI-Vz it andx H txmz
v H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /lFsans inklMdad wiH His IbUk P onlFn
At www.gutenberg.org. if V R not lOkEtad in H /VnFtad /stEts,
V wil hAf t cek H lYz v H kantri wX V R lOkEtad
bifP VziN His /IbUk.
<p>
tFtal: wP n /pIs
<p>
<p>
/YTx: /gryf /lIO /tOlstq
<p>
/trAnzlEtx: /elmx /mYd
        /lMIz /mYd
<p>
/rilIs dEt: Epral 1, 2001 [/IbUk #2600]
                mOst rIsantli apdEtad: JMn 14, 2022
<p>
/lANgwiJ: /iNgliS
<p>
<p>
<p>
*** /stRt v H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /IbUk /wP n /pIs ***
<p>
<p>
<p>
/wP n /pIs
<p>
<p>
bF /lIO /tOlstq//tOlstq
<p>
<p>
    /kontents
<p>
    /bUk /wan: 1805
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
    /cAptx XXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIV
<p>
    /cAptx XXV
<p>
    /cAptx XXVI
<p>
    /cAptx XXVII
<p>
    /cAptx XXVIII
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /tM: 1805
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
    /cAptx XXI
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /TrI: 1805
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /fP: 1806
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /fFv: 1806 - 07
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
    /cAptx XXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXII
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /siä: 1808 - 10
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
    /cAptx XXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIV
<p>
    /cAptx XXV
<p>
    /cAptx XXVI
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /sevan: 1810 - 11
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /Et: 1811 - 12
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
    /cAptx XXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXII
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /nFn: 1812
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
    /cAptx XXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIII
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /ten: 1812
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
    /cAptx XXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIV
<p>
    /cAptx XXV
<p>
    /cAptx XXVI
<p>
    /cAptx XXVII
<p>
    /cAptx XXVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIX
<p>
    /cAptx XXX
<p>
    /cAptx XXXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXXII
<p>
    /cAptx XXXIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXXIV
<p>
    /cAptx XXXV
<p>
    /cAptx XXXVI
<p>
    /cAptx XXXVII
<p>
    /cAptx XXXVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXXIX
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /ilevan: 1812
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
    /cAptx XXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIV
<p>
    /cAptx XXV
<p>
    /cAptx XXVI
<p>
    /cAptx XXVII
<p>
    /cAptx XXVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXIX
<p>
    /cAptx XXX
<p>
    /cAptx XXXI
<p>
    /cAptx XXXII
<p>
    /cAptx XXXIII
<p>
    /cAptx XXXIV
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /twelv: 1812
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /TxtIn: 1812
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /fPtIn: 1812
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
<p>
    /bUk /fiftIn: 1812 - 13
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
    /cAptx XVII
<p>
    /cAptx XVIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIX
<p>
    /cAptx XX
<p>
<p>
    /fxst /epilog: 1813 - 20
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
    /cAptx XIII
<p>
    /cAptx XIV
<p>
    /cAptx XV
<p>
    /cAptx XVI
<p>
<p>
    /sekand /epilog
<p>
    /cAptx F
<p>
    /cAptx II
<p>
    /cAptx III
<p>
    /cAptx IV
<p>
    /cAptx V
<p>
    /cAptx VI
<p>
    /cAptx VII
<p>
    /cAptx VIII
<p>
    /cAptx IX
<p>
    /cAptx X
<p>
    /cAptx XI
<p>
    /cAptx XII
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /wan: 1805
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
“wel, /prins, sO /JenOa n /lMka R nQ Jast fAmli istEts v H
/bMOnapRtez. bat F wPn V, if V dOnt tel mI HAt His mInz wP,
if V stil trF t difend H infamiz n horxz pxpatrEtad bF HAt
/AntikrFst—F rWli bilIv hI iz /AntikrFst—F wil hAv naTiN
mP t dM wiH V n V R nO loNgx mF frend, nO loNgx mF
'fETfal slEv,' Az V kYl jPself! bat hQ dM V dM? F sI F
hAv frFtand V—sit dQn n tel mI Yl H nMz.”
<p>
it woz in JalF, 1805, n H spIkx woz H wel-nOn /Ana /pyvlOvna
/Serx, mEd v onx n fEvxit v H /empres /mRja /fjOdPOvna.
wiH HIz wxdz SI grItad /prins /vysili /kMrygin, a mAn v hF
rANk n impPtans, hM woz H fxst t xFv At hx risepSan. Ana
/pyvlOvna hAd hAd a kof f sam dEz. SI woz, Az SI sed, safxiN
from ly grIp; grIp bIiN Hen a nM wxd in /st /pItxzbxg, Vzd
Onli bF H ilIt.
<p>
Yl hx invitESanz wiHQt iäepSan, ritan in /frenc, n dilivxd
bF a skRlat-livxid fUtman HAt mPniN, rAn Az folOz:
<p>
“if V hAv naTiN betx t dM, /kQnt (P /prins), n if H
prospekt v spendiN an IvniN wiH a pUx invalid iz not tM teribal,
F SAl bI veri cRmd t sI V tanFt bitwIn 7 n 10—/anet
/Serx.”
<p>
“hevanz! wot a viralant atAk!” riplFd H prins, not in H
lIst diskansxtad bF His risepSan. hI hAd Jast entxd, wXiN an
imbrqdxd kPt VnifPm, nI brIcaz, n SMz, n hAd stRz on
hiz brest n a sxIn iäpreSan on hiz flAt fEs. hI spOk in HAt
rifFnd /frenc in wic Qx grAndfyHxz not Onli spOk bat TYt, n
wiH H Jental, pEtranFziN intanESan nAcxal t a mAn v impPtans
hM hAd grOn Old in sasFati n At kPt. hI went ap t /Ana /pyvlOvna,
kist hx hAnd, prizentiN t hx hiz bYld, sentad, n SFniN hed,
n kamplEsantli sItad himself on H sOfa.
<p>
“fxst v Yl, dC frend, tel mI hQ V R. set jP frend'z
mFnd At rest,” sed hI wiHQt YltxiN hiz tOn, binIT H
palFtnas n afektad simpaTi v wic indifxans n Ivan Frani
kUd bI disxnd.
<p>
“kAn wan bI wel wFl safxiN mPali? kAn wan bI kym in tFmz
lFk HIz if wan hAz eni fIliN?” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna. “V R
stEiN H hOl IvniN, F hOp?”
<p>
“n H fEt At H /iNgliS AmbAsadx'z? tadE iz wenzdE. F
mast pUt in an apCans HX,” sed H prins. “mF dYtx iz
kamiN f mI t tEk mI HX.”
<p>
“F TYt tadE'z fEt hAd bin kAnsald. F kanfes Yl HIz
festivitiz n fFxwxä R bikamiN wCisam.”
<p>
“if HE hAd nOn HAt V wiSt it, H entxtEnmant wUd hAv
bin pUt of,” sed H prins, hM, lFk a wMnd-ap klok, bF fPs
v hAbit sed TiNz hI did not Ivan wiS t bI bilIvd.
<p>
“dOnt tIz! wel, n wot hAz bin disFdad abQt /nOvOsiltsef's
dispAc? V nO evriTiN.”
<p>
“wot kAn wan sE abQt it?” riplFd H prins in a kOld, listlas
tOn. “wot hAz bin disFdad? HE hAv disFdad HAt /bMOnapRte hAz
bxnt hiz bOts, n F bilIv HAt wI R redi t bxn Qxz.”
<p>
prins /vysili YlwEz spOk lANgwidli, lFk an Aktx ripItiN a stEl
pRt. Ana /pyvlOvna /Serx on H kontrXi, dispFt hx fPti jCz,
OvxflOd wiH AnimESan n impalsivnas. t bI an inTVziAst hAd
bikam hx sOSal vOkESan n, samtFmz Ivan wen SI did not
fIl lFk it, SI bikEm inTVziAstik in Pdx not t disapqnt H
eäpektESanz v HOz hM nM hx. H sabdMd smFl wic, HO it
did not sMt hx fEdad fIcxz, YlwEz plEd rQnd hx lips iäprest,
Az in a spqld cFld, a kantinVal konSasnas v hx cRmiN dIfekt,
wic SI nFHx wiSt, nP kUd, nP kansidxd it nesisXi, t
kxekt.
<p>
in H midst v a konvxsESan on politikal mAtxz /Ana /pyvlOvna bxst
Qt:
<p>
“O, dOnt spIk t mI v /ostrW. pxhAps F dOnt andxstAnd
TiNz, bat /ostrW nevx hAz wiSt, n daz not wiS, f wP. SI
iz bitrEiN as! /raSa alOn mast sEv /jUxap. Qx grESas sovran
rekagnFzaz hiz hF vOkESan n wil bI trM t it. HAt iz H wan
TiN F hAv fET in! Qx gUd n wandxfal sovran hAs t pxfPm
H nObalast rOl on xT, n hI iz sO vxcMas n nObal HAt /god wil
not fxsEk him. hI wil fUlfil hiz vOkESan n kraS H hFdra v
revalMSan, wic hAz bikam mP teribal HAn evx in H pxsan v
His mxdxx n vilan! wI alOn mast avenJ H blad v H Jast
wan.... hMm, F Ask V, kAn wI rilF on?... /iNgland wiH hx kamxSal
spirit wil not n kAnot andxstAnd H /empxx /AliãAndx'z
loftinas v sOl. SI hAz rifVzd t ivAkVEt /mYlta. SI wontad t
fFnd, n stil sIä, sam sIkrat mOtiv in Qx AkSanz. wot Ansx
did /nOvOsiltsef get? nan. H /iNgliS hAv not andxstUd n kAnot
andxstAnd H self-AbnigESan v Qx /empxx hM wonts naTiN f
himself, bat Onli dizFxz H gUd v mAnkFnd. n wot hAv HE
promist? naTiN! n wot lital HE hAv promist HE wil not
pxfPm! /praSa hAz YlwEz diklXd HAt /bMOnapRte iz invinsabal, n
HAt Yl /jUxap iz pQxlas bifP him.... n F dOnt bilIv a
wxd HAt /hRdanbxg sez, P /hQgvits FHx. His fEmas /praSan
nMtrAliti iz Jast a trAp. F hAv fET Onli in /god n H lofti
destini v Qx adPd monRk. hI wil sEv /jUxap!”
<p>
SI sadanli pYzd, smFliN At hx On impecMositi.
<p>
“F TiNk,” sed H prins wiH a smFl, “HAt if V hAd bin
sent insted v Qx dC /wintsiNxOd V wUd hAv kApcxd H /kiN
v /praSa'z kansent bF asYlt. V R sO elakwant. wil V giv mI
a kap v tI?”
<p>
“in a mOment. a prOpOz,” SI Adad, bikamiN kym agen, “F Am
iäpektiN tM veri intxastiN men tanFt, lU /vikOmt de /mPtemR, hM
iz kanektad wiH H /montmPansiz TrM H /rOhAnz, wan v H best
/frenc fAmliz. hI iz wan v H JenVin emigrEz, H gUd wanz. n
YlsO H /AbE /mPiO. dM V nO HAt prafQnd TiNkx? hI hAz bin
risIvd bF H /empxx. hAd V hxd?”
<p>
“F SAl bI dilFtad t mIt Hem,” sed H prins. “bat
tel mI,” hI Adad wiH stadid kXlasnas Az if it hAd Onli Jast
akxd t him, HO H kwescan hI woz abQt t Ask woz H cIf
mOtiv v hiz vizit, “iz it trM HAt H /dQaJx /empres wonts
/bAran /faNk t bI apqntad fxst sekratXi At /viena? H bAran bF Yl
akQnts iz a pUx krIcx.”
<p>
prins /vysili wiSt t abtEn His pOst f hiz san, bat aHxz wx
trFiN TrM H /dQaJx /empres /mRja /fjOdPOvna t sikjUx it f
H bAran.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna YlmOst klOzd hx Fz t indikEt HAt nFHx SI nP
eniwan els hAd a rFt t kritisFz wot H /empres dizFxd P woz
plIzd wiH.
<p>
“bAran /faNk hAz bin rekamendad t H /dQaJx /empres bF hx
sistx,” woz Yl SI sed, in a drF n mPnfal tOn.
<p>
Az SI nEmd H /empres, /Ana /pyvlOvna'z fEs sadanli asMmd an
iäpreSan v prafQnd n sinsC divOSan n rispekt miNgald wiH
sAdnas, n His akxd evri tFm SI menSand hx ilastrWs
pEtranas. SI Adad HAt hx /mAJasti hAd dEnd t SO /bAran /faNk
bOkM d'estime, n agen hx fEs klQdad Ovx wiH sAdnas.
<p>
H prins woz sFlant n lUkt indifxant. bat, wiH H wUmanli n
kPtClFk kwiknas n tAkt habicMal t hx, /Ana /pyvlOvna
wiSt bOT t ribVk him (f dXiN t spIk Az hI hAd dan v a mAn
rekamendad t H /empres) n At H sEm tFm t kansOl him, sO SI
sed:
<p>
“nQ abQt jP fAmli. dM V nO HAt sins jP dYtx kEm
Qt evriwan hAz bin inrApcxd bF hx? HE sE SI iz amEziNli
bVtifal.”
<p>
H prins bQd t signifF hiz rispekt n grAtitMd.
<p>
“F oftan TiNk,” SI kantinVd Aftx a SPt pYz, drYiN nCx
t H prins n smFliN EmWbli At him Az if t SO HAt politikal
n sOSal topiä wx endad n H tFm hAd kam f intimat
konvxsESan—“F oftan TiNk hQ anfXli samtFmz H Jqz v lFf
R distribVtad. wF hAz fEt givan V tM sac splendid cildran?
F dOnt spIk v /ynatOl, jP jaNgast. F dOnt lFk him,” SI
Adad in a tOn admitiN v nO riJqndx n rEziN hx FbrQz.
“tM sac cRmiN cildran. n rWli V aprISiEt Hem les HAn
eniwan, n sO V dOnt dizxv t hAv Hem.”
<p>
n SI smFld hx iätAtik smFl.
<p>
“F kAnt help it,” sed H prins. “/lyvytx wUd hAv sed F
lAk H bamp v patxniti.”
<p>
“dOnt JOk; F mIn t hAv a sCWs tYk wiH V. dM V nO
F Am dissAtisfFd wiH jP jaNgx san? bitwIn Qxselvz” (n hx
fEs asMmd its melankoli iäpreSan), “hI woz menSand At hx
/mAJasti'z n V wx pitid....”
<p>
H prins Ansxd naTiN, bat SI lUkt At him signifikantli,
awEtiN a riplF. hI frQnd.
<p>
“wot wUd V hAv mI dM?” hI sed At lAst. “V nO F did Yl
a fyHx kUd f HX eJakESan, n HE hAv bOT txnd Qt fMlz.
/ipOlIt iz At lIst a kwFat fMl, bat /ynatOl iz an Aktiv wan. HAt
iz H Onli difxans bitwIn Hem.” hI sed His smFliN in a wE
mP nAcxal n AnimEtad HAn VZMal, sO HAt H riNkalz rQnd
hiz mQT veri klCli rivIld samTiN aniäpektadli kPs n
anplezant.
<p>
“n wF R cildran bPn t sac men Az V? if V wx not a
fyHx HX wUd bI naTiN F kUd riprOc V wiH,” sed /Ana
/pyvlOvna, lUkiN ap pensivli.
<p>
“F Am jP fETfal slEv n t V alOn F kAn kanfes HAt mF
cildran R H bEn v mF lFf. it iz H kros F hAf t bX. HAt
iz hQ F iäplEn it t mFself. it kAnt bI helpt!”
<p>
hI sed nO mP, bat iäprest hiz rezignESan t krMal fEt bF a
Jescx. Ana /pyvlOvna meditEtad.
<p>
“hAv V nevx TYt v mAriiN jP prodigal san /ynatOl?” SI
Askt. “HE sE Old mEdz hAv a mEnW f mAcmEkiN, n HO F
dOnt fIl HAt wIknas in mFself Az jet, F nO a lital pxsan hM
iz veri anhApi wiH hx fyHx. SI iz a rilESan v jPz, /prinsas
/mXi /bOlkOnskFa.”
<p>
prins /vysili did not riplF, HO, wiH H kwiknas v memxi n
pxsepSan bifitiN a mAn v H wxld, hI indikEtad bF a mMvmant v
H hed HAt hI woz kansidxiN His infxmESan.
<p>
“dM V nO,” hI sed At lAst, evidentli anEbal t cek H sAd
karant v hiz TYts, “HAt /ynatOl iz kostiN mI fPti TQzand
rMbalz a jC? n,” hI went on Aftx a pYz, “wot wil it bI in
fFv jCz, if hI gOz on lFk His?” prezantli hI Adad: “HAt's
wot wI fyHxz hAf t pUt ap wiH.... iz His prinsas v jPz
ric?”
<p>
“hx fyHx iz veri ric n stinJi. hI livz in H kantri. hI iz
H wel-nOn /prins /bOlkOnski hM hAd t ritFx from H Rmi andx
H lEt /empxx, n woz niknEmd 'H /kiN v /praSa.' hI iz
veri klevx bat eäentrik, n a bP. H pUx gxl iz veri anhApi.
SI hAz a braHx; F TiNk V nO him, hI mArid /lIz /mFnan lEtli.
hI iz an Ed-dI-kAmp v /kMtMzOf's n wil bI hC tanFt.”
<p>
“lisan, dC /anet,” sed H prins, sadanli tEkiN /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z hAnd n f sam rIzan drYiN it dQnwxdz. “xEnJ
HAt afX f mI n F SAl YlwEz bI jP mOst divOtad slEv-slafe
wiH an f, Az a viliJ eldx v mFn rFts in hiz ripPts. SI iz ric
n v gUd fAmli n HAt's Yl F wont.”
<p>
n wiH H familiAriti n Izi grEs pikVlC t him, hI rEzd H
mEd v onx'z hAnd t hiz lips, kist it, n swaN it t n frO
Az hI lE bAk in hiz RmcX, lUkiN in anaHx direkSan.
<p>
“ytondE,” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna, riflektiN, “F'l spIk t
/lIz, jaN /bOlkOnski'z wFf, His veri IvniN, n pxhAps H
TiN kAn bI xEnJd. it SAl bI on jP fAmli'z bihAf HAt F'l
stRt mF aprentisSip Az Old mEd.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
/Ana /pyvlOvna'z drYiN rMm woz grAJMali filiN. H hFast
/pItxzbxg sasFati woz asembald HX: pIpal difxiN wFdli in EJ
n kAraktx bat alFk in H sOSal sxkal t wic HE biloNd.
prins /vysili'z dYtx, H bVtifal /helIn, kEm t tEk hx
fyHx t H AmbAsadx'z entxtEnmant; SI wP a bYl dres n
hx bAJ Az mEd v onx. H VTfal lital /prinsas /bOlkOnskFa,
nOn Az ly fem ly plas seduisante de /pItxzbxg, * woz YlsO HX.
SI hAd bin mArid dxiN H prIvWs wintx, n bIiN pregnant did
not gO t eni lRJ gAHxiNz, bat Onli t smYl risepSanz. prins
/vysili'z san, /ipOlIt, hAd kam wiH /mPtemR, hMm hI intradMst.
H /AbE /mPiO n meni aHxz hAd YlsO kam.
<p>
     * H mOst fAsinEtiN wUman in /pItxzbxg.
<p>
t Ic nM xFval /Ana /pyvlOvna sed, “V hAv not jet sIn mF
ynt,” P “V dM not nO mF ynt?” n veri grEvli kondaktad
him P hx t a lital Old lEdi, wXiN lRJ bOz v riban in hx
kAp, hM hAd kam sEliN in from anaHx rMm Az sMn Az H gests
bigAn t xFv; n slOli txniN hx Fz from H vizitx t hx
ynt, /Ana /pyvlOvna menSand Ic wan'z nEm n Hen left Hem.
<p>
Ic vizitx pxfPmd H serimOni v grItiN His Old ynt hMm not
wan v Hem nM, not wan v Hem wontad t nO, n not wan v Hem
kXd abQt; /Ana /pyvlOvna abzxvd HIz grItiNz wiH mPnfal n
solam intxast n sFlant aprMval. H ynt spOk t Ic v Hem in
H sEm wxdz, abQt HX helT n hx On, n H helT v hx
/mAJasti, “hM, TANk /god, woz betx tadE.” n Ic vizitx,
HO palFtnas priventad hiz SOiN impESans, left H Old wUman
wiH a sens v rilIf At hAviN pxfPmd a veäESas dMti n did not
ritxn t hx H hOl IvniN.
<p>
H jaN /prinsas /bOlkOnskFa hAd brYt sam wxk in a
gOld-imbrqdxd velvat bAg. hx priti lital apx lip, on wic a
delikat dRk dQn woz Jast pxseptabal, woz tM SPt f hx tIT,
bat it liftad Yl H mP swItli, n woz ispeSali cRmiN wen SI
akEZanali drM it dQn t mIt H lOx lip. Az iz YlwEz H kEs
wiH a TarOli atrAktiv wUman, hx dIfekt—H SPtnas v hx
apx lip n hx hAf-Opan mQT—sImd t bI hx On speSal n
pikVlC fPm v bVti. evriwan brFtand At H sFt v His priti
jaN wUman, sO sMn t bikam a maHx, sO fUl v lFf n helT, n
kAriiN hx bxdan sO lFtli. Old men n dal dispiritad jaN wanz
hM lUkt At hx, Aftx bIiN in hx kampani n tYkiN t hx a
lital wFl, felt Az if HE tM wx bikamiN, lFk hx, fUl v lFf
n helT. Yl hM tYkt t hx, n At Ic wxd sY hx brFt smFl
n H konstant glIm v hx wFt tIT, TYt HAt HE wx in a
speSali EmWbal mMd HAt dE.
<p>
H lital prinsas went rQnd H tEbal wiH kwik, SPt, swEiN
steps, hx wxkbAg on hx Rm, n gEli sprediN Qt hx dres sAt
dQn on a sOfa nC H silvx sAmavR, Az if Yl SI woz dMiN woz a
pleZx t hxself n t Yl xQnd hx. “F hAv brYt mF wxk,”
sed SI in /frenc, displEiN hx bAg n adresiN Yl prezant.
“mFnd, /anet, F hOp V hAv not plEd a wikad trik on mI,”
SI Adad, txniN t hx hOstas. “V rOt HAt it woz t bI kwFt
a smYl risepSan, n Jast sI hQ bAdli F Am drest.” n SI
spred Qt hx Rmz t SO hx SPt-wEstad, lEs-trimd, dEnti grE
dres, gxdald wiH a brYd riban Jast bilO H brest.
<p>
“sqe tranquille, /lIz, V wil YlwEz bI pritC HAn eniwan
els,” riplFd /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
“V nO,” sed H prinsas in H sEm tOn v vqs n stil in
/frenc, txniN t a Jenxal, “mF hazband iz dizxtiN mI? hI iz gOiN
t get himself kild. tel mI wot His recad wP iz f?” SI
Adad, adresiN /prins /vysili, n wiHQt wEtiN f an Ansx SI
txnd t spIk t hiz dYtx, H bVtifal /helIn.
<p>
“wot a dilFtfal wUman His lital prinsas iz!” sed /prins
/vysili t /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
wan v H neät xFvalz woz a stQt, hevili bilt jaN mAn wiH
klOs-kropt hX, spektakalz, H lFt-kalxd brIcaz fASanabal
At HAt tFm, a veri hF rafal, n a brQn dres kOt. His stQt
jaN mAn woz an iliJitimat san v /kQnt /bezMâOf, a wel-nOn
grAndI v /kATxin'z tFm hM nQ lE dFiN in /moskQ. H jaN mAn
hAd not jet entxd FHx H militXi P sivil sxvis, Az hI hAd Onli
Jast ritxnd from abrYd wX hI hAd bin eJakEtad, n His woz hiz
fxst apCans in sasFati. Ana /pyvlOvna grItad him wiH H nod SI
akPdad t H lOast hFxRki in hx drYiN rMm. bat in spFt v
His lOast-grEd grItiN, a lUk v ANzFati n fC, Az At H sFt
v samTiN tM lRJ n ansMtad t H plEs, kEm Ovx hx fEs
wen SI sY /piX entx. HO hI woz sxtanli rAHx bigx HAn
H aHx men in H rMm, hx ANzFati kUd Onli hAv refxans t
H klevx HO SF, bat abzxvant n nAcxal, iäpreSan wic
distiNgwiSt him from evriwan els in HAt drYiN rMm.
<p>
“it iz veri gUd v V, /masjx /piX, t kam n vizit a pUx
invalid,” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna, iäcEnJiN an alRmd glAns wiH hx
ynt Az SI kondaktad him t hx.
<p>
/piX mxmxd samTiN aninteliJabal, n kantinVd t lUk rQnd Az
if in sxc v samTiN. on hiz wE t H ynt hI bQd t H lital
prinsas wiH a plIzd smFl, Az t an intimat akwEntans.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna'z alRm woz JastifFd, f /piX txnd awE from H
ynt wiHQt wEtiN t hC hx spIc abQt hx /mAJasti'z helT.
Ana /pyvlOvna in dismE ditEnd him wiH H wxdz: “dM V nO H
/AbE /mPiO? hI iz a mOst intxastiN mAn.”
<p>
“jes, F hAv hxd v hiz skIm f pxpecMal pIs, n it iz veri
intxastiN bat hRdli fIzabal.”
<p>
“V TiNk sO?” rIJqnd /Ana /pyvlOvna in Pdx t sE samTiN
n get awE t atend t hx dMtiz Az hOstas. bat /piX nQ
kamitad a rivxs Akt v impalFtnas. fxst hI hAd left a lEdi bifP
SI hAd finiSt spIkiN t him, n nQ hI kantinVd t spIk t
anaHx hM wiSt t get awE. wiH hiz hed bent, n hiz big fIt
spred apRt, hI bigAn iäplEniN hiz rIzanz f TiNkiN H AbE'z
plAn kFmerikal.
<p>
“wI wil tYk v it lEtx,” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna wiH a smFl.
<p>
n hAviN got rid v His jaN mAn hM did not nO hQ t bihEv, SI
rizMmd hx dMtiz Az hOstas n kantinVd t lisan n woc, redi
t help At eni pqnt wX H konvxsESan mFt hApan t flAg. Az
H fPman v a spiniN mil, wen hI hAz set H hAndz t wxk, gOz
rQnd n nOtisaz hC a spindal HAt hAz stopt P HX wan HAt
krIä P mEä mP nqz HAn it SUd, n hEsanz t cek H
maSIn P set it in propx mOSan, sO /Ana /pyvlOvna mMvd abQt hx
drYiN rMm, aprOciN nQ a sFlant, nQ a tM-nqzi grMp, n bF a
wxd P slFt rIxEnJmant kept H konvxsESanal maSIn in stedi,
propx, n regVlx mOSan. bat amid HIz kXz hx ANzFati abQt
/piX woz evidant. SI kept an ANkSas woc on him wen hI aprOct
H grMp rQnd /mPtemR t lisan t wot woz bIiN sed HX, n
agen wen hI pAst t anaHx grMp hMz sentx woz H AbE.
<p>
/piX hAd bin eJakEtad abrYd, n His risepSan At /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z woz H fxst hI hAd atendad in /raSa. hI nM HAt Yl
H intalekcMal lFts v /pItxzbxg wx gAHxd HX n, lFk a
cFld in a tqSop, did not nO wic wE t lUk, afrEd v misiN
eni klevx konvxsESan HAt woz t bI hxd. sIiN H self-konfidant
n rifFnd iäpreSan on H fEsaz v HOz prezant hI woz YlwEz
iäpektiN t hC samTiN veri prafQnd. At lAst hI kEm ap t /mPiO.
hC H konvxsESan sImd intxastiN n hI stUd wEtiN f an
opxtMniti t iäpres hiz On vVz, Az jaN pIpal R fond v dMiN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
/Ana /pyvlOvna'z risepSan woz in fUl swiN. H spindalz hamd
stedili n sIslasli on Yl sFdz. wiH H iäepSan v H ynt,
bisFd hMm sAt Onli wan eldxli lEdi, hM wiH hx Tin kXwPn fEs
woz rAHx Qt v plEs in His brilWnt sasFati, H hOl kampani hAd
setald intM TrI grMps. wan, cIfli mAskVlin, hAd fPmd rQnd
H AbE. anaHx, v jaN pIpal, woz grMpt rQnd H bVtifal
/prinsas /helIn, /prins /vysili'z dYtx, n H lital /prinsas
/bOlkOnskFa, veri priti n rOzi, HO rAHx tM plamp f hx EJ.
H Txd grMp woz gAHxd rQnd /mPtemR n /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
H /vikOmt woz a nFs-lUkiN jaN mAn wiH soft fIcxz n poliSt
mAnxz, hM evidentli kansidxd himself a salebriti bat Qt v
palFtnas modastli plEst himself At H dispOzal v H sxkal in
wic hI fQnd himself. Ana /pyvlOvna woz obvWsli sxviN him ap Az
a trIt t hx gests. Az a klevx metra d'hOtel sxvz ap Az a
speSali cqs delikasi a pIs v mIt HAt nO wan hM hAd sIn it in
H kicin wUd hAv kXd t It, sO /Ana /pyvlOvna sxvd ap t
hx gests, fxst H /vikOmt n Hen H AbE, Az pikVlCli cqs
mPsalz. H grMp abQt /mPtemR imIdWtli bigAn diskasiN H
mxdx v H /dMk /d'yNgien. H /vikOmt sed HAt H /dMk /d'yNgien
hAd periSt bF hiz On mAgnanimiti, n HAt HX wx pxtikVlx
rIzanz f /bMOnapRte'z hEtrad v him.
<p>
“y, jes! dM tel as Yl abQt it, /vikOmt,” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna,
wiH a plezant fIliN HAt HX woz samTiN a ly /lMi XV in H
sQnd v HAt sentans: “/kontez nMs sIla, /vikOmt.”
<p>
H /vikOmt bQd n smFld kxtWsli in tOkan v hiz wiliNnas t
kamplF. Ana /pyvlOvna xEnJd a grMp rQnd him, invFtiN evriwan t
lisan t hiz tEl.
<p>
“H /vikOmt nM H dMk pxsanali,” wispxd /Ana /pyvlOvna t
wan v H gests. “H /vikOmt iz a wandxfal rAkontx,” sed SI
t anaHx. “hQ evidentli hI biloNz t H best sasFati,” sed SI
t a Txd; n H /vikOmt woz sxvd ap t H kampani in H cqsast
n mOst AdvantEJas stFl, lFk a wel-gRniSt Jqnt v rOst bIf
on a hot diS.
<p>
H /vikOmt wiSt t bigin hiz stPi n gEv a satal smFl.
<p>
“kam Ovx hC, /helIn, dC,” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna t H
bVtifal jaN prinsas hM woz sitiN sam wE of, H sentx v
anaHx grMp.
<p>
H prinsas smFld. SI rOz wiH H sEm ancEnJiN smFl wiH wic
SI hAd fxst entxd H rMm—H smFl v a pxfiktli bVtifal
wUman. wiH a slFt rasal v hx wFt dres trimd wiH mos
n Fvi, wiH a glIm v wFt SOldxz, glosi hX, n spRkaliN
dFmandz, SI pAst bitwIn H men hM mEd wE f hx, not lUkiN
At eni v Hem bat smFliN on Yl, Az if grESasli alQiN Ic H
privaliJ v admFxiN hx bVtifal figjx n SEpli SOldxz,
bAk, n bUzam—wic in H fASan v HOz dEz wx veri mac
iäpOzd—n SI sImd t briN H glAmx v a bYlrMm wiH hx Az
SI mMvd tPd /Ana /pyvlOvna. /helIn woz sO lavli HAt not Onli
did SI not SO eni trEs v kOkatri, bat on H kontrXi SI Ivan
apCd SF v hx ankwescanabal n Yl tM viktPWs bVti. SI
sImd t wiS, bat t bI anEbal, t diminiS its ifekt.
<p>
“hQ lavli!” sed evriwan hM sY hx; n H /vikOmt liftad hiz
SOldxz n dropt hiz Fz Az if stRtald bF samTiN iätrPdinXi
wen SI tUk hx sIt opazit n bImd apon him YlsO wiH hx
ancEnJiN smFl.
<p>
“madym, F dQt mF abiliti bifP sac an YdWns,” sed hI,
smFliNli inklFniN hiz hed.
<p>
H prinsas restad hx bX rQnd Rm on a lital tEbal n kansidxd
a riplF annesisXi. SI smFliNli wEtad. Yl H tFm H stPi woz
bIiN tOld SI sAt aprFt, glAnsiN nQ At hx bVtifal rQnd Rm,
Yltxd in SEp bF its preSx on H tEbal, nQ At hx stil mP
bVtifal bUzam, on wic SI rIaJastad a dFmand neklas. from tFm
t tFm SI smMHd H fOldz v hx dres, n wenevx H stPi
prOdMst an ifekt SI glAnst At /Ana /pyvlOvna, At wans adoptad Jast
H iäpreSan SI sY on H mEd v onx'z fEs, n agen rilApst
intM hx rEdWnt smFl.
<p>
H lital prinsas hAd YlsO left H tI tEbal n folOd /helIn.
<p>
“wEt a mOment, F'l get mF wxk.... nQ Hen, wot R V
TiNkiN v?” SI went on, txniN t /prins /ipOlIt. “fec mI mF
wxkbAg.”
<p>
HX woz a Jenxal mMvmant Az H prinsas, smFliN n tYkiN
merili t evriwan At wans, sAt dQn n gEli xEnJd hxself in hx
sIt.
<p>
“nQ F Am Yl rFt,” SI sed, n AskiN H /vikOmt t bigin, SI
tUk ap hx wxk.
<p>
prins /ipOlIt, hAviN brYt H wxkbAg, Jqnd H sxkal n
mMviN a cX klOs t hxz sItad himself bisFd hx.
<p>
lU cRmant /ipOlIt woz sxprFziN bF hiz iätrPdinXi rizembalans
t hiz bVtifal sistx, bat jet mP bF H fAkt HAt in spFt v
His rizembalans hI woz iäIdiNli agli. hiz fIcxz wx lFk hiz
sistx'z, bat wFl in hx kEs evriTiN woz lit ap bF a Jqas,
self-sAtisfFd, VTfal, n konstant smFl v AnimESan, n bF H
wandxfal klAsik bVti v hx figjx, hiz fEs on H kontrXi
woz dald bF imbasiliti n a konstant iäpreSan v salan
self-konfidans, wFl hiz bodi woz Tin n wIk. hiz Fz, nOz, n
mQT Yl sImd pakxd intM a vEkant, wCid grimas, n hiz Rmz
n leã YlwEz fel intM annAcxal paziSanz.
<p>
“it's not gOiN t bI a gOst stPi?” sed hI, sitiN dQn bisFd
H prinsas n hEstili aJastiN hiz lPnjet, Az if wiHQt His
instramant hI kUd not bigin t spIk.
<p>
“wF nO, mF dC felO,” sed H astoniSt nArEtx, SragiN
hiz SOldxz.
<p>
“bikoz F hEt gOst stPiz,” sed /prins /ipOlIt in a tOn
wic SOd HAt hI Onli andxstUd H mIniN v hiz wxdz Aftx hI
hAd atxd Hem.
<p>
hI spOk wiH sac self-konfidans HAt hiz hCxz kUd not bI SUx
weHx wot hI sed woz veri witi P veri stMpid. hI woz drest in
a dRk-grIn dres kOt, nI brIcaz v H kalx v cuisse de nymphe
efrEI, Az hI kYld it, SMz, n silk stokiNz.
<p>
H /vikOmt tOld hiz tEl veri nItli. it woz an AnikdOt, Hen karant,
t H ifekt HAt H /dMk /d'yNgien hAd gon sIkratli t /pAris t
vizit /mAdamwazel /JPJ; HAt At hx hQs hI kEm apon /bOnapRt,
hM YlsO inJqd H fEmas Aktras' fEvxz, n HAt in hiz prezans
/napOlWn hApand t fYl intM wan v H fEntiN fits t wic hI woz
sabJekt, n woz Has At H dMk's mxsi. H lAtx spXd him, n
His mAgnanimiti /bOnapRt sabsikwantli rIpEd bF deT.
<p>
H stPi woz veri priti n intxastiN, ispeSali At H pqnt
wX H rFvalz sadanli rekagnFzd wan anaHx; n H lEdiz lUkt
AJitEtad.
<p>
“cRmiN!” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna wiH an inkwFxiN glAns At H
lital prinsas.
<p>
“cRmiN!” wispxd H lital prinsas, stikiN H nIdal intM
hx wxk Az if t testifF HAt H intxast n fAsinESan v H stPi
priventad hx from gOiN on wiH it.
<p>
H /vikOmt aprISiEtad His sFlant prEz n smFliN grEtfali
pripXd t kantinV, bat Jast Hen /Ana /pyvlOvna, hM hAd kept a
wocfal F on H jaN mAn hM sO alRmd hx, nOtist HAt hI woz
tYkiN tM lQdli n vWmantli wiH H AbE, sO SI harid t H
reskV. /piX hAd mAniJd t stRt a konvxsESan wiH H AbE abQt
H bAlans v pQx, n H lAtx, evidentli intxastad bF H jaN
mAn'z simpal-mFndad Igxnas, woz iäplEniN hiz pet TCi. bOT
wx tYkiN n lisaniN tM Igxli n tM nAcxali, wic woz wF
/Ana /pyvlOvna disaprMvd.
<p>
“H mInz R ... H bAlans v pQx in /jUxap n H rFts v
H pIpal,” H AbE woz sEiN. “it iz Onli nesisXi f wan
pQxfal nESan lFk /raSa—bRbArik Az SI iz sed t bI—t plEs
hxself disintxastadli At H hed v an alFans hAviN f its obJekt
H mEntanans v H bAlans v pQx v /jUxap, n it wUd sEv H
wxld!”
<p>
“bat hQ R V t get HAt bAlans?” /piX woz biginiN.
<p>
At HAt mOment /Ana /pyvlOvna kEm ap n, lUkiN sivCli At /piX,
Askt H /itAlWn hQ hI stUd /raSan klFmat. H /itAlWn'z
fEs instantli cEnJd n asMmd an afensivli afektad, SUgxi
iäpreSan, evidentli habicMal t him wen kanvxsiN wiH wimin.
<p>
“F Am sO incAntad bF H brilWnsi v H wit n kalcx v H
sasFati, mP ispeSali v H feminin sasFati, in wic F hAv hAd
H onx v bIiN risIvd, HAt F hAv not jet hAd tFm t TiNk v
H klFmat,” sed hI.
<p>
not letiN H AbE n /piX iskEp, /Ana /pyvlOvna, H mP
kanvInWntli t kIp Hem andx obzxvESan, brYt Hem intM H
lRJx sxkal.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
Jast Hen anaHx vizitx entxd H drYiN rMm: prins /AndrM
/bOlkOnski, H lital prinsas' hazband. hI woz a veri hAndsam jaN
mAn, v mIdWm hFt, wiH fxm, klCkat fIcxz. evriTiN abQt
him, from hiz wCi, bPd iäpreSan t hiz kwFat, meZxd step,
ofxd a mOst strFkiN kontrAst t hiz kwFat, lital wFf. it woz
evidant HAt hI not Onli nM evriwan in H drYiN rMm, bat hAd
fQnd Hem t bI sO tFxsam HAt it wCid him t lUk At P lisan t
Hem. n amaN Yl HIz fEsaz HAt hI fQnd sO tIdWs, nan sImd
t bP him sO mac Az HAt v hiz priti wFf. hI txnd awE from
hx wiH a grimas HAt distPtad hiz hAndsam fEs, kist /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z hAnd, n skrMiN ap hiz Fz skAnd H hOl kampani.
<p>
“V R of t H wP, /prins?” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
“Jenxal /kMtMzOf,” sed /bOlkOnski, spIkiN /frenc n stresiN
H lAst silabal v H Jenxal'z nEm lFk a /frencman, “hAz bin
plIzd t tEk mI Az an Ed-dI-kAmp....”
<p>
“n /lIz, jP wFf?”
<p>
“SI wil gO t H kantri.”
<p>
“R V not aSEmd t diprFv as v jP cRmiN wFf?”
<p>
“/yndrE,” sed hiz wFf, adresiN hx hazband in H sEm
kOketiS mAnx in wic SI spOk t aHx men, “H /vikOmt hAz
bin teliN as sac a tEl abQt /mAdamwazel /JPJ n /bMOnapRte!”
<p>
prins /AndrM skrMd ap hiz Fz n txnd awE. /piX, hM from
H mOment /prins /AndrM entxd H rMm hAd woct him wiH glAd,
afekSanat Fz, nQ kEm ap n tUk hiz Rm. bifP hI lUkt rQnd
/prins /AndrM frQnd agen, iäpresiN hiz anqans wiH hMevx woz
taciN hiz Rm, bat wen hI sY /piX'z bImiN fEs hI gEv him an
aniäpektadli kFnd n plezant smFl.
<p>
“HX nQ!... sO V, tM, R in H grEt wxld?” sed hI t
/piX.
<p>
“F nM V wUd bI hC,” riplFd /piX. “F wil kam t sapx
wiH V. mE F?” hI Adad in a lO vqs sO Az not t distxb H
/vikOmt hM woz kantinViN hiz stPi.
<p>
“nO, imposabal!” sed /prins /AndrM, lAfiN n presiN
/piX'z hAnd t SO HAt HX woz nO nId t Ask H kwescan. hI
wiSt t sE samTiN mP, bat At HAt mOment /prins /vysili n hiz
dYtx got ap t gO n H tM jaN men rOz t let Hem pAs.
<p>
“V mast iäkVz mI, dC /vikOmt,” sed /prins /vysili t H
/frencman, hOldiN him dQn bF H slIv in a frendli wE t privent
hiz rFziN. “His anfPcanat fEt At H AmbAsadx'z diprFvz mI
v a pleZx, n ablFJaz mI t intxapt V. F Am veri sori t lIv
jP incAntiN pRti,” sed hI, txniN t /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
hiz dYtx, /prinsas /helIn, pAst bitwIn H cXz, lFtli
hOldiN ap H fOldz v hx dres, n H smFl SOn stil mP
rEdWntli on hx bVtifal fEs. /piX gEzd At hx wiH rApcxas,
YlmOst frFtand, Fz Az SI pAst him.
<p>
“veri lavli,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“veri,” sed /piX.
<p>
in pAsiN /prins /vysili sIzd /piX'z hAnd n sed t /Ana
/pyvlOvna: “eJakEt His bX f mI! hI hAz bin stEiN wiH mI
a hOl manT n His iz H fxst tFm F hAv sIn him in sasFati.
naTiN iz sO nesisXi f a jaN mAn Az H sasFati v klevx
wimin.”
<p>
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna smFld n promist t tEk /piX in hAnd. SI nM hiz
fyHx t bI a kanekSan v /prins /vysili'z. H eldxli lEdi hM
hAd bin sitiN wiH H Old ynt rOz haridli n OvxtUk /prins
/vysili in H AntirMm. Yl H AfektESan v intxast SI hAd asMmd
hAd left hx kFndli n tC-wPn fEs n it nQ iäprest Onli ANzFati
n fC.
<p>
“hQ abQt mF san /bPis, /prins?” sed SI, hariiN Aftx him intM
H AntirMm. “F kAnt rimEn eni loNgx in /pItxzbxg. tel mI wot
nMz F mE tEk bAk t mF pUx bq.”
<p>
YlHO /prins /vysili lisand rilaktantli n not veri palFtli
t H eldxli lEdi, Ivan bitrEiN sam impESans, SI gEv him an
ingrESiEtiN n apIliN smFl, n tUk hiz hAnd HAt hI mFt not gO
awE.
<p>
“wot wUd it kost V t sE a wxd t H /empxx, n Hen hI
wUd bI trAnsfxd t H /gRdz At wans?” sed SI.
<p>
“bilIv mI, /prinsas, F Am redi t dM Yl F kAn,” Ansxd /prins
/vysili, “bat it iz difikalt f mI t Ask H /empxx. F SUd
advFz V t apIl t /rMmjyntsef TrM /prins /gOlitsin. HAt wUd
bI H best wE.”
<p>
H eldxli lEdi woz a /prinsas /drMbetskFa, biloNiN t wan v H
best fAmliz in /raSa, bat SI woz pUx, n hAviN loN bin Qt v
sasFati hAd lost hx fPmx inflMenSal kanekSanz. SI hAd nQ kam t
/pItxzbxg t prakjUx an apqntmant in H /gRdz f hx Onli san.
it woz, in fAkt, sOli t mIt /prins /vysili HAt SI hAd abtEnd an
invitESan t /Ana /pyvlOvna'z risepSan n hAd sAt lisaniN t
H /vikOmt's stPi. prins /vysili'z wxdz frFtand hx, an
imbitxd lUk klQdad hx wans hAndsam fEs, bat Onli f a mOment;
Hen SI smFld agen n klact /prins /vysili'z Rm mP tFtli.
<p>
“lisan t mI, /prins,” sed SI. “F hAv nevx jet Askt V
f eniTiN n F nevx wil agen, nP hAv F evx rimFndad V v mF
fyHx'z frendSip f V; bat nQ F intrIt V f /god'z sEk t
dM His f mF san—n F SAl YlwEz rigRd V Az a benifAktx,”
SI Adad haridli. “nO, dOnt bI ANgri, bat promis! F hAv Askt
/gOlitsin n hI hAz rifVzd. bI H kFndhRtad mAn V YlwEz wx,”
SI sed, trFiN t smFl HO tCz wx in hx Fz.
<p>
“pypy, wI SAl bI lEt,” sed /prinsas /helIn, txniN hx
bVtifal hed n lUkiN Ovx hx klAsikli mOldad SOldx Az SI
stUd wEtiN bF H dP.
<p>
inflMans in sasFati, hQevx, iz a kApital wic hAs t bI ikonamFzd
if it iz t lAst. prins /vysili nM His, n hAviN wans rWlFzd
HAt if hI Askt on bihAf v Yl hM begd v him, hI wUd sMn bI
anEbal t Ask f himself, hI bikEm cXi v VziN hiz inflMans. bat
in /prinsas /drMbetskFa'z kEs hI felt, Aftx hx sekand apIl,
samTiN lFk kwymz v konSans. SI hAd rimFndad him v wot woz
kwFt trM; hI hAd bin indetad t hx fyHx f H fxst steps in
hiz kxC. mPOvx, hI kUd sI bF hx mAnxz HAt SI woz wan v
HOz wimin—mOstli maHxz—hM, hAviN wans mEd ap HX mFndz,
wil not rest antil HE hAv gEnd HX end, n R pripXd if
nesisXi t gO on insistiN dE Aftx dE n Qx Aftx Qx, n Ivan
t mEk sInz. His lAst kansidxESan mMvd him.
<p>
“mF dC /Ana /miâFlOvna,” sed hI wiH hiz VZMal familiAriti n
wCinas v tOn, “it iz YlmOst imposabal f mI t dM wot V
Ask; bat t prMv mF divOSan t V n hQ F rispekt jP fyHx'z
memxi, F wil dM H imposabal—jP san SAl bI trAnsfxd t H
/gRdz. hC iz mF hAnd on it. R V sAtisfFd?”
<p>
“mF dC benifAktx! His iz wot F iäpektad from V—F nM jP
kFndnas!” hI txnd t gO.
<p>
“wEt—Jast a wxd! wen hI hAz bin trAnsfxd t H /gRdz...”
SI fYltxd. “V R on gUd txmz wiH /mFkal /ilRiOnOvic
/kMtMzOf ... rekamend /bPis t him Az AJUtant! Hen F SAl bI At
rest, n Hen...”
<p>
prins /vysili smFld.
<p>
“nO, F wOnt promis HAt. V dOnt nO hQ /kMtMzOf iz pestxd
sins hiz apqntmant Az /kamAndx in /cIf. hI tOld mI himself HAt
Yl H /moskQ lEdiz hAv kanspFxd t giv him Yl HX sanz Az
AJUtants.”
<p>
“nO, bat dM promis! F wOnt let V gO! mF dC benifAktx...”
<p>
“pypy,” sed hiz bVtifal dYtx in H sEm tOn Az bifP,
“wI SAl bI lEt.”
<p>
“wel, O ravwR! gUd-bF! V hC hx?”
<p>
“Hen tamorO V wil spIk t H /empxx?”
<p>
“sxtanli; bat abQt /kMtMzOf, F dOnt promis.”
<p>
“dM promis, dM promis, /vysili!” krFd /Ana /miâFlOvna Az hI
went, wiH H smFl v a kOketiS gxl, wic At wan tFm probabli
kEm nAcxali t hx, bat woz nQ veri il-sMtad t hx kXwPn fEs.
<p>
apArantli SI hAd fxgotan hx EJ n bF fPs v hAbit implqd
Yl H Old feminin Rts. bat Az sMn Az H prins hAd gon hx fEs
rizMmd its fPmx kOld, RtifiSal iäpreSan. SI ritxnd t H
grMp wX H /vikOmt woz stil tYkiN, n agen pritendad t
lisan, wFl wEtiN til it wUd bI tFm t lIv. hx tAsk woz
akompliSt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
“n wot dM V TiNk v His lEtast komadi, H kPanESan At
/milyn?” Askt /Ana /pyvlOvna, “n v H komadi v H pIpal v
/JenOa n /lMka lEiN HX patiSanz bifP /masjx /bMOnapRte, n
/masjx /bMOnapRte sitiN on a TrOn n grAntiN H patiSanz v
H nESanz? adPabal! it iz inaf t mEk wan'z hed wxl! it iz Az
if H hOl wxld hAd gon krEzi.”
<p>
prins /AndrM lUkt /Ana /pyvlOvna strEt in H fEs wiH a
sRkAstik smFl.
<p>
“'dV mI ly /dan, /gR a kwF ly tMSE!'' * HE sE hI woz
veri fFn wen hI sed HAt,” hI rimRkt, ripItiN H wxdz in
/itAlWn: “'/dIO mI l'hy dEtO. /gMF a cI ly /tOki!''
<p>
     * god hAz givan it t mI, let him hM tacaz it biwX!
<p>
“F hOp His wil prMv H lAst drop HAt wil mEk H glAs ran
Ovx,” Ana /pyvlOvna kantinVd. “H sovranz wil not bI Ebal t
indx His mAn hM iz a menas t evriTiN.”
<p>
“H sovranz? F dM not spIk v /raSa,” sed H /vikOmt, palFt
bat hOplas: “H sovranz, madym... wot hAv HE dan f /lMi
XVII, f H /kwIn, P f /madym /ilizabaT? naTiN!” n hI bikEm
mP AnimEtad. “n bilIv mI, HE R rIpiN H riwPd v HX
bitrEal v H /bxban kYz. H sovranz! wF, HE R sendiN
AmbAsadxz t kompliment H Vzxpx.”
<p>
n sFiN disdEnfali, hI agen cEnJd hiz paziSan.
<p>
prins /ipOlIt, hM hAd bin gEziN At H /vikOmt f sam tFm
TrM hiz lPnjet, sadanli txnd kamplItli rQnd tPd H
lital prinsas, n hAviN Askt f a nIdal bigAn trEsiN H /kondE
kOt v Rmz on H tEbal. hI iäplEnd His t hx wiH Az mac grAviti
Az if SI hAd Askt him t dM it.
<p>
“bAton de gueules, engrele de gueules /d'yzUx—/mFsan /kondE,”
sed hI.
<p>
H prinsas lisand, smFliN.
<p>
“if /bMOnapRte rimEnz on H TrOn v /fryns a jC loNgx,” H
/vikOmt kantinVd, wiH H X v a mAn hM, in a mAtx wiH wic
hI iz betx akwEntad HAn eniwan els, daz not lisan t aHxz bat
folOz H karant v hiz On TYts, “TiNz wil hAv gon tM
fR. bF intrIã, vFalans, eäFl, n eäikVSanz, /frenc sasFati—F
mIn gUd /frenc sasFati—wil hAv bin fxevx distrqd, n
Hen....”
<p>
hI Sragd hiz SOldxz n spred Qt hiz hAndz. /piX wiSt t
mEk a rimRk, f H konvxsESan intxastad him, bat /Ana /pyvlOvna,
hM hAd him andx obzxvESan, intxaptad:
<p>
“H /empxx /AliãAndx,” sed SI, wiH H melankoli wic
YlwEz akampanid eni refxans v hxz t H /impCWl fAmli, “hAz
diklXd HAt hI wil lIv it t H /frenc pIpal Hemselvz t cMz
HX On fPm v gavxnmant; n F bilIv HAt wans frI from H
Vzxpx, H hOl nESan wil sxtanli TrO itself intM H Rmz
v its rFtfal kiN,” SI kanklMdad, trFiN t bI EmWbal t H
rqalist emigrant.
<p>
“HAt iz dQtfal,” sed /prins /AndrM. “masjx lU /vikOmt kwFt
rFtli sapOzaz HAt mAtxz hAv Ylredi gon tM fR. F TiNk it wil
bI difikalt t ritxn t H Old rEZIm.”
<p>
“from wot F hAv hxd,” sed /piX, blaSiN n brEkiN intM
H konvxsESan, “YlmOst Yl H Aristokrasi hAz Ylredi gon Ovx t
/bOnapRt's sFd.”
<p>
“it iz H /bMOnapRtists hM sE HAt,” riplFd H /vikOmt wiHQt
lUkiN At /piX. “At H prezant tFm it iz difikalt t nO H
rWl stEt v /frenc pablik apinjan.”
<p>
“/bOnapRt hAz sed sO,” rimRkt /prins /AndrM wiH a sRkAstik
smFl.
<p>
it woz evidant HAt hI did not lFk H /vikOmt n woz EmiN hiz
rimRä At him, HO wiHQt lUkiN At him.
<p>
“'F SOd Hem H pAT t glPi, bat HE did not folO
it,'” prins /AndrM kantinVd Aftx a SPt sFlans, agen kwOtiN
/napOlWn'z wxdz. “'F Opand mF AnticEmbxz n HE krQdad
in.' F dM not nO hQ fR hI woz JastifFd in sEiN sO.”
<p>
“not in H lIst,” riplFd H /vikOmt. “Aftx H mxdx v H
dMk Ivan H mOst pRSal sIst t rigRd him Az a hCO. if t sam
pIpal,” hI went on, txniN t /Ana /pyvlOvna, “hI evx woz a hCO,
Aftx H mxdx v H dMk HX woz wan mRtx mP in hevan n wan
hCO les on xT.”
<p>
bifP /Ana /pyvlOvna n H aHxz hAd tFm t smFl HX
aprISiESan v H /vikOmt's epigrAm, /piX agen brOk intM H
konvxsESan, n HO /Ana /pyvlOvna felt SUx hI wUd sE samTiN
inaprOprWt, SI woz anEbal t stop him.
<p>
“H eäikVSan v H /dMk /d'yNgien,” diklXd /masjx /piX,
“woz a politikal nisesiti, n it sImz t mI HAt /napOlWn
SOd grEtnas v sOl bF not fCiN t tEk on himself H hOl
risponsabiliti v HAt dId.”
<p>
“dV! man /dV!” matxd /Ana /pyvlOvna in a terifFd wispx.
<p>
“wot, /masjx /piX... dM V kansidx HAt asAsinESan SOz
grEtnas v sOl?” sed H lital prinsas, smFliN n drYiN hx
wxk nCx t hx.
<p>
“O! O!” iäklEmd sevxal vqsaz.
<p>
“kApital!” sed /prins /ipOlIt in /iNgliS, n bigAn slApiN hiz
nI wiH H pym v hiz hAnd.
<p>
H /vikOmt mCli Sragd hiz SOldxz. /piX lUkt solamli At hiz
YdWns Ovx hiz spektakalz n kantinVd.
<p>
“F sE sO,” hI kantinVd despxatli, “bikoz H /bxbanz fled
from H /revalMSan lIviN H pIpal t Anxki, n /napOlWn alOn
andxstUd H /revalMSan n kweld it, n sO f H Jenxal gUd,
hI kUd not stop SPt f H sEk v wan mAn'z lFf.”
<p>
“wOnt V kam Ovx t H aHx tEbal?” saJestad /Ana
/pyvlOvna.
<p>
bat /piX kantinVd hiz spIc wiHQt hIdiN hx.
<p>
“nO,” krFd hI, bikamiN mP n mP Igx, “/napOlWn iz grEt
bikoz hI rOz sMpCC t H /revalMSan, saprest its abVsaz,
prizxvd Yl HAt woz gUd in it—ikwoliti v sitizanSip n frIdam
v spIc n v H pres—n Onli f HAt rIzan did hI abtEn
pQx.”
<p>
“jes, if hAviN abtEnd pQx, wiHQt avEliN himself v it t
kamit mxdx hI hAd ristPd it t H rFtfal kiN, F SUd hAv
kYld him a grEt mAn,” rimRkt H /vikOmt.
<p>
“hI kUd not dM HAt. H pIpal Onli gEv him pQx HAt hI mFt
rid Hem v H /bxbanz n bikoz HE sY HAt hI woz a grEt
mAn. H /revalMSan woz a grAnd TiN!” kantinVd /masjx /piX,
bitrEiN bF His despxat n pravokativ propaziSan hiz iätrIm
VT n hiz wiS t iäpres Yl HAt woz in hiz mFnd.
<p>
“wot? revalMSan n reJisFd a grAnd TiN?... wel, Aftx HAt...
bat wOnt V kam t His aHx tEbal?” ripItad /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
“/rMsO'z /kontrAt /sOSal,” sed H /vikOmt wiH a tolxant
smFl.
<p>
“F Am not spIkiN v reJisFd, F Am spIkiN abQt FdWz.”
<p>
“jes: FdWz v robxi, mxdx, n reJisFd,” agen intxJektad an
Fronikal vqs.
<p>
“HOz wx iätrImz, nO dQt, bat HE R not wot iz mOst
impPtant. wot iz impPtant R H rFts v mAn, imAnsipESan from
preJadisaz, n ikwoliti v sitizanSip, n Yl HIz FdWz /napOlWn
hAz ritEnd in fUl fPs.”
<p>
“libxti n ikwoliti,” sed H /vikOmt kantempcMasli, Az if At
lAst disFdiN sCWsli t prMv t His VT hQ fMliS hiz wxdz
wx, “hF-sQndiN wxdz wic hAv loN bin diskreditad. hM daz
not lav libxti n ikwoliti? Ivan Qx /sEvjx prIct libxti n
ikwoliti. hAv pIpal sins H /revalMSan bikam hApC? on H
kontrXi. wI wontad libxti, bat /bMOnapRte hAz distrqd it.”
<p>
prins /AndrM kept lUkiN wiH an amVzd smFl from /piX t H
/vikOmt n from H /vikOmt t HX hOstas. in H fxst mOment v
/piX'z Qtbxst /Ana /pyvlOvna, dispFt hx sOSal iäpCWns, woz
horx-strak. bat wen SI sY HAt /piX'z sAkriliJas wxdz
hAd not iãAspxEtad H /vikOmt, n hAd kanvinst hxself HAt it woz
imposabal t stop him, SI rAlid hx fPsaz n Jqnd H /vikOmt in
a vigxas atAk on H Patx.
<p>
“bat, mF dC /masjx /piX,” sed SI, “hQ dM V iäplEn H
fAkt v a grEt mAn eäikVtiN a dMk—P Ivan an PdinXi mAn hM—iz
inasant n antrFd?”
<p>
“F SUd lFk,” sed H /vikOmt, “t Ask hQ masjx iäplEnz
H 18T /brMmX; woz not HAt an imposcx? it woz a swindal, n not
At Yl lFk H kondakt v a grEt mAn!”
<p>
“n H prizanxz hI kild in /Afrika? HAt woz horibal!” sed H
lital prinsas, SragiN hx SOldxz.
<p>
“hI'z a lO felO, sE wot V wil,” rimRkt /prins /ipOlIt.
<p>
/piX, not nOiN hMm t Ansx, lUkt At Hem Yl n smFld. hiz
smFl woz anlFk H hAf-smFl v aHx pIpal. wen hI smFld,
hiz grEv, Ivan rAHx glMmi, lUk woz instantEnWsli riplEst bF
anaHx—a cFldlFk, kFndli, Ivan rAHx sili lUk, wic sImd t
Ask fxgivnas.
<p>
H /vikOmt hM woz mItiN him f H fxst tFm sY klCli HAt
His jaN /JAkabin woz not sO teribal Az hiz wxdz saJestad. Yl wx
sFlant.
<p>
“hQ dM V iäpekt him t Ansx V Yl At wans?” sed /prins
/AndrM. “bisFdz, in H AkSanz v a stEtsman wan hAs t distiNgwiS
bitwIn hiz Akts Az a prFvat pxsan, Az a Jenxal, n Az an empxx.
sO it sImz t mI.”
<p>
“jes, jes, v kPs!” /piX cFmd in, plIzd At H xFval v
His rIinfPsmant.
<p>
“wan mast admit,” kantinVd /prins /AndrM, “HAt /napOlWn Az a mAn
woz grEt on H briJ v /RkOla, n in H hospital At /JAfa wX hI
gEv hiz hAnd t H plEg-strikan; bat ... bat HX R aHx Akts
wic it iz difikalt t JastifF.”
<p>
prins /AndrM, hM hAd evidentli wiSt t tOn dQn H Ykwxdnas v
/piX'z rimRä, rOz n mEd a sFn t hiz wFf HAt it woz tFm t
gO.
<p>
sadanli /prins /ipOlIt stRtad ap mEkiN sFnz t evriwan t atend,
n AskiN Hem Yl t bI sItad bigAn:
<p>
“F woz tOld a cRmiN /moskQ stPi tadE n mast trIt V t it.
iäkVz mI, /vikOmt—F mast tel it in /raSan P H pqnt wil bI
lost....” n /prins /ipOlIt bigAn t tel hiz stPi in sac /raSan
Az a /frencman wUd spIk Aftx spendiN abQt a jC in /raSa.
evriwan wEtad, sO imfAtikli n Igxli did hI dimAnd HX
atenSan t hiz stPi.
<p>
“HX iz in /moskQ a lEdi, Un dEm, n SI iz veri stinJi. SI mast
hAv tM fUtmen bihFnd hx kAriJ, n veri big wanz. HAt woz hx
tEst. n SI hAd a lEdi'z mEd, YlsO big. SI sed....”
<p>
hC /prins /ipOlIt pYzd, evidentli kalektiN hiz FdWz wiH
difikalti.
<p>
“SI sed.... O jes! SI sed, '/gxl,' t H mEd, 'pUt on a
livxi, get ap bihFnd H kAriJ, n kam wiH mI wFl F mEk sam
kYlz.'”
<p>
hC /prins /ipOlIt splatxd n bxst Qt lAfiN loN bifP hiz
YdWns, wic prOdMst an ifekt anfEvxabal t H nArEtx. sevxal
pxsanz, amaN Hem H eldxli lEdi n /Ana /pyvlOvna, did hQevx
smFl.
<p>
“SI went. sadanli HX woz a grEt wind. H gxl lost hx hAt n
hx loN hX kEm dQn....” hC hI kUd kantEn himself nO
loNgx n went on, bitwIn gAsps v lAftx: “n H hOl wxld
nM....”
<p>
n sO H AnikdOt endad. HO it woz aninteliJabal wF hI hAd tOld
it, P wF it hAd t bI tOld in /raSan, stil /Ana /pyvlOvna n H
aHxz aprISiEtad /prins /ipOlIt's sOSal tAkt in sO agrIabli
endiN /piX'z anplezant n /MnymWbal Qtbxst. Aftx H AnikdOt
H konvxsESan brOk ap intM insignifikant smYl tYk abQt H lAst
n neät bYlz, abQt TiAtrikalz, n hM wUd mIt hMm, n wen n
wX.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/hAviN TANkt /Ana /pyvlOvna f hx cRmiN swRE, H gests bigAn
t tEk HX lIv.
<p>
/piX woz angEnli. stQt, abQt H AvxiJ hFt, brYd, wiH hVJ
red hAndz; hI did not nO, Az H sEiN iz, hQ t entx a drYiN
rMm n stil les hQ t lIv wan; HAt iz, hQ t sE samTiN
pxtikVlxli agrIabal bifP gOiN awE. bisFdz His hI woz
Absant-mFndad. wen hI rOz t gO, hI tUk ap insted v hiz On, H
Jenxal'z TrI-kPnxd hAt, n held it, pUliN At H plMm,
til H Jenxal Askt him t ristP it. Yl hiz Absant-mFndadnas n
inabiliti t entx a rMm n kanvxs in it woz, hQevx, ridImd bF
hiz kFndli, simpal, n modast iäpreSan. Ana /pyvlOvna txnd tPd
him n, wiH a /kriscan mFldnas HAt iäprest fxgivnas v hiz
indiskreSan, nodad n sed: “F hOp t sI V agen, bat F YlsO
hOp V wil cEnJ jP apinjanz, mF dC /masjx /piX.”
<p>
wen SI sed His, hI did not riplF n Onli bQd, bat agen evribodi
sY hiz smFl, wic sed naTiN, anles pxhAps, “apinjanz R
apinjanz, bat V sI wot a kApital, gUd-nEcxd felO F Am.” n
evriwan, inklMdiN /Ana /pyvlOvna, felt His.
<p>
prins /AndrM hAd gon Qt intM H hYl, n, txniN hiz SOldxz
t H fUtman hM woz helpiN him on wiH hiz klOk, lisand
indifxantli t hiz wFf's cAtx wiH /prins /ipOlIt hM hAd YlsO
kam intM H hYl. prins /ipOlIt stUd klOs t H priti, pregnant
prinsas, n stXd fiäadli At hx TrM hiz FglAs.
<p>
“gO in, /anet, P V wil kAc kOld,” sed H lital prinsas,
tEkiN lIv v /Ana /pyvlOvna. “it iz setald,” SI Adad in a lO
vqs.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna hAd Ylredi mAniJd t spIk t /lIz abQt H mAc SI
kontamplEtad bitwIn /ynatOl n H lital prinsas' sistx-in-lY.
<p>
“F rilF on V, mF dC,” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna, YlsO in a lO tOn.
“rFt t hx n let mI nO hQ hx fyHx lUä At H mAtx. O
ravwR! ”—n SI left H hYl.
<p>
prins /ipOlIt aprOct H lital prinsas n, bendiN hiz fEs
klOs t hx, bigAn t wispx samTiN.
<p>
tM fUtmen, H prinsas' n hiz On, stUd hOldiN a SYl n
a klOk, wEtiN f H konvxsESan t finiS. HE lisand t
H /frenc sentansaz wic t Hem wx mIniNlas, wiH an X v
andxstAndiN bat not wiSiN t apC t dM sO. H prinsas Az VZMal
spOk smFliNli n lisand wiH a lAf.
<p>
“F Am veri glAd F did not gO t H AmbAsadx'z,” sed /prins
/ipOlIt “—sO dal—. it hAz bin a dilFtfal IvniN, hAz it
not? dilFtfal!”
<p>
“HE sE H bYl wil bI veri gUd,” riplFd H prinsas, drYiN
ap hx dQni lital lip. “Yl H priti wimin in sasFati wil bI
HX.”
<p>
“not Yl, f V wil not bI HX; not Yl,” sed /prins /ipOlIt
smFliN Jqfali; n snAciN H SYl from H fUtman, hMm hI
Ivan pUSt asFd, hI bigAn rApiN it rQnd H prinsas. FHx from
Ykwxdnas P intenSanali (nO wan kUd hAv sed wic) Aftx H
SYl hAd bin aJastad hI kept hiz Rm xQnd hx f a loN tFm, Az
HO imbrEsiN hx.
<p>
stil smFliN, SI grEsfali mMvd awE, txniN n glAnsiN At hx
hazband. prins /AndrM'z Fz wx klOzd, sO wCi n slIpi did hI
sIm.
<p>
“R V redi?” hI Askt hiz wFf, lUkiN pAst hx.
<p>
prins /ipOlIt haridli pUt on hiz klOk, wic in H lEtast fASan
rIct t hiz veri hIlz, n, stambaliN in it, rAn Qt intM H pPc
folOiN H prinsas, hMm a fUtman woz helpiN intM H kAriJ.
<p>
“/prynses, O ravwR,” krFd hI, stambaliN wiH hiz taN Az wel
Az wiH hiz fIt.
<p>
H prinsas, pikiN ap hx dres, woz tEkiN hx sIt in H dRk
kAriJ, hx hazband woz aJastiN hiz sEbx; /prins /ipOlIt, andx
prItens v helpiN, woz in evriwan'z wE.
<p>
“alQ mI, sx,” sed /prins /AndrM in /raSan in a kOld,
disagrIabal tOn t /prins /ipOlIt hM woz blokiN hiz pAT.
<p>
“F Am iäpektiN V, /piX,” sed H sEm vqs, bat Jentli n
afekSanatli.
<p>
H postilWn stRtad, H kAriJ wIlz rAtald. prins /ipOlIt
lAft spAzmodikli Az hI stUd in H pPc wEtiN f H /vikOmt
hMm hI hAd promist t tEk hOm.
<p>
“wel, man /Ser,” sed H /vikOmt, hAviN sItad himself bisFd
/ipOlIt in H kAriJ, “jP lital prinsas iz veri nFs, veri
nFs indId, kwFt /frenc,” n hI kist H tips v hiz fiNgxz.
/ipOlIt bxst Qt lAfiN.
<p>
“dM V nO, V R a teribal cAp f Yl jP inasant Xz,”
kantinVd H /vikOmt. “F piti H pUx hazband, HAt lital ofisx
hM givz himself H Xz v a monRk.”
<p>
/ipOlIt splatxd agen, n amid hiz lAftx sed, “n V wx
sEiN HAt H /raSan lEdiz R not Ikwal t H /frenc? wan hAs t
nO hQ t dIl wiH Hem.”
<p>
/piX rIciN H hQs fxst went intM /prins /AndrM'z stadi lFk
wan kwFt At hOm, n from hAbit imIdWtli lE dQn on H sOfa, tUk
from H Self H fxst bUk HAt kEm t hiz hAnd (it woz /sIzx'z
/komantXiz), n restiN on hiz elbO, bigAn rIdiN it in H midal.
<p>
“wot hAv V dan t /mzl /Serx? SI wil bI kwFt il nQ,”
sed /prins /AndrM, Az hI entxd H stadi, rabiN hiz smYl wFt
hAndz.
<p>
/piX txnd hiz hOl bodi, mEkiN H sOfa krIk. hI liftad hiz Igx
fEs t /prins /AndrM, smFld, n wEvd hiz hAnd.
<p>
“HAt AbE iz veri intxastiN bat hI daz not sI H TiN in H
rFt lFt.... in mF apinjan pxpecMal pIs iz posabal bat—F dM not
nO hQ t iäpres it ... not bF a bAlans v politikal pQx....”
<p>
it woz evidant HAt /prins /AndrM woz not intxastad in sac AbstrAkt
konvxsESan.
<p>
“wan kAnt evriwX sE Yl wan TiNä, man /Ser. wel, hAv
V At lAst disFdad on eniTiN? R V gOiN t bI a gRdzman P a
diplOmatist?” Askt /prins /AndrM Aftx a mOmentXi sFlans.
<p>
/piX sAt ap on H sOfa, wiH hiz leã takt andx him.
<p>
“rWli, F dOnt jet nO. F dOnt lFk FHx H wan P H
aHx.”
<p>
“bat V mast disFd on samTiN! jP fyHx iäpekts it.”
<p>
/piX At H EJ v ten hAd bin sent abrYd wiH an AbE Az tMtx,
n hAd rimEnd awE til hI woz twenti. wen hI ritxnd t /moskQ
hiz fyHx dismist H AbE n sed t H jaN mAn, “nQ gO
t /pItxzbxg, lUk rQnd, n cMz jP prafeSan. F wil agrI t
eniTiN. hC iz a letx t /prins /vysili, n hC iz mani. rFt
t mI Yl abQt it, n F wil help V in evriTiN.” /piX hAd
Ylredi bin cMziN a kxC f TrI manTs, n hAd not disFdad
on eniTiN. it woz abQt His cqs HAt /prins /AndrM woz spIkiN.
/piX rabd hiz fPhed.
<p>
“bat hI mast bI a /frImEsan,” sed hI, rifxiN t H AbE hMm
hI hAd met HAt IvniN.
<p>
“HAt iz Yl nonsens.” prins /AndrM agen intxaptad him, “let
as tYk biznas. hAv V bin t H /hPs /gRdz?”
<p>
“nO, F hAv not; bat His iz wot F hAv bin TiNkiN n wontad
t tel V. HX iz a wP nQ agenst /napOlWn. if it wx a wP f
frIdam F kUd andxstAnd it n SUd bI H fxst t entx H Rmi;
bat t help /iNgland n /ostrW agenst H grEtast mAn in H wxld iz
not rFt.”
<p>
prins /AndrM Onli Sragd hiz SOldxz At /piX'z cFldiS wxdz.
hI pUt on H X v wan hM fFndz it imposabal t riplF t sac
nonsens, bat it wUd in fAkt hAv bin difikalt t giv eni aHx
Ansx HAn H wan /prins /AndrM gEv t His nFIv kwescan.
<p>
“if nO wan fYt iäept on hiz On kanvikSan, HX wUd bI nO
wPz,” hI sed.
<p>
“n HAt wUd bI splendid,” sed /piX.
<p>
prins /AndrM smFld Fronikli.
<p>
“veri lFkli it wUd bI splendid, bat it wil nevx kam abQt....”
<p>
“wel, wF R V gOiN t H wP?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“wot f? F dOnt nO. F mast. bisFdz HAt F Am gOiN....” hI
pYzd. “F Am gOiN bikoz H lFf F Am lIdiN hC daz not sMt
mI!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
H rasal v a wUman'z dres woz hxd in H neät rMm. prins
/AndrM SUk himself Az if wEkiN ap, n hiz fEs asMmd H lUk it
hAd hAd in /Ana /pyvlOvna'z drYiN rMm. /piX rimMvd hiz fIt from
H sOfa. H prinsas kEm in. SI hAd cEnJd hx gQn f a hQs
dres Az freS n eligant Az H aHx. prins /AndrM rOz n palFtli
plEst a cX f hx.
<p>
“hQ iz it,” SI bigAn, Az VZMal in /frenc, setaliN dQn briskli
n fasili in H Izi cX, “hQ iz it /anet nevx got mArid?
hQ stMpid V men Yl R not t hAv mArid hx! iäkVz mI f sEiN
sO, bat V hAv nO sens abQt wimin. wot an RgVmentativ felO V
R, /masjx /piX!”
<p>
“n F Am stil RgViN wiH jP hazband. F kAnt andxstAnd wF hI
wonts t gO t H wP,” riplFd /piX, adresiN H prinsas
wiH nan v H imbArasmant sO komanli SOn bF jaN men in HX
intxkPs wiH jaN wimin.
<p>
H prinsas stRtad. evidentli /piX'z wxdz tact hx t H
kwik.
<p>
“y, HAt iz Jast wot F tel him!” sed SI. “F dOnt
andxstAnd it; F dOnt in H lIst andxstAnd wF men kAnt liv
wiHQt wPz. hQ iz it HAt wI wimin dOnt wont eniTiN v H kFnd,
dOnt nId it? nQ V SAl JaJ bitwIn as. F YlwEz tel him: hC
hI iz /aNkal'z Ed-dI-kAmp, a mOst brilWnt paziSan. hI iz sO
wel nOn, sO mac aprISiEtad bF evriwan. H aHx dE At H
/apryäinz' F hxd a lEdi AskiN, 'iz HAt H fEmas /prins
/AndrM?' F did indId.” SI lAft. “hI iz sO wel risIvd
evriwX. hI mFt Izili bikam Ed-dI-kAmp t H /empxx. V nO
H /empxx spOk t him mOst grESasli. anet n F wx spIkiN v
hQ t xEnJ it. wot dM V TiNk?”
<p>
/piX lUkt At hiz frend n, nOtisiN HAt hI did not lFk H
konvxsESan, gEv nO riplF.
<p>
“wen R V stRtiN?” hI Askt.
<p>
“O, dOnt spIk v hiz gOiN, dOnt! F wOnt hC it spOkan
v,” sed H prinsas in H sEm petVlantli plEfal tOn in wic
SI hAd spOkan t /ipOlIt in H drYiN rMm n wic woz sO plEnli
il-sMtad t H fAmli sxkal v wic /piX woz YlmOst a membx.
“tadE wen F rimembxd HAt Yl HIz dilFtfal asOSiESanz
mast bI brOkan of ... n Hen V nO, /yndrE...” (SI lUkt
signifikantli At hx hazband) “F'm afrEd, F'm afrEd!” SI
wispxd, n a Sadx rAn dQn hx bAk.
<p>
hx hazband lUkt At hx Az if sxprFzd t nOtis HAt samwan bisFdz
/piX n himself woz in H rMm, n adrest hx in a tOn v
friJid palFtnas.
<p>
“wot iz it V R afrEd v, /lIz? F dOnt andxstAnd,” sed hI.
<p>
“HX, wot IgOtists men Yl R: Yl, Yl IgOtists! Jast f a wim
v hiz On, gUdnas Onli nOz wF, hI lIvz mI n loä mI ap alOn
in H kantri.”
<p>
“wiH mF fyHx n sistx, rimembx,” sed /prins /AndrM Jentli.
<p>
“alOn Yl H sEm, wiHQt mF frendz.... n hI iäpekts mI not t
bI afrEd.”
<p>
hx tOn woz nQ kweralas n hx lip drYn ap, giviN hx not a
Jqfal, bat an Animal, skwxal-lFk iäpreSan. SI pYzd Az if SI
felt it indekxas t spIk v hx pregnansi bifP /piX, HO H
Jist v H mAtx lE in HAt.
<p>
“F stil kAnt andxstAnd wot V R afrEd v,” sed /prins
/AndrM slOli, not tEkiN hiz Fz of hiz wFf.
<p>
H prinsas blaSt, n rEzd hx Rmz wiH a Jescx v dispX.
<p>
“nO, /AndrM, F mast sE V hAv cEnJd. O, hQ V hAv....”
<p>
“jP doktx telz V t gO t bed xlC,” sed /prins /AndrM.
“V hAd betx gO.”
<p>
H prinsas sed naTiN, bat sadanli hx SPt dQni lip kwivxd.
prins /AndrM rOz, Sragd hiz SOldxz, n wYkt abQt H rMm.
<p>
/piX lUkt Ovx hiz spektakalz wiH nFIv sxprFz, nQ At him n
nQ At hx, mMvd Az if abQt t rFz tM, bat cEnJd hiz mFnd.
<p>
“wF SUd F mFnd /masjx /piX bIiN hC?” iäklEmd H lital
prinsas sadanli, hx priti fEs Yl At wans distPtad bF a tCfal
grimas. “F hAv loN wontad t Ask V, /AndrM, wF V hAv cEnJd
sO t mI? wot hAv F dan t V? V R gOiN t H wP n hAv nO
piti f mI. wF iz it?”
<p>
“/lIz!” woz Yl /prins /AndrM sed. bat HAt wan wxd iäprest
an intrIti, a Tret, n abav Yl kanvikSan HAt SI wUd hxself
rigret hx wxdz. bat SI went on haridli:
<p>
“V trIt mI lFk an invAlid P a cFld. F sI it Yl! did V bihEv
lFk HAt siä manTs agO?”
<p>
“/lIz, F beg V t dizist,” sed /prins /AndrM stil mP
imfAtikli.
<p>
/piX, hM hAd bin grOiN mP n mP AJitEtad Az hI lisand t
Yl His, rOz n aprOct H prinsas. hI sImd anEbal t bX H
sFt v tCz n woz redi t krF himself.
<p>
“kym jPself, /prinsas! it sImz sO t V bikoz.... F aSUx V
F mFself hAv iäpCWnst ... n sO ... bikoz ... nO, iäkVz mI!
an QtsFdx iz Qt v plEs hC.... nO, dOnt distres jPself....
gUd-bF!”
<p>
prins /AndrM kYt him bF H hAnd.
<p>
“nO, wEt, /piX! H prinsas iz tM kFnd t wiS t diprFv mI v
H pleZx v spendiN H IvniN wiH V.”
<p>
“nO, hI TiNä Onli v himself,” matxd H prinsas wiHQt
ristrEniN hx ANgri tCz.
<p>
“/lIz!” sed /prins /AndrM drFli, rEziN hiz vqs t H pic
wic indikEts HAt pESans iz iãYstad.
<p>
sadanli H ANgri, skwxal-lFk iäpreSan v H prinsas' priti
fEs cEnJd intM a winiN n pitWs lUk v fC. hx bVtifal Fz
glAnst askAns At hx hazband'z fEs, n hx On asMmd H timid,
deprakEtiN iäpreSan v a dog wen it rApidli bat fIbli wAã its
drMpiN tEl.
<p>
“man /dV, man /dV!” SI matxd, n liftiN hx dres wiH wan
hAnd SI went ap t hx hazband n kist him on H fPhed.
<p>
“gUd nFt, /lIz,” sed hI, rFziN n kxtWsli kisiN hx hAnd
Az hI wUd hAv dan t a strEnJx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
H frendz wx sFlant. nFHx kXd t bigin tYkiN. /piX
kantinVali glAnst At /prins /AndrM; /prins /AndrM rabd hiz fPhed
wiH hiz smYl hAnd.
<p>
“let as gO n hAv sapx,” hI sed wiH a sF, gOiN t H dP.
<p>
HE entxd H eligant, nMli dekxEtad, n lagZUxWs dFniN rMm.
evriTiN from H tEbal nApkinz t H silvx, cFna, n glAs bP
HAt imprint v nMnas fQnd in H hQshOldz v H nMli mArid.
hAfwE TrM sapx /prins /AndrM lInd hiz elbOz on H tEbal n,
wiH a lUk v nxvas AJitESan sac Az /piX hAd nevx bifP sIn on
hiz fEs, bigAn t tYk—Az wan hM hAz loN hAd samTiN on hiz mFnd
n sadanli ditxminz t spIk Qt.
<p>
“nevx, nevx mAri, mF dC felO! HAt's mF advFs: nevx mAri
til V kAn sE t jPself HAt V hAv dan Yl V R kEpabal v,
n antil V hAv sIst t lav H wUman v jP cqs n hAv sIn
hx plEnli Az SI iz, P els V wil mEk a krMal n irevakabal
mistEk. mAri wen V R Old n gUd f naTiN—P Yl HAt iz
gUd n nObal in V wil bI lost. it wil Yl bI wEstad on trFfalz.
jes! jes! jes! dOnt lUk At mI wiH sac sxprFz. if V mAri
iäpektiN eniTiN from jPself in H fVcx, V wil fIl At evri
step HAt f V Yl iz endad, Yl iz klOzd iäept H drYiN
rMm, wX V wil bI rEnJd sFd bF sFd wiH a kPt lAki n an
idWt!... bat wot's H gUd?...” n hI wEvd hiz Rm.
<p>
/piX tUk of hiz spektakalz, wic mEd hiz fEs sIm difxant n
H gUd-nEcxd iäpreSan stil mP apArant, n gEzd At hiz frend
in amEzmant.
<p>
“mF wFf,” kantinVd /prins /AndrM, “iz an eäalant wUman, wan
v HOz rX wimin wiH hMm a mAn'z onx iz sEf; bat, /O /god, wot
wUd F not giv nQ t bI anmArid! V R H fxst n Onli wan t
hMm F menSan His, bikoz F lFk V.”
<p>
Az hI sed His /prins /AndrM woz les HAn evx lFk HAt /bOlkOnski
hM hAd lold in /Ana /pyvlOvna'z Izi cXz n wiH hAf-klOzd
Fz hAd atxd /frenc frEzaz bitwIn hiz tIT. evri masal v hiz
Tin fEs woz nQ kwivxiN wiH nxvas iäFtmant; hiz Fz, in wic
H fFx v lFf hAd sImd iätiNgwiSt, nQ flASt wiH brilWnt
lFt. it woz evidant HAt H mP lFflas hI sImd At PdinXi
tFmz, H mP impASand hI bikEm in HIz mOments v YlmOst mPbid
iritESan.
<p>
“V dOnt andxstAnd wF F sE His,” hI kantinVd, “bat it iz
H hOl stPi v lFf. V tYk v /bOnapRt n hiz kxC,” sed
hI (HO /piX hAd not menSand /bOnapRt), “bat /bOnapRt wen
hI wxkt went step bF step tPd hiz gOl. hI woz frI, hI hAd naTiN
bat hiz Em t kansidx, n hI rIct it. bat tF jPself ap wiH
a wUman n, lFk a cEnd konvikt, V lMz Yl frIdam! n Yl V
hAv v hOp n streNT mCli wEz V dQn n tPments V wiH
rigret. drYiN rMmz, gosip, bYlz, vAniti, n triviAliti—HIz R
H incAntad sxkal F kAnot iskEp from. F Am nQ gOiN t H wP,
H grEtast wP HX evx woz, n F nO naTiN n Am fit f
naTiN. F Am veri EmWbal n hAv a kYstik wit,” kantinVd /prins
/AndrM, “n At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z HE lisan t mI. n HAt stMpid
set wiHQt hMm mF wFf kAnot iãist, n HOz wimin.... if V Onli
nM wot HOz sasFati wimin R, n wimin in Jenxal! mF fyHx iz
rFt. selfiS, vEn, stMpid, trivWl in evriTiN—HAt's wot
wimin R wen V sI Hem in HX trM kalxz! wen V mIt Hem
in sasFati it sImz Az if HX wx samTiN in Hem, bat HX'z
naTiN, naTiN, naTiN! nO, dOnt mAri, mF dC felO; dOnt
mAri!” kanklMdad /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“it sImz fani t mI,” sed /piX, “HAt V, V SUd
kansidx jPself inkEpabal n jP lFf a spqld lFf. V hAv
evriTiN bifP V, evriTiN. n V....”
<p>
hI did not finiS hiz sentans, bat hiz tOn SOd hQ hFli hI
TYt v hiz frend n hQ mac hI iäpektad v him in H fVcx.
<p>
“hQ kAn hI tYk lFk HAt?” TYt /piX. hI kansidxd hiz
frend a modal v pxfekSan bikoz /prins /AndrM pazest in H
hFast digrI Jast H veri kwolitiz /piX lAkt, n wic mFt
bI best diskrFbd Az streNT v wil. /piX woz YlwEz astoniSt At
/prins /AndrM'z kym mAnx v trItiN evribodi, hiz iätrPdinXi
memxi, hiz iätensiv rIdiN (hI hAd red evriTiN, nM evriTiN,
n hAd an apinjan abQt evriTiN), bat abav Yl At hiz kapAsiti f
wxk n stadi. n if /piX woz oftan strak bF /AndrM'z lAk
v kapAsiti f filasofikal meditESan (t wic hI himself woz
pxtikVlxli adiktad), hI rigRdad Ivan His not Az a dIfekt bat Az a
sFn v streNT.
<p>
Ivan in H best, mOst frendli n simpalast rilESanz v lFf, prEz
n komendESan R isenSal, Jast Az grIs iz nesisXi t wIlz
HAt HE mE ran smMHli.
<p>
“mF pRt iz plEd Qt,” sed /prins /AndrM. “wot's H Vs v
tYkiN abQt mI? let as tYk abQt V,” hI Adad Aftx a sFlans,
smFliN At hiz rIaSUxiN TYts.
<p>
HAt smFl woz imIdWtli riflektad on /piX'z fEs.
<p>
“bat wot iz HX t sE abQt mI?” sed /piX, hiz fEs rilAäiN
intM a kXlas, meri smFl. “wot Am F? an iliJitimat san!”
hI sadanli blaSt krimzan, n it woz plEn HAt hI hAd mEd a grEt
efxt t sE His. “wiHQt a nEm n wiHQt mInz... n it
rWli...” bat hI did not sE wot “it rWli” woz. “f H
prezant F Am frI n Am Yl rFt. Onli F hAvant H lIst FdW wot
F Am t dM; F wontad t kansalt V sCWsli.”
<p>
prins /AndrM lUkt kFndli At him, jet hiz glAns—frendli n
afekSanat Az it woz—iäprest a sens v hiz On sMpCiPiti.
<p>
“F Am fond v V, ispeSali Az V R H wan lFv mAn amaN Qx
hOl set. jes, V'x Yl rFt! cMz wot V wil; it's Yl H
sEm. V'l bI Yl rFt eniwX. bat lUk hC: giv ap vizitiN
HOz /kMryginz n lIdiN HAt sPt v lFf. it sMts V sO
bAdli—Yl His dibYcxi, disipESan, n H rest v it!”
<p>
“wot wUd V hAv, mF dC felO?” Ansxd /piX, SragiN
hiz SOldxz. “wimin, mF dC felO; wimin!”
<p>
“F dOnt andxstAnd it,” riplFd /prins /AndrM. “wimin hM R
/kOmdm il fO, HAt's a difxant mAtx; bat H /kMryginz' set v
wimin, 'wimin n wFn' F dOnt andxstAnd!”
<p>
/piX woz stEiN At /prins /vysili /kMrygin'z n SXiN H
disipEtad lFf v hiz san /ynatOl, H san hMm HE wx plAniN t
rifPm bF mAriiN him t /prins /AndrM'z sistx.
<p>
“dM V nO?” sed /piX, Az if sadanli strak bF a hApi
TYt, “sCWsli, F hAv loN bin TiNkiN v it.... lIdiN sac
a lFf F kAnt disFd P TiNk propxli abQt eniTiN. wan'z hed
Eä, n wan spendz Yl wan'z mani. hI Askt mI f tanFt, bat F
wOnt gO.”
<p>
“V giv mI jP wxd v onx not t gO?”
<p>
“on mF onx!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
it woz pAst wan O'klok wen /piX left hiz frend. it woz a
klQdlas, nPHxn, samx nFt. /piX tUk an Opan kAb intendiN
t drFv strEt hOm. bat H nCx hI drM t H hQs H mP hI
felt H imposabiliti v gOiN t slIp on sac a nFt. it woz lFt
inaf t sI a loN wE in H dizxtad strIt n it sImd mP lFk
mPniN P IvniN HAn nFt. on H wE /piX rimembxd HAt /ynatOl
/kMrygin woz iäpektiN H VZMal set f kRdz HAt IvniN, Aftx wic
HX woz Jenxali a driNkiN bQt, finiSiN wiH vizits v a kFnd
/piX woz veri fond v.
<p>
“F SUd lFk t gO t /kMrygin'z,” TYt hI.
<p>
bat hI imIdWtli rikYld hiz promis t /prins /AndrM not t gO
HX. Hen, Az hApanz t pIpal v wIk kAraktx, hI dizFxd sO
pASanatli wans mP t inJq HAt disipESan hI woz sO akastamd t
HAt hI disFdad t gO. H TYt imIdWtli akxd t him HAt hiz
promis t /prins /AndrM woz v nO akQnt, bikoz bifP hI gEv it
hI hAd Ylredi promist /prins /ynatOl t kam t hiz gAHxiN;
“bisFdz,” TYt hI, “Yl sac 'wxdz v onx' R
kanvenSanal TiNz wiH nO definit mIniN, ispeSali if
wan kansidxz HAt bF tamorO wan mE bI ded, P samTiN sO
iätrPdinXi mE hApan t wan HAt onx n disonx wil bI Yl H
sEm!” /piX oftan indalJd in riflekSanz v His sPt, nalifFiN
Yl hiz disiZanz n intenSanz. hI went t /kMrygin'z.
<p>
rIciN H lRJ hQs nC H /hPs /gRdz' bAraä, in wic
/ynatOl livd, /piX entxd H lFtad pPc, asendad H stXz,
n went in At H Opan dP. HX woz nO wan in H AntirMm; empti
botalz, klOä, n OvxSMz wx lFiN abQt; HX woz a smel v
Alkahol, n sQndz v vqsaz n SQtiN in H distans.
<p>
kRdz n sapx wx Ovx, bat H vizitxz hAd not jet dispxst.
/piX TrM of hiz klOk n entxd H fxst rMm, in wic wx H
rimEnz v sapx. a fUtman, TiNkiN nO wan sY him, woz driNkiN on
H slF wot woz left in H glAsaz. from H Txd rMm kEm sQndz v
lAftx, H SQtiN v familC vqsaz, H grQliN v a bX, n
Jenxal kamOSan. sam Et P nFn jaN men wx krQdiN ANkSasli
rQnd an Opan windO. TrI aHxz wx rompiN wiH a jaN bX, wan
pUliN him bF H cEn n trFiN t set him At H aHxz.
<p>
“F bet a handrad on /stIvanz!” SQtad wan.
<p>
“mFnd, nO hOldiN on!” krFd anaHx.
<p>
“F bet on /dOlOâOf!” krFd a Txd. “/kMrygin, V pRt Qx
hAndz.”
<p>
“HX, lIv /brMin alOn; hC'z a bet on.”
<p>
“At wan dryft, P hI lMzaz!” SQtad a fPT.
<p>
“/JEkab, briN a botal!” SQtad H hOst, a tYl, hAndsam felO
hM stUd in H midst v H grMp, wiHQt a kOt, n wiH hiz fFn
linin Sxt anfAsand in frant. “wEt a bit, V felOz.... hC iz
/petja! gUd mAn!” krFd hI, adresiN /piX.
<p>
anaHx vqs, from a mAn v mIdWm hFt wiH klC blM Fz,
pxtikVlxli strFkiN amaN Yl HIz draNkan vqsaz bF its sObx
riN, krFd from H windO: “kam hC; pRt H bets!” His woz
/dOlOâOf, an ofisx v H /semjOnOf reJimant, a nOtPWs gAmbalx n
dMalist, hM woz liviN wiH /ynatOl. /piX smFld, lUkiN abQt him
merili.
<p>
“F dOnt andxstAnd. wot's it Yl abQt?”
<p>
“wEt a bit, hI iz not draNk jet! a botal hC,” sed /ynatOl, n
tEkiN a glAs from H tEbal hI went ap t /piX.
<p>
“fxst v Yl V mast driNk!”
<p>
/piX drANk wan glAs Aftx anaHx, lUkiN from andx hiz brQz At
H tipsi gests hM wx agen krQdiN rQnd H windO, n lisaniN
t HX cAtx. /ynatOl kept on rIfiliN /piX'z glAs wFl
iäplEniN HAt /dOlOâOf woz betiN wiH /stIvanz, an /iNgliS nEval
ofisx, HAt hI wUd driNk a botal v ram sitiN on H Qtx leJ
v H Txd flP windO wiH hiz leã hANiN Qt.
<p>
“gO on, V mast driNk it Yl,” sed /ynatOl, giviN /piX H lAst
glAs, “P F wOnt let V gO!”
<p>
“nO, F wOnt,” sed /piX, pUSiN /ynatOl asFd, n hI went ap
t H windO.
<p>
/dOlOâOf woz hOldiN H /iNgliSman'z hAnd n klCli n distiNktli
ripItiN H txmz v H bet, adresiN himself pxtikVlxli t
/ynatOl n /piX.
<p>
/dOlOâOf woz v mIdWm hFt, wiH kxli hX n lFt-blM Fz. hI
woz abQt twenti-fFv. lFk Yl infantri ofisxz hI wP nO mastAS,
sO HAt hiz mQT, H mOst strFkiN fIcx v hiz fEs, woz klCli
sIn. H lFnz v HAt mQT wx rimRkabli fFnli kxvd. H midal
v H apx lip fPmd a SRp weJ n klOzd fxmli on H fxm
lOx wan, n samTiN lFk tM distiNkt smFlz plEd kantinVali
rQnd H tM kPnxz v H mQT; His, tageHx wiH H rezalMt,
insalant inteliJans v hiz Fz, prOdMst an ifekt wic mEd it
imposabal not t nOtis hiz fEs. /dOlOâOf woz a mAn v smYl mInz
n nO kanekSanz. jet, HO /ynatOl spent tenz v TQzandz v
rMbalz, /dOlOâOf livd wiH him n hAd plEst himself on sac a
fUtiN HAt Yl hM nM Hem, inklMdiN /ynatOl himself, rispektad him
mP HAn HE did /ynatOl. /dOlOâOf kUd plE Yl gEmz n nCli
YlwEz wan. hQevx mac hI drANk, hI nevx lost hiz klChedadnas.
bOT /kMrygin n /dOlOâOf wx At HAt tFm nOtPWs amaN H rEä
n skEpgrEsaz v /pItxzbxg.
<p>
H botal v ram woz brYt. H windO frEm wic priventad eniwan
from sitiN on H Qtx sil woz bIiN fPst Qt bF tM fUtmen, hM
wx evidentli flarid n intimidEtad bF H direkSanz n SQts v
H Jentalmen xQnd.
<p>
/ynatOl wiH hiz swAgxiN X strOd ap t H windO. hI wontad t
smAS samTiN. pUSiN awE H fUtmen hI tagd At H frEm, bat
kUd not mMv it. hI smASt a pEn.
<p>
“V hAv a trF, /hxkVlIz,” sed hI, txniN t /piX.
<p>
/piX sIzd H krosbIm, tagd, n renct H Ok frEm Qt wiH
a krAS.
<p>
“tEk it rFt Qt, P HE'l TiNk F'm hOldiN on,” sed
/dOlOâOf.
<p>
“iz H /iNgliSman brAgiN?... E? iz it Yl rFt?” sed /ynatOl.
<p>
“fxst-rEt,” sed /piX, lUkiN At /dOlOâOf, hM wiH a botal
v ram in hiz hAnd woz aprOciN H windO, from wic H lFt v
H skF, H dYn mxJiN wiH H AftxglO v sanset, woz vizabal.
<p>
/dOlOâOf, H botal v ram stil in hiz hAnd, Jampt ontM H windO
sil. “lisan!” krFd hI, stAndiN HX n adresiN HOz in H
rMm. Yl wx sFlant.
<p>
“F bet fifti impCWlz”—hI spOk /frenc HAt H /iNgliSman mFt
andxstAnd him, bat hI did not spIk it veri wel—“F bet fifti
impCWlz ... P dM V wiS t mEk it a handrad?” Adad hI,
adresiN H /iNgliSman.
<p>
“nO, fifti,” riplFd H lAtx.
<p>
“Yl rFt. fifti impCWlz ... HAt F wil driNk a hOl botal v
ram wiHQt tEkiN it from mF mQT, sitiN QtsFd H windO on His
spot” (hI stMpt n pqntad t H slOpiN leJ QtsFd H windO)
“n wiHQt hOldiN on t eniTiN. iz HAt rFt?”
<p>
“kwFt rFt,” sed H /iNgliSman.
<p>
/ynatOl txnd t H /iNgliSman n tEkiN him bF wan v H batanz
v hiz kOt n lUkiN dQn At him—H /iNgliSman woz SPt—bigAn
ripItiN H txmz v H wEJx t him in /iNgliS.
<p>
“wEt!” krFd /dOlOâOf, hAmxiN wiH H botal on H windO
sil t atrAkt atenSan. “wEt a bit, /kMrygin. lisan! if
eniwan els daz H sEm, F wil pE him a handrad impCWlz. dM V
andxstAnd?”
<p>
H /iNgliSman nodad, bat gEv nO indikESan weHx hI intendad t
aäept His cAlanJ P not. /ynatOl did not rilIs him, n HO
hI kept nodiN t SO HAt hI andxstUd, /ynatOl went on trAnzlEtiN
/dOlOâOf's wxdz intM /iNgliS. a Tin jaN lAd, an hMsR v H
/lFf /gRdz, hM hAd bin lMziN HAt IvniN, klFmd on H windO
sil, lInd Ovx, n lUkt dQn.
<p>
“O! O! O!” hI matxd, lUkiN dQn from H windO At H
stOnz v H pEvmant.
<p>
“Sat ap!” krFd /dOlOâOf, pUSiN him awE from H windO. H
lAd Jampt Ykwxdli bAk intM H rMm, tripiN Ovx hiz spxz.
<p>
plEsiN H botal on H windO sil wX hI kUd rIc it Izili,
/dOlOâOf klFmd kXfali n slOli TrM H windO n lOxd
hiz leã. presiN agenst bOT sFdz v H windO, hI aJastad himself
on hiz sIt, lOxd hiz hAndz, mMvd a lital t H rFt n Hen t
H left, n tUk ap H botal. /ynatOl brYt tM kAndalz n
plEst Hem on H windO sil, HO it woz Ylredi kwFt lFt.
/dOlOâOf's bAk in hiz wFt Sxt, n hiz kxli hed, wx lit
ap from bOT sFdz. evriwan krQdad t H windO, H /iNgliSman in
frant. /piX stUd smFliN bat sFlant. wan mAn, Oldx HAn H aHxz
prezant, sadanli pUSt fPwxd wiH a skXd n ANgri lUk n wontad
t sIz hOld v /dOlOâOf's Sxt.
<p>
“F sE, His iz foli! hI'l bI kild,” sed His mP sensabal
mAn.
<p>
/ynatOl stopt him.
<p>
“dOnt tac him! V'l stRtal him n Hen hI'l bI kild.
E?... wot Hen?... E?”
<p>
/dOlOâOf txnd rQnd n, agen hOldiN on wiH bOT hAndz, xEnJd
himself on hiz sIt.
<p>
“if eniwan kamz medaliN agen,” sed hI, imitiN H wxdz
sepxatli TrM hiz Tin kamprest lips, “F wil TrO him dQn
HX. nQ Hen!”
<p>
sEiN His hI agen txnd rQnd, dropt hiz hAndz, tUk H botal
n liftad it t hiz lips, TrM bAk hiz hed, n rEzd hiz frI hAnd
t bAlans himself. wan v H fUtmen hM hAd stMpt t pik ap sam
brOkan glAs rimEnd in HAt paziSan wiHQt tEkiN hiz Fz from H
windO n from /dOlOâOf's bAk. /ynatOl stUd irekt wiH stXiN
Fz. H /iNgliSman lUkt on sFdwEz, pxsiN ap hiz lips. H mAn
hM hAd wiSt t stop H afX rAn t a kPnx v H rMm n TrM
himself on a sOfa wiH hiz fEs t H wYl. /piX hid hiz fEs, from
wic a fEnt smFl fxgot t fEd HO hiz fIcxz nQ iäprest
horx n fC. Yl wx stil. /piX tUk hiz hAndz from hiz Fz.
/dOlOâOf stil sAt in H sEm paziSan, Onli hiz hed woz TrOn
fxHx bAk til hiz kxli hX tact hiz Sxt kolx, n H hAnd
hOldiN H botal woz liftad hFx n hFx n trembald wiH H
efxt. H botal woz emptiiN pxseptabli n rFziN stil hFx
n hiz hed tiltiN jet fxHx bAk. “wF iz it sO loN?” TYt
/piX. it sImd t him HAt mP HAn hAf an Qx hAd ilApst.
sadanli /dOlOâOf mEd a bAkwxd mMvmant wiH hiz spFn, n hiz Rm
trembald nxvasli; His woz safiSant t kYz hiz hOl bodi t slip
Az hI sAt on H slOpiN leJ. Az hI bigAn slipiN dQn, hiz hed n
Rm wEvxd stil mP wiH H strEn. wan hAnd mMvd Az if t klac
H windO sil, bat rifrEnd from taciN it. /piX agen kavxd
hiz Fz n TYt hI wUd nevx Opan Hem agen. sadanli hI woz
awX v a stx Yl xQnd. hI lUkt ap: /dOlOâOf woz stAndiN on H
windO sil, wiH a pEl bat rEdWnt fEs.
<p>
“it's empti.”
<p>
hI TrM H botal t H /iNgliSman, hM kYt it nItli. /dOlOâOf
Jampt dQn. hI smelt stroNli v ram.
<p>
“wel dan!... fFn felO!... HX'z a bet f V!... deval tEk
V!” kEm from difxant sFdz.
<p>
H /iNgliSman tUk Qt hiz pxs n bigAn kQntiN Qt H mani.
/dOlOâOf stUd frQniN n did not spIk. /piX Jampt apon H
windO sil.
<p>
“Jentalmen, hM wiSaz t bet wiH mI? F'l dM H sEm TiN!”
hI sadanli krFd. “Ivan wiHQt a bet, HX! tel Hem t briN mI a
botal. F'l dM it.... briN a botal!”
<p>
“let him dM it, let him dM it,” sed /dOlOâOf, smFliN.
<p>
“wot neät? hAv V gon mAd?... nO wan wUd let V!... wF, V gO
gidi Ivan on a stXkEs,” iäklEmd sevxal vqsaz.
<p>
“F'l driNk it! let's hAv a botal v ram!” SQtad /piX,
bANiN H tEbal wiH a ditxmind n draNkan Jescx n pripXiN t
klFm Qt v H windO.
<p>
HE sIzd him bF hiz Rmz; bat hI woz sO stroN HAt evriwan hM
tact him woz sent flFiN.
<p>
“nO, V'l nevx mAniJ him HAt wE,” sed /ynatOl. “wEt a
bit n F'l get rQnd him.... lisan! F'l tEk jP bet tamorO,
bat nQ wI R Yl gOiN t ——'z.”
<p>
“kam on Hen,” krFd /piX. “kam on!... n wI'l tEk /brMin
wiH as.”
<p>
n hI kYt H bX, tUk it in hiz Rmz, liftad it from H grQnd,
n bigAn dAnsiN rQnd H rMm wiH it.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/prins /vysili kept H promis hI hAd givan t /prinsas /drMbetskFa
hM hAd spOkan t him on bihAf v hx Onli san /bPis on H IvniN v
/Ana /pyvlOvna'z swRE. H mAtx woz menSand t H /empxx, an
iäepSan mEd, n /bPis trAnsfxd intM H reJimant v /semjOnOf
/gRdz wiH H rANk v kPnet. hI risIvd, hQevx, nO apqntmant
t /kMtMzOf's stAf dispFt Yl /Ana /miâFlOvna'z indevxz n
intrItiz. sMn Aftx /Ana /pyvlOvna'z risepSan /Ana /miâFlOvna
ritxnd t /moskQ n went strEt t hx ric rilESanz, H
/rOstOfs, wiH hMm SI stEd wen in H tQn n wX hx dRliN
/bPi, hM hAd Onli Jast entxd a reJimant v H lFn n woz bIiN
At wans trAnsfxd t H /gRdz Az a kPnet, hAd bin eJakEtad from
cFldhUd n livd f jCz At a tFm. H /gRdz hAd Ylredi left
/pItxzbxg on H tenT v Ygast, n hx san, hM hAd rimEnd in
/moskQ f hiz ikwipmant, woz t Jqn Hem on H mRc t /rydzivilOf.
<p>
it woz /st /nytylW'z dE n H nEm dE v tM v H /rOstOfs—H
maHx n H jaNgast dYtx—bOT nEmd /nytyli. evx sins
H mPniN, kAriJaz wiH siä hPsaz hAd bin kamiN n gOiN
kantinVali, briNiN vizitxz t H /kQntas /rOstOva'z big hQs on
H /pOvRskFa, sO wel nOn t Yl /moskQ. H kQntas hxself n
hx hAndsam eldast dYtx wx in H drYiN rMm wiH H vizitxz
hM kEm t kangrAcalEt, n hM konstantli saäIdad wan anaHx in
rilEz.
<p>
H kQntas woz a wUman v abQt fPti-fFv, wiH a Tin /Piental tFp
v fEs, evidentli wPn Qt wiH cFldbXiN—SI hAd hAd twelv.
a lANgx v mOSan n spIc, rizaltiN from wIknas, gEv hx a
distiNgwiSt X wic inspFxd rispekt. prinsas /Ana /miâFlOvna
/drMbetskFa, hM Az a membx v H hQshOld woz YlsO sItad in H
drYiN rMm, helpt t risIv n entxtEn H vizitxz. H jaN
pIpal wx in wan v H inx rMmz, not kansidxiN it nesisXi t
tEk pRt in risIviN H vizitxz. H kQnt met H gests n sY
Hem of, invFtiN Hem Yl t dinx.
<p>
“F Am veri, veri grEtfal t V, man /Ser,” P “my Ser”—hI
kYld evriwan wiHQt iäepSan n wiHQt H slFtast vXiESan
in hiz tOn, “mF dC,” weHx HE wx abav P bilO him in
rANk—“F TANk V f mFself n f Qx tM dC wanz hMz nEm
dE wI R kIpiN. bat mFnd V kam t dinx P F SAl bI afendad,
my Ser! on bihAf v H hOl fAmli F beg V t kam, man /Ser!”
HIz wxdz hI ripItad t evriwan wiHQt iäepSan P vXiESan, n
wiH H sEm iäpreSan on hiz fUl, cCfal, klIn-SEvan fEs, H
sEm fxm preSx v H hAnd n H sEm kwik, ripItad bQz. Az
sMn Az hI hAd sIn a vizitx of hI ritxnd t wan v HOz hM wx
stil in H drYiN rMm, drM a cX tPd him P hx, n JYntili
sprediN Qt hiz leã n pUtiN hiz hAndz on hiz nIz wiH H X
v a mAn hM inJqz lFf n nOz hQ t liv, hI swEd t n
frO wiH digniti, ofxd sxmFzaz abQt H weHx, P tact on
kwescanz v helT, samtFmz in /raSan n samtFmz in veri bAd bat
self-konfidant /frenc; Hen agen, lFk a mAn wCi bat anflinciN in
H fUlfilmant v dMti, hI rOz t sI sam vizitxz of n, strOkiN
hiz skAnti grE hXz Ovx hiz bYld pAc, YlsO Askt Hem t dinx.
samtFmz on hiz wE bAk from H AntirMm hI wUd pAs TrM H
kansxvatPi n pAntri intM H lRJ mRbal dFniN hYl, wX tEbalz
wx bIiN set Qt f Eti pIpal; n lUkiN At H fUtmen, hM
wx briNiN in silvx n cFna, mMviN tEbalz, n anfOldiN dAmask
tEbal linin, hI wUd kYl /dmItri /vysilevic, a mAn v gUd fAmli n
H mAniJx v Yl hiz afXz, n wFl lUkiN wiH pleZx At H
inPmas tEbal wUd sE: “wel, /dmItri, V'l sI HAt TiNz R
Yl Az HE SUd bI? HAt's rFt! H grEt TiN iz H sxviN,
HAt's it.” n wiH a kamplEsant sF hI wUd ritxn t H
drYiN rMm.
<p>
“/mRja /lavOvna /kRygIna n hx dYtx!” anQnst H
kQntas' JFgAntik fUtman in hiz bEs vqs, entxiN H drYiN
rMm. H kQntas riflektad a mOment n tUk a pinc from a gOld
snafboä wiH hx hazband'z pPtrEt on it.
<p>
“F'm kwFt wPn Qt bF HIz kYlxz. hQevx, F'l sI hx n
nO mP. SI iz sO afektad. Ask hx in,” SI sed t H fUtman in a
sAd vqs, Az if sEiN: “veri wel, finiS mI of.”
<p>
a tYl, stQt, n prQd-lUkiN wUman, wiH a rQnd-fEst smFliN
dYtx, entxd H drYiN rMm, HX dresaz rasaliN.
<p>
“dC /kQntas, wot an EJ... SI hAz bin lEd ap, pUx cFld ...
At H /ryzMmOfski'z bYl ... n /kQntas /apryäina ... F woz
sO dilFtad...” kEm H sQndz v AnimEtad feminin vqsaz,
intxaptiN wan anaHx n miNgaliN wiH H rasaliN v dresaz n
H skrEpiN v cXz. Hen wan v HOz konvxsESanz bigAn wic lAst
Qt antil, At H fxst pYz, H gests rFz wiH a rasal v dresaz
n sE, “F Am sO dilFtad... mymy'z helT... n /kQntas
/apryäina...” n Hen, agen rasaliN, pAs intM H AntirMm, pUt
on klOä P mAntalz, n drFv awE. H konvxsESan woz on H cIf
topik v H dE: H ilnas v H welTi n selabrEtad bO v
/kATxin'z dE, /kQnt /bezMâOf, n abQt hiz iliJitimat san
/piX, H wan hM hAd bihEvd sO impropxli At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z
risepSan.
<p>
“F Am sO sori f H pUx kQnt,” sed H vizitx. “hI iz in
sac bAd helT, n nQ His veäESan abQt hiz san iz inaf t kil
him!”
<p>
“wot iz HAt?” Askt H kQntas Az if SI did not nO wot H
vizitx alMdad t, HO SI hAd Ylredi hxd abQt H kYz v
/kQnt /bezMâOf's distres sam fiftIn tFmz.
<p>
“HAt's wot kamz v a modxn eJakESan,” iäklEmd H vizitx.
“it sImz HAt wFl hI woz abrYd His jaN mAn woz alQd t dM
Az hI lFkt, nQ in /pItxzbxg F hC hI hAz bin dMiN sac teribal
TiNz HAt hI hAz bin iäpeld bF H palIs.”
<p>
“V dOnt sE sO!” riplFd H kQntas.
<p>
“hI cOz hiz frendz bAdli,” intxpOzd /Ana /miâFlOvna.
“prins /vysili'z san, hI, n a sxtan /dOlOâOf hAv, it iz sed,
bin ap t hevan Onli nOz wot! n HE hAv hAd t safx f it.
/dOlOâOf hAz bin digrEdad t H rANä n /bezMâOf's san sent
bAk t /moskQ. /ynatOl /kMrygin'z fyHx mAniJd samhQ t get hiz
san'z afX haSt ap, bat Ivan hI woz Pdxd Qt v /pItxzbxg.”
<p>
“bat wot hAv HE bin ap t?” Askt H kQntas.
<p>
“HE R regVlx brigandz, ispeSali /dOlOâOf,” riplFd H
vizitx. “hI iz a san v /mRja /ivynOvna /dOlOâOva, sac a wxHi
wUman, bat HX, Jast fAnsi! HOz TrI got hOld v a bX samwX,
pUt it in a kAriJ, n set of wiH it t vizit sam Aktrasaz! H
palIs trFd t intxfC, n wot did H jaN men dM? HE tFd
a palIsman n H bX bAk t bAk n pUt H bX intM H /mqka
/kanAl. n HX woz H bX swimiN abQt wiH H palIsman on hiz
bAk!”
<p>
“wot a nFs figjx H palIsman mast hAv kat, mF dC!” SQtad
H kQnt, dFiN wiH lAftx.
<p>
“O, hQ dredfal! hQ kAn V lAf At it, /kQnt?”
<p>
jet H lEdiz Hemselvz kUd not help lAfiN.
<p>
“it woz Yl HE kUd dM t reskV H pUx mAn,” kantinVd H
vizitx. “n t TiNk it iz /siral /vlydimCOvic /bezMâOf's san
hM amVzaz himself in His sensabal mAnx! n hI woz sed t bI sO
wel eJakEtad n klevx. His iz Yl HAt hiz forin eJakESan hAz
dan f him! F hOp HAt hC in /moskQ nO wan wil risIv him, in
spFt v hiz mani. HE wontad t intradMs him t mI, bat F kwFt
diklFnd: F hAv mF dYtxz t kansidx.”
<p>
“wF dM V sE His jaN mAn iz sO ric?” Askt H kQntas,
txniN awE from H gxlz, hM At wans asMmd an X v inatenSan.
“hiz cildran R Yl iliJitimat. F TiNk /piX YlsO iz
iliJitimat.”
<p>
H vizitx mEd a Jescx wiH hx hAnd.
<p>
“F SUd TiNk hI hAz a skP v Hem.”
<p>
prinsas /Ana /miâFlOvna intxvInd in H konvxsESan, evidentli
wiSiN t SO hx kanekSanz n noliJ v wot went on in
sasFati.
<p>
“H fAkt v H mAtx iz,” sed SI signifikantli, n YlsO in a
hAf wispx, “evriwan nOz /kQnt /siral'z repVtESan.... hI hAz
lost kQnt v hiz cildran, bat His /piX woz hiz fEvxit.”
<p>
“hQ hAndsam H Old mAn stil woz Onli a jC agO!” rimRkt H
kQntas. “F hAv nevx sIn a hAndsamx mAn.”
<p>
“hI iz veri mac Yltxd nQ,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna. “wel, Az
F woz sEiN, /prins /vysili iz H neät X TrM hiz wFf, bat H
kQnt iz veri fond v /piX, lUkt Aftx hiz eJakESan, n rOt t
H /empxx abQt him; sO HAt in H kEs v hiz deT—n hI iz
sO il HAt hI mE dF At eni mOment, n /dx /lPEn hAz kam from
/pItxzbxg—nO wan nOz hM wil inherit hiz imens fPcMn, /piX
P /prins /vysili. fPti TQzand sxfs n milWnz v rMbalz! F nO
it Yl veri wel f /prins /vysili tOld mI himself. bisFdz, /siral
/vlydimCOvic iz mF maHx'z sekand kazan. hI'z YlsO mF /bPi'z
godfyHx,” SI Adad, Az if SI atAct nO impPtans At Yl t H
fAkt.
<p>
“prins /vysili xFvd in /moskQ jestxdE. F hC hI hAz kam on
sam inspekSan biznas,” rimRkt H vizitx.
<p>
“jes, bat bitwIn Qxselvz,” sed H prinsas, “HAt iz a
prIteät. H fAkt iz hI hAz kam t sI /kQnt /siral /vlydimCOvic,
hCiN hQ il hI iz.”
<p>
“bat dM V nO, mF dC, HAt woz a kApital JOk,” sed H kQnt;
n sIiN HAt H eldx vizitx woz not lisaniN, hI txnd t H
jaN lEdiz. “F kAn Jast imAJin wot a fani figjx HAt palIsman
kat!”
<p>
n Az hI wEvd hiz Rmz t impxsanEt H palIsman, hiz pPtli fPm
agen SUk wiH a dIp riNiN lAf, H lAf v wan hM YlwEz Its
wel n, in pxtikVlx, driNä wel. “sO dM kam n dFn wiH as!”
hI sed.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/sFlans insMd. H kQntas lUkt At hx kYlxz, smFliN Afabli,
bat not kansIliN H fAkt HAt SI wUd not bI distrest if HE
nQ rOz n tUk HX lIv. H vizitx'z dYtx woz Ylredi
smMHiN dQn hx dres wiH an inkwFxiN lUk At hx maHx, wen
sadanli from H neät rMm wx hxd H fUtsteps v bqz n gxlz
raniN t H dP n H nqz v a cX fYliN Ovx, n a gxl
v TxtIn, hFdiN samTiN in H fOldz v hx SPt mazlin frok,
dRtad in n stopt SPt in H midal v H rMm. it woz evidant
HAt SI hAd not intendad hx flFt t briN hx sO fR. bihFnd hx in
H dPwE apCd a stMdant wiH a krimzan kOt kolx, an ofisx
v H /gRdz, a gxl v fiftIn, n a plamp rOzi-fEst bq in a SPt
JAkat.
<p>
H kQnt Jampt ap n, swEiN from sFd t sFd, spred hiz Rmz wFd
n TrM Hem rQnd H lital gxl hM hAd ran in.
<p>
“y, hC SI iz!” hI iäklEmd lAfiN. “mF pet, hMz nEm dE
it iz. mF dC pet!”
<p>
“my Ser, HX iz a tFm f evriTiN,” sed H kQntas wiH
fEnd siveriti. “V spql hx, /ilja,” SI Adad, txniN t hx
hazband.
<p>
“hQ dM V dM, mF dC? F wiS V meni hApi ritxnz v jP nEm
dE,” sed H vizitx. “wot a cRmiN cFld,” SI Adad,
adresiN H maHx.
<p>
His blAk-Fd, wFd-mQHd gxl, not priti bat fUl v lFf—wiH
cFldiS bX SOldxz wic Aftx hx ran hIvd n SUk hx
bodis, wiH blAk kxlz tost bAkwxd, Tin bX Rmz, lital leã
in lEs-frild drYxz, n fIt in lO slipxz—woz Jast At HAt
cRmiN EJ wen a gxl iz nO loNgx a cFld, HO H cFld iz not
jet a jaN wUman. iskEpiN from hx fyHx SI rAn t hFd hx flaSt
fEs in H lEs v hx maHx'z mAntila—not pEiN H lIst
atenSan t hx sivC rimRk—n bigAn t lAf. SI lAft, n in
frAgmantXi sentansaz trFd t iäplEn abQt a dol wic SI prOdMst
from H fOldz v hx frok.
<p>
“dM V sI?... mF dol... /mImi... V sI...” woz Yl /nytySa
mAniJd t atx (t hx evriTiN sImd fani). SI lInd agenst
hx maHx n bxst intM sac a lQd, riNiN fit v lAftx HAt Ivan
H prim vizitx kUd not help JqniN in.
<p>
“nQ Hen, gO awE n tEk jP monstrositi wiH V,” sed H
maHx, pUSiN awE hx dYtx wiH pritendad stxnnas, n txniN
t H vizitx SI Adad: “SI iz mF jaNgast gxl.”
<p>
/nytySa, rEziN hx fEs f a mOment from hx maHx'z mAntila,
glAnst ap At hx TrM tCz v lAftx, n agen hid hx fEs.
<p>
H vizitx, kampeld t lUk on At His fAmli sIn, TYt it
nesisXi t tEk sam pRt in it.
<p>
“tel mI, mF dC,” sed SI t /nytySa, “iz /mImi a rilESan v
jPz? a dYtx, F sapOz?”
<p>
/nytySa did not lFk H vizitx'z tOn v kondisenSan t cFldiS
TiNz. SI did not riplF, bat lUkt At hx sCWsli.
<p>
mInwFl H jaNgx JenxESan: bPis, H ofisx, /Ana
/miâFlOvna'z san; /nikalas, H andxgrAJMat, H kQnt's eldast
san; /sonja, H kQnt's fiftIn-jC-Old nIs, n lital /petja,
hiz jaNgast bq, hAd Yl setald dQn in H drYiN rMm n wx
obvWsli trFiN t ristrEn wiHin H bQndz v dikPam H iäFtmant
n mxT HAt SOn in Yl HX fEsaz. evidentli in H bAk rMmz,
from wic HE hAd dASt Qt sO impecMasli, H konvxsESan hAd
bin mP amVziN HAn H drYiN rMm tYk v sasFati skAndalz, H
weHx, n /kQntas /apryäina. nQ n Hen HE glAnst At wan
anaHx, hRdli Ebal t sapres HX lAftx.
<p>
H tM jaN men, H stMdant n H ofisx, frendz from cFldhUd,
wx v H sEm EJ n bOT hAndsam felOz, HO not alFk. bPis
woz tYl n fX, n hiz kym n hAndsam fEs hAd regVlx, delikat
fIcxz. /nikalas woz SPt wiH kxli hX n an Opan iäpreSan.
dRk hXz wx Ylredi SOiN on hiz apx lip, n hiz hOl fEs
iäprest impecMositi n inTVziAzam. /nikalas blaSt wen hI entxd
H drYiN rMm. hI evidentli trFd t fFnd samTiN t sE, bat
fEld. bPis on H kontrXi At wans fQnd hiz fUtiN, n rilEtad
kwFatli n hVmxasli hQ hI hAd nOn HAt dol /mImi wen SI woz
stil kwFt a jaN lEdi, bifP hx nOz woz brOkan; hQ SI hAd EJd
dxiN H fFv jCz hI hAd nOn hx, n hQ hx hed hAd krAkt
rFt akros H skal. hAviN sed His hI glAnst At /nytySa.
SI txnd awE from him n glAnst At hx jaNgx braHx, hM woz
skrMiN ap hiz Fz n SEkiN wiH saprest lAftx, n anEbal
t kantrOl hxself eni loNgx, SI Jampt ap n raSt from H rMm Az
fAst Az hx nimbal lital fIt wUd kAri hx. bPis did not lAf.
<p>
“V wx mIniN t gO Qt, wxnt V, /mymy? dM V wont H
kAriJ?” hI Askt hiz maHx wiH a smFl.
<p>
“jes, jes, gO n tel Hem t get it redi,” SI Ansxd,
ritxniN hiz smFl.
<p>
bPis kwFatli left H rMm n went in sxc v /nytySa. H plamp
bq rAn Aftx Hem ANgrili, Az if veät HAt HX prOgrAm hAd bin
distxbd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
H Onli jaN pIpal rimEniN in H drYiN rMm, not kQntiN H
jaN lEdi vizitx n H kQntas' eldast dYtx (hM woz fP
jCz Oldx HAn hx sistx n bihEvd Ylredi lFk a grOn-ap pxsan),
wx /nikalas n /sonja, H nIs. /sonja woz a slendx lital
brMnet wiH a tendx lUk in hx Fz wic wx vEld bF loN
lASaz, Tik blAk plEts kqliN twFs rQnd hx hed, n a tYni
tint in hx kamplekSan n ispeSali in H kalx v hx slendx bat
grEsfal n maskVlx Rmz n nek. bF H grEs v hx mMvmants,
bF H softnas n fleäabiliti v hx smYl limz, n bF a sxtan
kqnas n rizxv v mAnx, SI rimFndad wan v a priti, hAf-grOn
kitan wic promisaz t bikam a bVtifal lital kAt. SI evidentli
kansidxd it propx t SO an intxast in H Jenxal konvxsESan bF
smFliN, bat in spFt v hxself hx Fz andx HX Tik loN lASaz
woct hx kazan hM woz gOiN t Jqn H Rmi, wiH sac pASanat
gxliS AdxESan HAt hx smFl kUd not f a siNgal instant impOz
apon eniwan, n it woz klC HAt H kitan hAd setald dQn Onli t
spriN ap wiH mP enxJi n agen plE wiH hx kazan Az sMn Az
HE tM kUd, lFk /nytySa n /bPis, iskEp from H drYiN rMm.
<p>
“y jes, mF dC,” sed H kQnt, adresiN H vizitx n
pqntiN t /nikalas, “hiz frend /bPis hAz bikam an ofisx, n
sO f frendSip's sEk hI iz lIviN H Vnivxsiti n mI, hiz
Old fyHx, n entxiN H militXi sxvis, mF dC. n HX woz a
plEs n evriTiN wEtiN f him in H /RkFvz /dipRtmant! izant
HAt frendSip?” rimRkt H kQnt in an inkwFxiN tOn.
<p>
“bat HE sE HAt wP hAz bin diklXd,” riplFd H vizitx.
<p>
“HE'v bin sEiN sO a loN wFl,” sed H kQnt, “n
HE'l sE sO agen n agen, n HAt wil bI H end v it. mF
dC, HX'z frendSip f V,” hI ripItad. “hI'z JqniN
H hMsRz.”
<p>
H vizitx, not nOiN wot t sE, SUk hx hed.
<p>
“it's not At Yl from frendSip,” diklXd /nikalas, flXiN
ap n txniN awE Az if from a SEmfal aspxZan. “it iz not from
frendSip At Yl; F simpli fIl HAt H Rmi iz mF vOkESan.”
<p>
hI glAnst At hiz kazan n H jaN lEdi vizitx; n HE wx bOT
rigRdiN him wiH a smFl v AprabESan.
<p>
“/SMbxt, H kxnal v H /pyvlOgryd /hMsRz, iz dFniN wiH as
tadE. hI hAz bin hC on lIv n iz tEkiN /nikalas bAk wiH him.
it kAnt bI helpt!” sed H kQnt, SragiN hiz SOldxz n
spIkiN plEfali v a mAtx HAt evidentli distrest him.
<p>
“F hAv Ylredi tOld V, /pypy,” sed hiz san, “HAt if V
dOnt wiS t let mI gO, F'l stE. bat F nO F Am nO Vs eniwX
iäept in H Rmi; F Am not a diplamAt P a gavxnmant klxk.—F
dOnt nO hQ t hFd wot F fIl.” Az hI spOk hI kept glAnsiN
wiH H flxtESasnas v a hAndsam VT At /sonja n H jaN
lEdi vizitx.
<p>
H lital kitan, fIstiN hx Fz on him, sImd redi At eni mOment
t stRt hx gAmbalz agen n displE hx kitaniS nEcx.
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt!” sed H Old kQnt. “hI YlwEz flXz ap!
His /bMOnapRte hAz txnd Yl HX hedz; HE Yl TiNk v hQ hI
rOz from an ensan n bikEm /empxx. wel, wel, /god grAnt it,” hI
Adad, not nOtisiN hiz vizitx'z sRkAstik smFl.
<p>
H eldxz bigAn tYkiN abQt /bOnapRt. /JMli /kRygIna txnd t
jaN /rOstOf.
<p>
“wot a piti V wxnt At H /RâROvz' on TxzdE. it woz sO
dal wiHQt V,” sed SI, giviN him a tendx smFl.
<p>
H jaN mAn, flAtxd, sAt dQn nCx t hx wiH a kOketiS
smFl, n ingEJd H smFliN /JMli in a konfidenSal konvxsESan
wiHQt At Yl nOtisiN HAt hiz involantXi smFl hAd stAbd H hRt
v /sonja, hM blaSt n smFld annAcxali. in H midst v hiz tYk
hI glAnst rQnd At hx. SI gEv him a pASanatli ANgri glAns, n
hRdli Ebal t ristrEn hx tCz n mEntEn H RtifiSal smFl
on hx lips, SI got ap n left H rMm. Yl /nikalas' AnimESan
vAniSt. hI wEtad f H fxst pYz in H konvxsESan, n Hen
wiH a distrest fEs left H rMm t fFnd /sonja.
<p>
“hQ plEnli Yl HIz jaN pIpal wX HX hRts on HX
slIvz!” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna, pqntiN t /nikalas Az hI went Qt.
“kazaniJ—dangereux /vOFziniJ,” * SI Adad.
<p>
     * kazanhUd iz a dEnJxas nEbxhUd.
<p>
“jes,” sed H kQntas wen H brFtnas HIz jaN pIpal hAd
brYt intM H rMm hAd vAniSt; n Az if AnsxiN a kwescan nO
wan hAd pUt bat wic woz YlwEz in hx mFnd, “n hQ mac safxiN,
hQ mac ANzFati wan hAz hAd t gO TrM HAt wI mFt riJqs in
Hem nQ! n jet rWli H ANzFati iz grEtx nQ HAn H Jq. wan iz
YlwEz, YlwEz ANkSas! ispeSali Jast At His EJ, sO dEnJxas bOT
f gxlz n bqz.”
<p>
“it Yl dipendz on H briNiN ap,” rimRkt H vizitx.
<p>
“jes, V'x kwFt rFt,” kantinVd H kQntas. “til nQ F
hAv YlwEz, TANk /god, bin mF cildran'z frend n hAd HX fUl
konfidans,” sed SI, ripItiN H mistEk v sO meni pXants hM
imAJin HAt HX cildran hAv nO sIkrats from Hem. “F nO F SAl
YlwEz bI mF dYtxz' fxst konfidynt, n HAt if /nikalas, wiH
hiz impalsiv nEcx, daz get intM miscif (a bq kAnt help it), hI
wil Yl H sEm nevx bI lFk HOz /pItxzbxg jaN men.”
<p>
“jes, HE R splendid, splendid jaNstxz,” cFmd in H kQnt,
hM YlwEz solvd kwescanz HAt sImd t him pxpleäiN bF disFdiN
HAt evriTiN woz splendid. “Jast fAnsi: wonts t bI an hMsR.
wot's wan t dM, mF dC?”
<p>
“wot a cRmiN krIcx jP jaNgx gxl iz,” sed H vizitx;
“a lital volkEnO!”
<p>
“jes, a regVlx volkEnO,” sed H kQnt. “tEä Aftx mI! n
wot a vqs SI hAz; HO SI'z mF dYtx, F tel H trMT
wen F sE SI'l bI a siNx, a sekand /sylOmOni! wI hAv ingEJd an
/itAlWn t giv hx lesanz.”
<p>
“izant SI tM jaN? F hAv hxd HAt it hRmz H vqs t trEn
it At HAt EJ.”
<p>
“O nO, not At Yl tM jaN!” riplFd H kQnt. “wF, Qx
maHxz Vst t bI mArid At twelv P TxtIn.”
<p>
“n SI'z in lav wiH /bPis Ylredi. Jast fAnsi!” sed H
kQntas wiH a Jental smFl, lUkiN At /bPis n went on, evidentli
kansxnd wiH a TYt HAt YlwEz okVpFd hx: “nQ V sI if F
wx t bI sivC wiH hx n t fxbid it ... gUdnas nOz wot HE
mFt bI ap t on H slF” (SI ment HAt HE wUd bI kisiN),
“bat Az it iz, F nO evri wxd SI atxz. SI wil kam raniN t
mI v hx On akPd in H IvniN n tel mI evriTiN. pxhAps F
spql hx, bat rWli HAt sImz H best plAn. wiH hx eldx sistx F
woz striktx.”
<p>
“jes, F woz brYt ap kwFt difxantli,” rimRkt H hAndsam
eldx dYtx, /kQntas /vCa, wiH a smFl.
<p>
bat H smFl did not inhAns /vCa'z bVti Az smFlz Jenxali dM;
on H kontrXi it gEv hx an annAcxal, n HXfP anplezant,
iäpreSan. /vCa woz gUd-lUkiN, not At Yl stMpid, kwik At
lxniN, woz wel brYt ap, n hAd a plezant vqs; wot SI sed
woz trM n aprOprWt, jet, strEnJ t sE, evriwan—H vizitxz
n kQntas alFk—txnd t lUk At hx Az if wandxiN wF SI hAd
sed it, n HE Yl felt Ykwxd.
<p>
“pIpal R YlwEz tM klevx wiH HX eldast cildran n trF t
mEk samTiN iäepSanal v Hem,” sed H vizitx.
<p>
“wot's H gUd v dinFiN it, mF dC? Qx dC kQntas woz tM
klevx wiH /vCa,” sed H kQnt. “wel, wot v HAt? SI'z
txnd Qt splendidli Yl H sEm,” hI Adad, wiNkiN At /vCa.
<p>
H gests got ap n tUk HX lIv, promisiN t ritxn t dinx.
<p>
“wot mAnxz! F TYt HE wUd nevx gO,” sed H kQntas,
wen SI hAd sIn hx gests Qt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
wen /nytySa rAn Qt v H drYiN rMm SI Onli went Az fR Az H
kansxvatPi. HX SI pYzd n stUd lisaniN t H konvxsESan
in H drYiN rMm, wEtiN f /bPis t kam Qt. SI woz Ylredi
grOiN impESant, n stAmpt hx fUt, redi t krF At hiz not kamiN
At wans, wen SI hxd H jaN mAn'z diskrIt steps aprOciN
nFHx kwikli nP slOli. At His /nytySa dASt swiftli amaN H
flQx tabz n hid HX.
<p>
bPis pYzd in H midal v H rMm, lUkt rQnd, braSt a lital
dast from H slIv v hiz VnifPm, n gOiN ap t a mirx iãAmind
hiz hAndsam fEs. /nytySa, veri stil, pCd Qt from hx AmbUS,
wEtiN t sI wot hI wUd dM. hI stUd a lital wFl bifP H
glAs, smFld, n wYkt tPd H aHx dP. /nytySa woz abQt t
kYl him bat cEnJd hx mFnd. “let him lUk f mI,” TYt SI.
hRdli hAd /bPis gon HAn /sonja, flaSt, in tCz, n matxiN
ANgrili, kEm in At H aHx dP. /nytySa cekt hx fxst impals
t ran Qt t hx, n rimEnd in hx hFdiN plEs, wociN—Az
andx an invizabal kAp—t sI wot went on in H wxld. SI woz
iäpCWnsiN a nM n pikVlC pleZx. /sonja, matxiN t hxself,
kept lUkiN rQnd tPd H drYiN rMm dP. it Opand n /nikalas
kEm in.
<p>
“/sonja, wot iz H mAtx wiH V? hQ kAn V?” sed hI, raniN
ap t hx.
<p>
“it's naTiN, naTiN; lIv mI alOn!” sobd /sonja.
<p>
“y, F nO wot it iz.”
<p>
“wel, if V dM, sO mac H betx, n V kAn gO bAk t hx!”
<p>
“sO-O-onja! lUk hC! hQ kAn V tPcx mI n jPself lFk HAt,
f a mC fAnsi?” sed /nikalas tEkiN hx hAnd.
<p>
/sonja did not pUl it awE, n left of krFiN. /nytySa, not stxiN
n skXsli brIHiN, woct from hx AmbUS wiH spRkaliN Fz.
“wot wil hApan nQ?” TYt SI.
<p>
“/sonja! wot iz eniwan in H wxld t mI? V alOn R
evriTiN!” sed /nikalas. “n F wil prMv it t V.”
<p>
“F dOnt lFk V t tYk lFk HAt.”
<p>
“wel, Hen, F wOnt; Onli fxgiv mI, /sonja!” hI drM hx t him
n kist hx.
<p>
“O, hQ nFs,” TYt /nytySa; n wen /sonja n /nikalas hAd
gon Qt v H kansxvatPi SI folOd n kYld /bPis t hx.
<p>
“bPis, kam hC,” sed SI wiH a slF n signifikant lUk. “F
hAv samTiN t tel V. hC, hC!” n SI led him intM H
kansxvatPi t H plEs amaN H tabz wX SI hAd bin hFdiN.
<p>
bPis folOd hx, smFliN.
<p>
“wot iz H samTiN?” Askt hI.
<p>
SI grM kanfVzd, glAnst rQnd, n, sIiN H dol SI hAd TrOn
dQn on wan v H tabz, pikt it ap.
<p>
“kis H dol,” sed SI.
<p>
bPis lUkt atentivli n kFndli At hx Igx fEs, bat did not
riplF.
<p>
“dOnt V wont t? wel, Hen, kam hC,” sed SI, n
went fxHx in amaN H plAnts n TrM dQn H dol. “klOsx,
klOsx!” SI wispxd.
<p>
SI kYt H jaN ofisx bF hiz kafs, n a lUk v salemniti n
fC apCd on hx flaSt fEs.
<p>
“n mI? wUd V lFk t kis mI?” SI wispxd YlmOst inYdabli,
glAnsiN ap At him from andx hx brQz, smFliN, n YlmOst krFiN from
iäFtmant.
<p>
bPis blaSt.
<p>
“hQ fani V R!” hI sed, bendiN dQn t hx n blaSiN stil
mP, bat hI wEtad n did naTiN.
<p>
sadanli SI Jampt ap ontM a tab t bI hFx HAn hI, imbrEst him sO
HAt bOT hx slendx bX Rmz klAspt him abav hiz nek, n, tosiN
bAk hx hX, kist him fUl on H lips.
<p>
Hen SI slipt dQn amaN H flQxpots on H aHx sFd v H tabz
n stUd, hANiN hx hed.
<p>
“/nytySa,” hI sed, “V nO HAt F lav V, bat....”
<p>
“V R in lav wiH mI?” /nytySa brOk in.
<p>
“jes, F Am, bat plIz dOnt let as dM lFk HAt.... in anaHx fP
jCz ... Hen F wil Ask f jP hAnd.”
<p>
/nytySa kansidxd.
<p>
“TxtIn, fPtIn, fiftIn, siätIn,” SI kQntad on hx slendx
lital fiNgxz. “Yl rFt! Hen it's setald?”
<p>
a smFl v Jq n sAtisfAkSan lit ap hx Igx fEs.
<p>
“setald!” riplFd /bPis.
<p>
“fxevx?” sed H lital gxl. “til deT itself?”
<p>
SI tUk hiz Rm n wiH a hApi fEs went wiH him intM H aJqniN
sitiN rMm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
/Aftx risIviN hx vizitxz, H kQntas woz sO tFxd HAt SI gEv
Pdxz t admit nO mP, bat H pPtx woz tOld t bI SUx t invFt t
dinx Yl hM kEm “t kangrAcalEt.” H kQntas wiSt t hAv
a tEt-a-tEt tYk wiH H frend v hx cFldhUd, /prinsas /Ana
/miâFlOvna, hMm SI hAd not sIn propxli sins SI ritxnd from
/pItxzbxg. Ana /miâFlOvna, wiH hx tC-wPn bat plezant fEs,
drM hx cX nCx t HAt v H kQntas.
<p>
“wiH V F wil bI kwFt frANk,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna. “HX
R not meni left v as Old frendz! HAt's wF F sO vAlV jP
frendSip.”
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna lUkt At /vCa n pYzd. H kQntas prest hx
frend'z hAnd.
<p>
“/vCa,” SI sed t hx eldast dYtx hM woz evidentli not a
fEvxit, “hQ iz it V hAv sO lital tAkt? dOnt V sI V R
not wontad hC? gO t H aHx gxlz, P...”
<p>
H hAndsam /vCa smFld kantempcMasli bat did not sIm At Yl hxt.
<p>
“if V hAd tOld mI sMnx, /mymy, F wUd hAv gon,” SI riplFd
Az SI rOz t gO t hx On rMm.
<p>
bat Az SI pAst H sitiN rMm SI nOtist tM kapalz sitiN,
wan pX At Ic windO. SI stopt n smFld skPnfali. /sonja woz
sitiN klOs t /nikalas hM woz kopiiN Qt sam vxsaz f hx, H
fxst hI hAd evx ritan. bPis n /nytySa wx At H aHx windO
n sIst tYkiN wen /vCa entxd. /sonja n /nytySa lUkt At
/vCa wiH gilti, hApi fEsaz.
<p>
it woz plezant n taciN t sI HIz lital gxlz in lav; bat
apArantli H sFt v Hem rQzd nO plezant fIliN in /vCa.
<p>
“hQ oftan hAv F Askt V not t tEk mF TiNz?” SI sed. “V
hAv a rMm v jP On,” n SI tUk H iNätAnd from /nikalas.
<p>
“in a minit, in a minit,” hI sed, dipiN hiz pen.
<p>
“V YlwEz mAniJ t dM TiNz At H roN tFm,” kantinVd /vCa.
“V kEm raSiN intM H drYiN rMm sO HAt evriwan felt aSEmd
v V.”
<p>
HO wot SI sed woz kwFt Jast, pxhAps f HAt veri rIzan nO wan
riplFd, n H fP simpli lUkt At wan anaHx. SI liNgxd in H
rMm wiH H iNätAnd in hx hAnd.
<p>
“n At jP EJ wot sIkrats kAn HX bI bitwIn /nytySa n
/bPis, P bitwIn V tM? it's Yl nonsens!”
<p>
“nQ, /vCa, wot daz it mAtx t V?” sed /nytySa in difens,
spIkiN veri Jentli.
<p>
SI sImd HAt dE t bI mP HAn evx kFnd n afekSanat t
evriwan.
<p>
“veri sili,” sed /vCa. “F Am aSEmd v V. sIkrats indId!”
<p>
“Yl hAv sIkrats v HX On,” Ansxd /nytySa, getiN wPmx.
“wI dOnt intxfC wiH V n /bxg.”
<p>
“F SUd TiNk not,” sed /vCa, “bikoz HX kAn nevx bI
eniTiN roN in mF bihEvjx. bat F'l Jast tel /mymy hQ V R
bihEviN wiH /bPis.”
<p>
“/nytylW /ilinicna bihEvz veri wel t mI,” rimRkt /bPis. “F
hAv naTiN t kamplEn v.”
<p>
“dOnt, /bPis! V R sac a diplamAt HAt it iz rWli
tFxsam,” sed /nytySa in a mPtifFd vqs HAt trembald slFtli.
(SI Vzd H wxd “diplamAt,” wic woz Jast Hen mac in vOg
amaN H cildran, in H speSal sens HE atAct t it.) “wF
daz SI boHx mI?” n SI Adad, txniN t /vCa, “V'l
nevx andxstAnd it, bikoz V'v nevx lavd eniwan. V hAv nO
hRt! V R a /madym de /Jenlis n naTiN mP” (His niknEm,
bistOd on /vCa bF /nikalas, woz kansidxd veri stiNiN), “n
jP grEtast pleZx iz t bI anplezant t pIpal! gO n flxt wiH
/bxg Az mac Az V plIz,” SI finiSt kwikli.
<p>
“F SAl At eni rEt not ran Aftx a jaN mAn bifP vizitxz...”
<p>
“wel, nQ V'v dan wot V wontad,” pUt in /nikalas—“sed
anplezant TiNz t evriwan n apset Hem. let's gO t H
nxsxi.”
<p>
Yl fP, lFk a flok v skXd bxdz, got ap n left H rMm.
<p>
“H anplezant TiNz wx sed t mI,” rimRkt /vCa, “F sed
nan t eniwan.”
<p>
“madym de /Jenlis! madym de /Jenlis!” SQtad lAfiN vqsaz
TrM H dP.
<p>
H hAndsam /vCa, hM prOdMst sac an iritEtiN n anplezant
ifekt on evriwan, smFld n, evidentli anmMvd bF wot hAd bin
sed t hx, went t H lUkiN glAs n xEnJd hx hX n skRf.
lUkiN At hx On hAndsam fEs SI sImd t bikam stil kOldx n
kymx.
<p>
<p>
in H drYiN rMm H konvxsESan woz stil gOiN on.
<p>
“y, mF dC,” sed H kQntas, “mF lFf iz not Yl rOzaz
FHx. dOnt F nO HAt At H rEt wI R liviN Qx mInz wOnt
lAst loN? it's Yl H /klab n hiz IzigOiN nEcx. Ivan in H
kantri dM wI get eni rest? TiAtrikalz, hantiN, n hevan nOz wot
bisFdz! bat dOnt let's tYk abQt mI; tel mI hQ V mAniJd
evriTiN. F oftan wandx At V, /anet—hQ At jP EJ V
kAn raS of alOn in a kAriJ t /moskQ, t /pItxzbxg, t HOz
ministxz n grEt pIpal, n nO hQ t dIl wiH Hem Yl! it's
kwFt astoniSiN. hQ did V get TiNz setald? F kUdant posabli
dM it.”
<p>
“y, mF lav,” Ansxd /Ana /miâFlOvna, “god grAnt V nevx
nO wot it iz t bI left a widO wiHQt mInz n wiH a san V lav
t distrAkSan! wan lxnz meni TiNz Hen,” SI Adad wiH a sxtan
prFd. “HAt lYsMt tYt mI mac. wen F wont t sI wan v HOz
big pIpal F rFt a nOt: 'prinsas sO-n-sO dizFxz an intxvV
wiH sO n-sO,' n Hen F tEk a kAb n gO mFself tM, TrI, P
fP tFmz—til F get wot F wont. F dOnt mFnd wot HE TiNk v
mI.”
<p>
“wel, n t hMm did V aplF abQt /bPi?” Askt H kQntas.
“V sI jPz iz Ylredi an ofisx in H /gRdz, wFl mF /nikalas
iz gOiN Az a kadet. HX'z nO wan t intxast himself f him. t
hMm did V aplF?”
<p>
“t /prins /vysili. hI woz sO kFnd. hI At wans agrId t evriTiN,
n pUt H mAtx bifP H /empxx,” sed /prinsas /Ana
/miâFlOvna inTVziAstikli, kwFt fxgetiN Yl H hVmiliESan SI
hAd indxd t gEn hx end.
<p>
“hAz /prins /vysili EJd mac?” Askt H kQntas. “F hAv not
sIn him sins wI Aktad tageHx At H /rMmjyntsOfs' TiAtrikalz. F
iäpekt hI hAz fxgotan mI. hI pEd mI atenSanz in HOz dEz,” sed
H kQntas, wiH a smFl.
<p>
“hI iz Jast H sEm Az evx,” riplFd /Ana /miâFlOvna,
“OvxflOiN wiH EmWbiliti. hiz paziSan hAz not txnd hiz hed
At Yl. hI sed t mI, 'F Am sori F kAn dM sO lital f V, dC
/prinsas. F Am At jP kamAnd.' jes, hI iz a fFn felO n a veri
kFnd rilESan. bat, /nytyli, V nO mF lav f mF san: F wUd dM
eniTiN f hiz hApinas! n mF afXz R in sac a bAd wE HAt mF
paziSan iz nQ a teribal wan,” kantinVd /Ana /miâFlOvna, sAdli,
dropiN hx vqs. “mF recad lYsMt tEä Yl F hAv n mEä nO
progres. wUd V bilIv it, F hAv litxali not a peni n dOnt
nO hQ t ikwip /bPis.” SI tUk Qt hx hANkxcif n bigAn t
krF. “F nId fFv handrad rMbalz, n hAv Onli wan twenti-fFv-rMbal
nOt. F Am in sac a stEt.... mF Onli hOp nQ iz in /kQnt /siral
/vlydimCOvic /bezMâOf. if hI wil not asist hiz godsan—V nO
hI iz /bPi'z godfyHx—n alQ him samTiN f hiz mEntanans,
Yl mF trabal wil hAv bin TrOn awE.... F SAl not bI Ebal t
ikwip him.”
<p>
H kQntas' Fz fild wiH tCz n SI pondxd in sFlans.
<p>
“F oftan TiNk, HO, pxhAps it's a sin,” sed H prinsas,
“HAt hC livz /kQnt /siral /vlydimCOvic /bezMâOf sO ric, Yl
alOn... HAt trimendas fPcMn... n wot iz hiz lFf wxT? it's a
bxdan t him, n /bPi'z lFf iz Onli Jast biginiN....”
<p>
“SUxli hI wil lIv samTiN t /bPis,” sed H kQntas.
<p>
“hevan Onli nOz, mF dC! HIz ric grAndIz R sO selfiS.
stil, F wil tEk /bPis n gO t sI him At wans, n F SAl spIk
t him strEt Qt. let pIpal TiNk wot HE wil v mI, it's
rWli Yl H sEm t mI wen mF san'z fEt iz At stEk.” H
prinsas rOz. “it's nQ tM O'klok n V dFn At fP. HX
wil Jast bI tFm.”
<p>
n lFk a prAktikal /pItxzbxg lEdi hM nOz hQ t mEk H mOst v
tFm, /Ana /miâFlOvna sent samwan t kYl hx san, n went intM H
AntirMm wiH him.
<p>
“gUd-bF, mF dC,” sed SI t H kQntas hM sY hx t H
dP, n Adad in a wispx sO HAt hx san SUd not hC, “wiS mI
gUd lak.”
<p>
“R V gOiN t /kQnt /siral /vlydimCOvic, mF dC?” sed H
kQnt kamiN Qt from H dFniN hYl intM H AntirMm, n hI Adad:
“if hI iz betx, Ask /piX t dFn wiH as. hI hAz bin t H
hQs, V nO, n dAnst wiH H cildran. bI SUx t invFt him, mF
dC. wI wil sI hQ /tRaz distiNgwiSaz himself tadE. hI sez /kQnt
/PlOf nevx gEv sac a dinx Az Qxz wil bI!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
“mF dC /bPis,” sed /prinsas /Ana /miâFlOvna t hx san Az
/kQntas /rOstOva'z kAriJ in wic HE wx sItad drOv Ovx H
strY kavxd strIt n txnd intM H wFd kPtjRd v /kQnt /siral
/vlydimCOvic /bezMâOf's hQs. “mF dC /bPis,” sed H
maHx, drYiN hx hAnd from binIT hx Old mAntal n lEiN
it timidli n tendxli on hx san'z Rm, “bI afekSanat n
atentiv t him. kQnt /siral /vlydimCOvic iz jP godfyHx Aftx
Yl, n jP fVcx dipendz on him. rimembx HAt, mF dC, n bI nFs
t him, Az V sO wel nO hQ t bI.”
<p>
“if Onli F nM HAt eniTiN bisFdz hVmiliESan wUd kam v
it...” Ansxd hx san kOldli. “bat F hAv promist n wil dM it
f jP sEk.”
<p>
YlHO H hYl pPtx sY samwan'z kAriJ stAndiN At H
entrans, Aftx skrMtinFziN H maHx n san (hM wiHQt AskiN t
bI anQnst hAd pAst strEt TrM H glAs pPc bitwIn H
rOz v stAcVz in nicaz) n lUkiN signifikantli At H lEdi'z Old
klOk, hI Askt weHx HE wontad H kQnt P H prinsasaz, n,
hCiN HAt HE wiSt t sI H kQnt, sed hiz eäalansi woz wxs
tadE, n HAt hiz eäalansi woz not risIviN eniwan.
<p>
“wI mE Az wel gO bAk,” sed H san in /frenc.
<p>
“mF dC!” iäklEmd hiz maHx implPiNli, agen lEiN hx hAnd
on hiz Rm Az if HAt tac mFt sMH P rQz him.
<p>
bPis sed nO mP, bat lUkt inkwFxiNli At hiz maHx wiHQt tEkiN
of hiz klOk.
<p>
“mF frend,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna in Jental tOnz, adresiN
H hYl pPtx, “F nO /kQnt /siral /vlydimCOvic iz veri il...
HAt's wF F hAv kam... F Am a rilESan. F SAl not distxb him,
mF frend... F Onli nId sI /prins /vysili /sergEevic: hI iz stEiN
hC, iz hI not? plIz anQns mI.”
<p>
H hYl pPtx salanli pUld a bel HAt rAN apstXz, n txnd
awE.
<p>
“prinsas /drMbetskFa t sI /prins /vysili /sergEevic,” hI kYld
t a fUtman drest in nI brIcaz, SMz, n a swolO-tEl kOt,
hM rAn dQnstXz n lUkt Ovx from H hAfwE lAndiN.
<p>
H maHx smMHd H fOldz v hx dFd silk dres bifP a lRJ
/vanISan mirx in H wYl, n in hx trodan-dQn SMz briskli
asendad H kRpatad stXz.
<p>
“mF dC,” SI sed t hx san, wans mP stimVlEtiN him bF a
tac, “V promist mI!”
<p>
H san, lOxiN hiz Fz, folOd hx kwFatli.
<p>
HE entxd H lRJ hYl, from wic wan v H dPz led t H
apRtmants asFnd t /prins /vysili.
<p>
Jast Az H maHx n san, hAviN rIct H midal v H hYl, wx
abQt t Ask HX wE v an eldxli fUtman hM hAd spraN ap Az HE
entxd, H bronz hAndal v wan v H dPz txnd n /prins /vysili
kEm Qt—wXiN a velvat kOt wiH a siNgal stR on hiz brest,
Az woz hiz kastam wen At hOm—tEkiN lIv v a gUd-lUkiN,
dRk-hXd mAn. His woz H selabrEtad /pItxzbxg doktx, /lPEn.
<p>
“Hen it iz sxtan?” sed H prins.
<p>
“prins, hVmEnam est errare, * bat...” riplFd H doktx,
swolOiN hiz r's, n pranQnsiN H /lAtin wxdz wiH a /frenc
Aäent.
<p>
     * t er iz hVman.
<p>
“veri wel, veri wel...”
<p>
sIiN /Ana /miâFlOvna n hx san, /prins /vysili dismist H
doktx wiH a bQ n aprOct Hem sFlantli n wiH a lUk v
inkwFxi. H san nOtist HAt an iäpreSan v prafQnd sorO sadanli
klQdad hiz maHx'z fEs, n hI smFld slFtli.
<p>
“y, /prins! in wot sAd sxkamstAnsaz wI mIt agen! n hQ iz Qx
dC invAlid?” sed SI, Az HO anawX v H kOld afensiv lUk
fiät on hx.
<p>
prins /vysili stXd At hx n At /bPis kwescaniNli n pxpleät.
bPis bQd palFtli. prins /vysili wiHQt aknoliJiN H bQ
txnd t /Ana /miâFlOvna, AnsxiN hx kwCi bF a mMvmant v H
hed n lips indikEtiN veri lital hOp f H pESant.
<p>
“iz it posabal?” iäklEmd /Ana /miâFlOvna. “O, hQ Yfal!
it iz teribal t TiNk.... His iz mF san,” SI Adad, indikEtiN
/bPis. “hI wontad t TANk V himself.”
<p>
bPis bQd agen palFtli.
<p>
“bilIv mI, /prins, a maHx'z hRt wil nevx fxget wot V
hAv dan f as.”
<p>
“F Am glAd F woz Ebal t dM V a sxvis, mF dC /Ana
/miâFlOvna,” sed /prins /vysili, xEnJiN hiz lEs fril, n in
tOn n mAnx, hC in /moskQ t /Ana /miâFlOvna hMm hI hAd plEst
andx an obligESan, asMmiN an X v mac grEtx impPtans HAn hI
hAd dan in /pItxzbxg At /Ana /Serx'z risepSan.
<p>
“trF t sxv wel n SO jPself wxHi,” Adad hI, adresiN
/bPis wiH siveriti. “F Am glAd.... R V hC on lIv?” hI went
on in hiz VZMal tOn v indifxans.
<p>
“F Am awEtiN Pdxz t Jqn mF nM reJimant, jP eäalansi,”
riplFd /bPis, bitrEiN nFHx anqans At H prins'az brask
mAnx nP a dizFx t entx intM konvxsESan, bat spIkiN sO kwFatli
n rispektfali HAt H prins gEv him a sxciN glAns.
<p>
“R V liviN wiH jP maHx?”
<p>
“F Am liviN At /kQntas /rOstOva'z,” riplFd /bPis, agen
AdiN, “jP eäalansi.”
<p>
“HAt iz, wiH /ilja /rOstOf hM mArid /nytyli /SinSIna,” sed
/Ana /miâFlOvna.
<p>
“F nO, F nO,” Ansxd /prins /vysili in hiz manotanas vqs.
“F nevx kUd andxstAnd hQ /nytyli mEd ap hx mFnd t mAri HAt
anlikt bX! a pxfiktli absxd n stMpid felO, n a gAmbalx tM,
F Am tOld.”
<p>
“bat a veri kFnd mAn, /prins,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna wiH a
paTetik smFl, Az HO SI tM nM HAt /kQnt /rOstOf dizxvd His
senSx, bat Askt him not t bI tM hRd on H pUx Old mAn. “wot
dM H doktxz sE?” Askt H prinsas Aftx a pYz, hx wPn fEs
agen iäpresiN dIp sorO.
<p>
“HE giv lital hOp,” riplFd H prins.
<p>
“n F SUd sO lFk t TANk /aNkal wans f Yl hiz kFndnas t mI
n /bPis. hI iz hiz godsan,” SI Adad, hx tOn saJestiN HAt
His fAkt Yt t giv /prins /vysili mac sAtisfAkSan.
<p>
prins /vysili bikEm TYtfal n frQnd. Ana /miâFlOvna sY HAt
hI woz afrEd v fFndiN in hx a rFval f /kQnt /bezMâOf's fPcMn,
n hEsand t rIaSUx him.
<p>
“if it wx not f mF sinsC afekSan n divOSan t /aNkal,”
sed SI, atxiN H wxd wiH pikVlC aSUxans n ankansxn, “F
nO hiz kAraktx: nObal, aprFt ... bat V sI hI hAz nO wan wiH
him iäept H jaN prinsasaz.... HE R stil jaN....” SI bent
hx hed n kantinVd in a wispx: “hAz hI pxfPmd hiz fFnal dMti,
/prins? hQ prFslas R HOz lAst mOments! it kAn mEk TiNz nO
wxs, n it iz AbsalMtli nesisXi t pripX him if hI iz sO il.
wI wimin, /prins,” n SI smFld tendxli, “YlwEz nO hQ t sE
HIz TiNz. F AbsalMtli mast sI him, hQevx pEnfal it mE bI f
mI. F Am Vst t safxiN.”
<p>
evidentli H prins andxstUd hx, n YlsO andxstUd, Az hI hAd dan
At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z, HAt it wUd bI difikalt t get rid v /Ana
/miâFlOvna.
<p>
“wUd not sac a mItiN bI tM trFiN f him, dC /Ana
/miâFlOvna?” sed hI. “let as wEt antil IvniN. H doktxz R
iäpektiN a krFsis.”
<p>
“bat wan kAnot dilE, /prins, At sac a mOment! kansidx HAt H
welfX v hiz sOl iz At stEk. y, it iz Yfal: H dMtiz v a
/kriscan...”
<p>
a dP v wan v H inx rMmz Opand n wan v H prinsasaz, H
kQnt's nIs, entxd wiH a kOld, stxn fEs. H leNT v hx
bodi woz strFkiNli Qt v prapPSan t hx SPt leã. prins /vysili
txnd t hx.
<p>
“wel, hQ iz hI?”
<p>
“stil H sEm; bat wot kAn V iäpekt, His nqz...” sed H
prinsas, lUkiN At /Ana /miâFlOvna Az At a strEnJx.
<p>
“y, mF dC, F hRdli nM V,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna wiH a
hApi smFl, AmbaliN lFtli ap t H kQnt's nIs. “F hAv kam,
n Am At jP sxvis t help V nxs mF aNkal. F imAJin wot V
hAv gon TrM,” n SI simpaTetikli txnd ap hx Fz.
<p>
H prinsas gEv nO riplF n did not Ivan smFl, bat left H rMm Az
/Ana /miâFlOvna tUk of hx glavz n, okVpFiN H paziSan SI
hAd koNkxd, setald dQn in an RmcX, invFtiN /prins /vysili t
tEk a sIt bisFd hx.
<p>
“bPis,” SI sed t hx san wiH a smFl, “F SAl gO in t sI
H kQnt, mF aNkal; bat V, mF dC, hAd betx gO t /piX mInwFl
n dOnt fxget t giv him H /rOstOfs' invitESan. HE Ask him
t dinx. F sapOz hI wOnt gO?” SI kantinVd, txniN t H
prins.
<p>
“on H kontrXi,” riplFd H prins, hM hAd plEnli bikam
diprest, “F SAl bI Onli tM glAd if V rilIv mI v HAt jaN
mAn.... hC hI iz, n H kQnt hAz not wans Askt f him.”
<p>
hI Sragd hiz SOldxz. a fUtman kondaktad /bPis dQn wan flFt v
stXz n ap anaHx, t /piX'z rMmz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
/piX, Aftx Yl, hAd not mAniJd t cMz a kxC f himself in
/pItxzbxg, n hAd bin iäpeld from HX f rFatas kondakt n
sent t /moskQ. H stPi tOld abQt him At /kQnt /rOstOf's woz trM.
/piX hAd tEkan pRt in tFiN a palIsman t a bX. hI hAd nQ bin
f sam dEz in /moskQ n woz stEiN Az VZMal At hiz fyHx'z
hQs. HO hI iäpektad HAt H stPi v hiz eskapEd wUd bI
Ylredi nOn in /moskQ n HAt H lEdiz abQt hiz fyHx—hM wx
nevx fEvxabli dispOzd tPd him—wUd hAv Vzd it t txn H
kQnt agenst him, hI nevxHales on H dE v hiz xFval went t
hiz fyHx'z pRt v H hQs. entxiN H drYiN rMm, wX H
prinsasaz spent mOst v HX tFm, hI grItad H lEdiz, tM v hMm
wx sitiN At imbrqdxi frEmz wFl a Txd red alQd. it woz H
eldast hM woz rIdiN—H wan hM hAd met /Ana /miâFlOvna. H
tM jaNgx wanz wx imbrqdxiN: bOT wx rOzi n priti n HE
difxd Onli in HAt wan hAd a lital mOl on hx lip wic mEd hx
mac pritC. /piX woz risIvd Az if hI wx a kPps P a lepx.
H eldast prinsas pYzd in hx rIdiN n sFlantli stXd At him
wiH frFtand Fz; H sekand asMmd prisFsli H sEm iäpreSan;
wFl H jaNgast, H wan wiH H mOl, hM woz v a cCfal n
lFvli dispaziSan, bent Ovx hx frEm t hFd a smFl probabli ivOkt
bF H amVziN sIn SI fPsY. SI drM hx wUl dQn TrM H
kAnvas n, skXsli Ebal t rifrEn from lAfiN, stMpt Az if trFiN
t mEk Qt H pAtxn.
<p>
“hQ dM V dM, kazan?” sed /piX. “V dOnt rekagnFz
mI?”
<p>
“F rekagnFz V Onli tM wel, tM wel.”
<p>
“hQ iz H kQnt? kAn F sI him?” Askt /piX, Ykwxdli Az VZMal,
bat anabASt.
<p>
“H kQnt iz safxiN fizikli n mentali, n apArantli V
hAv dan jP best t inkrIs hiz mental safxiNz.”
<p>
“kAn F sI H kQnt?” /piX agen Askt.
<p>
“hm.... if V wiS t kil him, t kil him QtrFt, V kAn sI
him... /Olga, gO n sI weHx /aNkal'z bIf tI iz redi—it iz
YlmOst tFm,” SI Adad, giviN /piX t andxstAnd HAt HE wx
bizi, n bizi mEkiN hiz fyHx kamfxtabal, wFl evidentli hI,
/piX, woz Onli bizi kYziN him anqans.
<p>
/Olga went Qt. /piX stUd lUkiN At H sistxz; Hen hI bQd n
sed: “Hen F wil gO t mF rMmz. V wil let mI nO wen F kAn sI
him.”
<p>
n hI left H rMm, folOd bF H lO bat riNiN lAftx v H
sistx wiH H mOl.
<p>
neät dE /prins /vysili hAd xFvd n setald in H kQnt's hQs.
hI sent f /piX n sed t him: “mF dC felO, if V R gOiN
t bihEv hC Az V did in /pItxzbxg, V wil end veri bAdli; HAt
iz Yl F hAf t sE t V. H kQnt iz veri, veri il, n V mast
not sI him At Yl.”
<p>
sins Hen /piX hAd not bin distxbd n hAd spent H hOl tFm in
hiz rMmz apstXz.
<p>
wen /bPis apCd At hiz dP /piX woz pEsiN ap n dQn hiz rMm,
stopiN akEZanali At a kPnx t mEk menasiN Jescxz At H wYl,
Az if raniN a sPd TrM an invizabal fO, n glXiN sAviJli
Ovx hiz spektakalz, n Hen agen rizMmiN hiz wYk, matxiN
indistiNkt wxdz, SragiN hiz SOldxz n JestikVlEtiN.
<p>
“/iNgland iz dan f,” sed hI, skQliN n pqntiN hiz fiNgx
At samwan ansIn. “/mx /pit, Az a trEtx t H nESan n t H
rFts v mAn, iz sentanst t...” bat bifP /piX—hM At HAt
mOment imAJind himself t bI /napOlWn in pxsan n t hAv Jast
ifektad H dEnJxas krosiN v H /strEts v /dOvx n kApcxd
/landan—kUd pranQns /pit's sentans, hI sY a wel-bilt n
hAndsam jaN ofisx entxiN hiz rMm. /piX pYzd. hI hAd left
/moskQ wen /bPis woz a bq v fPtIn, n hAd kwFt fxgotan him,
bat in hiz VZMal impalsiv n hRti wE hI tUk /bPis bF H hAnd
wiH a frendli smFl.
<p>
“dM V rimembx mI?” Askt /bPis kwFatli wiH a plezant smFl.
“F hAv kam wiH mF maHx t sI H kQnt, bat it sImz hI iz not
wel.”
<p>
“jes, it sImz hI iz il. pIpal R YlwEz distxbiN him,”
Ansxd /piX, trFiN t rimembx hM His jaN mAn woz.
<p>
bPis felt HAt /piX did not rekagnFz him bat did not kansidx
it nesisXi t intradMs himself, n wiHQt iäpCWnsiN H lIst
imbArasmant lUkt /piX strEt in H fEs.
<p>
“kQnt /rOstOf Asä V t kam t dinx tadE,” sed hI, Aftx a
kansidxabal pYz wic mEd /piX fIl ankamfxtabal.
<p>
“y, /kQnt /rOstOf!” iäklEmd /piX Jqfali. “Hen V R hiz
san, /ilja? Onli fAnsi, F didant nO V At fxst. dM V rimembx
hQ wI went t H /spArO /hilz wiH /madym /ZykO?... it's sac an
EJ...”
<p>
“V R mistEkan,” sed /bPis dilibxatli, wiH a bOld n
slFtli sRkAstik smFl. “F Am /bPis, san v /prinsas /Ana
/miâFlOvna /drMbetskFa. /rOstOf, H fyHx, iz /ilja, n hiz san iz
/nikalas. F nevx nM eni /madym /ZykO.”
<p>
/piX SUk hiz hed n Rmz Az if atAkt bF moskItOz P bIz.
<p>
“O dC, wot Am F TiNkiN abQt? F'v miät evriTiN ap. wan
hAz sO meni relativz in /moskQ! sO V R /bPis? v kPs. wel, nQ
wI nO wX wI R. n wot dM V TiNk v H /bMlon eäpidiSan?
H /iNgliS wil kam of bAdli, V nO, if /napOlWn gets akros H
/cAnal. F TiNk H eäpidiSan iz kwFt fIzabal. if Onli /vilanUv
dazant mEk a mes v TiNz!”
<p>
bPis nM naTiN abQt H /bMlon eäpidiSan; hI did not rId H
pEpxz n it woz H fxst tFm hI hAd hxd /vilanUv'z nEm.
<p>
“wI hC in /moskQ R mP okVpFd wiH dinx pRtiz n skAndal
HAn wiH politiä,” sed hI in hiz kwFat Fronikal tOn. “F nO
naTiN abQt it n hAv not TYt abQt it. /moskQ iz cIfli bizi
wiH gosip,” hI kantinVd. “Jast nQ HE R tYkiN abQt V n
jP fyHx.”
<p>
/piX smFld in hiz gUd-nEcxd wE Az if afrEd f hiz kampAnjan'z
sEk HAt H lAtx mFt sE samTiN hI wUd Aftxwxdz rigret.
bat /bPis spOk distiNktli, klCli, n drFli, lUkiN strEt intM
/piX'z Fz.
<p>
“/moskQ hAz naTiN els t dM bat gosip,” bPis went on.
“evribodi iz wandxiN t hMm H kQnt wil lIv hiz fPcMn,
HO hI mE pxhAps Qtliv as Yl, Az F sinsCli hOp hI wil...”
<p>
“jes, it iz Yl veri horid,” intxaptad /piX, “veri horid.”
<p>
/piX woz stil afrEd HAt His ofisx mFt inadvxtantli sE
samTiN diskansxtiN t himself.
<p>
“n it mast sIm t V,” sed /bPis flaSiN slFtli, bat not
cEnJiN hiz tOn P AtitMd, “it mast sIm t V HAt evriwan iz
trFiN t get samTiN Qt v H ric mAn?”
<p>
“sO it daz,” TYt /piX.
<p>
“bat F Jast wiS t sE, t avqd misandxstAndiNz, HAt V R
kwFt mistEkan if V rekan mI P mF maHx amaN sac pIpal. wI R
veri pUx, bat f mF On pRt At eni rEt, f H veri rIzan HAt
jP fyHx iz ric, F dOnt rigRd mFself Az a rilESan v hiz, n
nFHx F nP mF maHx wUd evx Ask P tEk eniTiN from him.”
<p>
f a loN tFm /piX kUd not andxstAnd, bat wen hI did, hI Jampt
ap from H sOfa, sIzd /bPis andx H elbO in hiz kwik, klamzi
wE, n, blaSiN fR mP HAn /bPis, bigAn t spIk wiH a fIliN
v miNgald SEm n veäESan.
<p>
“wel, His iz strEnJ! dM V sapOz F... hM kUd TiNk?... F nO
veri wel...”
<p>
bat /bPis agen intxaptad him.
<p>
“F Am glAd F hAv spOkan Qt fUli. pxhAps V did not lFk it? V
mast iäkVz mI,” sed hI, pUtiN /piX At Iz insted v bIiN pUt
At Iz bF him, “bat F hOp F hAv not afendad V. F YlwEz mEk it
a rMl t spIk Qt... wel, wot Ansx Am F t tEk? wil V kam t
dinx At H /rOstOfs'?”
<p>
n /bPis, hAviN apArantli rilIvd himself v an Onxas dMti n
eätrikEtad himself from an Ykwxd sicMESan n plEst anaHx in it,
bikEm kwFt plezant agen.
<p>
“nO, bat F sE,” sed /piX, kymiN dQn, “V R a wandxfal
felO! wot V hAv Jast sed iz gUd, veri gUd. v kPs V
dOnt nO mI. wI hAv not met f sac a loN tFm... not sins wI
wx cildran. V mFt TiNk HAt F... F andxstAnd, kwFt andxstAnd.
F kUd not hAv dan it mFself, F SUd not hAv hAd H kariJ, bat
it's splendid. F Am veri glAd t hAv mEd jP akwEntans. it's
kwC,” hI Adad Aftx a pYz, “HAt V SUd hAv saspektad
mI!” hI bigAn t lAf. “wel, wot v it! F hOp wI'l get betx
akwEntad,” n hI prest /bPis' hAnd. “dM V nO, F hAv not
wans bin in t sI H kQnt. hI hAz not sent f mI.... F Am sori f
him Az a mAn, bat wot kAn wan dM?”
<p>
“n sO V TiNk /napOlWn wil mAniJ t get an Rmi akros?” Askt
/bPis wiH a smFl.
<p>
/piX sY HAt /bPis wiSt t cEnJ H sabJekt, n bIiN v H
sEm mFnd hI bigAn iäplEniN H advAntiJaz n disadvAntiJaz v H
/bMlon eäpidiSan.
<p>
a fUtman kEm in t saman /bPis—H prinsas woz gOiN. /piX, in
Pdx t mEk /bPis' betx akwEntans, promist t kam t dinx,
n wPmli presiN hiz hAnd lUkt afekSanatli Ovx hiz spektakalz
intM /bPis' Fz. Aftx hI hAd gon /piX kantinVd pEsiN ap n
dQn H rMm f a loN tFm, nO loNgx pCsiN an imAJinXi fO wiH
hiz imAJinXi sPd, bat smFliN At H rimembrans v HAt plezant,
inteliJant, n rezalMt jaN mAn.
<p>
Az oftan hApanz in xli VT, ispeSali t wan hM lIdz a lOnli
lFf, hI felt an anakQntabal tendxnas f His jaN mAn n mEd ap
hiz mFnd HAt HE wUd bI frendz.
<p>
prins /vysili sY H prinsas of. SI held a hANkxcif t hx Fz
n hx fEs woz tCfal.
<p>
“it iz dredfal, dredfal!” SI woz sEiN, “bat kost mI wot it
mE F SAl dM mF dMti. F wil kam n spend H nFt. hI mast not bI
left lFk His. evri mOment iz preSas. F kAnt TiNk wF hiz nIsaz
pUt it of. pxhAps /god wil help mI t fFnd a wE t pripX him!...
adV, /prins! mE /god sapPt V...”
<p>
“adV, my /bona,” Ansxd /prins /vysili txniN awE from hx.
<p>
“O, hI iz in a dredfal stEt,” sed H maHx t hx san wen
HE wx in H kAriJ. “hI hRdli rekagnFzaz enibodi.”
<p>
“F dOnt andxstAnd, /mymy—wot iz hiz AtitMd t /piX?”
Askt H san.
<p>
“H wil wil SO HAt, mF dC; Qx fEt YlsO dipendz on it.”
<p>
“bat wF dM V iäpekt HAt hI wil lIv as eniTiN?”
<p>
“y, mF dC! hI iz sO ric, n wI R sO pUx!”
<p>
“wel, HAt iz hRdli a safiSant rIzan, /mymy...”
<p>
“O, /hevan! hQ il hI iz!” iäklEmd H maHx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/Aftx /Ana /miâFlOvna hAd drivan of wiH hx san t vizit /kQnt /siral
/vlydimCOvic /bezMâOf, /kQntas /rOstOva sAt f a loN tFm Yl
alOn aplFiN hx hANkxcif t hx Fz. At lAst SI rAN.
<p>
“wot iz H mAtx wiH V, mF dC?” SI sed krosli t H mEd
hM kept hx wEtiN sam minits. “dOnt V wiS t sxv mI? Hen
F'l fFnd V anaHx plEs.”
<p>
H kQntas woz apset bF hx frend'z sorO n hVmiliEtiN povxti,
n woz HXfP Qt v sPts, a stEt v mFnd wic wiH hx YlwEz
fQnd iäpreSan in kYliN hx mEd “mF dC” n spIkiN t hx
wiH iãAJxEtad palFtnas.
<p>
“F Am veri sori, mAm,” Ansxd H mEd.
<p>
“Ask H kQnt t kam t mI.”
<p>
H kQnt kEm wodaliN in t sI hiz wFf wiH a rAHx gilti lUk Az
VZMal.
<p>
“wel, lital kQntas? wot a sYtE v gEm O madere wI R t
hAv, mF dC! F tEstad it. H TQzand rMbalz F pEd f /tRaz wx
not il-spent. hI iz wxT it!”
<p>
hI sAt dQn bF hiz wFf, hiz elbOz on hiz nIz n hiz hAndz rafaliN
hiz grE hX.
<p>
“wot R jP kamAndz, lital kQntas?”
<p>
“V sI, mF dC... wot's HAt mes?” SI sed, pqntiN t hiz
wEstkOt. “it's H sYtE, mOst lFkli,” SI Adad wiH a smFl.
“wel, V sI, /kQnt, F wont sam mani.”
<p>
hx fEs bikEm sAd.
<p>
“O, lital kQntas!” ... n H kQnt bigAn basaliN t get Qt
hiz pokatbUk.
<p>
“F wont a grEt dIl, /kQnt! F wont fFv handrad rMbalz,” n tEkiN
Qt hx kEmbrik hANkxcif SI bigAn wFpiN hx hazband'z wEstkOt.
<p>
“jes, imIdWtli, imIdWtli! hE, hM'z HX?” hI kYld Qt
in a tOn Onli Vzd bF pxsanz hM R sxtan HAt HOz HE kYl wil
raS t ObE H samanz. “send /dmItri t mI!”
<p>
/dmItri, a mAn v gUd fAmli hM hAd bin brYt ap in H kQnt's
hQs n nQ mAniJd Yl hiz afXz, stept softli intM H rMm.
<p>
“His iz wot F wont, mF dC felO,” sed H kQnt t H
defxenSal jaN mAn hM hAd entxd. “briN mI...” hI riflektad
a mOment, “jes, briN mI sevan handrad rMbalz, jes! bat mFnd, dOnt
briN mI sac tAtxd n dxti nOts Az lAst tFm, bat nFs klIn wanz
f H kQntas.”
<p>
“jes, /dmItri, klIn wanz, plIz,” sed H kQntas, sFiN
dIpli.
<p>
“wen wUd V lFk Hem, jP eäalansi?” Askt /dmItri. “alQ
mI t infPm V... bat, dOnt bI anIzi,” hI Adad, nOtisiN HAt
H kQnt woz biginiN t brIH hevili n kwikli wic woz YlwEz
a sFn v aprOciN ANgx. “F woz fxgetiN... dM V wiS it
brYt At wans?”
<p>
“jes, jes; Jast sO! briN it. giv it t H kQntas.”
<p>
“wot a treZx HAt /dmItri iz,” Adad H kQnt wiH a smFl wen
H jaN mAn hAd dipRtad. “HX iz nevx eni 'imposabal' wiH
him. HAt's a TiN F hEt! evriTiN iz posabal.”
<p>
“y, mani, /kQnt, mani! hQ mac sorO it kYzaz in H wxld,”
sed H kQntas. “bat F Am in grEt nId v His sam.”
<p>
“V, mF lital kQntas, R a nOtPWs spendTrift,” sed H
kQnt, n hAviN kist hiz wFf's hAnd hI went bAk t hiz stadi.
<p>
wen /Ana /miâFlOvna ritxnd from /kQnt /bezMâOf's H mani, Yl
in klIn nOts, woz lFiN redi andx a hANkxcif on H kQntas'
lital tEbal, n /Ana /miâFlOvna nOtist HAt samTiN woz AJitEtiN
hx.
<p>
“wel, mF dC?” Askt H kQntas.
<p>
“O, wot a teribal stEt hI iz in! wan wUd not nO him, hI iz sO
il! F woz Onli HX a fV mOments n hRdli sed a wxd...”
<p>
“anet, f hevan'z sEk dOnt rifVz mI,” H kQntas
bigAn, wiH a blaS HAt lUkt veri strEnJ on hx Tin, dignifFd,
eldxli fEs, n SI tUk H mani from andx H hANkxcif.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna instantli gest hx intenSan n stMpt t bI
redi t imbrEs H kQntas At H aprOprWt mOment.
<p>
“His iz f /bPis from mI, f hiz Qtfit.”
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna woz Ylredi imbrEsiN hx n wIpiN. H kQntas
wept tM. HE wept bikoz HE wx frendz, n bikoz HE wx
kFndhRtad, n bikoz HE—frendz from cFldhUd—hAd t TiNk
abQt sac a bEs TiN Az mani, n bikoz HX VT woz Ovx....
bat HOz tCz wx plezant t Hem bOT.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
/kQntas /rOstOva, wiH hx dYtxz n a lRJ nambx v gests, woz
Ylredi sItad in H drYiN rMm. H kQnt tUk H Jentalmen intM
hiz stadi n SOd Hem hiz cqs kalekSan v /txkiS pFps. from
tFm t tFm hI went Qt t Ask: “hAzant SI kam jet?” HE
wx iäpektiN /mRja /dmItrievna /yârOsimOva, nOn in sasFati Az lU
teribal drAgan, a lEdi distiNgwiSt not f welT P rANk, bat f
koman sens n frANk plEnnas v spIc. /mRja /dmItrievna woz nOn
t H /impCWl fAmli Az wel Az t Yl /moskQ n /pItxzbxg, n bOT
sitiz wandxd At hx, lAft prFvatli At hx rMdnasaz, n tOld
gUd stPiz abQt hx, wFl nan H les Yl wiHQt iäepSan
rispektad n fCd hx.
<p>
in H kQnt's rMm, wic woz fUl v tabAkO smOk, HE tYkt
v H wP HAt hAd bin anQnst in a mAnifestO, n abQt H
rikrMtiN. nan v Hem hAd jet sIn H mAnifestO, bat HE Yl nM
it hAd apCd. H kQnt sAt on H sOfa bitwIn tM gests hM wx
smOkiN n tYkiN. hI nFHx smOkt nP tYkt, bat bendiN hiz hed
fxst t wan sFd n Hen t H aHx woct H smOkxz wiH evidant
pleZx n lisand t H konvxsESan v hiz tM nEbxz, hMm hI
egd on agenst Ic aHx.
<p>
wan v Hem woz a sAlO, klIn-SEvan sivilWn wiH a Tin n riNkald
fEs, Ylredi grOiN Old, HO hI woz drest lFk a mOst fASanabal
jaN mAn. hI sAt wiH hiz leã ap on H sOfa Az if kwFt At hOm n,
hAviN stak an Ambx mQTpIs fR intM hiz mQT, woz inhEliN H
smOk spAzmodikli n skrMiN ap hiz Fz. His woz an Old bAcalx,
/SinSin, a kazan v H kQntas', a mAn wiH “a SRp taN”
Az HE sed in /moskQ sasFati. hI sImd t bI kondisendiN t
hiz kampAnjan. H lAtx, a freS, rOzi ofisx v H /gRdz,
iriprOcabli woSt, braSt, n batand, held hiz pFp in H
midal v hiz mQT n wiH red lips Jentli inhEld H smOk, letiN
it iskEp from hiz hAndsam mQT in riNz. His woz /lMtenant /bxg, an
ofisx in H /semjOnOf reJimant wiH hMm /bPis woz t trAval t Jqn
H Rmi, n abQt hMm /nytySa hAd tIzd hx eldx sistx /vCa,
spIkiN v /bxg Az hx “intendad.” H kQnt sAt bitwIn Hem n
lisand atentivli. hiz fEvxit okVpESan wen not plEiN /bostan, a
kRd gEm hI woz veri fond v, woz HAt v lisanx, ispeSali wen hI
saäIdad in setiN tM lakwESas tYkxz At wan anaHx.
<p>
“wel, Hen, Old cAp, man tres onxabal /Alfons /kRlOvic,”
sed /SinSin, lAfiN Fronikli n miäiN H mOst PdinXi /raSan
iäpreSanz wiH H cqsast /frenc frEzaz—wic woz a pikVliAriti
v hiz spIc. “vM comptez vM fX /de rentes sx l'Ety; *
V wont t mEk samTiN Qt v jP kampani?”
<p>
     * V iäpekt t mEk an inkam Qt v H gavxnmant.
<p>
“nO, /pItx /nikOlFevic; F Onli wont t SO HAt in H kAvalri
H advAntiJaz R fR les HAn in H infantri. Jast kansidx mF On
paziSan nQ, /pItx /nikOlFevic...”
<p>
bxg YlwEz spOk kwFatli, palFtli, n wiH grEt prisiZan. hiz
konvxsESan YlwEz rilEtad intFxli t himself; hI wUd rimEn kym
n sFlant wen H tYk rilEtad t eni topik HAt hAd nO direkt bXiN
on himself. hI kUd rimEn sFlant f Qxz wiHQt bIiN At Yl pUt
Qt v kQntanans himself P mEkiN aHxz ankamfxtabal, bat Az
sMn Az H konvxsESan kansxnd himself hI wUd bigin t tYk
sxkamstAnSali n wiH evidant sAtisfAkSan.
<p>
“kansidx mF paziSan, /pItx /nikOlFevic. wx F in H kAvalri F
SUd get not mP HAn tM handrad rMbalz evri fP manTs, Ivan
wiH H rANk v lMtenant; bat Az it iz F risIv tM handrad n
Txti,” sed hI, lUkiN At /SinSin n H kQnt wiH a Jqfal,
plezant smFl, Az if it wx obvWs t him HAt hiz saäes mast
YlwEz bI H cIf dizFx v evriwan els.
<p>
“bisFdz HAt, /pItx /nikOlFevic, bF iäcEnJiN intM H /gRdz
F SAl bI in a mP prominant paziSan,” kantinVd /bxg, “n
vEkansiz akx mac mP frIkwantli in H /fUt /gRdz. Hen Jast TiNk
wot kAn bI dan wiH tM handrad n Txti rMbalz! F Ivan mAniJ t
pUt a lital asFd n t send samTiN t mF fyHx,” hI went on,
imitiN a smOk riN.
<p>
“ly bAlans i est * a /Jxman nOz hQ t skin a flint, Az H
provxb sez,” rimRkt /SinSin, mMviN hiz pFp t H aHx sFd
v hiz mQT n wiNkiN At H kQnt.
<p>
      * sO HAt skwXz mAtxz.
<p>
H kQnt bxst Qt lAfiN. H aHx gests sIiN HAt /SinSin
woz tYkiN kEm ap t lisan. bxg, ablivWs v Frani P indifxans,
kantinVd t iäplEn hQ bF iäcEnJiN intM H /gRdz hI hAd Ylredi
gEnd a step on hiz Old komrAdz v H /kadet /kP; hQ in wPtFm
H kampani kamAndx mFt get kild n hI, Az sInC in H kampani,
mFt Izili saäId t H pOst; hQ popVlx hI woz wiH evriwan in
H reJimant, n hQ sAtisfFd hiz fyHx woz wiH him. bxg evidentli
inJqd nArEtiN Yl His, n did not sIm t saspekt HAt aHxz,
tM, mFt hAv HX On intxasts. bat Yl hI sed woz sO pritili
sidEt, n H nFIvitE v hiz VTfal IgOtizam woz sO obvWs, HAt
hI disRmd hiz hCxz.
<p>
“wel, mF bq, V'l get aloN wXevx V gO—fUt P
hPs—HAt F'l worant,” sed /SinSin, pAtiN him on H
SOldx n tEkiN hiz fIt of H sOfa.
<p>
bxg smFld Jqasli. H kQnt, folOd bF hiz gests, went intM H
drYiN rMm.
<p>
it woz Jast H mOment bifP a big dinx wen H asembald gests,
iäpektiN H samanz t /zAkMska, * avqd ingEJiN in eni loN
konvxsESan bat TiNk it nesisXi t mMv abQt n tYk, in Pdx
t SO HAt HE R not At Yl impESant f HX fMd. H hOst n
hOstas lUk tPd H dP, n nQ n Hen glAns At wan anaHx,
n H vizitxz trF t ges from HIz glAnsaz hM, P wot, HE R
wEtiN f—sam impPtant rilESan hM hAz not jet xFvd, P a diS
HAt iz not jet redi.
<p>
     * P d'xvraz.
<p>
/piX hAd kam Jast At dinxtFm n woz sitiN Ykwxdli in H
midal v H drYiN rMm on H fxst cX hI hAd kam akros,
blokiN H wE f evriwan. H kQntas trFd t mEk him tYk,
bat hI went on nFIvli lUkiN xQnd TrM hiz spektakalz Az if in
sxc v sambodi n Ansxd Yl hx kwescanz in monasilabalz. hI
woz in H wE n woz H Onli wan hM did not nOtis H fAkt. mOst v
H gests, nOiN v H afX wiH H bX, lUkt wiH kjUxiositi
At His big, stQt, kwFat mAn, wandxiN hQ sac a klamzi, modast
felO kUd hAv plEd sac a prANk on a palIsman.
<p>
“V hAv Onli lEtli xFvd?” H kQntas Askt him.
<p>
“wI, madym,” riplFd hI, lUkiN xQnd him.
<p>
“V hAv not jet sIn mF hazband?”
<p>
“non, madym.” hI smFld kwFt inaprOprWtli.
<p>
“V hAv bin in /pAris rIsantli, F bilIv? F sapOz it's veri
intxastiN.”
<p>
“veri intxastiN.”
<p>
H kQntas iäcEnJd glAnsaz wiH /Ana /miâFlOvna. H lAtx
andxstUd HAt SI woz bIiN Askt t entxtEn His jaN mAn, n
sitiN dQn bisFd him SI bigAn t spIk abQt hiz fyHx; bat hI
Ansxd hx, Az hI hAd H kQntas, Onli in monasilabalz. H aHx
gests wx Yl kanvxsiN wiH wan anaHx. “H /ryzMmOfskis... it
woz cRmiN... V R veri kFnd... kQntas /apryäina...” woz hxd
on Yl sFdz. H kQntas rOz n went intM H bYlrMm.
<p>
“/mRja /dmItrievna?” kEm hx vqs from HX.
<p>
“hxself,” kEm H Ansx in a raf vqs, n /mRja /dmItrievna
entxd H rMm.
<p>
Yl H anmArid lEdiz n Ivan H mArid wanz iäept H veri
Oldast rOz. /mRja /dmItrievna pYzd At H dP. tYl n stQt,
hOldiN hF hx fifti-jC-Old hed wiH its grE kxlz, SI stUd
sxvEiN H gests, n lIZxli xEnJd hx wFd slIvz Az if
rOliN Hem ap. /mRja /dmItrievna YlwEz spOk in /raSan.
<p>
“helT n hApinas t hx hMz nEm dE wI R kIpiN n t hx
cildran,” SI sed, in hx lQd, fUl-tOnd vqs wic drQnd Yl
aHxz. “wel, V Old sinx,” SI went on, txniN t H kQnt
hM woz kisiN hx hAnd, “V'x fIliN dal in /moskQ, F dXsE?
nOwX t hant wiH jP doã? bat wot iz t bI dan, Old mAn? Jast
sI hQ HIz nestliNz R grOiN ap,” n SI pqntad t H gxlz.
“V mast lUk f hazbandz f Hem weHx V lFk it P not....”
<p>
“wel,” sed SI, “hQ'z mF /kosAk?” (/mRja /dmItrievna
YlwEz kYld /nytySa a /kosAk) n SI strOkt H cFld'z Rm Az
SI kEm ap fClas n gE t kis hx hAnd. “F nO SI'z a skAmp
v a gxl, bat F lFk hx.”
<p>
SI tUk a pX v pX-SEpt rMbi CriNz from hx hVJ retikVl n,
hAviN givan Hem t H rOzi /nytySa, hM bImd wiH H pleZx
v hx sEnt's-dE fEt, txnd awE At wans n adrest hxself t
/piX.
<p>
“E, E, frend! kam hC a bit,” sed SI, asMmiN a soft hF
tOn v vqs. “kam hC, mF frend...” n SI ominasli takt
ap hx slIvz stil hFx. /piX aprOct, lUkiN At hx in a
cFldlFk wE TrM hiz spektakalz.
<p>
“kam nCx, kam nCx, frend! F Vst t bI H Onli wan t tel
jP fyHx H trMT wen hI woz in fEvx, n in jP kEs it's mF
evidant dMti.” SI pYzd. Yl wx sFlant, iäpektant v wot woz t
folO, f His woz klCli Onli a prelVd.
<p>
“a fFn lAd! mF wxd! a fFn lAd!... hiz fyHx lFz on hiz deTbed
n hI amVzaz himself setiN a palIsman astrFd a bX! f SEm,
sx, f SEm! it wUd bI betx if V went t H wP.”
<p>
SI txnd awE n gEv hx hAnd t H kQnt, hM kUd hRdli kIp
from lAfiN.
<p>
“wel, F sapOz it iz tFm wI wx At tEbal?” sed /mRja
/dmItrievna.
<p>
H kQnt went in fxst wiH /mRja /dmItrievna, H kQntas folOd
on H Rm v a kxnal v hMsRz, a mAn v impPtans t Hem bikoz
/nikalas woz t gO wiH him t H reJimant; Hen kEm /Ana /miâFlOvna
wiH /SinSin. bxg gEv hiz Rm t /vCa. H smFliN /JMli /kRygIna
went in wiH /nikalas. Aftx Hem aHx kapalz folOd, filiN H
hOl dFniN hYl, n lAst v Yl H cildran, tMtxz, n gavxnasaz
folOd siNgli. H fUtmen bigAn mMviN abQt, cXz skrEpt, H
bAnd strak ap in H gAlxi, n H gests setald dQn in HX
plEsaz. Hen H strEnz v H kQnt's hQshOld bAnd wx riplEst
bF H klAtx v nFvz n fPä, H vqsaz v vizitxz, n H
soft steps v H fUtmen. At wan end v H tEbal sAt H kQntas wiH
/mRja /dmItrievna on hx rFt n /Ana /miâFlOvna on hx left, H
aHx lEdi vizitxz wx fRHx dQn. At H aHx end sAt H kQnt,
wiH H hMsR kxnal on hiz left n /SinSin n H aHx mEl
vizitxz on hiz rFt. midwE dQn H loN tEbal on wan sFd sAt H
grOn-ap jaN pIpal: /vCa bisFd /bxg, n /piX bisFd /bPis; n
on H aHx sFd, H cildran, tMtxz, n gavxnasaz. from bihFnd
H kristal dikAntxz n frMt vEsaz, H kQnt kept glAnsiN At hiz
wFf n hx tYl kAp wiH its lFt-blM ribanz, n bizili fild
hiz nEbxz' glAsaz, not niglektiN hiz On. H kQntas in txn,
wiHQt OmitiN hx dMtiz Az hOstas, TrM signifikant glAnsaz from
bihFnd H pFnApalz At hx hazband hMz fEs n bYld hed sImd
bF HX rednas t kantrAst mP HAn VZMal wiH hiz grE hX. At H
lEdiz' end an Ivan cAtx v vqsaz woz hxd Yl H tFm, At H
men'z end H vqsaz sQndad lQdx n lQdx, ispeSali HAt v H
kxnal v hMsRz hM, grOiN mP n mP flaSt, Et n drANk sO
mac HAt H kQnt held him ap Az a pAtxn t H aHx gests. bxg
wiH tendx smFlz woz sEiN t /vCa HAt lav iz not an xTli bat
a hevanli fIliN. bPis woz teliN hiz nM frend /piX hM H
gests wx n iäcEnJiN glAnsaz wiH /nytySa, hM woz sitiN
opazit. /piX spOk lital bat iãAmind H nM fEsaz, n Et a
grEt dIl. v H tM sMps hI cOz txtal wiH sEvxi pAtiz n
went on t H gEm wiHQt OmitiN a siNgal diS P wan v H wFnz.
HIz lAtx H batlx Trast mistCWsli fPwxd, rApt in a
nApkin, from bihFnd H neät mAn'z SOldxz n wispxd: “drF
/mydXa”... “/haNgXWn”... P “rFn wFn” Az H kEs mFt
bI. v H fP kristal glAsaz ingrEvd wiH H kQnt's monagrAm
HAt stUd bifP hiz plEt, /piX held Qt wan At rAndam n drANk
wiH inJqmant, gEziN wiH evx-inkrIsiN EmWbiliti At H aHx
gests. /nytySa, hM sAt opazit, woz lUkiN At /bPis Az gxlz v
TxtIn lUk At H bq HE R in lav wiH n hAv Jast kist f
H fxst tFm. samtFmz HAt sEm lUk fel on /piX, n HAt fani
lFvli lital gxl'z lUk mEd him inklFnd t lAf wiHQt nOiN
wF.
<p>
/nikalas sAt At sam distans from /sonja, bisFd /JMli /kRygIna, t
hMm hI woz agen tYkiN wiH H sEm involantXi smFl. /sonja wP
a kampani smFl bat woz evidentli tPmentad bF Jelasi; nQ SI txnd
pEl, nQ blaSt n strEnd evri nxv t OvxhC wot /nikalas
n /JMli wx sEiN t wan anaHx. H gavxnas kept lUkiN rQnd
anIzili Az if pripXiN t rizent eni slFt HAt mFt bI pUt apon H
cildran. H /Jxman tMtx woz trFiN t rimembx Yl H diSaz, wFnz,
n kFndz v dizxt, in Pdx t send a fUl diskripSan v H dinx
t hiz pIpal in /Jxmani; n hI felt grEtli afendad wen H batlx
wiH a botal rApt in a nApkin pAst him bF. hI frQnd, trFiN t
apC Az if hI did not wont eni v HAt wFn, bat woz mPtifFd bikoz
nO wan wUd andxstAnd HAt it woz not t kwenc hiz Txst P from
grIdinas HAt hI wontad it, bat simpli from a konSienSas dizFx f
noliJ.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
At H men'z end v H tEbal H tYk grM mP n mP AnimEtad.
H kxnal tOld Hem HAt H deklxESan v wP hAd Ylredi apCd
in /pItxzbxg n HAt a kopi, wic hI hAd himself sIn, hAd HAt dE
bin fPwxdad bF kUrC t H kamAndx in cIf.
<p>
“n wF H dMs R wI gOiN t fFt /bOnapRt?” rimRkt
/SinSin. “hI hAz stopt /ostrW'z kAkal n F fC it wil bI
Qx txn neät.”
<p>
H kxnal woz a stQt, tYl, pleTPik /Jxman, evidentli divOtad t
H sxvis n pEtriotikli /raSan. hI rizentad /SinSin'z rimRk.
<p>
“it iz f H rIAsan, mF gOot sx,” sed hI, spIkiN wiH a
/Jxman Aäent, “f H rIAsan zIAt zI /empxx nOz zIAt. hI
diklXz in zI manifessto zIAt hI kAnot fFM wiz indifxans zI dEnJx
vretaniN /raSa n zIAt zI sEfti n digniti v zI /empFx Az vel
Az zI sANktiti v its alFansaz...” hI spOk His lAst wxd wiH
pxtikVlx emfasis Az if in it lE H Jist v H mAtx.
<p>
Hen wiH H aneriN afiSal memxi HAt kAraktxFzd him hI
ripItad from H OpaniN wxdz v H mAnifestO:
<p>
... n H wiS, wic konstitMts H /empxx'z sOl n AbsalMt
Em—t istAbliS pIs in /jUxap on fxm fQndESanz—hAz nQ disFdad
him t dispAc pRt v H Rmi abrYd n t kriEt a nM kandiSan
f H atEnmant v HAt pxpas.
<p>
“zIAt, mF dC sx, iz vy...” hI kanklMdad, driNkiN a tambalx v
wFn wiH digniti n lUkiN t H kQnt f aprMval.
<p>
“kOnesE-vM lU /proverb:* '/JxOm, /JxOm, dM not rOm, bat
txn spindalz At hOm!'?” sed /SinSin, pakxiN hiz brQz n
smFliN. “sIla nMs /konvient a merveille.*(2) /sMvPOf nQ—hI nM
wot hI woz abQt; jet HE bIt him a plEt kMtVx,*(3) n wX
R wI t fFnd /sMvPOfs nQ? Ze vM demande an peu,” *(4) sed hI,
kantinVali cEnJiN from /frenc t /raSan.
<p>
     *dM V nO H provxb?
<p>
     *(2) HAt sMts as dQn t H grQnd.
<p>
     *(3) holO.
<p>
     *(4) F Jast Ask V HAt.
<p>
“vI mast vFt t H lAst tr-r-op v Qx plOod!” sed H kxnal,
TampiN H tEbal; “n vI mast tF f Qx /empxx, n zen Yl vil
pe vel. n vI mast diskas it Az lital Az pO-O-osabal”... hI dwelt
pxtikVlxli on H wxd posabal... “Az pO-O-osabal,” hI endad,
agen txniN t H kQnt. “zIAt iz hQ vI Old hMsRz lUk At it, n
zX'z an end v it! n hQ dM V, a jaN mAn n a jaN hMsR,
hQ dM V JaJ v it?” hI Adad, adresiN /nikalas, hM wen hI
hxd HAt H wP woz bIiN diskast hAd txnd from hiz pRtnx wiH
Fz n Cz intent on H kxnal.
<p>
“F Am kwFt v jP apinjan,” riplFd /nikalas, flEmiN ap, txniN
hiz plEt rQnd n mMviN hiz wFnglAsaz abQt wiH Az mac disiZan
n despxESan Az HO hI wx At HAt mOment fEsiN sam grEt
dEnJx. “F Am kanvinst HAt wI /raSanz mast dF P koNkx,” hI
kanklMdad, konSas—Az wx aHxz—Aftx H wxdz wx atxd
HAt hiz rimRä wx tM inTVziAstik n imfAtik f H akEZan n
wx HXfP Ykwxd.
<p>
“wot V sed Jast nQ woz splendid!” sed hiz pRtnx /JMli.
<p>
/sonja trembald Yl Ovx n blaSt t hx Cz n bihFnd Hem n
dQn t hx nek n SOldxz wFl /nikalas woz spIkiN.
<p>
/piX lisand t H kxnal'z spIc n nodad aprMviNli.
<p>
“HAt's fFn,” sed hI.
<p>
“H jaN mAn'z a rWl hMsR!” SQtad H kxnal, agen
TampiN H tEbal.
<p>
“wot R V mEkiN sac a nqz abQt Ovx HX?” /mRja
/dmItrievna'z dIp vqs sadanli inkwFxd from H aHx end v H
tEbal. “wot R V TampiN H tEbal f?” SI dimAndad v H
hMsR, “n wF R V iäFtiN jPself? dM V TiNk H /frenc
R hC?”
<p>
“F Am spIkiN zI trMs,” riplFd H hMsR wiH a smFl.
<p>
“it's Yl abQt H wP,” H kQnt SQtad dQn H tEbal. “V
nO mF san'z gOiN, /mRja /dmItrievna? mF san iz gOiN.”
<p>
“F hAv fP sanz in H Rmi bat stil F dOnt fret. it iz Yl
in /god'z hAndz. V mE dF in jP bed P /god mE spX V in a
bAtal,” riplFd /mRja /dmItrievna'z dIp vqs, wic Izili
kArid H hOl leNT v H tEbal.
<p>
“HAt's trM!”
<p>
wans mP H konvxsESanz konsantrEtad, H lEdiz' At H wan end
n H men'z At H aHx.
<p>
“V wOnt Ask,” /nytySa'z lital braHx woz sEiN; “F nO
V wOnt Ask!”
<p>
“F wil,” riplFd /nytySa.
<p>
hx fEs sadanli flaSt wiH reklas n Jqas rezalMSan. SI hAf
rOz, bF a glAns invFtiN /piX, hM sAt opazit, t lisan t wot
woz kamiN, n txniN t hx maHx:
<p>
“mymy!” rAN Qt H klC kantrAltO nOts v hx cFldiS vqs,
Ydabal H hOl leNT v H tEbal.
<p>
“wot iz it?” Askt H kQntas, stRtald; bat sIiN bF hx
dYtx'z fEs HAt it woz Onli miscif, SI SUk a fiNgx At hx
stxnli wiH a TretaniN n fxbidiN mMvmant v hx hed.
<p>
H konvxsESan woz haSt.
<p>
“mymy! wot swIts R wI gOiN t hAv?” n /nytySa'z vqs
sQndad stil mP fxm n rezalMt.
<p>
H kQntas trFd t frQn, bat kUd not. /mRja /dmItrievna SUk hx
fAt fiNgx.
<p>
“kosAk!” SI sed TretaniNli.
<p>
mOst v H gests, ansxtan hQ t rigRd His sAli, lUkt At H
eldxz.
<p>
“V hAd betx tEk kX!” sed H kQntas.
<p>
“mymy! wot swIts R wI gOiN t hAv?” /nytySa agen krFd
bOldli, wiH sYsi gEiti, konfidant HAt hx prANk wUd bI tEkan in
gUd pRt.
<p>
/sonja n fAt lital /petja dabald ap wiH lAftx.
<p>
“V sI! F hAv Askt,” wispxd /nytySa t hx lital braHx
n t /piX, glAnsiN At him agen.
<p>
“Fs pUdiN, bat V wOnt get eni,” sed /mRja /dmItrievna.
<p>
/nytySa sY HX woz naTiN t bI afrEd v n sO SI brEvd Ivan
/mRja /dmItrievna.
<p>
“/mRja /dmItrievna! wot kFnd v Fs pUdiN? F dOnt lFk Fs
krIm.”
<p>
“kArat Fsaz.”
<p>
“nO! wot kFnd, /mRja /dmItrievna? wot kFnd?” SI YlmOst skrImd;
“F wont t nO!”
<p>
/mRja /dmItrievna n H kQntas bxst Qt lAfiN, n Yl H
gests Jqnd in. evriwan lAft, not At /mRja /dmItrievna'z Ansx
bat At H inkredabal bOldnas n smRtnas v His lital gxl hM hAd
dXd t trIt /mRja /dmItrievna in His fASan.
<p>
/nytySa Onli dizistad wen SI hAd bin tOld HAt HX wUd bI
pFnApal Fs. bifP H Fsaz, SAmpEn woz sxvd rQnd. H bAnd
agen strak ap, H kQnt n kQntas kist, n H gests, lIviN
HX sIts, went ap t “kangrAcalEt” H kQntas, n rIct
akros H tEbal t kliNk glAsaz wiH H kQnt, wiH H cildran, n
wiH wan anaHx. agen H fUtmen raSt abQt, cXz skrEpt, n
in H sEm Pdx in wic HE hAd entxd bat wiH redx fEsaz, H
gests ritxnd t H drYiN rMm n t H kQnt's stadi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
H kRd tEbalz wx drYn Qt, sets mEd ap f /bostan, n H
kQnt's vizitxz setald Hemselvz, sam in H tM drYiN rMmz,
sam in H sitiN rMm, sam in H lFbrXi.
<p>
H kQnt, hOldiN hiz kRdz fAnwFz, kept himself wiH difikalti from
dropiN intM hiz VZMal Aftx-dinx nAp, n lAft At evriTiN.
H jaN pIpal, At H kQntas' instigESan, gAHxd rQnd H
klAvikPd n hRp. /JMli bF Jenxal rikwest plEd fxst. Aftx SI
hAd plEd a lital X wiH vXiESanz on H hRp, SI Jqnd H
aHx jaN lEdiz in begiN /nytySa n /nikalas, hM wx nOtad f
HX mVzikal tAlant, t siN samTiN. /nytySa, hM woz trItad Az
HO SI wx grOn ap, woz evidentli veri prQd v His bat At H
sEm tFm felt SF.
<p>
“wot SAl wI siN?” SI sed.
<p>
“'H /brUk,'” saJestad /nikalas.
<p>
“wel, Hen, let's bI kwik. bPis, kam hC,” sed /nytySa.
“bat wX iz /sonja?”
<p>
SI lUkt rQnd n sIiN HAt hx frend woz not in H rMm rAn t
lUk f hx.
<p>
raniN intM /sonja'z rMm n not fFndiN hx HX, /nytySa rAn t
H nxsxi, bat /sonja woz not HX FHx. /nytySa kanklMdad HAt
SI mast bI on H cest in H pAsiJ. H cest in H pAsiJ woz
H plEs v mPniN f H jaNgx fImEl JenxESan in H /rOstOf
hQshOld. n HX in fAkt woz /sonja lFiN fEs dQnwxd on /nxs'az
dxti feHx bed on H top v H cest, krampaliN hx gYzi piNk
dres andx hx, hFdiN hx fEs wiH hx slendx fiNgxz, n sobiN
sO kanvalsivli HAt hx bX lital SOldxz SUk. /nytySa'z
fEs, wic hAd bin sO rEdWntli hApi Yl HAt sEnt's dE, sadanli
cEnJd: hx Fz bikEm fiät, n Hen a Sivx pAst dQn hx brYd
nek n H kPnxz v hx mQT drMpt.
<p>
“/sonja! wot iz it? wot iz H mAtx?... M... M... M...!” n
/nytySa'z lRJ mQT wFdand, mEkiN hx lUk kwFt agli, n SI
bigAn t wEl lFk a bEbi wiHQt nOiN wF, iäept HAt /sonja woz
krFiN. /sonja trFd t lift hx hed t Ansx bat kUd not, n
hid hx fEs stil dIpx in H bed. /nytySa wept, sitiN on H
blM-strFpt feHx bed n hagiN hx frend. wiH an efxt /sonja
sAt ap n bigAn wFpiN hx Fz n iäplEniN.
<p>
“/nikalas iz gOiN awE in a wIk's tFm, hiz... pEpxz... hAv
kam... hI tOld mI himself... bat stil F SUd not krF,” n SI
SOd a pEpx SI held in hx hAnd—wiH H vxsaz /nikalas hAd
ritan, “stil, F SUd not krF, bat V kAnt... nO wan kAn
andxstAnd... wot a sOl hI hAz!”
<p>
n SI bigAn t krF agen bikoz hI hAd sac a nObal sOl.
<p>
“it's Yl veri wel f V... F Am not envWs... F lav V n
/bPis YlsO,” SI went on, gEniN a lital streNT; “hI iz nFs...
HX R nO difikaltiz in jP wE.... bat /nikalas iz mF kazan...
wan wUd hAf t... H /metrapolitan himself... n Ivan Hen it
kAnt bI dan. n bisFdz, if SI telz /mymy” (/sonja lUkt apon
H kQntas Az hx maHx n kYld hx sO) “HAt F Am spqliN
/nikalas' kxC n Am hRtlas n angrEtfal, wFl trMli... god
iz mF witnas,” n SI mEd H sFn v H kros, “F lav hx sO
mac, n Yl v V, Onli /vCa... n wot f? wot hAv F dan
t hx? F Am sO grEtfal t V HAt F wUd wiliNli sAkrifFs
evriTiN, Onli F hAv naTiN....”
<p>
/sonja kUd not kantinV, n agen hid hx fEs in hx hAndz n in
H feHx bed. /nytySa bigAn kansOliN hx, bat hx fEs SOd HAt
SI andxstUd Yl H grAviti v hx frend'z trabal.
<p>
“/sonja,” SI sadanli iäklEmd, Az if SI hAd gest H trM
rIzan v hx frend'z sorO, “F'm SUx /vCa hAz sed samTiN
t V sins dinx? hAzant SI?”
<p>
“jes, HIz vxsaz /nikalas rOt himself n F kopid sam aHxz,
n SI fQnd Hem on mF tEbal n sed SI'd SO Hem t /mymy, n
HAt F woz angrEtfal, n HAt /mymy wUd nevx alQ him t mAri
mI, bat HAt hI'l mAri /JMli. V sI hQ hI'z bin wiH hx Yl
dE... /nytySa, wot hAv F dan t dizxv it?...”
<p>
n agen SI bigAn t sob, mP bitxli HAn bifP. /nytySa liftad
hx ap, hagd hx, n, smFliN TrM hx tCz, bigAn kamfxtiN
hx.
<p>
“/sonja, dOnt bilIv hx, dRliN! dOnt bilIv hx! dM V
rimembx hQ wI n /nikalas, Yl TrI v as, tYkt in H sitiN
rMm Aftx sapx? wF, wI setald hQ evriTiN woz t bI. F dOnt
kwFt rimembx hQ, bat dOnt V rimembx HAt it kUd Yl bI
xEnJd n hQ nFs it Yl woz? HX'z /aNkal /SinSin'z braHx
hAz mArid hiz fxst kazan. n wI R Onli sekand kazanz, V nO.
n /bPis sez it iz kwFt posabal. V nO F hAv tOld him Yl abQt
it. n hI iz sO klevx n sO gUd!” sed /nytySa. “dOnt
V krF, /sonja, dC lav, dRliN /sonja!” n SI kist hx n
lAft. “/vCa'z spFtfal; nevx mFnd hx! n Yl wil kam rFt
n SI wOnt sE eniTiN t /mymy. /nikalas wil tel hx himself,
n hI dazant kX At Yl f /JMli.”
<p>
/nytySa kist hx on H hX.
<p>
/sonja sAt ap. H lital kitan brFtand, its Fz SOn, n it
sImd redi t lift its tEl, Jamp dQn on its soft pYz, n bigin
plEiN wiH H bYl v wUstad Az a kitan SUd.
<p>
“dM V TiNk sO?... rWli? trMli?” SI sed, kwikli smMHiN hx
frok n hX.
<p>
“rWli, trMli!” Ansxd /nytySa, pUSiN in a krisp lok HAt hAd
strEd from andx hx frend'z plEts.
<p>
bOT lAft.
<p>
“wel, let's gO n siN 'H /brUk.'”
<p>
“kam aloN!”
<p>
“dM V nO, HAt fAt /piX hM sAt opazit mI iz sO fani!” sed
/nytySa, stopiN sadanli. “F fIl sO hApi!”
<p>
n SI set of At a ran aloN H pAsiJ.
<p>
/sonja, SEkiN of sam dQn wic klaN t hx n takiN awE H
vxsaz in H bUzam v hx dres klOs t hx bOni lital cest, rAn
Aftx /nytySa dQn H pAsiJ intM H sitiN rMm wiH flaSt fEs
n lFt, Jqas steps. At H vizitxz' rikwest H jaN pIpal
sAN H kwPtet, “H /brUk,” wiH wic evriwan woz dilFtad.
Hen /nikalas sAN a soN hI hAd Jast lxnd:
<p>
   At nFttFm in H mMn'z fX glO
     hQ swIt, Az fAnsiz wondx frI,
   t fIl HAt in His wxld HX'z wan
     hM stil iz TiNkiN bat v HI!
<p>
   HAt wFl hx fiNgxz tac H hRp
     /woftiN swIt mVzik Ox H lI,
   it iz f HI Has swelz hx hRt,
     /sFiN its mesiJ Qt t HI...
<p>
   a dE P tM, Hen blis anspqlt,
     bat O! til Hen F kAnot liv!...
<p>
hI hAd not finiSt H lAst vxs bifP H jaN pIpal bigAn t
get redi t dAns in H lRJ hYl, n H sQnd v H fIt n H
kofiN v H mVziSanz wx hxd from H gAlxi.
<p>
<p>
/piX woz sitiN in H drYiN rMm wX /SinSin hAd ingEJd him,
Az a mAn rIsantli ritxnd from abrYd, in a politikal konvxsESan in
wic sevxal aHxz Jqnd bat wic bPd /piX. wen H mVzik bigAn
/nytySa kEm in n wYkiN strEt ap t /piX sed, lAfiN n
blaSiN:
<p>
“mymy tOld mI t Ask V t Jqn H dAnsxz.”
<p>
“F Am afrEd v miäiN H figjxz,” /piX riplFd; “bat if V
wil bI mF tIcx...” n lOxiN hiz big Rm hI ofxd it t H
slendx lital gxl.
<p>
wFl H kapalz wx xEnJiN Hemselvz n H mVziSanz tMniN ap,
/piX sAt dQn wiH hiz lital pRtnx. /nytySa woz pxfiktli hApi;
SI woz dAnsiN wiH a grOn-ap mAn, hM hAd bin abrYd. SI woz
sitiN in a kanspikVas plEs n tYkiN t him lFk a grOn-ap lEdi.
SI hAd a fAn in hx hAnd HAt wan v H lEdiz hAd givan hx t hOld.
asMmiN kwFt H pOz v a sasFati wUman (hevan nOz wen n wX
SI hAd lxnd it) SI tYkt wiH hx pRtnx, fAniN hxself n
smFliN Ovx H fAn.
<p>
“dC, dC! Jast lUk At hx!” iäklEmd H kQntas Az SI
krost H bYlrMm, pqntiN t /nytySa.
<p>
/nytySa blaSt n lAft.
<p>
“wel, rWli, /mymy! wF SUd V? wot iz HX t bI sxprFzd
At?”
<p>
<p>
in H midst v H Txd IkosaFz HX woz a klAtx v cXz bIiN
pUSt bAk in H sitiN rMm wX H kQnt n /mRja /dmItrievna
hAd bin plEiN kRdz wiH H maJPiti v H mP distiNgwiSt n
Oldx vizitxz. HE nQ, streciN Hemselvz Aftx sitiN sO loN,
n riplEsiN HX pxsaz n pokatbUä, entxd H bYlrMm. fxst
kEm /mRja /dmItrievna n H kQnt, bOT wiH meri kQntanansaz. H
kQnt, wiH plEfal serimOni samwot in bAlE stFl, ofxd hiz
bent Rm t /mRja /dmItrievna. hI drM himself ap, a smFl v debanX
gAlantri lit ap hiz fEs n Az sMn Az H lAst figjx v H
IkosaFz woz endad, hI klApt hiz hAndz t H mVziSanz n SQtad
ap t HX gAlxi, adresiN H fxst vFalin:
<p>
“sIman! dM V nO H /dAnWl /kMpx?”
<p>
His woz H kQnt's fEvxit dAns, wic hI hAd dAnst in hiz VT.
(striktli spIkiN, /dAnWl /kMpx woz wan figjx v H ANgalaFz.)
<p>
“lUk At /pypy!” SQtad /nytySa t H hOl kampani, n kwFt
fxgetiN HAt SI woz dAnsiN wiH a grOn-ap pRtnx SI bent hx
kxli hed t hx nIz n mEd H hOl rMm riN wiH hx lAftx.
<p>
n indId evribodi in H rMm lUkt wiH a smFl v pleZx At H
JOvWl Old Jentalman, hM stAndiN bisFd hiz tYl n stQt pRtnx,
/mRja /dmItrievna, kxvd hiz Rmz, bIt tFm, strEtand hiz
SOldxz, txnd Qt hiz tOz, tApt Jentli wiH hiz fUt, n, bF
a smFl HAt brYdand hiz rQnd fEs mP n mP, pripXd H
onlUkxz f wot woz t folO. Az sMn Az H pravokativli gE
strEnz v /dAnWl /kMpx (samwot rizembaliN HOz v a meri pezant
dAns) bigAn t sQnd, Yl H dPwEz v H bYlrMm wx sadanli
fild bF H damestik sxfs—H men on wan sFd n H wimin on
H aHx—hM wiH bImiN fEsaz hAd kam t sI HX mAstx mEkiN
meri.
<p>
“Jast lUk At H mAstx! a regVlx Igal hI iz!” lQdli rimRkt
H nxs, Az SI stUd in wan v H dPwEz.
<p>
H kQnt dAnst wel n nM it. bat hiz pRtnx kUd not n did not
wont t dAns wel. hx inPmas figjx stUd irekt, hx pQxfal Rmz
hANiN dQn (SI hAd hAndad hx retikVl t H kQntas), n Onli hx
stxn bat hAndsam fEs rWli Jqnd in H dAns. wot woz iäprest
bF H hOl v H kQnt's plamp figjx, in /mRja /dmItrievna fQnd
iäpreSan Onli in hx mP n mP bImiN fEs n kwivxiN nOz.
bat if H kQnt, getiN mP n mP intM H swiN v it, cRmd
H spektEtxz bF H aniäpektadnas v hiz adrqt manMvxz n
H aJiliti wiH wic hI kEpxd abQt on hiz lFt fIt, /mRja
/dmItrievna prOdMst nO les impreSan bF slFt iãxSanz—H lIst
efxt t mMv hx SOldxz P bend hx Rmz wen txniN, P stAmp
hx fUt—wic evriwan aprISiEtad in vV v hx sFz n habicMal
siveriti. H dAns grM lFvlC n lFvlC. H aHx kapalz kUd
not atrAkt a mOment's atenSan t HX On evalMSanz n did not
Ivan trF t dM sO. Yl wx wociN H kQnt n /mRja /dmItrievna.
/nytySa kept pUliN evriwan bF slIv P dres, xJiN Hem t
“lUk At /pypy!” HO Az it woz HE nevx tUk HX Fz of H
kapal. in H intxvalz v H dAns H kQnt, brIHiN dIpli, wEvd
n SQtad t H mVziSanz t plE fAstx. fAstx, fAstx, n fAstx;
lFtli, mP lFtli, n jet mP lFtli wxld H kQnt, flFiN
rQnd /mRja /dmItrievna, nQ on hiz tOz, nQ on hiz hIlz; antil,
txniN hiz pRtnx rQnd t hx sIt, hI eäikVtad H fFnal py,
rEziN hiz soft fUt bAkwxdz, bQiN hiz pxspFxiN hed, smFliN
n mEkiN a wFd swIp wiH hiz Rm, amid a Tandx v aplYz n
lAftx led bF /nytySa. bOT pRtnxz stUd stil, brIHiN hevili
n wFpiN HX fEsaz wiH HX kEmbrik hANkxcifs.
<p>
“HAt's hQ wI Vst t dAns in Qx tFm, my Ser,” sed H
kQnt.
<p>
“HAt woz a /dAnWl /kMpx!” iäklEmd /mRja /dmItrievna, takiN ap
hx slIvz n pafiN hevili.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXI
<p>
/wFl in H /rOstOfs' bYlrMm H siäT ANgalaFz woz bIiN dAnst,
t a tMn in wic H wCi mVziSanz blandxd, n wFl tFxd
fUtmen n kUä wx getiN H sapx, /kQnt /bezMâOf hAd a
siäT strOk. H doktxz pranQnst rikavxi imposabal. Aftx a mVt
kanfeSan, kamVnWn woz administxd t H dFiN mAn, prepxESanz
mEd f H sAkramant v aNkSan, n in hiz hQs HX woz H basal
n Tril v saspens VZMal At sac mOments. QtsFd H hQs, bijond
H gEts, a grMp v andxtEkxz, hM hid wenevx a kAriJ drOv ap,
wEtad in eäpektESan v an impPtant Pdx f an iäpensiv fVnxal.
H /militXi /gavxnx v /moskQ, hM hAd bin AsiJMas in sendiN
Edz-dI-kAmp t inkwFx Aftx H kQnt's helT, kEm himself
HAt IvniN t bid a lAst fXwel t H selabrEtad grAndI v
/kATxin'z kPt, /kQnt /bezMâOf.
<p>
H mAgnifisant risepSan rMm woz krQdad. evriwan stUd ap
rispektfali wen H /militXi /gavxnx, hAviN stEd abQt hAf an
Qx alOn wiH H dFiN mAn, pAst Qt, slFtli aknoliJiN HX
bQz n trFiN t iskEp Az kwikli Az posabal from H glAnsaz fiät
on him bF H doktxz, klxJi, n relativz v H fAmli. prins
/vysili, hM hAd grOn Tinx n pElx dxiN H lAst fV dEz,
iskPtad him t H dP, ripItiN samTiN t him sevxal tFmz in
lO tOnz.
<p>
wen H /militXi /gavxnx hAd gon, /prins /vysili sAt dQn Yl alOn
on a cX in H bYlrMm, krosiN wan leg hF Ovx H aHx,
lIniN hiz elbO on hiz nI n kavxiN hiz fEs wiH hiz hAnd. Aftx
sitiN sO f a wFl hI rOz, n, lUkiN abQt him wiH frFtand
Fz, went wiH anVZMali harid steps dQn H loN koridP lIdiN
t H bAk v H hQs, t H rMm v H eldast prinsas.
<p>
HOz hM wx in H dimli lit risepSan rMm spOk in nxvas
wispxz, n, wenevx eniwan went intM P kEm from H dFiN mAn'z
rMm, grM sFlant n gEzd wiH Fz fUl v kjUxiositi P iäpektansi At
hiz dP, wic krIkt slFtli wen Opand.
<p>
“H limits v hVman lFf ... R fiät n mE not bI
OxpAst,” sed an Old prIst t a lEdi hM hAd tEkan a sIt
bisFd him n woz lisaniN nFIvli t hiz wxdz.
<p>
“F wandx, iz it not tM lEt t administx aNkSan?” Askt H
lEdi, AdiN H prIst's klerikal tFtal, Az if SI hAd nO apinjan v
hx On on H sabJekt.
<p>
“y, mAdam, it iz a grEt sAkramant,” riplFd H prIst, pAsiN
hiz hAnd Ovx H Tin grizald strAndz v hX kOmd bAk akros hiz
bYld hed.
<p>
“hM woz HAt? H /militXi /gavxnx himself?” woz bIiN Askt At
H aHx sFd v H rMm. “hQ jaN-lUkiN hI iz!”
<p>
“jes, n hI iz Ovx siäti. F hC H kQnt nO loNgx rekagnFzaz
eniwan. HE wiSt t administx H sAkramant v aNkSan.”
<p>
“F nM samwan hM risIvd HAt sAkramant sevan tFmz.”
<p>
H sekand prinsas hAd Jast kam from H sikrMm wiH hx Fz red
from wIpiN n sAt dQn bisFd /dx /lPEn, hM woz sitiN in a
grEsfal pOz andx a pPtrEt v /kATxin, lIniN hiz elbO on a
tEbal.
<p>
“bVtifal,” sed H doktx in Ansx t a rimRk abQt H
weHx. “H weHx iz bVtifal, /prinsas; n bisFdz, in /moskQ
wan fIlz Az if wan wx in H kantri.”
<p>
“jes, indId,” riplFd H prinsas wiH a sF. “sO hI mE hAv
samTiN t driNk?”
<p>
lPEn kansidxd.
<p>
“hAz hI tEkan hiz medisin?”
<p>
“jes.”
<p>
H doktx glAnst At hiz woc.
<p>
“tEk a glAs v bqld wYtx n pUt a pinc v krIm v tRtx,”
n hI indikEtad wiH hiz delikat fiNgxz wot hI ment bF a pinc.
<p>
“dX hAz nefx bin a gase,” a /Jxman doktx woz sEiN t an
Ed-dI-kAmp, “dAt wan lifs Aftx de sird strOk.”
<p>
“n wot a wel-prizxvd mAn hI woz!” rimRkt H Ed-dI-kAmp.
“n hM wil inherit hiz welT?” hI Adad in a wispx.
<p>
“it /vOant gO begiN,” riplFd H /Jxman wiH a smFl.
<p>
evriwan agen lUkt tPd H dP, wic krIkt Az H sekand
prinsas went in wiH H driNk SI hAd pripXd akPdiN t
/lPEn'z instrakSanz. H /Jxman doktx went ap t /lPEn.
<p>
“dM V TiNk hI kAn lAst til mPniN?” Askt H /Jxman,
adresiN /lPEn in /frenc wic hI pranQnst bAdli.
<p>
lPEn, pxsiN ap hiz lips, wEvd a sivCli negativ fiNgx bifP
hiz nOz.
<p>
“tanFt, not lEtx,” sed hI in a lO vqs, n hI mMvd awE
wiH a dekxas smFl v self-sAtisfAkSan At bIiN Ebal klCli t
andxstAnd n stEt H pESant's kandiSan.
<p>
mInwFl /prins /vysili hAd Opand H dP intM H prinsas' rMm.
<p>
in His rMm it woz YlmOst dRk; Onli tM tFni lAmps wx bxniN bifP
H Fkonz n HX woz a plezant sent v flQxz n bxnt pAstilz.
H rMm woz krQdad wiH smYl pIsaz v fxnicx, wotnots,
kabxdz, n lital tEbalz. H kwilt v a hF, wFt feHx bed woz
Jast vizabal bihFnd a skrIn. a smYl dog bigAn t bRk.
<p>
“y, iz it V, kazan?”
<p>
SI rOz n smMHd hx hX, wic woz Az VZMal sO iätrImli smMH
HAt it sImd t bI mEd v wan pIs wiH hx hed n kavxd wiH
vRniS.
<p>
“hAz eniTiN hApand?” SI Askt. “F Am sO terifFd.”
<p>
“nO, HX iz nO cEnJ. F Onli kEm t hAv a tYk abQt biznas,
/kytIS,” * matxd H prins, sItiN himself wCili on H cX
SI hAd Jast vEkEtad. “V hAv mEd H plEs wPm, F mast sE,” hI
rimRkt. “wel, sit dQn: let's hAv a tYk.”
<p>
     */kATxin.
<p>
“F TYt pxhAps samTiN hAd hApand,” SI sed wiH hx
ancEnJiN stOnili sivC iäpreSan; n, sitiN dQn opazit H
prins, SI pripXd t lisan.
<p>
“F wiSt t get a nAp, man kazan, bat F kAnt.”
<p>
“wel, mF dC?” sed /prins /vysili, tEkiN hx hAnd n bendiN it
dQnwxdz Az woz hiz hAbit.
<p>
it woz plEn HAt His “wel?” rifxd t mac HAt HE bOT
andxstUd wiHQt nEmiN.
<p>
H prinsas, hM hAd a strEt, riJid bodi, AbnPmali loN f hx
leã, lUkt direktli At /prins /vysili wiH nO sFn v imOSan in hx
prominant grE Fz. Hen SI SUk hx hed n glAnst ap At H Fkonz
wiH a sF. His mFt hAv bin tEkan Az an iäpreSan v sorO
n divOSan, P v wCinas n hOp v restiN bifP loN. prins
/vysili andxstUd it Az an iäpreSan v wCinas.
<p>
“n F?” hI sed; “dM V TiNk it iz IzC f mI? F Am Az wPn
Qt Az a pOst hPs, bat stil F mast hAv a tYk wiH V, /kytIS, a
veri sCWs tYk.”
<p>
prins /vysili sed nO mP n hiz cIä bigAn t twic nxvasli,
nQ on wan sFd, nQ on H aHx, giviN hiz fEs an anplezant
iäpreSan wic woz nevx t bI sIn on it in a drYiN rMm. hiz Fz
tM sImd strEnJ; At wan mOment HE lUkt impVdantli slF n At H
neät glAnst rQnd in alRm.
<p>
H prinsas, hOldiN hx lital dog on hx lAp wiH hx Tin bOni
hAndz, lUkt atentivli intM /prins /vysili'z Fz evidentli
rizolvd not t bI H fxst t brEk sFlans, if SI hAd t wEt til
mPniN.
<p>
“wel, V sI, mF dC prinsas n kazan, /kATxin /semjOnOvna,”
kantinVd /prins /vysili, ritxniN t hiz TIm, apArantli not
wiHQt an inx stragal; “At sac a mOment Az His wan mast TiNk
v evriTiN. wan mast TiNk v H fVcx, v Yl v V... F lav V
Yl, lFk cildran v mF On, Az V nO.”
<p>
H prinsas kantinVd t lUk At him wiHQt mMviN, n wiH H sEm
dal iäpreSan.
<p>
“n Hen v kPs mF fAmli hAz YlsO t bI kansidxd,” prins
/vysili went on, testili pUSiN awE a lital tEbal wiHQt lUkiN At
hx. “V nO, /kytIS, HAt wI—V TrI sistxz, /mymOntOf, n
mF wFf—R H kQnt's Onli direkt Xz. F nO, F nO hQ hRd
it iz f V t tYk P TiNk v sac mAtxz. it iz nO IzC f
mI; bat, mF dC, F Am getiN on f siäti n mast bI pripXd f
eniTiN. dM V nO F hAv sent f /piX? H kQnt,” pqntiN t
hiz pPtrEt, “definitli dimAndad HAt hI SUd bI kYld.”
<p>
prins /vysili lUkt kwescaniNli At H prinsas, bat kUd not mEk
Qt weHx SI woz kansidxiN wot hI hAd Jast sed P weHx SI woz
simpli lUkiN At him.
<p>
“HX iz wan TiN F konstantli prE /god t grAnt, man kazan,” SI
riplFd, “n it iz HAt /hI wUd bI mxsifal t him n wUd alQ
hiz nObal sOl pIsfali t lIv His...”
<p>
“jes, jes, v kPs,” intxaptad /prins /vysili impESantli,
rabiN hiz bYld hed n ANgrili pUliN bAk tPd him H lital
tEbal HAt hI hAd pUSt awE. “bat... in SPt, H fAkt iz... V
nO jPself HAt lAst wintx H kQnt mEd a wil bF wic hI left
Yl hiz propxti, not t as hiz direkt Xz, bat t /piX.”
<p>
“hI hAz mEd wilz inaf!” kwFatli rimRkt H prinsas. “bat hI
kAnot lIv H istEt t /piX. /piX iz iliJitimat.”
<p>
“bat, mF dC,” sed /prins /vysili sadanli, klaciN H lital
tEbal n bikamiN mP AnimEtad n tYkiN mP rApidli: “wot if
a letx hAz bin ritan t H /empxx in wic H kQnt Asä f
/piX'z liJitimaSan? dM V andxstAnd HAt in kansidxESan v H
kQnt's sxvisaz, hiz rikwest wUd bI grAntad?...”
<p>
H prinsas smFld Az pIpal dM hM TiNk HE nO mP abQt H
sabJekt andx diskaSan HAn HOz HE R tYkiN wiH.
<p>
“F kAn tel V mP,” kantinVd /prins /vysili, sIziN hx hAnd,
“HAt letx woz ritan, HO it woz not sent, n H /empxx nM
v it. H Onli kwescan iz, hAz it bin distrqd P not? if not, Hen
Az sMn Az Yl iz Ovx,” n /prins /vysili sFd t intimEt wot hI
ment bF H wxdz Yl iz Ovx, “n H kQnt's pEpxz R Opand,
H wil n letx wil bI dilivxd t H /empxx, n H patiSan
wil sxtanli bI grAntad. /piX wil get evriTiN Az H liJitimat
san.”
<p>
“n Qx SX?” Askt H prinsas smFliN Fronikli, Az if
eniTiN mFt hApan, Onli not HAt.
<p>
“bat, mF pUx /kytIS, it iz Az klC Az dElFt! hI wil Hen bI H
lIgal X t evriTiN n V wOnt get eniTiN. V mast nO,
mF dC, weHx H wil n letx wx ritan, n weHx HE hAv
bin distrqd P not. n if HE hAv samhQ bin OvxlUkt, V
Yt t nO wX HE R, n mast fFnd Hem, bikoz...”
<p>
“wot neät?” H prinsas intxaptad, smFliN sRdonikli n not
cEnJiN H iäpreSan v hx Fz. “F Am a wUman, n V TiNk wI
R Yl stMpid; bat F nO His: an iliJitimat san kAnot inherit...
an bEtRd!”* SI Adad, Az if sapOziN HAt His trAnzlESan v H
wxd wUd ifektivli prMv t /prins /vysili H invaliditi v hiz
kantenSan.
<p>
     * a bAstxd.
<p>
“wel, rWli, /kytIS! kAnt V andxstAnd! V R sO
inteliJant, hQ iz it V dOnt sI HAt if H kQnt hAz ritan a
letx t H /empxx begiN him t rekagnFz /piX Az liJitimat, it
folOz HAt /piX wil not bI /piX bat wil bikam /kQnt /bezMâOf,
n wil Hen inherit evriTiN andx H wil? n if H wil n
letx R not distrqd, Hen V wil hAv naTiN bat H konsalESan
v hAviN bin dMtifal et tQt se kwF s'ensuit!* HAt's sxtan.”
<p>
     * n Yl HAt folOz HXfrom.
<p>
“F nO H wil woz mEd, bat F YlsO nO HAt it iz invAlid;
n V, man kazan, sIm t kansidx mI a pxfikt fMl,” sed H
prinsas wiH H iäpreSan wimin asMm wen HE sapOz HE R
sEiN samTiN witi n stiNiN.
<p>
“mF dC /prinsas /kATxin /semjOnOvna,” bigAn /prins /vysili
impESantli, “F kEm hC not t rANgal wiH V, bat t tYk abQt
jP intxasts Az wiH a kinzwUman, a gUd, kFnd, trM rilESan. n F
tel V f H tenT tFm HAt if H letx t H /empxx n H
wil in /piX'z fEvx R amaN H kQnt's pEpxz, Hen, mF dC
gxl, V n jP sistxz R not Xasaz! if V dOnt bilIv mI,
Hen bilIv an eäpxt. F hAv Jast bin tYkiN t /dmItri /OnMfric”
(H fAmli salisitx) “n hI sez H sEm.”
<p>
At His a sadan cEnJ evidentli tUk plEs in H prinsas' FdWz;
hx Tin lips grM wFt, HO hx Fz did not cEnJ, n hx vqs
wen SI bigAn t spIk pAst TrM sac trAnziSanz Az SI hxself
evidentli did not iäpekt.
<p>
“HAt wUd bI a fFn TiN!” sed SI. “F nevx wontad eniTiN
n F dOnt nQ.”
<p>
SI pUSt H lital dog of hx lAp n smMHd hx dres.
<p>
“n His iz grAtitMd—His iz rekagniSan f HOz hM hAv
sAkrifFst evriTiN f hiz sEk!” SI krFd. “it's splendid!
fFn! F dOnt wont eniTiN, /prins.”
<p>
“jes, bat V R not H Onli wan. HX R jP sistxz...”
riplFd /prins /vysili.
<p>
bat H prinsas did not lisan t him.
<p>
“jes, F nM it loN agO bat hAd fxgotan. F nM HAt F kUd iäpekt
naTiN bat mInnas, disIt, envi, intrIg, n ingrAtitMd—H
blAkast ingrAtitMd—in His hQs...”
<p>
“dM V P dM V not nO wX HAt wil iz?” insistad /prins
/vysili, hiz cIä twiciN mP HAn evx.
<p>
“jes, F woz a fMl! F stil bilIvd in pIpal, lavd Hem, n
sAkrifFst mFself. bat Onli H bEs, H vFl saäId! F nO hM hAz
bin intrIgiN!”
<p>
H prinsas wiSt t rFz, bat H prins held hx bF H hAnd. SI
hAd H X v wan hM hAz sadanli lost fET in H hOl hVman rEs.
SI gEv hx kampAnjan an ANgri glAns.
<p>
“HX iz stil tFm, mF dC. V mast rimembx, /kytIS, HAt it woz
Yl dan kAZMali in a mOment v ANgx, v ilnas, n woz Aftxwxdz
fxgotan. Qx dMti, mF dC, iz t rektifF hiz mistEk, t Iz hiz
lAst mOments bF not letiN him kamit His inJastis, n not t let
him dF fIliN HAt hI iz rendxiN anhApi HOz hM...”
<p>
“hM sAkrifFst evriTiN f him,” cFmd in H prinsas, hM
wUd agen hAv rizan hAd not H prins stil held hx fAst, “HO
hI nevx kUd aprISiEt it. nO, man kazan,” SI Adad wiH a sF,
“F SAl YlwEz rimembx HAt in His wxld wan mast iäpekt nO riwPd,
HAt in His wxld HX iz nFHx onx nP Jastis. in His wxld wan
hAs t bI kaniN n krMal.”
<p>
“nQ kam, kam! bI rIzanabal. F nO jP eäalant hRt.”
<p>
“nO, F hAv a wikad hRt.”
<p>
“F nO jP hRt,” ripItad H prins. “F vAlV jP frendSip
n wiS V t hAv Az gUd an apinjan v mI. dOnt apset jPself,
n let as tYk sensabli wFl HX iz stil tFm, bI it a dE P bI it
bat an Qx.... tel mI Yl V nO abQt H wil, n abav Yl wX
it iz. V mast nO. wI wil tEk it At wans n SO it t H
kQnt. hI hAz, nO dQt, fxgotan it n wil wiS t distrq it.
V andxstAnd HAt mF sOl dizFx iz konSienSasli t kAri Qt hiz
wiSaz; HAt iz mF Onli rIzan f bIiN hC. F kEm simpli t help him
n V.”
<p>
“nQ F sI it Yl! F nO hM hAz bin intrIgiN—F nO!” krFd
H prinsas.
<p>
“HAt's not H pqnt, mF dC.”
<p>
“it's HAt prOtiZE v jPz, HAt swIt /prinsas /drMbetskFa,
HAt /Ana /miâFlOvna hMm F wUd not tEk f a hQsmEd... H
infamas, vFl wUman!”
<p>
“dM not let as lMz eni tFm...”
<p>
“y, dOnt tYk t mI! lAst wintx SI wIdald hxself in hC n
tOld H kQnt sac vFl, disgrEsfal TiNz abQt as, ispeSali abQt
/sOfi—F kAnt ripIt Hem—HAt it mEd H kQnt kwFt il n hI
wUd not sI as f a hOl fPtnFt. F nO it woz Hen hI rOt His
vFl, infamas pEpx, bat F TYt H TiN woz invAlid.”
<p>
“wI'v got t it At lAst—wF did V not tel mI abQt it
sMnx?”
<p>
“it's in H inlEd pPtfOliO HAt hI kIps andx hiz pilO,”
sed H prinsas, ignPiN hiz kwescan. “nQ F nO! jes; if F hAv
a sin, a grEt sin, it iz hEtrad v HAt vFl wUman!” YlmOst SrIkt
H prinsas, nQ kwFt cEnJd. “n wot daz SI kam wxmiN
hxself in hC f? bat F wil giv hx a pIs v mF mFnd. H tFm
wil kam!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXII
<p>
/wFl HIz konvxsESanz wx gOiN on in H risepSan rMm n H
prinsas' rMm, a kAriJ kantEniN /piX (hM hAd bin sent f)
n /Ana /miâFlOvna (hM fQnd it nesisXi t akampani him) woz
drFviN intM H kPt v /kQnt /bezMâOf's hQs. Az H wIlz
rOld softli Ovx H strY binIT H windOz, /Ana /miâFlOvna,
hAviN txnd wiH wxdz v kamfxt t hx kampAnjan, rWlFzd HAt
hI woz aslIp in hiz kPnx n wOk him ap. rQziN himself, /piX
folOd /Ana /miâFlOvna Qt v H kAriJ, n Onli Hen bigAn
t TiNk v H intxvV wiH hiz dFiN fyHx wic awEtad him. hI
nOtist HAt HE hAd not kam t H frant entrans bat t H bAk
dP. wFl hI woz getiN dQn from H kAriJ steps tM men, hM
lUkt lFk trEdzpIpal, rAn haridli from H entrans n hid in H
SAdO v H wYl. pYziN f a mOment, /piX nOtist sevxal aHx
men v H sEm kFnd hFdiN in H SAdO v H hQs on bOT sFdz.
bat nFHx /Ana /miâFlOvna nP H fUtman nP H kOcman, hM
kUd not help sIiN HIz pIpal, tUk eni nOtis v Hem. “it sImz
t bI Yl rFt,” /piX kanklMdad, n folOd /Ana /miâFlOvna.
SI haridli asendad H nArO dimli lit stOn stXkEs, kYliN t
/piX, hM woz lAgiN bihFnd, t folO. HO hI did not sI wF it
woz nesisXi f him t gO t H kQnt At Yl, stil les wF hI hAd
t gO bF H bAk stXz, jet JaJiN bF /Ana /miâFlOvna'z X
v aSUxans n hEst, /piX kanklMdad HAt it woz Yl AbsalMtli
nesisXi. hAfwE ap H stXz HE wx YlmOst nokt Ovx bF
sam men hM, kAriiN pElz, kEm raniN dQnstXz, HX bMts
klAtxiN. HIz men prest klOs t H wYl t let /piX n /Ana
/miâFlOvna pAs n did not ivins H lIst sxprFz At sIiN Hem
HX.
<p>
“iz His H wE t H prinsasaz' apRtmants?” Askt /Ana
/miâFlOvna v wan v Hem.
<p>
“jes,” riplFd a fUtman in a bOld lQd vqs, Az if eniTiN wx
nQ pxmisabal; “H dP t H left, mAm.”
<p>
“pxhAps H kQnt did not Ask f mI,” sed /piX wen hI rIct
H lAndiN. “F'd betx gO t mF On rMm.”
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna pYzd n wEtad f him t kam ap.
<p>
“y, mF frend!” SI sed, taciN hiz Rm Az SI hAd dan hx
san'z wen spIkiN t him HAt AftxnMn, “bilIv mI F safx nO
les HAn V dM, bat bI a mAn!”
<p>
“bat rWli, hAdant F betx gO awE?” hI Askt, lUkiN kFndli At
hx Ovx hiz spektakalz.
<p>
“y, mF dC frend! fxget H roNz HAt mE hAv bin dan V.
TiNk HAt hI iz jP fyHx ... pxhAps in H Agani v deT.” SI
sFd. “F hAv lavd V lFk a san from H fxst. trast jPself t
mI, /piX. F SAl not fxget jP intxasts.”
<p>
/piX did not andxstAnd a wxd, bat H kanvikSan HAt Yl His hAd
t bI grM stroNgx, n hI mIkli folOd /Ana /miâFlOvna hM woz
Ylredi OpaniN a dP.
<p>
His dP led intM a bAk AntirMm. an Old mAn, a sxvant v H
prinsasaz, sAt in a kPnx nitiN a stokiN. /piX hAd nevx bin
in His pRt v H hQs n did not Ivan nO v H iãistans v
HIz rMmz. Ana /miâFlOvna, adresiN a mEd hM woz hariiN pAst
wiH a dikAntx on a trE Az “mF dC” n “mF swIt,” Askt
abQt H prinsas' helT n Hen led /piX aloN a stOn pAsiJ.
H fxst dP on H left led intM H prinsasaz' apRtmants. H
mEd wiH H dikAntx in hx hEst hAd not klOzd H dP (evriTiN
in H hQs woz dan in hEst At HAt tFm), n /piX n /Ana
/miâFlOvna in pAsiN instiNktivli glAnst intM H rMm, wX
/prins /vysili n H eldast prinsas wx sitiN klOs tageHx
tYkiN. sIiN Hem pAs, /prins /vysili drM bAk wiH obvWs
impESans, wFl H prinsas Jampt ap n wiH a Jescx v
despxESan slAmd H dP wiH Yl hx mFt.
<p>
His AkSan woz sO anlFk hx VZMal kampOZx n H fC dipiktad on
/prins /vysili'z fEs sO Qt v kIpiN wiH hiz digniti HAt /piX
stopt n glAnst inkwFxiNli Ovx hiz spektakalz At hiz gFd. Ana
/miâFlOvna ivinst nO sxprFz, SI Onli smFld fEntli n sFd, Az
if t sE HAt His woz nO mP HAn SI hAd iäpektad.
<p>
“bI a mAn, mF frend. F wil lUk Aftx jP intxasts,” sed SI in
riplF t hiz lUk, n went stil fAstx aloN H pAsiJ.
<p>
/piX kUd not mEk Qt wot it woz Yl abQt, n stil les wot
“wociN Ovx hiz intxasts” ment, bat hI disFdad HAt Yl HIz
TiNz hAd t bI. from H pAsiJ HE went intM a lRJ, dimli
lit rMm aJqniN H kQnt's risepSan rMm. it woz wan v HOz
sampcMas bat kOld apRtmants nOn t /piX Onli from H frant
aprOc, bat Ivan in His rMm HX nQ stUd an empti bAT, n wYtx
hAd bin spild on H kRpat. HE wx met bF a dIkan wiH a sensx
n bF a sxvant hM pAst Qt on tiptO wiHQt hIdiN Hem. HE
went intM H risepSan rMm familC t /piX, wiH tM /itAlWn
windOz OpaniN intM H kansxvatPi, wiH its lRJ bast n fUl
leNT pPtrEt v /kATxin H /grEt. H sEm pIpal wx stil
sitiN hC in YlmOst H sEm paziSanz Az bifP, wispxiN t wan
anaHx. Yl bikEm sFlant n txnd t lUk At H pEl tC-wPn /Ana
/miâFlOvna Az SI entxd, n At H big stQt figjx v /piX hM,
hANiN hiz hed, mIkli folOd hx.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna'z fEs iäprest a konSasnas HAt H disFsiv
mOment hAd xFvd. wiH H X v a prAktikal /pItxzbxg lEdi SI nQ,
kIpiN /piX klOs bisFd hx, entxd H rMm Ivan mP bOldli HAn
HAt AftxnMn. SI felt HAt Az SI brYt wiH hx H pxsan H
dFiN mAn wiSt t sI, hx On admiSan woz aSUxd. kAstiN a rApid
glAns At Yl HOz in H rMm n nOtisiN H kQnt's kanfesx
HX, SI glFdad ap t him wiH a sPt v Ambal, not iãAktli bQiN jet
sImiN t grO sadanli smYlx, n rispektfali risIvd H blesiN
fxst v wan n Hen v anaHx prIst.
<p>
“god bI TANkt HAt V R in tFm,” sed SI t wan v H
prIsts; “Yl wI relativz hAv bin in sac ANzFati. His jaN
mAn iz H kQnt's san,” SI Adad mP softli. “wot a teribal
mOment!”
<p>
hAviN sed His SI went ap t H doktx.
<p>
“dC doktx,” sed SI, “His jaN mAn iz H kQnt's san. iz
HX eni hOp?”
<p>
H doktx kAst a rApid glAns apwxdz n sFlantli Sragd hiz
SOldxz. Ana /miâFlOvna wiH Jast H sEm mMvmant rEzd hx
SOldxz n Fz, YlmOst klOziN H lAtx, sFd, n mMvd awE
from H doktx t /piX. t him, in a pxtikVlxli rispektfal n
tendxli sAd vqs, SI sed:
<p>
“trast in /hiz mxsi!” n pqntiN Qt a smYl sOfa f him t sit
n wEt f hx, SI went sFlantli tPd H dP HAt evriwan woz
wociN n it krIkt veri slFtli Az SI disapCd bihFnd it.
<p>
/piX, hAviN mEd ap hiz mFnd t ObE hiz monitras implisitli, mMvd
tPd H sOfa SI hAd indikEtad. Az sMn Az /Ana /miâFlOvna hAd
disapCd hI nOtist HAt H Fz v Yl in H rMm txnd t him
wiH samTiN mP HAn kjUxiositi n simpaTi. hI nOtist HAt HE
wispxd t wan anaHx, kAstiN signifikant lUä At him wiH a kFnd
v Y n Ivan sxviliti. a defxans sac Az hI hAd nevx bifP
risIvd woz SOn him. a strEnJ lEdi, H wan hM hAd bin tYkiN t
H prIsts, rOz n ofxd him hx sIt; an Ed-dI-kAmp pikt ap
n ritxnd a glav /piX hAd dropt; H doktxz bikEm rispektfali
sFlant Az hI pAst bF, n mMvd t mEk wE f him. At fxst /piX
wiSt t tEk anaHx sIt sO Az not t trabal H lEdi, n YlsO t
pik ap H glav himself n t pAs rQnd H doktxz hM wx not
Ivan in hiz wE; bat Yl At wans hI felt HAt His wUd not dM, n
HAt tanFt hI woz a pxsan ablFJd t pxfPm sam sPt v Yfal
rFt wic evriwan iäpektad v him, n HAt hI woz HXfP bQnd
t aäept HX sxvisaz. hI tUk H glav in sFlans from H
Ed-dI-kAmp, n sAt dQn in H lEdi'z cX, plEsiN hiz hVJ hAndz
simetrikli on hiz nIz in H nFIv AtitMd v an /iJipSan stAcV,
n disFdad in hiz On mFnd HAt Yl woz Az it SUd bI, n HAt in
Pdx not t lMz hiz hed n dM fMliS TiNz hI mast not Akt on hiz
On FdWz tanFt, bat mast jIld himself ap intFxli t H wil v
HOz hM wx gFdiN him.
<p>
not tM minits hAd pAst bifP /prins /vysili wiH hed irekt
maJestikli entxd H rMm. hI woz wXiN hiz loN kOt wiH TrI
stRz on hiz brest. hI sImd t hAv grOn Tinx sins H mPniN;
hiz Fz sImd lRJx HAn VZMal wen hI glAnst rQnd n nOtist
/piX. hI went ap t him, tUk hiz hAnd (a TiN hI nevx Vst t dM),
n drM it dQnwxdz Az if wiSiN t AsxtEn weHx it woz fxmli
fiät on.
<p>
“kariJ, kariJ, mF frend! hI hAz Askt t sI V. HAt iz
wel!” n hI txnd t gO.
<p>
bat /piX TYt it nesisXi t Ask: “hQ iz...” n hezitEtad,
not nOiN weHx it wUd bI propx t kYl H dFiN mAn “H
kQnt,” jet aSEmd t kYl him “fyHx.”
<p>
“hI hAd anaHx strOk abQt hAf an Qx agO. kariJ, mF
frend...”
<p>
/piX'z mFnd woz in sac a kanfVzd stEt HAt H wxd “strOk”
saJestad t him a blO from samTiN. hI lUkt At /prins /vysili
in pxpleäiti, n Onli lEtx grAspt HAt a strOk woz an atAk v
ilnas. prins /vysili sed samTiN t /lPEn in pAsiN n went
TrM H dP on tiptO. hI kUd not wYk wel on tiptO n hiz
hOl bodi Jxkt At Ic step. H eldast prinsas folOd him, n
H prIsts n dIkanz n sam sxvants YlsO went in At H dP.
TrM HAt dP woz hxd a nqz v TiNz bIiN mMvd abQt, n
At lAst /Ana /miâFlOvna, stil wiH H sEm iäpreSan, pEl bat
rezalMt in H discRJ v dMti, rAn Qt n taciN /piX lFtli
on H Rm sed:
<p>
“H divFn mxsi iz iniãYstabal! aNkSan iz abQt t bI
administxd. kam.”
<p>
/piX went in At H dP, stepiN on H soft kRpat, n nOtist
HAt H strEnJ lEdi, H Ed-dI-kAmp, n sam v H sxvants, Yl
folOd him in, Az if HX wx nQ nO fxHx nId f pxmiSan t
entx HAt rMm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIII
<p>
/piX wel nM His lRJ rMm divFdad bF kolamz n an Rc, its
wYlz haN rQnd wiH /pxZan kRpats. H pRt v H rMm bihFnd H
kolamz, wiH a hF silk-kxtand mahogani bedsted on wan sFd n
on H aHx an imens kEs kantEniN Fkonz, woz brFtli ilMminEtad
wiH red lFt lFk a /raSan cxc dxiN IvniN sxvis. andx
H glImiN Fkonz stUd a loN invAlid cX, n in HAt cX
on snOi-wFt smMH pilOz, evidentli freSli cEnJd, /piX
sY—kavxd t H wEst bF a brFt grIn kwilt—H familC,
maJestik figjx v hiz fyHx, /kQnt /bezMâOf, wiH HAt grE mEn v
hX abav hiz brYd fPhed wic rimFndad wan v a lFan, n H dIp
kAraktxistikli nObal riNkalz v hiz hAndsam, radi fEs. hI lE
Jast andx H Fkonz; hiz lRJ Tik hAndz QtsFd H kwilt. intM H
rFt hAnd, wic woz lFiN pym dQnwxdz, a wAä tEpx hAd bin Trast
bitwIn fPfiNgx n Tam, n an Old sxvant, bendiN Ovx from
bihFnd H cX, held it in paziSan. bF H cX stUd H prIsts,
HX loN hX fYliN Ovx HX mAgnifisant glitxiN vestmants,
wiH lFtad tEpxz in HX hAndz, slOli n solamli kondaktiN H
sxvis. a lital bihFnd Hem stUd H tM jaNgx prinsasaz hOldiN
hANkxcifs t HX Fz, n Jast in frant v Hem HX eldast
sistx, /kytIS, wiH a viSas n ditxmind lUk stedili fiät on
H Fkonz, Az HO diklXiN t Yl HAt SI kUd not Ansx f
hxself SUd SI glAns rQnd. Ana /miâFlOvna, wiH a mIk,
sorOfal, n Yl-fxgiviN iäpreSan on hx fEs, stUd bF H dP
nC H strEnJ lEdi. prins /vysili in frant v H dP, nC H
invAlid cX, a wAä tEpx in hiz left hAnd, woz lIniN hiz left Rm on
H kRvd bAk v a velvat cX hI hAd txnd rQnd f H pxpas,
n woz krosiN himself wiH hiz rFt hAnd, txniN hiz Fz apwxd
Ic tFm hI tact hiz fPhed. hiz fEs wP a kym lUk v pFati
n rezignESan t H wil v /god. “if V dM not andxstAnd HIz
sentimants,” hI sImd t bI sEiN, “sO mac H wxs f V!”
<p>
bihFnd him stUd H Ed-dI-kAmp, H doktxz, n H mensxvants;
H men n wimin hAd sepxEtad Az in cxc. Yl wx sFlantli krosiN
Hemselvz, n H rIdiN v H cxc sxvis, H sabdMd cAntiN
v dIp bEs vqsaz, n in H intxvalz sFz n H SafaliN v
fIt wx H Onli sQndz HAt kUd bI hxd. Ana /miâFlOvna, wiH
an X v impPtans HAt SOd HAt SI felt SI kwFt nM wot SI
woz abQt, went akros H rMm t wX /piX woz stAndiN n gEv
him a tEpx. hI lit it n, distrAktad bF abzxviN HOz xQnd him,
bigAn krosiN himself wiH H hAnd HAt held H tEpx.
<p>
/sOfi, H rOzi, lAftx-laviN, jaNgast prinsas wiH H mOl,
woct him. SI smFld, hid hx fEs in hx hANkxcif, n rimEnd
wiH it hidan f awFl; Hen lUkiN ap n sIiN /piX SI
agen bigAn t lAf. SI evidentli felt anEbal t lUk At him
wiHQt lAfiN, bat kUd not rizist lUkiN At him: sO t bI Qt v
temptESan SI slipt kwFatli bihFnd wan v H kolamz. in H midst
v H sxvis H vqsaz v H prIsts sadanli sIst, HE wispxd
t wan anaHx, n H Old sxvant hM woz hOldiN H kQnt's hAnd
got ap n sed samTiN t H lEdiz. Ana /miâFlOvna stept
fPwxd n, stMpiN Ovx H dFiN mAn, bekand t /lPEn from
bihFnd hx bAk. H /frenc doktx held nO tEpx; hI woz lIniN
agenst wan v H kolamz in a rispektfal AtitMd implFiN HAt hI,
a forinx, in spFt v Yl difxansaz v fET, andxstUd H fUl
impPtans v H rFt nQ bIiN pxfPmd n Ivan aprMvd v it. hI
nQ aprOct H sik mAn wiH H nqzlas step v wan in fUl vigx
v lFf, wiH hiz delikat wFt fiNgxz rEzd from H grIn kwilt H
hAnd HAt woz frI, n txniN sFdwEz felt H pals n riflektad
a mOment. H sik mAn woz givan samTiN t driNk, HX woz a
stx xQnd him, Hen H pIpal rizMmd HX plEsaz n H sxvis
kantinVd. dxiN His intxval /piX nOtist HAt /prins /vysili
left H cX on wic hI hAd bin lIniN, n—wiH an X
wic intimEtad HAt hI nM wot hI woz abQt n if aHxz did not
andxstAnd him it woz sO mac H wxs f Hem—did not gO ap t H
dFiN mAn, bat pAst bF him, Jqnd H eldast prinsas, n mMvd
wiH hx t H sFd v H rMm wX stUd H hF bedsted wiH its
silkan hANiNz. on lIviN H bed bOT /prins /vysili n H prinsas
pAst Qt bF a bAk dP, bat ritxnd t HX plEsaz wan Aftx H
aHx bifP H sxvis woz kanklMdad. /piX pEd nO mP atenSan
t His akxans HAn t H rest v wot went on, hAviN mEd ap hiz
mFnd wans f Yl HAt wot hI sY hApaniN xQnd him HAt IvniN woz
in sam wE isenSal.
<p>
H cAntiN v H sxvis sIst, n H vqs v H prIst woz
hxd rispektfali kangrAcalEtiN H dFiN mAn on hAviN risIvd H
sAkramant. H dFiN mAn lE Az lFflas n imMvabal Az bifP. xQnd
him evriwan bigAn t stx: steps wx Ydabal n wispxz, amaN wic
/Ana /miâFlOvna'z woz H mOst distiNkt.
<p>
/piX hxd hx sE:
<p>
“sxtanli hI mast bI mMvd ontM H bed; hC it wil bI
imposabal...”
<p>
H sik mAn woz sO sxQndad bF doktxz, prinsasaz, n sxvants
HAt /piX kUd nO loNgx sI H rediS-jelO fEs wiH its grE
mEn—wic, HO hI sY aHx fEsaz Az wel, hI hAd not lost sFt
v f a siNgal mOment dxiN H hOl sxvis. hI JaJd bF H
kYSas mMvmants v HOz hM krQdad rQnd H invAlid cX HAt
HE hAd liftad H dFiN mAn n wx mMviN him.
<p>
“kAc hOld v mF Rm P V'l drop him!” hI hxd wan v H
sxvants sE in a frFtand wispx. “kAc hOld from andxnIT.
hC!” iäklEmd difxant vqsaz; n H hevi brIHiN v H
bXxz n H SafaliN v HX fIt grM mP harid, Az if H
wEt HE wx kAriiN wx tM mac f Hem.
<p>
Az H bXxz, amaN hMm woz /Ana /miâFlOvna, pAst H jaN mAn
hI kYt a mOmentXi glimps bitwIn HX hedz n bAä v H dFiN
mAn'z hF, stQt, ankavxd cest n pQxfal SOldxz, rEzd bF
HOz hM wx hOldiN him andx H Rmpits, n v hiz grE, kxli,
lWnFn hed. His hed, wiH its rimRkabli brYd brQ n cIkbOnz,
its hAndsam, senSMal mQT, n its kOld, maJestik iäpreSan, woz
not disfigjxd bF H aprOc v deT. it woz H sEm Az /piX
rimembxd it TrI manTs bifP, wen H kQnt hAd sent him t
/pItxzbxg. bat nQ His hed woz swEiN helplasli wiH H anIvan
mMvmants v H bXxz, n H kOld listlas gEz fiät itself apon
naTiN.
<p>
Aftx a fV minits' basal bisFd H hF bedsted, HOz hM hAd
kArid H sik mAn dispxst. Ana /miâFlOvna tact /piX'z
hAnd n sed, “kam.” /piX went wiH hx t H bed on wic H
sik mAn hAd bin lEd in a stEtli pOz in kIpiN wiH H serimOni
Jast kamplItad. hI lE wiH hiz hed propt hF on H pilOz. hiz
hAndz wx simetrikli plEst on H grIn silk kwilt, H pymz
dQnwxd. wen /piX kEm ap H kQnt woz gEziN strEt At him, bat
wiH a lUk H signifikans v wic kUd not bI andxstUd bF mPtal
mAn. FHx His lUk ment naTiN bat HAt Az loN Az wan hAz Fz
HE mast lUk samwX, P it ment tM mac. /piX hezitEtad,
not nOiN wot t dM, n glAnst inkwFxiNli At hiz gFd. Ana
/miâFlOvna mEd a harid sFn wiH hx Fz, glAnsiN At H sik
mAn'z hAnd n mMviN hx lips Az if t send it a kis. /piX,
kXfali streciN hiz nek sO Az not t tac H kwilt, folOd hx
saJescan n prest hiz lips t H lRJ bOnd, fleSi hAnd. nFHx
H hAnd nP a siNgal masal v H kQnt's fEs stxd. wans mP
/piX lUkt kwescaniNli At /Ana /miâFlOvna t sI wot hI woz t
dM neät. Ana /miâFlOvna wiH hx Fz indikEtad a cX HAt stUd
bisFd H bed. /piX ObIdWntli sAt dQn, hiz Fz AskiN if hI wx
dMiN rFt. Ana /miâFlOvna nodad aprMviNli. agen /piX fel
intM H nFIvli simetrikal pOz v an /iJipSan stAcV, evidentli
distrest HAt hiz stQt n klamzi bodi tUk ap sO mac rMm n dMiN
hiz atmOst t lUk Az smYl Az posabal. hI lUkt At H kQnt, hM
stil gEzd At H spot wX /piX'z fEs hAd bin bifP hI sAt
dQn. Ana /miâFlOvna indikEtad bF hx AtitMd hx konSasnas v
H paTetik impPtans v HIz lAst mOments v mItiN bitwIn H
fyHx n san. His lAstad abQt tM minits, wic t /piX sImd an
Qx. sadanli H brYd masalz n lFnz v H kQnt's fEs bigAn
t twic. H twiciN inkrIst, H hAndsam mQT woz drYn t wan
sFd (Onli nQ did /piX rWlFz hQ nC deT hiz fyHx woz), n
from HAt distPtad mQT iSVd an indistiNkt, hPs sQnd. Ana
/miâFlOvna lUkt atentivli At H sik mAn'z Fz, trFiN t
ges wot hI wontad; SI pqntad fxst t /piX, Hen t sam driNk,
Hen nEmd /prins /vysili in an inkwFxiN wispx, Hen pqntad t H
kwilt. H Fz n fEs v H sik mAn SOd impESans. hI mEd an
efxt t lUk At H sxvant hM stUd konstantli At H hed v H
bed.
<p>
“wonts t txn on H aHx sFd,” wispxd H sxvant, n got ap
t txn H kQnt's hevi bodi tPd H wYl.
<p>
/piX rOz t help him.
<p>
wFl H kQnt woz bIiN txnd Ovx, wan v hiz Rmz fel bAk
helplasli n hI mEd a frMtlas efxt t pUl it fPwxd. weHx hI
nOtist H lUk v terx wiH wic /piX rigRdad HAt lFflas Rm,
P weHx sam aHx TYt flitad akros hiz dFiN brEn, At eni
rEt hI glAnst At H rifrAktxi Rm, At /piX'z terx-strikan
fEs, n agen At H Rm, n on hiz fEs a fIbal, pitWs smFl
apCd, kwFt Qt v kIpiN wiH hiz fIcxz, HAt sImd t dirFd
hiz On helplasnas. At sFt v His smFl /piX felt an aniäpektad
kwivxiN in hiz brest n a tikaliN in hiz nOz, n tCz dimd hiz
Fz. H sik mAn woz txnd on t hiz sFd wiH hiz fEs t H wYl.
hI sFd.
<p>
“hI iz dOziN,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna, abzxviN HAt wan v H
prinsasaz woz kamiN t tEk hx txn At wociN. “let as gO.”
<p>
/piX went Qt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIV
<p>
HX woz nQ nO wan in H risepSan rMm iäept /prins /vysili n H
eldast prinsas, hM wx sitiN andx H pPtrEt v /kATxin H
/grEt n tYkiN Igxli. Az sMn Az HE sY /piX n hiz kampAnjan
HE bikEm sFlant, n /piX TYt hI sY H prinsas hFd
samTiN Az SI wispxd:
<p>
“F kAnt bX H sFt v HAt wUman.”
<p>
“/kytIS hAz hAd tI sxvd in H smYl drYiN rMm,” sed /prins
/vysili t /Ana /miâFlOvna. “gO n tEk samTiN, mF pUx /Ana
/miâFlOvna, P V wil not hOld Qt.”
<p>
t /piX hI sed naTiN, mCli giviN hiz Rm a simpaTetik skwIz
bilO H SOldx. /piX went wiH /Ana /miâFlOvna intM H smYl
drYiN rMm.
<p>
“HX iz naTiN sO rifreSiN Aftx a slIplas nFt Az a kap
v His diliSas /raSan tI,” lPEn woz sEiN wiH an X v
ristrEnd AnimESan Az hI stUd sipiN tI from a delikat /cFnIz
hAndallas kap bifP a tEbal on wic tI n a kOld sapx wx lEd
in H smYl sxkVlx rMm. xQnd H tEbal Yl hM wx At /kQnt
/bezMâOf's hQs HAt nFt hAd gAHxd t fPtifF Hemselvz.
/piX wel rimembxd His smYl sxkVlx drYiN rMm wiH its mirxz
n lital tEbalz. dxiN bYlz givan At H hQs /piX, hM did not
nO hQ t dAns, hAd lFkt sitiN in His rMm t woc H lEdiz
hM, Az HE pAst TrM in HX bYl dresaz wiH dFmandz n
pxlz on HX bX SOldxz, lUkt At Hemselvz in H brilWntli
lFtad mirxz wic ripItad HX riflekSanz sevxal tFmz. nQ
His sEm rMm woz dimli lFtad bF tM kAndalz. on wan smYl tEbal tI
TiNz n sapx diSaz stUd in disPdx, n in H midal v H
nFt a motli TroN v pIpal sAt HX, not merimEkiN, bat sombxli
wispxiN, n bitrEiN bF evri wxd n mMvmant HAt HE nan
v Hem fxgot wot woz hApaniN n wot woz abQt t hApan in H
bedrMm. /piX did not It eniTiN HO hI wUd veri mac hAv
lFkt t. hI lUkt inkwFxiNli At hiz monitras n sY HAt SI woz
agen gOiN on tiptO t H risepSan rMm wX HE hAd left /prins
/vysili n H eldast prinsas. /piX kanklMdad HAt His YlsO woz
isenSal, n Aftx a SPt intxval folOd hx. Ana /miâFlOvna
woz stAndiN bisFd H prinsas, n HE wx bOT spIkiN in iäFtad
wispxz.
<p>
“pxmit mI, /prinsas, t nO wot iz nesisXi n wot iz not
nesisXi,” sed H jaNgx v H tM spIkxz, evidentli in H
sEm stEt v iäFtmant Az wen SI hAd slAmd H dP v hx rMm.
<p>
“bat, mF dC prinsas,” Ansxd /Ana /miâFlOvna blAndli bat
impresivli, blokiN H wE t H bedrMm n priventiN H aHx
from pAsiN, “wOnt His bI tM mac f pUx /aNkal At a mOment
wen hI nIdz ripOz? wxldli konvxsESan At a mOment wen hiz sOl iz
Ylredi pripXd...”
<p>
prins /vysili woz sItad in an Izi cX in hiz familC AtitMd,
wiH wan leg krost hF abav H aHx. hiz cIä, wic wx sO
flAbi HAt HE lUkt hevC bilO, wx twiciN vFalantli; bat
hI wP H X v a mAn lital kansxnd in wot H tM lEdiz wx
sEiN.
<p>
“kam, mF dC /Ana /miâFlOvna, let /kytIS dM Az SI plIzaz. V
nO hQ fond H kQnt iz v hx.”
<p>
“F dOnt Ivan nO wot iz in His pEpx,” sed H jaNgx v
H tM lEdiz, adresiN /prins /vysili n pqntiN t an inlEd
pPtfOliO SI held in hx hAnd. “Yl F nO iz HAt hiz rWl wil iz
in hiz rFtiN tEbal, n His iz a pEpx hI hAz fxgotan....”
<p>
SI trFd t pAs /Ana /miâFlOvna, bat H lAtx sprAN sO Az t bR
hx pAT.
<p>
“F nO, mF dC, kFnd prinsas,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna, sIziN
H pPtfOliO sO fxmli HAt it woz plEn SI wUd not let gO Izili.
“dC prinsas, F beg n implP V, hAv sam piti on him! Ze vM
en konJx...”
<p>
H prinsas did not riplF. HX efxts in H stragal f H
pPtfOliO wx H Onli sQndz Ydabal, bat it woz evidant HAt if
H prinsas did spIk, hx wxdz wUd not bI flAtxiN t /Ana
/miâFlOvna. HO H lAtx held on tinESasli, hx vqs lost nan
v its hanid fxmnas n softnas.
<p>
“/piX, mF dC, kam hC. F TiNk hI wil not bI Qt v plEs in a
fAmli konsaltESan; iz it not sO, /prins?”
<p>
“wF dOnt V spIk, kazan?” sadanli SrIkt H prinsas sO
lQd HAt HOz in H drYiN rMm hxd hx n wx stRtald. “wF
dM V rimEn sFlant wen hevan nOz hM pxmits hxself t
intxfC, mEkiN a sIn on H veri TreShOld v a dFiN mAn'z rMm?
intrIgx!” SI hist viSasli, n tagd wiH Yl hx mFt At H
pPtfOliO.
<p>
bat /Ana /miâFlOvna went fPwxd a step P tM t kIp hx hOld on H
pPtfOliO, n cEnJd hx grip.
<p>
prins /vysili rOz. “O!” sed hI wiH riprOc n sxprFz,
“His iz absxd! kam, let gO F tel V.”
<p>
H prinsas let gO.
<p>
“n V tM!”
<p>
bat /Ana /miâFlOvna did not ObE him.
<p>
“let gO, F tel V! F wil tEk H risponsabiliti. F mFself wil gO
n Ask him, F!... daz HAt sAtisfF V?”
<p>
“bat, /prins,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna, “Aftx sac a solam
sAkramant, alQ him a mOment's pIs! hC, /piX, tel Hem jP
apinjan,” sed SI, txniN t H jaN mAn hM, hAviN kam kwFt
klOs, woz gEziN wiH astoniSmant At H ANgri fEs v H prinsas
wic hAd lost Yl digniti, n At H twiciN cIä v /prins
/vysili.
<p>
“rimembx HAt V wil Ansx f H konsikwansaz,” sed /prins
/vysili sivCli. “V dOnt nO wot V R dMiN.”
<p>
“vFl wUman!” SQtad H prinsas, dRtiN aniäpektadli At /Ana
/miâFlOvna n snAciN H pPtfOliO from hx.
<p>
prins /vysili bent hiz hed n spred Qt hiz hAndz.
<p>
At His mOment HAt teribal dP, wic /piX hAd woct sO loN
n wic hAd YlwEz Opand sO kwFatli, bxst nqzili Opan n bANd
agenst H wYl, n H sekand v H TrI sistxz raSt Qt
riNiN hx hAndz.
<p>
“wot R V dMiN!” SI krFd vWmantli. “hI iz dFiN n V
lIv mI alOn wiH him!”
<p>
hx sistx dropt H pPtfOliO. Ana /miâFlOvna, stMpiN, kwikli
kYt ap H obJekt v kantenSan n rAn intM H bedrMm. H eldast
prinsas n /prins /vysili, rikavxiN Hemselvz, folOd hx. a fV
minits lEtx H eldast sistx kEm Qt wiH a pEl hRd fEs, agen
bFtiN hx andxlip. At sFt v /piX hx iäpreSan SOd an
iripresabal hEtrad.
<p>
“jes, nQ V mE bI glAd!” sed SI; “His iz wot V hAv
bin wEtiN f.” n bxstiN intM tCz SI hid hx fEs in hx
hANkxcif n raSt from H rMm.
<p>
prins /vysili kEm neät. hI stAgxd t H sOfa on wic /piX woz
sitiN n dropt ontM it, kavxiN hiz fEs wiH hiz hAnd. /piX
nOtist HAt hI woz pEl n HAt hiz JY kwivxd n SUk Az if in an
EgV.
<p>
“y, mF frend!” sed hI, tEkiN /piX bF H elbO; n HX woz
in hiz vqs a sinseriti n wIknas /piX hAd nevx abzxvd in it
bifP. “hQ oftan wI sin, hQ mac wI disIv, n Yl f wot? F Am
nC siäti, dC frend... F tM... Yl wil end in deT, Yl! deT iz
Yfal...” n hI bxst intM tCz.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna kEm Qt lAst. SI aprOct /piX wiH slO, kwFat
steps.
<p>
“/piX!” SI sed.
<p>
/piX gEv hx an inkwFxiN lUk. SI kist H jaN mAn on hiz
fPhed, wetiN him wiH hx tCz. Hen Aftx a pYz SI sed:
<p>
“hI iz nO mP....”
<p>
/piX lUkt At hx Ovx hiz spektakalz.
<p>
“kam, F wil gO wiH V. trF t wIp, naTiN givz sac rilIf Az
tCz.”
<p>
SI led him intM H dRk drYiN rMm n /piX woz glAd nO wan kUd
sI hiz fEs. Ana /miâFlOvna left him, n wen SI ritxnd hI woz
fAst aslIp wiH hiz hed on hiz Rm.
<p>
in H mPniN /Ana /miâFlOvna sed t /piX:
<p>
“jes, mF dC, His iz a grEt los f as Yl, not t spIk v V.
bat /god wil sapPt V: V R jaN, n R nQ, F hOp, in kamAnd
v an imens fPcMn. H wil hAz not jet bin Opand. F nO V
wel inaf t bI SUx HAt His wil not txn jP hed, bat it impOzaz
dMtiz on V, n V mast bI a mAn.”
<p>
/piX woz sFlant.
<p>
“pxhAps lEtx on F mE tel V, mF dC bq, HAt if F hAd not bin
HX, /god Onli nOz wot wUd hAv hApand! V nO, /aNkal promist
mI Onli H dE bifP jestxdE not t fxget /bPis. bat hI hAd
nO tFm. F hOp, mF dC frend, V wil kAri Qt jP fyHx'z
wiS?”
<p>
/piX andxstUd naTiN v Yl His n kalxiN SFli lUkt in
sFlans At /prinsas /Ana /miâFlOvna. Aftx hx tYk wiH /piX, /Ana
/miâFlOvna ritxnd t H /rOstOfs' n went t bed. on wEkiN in
H mPniN SI tOld H /rOstOfs n Yl hx akwEntansaz H dItElz
v /kQnt /bezMâOf's deT. SI sed H kQnt hAd dFd Az SI wUd
hxself wiS t dF, HAt hiz end woz not Onli taciN bat edifFiN. Az
t H lAst mItiN bitwIn fyHx n san, it woz sO taciN HAt SI
kUd not TiNk v it wiHQt tCz, n did not nO wic hAd bihEvd
betx dxiN HOz Yfal mOments—H fyHx hM sO rimembxd
evriTiN n evribodi At lAst n hAd spOkan sac paTetik wxdz t
H san, P /piX, hMm it hAd bin pitifal t sI, sO strikan woz hI
wiH grIf, HO hI trFd hRd t hFd it in Pdx not t sAdan hiz
dFiN fyHx. “it iz pEnfal, bat it daz wan gUd. it aplifts H
sOl t sI sac men Az H Old kQnt n hiz wxHi san,” sed SI.
v H bihEvjx v H eldast prinsas n /prins /vysili SI spOk
disaprMviNli, bat in wispxz n Az a grEt sIkrat.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXV
<p>
At /bYld /hilz, /prins /nikalas /yndrEevic /bOlkOnski'z istEt, H
xFval v jaN /prins /AndrM n hiz wFf woz dEli iäpektad, bat
His eäpektESan did not apset H regVlx rMtIn v lFf in H Old
prins'az hQshOld. Jenxal in /cIf /prins /nikalas /yndrEevic
(niknEmd in sasFati, “H /kiN v /praSa”) evx sins H /empxx
/pYl hAd eäFld him t hiz kantri istEt hAd livd HX kantinVasli
wiH hiz dYtx, /prinsas /mXi, n hx kampAnjan, /mAdamwazel
/bMrien. HO in H nM rEn hI woz frI t ritxn t H
kApitalz, hI stil kantinVd t liv in H kantri, rimRkiN HAt
eniwan hM wontad t sI him kUd kam H handrad mFlz from /moskQ t
/bYld /hilz, wFl hI himself nIdad nO wan n naTiN. hI Vst t
sE HAt HX R Onli tM sPsaz v hVman vFs—Fdalnas n
sMpxstiSan, n Onli tM vxcMz—Aktiviti n inteliJans. hI
himself andxtUk hiz dYtx'z eJakESan, n t divelap HIz tM
kRdinal vxcMz in hx gEv hx lesanz in AlJibra n Jiomatri
til SI woz twenti, n xEnJd hx lFf sO HAt hx hOl tFm woz
okVpFd. hI woz himself YlwEz okVpFd: rFtiN hiz memwRz, solviN
problamz in hFx mATamAtiä, txniN snafboäaz on a lEH, wxkiN
in H gRdan, P sMpxintendiN H bildiN HAt woz YlwEz gOiN on
At hiz istEt. Az regVlAriti iz a prFm kandiSan fasilitEtiN Aktiviti,
regVlAriti in hiz hQshOld woz kArid t H hFast pqnt v
iãAktitMd. hI YlwEz kEm t tEbal andx prisFsli H sEm kandiSanz,
n not Onli At H sEm Qx bat At H sEm minit. wiH HOz abQt
him, from hiz dYtx t hiz sxfs, H prins woz SRp n invXWbli
iãAktiN, sO HAt wiHQt bIiN a hRdhRtad mAn hI inspFxd sac fC
n rispekt Az fV hRdhRtad men wUd hAv xQzd. YlHO hI woz
in ritFxmant n hAd nQ nO inflMans in politikal afXz, evri hF
afiSal apqntad t H provins in wic H prins'az istEt lE
kansidxd it hiz dMti t vizit him n wEtad in H lofti AnticEmbx
Jast Az H Rkitekt, gRdanx, P /prinsas /mXi did, til H prins
apCd paNkcMali t H apqntad Qx. evriwan sitiN in His
AnticEmbx iäpCWnst H sEm fIliN v rispekt n Ivan fC wen
H inPmasli hF stadi dP Opand n SOd H figjx v a rAHx
smYl Old mAn, wiH pQdxd wig, smYl wiHxd hAndz, n bUSi grE
FbrQz wic, wen hI frQnd, samtFmz hid H glIm v hiz SrMd,
VTfali glitxiN Fz.
<p>
on H mPniN v H dE HAt H jaN kapal wx t xFv, /prinsas
/mXi entxd H AnticEmbx Az VZMal At H tFm apqntad f H
mPniN grItiN, krosiN hxself wiH trepidESan n ripItiN a
sFlant prEx. evri mPniN SI kEm in lFk HAt, n evri mPniN
prEd HAt H dEli intxvV mFt pAs of wel.
<p>
an Old pQdxd mAnsxvant hM woz sitiN in H AnticEmbx rOz
kwFatli n sed in a wispx: “plIz wYk in.”
<p>
TrM H dP kEm H regVlx ham v a lEH. H prinsas timidli
Opand H dP wic mMvd nqzlasli n Izili. SI pYzd At H
entrans. H prins woz wxkiN At H lEH n Aftx glAnsiN rQnd
kantinVd hiz wxk.
<p>
H inPmas stadi woz fUl v TiNz evidentli in konstant Vs.
H lRJ tEbal kavxd wiH bUä n plAnz, H tYl glAs-frantad
bUkkEsaz wiH kIz in H loä, H hF desk f rFtiN wFl
stAndiN ap, on wic lE an Opan eäxsFz bUk, n H lEH wiH
tMlz lEd redi t hAnd n SEviNz skAtxd xQnd—Yl indikEtad
kantinVas, vXid, n Pdxli Aktiviti. H mOSan v H smYl fUt
Sod in a /tRtx bMt imbrqdxd wiH silvx, n H fxm preSx
v H lIn sinVi hAnd, SOd HAt H prins stil pazest H
tinESas indxans n vigx v hRdi Old EJ. Aftx a fV mP txnz
v H lEH hI rimMvd hiz fUt from H pedal, wFpt hiz cizal,
dropt it intM a leHx pQc atAct t H lEH, n, aprOciN
H tEbal, samand hiz dYtx. hI nevx gEv hiz cildran a blesiN,
sO hI simpli held Qt hiz brisli cIk (Az jet anSEvan) n, rigRdiN
hx tendxli n atentivli, sed sivCli:
<p>
“kwFt wel? Yl rFt Hen, sit dQn.” hI tUk H eäxsFz bUk
kantEniN lesanz in Jiomatri ritan bF himself n drM ap a cX
wiH hiz fUt.
<p>
“f tamorO!” sed hI, kwikli fFndiN H pEJ n mEkiN a
skrAc from wan pAragrAf t anaHx wiH hiz hRd nEl.
<p>
H prinsas bent Ovx H eäxsFz bUk on H tEbal.
<p>
“wEt a bit, hC'z a letx f V,” sed H Old mAn sadanli,
tEkiN a letx adrest in a wUman'z hAnd from a bAg hANiN abav
H tEbal, ontM wic hI TrM it.
<p>
At H sFt v H letx red pAcaz SOd Hemselvz on H
prinsas' fEs. SI tUk it kwikli n bent hx hed Ovx it.
<p>
“from /elOIz?” Askt H prins wiH a kOld smFl HAt SOd hiz
stil sQnd, jelOiS tIT.
<p>
“jes, it's from /JMli,” riplFd H prinsas wiH a timid glAns
n a timid smFl.
<p>
“F'l let tM mP letxz pAs, bat H Txd F'l rId,” sed
H prins stxnli; “F'm afrEd V rFt mac nonsens. F'l rId
H Txd!”
<p>
“rId His if V lFk, /fyHx,” sed H prinsas, blaSiN stil
mP n hOldiN Qt H letx.
<p>
“H Txd, F sed H Txd!” krFd H prins abraptli, pUSiN
H letx awE, n lIniN hiz elbOz on H tEbal hI drM tPd him
H eäxsFz bUk kantEniN JWmetrikal figjxz.
<p>
“wel, mAdam,” hI bigAn, stMpiN Ovx H bUk klOs t hiz
dYtx n plEsiN an Rm on H bAk v H cX on wic SI sAt,
sO HAt SI felt hxself sxQndad on Yl sFdz bF H Akrid sent v
Old EJ n tabAkO, wic SI hAd nOn sO loN. “nQ, mAdam, HIz
trFANgalz R Ikwal; plIz nOt HAt H ANgal ABC...”
<p>
H prinsas lUkt in a skXd wE At hx fyHx'z Fz glitxiN
klOs t hx; H red pAcaz on hx fEs kEm n went, n it woz
plEn HAt SI andxstUd naTiN n woz sO frFtand HAt hx
fC wUd privent hx andxstAndiN eni v hx fyHx'z fxHx
eäplanESanz, hQevx klC HE mFt bI. weHx it woz H
tIcx'z fYlt P H pVpal'z, His sEm TiN hApand evri dE:
H prinsas' Fz grM dim, SI kUd not sI n kUd not hC
eniTiN, bat woz Onli konSas v hx stxn fyHx'z wiHxd fEs
klOs t hx, v hiz breT n H smel v him, n kUd TiNk Onli
v hQ t get awE kwikli t hx On rMm t mEk Qt H problam in
pIs. H Old mAn woz bisFd himself: mMvd H cX on wic hI woz
sitiN nqzili bAkwxd n fPwxd, mEd efxts t kantrOl himself
n not bikam vWmant, bat YlmOst YlwEz did bikam vWmant, skOldad,
n samtFmz flaN H eäxsFz bUk awE.
<p>
H prinsas gEv a roN Ansx.
<p>
“wel nQ, izant SI a fMl!” SQtad H prins, pUSiN H bUk
asFd n txniN SRpli awE; bat rFziN imIdWtli, hI pEst ap n
dQn, lFtli tact hiz dYtx'z hX n sAt dQn agen.
<p>
hI drM ap hiz cX, n kantinVd t iäplEn.
<p>
“His wOnt dM, /prinsas; it wOnt dM,” sed hI, wen /prinsas
/mXi, hAviN tEkan n klOzd H eäxsFz bUk wiH H neät dE'z
lesan, woz abQt t lIv: “mATamAtiä R mOst impPtant, mAdam!
F dOnt wont t hAv V lFk Qx sili lEdiz. get Vst t it n
V'l lFk it,” n hI pAtad hx cIk. “it wil drFv Yl H
nonsens Qt v jP hed.”
<p>
SI txnd t gO, bat hI stopt hx wiH a Jescx n tUk an ankat
bUk from H hF desk.
<p>
“hC iz sam sPt v /kI t H /mistxiz HAt jP /elOIz hAz
sent V. riliJas! F dOnt intxfC wiH eniwan'z bilIf... F
hAv lUkt At it. tEk it. wel, nQ gO. gO.”
<p>
hI pAtad hx on H SOldx n himself klOzd H dP Aftx hx.
<p>
prinsas /mXi went bAk t hx rMm wiH H sAd, skXd iäpreSan HAt
rXli left hx n wic mEd hx plEn, sikli fEs jet plEnx. SI
sAt dQn At hx rFtiN tEbal, on wic stUd minWcx pPtrEts n
wic woz litxd wiH bUä n pEpxz. H prinsas woz Az antFdi Az
hx fyHx woz tFdi. SI pUt dQn H Jiomatri bUk n Igxli brOk
H sIl v hx letx. it woz from hx mOst intimat frend from
cFldhUd; HAt sEm /JMli /kRygIna hM hAd bin At H /rOstOfs'
nEm-dE pRti.
<p>
/JMli rOt in /frenc:
<p>
dC n preSas /frend, hQ teribal n frFtfal a TiN iz
sepxESan! HO F tel mFself HAt hAf mF lFf n hAf mF hApinas
R rApt ap in V, n HAt in spFt v H distans sepxEtiN as
Qx hRts R VnFtad bF indisolVbal bondz, mF hRt rebalz agenst
fEt n in spFt v H pleZxz n distrAkSanz xQnd mI F kAnot
Ovxkam a sxtan sIkrat sorO HAt hAz bin in mF hRt evx sins
wI pRtad. wF R wI not tageHx Az wI wx lAst samx, in jP big
stadi, on H blM sOfa, H konfidenSal sOfa? wF kAnot F nQ, Az
TrI manTs agO, drY freS mPal streNT from jP lUk, sO Jental,
kym, n penitrEtiN, a lUk F lavd sO wel n sIm t sI bifP mI
Az F rFt?
<p>
hAviN red Has fR, /prinsas /mXi sFd n glAnst intM H mirx
wic stUd on hx rFt. it riflektad a wIk, angrEsfal figjx n
Tin fEs. hx Fz, YlwEz sAd, nQ lUkt wiH pxtikVlx hOplasnas
At hx riflekSan in H glAs. “SI flAtxz mI,” TYt H
prinsas, txniN awE n kantinViN t rId. bat /JMli did not flAtx
hx frend, H prinsas' Fz—lRJ, dIp n lMminas (it sImd
Az if At tFmz HX rEdiEtad from Hem SAfts v wPm lFt)—wx
sO bVtifal HAt veri oftan in spFt v H plEnnas v hx fEs
HE gEv hx an atrAkSan mP pQxfal HAn HAt v bVti. bat H
prinsas nevx sY H bVtifal iäpreSan v hx On Fz—H lUk
HE hAd wen SI woz not TiNkiN v hxself. Az wiH evriwan, hx
fEs asMmd a fPst annAcxal iäpreSan Az sMn Az SI lUkt in a
glAs. SI went on rIdiN:
<p>
Yl /moskQ tYä v naTiN bat wP. wan v mF tM braHxz iz Ylredi
abrYd, H aHx iz wiH H /gRdz, hM R stRtiN on HX mRc
t H frantC. Qx dC /empxx hAz left /pItxzbxg n it iz TYt
intendz t iäpOz hiz preSas pxsan t H cAnsaz v wP. god grAnt
HAt H /kPsikan monstx hM iz distrqiN H pIs v /jUxap mE
bI OvxTrOn bF H EnJal hMm it hAz plIzd H /YlmFti, in /hiz
gUdnas, t giv as Az sovran! t sE naTiN v mF braHxz, His
wP hAz diprFvd mI v wan v H asOSiESanz nCast mF hRt. F mIn
jaN /nikalas /rOstOf, hM wiH hiz inTVziAzam kUd not bX t rimEn
inAktiv n hAz left H Vnivxsiti t Jqn H Rmi. F wil kanfes t
V, dC /mXi, HAt in spFt v hiz iätrIm VT hiz dipRcx f
H Rmi woz a grEt grIf t mI. His jaN mAn, v hMm F spOk t V
lAst samx, iz sO nObal-mFndad n fUl v HAt rWl VTfalnas wic
wan seldam fFndz nQadEz amaN Qx Old men v twenti n, pxtikVlxli,
hI iz sO frANk n hAz sO mac hRt. hI iz sO pjUx n pOetik HAt
mF rilESanz wiH him, trAnzWnt Az HE wx, hAv bin wan v H
swItast kamfxts t mF pUx hRt, wic hAz Ylredi safxd sO mac.
samdE F wil tel V abQt Qx pRtiN n Yl HAt woz sed Hen.
HAt iz stil tM freS. y, dC frend, V R hApi not t nO
HIz pqnjant Jqz n sorOz. V R fPcanat, f H lAtx R
Jenxali H stroNgx! F nO veri wel HAt /kQnt /nikalas iz tM
jaN evx t bI mP t mI HAn a frend, bat His swIt frendSip,
His pOetik n pjUx intimasi, wx wot mF hRt nIdad. bat inaf v
His! H cIf nMz, abQt wic Yl /moskQ gosips, iz H deT v
Old /kQnt /bezMâOf, n hiz inheritans. fAnsi! H TrI prinsasaz
hAv risIvd veri lital, /prins /vysili naTiN, n it iz /masjx
/piX hM hAz inheritad Yl H propxti n hAz bisFdz bin
rekagnFzd Az liJitimat; sO HAt hI iz nQ /kQnt /bezMâOf n
pazesx v H fFnast fPcMn in /raSa. it iz rMmxd HAt /prins
/vysili plEd a veri dispikabal pRt in His afX n HAt hI
ritxnd t /pItxzbxg kwFt krestfYlan.
<p>
F kanfes F andxstAnd veri lital abQt Yl HIz mAtxz v wilz n
inheritans; bat F dM nO HAt sins His jaN mAn, hMm wI Yl Vst
t nO Az plEn /masjx /piX, hAz bikam /kQnt /bezMâOf n H
Onx v wan v H lRJast fPcMnz in /raSa, F Am mac amVzd t
woc H cEnJ in H tOn n mAnxz v H mymyz bxdand bF
mAriJabal dYtxz, n v H jaN lEdiz Hemselvz, tPd
him, HO, bitwIn V n mI, hI YlwEz sImd t mI a pUx sPt
v felO. Az f H pAst tM jCz pIpal hAv amVzd Hemselvz
bF fFndiN hazbandz f mI (mOst v hMm F dOnt Ivan nO), H
mAcmEkiN kronikalz v /moskQ nQ spIk v mI Az H fVcx /kQntas
/bezMâOva. bat V wil andxstAnd HAt F hAv nO dizFx f H pOst.
a prOpOz v mAriJaz: dM V nO HAt a wFl agO HAt Vnivxsal
ynti /Ana /miâFlOvna tOld mI, andx H sIl v strikt sIkrasi, v
a plAn v mAriJ f V. it iz nFHx mP nP les HAn wiH /prins
/vysili'z san /ynatOl, hMm HE wiS t rifPm bF mAriiN him t
samwan ric n dFstiNMI, n it iz on V HAt hiz rilESanz'
cqs hAz fYlan. F dOnt nO wot V wil TiNk v it, bat
F kansidx it mF dMti t let V nO v it. hI iz sed t bI veri
hAndsam n a teribal skEpgrEs. HAt iz Yl F hAv bin Ebal t fFnd
Qt abQt him.
<p>
bat inaf v gosip. F Am At H end v mF sekand SIt v pEpx, n
/mymy hAz sent f mI t gO n dFn At H /apryäinz'. rId H
mistikal bUk F Am sendiN V; it hAz an inPmas saäes hC. HO
HX R TiNz in it difikalt f H fIbal hVman mFnd t grAsp, it
iz an Admxabal bUk wic kymz n elivEts H sOl. adV! giv
mF rispekts t masjx jP fyHx n mF kompliments t /mAdamwazel
/bMrien. F imbrEs V Az F lav V.
<p>
/JMli
<p>
P.S. /let mI hAv nMz v jP braHx n hiz cRmiN lital wFf.
<p>
H prinsas pondxd awFl wiH a TYtfal smFl n hx lMminas
Fz lit ap sO HAt hx fEs woz intFxli trAnsfPmd. Hen SI sadanli
rOz n wiH hx hevi tred went ap t H tEbal. SI tUk a SIt v
pEpx n hx hAnd mMvd rApidli Ovx it. His iz H riplF SI rOt,
YlsO in /frenc:
<p>
dC n preSas /frend, jP letx v H 13T hAz givan mI grEt
dilFt. sO V stil lav mI, mF rOmAntik /JMli? sepxESan, v wic
V sE sO mac HAt iz bAd, daz not sIm t hAv hAd its VZMal ifekt
on V. V kamplEn v Qx sepxESan. wot Hen SUd F sE, if F
dXd kamplEn, F hM Am diprFvd v Yl hM R dC t mI? y, if
wI hAd not riliJan t kansOl as lFf wUd bI veri sAd. wF dM V
sapOz HAt F SUd lUk sivCli on jP afekSan f HAt jaN
mAn? on sac mAtxz F Am Onli sivC wiH mFself. F andxstAnd sac
fIliNz in aHxz, n if nevx hAviN felt Hem F kAnot aprMv v
Hem, nFHx dM F kandem Hem. Onli it sImz t mI HAt /kriscan
lav, lav v wan'z nEbx, lav v wan'z enami, iz wxHC,
swItx, n betx HAn H fIliNz wic H bVtifal Fz v a
jaN mAn kAn inspFx in a rOmAntik n laviN jaN gxl lFk jPself.
<p>
H nMz v /kQnt /bezMâOf's deT rIct as bifP jP letx
n mF fyHx woz mac afektad bF it. hI sez H kQnt woz H lAst
reprizentativ bat wan v H grEt sencxi, n HAt it iz hiz On
txn nQ, bat HAt hI wil dM Yl hI kAn t let hiz txn kam Az lEt Az
posabal. god prizxv as from HAt teribal misfPcMn!
<p>
F kAnot agrI wiH V abQt /piX, hMm F nM Az a cFld. hI YlwEz
sImd t mI t hAv an eäalant hRt, n HAt iz H kwoliti F vAlV
mOst in pIpal. Az t hiz inheritans n H pRt plEd bF /prins
/vysili, it iz veri sAd f bOT. y, mF dC frend, Qx divFn
/sEvjx'z wxdz, HAt it iz IzC f a kAmal t gO TrM H
F v a nIdal HAn f a ric mAn t entx H /kiNdam v /god, R
teribli trM. F piti /prins /vysili bat Am stil mP sori f /piX.
sO jaN, n bxdand wiH sac ricaz—t wot temptESanz hI wil bI
iäpOzd! if F wx Askt wot F dizFx mOst on xT, it wUd bI t bI
pUxx HAn H pUxast begx. a TQzand TANä, dC frend, f H
volVm V hAv sent mI n wic hAz sac saäes in /moskQ. jet sins
V tel mI HAt amaN sam gUd TiNz it kantEnz aHxz wic Qx
wIk hVman andxstAndiN kAnot grAsp, it sImz t mI rAHx Vslas t
spend tFm in rIdiN wot iz aninteliJabal n kAn HXfP bX
nO frMt. F nevx kUd andxstAnd H fondnas sam pIpal hAv f
kanfVziN HX mFndz bF dweliN on mistikal bUä HAt mCli awEkan
HX dQts n iäFt HX imAJinESan, giviN Hem a bent f
iãAJxESan kwFt kontrXi t /kriscan simplisiti. let as rAHx rId
H /ipisalz n /gospalz. let as not sIk t penitrEt wot mistxiz
HE kantEn; f hQ kAn wI, mizxabal sinxz HAt wI R, nO H
teribal n hOli sIkrats v /providans wFl wI rimEn in His fleS
wic fPmz an impenitrabal vEl bitwIn as n H /itxnal? let as
rAHx kanfFn Qxselvz t stadiiN HOz sablFm rMlz wic Qx
divFn /sEvjx hAz left f Qx gFdans hC bilO. let as trF t
kanfPm t Hem n folO Hem, n let as bI pxswEdad HAt H les
wI let Qx fIbal hVman mFndz rOm, H betx wI SAl plIz /god, hM
riJekts Yl noliJ HAt daz not kam from /him; n H les wI sIk
t fAHam wot /hI hAz bin plIzd t kansIl from as, H sMnx wil
/hI vQcsEf its revalESan t as TrM /hiz divFn /spirit.
<p>
mF fyHx hAz not spOkan t mI v a sMtx, bat hAz Onli tOld mI HAt hI
hAz risIvd a letx n iz iäpektiN a vizit from /prins /vysili. in
rigRd t His proJekt v mAriJ f mI, F wil tel V, dC swIt
frend, HAt F lUk on mAriJ Az a divFn institMSan t wic wI mast
kanfPm. hQevx pEnfal it mE bI t mI, SUd H /YlmFti lE
H dMtiz v wFf n maHx apon mI F SAl trF t pxfPm Hem Az
fETfali Az F kAn, wiHQt diskwFatiN mFself bF iãAminiN mF fIliNz
tPd him hMm /hI mE giv mI f hazband.
<p>
F hAv hAd a letx from mF braHx, hM anQnsaz hiz spIdi xFval
At /bYld /hilz wiH hiz wFf. His pleZx wil bI bat a brIf wan,
hQevx, f hI wil lIv as agen t tEk pRt in His anhApi wP
intM wic wI hAv bin drYn, /god nOz hQ P wF. not Onli wX V
R—At H hRt v afXz n v H wxld—iz H tYk Yl v
wP, Ivan hC amid fIldwxk n H kym v nEcx—wic tQnzfOk
kansidx kAraktxistik v H kantri—rMmxz v wP R hxd
n pEnfali felt. mF fyHx tYä v naTiN bat mRcaz n
kQntxmRcaz, TiNz v wic F andxstAnd naTiN; n H dE
bifP jestxdE dxiN mF dEli wYk TrM H viliJ F witnast a
hRtrendiN sIn.... it woz a konvq v konskripts inrOld from Qx
pIpal n stRtiN t Jqn H Rmi. V SUd hAv sIn H stEt v
H maHxz, wFvz, n cildran v H men hM wx gOiN n SUd
hAv hxd H sobz. it sImz Az HO mAnkFnd hAz fxgotan H
lYz v its divFn /sEvjx, hM prIct lav n fxgivnas v
inJxiz—n HAt men atribVt H grEtast merit t skil in kiliN
wan anaHx.
<p>
adV, dC n kFnd frend; mE Qx divFn /sEvjx n /hiz mOst /hOli
/maHx kIp V in HX hOli n Yl-pQxfal kX!
<p>
/mXi
<p>
“y, V R sendiN of a letx, /prinsas? F hAv Ylredi dispAct
mFn. F hAv ritan t mF pUx maHx,” sed H smFliN /mAdamwazel
/bMrien rApidli, in hx plezant melO tOnz n wiH gatxal r's.
SI brYt intM /prinsas /mXi'z strenVas, mPnfal, n glMmi
wxld a kwFt difxant AtmasfC, kXlas, lFthRtad, n
self-sAtisfFd.
<p>
“prinsas, F mast wPn V,” SI Adad, lOxiN hx vqs n
evidentli lisaniN t hxself wiH pleZx, n spIkiN wiH
iãAJxEtad grAsFmant, “H prins hAz bin skOldiN /mFkal
/ivynOvic. hI iz in a veri bAd hVmx, veri mxOs. bI pripXd.”
<p>
“y, dC frend,” riplFd /prinsas /mXi, “F hAv Askt V nevx
t wPn mI v H hVmx mF fyHx iz in. F dM not alQ mFself t JaJ
him n wUd not hAv aHxz dM sO.”
<p>
H prinsas glAnst At hx woc n, sIiN HAt SI woz fFv minits
lEt in stRtiN hx prAktis on H klAvikPd, went intM H sitiN
rMm wiH a lUk v alRm. bitwIn twelv n tM O'klok, Az H
dE woz mApt Qt, H prins restad n H prinsas plEd H
klAvikPd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVI
<p>
H grE-hXd vAlE woz sitiN drQzili lisaniN t H snPiN v
H prins, hM woz in hiz lRJ stadi. from H fR sFd v H hQs
TrM H klOzd dPz kEm H sQnd v difikalt pAsiJaz—twenti
tFmz ripItad—v a sanyta bF /dUsek.
<p>
Jast Hen a klOzd kAriJ n anaHx wiH a hUd drOv ap t H
pPc. prins /AndrM got Qt v H kAriJ, helpt hiz lital wFf t
alFt, n let hx pAs intM H hQs bifP him. Old /tiâOn, wXiN
a wig, pUt hiz hed Qt v H dP v H AnticEmbx, ripPtad in
a wispx HAt H prins woz slIpiN, n hEstili klOzd H dP.
/tiâOn nM HAt nFHx H san'z xFval nP eni aHx anVZMal
ivent mast bI alQd t distxb H apqntad Pdx v H dE. prins
/AndrM apArantli nM His Az wel Az /tiâOn; hI lUkt At hiz woc
Az if t AsxtEn weHx hiz fyHx'z hAbits hAd cEnJd sins hI
woz At hOm lAst, n, hAviN aSUxd himself HAt HE hAd not, hI
txnd t hiz wFf.
<p>
“hI wil get ap in twenti minits. let as gO akros t /mXi'z
rMm,” hI sed.
<p>
H lital prinsas hAd grOn stQtx dxiN His tFm, bat hx Fz
n hx SPt, dQni, smFliN lip liftad wen SI bigAn t spIk Jast Az
merili n pritili Az evx.
<p>
“wF, His iz a pAlas!” SI sed t hx hazband, lUkiN xQnd
wiH H iäpreSan wiH wic pIpal kompliment HX hOst At a bYl.
“let's kam, kwik, kwik!” n wiH a glAns rQnd, SI smFld At
/tiâOn, At hx hazband, n At H fUtman hM akampanid Hem.
<p>
“iz HAt /mXi prAktisiN? let's gO kwFatli n tEk hx bF
sxprFz.”
<p>
prins /AndrM folOd hx wiH a kxtWs bat sAd iäpreSan.
<p>
“V'v grOn Oldx, /tiâOn,” hI sed in pAsiN t H Old mAn,
hM kist hiz hAnd.
<p>
bifP HE rIct H rMm from wic H sQndz v H klAvikPd
kEm, H priti, fX-hXd /frencwUman, /mAdamwazel /bMrien,
raSt Qt apArantli bisFd hxself wiH dilFt.
<p>
“y! wot Jq f H prinsas!” iäklEmd SI: “At lAst! F mast
let hx nO.”
<p>
“nO, nO, plIz not... V R /mAdamwazel /bMrien,” sed
H lital prinsas, kisiN hx. “F nO V Ylredi TrM mF
sistx-in-lY'z frendSip f V. SI woz not iäpektiN as?”
<p>
HE went ap t H dP v H sitiN rMm from wic kEm H sQnd
v H oft-ripItad pAsiJ v H sanyta. prins /AndrM stopt n
mEd a grimas, Az if iäpektiN samTiN anplezant.
<p>
H lital prinsas entxd H rMm. H pAsiJ brOk of in H
midal, a krF woz hxd, Hen /prinsas /mXi'z hevi tred n H
sQnd v kisiN. wen /prins /AndrM went in H tM prinsasaz, hM
hAd Onli met wans bifP f a SPt tFm At hiz wediN, wx in
Ic aHx'z Rmz wPmli presiN HX lips t wotevx plEs HE
hApand t tac. /mAdamwazel /bMrien stUd nC Hem presiN hx
hAnd t hx hRt, wiH a bWtifik smFl n obvWsli Ikwali redi t
krF P t lAf. prins /AndrM Sragd hiz SOldxz n frQnd, Az
lavxz v mVzik dM wen HE hC a fYls nOt. H tM wimin let gO
v wan anaHx, n Hen, Az if afrEd v bIiN tM lEt, sIzd Ic
aHx'z hAndz, kisiN Hem n pUliN Hem awE, n agen bigAn
kisiN Ic aHx on H fEs, n Hen t /prins /AndrM'z sxprFz
bOT bigAn t krF n kist agen. /mAdamwazel /bMrien YlsO bigAn t
krF. prins /AndrM evidentli felt il At Iz, bat t H tM wimin
it sImd kwFt nAcxal HAt HE SUd krF, n apArantli it nevx
entxd HX hedz HAt it kUd hAv bin aHxwFz At His mItiN.
<p>
“y! mF dC!... y! mXi!...” HE sadanli iäklEmd, n Hen
lAft. “F drImd lAst nFt...”—“V wx not iäpektiN
as?...” “y! mXi, V hAv got Tinx?...” “n V hAv grOn
stQtx!...”
<p>
“F nM H prinsas At wans,” pUt in /mAdamwazel /bMrien.
<p>
“n F hAd nO FdW!...” iäklEmd /prinsas /mXi. “y, /AndrM, F
did not sI V.”
<p>
prins /AndrM n hiz sistx, hAnd in hAnd, kist wan anaHx, n
hI tOld hx SI woz stil H sEm krFbEbi Az evx. prinsas /mXi hAd
txnd tPd hx braHx, n TrM hx tCz H laviN, wPm,
Jental lUk v hx lRJ lMminas Fz, veri bVtifal At HAt mOment,
restad on /prins /AndrM'z fEs.
<p>
H lital prinsas tYkt insesantli, hx SPt, dQni apx lip
kantinVali n rApidli taciN hx rOzi neHx lip wen nesisXi
n drYiN ap agen neät mOment wen hx fEs brOk intM a smFl v
glitxiN tIT n spRkaliN Fz. SI tOld v an Aäidant HE hAd
hAd on H /spyski /hil wic mFt hAv bin sCWs f hx in hx
kandiSan, n imIdWtli Aftx HAt infPmd Hem HAt SI hAd left
Yl hx klOHz in /pItxzbxg n HAt hevan nM wot SI wUd hAf
t dres in hC; n HAt /AndrM hAd kwFt cEnJd, n HAt /kiti
/OdintsOva hAd mArid an Old mAn, n HAt HX woz a sMtx f /mXi,
a rWl wan, bat HAt HE wUd tYk v HAt lEtx. prinsas /mXi woz
stil lUkiN sFlantli At hx braHx n hx bVtifal Fz wx fUl
v lav n sAdnas. it woz plEn HAt SI woz folOiN a trEn v
TYt indipendant v hx sistx-in-lY'z wxdz. in H midst v a
diskripSan v H lAst /pItxzbxg fEt SI adrest hx braHx:
<p>
“sO V R rWli gOiN t H wP, /AndrM?” SI sed sFiN.
<p>
/lIz sFd tM.
<p>
“jes, n Ivan tamorO,” riplFd hx braHx.
<p>
“hI iz lIviN mI hC, /god nOz wF, wen hI mFt hAv hAd
pramOSan...”
<p>
prinsas /mXi did not lisan t H end, bat kantinViN hx trEn v
TYt txnd t hx sistx-in-lY wiH a tendx glAns At hx figjx.
<p>
“iz it sxtan?” SI sed.
<p>
H fEs v H lital prinsas cEnJd. SI sFd n sed: “jes,
kwFt sxtan. y! it iz veri dredfal...”
<p>
hx lip disendad. SI brYt hx fEs klOs t hx sistx-in-lY'z
n aniäpektadli agen bigAn t krF.
<p>
“SI nIdz rest,” sed /prins /AndrM wiH a frQn. “dOnt V,
/lIz? tEk hx t jP rMm n F'l gO t /fyHx. hQ iz hI? Jast H
sEm?”
<p>
“jes, Jast H sEm. HO F dOnt nO wot jP apinjan wil
bI,” Ansxd H prinsas Jqfali.
<p>
“n R H Qxz H sEm? n H wYä in H AvanMz? n H
lEH?” Askt /prins /AndrM wiH a skXsli pxseptabal smFl wic
SOd HAt, in spFt v Yl hiz lav n rispekt f hiz fyHx, hI woz
awX v hiz wIknasaz.
<p>
“H Qxz R H sEm, n H lEH, n YlsO H mATamAtiä n
mF Jiomatri lesanz,” sed /prinsas /mXi glIfali, Az if hx lesanz
in Jiomatri wx amaN H grEtast dilFts v hx lFf.
<p>
wen H twenti minits hAd ilApst n H tFm hAd kam f H Old
prins t get ap, /tiâOn kEm t kYl H jaN prins t hiz fyHx.
H Old mAn mEd a dipRcx from hiz VZMal rMtIn in onx v hiz
san'z xFval: hI gEv Pdxz t admit him t hiz apRtmants wFl
hI drest f dinx. H Old prins YlwEz drest in Old-fASand
stFl, wXiN an AntIk kOt n pQdxd hX; n wen /prins /AndrM
entxd hiz fyHx'z dresiN rMm (not wiH H kantempcMas lUk n
mAnx hI wP in drYiN rMmz, bat wiH H AnimEtad fEs wiH wic
hI tYkt t /piX), H Old mAn woz sitiN on a lRJ leHx-kavxd
cX, rApt in a pQdxiN mAntal, intrastiN hiz hed t /tiâOn.
<p>
“y! hC'z H wPC! wonts t vANkwiS /bMOnapRte?” sed H
Old mAn, SEkiN hiz pQdxd hed Az mac Az H tEl, wic /tiâOn
woz hOldiN fAst t plEt, wUd alQ.
<p>
“V At lIst mast tAkal him propxli, P els if hI gOz on lFk
His hI'l sMn hAv as, tM, f hiz sabJekts! hQ R V?” n hI
held Qt hiz cIk.
<p>
H Old mAn woz in a gUd tempx Aftx hiz nAp bifP dinx. (hI
Vst t sE HAt a nAp “Aftx dinx woz silvx—bifP dinx,
gOldan.”) hI kAst hApi, sFdloN glAnsaz At hiz san from andx hiz
Tik, bUSi FbrQz. prins /AndrM went ap n kist hiz fyHx on
H spot indikEtad t him. hI mEd nO riplF on hiz fyHx'z fEvxit
topik—mEkiN fan v H militXi men v H dE, n mP pxtikVlxli
v /bOnapRt.
<p>
“jes, /fyHx, F hAv kam t V n brYt mF wFf hM iz
pregnant,” sed /prins /AndrM, folOiN evri mMvmant v hiz
fyHx'z fEs wiH an Igx n rispektfal lUk. “hQ iz jP
helT?”
<p>
“Onli fMlz n rEä fYl il, mF bq. V nO mI: F Am bizi from
mPniN til nFt n abstImWs, sO v kPs F Am wel.”
<p>
“TANk /god,” sed hiz san smFliN.
<p>
“god hAz naTiN t dM wiH it! wel, gO on,” hI kantinVd,
ritxniN t hiz hobi; “tel mI hQ H /Jxmanz hAv tYt V t
fFt /bOnapRt bF His nM sFans V kYl 'strAtiJi.'”
<p>
prins /AndrM smFld.
<p>
“giv mI tFm t kalekt mF wits, /fyHx,” sed hI, wiH a smFl
HAt SOd HAt hiz fyHx'z fqbalz did not privent hiz san from
laviN n onxiN him. “wF, F hAv not jet hAd tFm t setal
dQn!”
<p>
“nonsens, nonsens!” krFd H Old mAn, SEkiN hiz pigtEl t
sI weHx it woz fxmli plEtad, n grAspiN hiz bF H hAnd. “H
hQs f jP wFf iz redi. prinsas /mXi wil tEk hx HX n
SO hx Ovx, n HE'l tYk nFntIn t H dazan. HAt's
HX wUman'z wE! F Am glAd t hAv hx. sit dQn n tYk. abQt
/miâelsan'z Rmi F andxstAnd—/tOlstq'z tM... a sFmaltEnWs
eäpidiSan.... bat wot's H saHxn Rmi t dM? /praSa iz
nMtral... F nO HAt. wot abQt /ostrW?” sed hI, rFziN from hiz
cX n pEsiN ap n dQn H rMm folOd bF /tiâOn, hM rAn Aftx
him, hAndiN him difxant Rtikalz v klOHiN. “wot v /swIdan? hQ
wil HE kros /pomxEnW?”
<p>
prins /AndrM, sIiN HAt hiz fyHx insistad, bigAn—At fxst
rilaktantli, bat grAJMali wiH mP n mP AnimESan, n from hAbit
cEnJiN ankonSasli from /raSan t /frenc Az hI went on—t iäplEn
H plAn v opxESan f H kamiN kAmpEn. hI iäplEnd hQ an Rmi,
nFnti TQzand stroN, woz t Tretan /praSa sO Az t briN hx Qt
v hx nMtrAliti n drY hx intM H wP; hQ pRt v HAt Rmi woz
t Jqn sam /swIdiS fPsaz At /StrylzUnd; hQ tM handrad n twenti
TQzand /ostrWnz, wiH a handrad TQzand /raSanz, wx t opxEt in
/itali n on H /rFn; hQ fifti TQzand /raSanz n Az meni /iNgliS
wx t lAnd At /nEpalz, n hQ a tOtal fPs v fFv handrad TQzand
men woz t atAk H /frenc from difxant sFdz. H Old prins did
not ivins H lIst intxast dxiN His eäplanESan, bat Az if hI wx
not lisaniN t it kantinVd t dres wFl wYkiN abQt, n TrI
tFmz aniäpektadli intxaptad. wans hI stopt it bF SQtiN: “H
wFt wan, H wFt wan!”
<p>
His ment HAt /tiâOn woz not hAndiN him H wEstkOt hI wontad.
anaHx tFm hI intxaptad, sEiN:
<p>
“n wil SI sMn bI kanfFnd?” n SEkiN hiz hed riprOcfali
sed: “HAt's bAd! gO on, gO on.”
<p>
H Txd intxapSan kEm wen /prins /AndrM woz finiSiN hiz
diskripSan. H Old mAn bigAn t siN, in H krAkt vqs v Old EJ:
“mAlbrUk s'en va-t-en ger. dV /sEt kwynd rIviendra.” *
<p>
     * “mRlbxa iz gOiN t H wPz; /god nOz wen hI'l
     ritxn.”
<p>
<p>
hiz san Onli smFld.
<p>
“F dOnt sE it's a plAn F aprMv v,” sed H san; “F Am
Onli teliN V wot it iz. /napOlWn hAz YlsO fPmd hiz plAn bF nQ,
not wxs HAn His wan.”
<p>
“wel, V'v tOld mI naTiN nM,” n H Old mAn ripItad,
meditativli n rApidli:
<p>
“dV /sEt kwynd rIviendra. gO t H dFniN rMm.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVII
<p>
At H apqntad Qx H prins, pQdxd n SEvan, entxd H
dFniN rMm wX hiz dYtx-in-lY, /prinsas /mXi, n /mAdamwazel
/bMrien wx Ylredi awEtiN him tageHx wiH hiz Rkitekt, hM bF
a strEnJ kaprIs v hiz implqx'z woz admitad t tEbal HO H
paziSan v HAt insignifikant indiviJMal woz sac Az kUd sxtanli
not hAv kYzd him t iäpekt HAt onx. H prins, hM Jenxali kept
veri striktli t sOSal distiNkSanz n rXli admitad Ivan impPtant
gavxnmant afiSalz t hiz tEbal, hAd aniäpektadli silektad /mFkal
/ivynOvic (hM YlwEz went intM a kPnx t blO hiz nOz on hiz
cekt hANkxcif) t ilastrEt H TCi HAt Yl men R Ikwalz,
n hAd mP HAn wans imprest on hiz dYtx HAt /mFkal /ivynOvic
woz “not a wit wxs HAn V P F.” At dinx H prins VZMali
spOk t H tAsitxn /mFkal /ivynOvic mP oftan HAn t eniwan els.
<p>
in H dFniN rMm, wic lFk Yl H rMmz in H hQs woz
iäIdiNli lofti, H membxz v H hQshOld n H fUtmen—wan
bihFnd Ic cX—stUd wEtiN f H prins t entx. H hed
batlx, nApkin on Rm, woz skAniN H setiN v H tEbal, mEkiN
sFnz t H fUtmen, n ANkSasli glAnsiN from H klok t H dP
bF wic H prins woz t entx. prins /AndrM woz lUkiN At a lRJ
gilt frEm, nM t him, kantEniN H JInWloJikal trI v H /prinsaz
/bOlkOnski, opazit wic haN anaHx sac frEm wiH a bAdli pEntad
pPtrEt (evidentli bF H hAnd v H Rtist biloNiN t H istEt)
v a rMliN prins, in a krQn—an aleJd disendant v /rMrik n
Ansestx v H /bOlkOnskis. prins /AndrM, lUkiN agen At HAt
JInWloJikal trI, SUk hiz hed, lAfiN Az a mAn lAfs hM lUä At
a pPtrEt sO kAraktxistik v H xiJinal Az t bI amVziN.
<p>
“hQ TarOli lFk him HAt iz!” hI sed t /prinsas /mXi, hM hAd
kam ap t him.
<p>
prinsas /mXi lUkt At hx braHx in sxprFz. SI did not andxstAnd
wot hI woz lAfiN At /evriTiN hx fyHx did inspFxd hx wiH
revxans n woz bijond kwescan.
<p>
“evriwan hAz hiz /akilIz' hIl,” kantinVd /prins /AndrM.
“fAnsi, wiH hiz pQxfal mFnd, indalJiN in sac nonsens!”
<p>
prinsas /mXi kUd not andxstAnd H bOldnas v hx braHx'z
kritisizam n woz abQt t riplF, wen H iäpektad fUtsteps wx hxd
kamiN from H stadi. H prins wYkt in kwikli n JYntili Az woz
hiz wont, Az if intenSanali kantrAstiN H brisknas v hiz mAnxz
wiH H strikt fPmAliti v hiz hQs. At HAt mOment H grEt klok
strak tM n anaHx wiH a Sril tOn Jqnd in from H drYiN
rMm. H prins stUd stil; hiz lFvli glitxiN Fz from andx
HX Tik, bUSi FbrQz stxnli skAnd Yl prezant n restad on
H lital prinsas. SI felt, Az kPtCz dM wen H /tsR entxz, H
sensESan v fC n rispekt wic H Old mAn inspFxd in Yl xQnd
him. hI strOkt hx hX n Hen pAtad hx Ykwxdli on H bAk v
hx nek.
<p>
“F'm glAd, glAd, t sI V,” hI sed, lUkiN atentivli intM
hx Fz, n Hen kwikli went t hiz plEs n sAt dQn. “sit dQn,
sit dQn! sit dQn, /mFkal /ivynOvic!”
<p>
hI indikEtad a plEs bisFd him t hiz dYtx-in-lY. a fUtman mMvd
H cX f hx.
<p>
“hO, hO!” sed H Old mAn, kAstiN hiz Fz on hx rQndad figjx.
“V'v bin in a hari. HAt's bAd!”
<p>
hI lAft in hiz VZMal drF, kOld, anplezant wE, wiH hiz lips Onli
n not wiH hiz Fz.
<p>
“V mast wYk, wYk Az mac Az posabal, Az mac Az posabal,” hI
sed.
<p>
H lital prinsas did not, P did not wiS t, hC hiz wxdz. SI woz
sFlant n sImd kanfVzd. H prins Askt hx abQt hx fyHx, n
SI bigAn t smFl n tYk. hI Askt abQt mVcMal akwEntansaz, n
SI bikEm stil mP AnimEtad n cAtxd awE giviN him grItiNz
from vXWs pIpal n rIteliN H tQn gosip.
<p>
“kQntas /apryäina, pUx TiN, hAz lost hx hazband n SI hAz
krFd hx Fz Qt,” SI sed, grOiN mP n mP lFvli.
<p>
Az SI bikEm AnimEtad H prins lUkt At hx mP n mP stxnli,
n sadanli, Az if hI hAd stadid hx safiSantli n hAd fPmd a
definit FdW v hx, hI txnd awE n adrest /mFkal /ivynOvic.
<p>
“wel, /mFkal /ivynOvic, Qx /bOnapRt wil bI hAviN a bAd tFm
v it. prins /AndrM” (hI YlwEz spOk Has v hiz san) “hAz bin
teliN mI wot fPsaz R bIiN kalektad agenst him! wFl V n F
nevx TYt mac v him.”
<p>
/mFkal /ivynOvic did not At Yl nO wen “V n F” hAd sed
sac TiNz abQt /bOnapRt, bat andxstAndiN HAt hI woz wontad Az
a peg on wic t hAN H prins'az fEvxit topik, hI lUkt
inkwFxiNli At H jaN prins, wandxiN wot wUd folO.
<p>
“hI iz a grEt tAktiSan!” sed H prins t hiz san, pqntiN t
H Rkitekt.
<p>
n H konvxsESan agen txnd on H wP, on /bOnapRt, n H
Jenxalz n stEtsmen v H dE. H Old prins sImd kanvinst not
Onli HAt Yl H men v H dE wx mC bEbiz hM did not nO H
a B C v wP P v politiä, n HAt /bOnapRt woz an insignifikant
lital /frenci, saäesfal Onli bikoz HX wx nO loNgx eni
/pOtemkinz P /sMvPOfs left t apOz him; bat hI woz YlsO kanvinst
HAt HX wx nO politikal difikaltiz in /jUxap n nO rWl wP,
bat Onli a sPt v papat SO At wic H men v H dE wx plEiN,
pritendiN t dM samTiN rWl. prins /AndrM gEli bP wiH hiz
fyHx'z ridikVl v H nM men, n drM him on n lisand t him
wiH evidant pleZx.
<p>
“H pAst YlwEz sImz gUd,” sed hI, “bat did not /sMvPOf
himself fYl intM a trAp /mPO set him, n from wic hI did not nO
hQ t iskEp?”
<p>
“hM tOld V HAt? hM?” krFd H prins. “/sMvPOf!” n hI
Jxkt awE hiz plEt, wic /tiâOn briskli kYt. “/sMvPOf!...
kansidx, /prins /AndrM. tM... /fredxik n /sMvPOf; /mPO!...
mPO wUd hAv bin a prizanx if /sMvPOf hAd hAd a frI hAnd; bat
hI hAd H /hofs-krIã-wxst-SnAps-/rAT on hiz hAndz. it wUd hAv
pazald H deval himself! wen V get HX V'l fFnd Qt wot
HOz /hofs-krIã-wxst-/rATs R! /sMvPOf kUdant mAniJ Hem sO
wot cAns hAz /mFkal /kMtMzOf? nO, mF dC bq,” hI kantinVd,
“V n jP Jenxalz wOnt get on agenst /bMOnapRte; V'l
hAf t kYl in H /frenc, sO HAt bxdz v a feHx mE fFt
tageHx. H /Jxman, /pylan, hAz bin sent t /nM /jPk in /amerika, t
fec H /frencman, /mPO,” hI sed, alMdiN t H invitESan mEd
HAt jC t /mPO t entx H /raSan sxvis.... “wandxfal!...
wx H /pOtemkinz, /sMvPOfs, n /PlOfs /Jxmanz? nO, lAd, FHx V
felOz hAv Yl lost jP wits, P F hAv Qtlivd mFn. mE /god help
V, bat wI'l sI wot wil hApan. /bMOnapRte hAz bikam a grEt
kamAndx amaN Hem! hm!...”
<p>
“F dOnt At Yl sE HAt Yl H plAnz R gUd,” sed /prins
/AndrM, “F Am Onli sxprFzd At jP apinjan v /bOnapRt. V
mE lAf Az mac Az V lFk, bat Yl H sEm /bOnapRt iz a grEt
Jenxal!”
<p>
“/mFkal /ivynOvic!” krFd H Old prins t H Rkitekt hM,
bizi wiH hiz rOst mIt, hOpt hI hAd bin fxgotan: “didant
F tel V /bMOnapRte woz a grEt tAktiSan? hC, hI sez H sEm
TiN.”
<p>
“t bI SUx, jP eäalansi,” riplFd H Rkitekt.
<p>
H prins agen lAft hiz friJid lAf.
<p>
“/bMOnapRte woz bPn wiH a silvx spMn in hiz mQT. hI hAz got
splendid sOlJxz. bisFdz hI bigAn bF atAkiN /Jxmanz. n Onli
Fdalxz hAv fEld t bIt H /Jxmanz. sins H wxld bigAn evribodi
hAz bItan H /Jxmanz. HE bIt nO wan—iäept wan anaHx. hI mEd
hiz repVtESan fFtiN Hem.”
<p>
n H prins bigAn iäplEniN Yl H blandxz wic, akPdiN t
him, /bOnapRt hAd mEd in hiz kAmpEnz n Ivan in politiä. hiz
san mEd nO riJqndx, bat it woz evidant HAt wotevx RgVmants wx
prizentad hI woz Az lital Ebal Az hiz fyHx t cEnJ hiz apinjan. hI
lisand, rifrEniN from a riplF, n involantXili wandxd hQ His
Old mAn, liviN alOn in H kantri f sO meni jCz, kUd nO n
diskas sO mFnMtli n akVtli Yl H rIsant /jUxapWn militXi n
politikal ivents.
<p>
“V TiNk F'm an Old mAn n dOnt andxstAnd H prezant stEt
v afXz?” kanklMdad hiz fyHx. “bat it trabalz mI. F dOnt
slIp At nFt. kam nQ, wX hAz His grEt kamAndx v jPz SOn
hiz skil?” hI kanklMdad.
<p>
“HAt wUd tEk tM loN t tel,” Ansxd H san.
<p>
“wel, Hen gO of t jP /bMOnapRte! /mAdamwazel /bMrien,
hC'z anaHx admFxx v HAt pQdx-maNki empxx v jPz,” hI
iäklEmd in eäalant /frenc.
<p>
“V nO, /prins, F Am not a /bOnapRtist!”
<p>
“dV /sEt kwynd rIviendra.” hamd H prins Qt v tMn n, wiH
a lAf stil mP sO, hI kwitad H tEbal.
<p>
H lital prinsas dxiN H hOl diskaSan n H rest v
H dinx sAt sFlant, glAnsiN wiH a frFtand lUk nQ At hx
fyHx-in-lY n nQ At /prinsas /mXi. wen HE left H tEbal SI
tUk hx sistx-in-lY'z Rm n drM hx intM anaHx rMm.
<p>
“wot a klevx mAn jP fyHx iz,” sed SI; “pxhAps HAt iz wF
F Am afrEd v him.”
<p>
“O, hI iz sO kFnd!” Ansxd /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVIII
<p>
/prins /AndrM woz t lIv neät IvniN. H Old prins, not YltxiN
hiz rMtIn, ritFxd Az VZMal Aftx dinx. H lital prinsas woz in
hx sistx-in-lY'z rMm. prins /AndrM in a trAvaliN kOt wiHQt
epalets hAd bin pAkiN wiH hiz vAlE in H rMmz asFnd t him.
Aftx inspektiN H kAriJ himself n sIiN H traNä pUt in, hI
Pdxd H hPsaz t bI hRnast. Onli HOz TiNz hI YlwEz kept
wiH him rimEnd in hiz rMm; a smYl boä, a lRJ kAntIn fitad
wiH silvx plEt, tM /txkiS pistalz n a sEbx—a prezant from
hiz fyHx hM hAd brYt it from H sIJ v /OcykOf. Yl HIz
trAvaliN ifekts v /prins /AndrM'z wx in veri gUd Pdx: nM,
klIn, n in kloT kavxz kXfali tFd wiH tEps.
<p>
wen stRtiN on a Jxni P cEnJiN HX mOd v lFf, men kEpabal
v riflekSan R Jenxali in a sCWs frEm v mFnd. At sac mOments
wan rivVz H pAst n plAnz f H fVcx. prins /AndrM'z fEs
lUkt veri TYtfal n tendx. wiH hiz hAndz bihFnd him hI pEst
briskli from kPnx t kPnx v H rMm, lUkiN strEt bifP him
n TYtfali SEkiN hiz hed. did hI fC gOiN t H wP, P woz
hI sAd At lIviN hiz wFf?—pxhAps bOT, bat evidentli hI did not
wiS t bI sIn in HAt mMd, f hCiN fUtsteps in H pAsiJ hI
haridli anklAspt hiz hAndz, stopt At a tEbal Az if tFiN H
kavx v H smYl boä, n asMmd hiz VZMal trANkwil n impenitrabal
iäpreSan. it woz H hevi tred v /prinsas /mXi HAt hI hxd.
<p>
“F hC V hAv givan Pdxz t hRnas,” SI krFd, pAntiN (SI
hAd apArantli bin raniN), “n F did sO wiS t hAv anaHx tYk
wiH V alOn! god nOz hQ loN wI mE agen bI pRtad. V R not
ANgri wiH mI f kamiN? V hAv cEnJd sO, /yndrMSa,” SI Adad,
Az if t iäplEn sac a kwescan.
<p>
SI smFld Az SI atxd hiz pet nEm, “/yndrMSa.” it woz
obvWsli strEnJ t hx t TiNk HAt His stxn hAndsam mAn SUd bI
/yndrMSa—H slendx miscivas bq hM hAd bin hx plEfelO in
cFldhUd.
<p>
“n wX iz /lIz?” hI Askt, AnsxiN hx kwescan Onli bF a
smFl.
<p>
“SI woz sO tFxd HAt SI hAz fYlan aslIp on H sOfa in mF rMm.
O, /AndrM! wot a treZx v a wFf V hAv,” sed SI, sitiN
dQn on H sOfa, fEsiN hx braHx. “SI iz kwFt a cFld: sac a
dC, meri cFld. F hAv grOn sO fond v hx.”
<p>
prins /AndrM woz sFlant, bat H prinsas nOtist H Fronikal n
kantempcMas lUk HAt SOd itself on hiz fEs.
<p>
“wan mast bI indalJant t lital wIknasaz; hM iz frI from Hem,
/AndrM? dOnt fxget HAt SI hAz grOn ap n bin eJakEtad in
sasFati, n sO hx paziSan nQ iz not a rOzi wan. wI SUd entx intM
evriwan'z sicMESan. tQt comprendre, sE tQt pRdanx. * TiNk
wot it mast bI f hx, pUx TiN, Aftx wot SI hAz bin Vzd t,
t bI pRtad from hx hazband n bI left alOn in H kantri, in hx
kandiSan! it's veri hRd.”
<p>
     * t andxstAnd Yl iz t fxgiv Yl.
<p>
prins /AndrM smFld Az hI lUkt At hiz sistx, Az wI smFl At HOz wI
TiNk wI TarOli andxstAnd.
<p>
“V liv in H kantri n dOnt TiNk H lFf teribal,” hI
riplFd.
<p>
“F... HAt's difxant. wF spIk v mI? F dOnt wont eni aHx
lFf, n kAnt, f F nO nO aHx. bat TiNk, /AndrM: f a jaN
sasFati wUman t bI berid in H kantri dxiN H best jCz v hx
lFf, Yl alOn—f /pypy iz YlwEz bizi, n F... wel, V nO wot
pUx rIsPsaz F hAv f entxtEniN a wUman Vzd t H best sasFati.
HX iz Onli /mAdamwazel /bMrien....”
<p>
“F dOnt lFk jP /mAdamwazel /bMrien At Yl,” sed /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
“nO? SI iz veri nFs n kFnd n, abav Yl, SI'z mac t bI
pitid. SI hAz nO wan, nO wan. t tel H trMT, F dOnt nId hx,
n SI'z Ivan in mF wE. V nO F YlwEz woz a sAviJ, n nQ Am
Ivan mP sO. F lFk bIiN alOn.... fyHx lFä hx veri mac. SI n
/mFkal /ivynOvic R H tM pIpal t hMm hI iz YlwEz Jental n
kFnd, bikoz hI hAz bin a benifAktx t Hem bOT. Az /stxn sez:
'wI dOnt lav pIpal sO mac f H gUd HE hAv dan as, Az
f H gUd wI hAv dan Hem.' fyHx tUk hx wen SI woz hOmlas
Aftx lMziN hx On fyHx. SI iz veri gUd-nEcxd, n mF fyHx
lFä hx wE v rIdiN. SI rIdz t him in H IvniNz n rIdz
splendidli.”
<p>
“t bI kwFt frANk, /mXi, F iäpekt /fyHx'z kAraktx samtFmz
mEä TiNz trFiN f V, dazant it?” prins /AndrM Askt
sadanli.
<p>
prinsas /mXi woz fxst sxprFzd n Hen agAst At His kwescan.
<p>
“f mI? f mI?... trFiN f mI!...” sed SI.
<p>
“hI YlwEz woz rAHx hRS; n nQ F SUd TiNk hI'z getiN
veri trFiN,” sed /prins /AndrM, apArantli spIkiN lFtli v HX
fyHx in Pdx t pazal P test hiz sistx.
<p>
“V R gUd in evri wE, /AndrM, bat V hAv a kFnd v
intalekcMal prFd,” sed H prinsas, folOiN H trEn v hx On
TYts rAHx HAn H trend v H konvxsESan—“n HAt's a
grEt sin. hQ kAn wan JaJ /fyHx? bat Ivan if wan mFt, wot fIliN
iäept venxESan kUd sac a mAn Az mF fyHx ivOk? n F Am sO
kantentad n hApi wiH him. F Onli wiS V wx Yl Az hApi Az F
Am.”
<p>
hx braHx SUk hiz hed inkreJMlasli.
<p>
“H Onli TiN HAt iz hRd f mI... F wil tel V H trMT,
/AndrM... iz /fyHx'z wE v trItiN riliJas sabJekts. F dOnt
andxstAnd hQ a mAn v hiz imens intalekt kAn fEl t sI wot iz
Az klC Az dE, n kAn gO sO fR astrE. HAt iz H Onli TiN
HAt mEä mI anhApi. bat Ivan in His F kAn sI lEtli a SEd v
imprMvmant. hiz sAtFx hAz bin les bitx v lEt, n HX woz a
maNk hI risIvd n hAd a loN tYk wiH.”
<p>
“y! mF dC, F Am afrEd V n jP maNk R wEstiN jP
pQdx,” sed /prins /AndrM bAntxiNli jet tendxli.
<p>
“y! man Emi, F Onli prE, n hOp HAt /god wil hC mI.
AndrM...” SI sed timidli Aftx a mOment's sFlans, “F hAv a
grEt fEvx t Ask v V.”
<p>
“wot iz it, dC?”
<p>
“nO—promis HAt V wil not rifVz! it wil giv V nO trabal
n iz naTiN anwxHi v V, bat it wil kamfxt mI. promis,
/yndrMSa!...” sed SI, pUtiN hx hAnd in hx retikVl bat not jet
tEkiN Qt wot SI woz hOldiN insFd it, Az if wot SI held wx
H sabJekt v hx rikwest n mast not bI SOn bifP H rikwest woz
grAntad.
<p>
SI lUkt timidli At hx braHx.
<p>
“Ivan if it wx a grEt dIl v trabal...” Ansxd /prins /AndrM,
Az if gesiN wot it woz abQt.
<p>
“TiNk wot V plIz! F nO V R Jast lFk /fyHx. TiNk Az
V plIz, bat dM His f mF sEk! plIz dM! fyHx'z fyHx, Qx
grAndfyHx, wP it in Yl hiz wPz.” (SI stil did not tEk Qt
wot SI woz hOldiN in hx retikVl.) “sO V promis?”
<p>
“v kPs. wot iz it?”
<p>
“AndrM, F bles V wiH His Fkon n V mast promis mI V wil
nevx tEk it of. dM V promis?”
<p>
“if it daz not wE a handradwEt n wOnt brEk mF nek...
t plIz V...” sed /prins /AndrM. bat imIdWtli, nOtisiN
H pEnd iäpreSan hiz JOk hAd brYt t hiz sistx'z fEs, hI
ripentad n Adad: “F Am glAd; rWli, dC, F Am veri glAd.”
<p>
“agenst jP wil /hI wil sEv n hAv mxsi on V n briN V
t /himself, f in /him alOn iz trMT n pIs,” sed SI in a vqs
trembaliN wiH imOSan, solamli hOldiN ap in bOT hAndz bifP hx
braHx a smYl, Oval, AntIk, dRk-fEst Fkon v H /sEvjx in a gOld
setiN, on a fFnli rYt silvx cEn.
<p>
SI krost hxself, kist H Fkon, n hAndad it t /AndrM.
<p>
“plIz, /AndrM, f mF sEk!...”
<p>
rEz v Jental lFt SOn from hx lRJ, timid Fz. HOz Fz lit
ap H hOl v hx Tin, sikli fEs n mEd it bVtifal. hx braHx
wUd hAv tEkan H Fkon, bat SI stopt him. AndrM andxstUd,
krost himself n kist H Fkon. HX woz a lUk v tendxnas, f
hI woz tact, bat YlsO a glIm v Frani on hiz fEs.
<p>
“TANk V, mF dC.” SI kist him on H fPhed n sAt dQn
agen on H sOfa. HE wx sFlant f a wFl.
<p>
“Az F woz sEiN t V, /AndrM, bI kFnd n Jenxas Az V YlwEz
Vst t bI. dOnt JaJ /lIz hRSli,” SI bigAn. “SI iz sO
swIt, sO gUd-nEcxd, n hx paziSan nQ iz a veri hRd wan.”
<p>
“F dM not TiNk F hAv kamplEnd v mF wFf t V, /mySa, P blEmd
hx. wF dM V sE Yl His t mI?”
<p>
red pAcaz apCd on /prinsas /mXi'z fEs n SI woz sFlant Az if
SI felt gilti.
<p>
“F hAv sed naTiN t V, bat V hAv Ylredi bin tYkt t. n
F Am sori f HAt,” hI went on.
<p>
H pAcaz grM dIpx on hx fPhed, nek, n cIä. SI trFd t
sE samTiN bat kUd not. hx braHx hAd gest rFt: H lital
prinsas hAd bin krFiN Aftx dinx n hAd spOkan v hx fPbOdiNz
abQt hx kanfFnmant, n hQ SI dredad it, n hAd kamplEnd v hx
fEt, hx fyHx-in-lY, n hx hazband. Aftx krFiN SI hAd fYlan
aslIp. prins /AndrM felt sori f hiz sistx.
<p>
“nO His, /mySa: F kAnt riprOc, hAv not riprOct, n nevx
SAl riprOc mF wFf wiH eniTiN, n F kAnot riprOc mFself
wiH eniTiN in rigRd t hx; n HAt YlwEz wil bI sO in wotevx
sxkamstAnsaz F mE bI plEst. bat if V wont t nO H trMT... if
V wont t nO weHx F Am hApi? nO! iz SI hApi? nO! bat wF His
iz sO F dOnt nO...”
<p>
Az hI sed His hI rOz, went t hiz sistx, n, stMpiN, kist
hx fPhed. hiz fFn Fz lit ap wiH a TYtfal, kFndli, n
anakastamd brFtnas, bat hI woz lUkiN not At hiz sistx bat Ovx
hx hed tPd H dRknas v H Opan dPwE.
<p>
“let as gO t hx, F mast sE gUd-bF. P—gO n wEk n F'l
kam in a mOment. /petrMSka!” hI kYld t hiz vAlE: “kam hC,
tEk HIz awE. pUt His on H sIt n His t H rFt.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi rOz n mMvd t H dP, Hen stopt n sed:
“AndrM, if V hAd fET V wUd hAv txnd t /god n Askt /him
t giv V H lav V dM not fIl, n jP prEx wUd hAv bin
Ansxd.”
<p>
“wel, mEbI!” sed /prins /AndrM. “gO, /mySa; F'l kam
imIdWtli.”
<p>
on H wE t hiz sistx'z rMm, in H pAsiJ wic kanektad wan
wiN wiH H aHx, /prins /AndrM met /mAdamwazel /bMrien smFliN
swItli. it woz H Txd tFm HAt dE HAt, wiH an iätAtik n
Rtlas smFl, SI hAd met him in siklMdad pAsiJaz.
<p>
“O! F TYt V wx in jP rMm,” SI sed, f sam rIzan
blaSiN n dropiN hx Fz.
<p>
prins /AndrM lUkt stxnli At hx n an iäpreSan v ANgx sadanli
kEm Ovx hiz fEs. hI sed naTiN t hx bat lUkt At hx fPhed
n hX, wiHQt lUkiN At hx Fz, wiH sac kantempt HAt H
/frencwUman blaSt n went awE wiHQt a wxd. wen hI rIct hiz
sistx'z rMm hiz wFf woz Ylredi awEk n hx meri vqs, hariiN
wan wxd Aftx anaHx, kEm TrM H Opan dP. SI woz spIkiN Az
VZMal in /frenc, n Az if Aftx loN self-ristrEnt SI wiSt t mEk
ap f lost tFm.
<p>
“nO, bat imAJin H Old /kQntas /zMbOva, wiH fYls kxlz n hx
mQT fUl v fYls tIT, Az if SI wx trFiN t cIt Old EJ....
hy, hy, hy! mXi!”
<p>
His veri sentans abQt /kQntas /zMbOva n His sEm lAf /prins
/AndrM hAd Ylredi hxd from hiz wFf in H prezans v aHxz sam
fFv tFmz. hI entxd H rMm softli. H lital prinsas, plamp n
rOzi, woz sitiN in an Izi cX wiH hx wxk in hx hAndz, tYkiN
insesantli, ripItiN /pItxzbxg reminisansaz n Ivan frEzaz. prins
/AndrM kEm ap, strOkt hx hX, n Askt if SI felt restad Aftx
HX Jxni. SI Ansxd him n kantinVd hx cAtx.
<p>
H kOc wiH siä hPsaz woz wEtiN At H pPc. it woz an Ytam
nFt, sO dRk HAt H kOcman kUd not sI H kAriJ pOl.
sxvants wiH lAntxnz wx basaliN abQt in H pPc. H imens
hQs woz brilWnt wiH lFts SFniN TrM its lofti windOz. H
damestik sxfs wx krQdiN in H hYl, wEtiN t bid gUd-bF t
H jaN prins. H membxz v H hQshOld wx Yl gAHxd in H
risepSan hYl: /mFkal /ivynOvic, /mAdamwazel /bMrien, /prinsas
/mXi, n H lital prinsas. prins /AndrM hAd bin kYld t hiz
fyHx'z stadi Az H lAtx wiSt t sE gUd-bF t him alOn. Yl
wx wEtiN f Hem t kam Qt.
<p>
wen /prins /AndrM entxd H stadi H Old mAn in hiz Old-EJ
spektakalz n wFt dresiN gQn, in wic hI risIvd nO wan bat hiz
san, sAt At H tEbal rFtiN. hI glAnst rQnd.
<p>
“gOiN?” n hI went on rFtiN.
<p>
“F'v kam t sE gUd-bF.”
<p>
“kis mI hC,” n hI tact hiz cIk: “TANä, TANä!”
<p>
“wot dM V TANk mI f?”
<p>
“f not dili-dAliiN n not hANiN t a wUman'z Epran striNz.
H /sxvis bifP evriTiN. TANä, TANä!” n hI went on
rFtiN, sO HAt hiz kwil splatxd n skwIkt. “if V hAv
eniTiN t sE, sE it. HIz tM TiNz kAn bI dan tageHx,” hI
Adad.
<p>
“abQt mF wFf... F Am aSEmd Az it iz t lIv hx on jP
hAndz....”
<p>
“wF tYk nonsens? sE wot V wont.”
<p>
“wen hx kanfFnmant iz dM, send t /moskQ f an accoucheur.... let
him bI hC....”
<p>
H Old prins stopt rFtiN n, Az if not andxstAndiN, fiät hiz
stxn Fz on hiz san.
<p>
“F nO HAt nO wan kAn help if nEcx daz not dM hx wxk,” sed
/prins /AndrM, evidentli kanfVzd. “F nO HAt Qt v a milWn
kEsaz Onli wan gOz roN, bat it iz hx fAnsi n mFn. HE hAv bin
teliN hx TiNz. SI hAz hAd a drIm n iz frFtand.”
<p>
“hm... hm...” matxd H Old prins t himself, finiSiN wot hI
woz rFtiN. “F'l dM it.”
<p>
hI sFnd wiH a flariS n sadanli txniN t hiz san bigAn t
lAf.
<p>
“it's a bAd biznas, E?”
<p>
“wot iz bAd, /fyHx?”
<p>
“H wFf!” sed H Old prins, brIfli n signifikantli.
<p>
“F dOnt andxstAnd!” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“nO, it kAnt bI helpt, lAd,” sed H prins. “HE'x
Yl lFk HAt; wan kAnt anmAri. dOnt bI afrEd; F wOnt tel
eniwan, bat V nO it jPself.”
<p>
hI sIzd hiz san bF H hAnd wiH smYl bOni fiNgxz, SUk it, lUkt
strEt intM hiz san'z fEs wiH kIn Fz wic sImd t sI
TrM him, n agen lAft hiz friJid lAf.
<p>
H san sFd, Has admitiN HAt hiz fyHx hAd andxstUd him. H
Old mAn kantinVd t fOld n sIl hiz letx, snAciN ap n TrOiN
dQn H wAä, H sIl, n H pEpx, wiH hiz akastamd rapiditi.
<p>
“wot's t bI dan? SI'z priti! F wil dM evriTiN. mEk jP
mFnd Izi,” sed hI in abrapt sentansaz wFl sIliN hiz letx.
<p>
AndrM did not spIk; hI woz bOT plIzd n displIzd HAt hiz fyHx
andxstUd him. H Old mAn got ap n gEv H letx t hiz san.
<p>
“lisan!” sed hI; “dOnt wari abQt jP wFf: wot kAn bI
dan SAl bI. nQ lisan! giv His letx t /mFkal /ilRiOnOvic. *
F hAv ritan HAt hI SUd mEk Vs v V in propx plEsaz n not
kIp V loN Az an AJUtant: a bAd paziSan! tel him F rimembx
n lFk him. rFt n tel mI hQ hI risIvz V. if hI iz Yl
rFt—sxv him. /nikalas /bOlkOnski'z san nId not sxv andx
eniwan if hI iz in disfEvx. nQ kam hC.”
<p>
     */kMtMzOf.
<p>
hI spOk sO rApidli HAt hI did not finiS hAf hiz wxdz, bat hiz san
woz akastamd t andxstAnd him. hI led him t H desk, rEzd H
lid, drM Qt a drYx, n tUk Qt an eäxsFz bUk fild wiH hiz
bOld, tYl, klOs hAndrFtiN.
<p>
“F SAl probabli dF bifP V. sO rimembx, HIz R mF memwRz;
hAnd Hem t H /empxx Aftx mF deT. nQ hC iz a /lombRd bond
n a letx; it iz a prImWm f H mAn hM rFts a histxi v
/sMvPOf's wPz. send it t H /akAdami. hC R sam JotiNz f
V t rId wen F Am gon. V wil fFnd Hem Vsfal.”
<p>
AndrM did not tel hiz fyHx HAt hI wUd nO dQt liv a loN tFm
jet. hI felt HAt hI mast not sE it.
<p>
“F wil dM it Yl, /fyHx,” hI sed.
<p>
“wel, nQ, gUd-bF!” hI gEv hiz san hiz hAnd t kis, n imbrEst
him. “rimembx His, /prins /AndrM, if HE kil V it wil hxt mI,
jP Old fyHx...” hI pYzd aniäpektadli, n Hen in a kweralas
vqs sadanli SrIkt: “bat if F hC HAt V hAv not bihEvd lFk
a san v /nikalas /bOlkOnski, F SAl bI aSEmd!”
<p>
“V nId not hAv sed HAt t mI, /fyHx,” sed H san wiH a
smFl.
<p>
H Old mAn woz sFlant.
<p>
“F YlsO wontad t Ask V,” kantinVd /prins /AndrM, “if F'm
kild n if F hAv a san, dM not let him bI tEkan awE from V—Az F
sed jestxdE... let him grO ap wiH V.... plIz.”
<p>
“not let H wFf hAv him?” sed H Old mAn, n lAft.
<p>
HE stUd sFlant, fEsiN wan anaHx. H Old mAn'z SRp Fz wx
fiät strEt on hiz san'z. samTiN twict in H lOx pRt v
H Old prins'az fEs.
<p>
“wI'v sed gUd-bF. gO!” hI sadanli SQtad in a lQd, ANgri
vqs, OpaniN hiz dP.
<p>
“wot iz it? wot?” Askt bOT prinsasaz wen HE sY f a mOment
At H dP /prins /AndrM n H figjx v H Old mAn in a wFt
dresiN gQn, spektakald n wiglas, SQtiN in an ANgri vqs.
<p>
prins /AndrM sFd n mEd nO riplF.
<p>
“wel!” hI sed, txniN t hiz wFf.
<p>
n His “wel!” sQndad kOldli Fronik, Az if hI wx sEiN: “nQ
gO TrM jP pxfPmans.”
<p>
“AndrM, Ylredi!” sed H lital prinsas, txniN pEl n
lUkiN wiH dismE At hx hazband.
<p>
hI imbrEst hx. SI skrImd n fel ankonSas on hiz SOldx.
<p>
hI kYSasli rilIst H SOldx SI lInd on, lUkt intM hx fEs,
n kXfali plEst hx in an Izi cX.
<p>
“adV, /mXi,” sed hI Jentli t hiz sistx, tEkiN hx bF H hAnd
n kisiN hx, n Hen hI left H rMm wiH rApid steps.
<p>
H lital prinsas lE in H RmcX, /mAdamwazel /bMrien cEfiN
hx tempalz. prinsas /mXi, sapPtiN hx sistx-in-lY, stil lUkt
wiH hx bVtifal Fz fUl v tCz At H dP TrM wic /prins
/AndrM hAd gon n mEd H sFn v H kros in hiz direkSan. from
H stadi, lFk pistal Sots, kEm H frIkwant sQnd v H Old mAn
ANgrili blOiN hiz nOz. hRdli hAd /prins /AndrM gon wen H stadi
dP Opand kwikli n H stxn figjx v H Old mAn in H wFt
dresiN gQn lUkt Qt.
<p>
“gon? HAt's Yl rFt!” sed hI; n lUkiN ANgrili At H
ankonSas lital prinsas, hI SUk hiz hed riprMviNli n slAmd
H dP.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /tM: 1805
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
in oktObx, 1805, a /raSan Rmi woz okVpFiN H viliJaz n tQnz v
H /Rcdaci v /ostrW, n jet aHx reJimants freSli xFviN from
/raSa wx setaliN nC H fPtras v /brQnQ n bxdaniN H
inhAbitants on hMm HE wx kwPtxd. /brQnQ woz H hedkwPtxz v
H kamAndx in cIf, /kMtMzOf.
<p>
on oktObx 11, 1805, wan v H infantri reJimants HAt hAd Jast rIct
/brQnQ hAd hYltad hAf a mFl from H tQn, wEtiN t bI inspektad
bF H kamAndx in cIf. dispFt H an-/raSan apCans v H
lOkAliti n sxQndiNz—frMt gRdanz, stOn fensaz, tFld rMfs,
n hilz in H distans—n dispFt H fAkt HAt H inhAbitants
(hM gEzd wiH kjUxiositi At H sOlJxz) wx not /raSanz, H
reJimant hAd Jast H apCans v eni /raSan reJimant pripXiN f
an inspekSan eniwX in H hRt v /raSa.
<p>
on H IvniN v H lAst dE'z mRc an Pdx hAd bin risIvd HAt
H kamAndx in cIf wUd inspekt H reJimant on H mRc. HO
H wxdz v H Pdx wx not klC t H reJimental kamAndx, n
H kwescan xOz weHx H trMps wx t bI in mRciN Pdx P
not, it woz disFdad At a konsaltESan bitwIn H batAlWn kamAndxz
t prizent H reJimant in pxEd Pdx, on H prinsapal HAt it iz
YlwEz betx t “bQ tM lO HAn not bQ lO inaf.” sO H
sOlJxz, Aftx a twenti-mFl mRc, wx kept mendiN n klIniN Yl
nFt loN wiHQt klOziN HX Fz, wFl H AJUtants n
kampani kamAndxz kAlkVlEtad n rekand, n bF mPniN H
reJimant—insted v H strAgaliN, disPdxli krQd it hAd bin on
its lAst mRc H dE bifP—prizentad a wel-Pdxd xE v tM
TQzand men Ic v hMm nM hiz plEs n hiz dMti, hAd evri batan
n evri strAp in plEs, n SOn wiH klenlinas. n not Onli
eätxnali woz Yl in Pdx, bat hAd it plIzd H kamAndx in cIf
t lUk andx H VnifPmz hI wUd hAv fQnd on evri mAn a klIn
Sxt, n in evri nApsAk H apqntad nambx v Rtikalz, “Yl,
sOp, n Yl,” Az H sOlJxz sE. HX woz Onli wan sxkamstAns
kansxniN wic nO wan kUd bI At Iz. it woz H stEt v H
sOlJxz' bMts. mP HAn hAf H men'z bMts wx in hOlz. bat
His dIfekt woz not dM t eni fYlt v H reJimental kamAndx, f
in spFt v ripItad dimAndz bMts hAd not bin iSVd bF H /ostrWn
komisXWt, n H reJimant hAd mRct sam sevan handrad mFlz.
<p>
H kamAndx v H reJimant woz an eldxli, kolxik, stQt, n
Tik-set Jenxal wiH grizald FbrQz n wiskxz, n wFdx from
cest t bAk HAn akros H SOldxz. hI hAd on a brAnd-nM VnifPm
SOiN H krIsaz wX it hAd bin fOldad n Tik gOld epalets
wic sImd t stAnd rAHx HAn lF dQn on hiz mAsiv SOldxz. hI
hAd H X v a mAn hApili pxfPmiN wan v H mOst solam dMtiz v
hiz lFf. hI wYkt abQt in frant v H lFn n At evri step pUld
himself ap, slFtli RciN hiz bAk. it woz plEn HAt H kamAndx
admFxd hiz reJimant, riJqst in it, n HAt hiz hOl mFnd woz
ingrOst bF it, jet hiz strat sImd t indikEt HAt, bisFdz militXi
mAtxz, sOSal intxasts n H fX seä okVpFd nO smYl pRt v hiz
TYts.
<p>
“wel, /mFkal /mitric, sx?” hI sed, adresiN wan v H
batAlWn kamAndxz hM smFliNli prest fPwxd (it woz plEn HAt
HE bOT felt hApi). “wI hAd Qx hAndz fUl lAst nFt. hQevx, F
TiNk H reJimant iz not a bAd wan, E?”
<p>
H batAlWn kamAndx pxsIvd H JOvWl Frani n lAft.
<p>
“it wUd not bI txnd of H fIld Ivan on H /tsRitsin
/medO.”
<p>
“wot?” Askt H kamAndx.
<p>
At HAt mOment, on H rOd from H tQn on wic signalxz hAd bin
pOstad, tM men apCd on hPs bAk. HE wx an Ed-dI-kAmp
folOd bF a /kosAk.
<p>
H Ed-dI-kAmp woz sent t kanfxm H Pdx wic hAd not bin
klCli wxdad H dE bifP, nEmli, HAt H kamAndx in cIf
wiSt t sI H reJimant Jast in H stEt in wic it hAd bin on
H mRc: in HX grEtkOts, n pAä, n wiHQt eni prepxESan
wotevx.
<p>
a membx v H /hofkrIãraT from /viena hAd kam t /kMtMzOf H dE
bifP wiH prapOzalz n dimAndz f him t Jqn ap wiH H Rmi v
H /RcdMk /fxdinAnd n /mAk, n /kMtMzOf, not kansidxiN His
JaNkSan advFzabal, ment, amaN aHx RgVmants in sapPt v hiz vV,
t SO H /ostrWn Jenxal H recad stEt in wic H trMps
xFvd from /raSa. wiH His obJekt hI intendad t mIt H reJimant;
sO H wxs H kandiSan it woz in, H betx plIzd H kamAndx
in cIf wUd bI. HO H Ed-dI-kAmp did not nO HIz
sxkamstAnsaz, hI nevxHales dilivxd H definit Pdx HAt H
men SUd bI in HX grEtkOts n in mRciN Pdx, n HAt H
kamAndx in cIf wUd aHxwFz bI dissAtisfFd. on hCiN His H
reJimental kamAndx haN hiz hed, sFlantli Sragd hiz SOldxz, n
spred Qt hiz Rmz wiH a kolxik Jescx.
<p>
“a fFn mes wI'v mEd v it!” hI rimRkt.
<p>
“HX nQ! didant F tel V, /mFkal /mitric, HAt if it woz sed
'on H mRc' it ment in grEtkOts?” sed hI riprOcfali t
H batAlWn kamAndx. “O, mF /god!” hI Adad, stepiN rezalMtli
fPwxd. “kampani kamAndxz!” hI SQtad in a vqs akastamd t
kamAnd. “sRJants mEJx!... hQ sMn wil hI bI hC?” hI Askt
H Ed-dI-kAmp wiH a rispektfal palFtnas evidentli rilEtiN t H
pxsaniJ hI woz rifxiN t.
<p>
“in an Qx'z tFm, F SUd sE.”
<p>
“SAl wI hAv tFm t cEnJ klOHz?”
<p>
“F dOnt nO, /Jenxal....”
<p>
H reJimental kamAndx, gOiN ap t H lFn himself, Pdxd H
sOlJxz t cEnJ intM HX grEtkOts. H kampani kamAndxz rAn of
t HX kampaniz, H sRJants mEJx bigAn basaliN (H grEtkOts
wx not in veri gUd kandiSan), n instantli H skwXz HAt hAd ap
t Hen bin in regVlx Pdx n sFlant bigAn t swE n strec n
ham wiH vqsaz. on Yl sFdz sOlJxz wx raniN t n frO, TrOiN
ap HX nApsAä wiH a Jxk v HX SOldxz n pUliN H strAps
Ovx HX hedz, anstrApiN HX OvxkOts n drYiN H slIvz on
wiH aprEzd Rmz.
<p>
in hAf an Qx Yl woz agen in Pdx, Onli H skwXz hAd bikam grE
insted v blAk. H reJimental kamAndx wYkt wiH hiz Jxki steps
t H frant v H reJimant n iãAmind it from a distans.
<p>
“wotevx iz His? His!” hI SQtad n stUd stil. “kamAndx
v H Txd kampani!”
<p>
“kamAndx v H Txd kampani wontad bF H Jenxal!... kamAndx t
H Jenxal... Txd kampani t H kamAndx.” H wxdz pAst aloN
H lFnz n an AJUtant rAn t lUk f H misiN ofisx.
<p>
wen H Igx bat misripItad wxdz hAd rIct HX destinESan in
a krF v: “H Jenxal t H Txd kampani,” H misiN ofisx
apCd from bihFnd hiz kampani n, HO hI woz a midal-EJd mAn
n not in H hAbit v raniN, trotad Ykwxdli stambaliN on hiz
tOz tPd H Jenxal. H kAptin'z fEs SOd H anIzinas v
a skMlbq hM iz tOld t ripIt a lesan hI hAz not lxnd. spots
apCd on hiz nOz, H rednas v wic woz evidentli dM t
intempxans, n hiz mQT twict nxvasli. H Jenxal lUkt H
kAptin ap n dQn Az hI kEm ap pAntiN, slAkaniN hiz pEs Az hI
aprOct.
<p>
“V wil sMn bI dresiN jP men in petikOts! wot iz His?”
SQtad H reJimental kamAndx, TrastiN fPwxd hiz JY n pqntiN
At a sOlJx in H rANä v H Txd kampani in a grEtkOt v blMiS
kloT, wic kantrAstad wiH H aHxz. “wot hAv V bin Aftx?
H kamAndx in cIf iz iäpektad n V lIv jP plEs? E? F'l
tIc V t dres H men in fAnsi kOts f a pxEd.... E...?”
<p>
H kamAndx v H kampani, wiH hiz Fz fiät on hiz sMpCC,
prest tM fiNgxz mP n mP riJidli t hiz kAp, Az if in His
preSx lE hiz Onli hOp v sAlvESan.
<p>
“wel, wF dOnt V spIk? hMm hAv V got HX drest ap Az a
/haNgXWn?” sed H kamAndx wiH an YstC JFb.
<p>
“jP eäalansi...”
<p>
“wel, jP eäalansi, wot? jP eäalansi! bat wot abQt jP
eäalansi?... nObodi nOz.”
<p>
“jP eäalansi, it's H ofisx /dOlOâOf, hM hAz bin ridMst
t H rANä,” sed H kAptin softli.
<p>
“wel? hAz hI bin digrEdad intM a fIld mRSal, P intM a sOlJx?
if a sOlJx, hI SUd bI drest in regVlESan VnifPm lFk H
aHxz.”
<p>
“jP eäalansi, V gEv him lIv jPself, on H mRc.”
<p>
“gEv him lIv? lIv? HAt's Jast lFk V jaN men,” sed H
reJimental kamAndx kMliN dQn a lital. “lIv indId.... wan sez
a wxd t V n V... wot?” hI Adad wiH rinMd iritESan, “F
beg V t dres jP men dIsantli.”
<p>
n H kamAndx, txniN t lUk At H AJUtant, direktad hiz Jxki
steps dQn H lFn. hI woz evidentli plIzd At hiz On displE v
ANgx n wYkiN ap t H reJimant wiSt t fFnd a fxHx iäkVs f
rAT. hAviN snApt At an ofisx f an anpoliSt bAJ, At anaHx
bikoz hiz lFn woz not strEt, hI rIct H Txd kampani.
<p>
“H-O-O-w R V stAndiN? wX'z jP leg? jP leg?” SQtad
H kamAndx wiH a tOn v safxiN in hiz vqs, wFl HX wx
stil fFv men bitwIn him n /dOlOâOf wiH hiz blMiS-grE VnifPm.
<p>
/dOlOâOf slOli strEtand hiz bent nI, lUkiN strEt wiH hiz
klC, insalant Fz in H Jenxal'z fEs.
<p>
“wF a blM kOt? of wiH it... sRJant mEJx! cEnJ hiz kOt...
H /rys...” hI did not finiS.
<p>
“Jenxal, F mast ObE Pdxz, bat F Am not bQnd t indx...”
/dOlOâOf haridli intxaptad.
<p>
“nO tYkiN in H rANä!... nO tYkiN, nO tYkiN!”
<p>
“not bQnd t indx insalts,” /dOlOâOf kanklMdad in lQd, riNiN
tOnz.
<p>
H Fz v H Jenxal n H sOlJx met. H Jenxal bikEm sFlant,
ANgrili pUliN dQn hiz tFt skRf.
<p>
“F rikwest V t hAv H gUdnas t cEnJ jP kOt,” hI sed Az
hI txnd awE.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
“hI'z kamiN!” SQtad H signalx At HAt mOment.
<p>
H reJimental kamAndx, flaSiN, rAn t hiz hPs, sIzd H stxap
wiH trembaliN hAndz, TrM hiz bodi akros H sAdal, rFtad himself,
drM hiz sEbx, n wiH a hApi n rezalMt kQntanans, OpaniN
hiz mQT xF, pripXd t SQt. H reJimant flatxd lFk a bxd
prIniN its plMmiJ n bikEm mOSanlas.
<p>
“At-enSan!” SQtad H reJimental kamAndx in a sOl-SEkiN
vqs wic iäprest Jq f himself, siveriti f H reJimant, n
welkam f H aprOciN cIf.
<p>
aloN H brYd kantri rOd, eJd on bOT sFdz bF trIz, kEm a hF,
lFt blM /vienIz kyleS, slFtli krIkiN on its spriNz n drYn
bF siä hPsaz At a smRt trot. bihFnd H kyleS gAlapt H swIt
n a konvq v /krOAts. bisFd /kMtMzOf sAt an /ostrWn Jenxal, in
a wFt VnifPm HAt lUkt strEnJ amaN H /raSan blAk wanz. H
kyleS stopt in frant v H reJimant. /kMtMzOf n H /ostrWn
Jenxal wx tYkiN in lO vqsaz n /kMtMzOf smFld slFtli Az
trediN hevili hI stept dQn from H kAriJ Jast Az if HOz tM
TQzand men breTlasli gEziN At him n H reJimental kamAndx did
not iãist.
<p>
H wxd v kamAnd rAN Qt, n agen H reJimant kwivxd, Az wiH a
JiNgaliN sQnd it prizentad Rmz. Hen amidst a ded sFlans H
fIbal vqs v H kamAndx in cIf woz hxd. H reJimant rPd,
“helT t jP eä... len... len... lensi!” n agen Yl bikEm
sFlant. At fxst /kMtMzOf stUd stil wFl H reJimant mMvd; Hen hI
n H Jenxal in wFt, akampanid bF H swIt, wYkt bitwIn H
rANä.
<p>
from H wE H reJimental kamAndx salMtad H kamAndx in cIf n
divQxd him wiH hiz Fz, drYiN himself ap obsIkwWsli, n from
H wE hI wYkt TrM H rANä bihFnd H Jenxalz, bendiN fPwxd
n hRdli Ebal t ristrEn hiz Jxki mMvmants, n from H wE hI
dRtad fPwxd At evri wxd P Jescx v H kamAndx in cIf,
it woz evidant HAt hI pxfPmd hiz dMti Az a sabPdinat wiH Ivan
grEtx zIl HAn hiz dMti Az a kamAndx. TANä t H striktnas n
AsiJMiti v its kamAndx H reJimant, in kampArisan wiH aHxz HAt
hAd rIct /brQnQ At H sEm tFm, woz in splendid kandiSan. HX
wx Onli 217 sik n strAgalxz. evriTiN woz in gUd Pdx iäept
H bMts.
<p>
/kMtMzOf wYkt TrM H rANä, samtFmz stopiN t sE a fV
frendli wxdz t ofisxz hI hAd nOn in H /txkiS wP, samtFmz
YlsO t H sOlJxz. lUkiN At HX bMts hI sevxal tFmz SUk hiz
hed sAdli, pqntiN Hem Qt t H /ostrWn Jenxal wiH an iäpreSan
wic sImd t sE HAt hI woz not blEmiN eniwan, bat kUd not help
nOtisiN wot a bAd stEt v TiNz it woz. H reJimental kamAndx
rAn fPwxd on Ic sac akEZan, fCiN t mis a siNgal wxd v H
kamAndx in cIf's rigRdiN H reJimant. bihFnd /kMtMzOf, At a
distans HAt alQd evri softli spOkan wxd t bI hxd, folOd
sam twenti men v hiz swIt. HIz Jentalmen tYkt amaN Hemselvz
n samtFmz lAft. nCast v Yl t H kamAndx in cIf wYkt
a hAndsam AJUtant. His woz /prins /bOlkOnski. bisFd him woz hiz
komrAd /nesvitski, a tYl stAf ofisx, iätrImli stQt, wiH a
kFndli, smFliN, hAndsam fEs n mqst Fz. /nesvitski kUd hRdli
kIp from lAftx pravOkt bF a swPHi hMsR ofisx hM wYkt
bisFd him. His hMsR, wiH a grEv fEs n wiHQt a smFl P a
cEnJ in H iäpreSan v hiz fiät Fz, woct H reJimental
kamAndx'z bAk n mimikt hiz evri mMvmant. Ic tFm H
kamAndx stRtad n bent fPwxd, H hMsR stRtad n bent fPwxd
in iãAktli H sEm mAnx. /nesvitski lAft n naJd H aHxz t
mEk Hem lUk At H wAg.
<p>
/kMtMzOf wYkt slOli n lANgwidli pAst TQzandz v Fz wic wx
stRtiN from HX sokats t woc HX cIf. on rIciN H
Txd kampani hI sadanli stopt. hiz swIt, not hAviN iäpektad His,
involantXili kEm klOsx t him.
<p>
“y, /timOâin!” sed hI, rekagnFziN H red-nOzd kAptin hM hAd
bin reprimyndad on akQnt v H blM grEtkOt.
<p>
wan wUd hAv TYt it imposabal f a mAn t strec himself
mP HAn /timOâin hAd dan wen hI woz reprimyndad bF H reJimental
kamAndx, bat nQ HAt H kamAndx in cIf adrest him hI drM
himself ap t sac an iätent HAt it sImd hI kUd not hAv sastEnd
it hAd H kamAndx in cIf kantinVd t lUk At him, n sO /kMtMzOf,
hM evidentli andxstUd hiz kEs n wiSt him naTiN bat gUd,
kwikli txnd awE, a skXsli pxseptabal smFl flitiN Ovx hiz
skRd n pafi fEs.
<p>
“anaHx /ismaIl komrAd,” sed hI. “a brEv ofisx! R V
sAtisfFd wiH him?” hI Askt H reJimental kamAndx.
<p>
n H lAtx—ankonSas HAt hI woz bIiN riflektad in H hMsR
ofisx Az in a lUkiN glAs—stRtad, mMvd fPwxd, n Ansxd:
“hFli sAtisfFd, jP eäalansi!”
<p>
“wI Yl hAv Qx wIknasaz,” sed /kMtMzOf smFliN n wYkiN awE
from him. “hI Vst t hAv a predilekSan f /bykas.”
<p>
H reJimental kamAndx woz afrEd hI mFt bI blEmd f His n did
not Ansx. H hMsR At HAt mOment nOtist H fEs v H red-nOzd
kAptin n hiz drYn-in stamak, n mimikt hiz iäpreSan n pOz
wiH sac iãAktitMd HAt /nesvitski kUd not help lAfiN. /kMtMzOf
txnd rQnd. H ofisx evidentli hAd kamplIt kantrOl v hiz fEs,
n wFl /kMtMzOf woz txniN mAniJd t mEk a grimas n Hen asMm
a mOst sCWs, defxenSal, n inasant iäpreSan.
<p>
H Txd kampani woz H lAst, n /kMtMzOf pondxd, apArantli trFiN
t rekalekt samTiN. prins /AndrM stept fPwxd from amaN H
swIt n sed in /frenc:
<p>
“V tOld mI t rimFnd V v H ofisx /dOlOâOf, ridMst t H
rANä in His reJimant.”
<p>
“wX iz /dOlOâOf?” Askt /kMtMzOf.
<p>
/dOlOâOf, hM hAd Ylredi cEnJd intM a sOlJx'z grE grEtkOt,
did not wEt t bI kYld. H SEpli figjx v H fX-hXd
sOlJx, wiH hiz klC blM Fz, stept fPwxd from H rANä, went
ap t H kamAndx in cIf, n prizentad Rmz.
<p>
“hAv V a kamplEnt t mEk?” /kMtMzOf Askt wiH a slFt frQn.
<p>
“His iz /dOlOâOf,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“y!” sed /kMtMzOf. “F hOp His wil bI a lesan t V. dM jP
dMti. H /empxx iz grESas, n F SAnt fxget V if V dizxv
wel.”
<p>
H klC blM Fz lUkt At H kamAndx in cIf Jast Az bOldli Az
HE hAd lUkt At H reJimental kamAndx, sImiN bF HX iäpreSan
t tX Opan H vEl v kanvenSan HAt sepxEts a kamAndx in cIf
sO wFdli from a prFvat.
<p>
“wan TiN F Ask v jP eäalansi,” /dOlOâOf sed in hiz fxm,
riNiN, dilibxat vqs. “F Ask an opxtMniti t atOn f mF fYlt
n prMv mF divOSan t /hiz /mAJasti H /empxx n t /raSa!”
<p>
/kMtMzOf txnd awE. H sEm smFl v H Fz wiH wic hI hAd
txnd from /kAptin /timOâin agen flitad Ovx hiz fEs. hI txnd
awE wiH a grimas Az if t sE HAt evriTiN /dOlOâOf hAd sed t
him n evriTiN hI kUd sE hAd loN bin nOn t him, HAt hI woz
wCi v it n it woz not At Yl wot hI wontad. hI txnd awE n
went t H kAriJ.
<p>
H reJimant brOk ap intM kampaniz, wic went t HX apqntad
kwPtxz nC /brQnQ, wX HE hOpt t risIv bMts n klOHz n
t rest Aftx HX hRd mRcaz.
<p>
“V wOnt bX mI a graJ, /prOâP /ignytic?” sed H
reJimental kamAndx, OvxtEkiN H Txd kampani on its wE t its
kwPtxz n rFdiN ap t /kAptin /timOâin hM woz wYkiN in frant.
(H reJimental kamAndx'z fEs nQ HAt H inspekSan woz hApili
Ovx bImd wiH iripresabal dilFt.) “it's in H /empxx'z
sxvis... it kAnt bI helpt... wan iz samtFmz a bit hEsti on
pxEd... F Am H fxst t apolaJFz, V nO mI!... hI woz veri
plIzd!” n hI held Qt hiz hAnd t H kAptin.
<p>
“dOnt menSan it, /Jenxal, Az if F'd bI sO bOld!” riplFd H
kAptin, hiz nOz grOiN redx Az hI gEv a smFl wic SOd wX
tM frant tIT wx misiN HAt hAd bin nokt Qt bF H bat end
v a gan At /ismaIl.
<p>
“n tel /mx /dOlOâOf HAt F wOnt fxget him—hI mE bI kwFt
Izi. n tel mI, plIz—F'v bin mIniN t Ask—hQ iz hI
bihEviN himself, n in Jenxal...”
<p>
“Az fR Az H sxvis gOz hI iz kwFt paNktilWs, jP eäalansi;
bat hiz kAraktx...” sed /timOâin.
<p>
“n wot abQt hiz kAraktx?” Askt H reJimental kamAndx.
<p>
“it's difxant on difxant dEz,” Ansxd H kAptin. “wan
dE hI iz sensabal, wel eJakEtad, n gUd-nEcxd, n H neät hI'z
a wFld bIst.... in /pOland, if V plIz, hI nCli kild a /JM.”
<p>
“O, wel, wel!” rimRkt H reJimental kamAndx. “stil, wan
mast hAv piti on a jaN mAn in misfPcMn. V nO hI hAz impPtant
kanekSanz... wel, Hen, V Jast...”
<p>
“F wil, jP eäalansi,” sed /timOâin, SOiN bF hiz smFl HAt
hI andxstUd hiz kamAndx'z wiS.
<p>
“wel, v kPs, v kPs!”
<p>
H reJimental kamAndx sYt Qt /dOlOâOf in H rANä n, rEniN
in hiz hPs, sed t him:
<p>
“Aftx H neät afX... epalets.”
<p>
/dOlOâOf lUkt rQnd bat did not sE eniTiN, nP did H mokiN
smFl on hiz lips cEnJ.
<p>
“wel, HAt's Yl rFt,” kantinVd H reJimental kamAndx. “a
kap v vodka f H men from mI,” hI Adad sO HAt H sOlJxz
kUd hC. “F TANk V Yl! god bI prEzd!” n hI rOd pAst HAt
kampani n OvxtUk H neät wan.
<p>
“wel, hI'z rWli a gUd felO, wan kAn sxv andx him,” sed
/timOâin t H sabYltxn bisFd him.
<p>
“in a wxd, a hRti wan...” sed H sabYltxn, lAfiN (H
reJimental kamAndx woz niknEmd /kiN v /hRts).
<p>
H cCfal mMd v HX ofisxz Aftx H inspekSan infektad H
sOlJxz. H kampani mRct on gEli. H sOlJxz' vqsaz kUd bI
hxd on evri sFd.
<p>
“n HE sed /kMtMzOf woz blFnd v wan F?”
<p>
“n sO hI iz! kwFt blFnd!”
<p>
“nO, frend, hI iz SRpx-Fd HAn V R. bMts n leg bAndz...
hI nOtist evriTiN...”
<p>
“wen hI lUkt At mF fIt, frend... wel, TiNä F...”
<p>
“n HAt aHx wan wiH him, H /ostrWn, lUkt Az if hI wx
smCd wiH cYk—Az wFt Az flQx! F sapOz HE poliS him ap Az
HE dM H ganz.”
<p>
“F sE, /fedeSan!... did hI sE wen H bAtalz R t bigin? V
wx nC him. evribodi sed HAt /bMOnapRte himself woz At /brQnQ.”
<p>
“/bMOnapRte himself!... Jast lisan t H fMl, wot hI dazant
nO! H /praSanz R ap in Rmz nQ. H /ostrWnz, V sI, R
pUtiN Hem dQn. wen HE'v bin pUt dQn, H wP wiH /bMOnapRte
wil bigin. n hI sez /bMOnapRte iz in /brQnQ! SOz V'x a fMl.
V'd betx lisan mP kXfali!”
<p>
“wot devalz HIz kwPtxmAstxz R! sI, H fifT kampani iz
txniN intM H viliJ Ylredi... HE wil hAv HX bakwIt
kUkt bifP wI rIc Qx kwPtxz.”
<p>
“giv mI a biskit, V deval!”
<p>
“n did V giv mI tabAkO jestxdE? HAt's Jast it, frend! y,
wel, nevx mFnd, hC V R.”
<p>
“HE mFt kYl a hYlt hC P wI'l hAf t dM anaHx fP mFlz
wiHQt ItiN.”
<p>
“wozant it fFn wen HOz /Jxmanz gEv as lifts! V Jast sit stil
n R drYn aloN.”
<p>
“n hC, frend, H pIpal R kwFt begxli. HX HE Yl
sImd t bI /pOlz—Yl andx H /raSan krQn—bat hC HE'x
Yl regVlx /Jxmanz.”
<p>
“siNxz t H frant” kEm H kAptin'z Pdx.
<p>
n from H difxant rANä sam twenti men rAn t H frant. a
dramx, HX lIdx, txnd rQnd fEsiN H siNxz, n flariSiN
hiz Rm, bigAn a loN-drYn-Qt sOlJxz' soN, kamensiN wiH H
wxdz: “mPniN dYnd, H san woz rFziN,” n kanklMdiN: “on
Hen, braHxz, on t glPi, led bF /fyHx /kymenski.” His soN hAd
bin kampOzd in H /txkiS kAmpEn n nQ bIiN saN in /ostrW, H
Onli cEnJ bIiN HAt H wxdz “fyHx /kymenski” wx riplEst bF
“fyHx /kMtMzOf.”
<p>
hAviN Jxkt Qt HIz lAst wxdz Az sOlJxz dM n wEvd hiz Rmz
Az if fliNiN samTiN t H grQnd, H dramx—a lIn, hAndsam
sOlJx v fPti—lUkt stxnli At H siNxz n skrMd ap hiz
Fz. Hen hAviN sAtisfFd himself HAt Yl Fz wx fiät on him,
hI rEzd bOT Rmz Az if kXfali liftiN sam invizabal bat preSas
obJekt abav hiz hed n, hOldiN it HX f sam sekandz, sadanli
flaN it dQn n bigAn:
<p>
“O, mF bQx, O, mF bQx...!”
<p>
“O, mF bQx nM...!” cFmd in twenti vqsaz, n H kAstanet
plEx, in spFt v H bxdan v hiz ikwipmant, raSt Qt t H frant
n, wYkiN bAkwxdz bifP H kampani, Jxkt hiz SOldxz n
flariSt hiz kAstanets Az if TretaniN samwan. H sOlJxz,
swiNiN HX Rmz n kIpiN tFm spontEnWsli, mRct wiH loN
steps. bihFnd H kampani H sQnd v wIlz, H krIkiN v spriNz,
n H trAmp v hPsaz' hUfs wx hxd. /kMtMzOf n hiz swIt wx
ritxniN t H tQn. H kamAndx in cIf mEd a sFn HAt H
men SUd kantinV t mRc At Iz, n hI n Yl hiz swIt SOd
pleZx At H sQnd v H siNiN n H sFt v H dAnsiN
sOlJx n H gE n smRtli mRciN men. in H sekand fFl
from H rFt flANk, bisFd wic H kAriJ pAst H kampani,
a blM-Fd sOlJx involantXili atrAktad nOtis. it woz /dOlOâOf
mRciN wiH pxtikVlx grEs n bOldnas in tFm t H soN n
lUkiN At HOz drFviN pAst Az if hI pitid Yl hM wx not At HAt
mOment mRciN wiH H kampani. H hMsR kPnet v /kMtMzOf's
swIt hM hAd mimikt H reJimental kamAndx, fel bAk from H
kAriJ n rOd ap t /dOlOâOf.
<p>
hMsR kPnet /ZerkOf hAd At wan tFm, in /pItxzbxg, biloNd t
H wFld set led bF /dOlOâOf. /ZerkOf hAd met /dOlOâOf abrYd Az a
prFvat n hAd not sIn fit t rekagnFz him. bat nQ HAt /kMtMzOf hAd
spOkan t H Jentalman rANkx, hI adrest him wiH H kPJiAliti v
an Old frend.
<p>
“mF dC felO, hQ R V?” sed hI TrM H siNiN, mEkiN
hiz hPs kIp pEs wiH H kampani.
<p>
“hQ Am F?” /dOlOâOf Ansxd kOldli. “F Am Az V sI.”
<p>
H lFvli soN gEv a speSal flEvx t H tOn v frI n Izi
gEiti wiH wic /ZerkOf spOk, n t H intenSanal kOldnas v
/dOlOâOf's riplF.
<p>
“n hQ dM V get on wiH H ofisxz?” inkwFxd /ZerkOf.
<p>
“Yl rFt. HE R gUd felOz. n hQ hAv V rigald ontM H
stAf?”
<p>
“F woz atAct; F'm on dMti.”
<p>
bOT wx sFlant.
<p>
“SI let H hYk flF apwxd from hx wFd rFt slIv,” went H
soN, xQziN an involantXi sensESan v kariJ n cCfalnas.
HX konvxsESan wUd probabli hAv bin difxant bat f H ifekt
v HAt soN.
<p>
“iz it trM HAt /ostrWnz hAv bin bItan?” Askt /dOlOâOf.
<p>
“H deval Onli nOz! HE sE sO.”
<p>
“F'm glAd,” Ansxd /dOlOâOf brIfli n klCli, Az H soN
dimAndad.
<p>
“F sE, kam rQnd sam IvniN n wI'l hAv a gEm v fXO!”
sed /ZerkOf.
<p>
“wF, hAv V tM mac mani?”
<p>
“dM kam.”
<p>
“F kAnt. F'v swPn not t. F wOnt driNk n wOnt plE til
F get rIinstEtad.”
<p>
“wel, HAt's Onli til H fxst ingEJmant.”
<p>
“wI SAl sI.”
<p>
HE wx agen sFlant.
<p>
“kam if V nId eniTiN. wan kAn At lIst bI v Vs on H
stAf...”
<p>
/dOlOâOf smFld. “dOnt trabal. if F wont eniTiN, F wOnt
beg—F'l tEk it!”
<p>
“wel, nevx mFnd; F Onli...”
<p>
“n F Onli...”
<p>
“gUd-bF.”
<p>
“gUd helT...”
<p>
        “it's a loN, loN wE.
        t mF nEtiv lAnd...”
<p>
<p>
/ZerkOf tact hiz hPs wiH H spxz; it prAnst iäFtadli from
fUt t fUt ansxtan wiH wic t stRt, Hen setald dQn, gAlapt
pAst H kampani, n OvxtUk H kAriJ, stil kIpiN tFm t H
soN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
on ritxniN from H rivV, /kMtMzOf tUk H /ostrWn Jenxal intM
hiz prFvat rMm n, kYliN hiz AJUtant, Askt f sam pEpxz
rilEtiN t H kandiSan v H trMps on HX xFval, n H
letxz HAt hAd kam from H /RcdMk /fxdinAnd, hM woz in kamAnd v
H advAnst Rmi. prins /AndrM /bOlkOnski kEm intM H rMm wiH H
rikwFxd pEpxz. /kMtMzOf n H /ostrWn membx v H /hofkrIãraT
wx sitiN At H tEbal on wic a plAn woz spred Qt.
<p>
“y!...” sed /kMtMzOf glAnsiN At /bOlkOnski Az if bF His
eäklamESan hI woz AskiN H AJUtant t wEt, n hI went on wiH H
konvxsESan in /frenc.
<p>
“Yl F kAn sE, /Jenxal,” sed hI wiH a plezant eligans
v iäpreSan n intanESan HAt ablFJd wan t lisan t Ic
dilibxatli spOkan wxd. it woz evidant HAt /kMtMzOf himself lisand
wiH pleZx t hiz On vqs. “Yl F kAn sE, /Jenxal, iz HAt if
H mAtx dipendad on mF pxsanal wiSaz, H wil v /hiz /mAJasti H
/empxx /frAnsis wUd hAv bin fUlfild loN agO. F SUd loN
agO hAv Jqnd H RcdMk. n bilIv mI on mF onx HAt t mI
pxsanali it wUd bI a pleZx t hAnd Ovx H sMprIm kamAnd
v H Rmi intM H hAndz v a betx infPmd n mP skilfal
Jenxal—v hMm /ostrW hAz sO meni—n t lE dQn Yl His hevi
risponsabiliti. bat sxkamstAnsaz R samtFmz tM stroN f as,
/Jenxal.”
<p>
n /kMtMzOf smFld in a wE HAt sImd t sE, “V R kwFt At
libxti not t bilIv mI n F dOnt Ivan kX weHx V dM P
not, bat V hAv nO grQndz f teliN mI sO. n HAt iz H hOl
pqnt.”
<p>
H /ostrWn Jenxal lUkt dissAtisfFd, bat hAd nO opSan bat t riplF
in H sEm tOn.
<p>
“on H kontrXi,” hI sed, in a kweralas n ANgri tOn HAt
kantrAstad wiH hiz flAtxiN wxdz, “on H kontrXi, jP
eäalansi'z pRtisipESan in H koman AkSan iz hFli vAlVd bF
/hiz /mAJasti; bat wI TiNk H prezant dilE iz diprFviN H splendid
/raSan trMps n HX kamAndx v H loralz HE hAv bin
akastamd t win in HX bAtalz,” hI kanklMdad hiz evidentli
prIxEnJd sentans.
<p>
/kMtMzOf bQd wiH H sEm smFl.
<p>
“bat HAt iz mF kanvikSan, n JaJiN bF H lAst letx wiH wic
/hiz /hFnas H /RcdMk /fxdinAnd hAz onxd mI, F imAJin HAt H
/ostrWn trMps, andx H direkSan v sO skilfal a lIdx Az /Jenxal
/mAk, hAv bF nQ Ylredi gEnd a disFsiv viktxi n nO loNgx nId
Qx Ed,” sed /kMtMzOf.
<p>
H Jenxal frQnd. HO HX woz nO definit nMz v an /ostrWn
difIt, HX wx meni sxkamstAnsaz kanfxmiN H anfEvxabal rMmxz
HAt wx aflOt, n sO /kMtMzOf's saJescan v an /ostrWn viktxi
sQndad mac lFk Frani. bat /kMtMzOf went on blAndli smFliN wiH H
sEm iäpreSan, wic sImd t sE HAt hI hAd a rFt t sapOz
sO. n, in fAkt, H lAst letx hI hAd risIvd from /mAk's Rmi
infPmd him v a viktxi n stEtad stratIJikli H paziSan v H
Rmi woz veri fEvxabal.
<p>
“giv mI HAt letx,” sed /kMtMzOf txniN t /prins /AndrM.
“plIz hAv a lUk At it”—n /kMtMzOf wiH an Fronikal smFl
abQt H kPnxz v hiz mQT red t H /ostrWn Jenxal H
folOiN pAsiJ, in /Jxman, from H /RcdMk /fxdinAnd'z letx:
<p>
wI hAv fUli konsantrEtad fPsaz v nCli sevanti TQzand men wiH
wic t atAk n difIt H enami SUd hI kros H /leâ. YlsO,
Az wI R mAstxz v /Mlm, wI kAnot bI diprFvd v H advAntiJ v
kamAndiN bOT sFdz v H /dAnVb, sO HAt SUd H enami not
kros H /leâ, wI kAn kros H /dAnVb, TrO Qxselvz on hiz lFn
v kamVnikESanz, rIkros H rivx lOx dQn, n frastrEt hiz
intenSan SUd hI trF t direkt hiz hOl fPs agenst Qx fETfal
AlF. wI SAl HXfP konfidantli awEt H mOment wen H /impCWl
/raSan Rmi wil bI fUli ikwipt, n SAl Hen, in kanJaNkSan wiH
it, Izili fFnd a wE t pripX f H enami H fEt hI dizxvz.
<p>
/kMtMzOf sFd dIpli on finiSiN His pAragrAf n lUkt At H
membx v H /hofkrIãraT mFldli n atentivli.
<p>
“bat V nO H wFz mAäim jP eäalansi, advFziN wan t iäpekt
H wxst,” sed H /ostrWn Jenxal, evidentli wiSiN t hAv dan
wiH Jests n t kam t biznas. hI involantXili lUkt rQnd At H
Ed-dI-kAmp.
<p>
“iäkVz mI, /Jenxal,” intxaptad /kMtMzOf, YlsO txniN t /prins
/AndrM. “lUk hC, mF dC felO, get from /kOzlOfski Yl H
ripPts from Qx skQts. hC R tM letxz from /kQnt /nOstits n
hC iz wan from /hiz /hFnas H /RcdMk /fxdinAnd n hC R
HIz,” hI sed, hAndiN him sevxal pEpxz, “mEk a nIt memxAndam
in /frenc Qt v Yl His, SOiN Yl H nMz wI hAv hAd v H
mMvmants v H /ostrWn Rmi, n Hen giv it t hiz eäalansi.”
<p>
prins /AndrM bQd hiz hed in tOkan v hAviN andxstUd from H
fxst not Onli wot hAd bin sed bat YlsO wot /kMtMzOf wUd hAv
lFkt t tel him. hI gAHxd ap H pEpxz n wiH a bQ t bOT,
stept softli Ovx H kRpat n went Qt intM H wEtiN rMm.
<p>
HO not mac tFm hAd pAst sins /prins /AndrM hAd left /raSa, hI
hAd cEnJd grEtli dxiN HAt pCWd. in H iäpreSan v hiz fEs,
in hiz mMvmants, in hiz wYk, skXsli a trEs woz left v hiz fPmx
afektad lANgx n indalans. hI nQ lUkt lFk a mAn hM hAz tFm
t TiNk v H impreSan hI mEä on aHxz, bat iz okVpFd wiH
agrIabal n intxastiN wxk. hiz fEs iäprest mP sAtisfAkSan
wiH himself n HOz xQnd him, hiz smFl n glAns wx brFtx
n mP atrAktiv.
<p>
/kMtMzOf, hMm hI hAd OvxtEkan in /pOland, hAd risIvd him veri kFndli,
promist not t fxget him, distiNgwiSt him abav H aHx AJUtants,
n hAd tEkan him t /viena n givan him H mP sCWs kamiSanz.
from /viena /kMtMzOf rOt t hiz Old komrAd, /prins /AndrM'z fyHx.
<p>
jP san bidz fX t bikam an ofisx distiNgwiSt bF hiz indastri,
fxmnas, n eäpidiSan. F kansidx mFself fPcanat t hAv sac a
sabPdinat bF mI.
<p>
on /kMtMzOf's stAf, amaN hiz felO ofisxz n in H Rmi
Jenxali, /prins /AndrM hAd, Az hI hAd hAd in /pItxzbxg sasFati, tM
kwFt opazit repVtESanz. sam, a mFnPiti, aknoliJd him t bI
difxant from Hemselvz n from evriwan els, iäpektad grEt TiNz
v him, lisand t him, admFxd, n imitEtad him, n wiH Hem /prins
/AndrM woz nAcxal n plezant. aHxz, H maJPiti, dislFkt him n
kansidxd him kansItad, kOld, n disagrIabal. bat amaN HIz pIpal
/prins /AndrM nM hQ t tEk hiz stAnd sO HAt HE rispektad n Ivan
fCd him.
<p>
kamiN Qt v /kMtMzOf's rMm intM H wEtiN rMm wiH H pEpxz in
hiz hAnd /prins /AndrM kEm ap t hiz komrAd, H Ed-dI-kAmp on dMti,
/kOzlOfski, hM woz sitiN At H windO wiH a bUk.
<p>
“wel, /prins?” Askt /kOzlOfski.
<p>
“F Am Pdxd t rFt a memxAndam iäplEniN wF wI R not
advAnsiN.”
<p>
“n wF iz it?”
<p>
prins /AndrM Sragd hiz SOldxz.
<p>
“eni nMz from /mAk?”
<p>
“nO.”
<p>
“if it wx trM HAt hI hAz bin bItan, nMz wUd hAv kam.”
<p>
“probabli,” sed /prins /AndrM mMviN tPd H Qtx dP.
<p>
bat At HAt instant a tYl /ostrWn Jenxal in a grEtkOt, wiH H
Pdx v /mxW /txIza on hiz nek n a blAk bAndiJ rQnd hiz hed,
hM hAd evidentli Jast xFvd, entxd kwikli, slAmiN H dP.
prins /AndrM stopt SPt.
<p>
“kamAndx in /cIf /kMtMzOf?” sed H nMli xFvd Jenxal
spIkiN kwikli wiH a hRS /Jxman Aäent, lUkiN t bOT sFdz n
advAnsiN strEt tPd H inx dP.
<p>
“H kamAndx in cIf iz ingEJd,” sed /kOzlOfski, gOiN
haridli ap t H annOn Jenxal n blokiN hiz wE t H dP.
“hMm SAl F anQns?”
<p>
H annOn Jenxal lUkt disdEnfali dQn At /kOzlOfski, hM woz
rAHx SPt, Az if sxprFzd HAt eniwan SUd not nO him.
<p>
“H kamAndx in cIf iz ingEJd,” ripItad /kOzlOfski kymli.
<p>
H Jenxal'z fEs klQdad, hiz lips kwivxd n trembald. hI tUk
Qt a nOtbUk, haridli skribald samTiN in pensil, tP Qt H
lIf, gEv it t /kOzlOfski, stept kwikli t H windO, n TrM
himself intM a cX, gEziN At HOz in H rMm Az if AskiN, “wF
dM HE lUk At mI?” Hen hI liftad hiz hed, strect hiz nek Az
if hI intendad t sE samTiN, bat imIdWtli, wiH afektad
indifxans, bigAn t ham t himself, prOdMsiN a kwC sQnd wic
imIdWtli brOk of. H dP v H prFvat rMm Opand n /kMtMzOf
apCd in H dPwE. H Jenxal wiH H bAndiJd hed bent fPwxd
Az HO raniN awE from sam dEnJx, n, mEkiN loN, kwik strFdz
wiH hiz Tin leã, went ap t /kMtMzOf.
<p>
“vM vwFe lU /mAleriMeä /mAk,” hI atxd in a brOkan vqs.
<p>
/kMtMzOf's fEs Az hI stUd in H Opan dPwE rimEnd pxfiktli
imObal f a fV mOments. Hen riNkalz rAn Ovx hiz fEs lFk a wEv
n hiz fPhed bikEm smMH agen, hI bQd hiz hed rispektfali,
klOzd hiz Fz, sFlantli let /mAk entx hiz rMm bifP him, n klOzd
H dP himself bihFnd him.
<p>
H ripPt wic hAd bin sxkVlEtad HAt H /ostrWnz hAd bin bItan
n HAt H hOl Rmi hAd sxendxd At /Mlm prMvd t bI kxekt.
wiHin hAf an Qx AJUtants hAd bin sent in vXWs direkSanz wiH
Pdxz wic SOd HAt H /raSan trMps, hM hAd hiHxtM bin
inAktiv, wUd YlsO sMn hAf t mIt H enami.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz wan v HOz rX stAf ofisxz hMz cIf intxast
lE in H Jenxal progres v H wP. wen hI sY /mAk n hxd H
dItElz v hiz dizAstx hI andxstUd HAt hAf H kAmpEn woz lost,
andxstUd Yl H difikaltiz v H /raSan Rmi'z paziSan, n
vividli imAJind wot awEtad it n H pRt hI wUd hAf t
plE. involantXili hI felt a Jqfal AJitESan At H TYt v H
hVmiliESan v Aragant /ostrW n HAt in a wIk's tFm hI mFt,
pxhAps, sI n tEk pRt in H fxst /raSan inkQntx wiH H
/frenc sins /sMvPOf met Hem. hI fCd HAt /bOnapRt's JInWs
mFt QtwE Yl H kariJ v H /raSan trMps, n At H sEm
tFm kUd not admit H FdW v hiz hCO bIiN disgrEst.
<p>
iäFtad n iritEtad bF HIz TYts /prins /AndrM went tPd hiz
rMm t rFt t hiz fyHx, t hMm hI rOt evri dE. in H koridP
hI met /nesvitski, wiH hMm hI SXd a rMm, n H wAg /ZerkOf;
HE wx Az VZMal lAfiN.
<p>
“wF R V sO glam?” Askt /nesvitski nOtisiN /prins /AndrM'z
pEl fEs n glitxiN Fz.
<p>
“HX'z naTiN t bI gE abQt,” Ansxd /bOlkOnski.
<p>
Jast Az /prins /AndrM met /nesvitski n /ZerkOf, HX kEm tPd
Hem from H aHx end v H koridP, /StrQâ, an /ostrWn Jenxal
hM woz on /kMtMzOf's stAf in cRJ v H praviZaniN v H /raSan
Rmi, n H membx v H /hofkrIãraT hM hAd xFvd H prIvWs
IvniN. HX woz rMm inaf in H wFd koridP f H Jenxalz t
pAs H TrI ofisxz kwFt Izili, bat /ZerkOf, pUSiN /nesvitski
asFd wiH hiz Rm, sed in a breTlas vqs,
<p>
“HE'x kamiN!... HE'x kamiN!... stAnd asFd, mEk wE,
plIz mEk wE!”
<p>
H Jenxalz wx pAsiN bF, lUkiN Az if HE wiSt t avqd
imbArasiN atenSanz. on H fEs v H wAg /ZerkOf HX sadanli
apCd a stMpid smFl v glI wic hI sImd anEbal t sapres.
<p>
“jP eäalansi,” sed hI in /Jxman, stepiN fPwxd n
adresiN H /ostrWn Jenxal, “F hAv H onx t kangrAcalEt
V.”
<p>
hI bQd hiz hed n skrEpt fxst wiH wan fUt n Hen wiH H
aHx, Ykwxdli, lFk a cFld At a dAnsiN lesan.
<p>
H membx v H /hofkrIãraT lUkt At him sivCli bat, sIiN H
sCWsnas v hiz stMpid smFl, kUd not bat giv him a mOment's
atenSan. hI skrMd ap hiz Fz SOiN HAt hI woz lisaniN.
<p>
“F hAv H onx t kangrAcalEt V. Jenxal /mAk hAz xFvd, kwFt
wel, Onli a lital brMzd Jast hC,” hI Adad, pqntiN wiH a
bImiN smFl t hiz hed.
<p>
H Jenxal frQnd, txnd awE, n went on.
<p>
“got, /vI nyiv!” * sed hI ANgrili, Aftx hI hAd gon a fV steps.
<p>
     * “gUd /god, wot simplisiti!”
<p>
<p>
/nesvitski wiH a lAf TrM hiz Rmz rQnd /prins /AndrM, bat
/bOlkOnski, txniN stil pElx, pUSt him awE wiH an ANgri lUk n
txnd t /ZerkOf. H nxvas iritESan xQzd bF H apCans
v /mAk, H nMz v hiz difIt, n H TYt v wot lE bifP H
/raSan Rmi fQnd vent in ANgx At /ZerkOf's antFmli Jest.
<p>
“if V, sx, cMz t mEk a bafMn v jPself,” hI sed
SRpli, wiH a slFt trembaliN v H lOx JY, “F kAnt privent
jP dMiN sO; bat F wPn V HAt if V dX t plE H fMl in mF
prezans, F wil tIc V t bihEv jPself.”
<p>
/nesvitski n /ZerkOf wx sO sxprFzd bF His Qtbxst HAt HE
gEzd At /bOlkOnski sFlantli wiH wFd-Opan Fz.
<p>
“wot's H mAtx? F Onli kangrAcalEtad Hem,” sed /ZerkOf.
<p>
“F Am not JestiN wiH V; plIz bI sFlant!” krFd /bOlkOnski,
n tEkiN /nesvitski'z Rm hI left /ZerkOf, hM did not nO wot t
sE.
<p>
“kam, wot's H mAtx, Old felO?” sed /nesvitski trFiN t
sMH him.
<p>
“wot's H mAtx?” iäklEmd /prins /AndrM stAndiN stil in
hiz iäFtmant. “dOnt V andxstAnd HAt FHx wI R ofisxz
sxviN Qx /tsR n Qx kantri, riJqsiN in H saäesaz n
grIviN At H misfPcMnz v Qx koman kYz, P wI R mCli
lAkiz hM kX naTiN f HX mAstx'z biznas. Quarante /mIl
Omz mAsakxz et l'RmI de nOz AlFz dItrMFt, et vM
trouvez ly lU mO pP rire,” * hI sed, Az if streNTaniN hiz
vVz bF His /frenc sentans. “/sE bien pP an gRkon de rion
/kOmdm cet indiviJM dOnt vM Eves fet an Emi, /mFz py pP vM, py
pP vM. *(2) Onli a hobaldihq kUd amVz himself in His
wE,” hI Adad in /raSan—bat pranQnsiN H wxd wiH a /frenc
Aäent—hAviN nOtist HAt /ZerkOf kUd stil hC him.
<p>
     * “fPti TQzand men mAsakxd n H Rmi v Qx AlFz
     distrqd, n V fFnd HAt a kYz f JestiN!”
<p>
     * (2) “it iz Yl veri wel f HAt gUd-f-naTiN felO
     v hMm V hAv mEd a frend, bat not f V, not f
     V.”
<p>
<p>
hI wEtad a mOment t sI weHx H kPnet wUd Ansx, bat hI txnd
n went Qt v H koridP.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
H /pyvlOgryd /hMsRz wx stESand tM mFlz from /brQnQ. H
skwodran in wic /nikalas /rOstOf sxvd Az a kadet woz kwPtxd in
H /Jxman viliJ v /sYltsanek. H best kwPtxz in H viliJ wx
asFnd t kAvalri-kAptin /denisOf, H skwodran kamAndx, nOn
TrMQt H hOl kAvalri diviZan Az /vyska /denisOf. kadet /rOstOf,
evx sins hI hAd OvxtEkan H reJimant in /pOland, hAd livd wiH H
skwodran kamAndx.
<p>
on oktObx 11, H dE wen Yl woz astx At hedkwPtxz Ovx H nMz
v /mAk's difIt, H kAmp lFf v H ofisxz v His skwodran woz
prOsIdiN Az VZMal. /denisOf, hM hAd bin lMziN At kRdz Yl nFt,
hAd not jet kam hOm wen /rOstOf rOd bAk xli in H mPniN from
a fPiJiN eäpidiSan. /rOstOf in hiz kadet VnifPm, wiH a Jxk t hiz
hPs, rOd ap t H pPc, swaN hiz leg Ovx H sAdal wiH a sapal
VTfal mMvmant, stUd f a mOment in H stxap Az if lOH t
pRt from hiz hPs, n At lAst sprAN dQn n kYld t hiz Pdxli.
<p>
“y, /bOndRenkO, dC frend!” sed hI t H hMsR hM raSt ap
hedloN t H hPs. “wYk him ap n dQn, mF dC felO,” hI
kantinVd, wiH HAt gE braHxli kPJiAliti wic gUdhRtad jaN
pIpal SO t evriwan wen HE R hApi.
<p>
“jes, jP eäalansi,” Ansxd H /VkrEnWn gEli, tosiN hiz
hed.
<p>
“mFnd, wYk him ap n dQn wel!”
<p>
anaHx hMsR YlsO raSt tPd H hPs, bat /bOndRenkO hAd Ylredi
TrOn H rEnz v H snAfal brFdal Ovx H hPs'az hed. it woz
evidant HAt H kadet woz libxal wiH hiz tips n HAt it pEd t
sxv him. /rOstOf pAtad H hPs'az nek n Hen hiz flANk, n
liNgxd f a mOment.
<p>
“splendid! wot a hPs hI wil bI!” hI TYt wiH a smFl, n
hOldiN ap hiz sEbx, hiz spxz JiNgaliN, hI rAn ap H steps v H
pPc. hiz lAndlPd, hM in a wEstkOt n a pqntad kAp, picfPk in
hAnd, woz klCiN manMx from H kQhQs, lUkt Qt, n hiz fEs
imIdWtli brFtand on sIiN /rOstOf. “/Sxn gat /mPgen! /Sxn
gat /mPgen!” * hI sed wiNkiN wiH a meri smFl, evidentli plIzd
t grIt H jaN mAn.
<p>
    * “a veri gUd mPniN! a veri gUd mPniN!”
<p>
<p>
“/Sxn /flFsig?” * sed /rOstOf wiH H sEm gE braHxli smFl
wic did not lIv hiz Igx fEs. “/hOâ /estrFkx! /hOâ /rMsan!
/kFzx /AliãAndx /hOâ!” *(2) sed hI, kwOtiN wxdz oftan ripItad bF
H /Jxman lAndlPd.
<p>
    * “bizi Ylredi?”
<p>
    * (2) “hxy f H /ostrWnz! hxy f H /raSanz!
     hxy f /empxx /AliãAndx!”
<p>
<p>
H /Jxman lAft, kEm Qt v H kQSed, pUld of hiz kAp, n
wEviN it abav hiz hed krFd:
<p>
“Mnt dF ganze /welt /hOâ!” *
<p>
    * “n hxy f H hOl wxld!”
<p>
<p>
/rOstOf wEvd hiz kAp abav hiz hed lFk H /Jxman n krFd lAfiN,
“Mnt vivAt dF ganze /welt!” HO nFHx H /Jxman klIniN hiz
kQSed nP /rOstOf bAk wiH hiz plAtMn from fPiJiN f hE hAd eni
rIzan f riJqsiN, HE lUkt At Ic aHx wiH Jqfal dilFt n
braHxli lav, wAgd HX hedz in tOkan v HX mVcMal afekSan,
n pRtad smFliN, H /Jxman ritxniN t hiz kQSed n /rOstOf
gOiN t H kotiJ hI okVpFd wiH /denisOf.
<p>
“wot abQt jP mAstx?” hI Askt /lyvrMSka, /denisOf's Pdxli,
hMm Yl H reJimant nM f a rOg.
<p>
“hAzant bin in sins H IvniN. mast hAv bin lMziN,”
Ansxd /lyvrMSka. “F nO bF nQ, if hI winz hI kamz bAk xli t
brAg abQt it, bat if hI stEz Qt til mPniN it mInz hI'z lost n
wil kam bAk in a rEJ. wil V hAv kofi?”
<p>
“jes, briN sam.”
<p>
ten minits lEtx /lyvrMSka brYt H kofi. “hI'z kamiN!”
sed hI. “nQ f trabal!” /rOstOf lUkt Qt v H windO n
sY /denisOf kamiN hOm. /denisOf woz a smYl mAn wiH a red fEs,
spRkaliN blAk Fz, n blAk tQzald mastAS n hX. hI wP an
anfAsand klOk, wFd brIcaz hANiN dQn in krIsaz, n a krampald
SEkO on H bAk v hiz hed. hI kEm ap t H pPc glMmili, hANiN
hiz hed.
<p>
“/lyvwMska!” hI SQtad lQdli n ANgrili, “tEk it of,
blokhed!”
<p>
“wel, F Am tEkiN it of,” riplFd /lyvrMSka'z vqs.
<p>
“y, V'x ap Ylredi,” sed /denisOf, entxiN H rMm.
<p>
“loN agO,” Ansxd /rOstOf, “F hAv Ylredi bin f H hE,
n hAv sIn /frqlFn /mytIld.”
<p>
“wIli! n F'v bin lMziN, bwaHx. F lost jestxdE lFk a
dAmd fMl!” krFd /denisOf, not pranQnsiN hiz r's. “sac il
lak! sac il lak. Az sMn Az V left, it bigAn n went on. halO
HX! tI!”
<p>
pakxiN ap hiz fEs HO smFliN, n SOiN hiz SPt stroN
tIT, hI bigAn wiH stabi fiNgxz v bOT hAndz t rafal ap hiz Tik
tANgald blAk hX.
<p>
“n wot deval mEd mI gO t HAt wot?” (an ofisx niknEmd
“H rAt”) hI sed, rabiN hiz fPhed n hOl fEs wiH bOT
hAndz. “Jast fAnsi, hI didant let mI win a siNgal cahd, not wan
cahd.”
<p>
hI tUk H lFtad pFp HAt woz ofxd t him, gript it in hiz
fist, n tApt it on H flP, mEkiN H spRä flF, wFl hI
kantinVd t SQt.
<p>
“hI lets wan win H siNgalz n kolaz it Az sMn Az wan dabalz it;
givz H siNgalz n snAcaz H dabalz!”
<p>
hI skAtxd H bxniN tabAkO, smASt H pFp, n TrM it awE.
Hen hI rimEnd sFlant f a wFl, n Yl At wans lUkt cCfali
wiH hiz glitxiN, blAk Fz At /rOstOf.
<p>
“if At lIst wI hAd sam wimin hC; bat HX'z naTiN foh wan
t dM bat dwiNk. if wI kUd Onli get t fFtiN sMn. halO, hM'z
HX?” hI sed, txniN t H dP Az hI hxd a tred v hevi
bMts n H kliNkiN v spxz HAt kEm t a stop, n a rispektfal
kof.
<p>
“H skwodran kwPtxmAstx!” sed /lyvrMSka.
<p>
/denisOf's fEs pakxd stil mP.
<p>
“wecad!” hI matxd, TrOiN dQn a pxs wiH sam gOld in it.
“/wostOf, dIy felO, Jast sI hQ mac HX iz left n Sav H
pxs andy H pilO,” hI sed, n went Qt t H kwPtxmAstx.
<p>
/rOstOf tUk H mani n, mikAnikli xEnJiN H Old n nM kqnz
in sepxat pFlz, bigAn kQntiN Hem.
<p>
“y! /teljynin! hQ d'jI dM? HE plakt mI lAst nFt,” kEm
/denisOf's vqs from H neät rMm.
<p>
“wX? At /bikOf's, At H rAt's... F nM it,” riplFd a pFpiN
vqs, n /lMtenant /teljynin, a smYl ofisx v H sEm skwodran,
entxd H rMm.
<p>
/rOstOf Trast H pxs andx H pilO n SUk H dAmp lital hAnd
wic woz ofxd him. /teljynin f sam rIzan hAd bin trAnsfxd
from H /gRdz Jast bifP His kAmpEn. hI bihEvd veri wel in H
reJimant bat woz not lFkt; /rOstOf ispeSali ditestad him n woz
anEbal t Ovxkam P kansIl hiz grQndlas AntipaTi t H mAn.
<p>
“wel, jaN kAvalriman, hQ iz mF /rUk bihEviN?” hI Askt. (rUk
woz a jaN hPs /teljynin hAd sOld t /rOstOf.)
<p>
H lMtenant nevx lUkt H mAn hI woz spIkiN t strEt in H
fEs; hiz Fz kantinVali wondxd from wan obJekt t anaHx.
<p>
“F sY V rFdiN His mPniN...” hI Adad.
<p>
“O, hI'z Yl rFt, a gUd hPs,” Ansxd /rOstOf, HO H
hPs f wic hI hAd pEd sevan handrad rabalz woz not wxT hAf
HAt sam. “hI'z bigan t gO a lital lEm on H left fPleg,” hI
Adad.
<p>
“H hUf's krAkt! HAt's naTiN. F'l tIc V wot t dM
n SO V wot kFnd v rivat t Vz.”
<p>
“jes, plIz dM,” sed /rOstOf.
<p>
“F'l SO V, F'l SO V! it's not a sIkrat. n it's a
hPs V'l TANk mI f.”
<p>
“Hen F'l hAv it brYt rQnd,” sed /rOstOf wiSiN t avqd
/teljynin, n hI went Qt t giv H Pdx.
<p>
in H pAsiJ /denisOf, wiH a pFp, woz skwotiN on H TreShOld
fEsiN H kwPtxmAstx hM woz ripPtiN t him. on sIiN /rOstOf,
/denisOf skrMd ap hiz fEs n pqntiN Ovx hiz SOldx wiH hiz
Tam t H rMm wX /teljynin woz sitiN, hI frQnd n gEv a
Sadx v disgast.
<p>
“ag! F dOnt lFk HAt felO,” hI sed, rigRdlas v H
kwPtxmAstx'z prezans.
<p>
/rOstOf Sragd hiz SOldxz Az mac Az t sE: “nP dM F, bat
wot's wan t dM?” n, hAviN givan hiz Pdx, hI ritxnd t
/teljynin.
<p>
/teljynin woz sitiN in H sEm indalant pOz in wic /rOstOf hAd
left him, rabiN hiz smYl wFt hAndz.
<p>
“wel HX sxtanli R disgastiN pIpal,” TYt /rOstOf Az hI
entxd.
<p>
“hAv V tOld Hem t briN H hPs?” Askt /teljynin, getiN ap
n lUkiN kXlasli abQt him.
<p>
“F hAv.”
<p>
“let as gO Qxselvz. F Onli kEm rQnd t Ask /denisOf abQt
jestxdE'z Pdx. hAv V got it, /denisOf?”
<p>
“not jet. bat wX R V of t?”
<p>
“F wont t tIc His jaN mAn hQ t SM a hPs,” sed
/teljynin.
<p>
HE went TrM H pPc n intM H stEbal. H lMtenant
iäplEnd hQ t rivat H hUf n went awE t hiz On kwPtxz.
<p>
wen /rOstOf went bAk HX woz a botal v vodka n a sosiJ on H
tEbal. /denisOf woz sitiN HX skrAciN wiH hiz pen on a SIt v
pEpx. hI lUkt glMmili in /rOstOf's fEs n sed: “F Am witiN
t hx.”
<p>
hI lInd hiz elbOz on H tEbal wiH hiz pen in hiz hAnd n,
evidentli glAd v a cAns t sE kwikx in wxdz wot hI wontad t
rFt, tOld /rOstOf H kontents v hiz letx.
<p>
“V sI, mF fwend,” hI sed, “wI slIp wen wI dOnt lav. wI
R cFldwen v H dast... bat wan fYlz in lav n wan iz a /god, wan
iz pMa' Az on H fihst dE v kwiESan... hM'z HAt nQ? send him
t H deval, F'm bizi!” hI SQtad t /lyvrMSka, hM went ap t
him not in H lIst abASt.
<p>
“hM SUd it bI? V jPself tOld him t kam. it's H
kwPtxmAstx f H mani.”
<p>
/denisOf frQnd n woz abQt t SQt sam riplF bat stopt.
<p>
“wecad biznas,” hI matxd t himself. “hQ mac iz left in
H puhse?” hI Askt, txniN t /rOstOf.
<p>
“sevan nM n TrI Old impCWlz.”
<p>
“O, it's wecad! wel, wot R V stAndiN HX f, V
sca'cwow? kYl H kwatemAste,” hI SQtad t /lyvrMSka.
<p>
“plIz, /denisOf, let mI lend V sam: F hAv sam, V nO,”
sed /rOstOf, blaSiN.
<p>
“dOnt lFk bQQiN from mF On felOz, F dOnt,” grQld
/denisOf.
<p>
“bat if V wOnt aäept mani from mI lFk a komrAd, V wil
afend mI. rWli F hAv sam,” /rOstOf ripItad.
<p>
“nO, F tel V.”
<p>
n /denisOf went t H bed t get H pxs from andx H pilO.
<p>
“wX hAv V pUt it, /wostOf?”
<p>
“andx H lOx pilO.”
<p>
“it's not HX.”
<p>
/denisOf TrM bOT pilOz on H flP. H pxs woz not HX.
<p>
“HAt's a miwakal.”
<p>
“wEt, hAvant V dropt it?” sed /rOstOf, pikiN ap H
pilOz wan At a tFm n SEkiN Hem.
<p>
hI pUld of H kwilt n SUk it. H pxs woz not HX.
<p>
“dC mI, kAn F hAv fxgotan? nO, F rimembx TiNkiN HAt V kept
it andx jP hed lFk a treZx,” sed /rOstOf. “F pUt it Jast
hC. wX iz it?” hI Askt, txniN t /lyvrMSka.
<p>
“F hAvant bin in H rMm. it mast bI wX V pUt it.”
<p>
“bat it izant?...”
<p>
“V'x YlwEz lFk HAt; V TwO a TiN dQn eniwX n fxget
it. fIl in jP pokats.”
<p>
“nO, if F hAdant TYt v it bIiN a treZx,” sed /rOstOf,
“bat F rimembx pUtiN it HX.”
<p>
/lyvrMSka txnd Yl H bediN Ovx, lUkt andx H bed n andx
H tEbal, sxct evriwX, n stUd stil in H midal v H
rMm. /denisOf sFlantli woct /lyvrMSka'z mMvmants, n wen H
lAtx TrM ap hiz Rmz in sxprFz sEiN it woz nOwX t bI fQnd
/denisOf glAnst At /rOstOf.
<p>
“/wostOf, V'v not bin plEiN skMlbq twiä...”
<p>
/rOstOf felt /denisOf's gEz fiät on him, rEzd hiz Fz, n
instantli dropt Hem agen. Yl H blad wic hAd sImd kanJestad
samwX bilO hiz TrOt raSt t hiz fEs n Fz. hI kUd not
drY breT.
<p>
“n HX hAzant bin eniwan in H rMm iäept H lMtenant n
jPselvz. it mast bI hC samwX,” sed /lyvrMSka.
<p>
“nQ Hen, V deval'z papat, lUk alFv n hant f it!”
SQtad /denisOf, sadanli, txniN pxpal n raSiN At H mAn wiH
a TretaniN Jescx. “if H pxs izant fQnd F'l flog V,
F'l flog V Yl.”
<p>
/rOstOf, hiz Fz avqdiN /denisOf, bigAn bataniN hiz kOt, bakald
on hiz sEbx, n pUt on hiz kAp.
<p>
“F mast hAv HAt pxs, F tel V,” SQtad /denisOf, SEkiN hiz
Pdxli bF H SOldxz n nokiN him agenst H wYl.
<p>
“/denisOf, let him alOn, F nO hM hAz tEkan it,” sed /rOstOf,
gOiN tPd H dP wiHQt rEziN hiz Fz. /denisOf pYzd, TYt
a mOment, n, evidentli andxstAndiN wot /rOstOf hintad At, sIzd
hiz Rm.
<p>
“nonsens!” hI krFd, n H vEnz on hiz fPhed n nek stUd
Qt lFk kPdz. “V R mAd, F tel V. F wOnt alQ it.
H pxs iz hC! F'l flE His skQndwal alFv, n it wil bI
fQnd.”
<p>
“F nO hM hAz tEkan it,” ripItad /rOstOf in an anstedi vqs,
n went t H dP.
<p>
“n F tel V, dOnt V /dyhe t dM it!” SQtad /denisOf,
raSiN At H kadet t ristrEn him.
<p>
bat /rOstOf pUld awE hiz Rm n, wiH Az mac ANgx Az HO
/denisOf wx hiz wxst enami, fxmli fiät hiz Fz direktli on hiz
fEs.
<p>
“dM V andxstAnd wot V'x sEiN?” hI sed in a trembaliN
vqs. “HX woz nO wan els in H rMm iäept mFself. sO HAt if it
iz not sO, Hen...”
<p>
hI kUd not finiS, n rAn Qt v H rMm.
<p>
“y, mE H deval tEk V n Ivewibodi,” wx H lAst wxdz
/rOstOf hxd.
<p>
/rOstOf went t /teljynin'z kwPtxz.
<p>
“H mAstx iz not in, hI'z gon t hedkwPtxz,” sed
/teljynin'z Pdxli. “hAz samTiN hApand?” hI Adad, sxprFzd
At H kadet's trabald fEs.
<p>
“nO, naTiN.”
<p>
“V'v Onli Jast mist him,” sed H Pdxli.
<p>
H hedkwPtxz wx sicMEtad tM mFlz awE from /sYltsanek, n
/rOstOf, wiHQt ritxniN hOm, tUk a hPs n rOd HX. HX woz
an in in H viliJ wic H ofisxz frIkwantad. /rOstOf rOd ap t
it n sY /teljynin'z hPs At H pPc.
<p>
in H sekand rMm v H in H lMtenant woz sitiN Ovx a diS v
sosiJaz n a botal v wFn.
<p>
“y, V'v kam hC tM, jaN mAn!” hI sed, smFliN n
rEziN hiz FbrQz.
<p>
“jes,” sed /rOstOf Az if it kost him a grEt dIl t atx H
wxd; n hI sAt dQn At H nCast tEbal.
<p>
bOT wx sFlant. HX wx tM /Jxmanz n a /raSan ofisx in H
rMm. nO wan spOk n H Onli sQndz hxd wx H klAtx v nFvz
n H manciN v H lMtenant.
<p>
wen /teljynin hAd finiSt hiz lanc hI tUk Qt v hiz pokat a dabal
pxs n, drYiN its riNz asFd wiH hiz smYl, wFt, txnd-ap
fiNgxz, drM Qt a gOld impCWl, n liftiN hiz FbrQz gEv it t
H wEtx.
<p>
“plIz bI kwik,” hI sed.
<p>
H kqn woz a nM wan. /rOstOf rOz n went ap t /teljynin.
<p>
“alQ mI t lUk At jP pxs,” hI sed in a lO, YlmOst
inYdabal, vqs.
<p>
wiH SiftiN Fz bat FbrQz stil rEzd, /teljynin hAndad him H
pxs.
<p>
“jes, it's a nFs pxs. jes, jes,” hI sed, grOiN sadanli
pEl, n Adad, “lUk At it, jaN mAn.”
<p>
/rOstOf tUk H pxs in hiz hAnd, iãAmind it n H mani in it, n
lUkt At /teljynin. H lMtenant woz lUkiN abQt in hiz VZMal wE
n sadanli sImd t grO veri meri.
<p>
“if wI get t /viena F'l get rid v it HX bat in HIz recad
lital tQnz HX'z nOwX t spend it,” sed hI. “wel, let mI
hAv it, jaN mAn, F'm gOiN.”
<p>
/rOstOf did not spIk.
<p>
“n V? R V gOiN t hAv lanc tM? HE fId V kwFt
dIsantli hC,” kantinVd /teljynin. “nQ Hen, let mI hAv it.”
<p>
hI strect Qt hiz hAnd t tEk hOld v H pxs. /rOstOf let gO v
it. /teljynin tUk H pxs n bigAn kXlasli slipiN it intM H
pokat v hiz rFdiN brIcaz, wiH hiz FbrQz liftad n hiz mQT
slFtli Opan, Az if t sE, “jes, jes, F Am pUtiN mF pxs in mF
pokat n HAt's kwFt simpal n iz nO wan els'az biznas.”
<p>
“wel, jaN mAn?” hI sed wiH a sF, n from andx hiz liftad
brQz hI glAnst intM /rOstOf's Fz.
<p>
sam flAS Az v an ilektrik spRk Sot from /teljynin'z Fz t
/rOstOf's n bAk, n bAk agen n agen in an instant.
<p>
“kam hC,” sed /rOstOf, kAciN hOld v /teljynin'z Rm n
YlmOst drAgiN him t H windO. “HAt mani iz /denisOf's; V
tUk it...” hI wispxd Jast abav /teljynin'z C.
<p>
“wot? wot? hQ dX V? wot?” sed /teljynin.
<p>
bat HIz wxdz kEm lFk a pitWs, dispXiN krF n an intrIti f
pRdan. Az sMn Az /rOstOf hxd Hem, an inPmas lOd v dQt
fel from him. hI woz glAd, n At H sEm instant bigAn t piti H
mizxabal mAn hM stUd bifP him, bat H tAsk hI hAd bigan hAd t bI
kamplItad.
<p>
“hevan Onli nOz wot H pIpal hC mE imAJin,” matxd
/teljynin, tEkiN ap hiz kAp n mMviN tPd a smYl empti rMm. “wI
mast hAv an eäplanESan...”
<p>
“F nO it n SAl prMv it,” sed /rOstOf.
<p>
“F...”
<p>
evri masal v /teljynin'z pEl, terifFd fEs bigAn t kwivx, hiz
Fz stil Siftad from sFd t sFd bat wiH a dQnwxd lUk not rFziN
t /rOstOf's fEs, n hiz sobz wx Ydabal.
<p>
“kQnt!... dOnt rMin a jaN felO... hC iz His recad mani,
tEk it...” hI TrM it on H tEbal. “F hAv an Old fyHx n
maHx!...”
<p>
/rOstOf tUk H mani, avqdiN /teljynin'z Fz, n went Qt v H
rMm wiHQt a wxd. bat At H dP hI stopt n Hen rItrEst hiz
steps. “O /god,” hI sed wiH tCz in hiz Fz, “hQ kUd V dM
it?”
<p>
“kQnt...” sed /teljynin drYiN nCx t him.
<p>
“dOnt tac mI,” sed /rOstOf, drYiN bAk. “if V nId it,
tEk H mani,” n hI TrM H pxs t him n rAn Qt v H in.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
HAt sEm IvniN HX woz an AnimEtad diskaSan amaN H
skwodran'z ofisxz in /denisOf's kwPtxz.
<p>
“n F tel V, /rOstOf, HAt V mast apolaJFz t H kxnal!”
sed a tYl, grizli-hXd stAf kAptin, wiH inPmas mastASaz n
meni riNkalz on hiz lRJ fIcxz, t /rOstOf hM woz krimzan wiH
iäFtmant.
<p>
H stAf kAptin, /kCstan, hAd twFs bin ridMst t H rANä f
afXz v onx n hAd twFs rigEnd hiz kamiSan.
<p>
“F wil alQ nO wan t kYl mI a lFx!” krFd /rOstOf. “hI tOld
mI F lFd, n F tOld him hI lFd. n HX it rests. hI mE kIp mI
on dMti evri dE, P mE plEs mI andx xest, bat nO wan kAn mEk
mI apolaJFz, bikoz if hI, Az kamAndx v His reJimant, TiNä it
binIT hiz digniti t giv mI sAtisfAkSan, Hen...”
<p>
“V Jast wEt a mOment, mF dC felO, n lisan,” intxaptad
H stAf kAptin in hiz dIp bEs, kymli strOkiN hiz loN mastAS.
“V tel H kxnal in H prezans v aHx ofisxz HAt an
ofisx hAz stOlan...”
<p>
“F'm not t blEm HAt H konvxsESan bigAn in H prezans v
aHx ofisxz. pxhAps F Yt not t hAv spOkan bifP Hem, bat F Am
not a diplOmatist. HAt's wF F Jqnd H hMsRz, TiNkiN HAt hC
wan wUd not nId fines; n hI telz mI HAt F Am lFiN—sO let him
giv mI sAtisfAkSan...”
<p>
“HAt's Yl rFt. nO wan TiNä V a kQxd, bat HAt's not H
pqnt. Ask /denisOf weHx it iz not Qt v H kwescan f a kadet t
dimAnd sAtisfAkSan v hiz reJimental kamAndx?”
<p>
/denisOf sAt glMmili bFtiN hiz mastAS n lisaniN t H
konvxsESan, evidentli wiH nO wiS t tEk pRt in it. hI Ansxd H
stAf kAptin'z kwescan bF a disaprMviN SEk v hiz hed.
<p>
“V spIk t H kxnal abQt His nAsti biznas bifP aHx
ofisxz,” kantinVd H stAf kAptin, “n /bOgdynic” (H
kxnal woz kYld /bOgdynic) “Sats V ap.”
<p>
“hI did not Sat mI ap, hI sed F woz teliN an antrMT.”
<p>
“wel, hAv it sO, n V tYkt a lot v nonsens t him n mast
apolaJFz.”
<p>
“not on eni akQnt!” iäklEmd /rOstOf.
<p>
“F did not iäpekt His v V,” sed H stAf kAptin sCWsli n
sivCli. “V dOnt wiS t apolaJFz, bat, mAn, it's not Onli t
him bat t H hOl reJimant—Yl v as—V'x t blEm Yl rQnd.
H kEs iz His: V Yt t hAv TYt H mAtx Ovx n
tEkan advFs; bat nO, V gO n blxt it Yl strEt Qt bifP H
ofisxz. nQ wot woz H kxnal t dM? hAv H ofisx trFd n
disgrEs H hOl reJimant? disgrEs H hOl reJimant bikoz v wan
skQndral? iz HAt hQ V lUk At it? wI dOnt sI it lFk HAt. n
/bOgdynic woz a brik: hI tOld V V wx sEiN wot woz not trM.
it's not plezant, bat wot's t bI dan, mF dC felO? V lAndad
jPself in it. n nQ, wen wan wonts t smMH H TiN Ovx, sam
kansIt privents jP apolaJFziN, n V wiS t mEk H hOl
afX pablik. V R afendad At bIiN pUt on dMti a bit, bat wF not
apolaJFz t an Old n onxabal ofisx? wotevx /bOgdynic mE
bI, eniwE hI iz an onxabal n brEv Old kxnal! V'x kwik At
tEkiN afens, bat V dOnt mFnd disgrEsiN H hOl reJimant!”
H stAf kAptin'z vqs bigAn t trembal. “V hAv bin in H
reJimant neät t nO tFm, mF lAd, V'x hC tadE n tamorO
V'l bI apqntad AJUtant samwX n kAn snAp jP fiNgxz wen
it iz sed 'HX R TIvz amaN H /pyvlOgryd ofisxz!' bat
it's not Yl H sEm t as! Am F not rFt, /denisOf? it's not H
sEm!”
<p>
/denisOf rimEnd sFlant n did not mMv, bat akEZanali lUkt wiH
hiz glitxiN blAk Fz At /rOstOf.
<p>
“V vAlV jP On prFd n dOnt wiS t apolaJFz,” kantinVd
H stAf kAptin, “bat wI Old felOz, hM hAv grOn ap in n, /god
wiliN, R gOiN t dF in H reJimant, wI prFz H onx v H
reJimant, n /bOgdynic nOz it. O, wI dM prFz it, Old felO! n
Yl His iz not rFt, it's not rFt! V mE tEk afens P not bat
F YlwEz stik t maHx trMT. it's not rFt!”
<p>
n H stAf kAptin rOz n txnd awE from /rOstOf.
<p>
“HAt's twM, deval tEk it!” SQtad /denisOf, JampiN ap. “nQ
Hen, /wostOf, nQ Hen!”
<p>
/rOstOf, grOiN red n pEl Yltxnatli, lUkt fxst At wan ofisx
n Hen At H aHx.
<p>
“nO, Jentalmen, nO... V masant TiNk... F kwFt andxstAnd.
V'x roN t TiNk HAt v mI... F... f mI... f H onx v
H reJimant F'd... y wel, F'l SO HAt in AkSan, n f mI
H onx v H flAg... wel, nevx mFnd, it's trM F'm t blEm,
t blEm Yl rQnd. wel, wot els dM V wont?...”
<p>
“kam, HAt's rFt, /kQnt!” krFd H stAf kAptin, txniN
rQnd n klApiN /rOstOf on H SOldx wiH hiz big hAnd.
<p>
“F tel V,” SQtad /denisOf, “hI'z a fFn felO.”
<p>
“HAt's betx, /kQnt,” sed H stAf kAptin, biginiN t
adres /rOstOf bF hiz tFtal, Az if in rekagniSan v hiz kanfeSan.
“gO n apolaJFz, jP eäalansi. jes, gO!”
<p>
“Jentalmen, F'l dM eniTiN. nO wan SAl hC a wxd from mI,”
sed /rOstOf in an implPiN vqs, “bat F kAnt apolaJFz, bF /god F
kAnt, dM wot V wil! hQ kAn F gO n apolaJFz lFk a lital bq
AskiN fxgivnas?”
<p>
/denisOf bigAn t lAf.
<p>
“it'l bI wxs f V. /bOgdynic iz vindiktiv n V'l pE
f jP obstinasi,” sed /kCstan.
<p>
“nO, on mF wxd it's not obstinasi! F kAnt diskrFb H fIliN.
F kAnt...”
<p>
“wel, it's Az V lFk,” sed H stAf kAptin. “n wot hAz
bikam v HAt skQndral?” hI Askt /denisOf.
<p>
“hI hAz wipPtad himself sik, hI'z t bI stwak of H list
tOmOO,” matxd /denisOf.
<p>
“it iz an ilnas, HX'z nO aHx wE v iäplEniN it,” sed
H stAf kAptin.
<p>
“ilnas P not, hI'd betx not kwos mF pAT. F'd kil him!”
SQtad /denisOf in a bladTxsti tOn.
<p>
Jast Hen /ZerkOf entxd H rMm.
<p>
“wot briNz V hC?” krFd H ofisxz txniN t H nMkamx.
<p>
“wI'x t gO intM AkSan, Jentalmen! mAk hAz sxendxd wiH hiz
hOl Rmi.”
<p>
“it's not trM!”
<p>
“F'v sIn him mFself!”
<p>
“wot? sY H rWl /mAk? wiH hAndz n fIt?”
<p>
“intM AkSan! intM AkSan! briN him a botal f sac nMz! bat hQ
did V kam hC?”
<p>
“F'v bin sent bAk t H reJimant Yl on akQnt v HAt deval,
/mAk. an /ostrWn Jenxal kamplEnd v mI. F kangrAcalEtad him on
/mAk's xFval... wot's H mAtx, /rOstOf? V lUk Az if V'd
Jast kam Qt v a hot bAT.”
<p>
“O, mF dC felO, wI'x in sac a stM hC HIz lAst tM
dEz.”
<p>
H reJimental AJUtant kEm in n kanfxmd H nMz brYt bF
/ZerkOf. HE wx andx Pdxz t advAns neät dE.
<p>
“wI'x gOiN intM AkSan, Jentalmen!”
<p>
“wel, TANk /god! wI'v bin sitiN hC tM loN!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/kMtMzOf fel bAk tPd /viena, distrqiN bihFnd him H briJaz Ovx
H rivxz /in (At /brQnQ) n /trQn (nC /lints). on oktObx 23 H
/raSan trMps wx krosiN H rivx /enz. At middE H /raSan
bAgiJ trEn, H Rtilxi, n kolamz v trMps wx difFliN
TrM H tQn v /enz on bOT sFdz v H briJ.
<p>
it woz a wPm, rEni, Ytamnal dE. H wFd iäpAns HAt Opand Qt
bifP H hFts on wic H /raSan bAtxiz stUd gRdiN H
briJ woz At tFmz vEld bF a dFAfanas kxtan v slAntiN rEn, n
Hen, sadanli spred Qt in H sanlFt, fR-distant obJekts kUd
bI klCli sIn glitxiN Az HO freSli vRniSt. dQn bilO,
H lital tQn kUd bI sIn wiH its wFt, red-rMft hQzaz, its
kaTIdral, n its briJ, on bOT sFdz v wic strImd JosaliN
mAsaz v /raSan trMps. At H bend v H /dAnVb, vesalz, an Fland,
n a kAsal wiH a pRk sxQndad bF H wYtxz v H konflMans v
H /enz n H /dAnVb bikEm vizabal, n H roki left bANk v H
/dAnVb kavxd wiH pFn fPists, wiH a mistik bAkgrQnd v grIn
trItops n blMiS gPJaz. H tarats v a konvent stUd Qt bijond a
wFld vxJin pFn fPist, n fR awE on H aHx sFd v H /enz H
enami'z hPs patrOlz kUd bI disxnd.
<p>
amaN H fIld ganz on H brQ v H hil H Jenxal in kamAnd v
H rCgRd stUd wiH a stAf ofisx, skAniN H kantri TrM
hiz fIldglAs. a lital bihFnd Hem /nesvitski, hM hAd bin sent t
H rCgRd bF H kamAndx in cIf, woz sitiN on H trEl v a
gan kAriJ. a /kosAk hM akampanid him hAd hAndad him a nApsAk
n a flAsk, n /nesvitski woz trItiN sam ofisxz t pFz n rWl
doppelkummel. H ofisxz glAdli gAHxd rQnd him, sam on HX
nIz, sam skwotiN /txkiS fASan on H wet grAs.
<p>
“jes, H /ostrWn prins hM bilt HAt kAsal woz nO fMl. it's
a fFn plEs! wF R V not ItiN eniTiN, Jentalmen?” /nesvitski
woz sEiN.
<p>
“TANk V veri mac, /prins,” Ansxd wan v H ofisxz, plIzd
t bI tYkiN t a stAf ofisx v sac impPtans. “it's a lavli
plEs! wI pAst klOs t H pRk n sY tM dC... n wot a
splendid hQs!”
<p>
“lUk, /prins,” sed anaHx, hM wUd hAv dCli lFkt t tEk
anaHx pF bat felt SF, n HXfP pritendad t bI iãAminiN H
kantrisFd—“sI, Qx infantrimen hAv Ylredi got HX. lUk HX
in H medO bihFnd H viliJ, TrI v Hem R drAgiN samTiN.
HE'l rAnsAk HAt kAsal,” hI rimRkt wiH evidant aprMval.
<p>
“sO HE wil,” sed /nesvitski. “nO, bat wot F SUd lFk,”
Adad hI, manciN a pF in hiz mqst-lipt hAndsam mQT, “wUd bI
t slip in Ovx HX.”
<p>
hI pqntad wiH a smFl t a taratad nanxi, n hiz Fz nArOd n
glImd.
<p>
“HAt wUd bI fFn, Jentalmen!”
<p>
H ofisxz lAft.
<p>
“Jast t flatx H nanz a bit. HE sE HX R /itAlWn gxlz
amaN Hem. on mF wxd F'd giv fFv jCz v mF lFf f it!”
<p>
“HE mast bI fIliN dal, tM,” sed wan v H bOldx ofisxz,
lAfiN.
<p>
mInwFl H stAf ofisx stAndiN in frant pqntad Qt samTiN t
H Jenxal, hM lUkt TrM hiz fIld glAs.
<p>
“jes, sO it iz, sO it iz,” sed H Jenxal ANgrili, lOxiN H
fIld glAs n SragiN hiz SOldxz, “sO it iz! HE'l bI fFxd
on At H krosiN. n wF R HE dYdaliN HX?”
<p>
on H opazit sFd H enami kUd bI sIn bF H nEkad F, n from
HX bAtxi a milk-wFt klQd xOz. Hen kEm H distant ripPt v
a Sot, n Qx trMps kUd bI sIn hariiN t H krosiN.
<p>
/nesvitski rOz, pafiN, n went ap t H Jenxal, smFliN.
<p>
“wUd not jP eäalansi lFk a lital rifreSmant?” hI sed.
<p>
“it's a bAd biznas,” sed H Jenxal wiHQt AnsxiN him,
“Qx men hAv bin wEstiN tFm.”
<p>
“hAdant F betx rFd Ovx, jP eäalansi?” Askt /nesvitski.
<p>
“jes, plIz dM,” Ansxd H Jenxal, n hI ripItad H Pdx
HAt hAd Ylredi wans bin givan in dItEl: “n tel H hMsRz
HAt HE R t kros lAst n t fFx H briJ Az F Pdxd; n H
inflAmabal matCWl on H briJ mast bI rEnzpektad.”
<p>
“veri gUd,” Ansxd /nesvitski.
<p>
hI kYld H /kosAk wiH hiz hPs, tOld him t pUt awE H nApsAk
n flAsk, n swaN hiz hevi pxsan Izili intM H sAdal.
<p>
“F'l rWli kYl in on H nanz,” hI sed t H ofisxz hM
woct him smFliNli, n hI rOd of bF H wFndiN pAT dQn H
hil.
<p>
“nQ Hen, let's sI hQ fR it wil kAri, /kAptin. Jast trF!”
sed H Jenxal, txniN t an Rtilxi ofisx. “hAv a lital fan
t pAs H tFm.”
<p>
“krM, t jP ganz!” kamAndad H ofisx.
<p>
in a mOment H men kEm raniN gEli from HX kAmpfFxz n bigAn
lOdiN.
<p>
“wan!” kEm H kamAnd.
<p>
nambx wan Jampt briskli asFd. H gan rAN Qt wiH a defaniN
mitAlik rP, n a wisaliN granEd flM abav H hedz v Qx
trMps bilO H hil n fel fR SPt v H enami, a lital smOk
SOiN H spot wX it bxst.
<p>
H fEsaz v ofisxz n men brFtand ap At H sQnd. evriwan got
ap n bigAn wociN H mMvmants v Qx trMps bilO, Az plEnli
vizabal Az if bat a stOn'z TrO awE, n H mMvmants v H
aprOciN enami fRHx of. At H sEm instant H san kEm fUli
Qt from bihFnd H klQdz, n H klC sQnd v H solitXi Sot
n H brilWns v H brFt sanSFn mxJd in a siNgal Jqas n
spiritad impreSan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/tM v H enami'z Sots hAd Ylredi flOn akros H briJ, wX
HX woz a kraS. hAfwE akros stUd /prins /nesvitski, hM hAd
alFtad from hiz hPs n hMz big bodi woz JAmd agenst H
rEliNz. hI lUkt bAk lAfiN t H /kosAk hM stUd a fV
steps bihFnd him hOldiN tM hPsaz bF HX brFdalz. Ic tFm /prins
/nesvitski trFd t mMv on, sOlJxz n kRts pUSt him bAk agen
n prest him agenst H rEliNz, n Yl hI kUd dM woz t smFl.
<p>
“wot a fFn felO V R, frend!” sed H /kosAk t a konvq
sOlJx wiH a wAgan, hM woz presiN ontM H infantrimen hM wx
krQdad tageHx klOs t hiz wIlz n hiz hPsaz. “wot a felO!
V kAnt wEt a mOment! dOnt V sI H Jenxal wonts t pAs?”
<p>
bat H konvqman tUk nO nOtis v H wxd “Jenxal” n SQtad
At H sOlJxz hM wx blokiN hiz wE. “hF HX, bqz! kIp t
H left! wEt a bit.” bat H sOlJxz, krQdad tageHx SOldx t
SOldx, HX bEanets intxlokiN, mMvd Ovx H briJ in a dens
mAs. lUkiN dQn Ovx H rElz /prins /nesvitski sY H rApid, nqzi
lital wEvz v H /enz, wic ripaliN n ediiN rQnd H pFlz v
H briJ cEst Ic aHx aloN. lUkiN on H briJ hI sY Ikwali
VnifPm liviN wEvz v sOlJxz, SOldx strAps, kavxd SEkOz,
nApsAä, bEanets, loN maskats, n, andx H SEkOz, fEsaz wiH
brYd cIkbOnz, saNkan cIä, n listlas tFxd iäpreSanz, n
fIt HAt mMvd TrM H stiki mad HAt kavxd H plANä v H
briJ. samtFmz TrM H manotanas wEvz v men, lFk a flek v
wFt fOm on H wEvz v H /enz, an ofisx, in a klOk n wiH
a tFp v fEs difxant from HAt v H men, skwIzd hiz wE aloN;
samtFmz lFk a cip v wUd wxliN in H rivx, an hMsR on fUt,
an Pdxli, P a tQnzman woz kArid TrM H wEvz v infantri;
n samtFmz lFk a log flOtiN dQn H rivx, an ofisxz' P
kampani'z bAgiJ wAgan, pFld hF, leHx kavxd, n hemd in on
Yl sFdz, mMvd akros H briJ.
<p>
“it's Az if a dAm hAd bxst,” sed H /kosAk hOplasli. “R
HX meni mP v V t kam?”
<p>
“a milWn Yl bat wan!” riplFd a wAgiS sOlJx in a tPn kOt,
wiH a wiNk, n pAst on folOd bF anaHx, an Old mAn.
<p>
“if hI” (hI ment H enami) “biginz popiN At H briJ nQ,”
sed H Old sOlJx dizmali t a komrAd, “V'l fxget t
skrAc jPself.”
<p>
HAt sOlJx pAst on, n Aftx him kEm anaHx sitiN on a kRt.
<p>
“wX H deval hAv H leg bAndz bin Savd t?” sed an
Pdxli, raniN bihFnd H kRt n fambaliN in H bAk v it.
<p>
n hI YlsO pAst on wiH H wAgan. Hen kEm sam meri sOlJxz hM
hAd evidentli bin driNkiN.
<p>
“n Hen, Old felO, hI givz him wan in H tIT wiH H bat
end v hiz gan...” a sOlJx hMz grEtkOt woz wel takt ap sed
gEli, wiH a wFd swiN v hiz Rm.
<p>
“jes, H hAm woz Jast diliSas...” Ansxd anaHx wiH a lQd
lAf. n HE, tM, pAst on, sO HAt /nesvitski did not lxn hM
hAd bin strak on H tIT, P wot H hAm hAd t dM wiH it.
<p>
“by! hQ HE skari. hI Jast sendz a bYl n HE TiNk HE'l
Yl bI kild,” a sRJant woz sEiN ANgrili n riprOcfali.
<p>
“Az it flFz pAst mI, /dAdi, H bYl F mIn,” sed a jaN sOlJx
wiH an inPmas mQT, hRdli rifrEniN from lAfiN, “F felt lFk
dFiN v frFt. F did, 'pon mF wxd, F got HAt frFtand!” sed
hI, Az if brAgiN v hAviN bin frFtand.
<p>
HAt wan YlsO pAst. Hen folOd a kRt anlFk eni HAt hAd gon
bifP. it woz a /Jxman kRt wiH a pX v hPsaz led bF a /Jxman, n
sImd lOdad wiH a hOl hQsfUl v ifekts. a fFn brindald kQ wiH
a lRJ adx woz atAct t H kRt bihFnd. a wUman wiH an anwInd
bEbi, an Old wUman, n a helTi /Jxman gxl wiH brFt red cIä
wx sitiN on sam feHx bedz. evidentli HIz fVJativz wx
alQd t pAs bF speSal pxmiSan. H Fz v Yl H sOlJxz
txnd tPd H wimin, n wFl H vIikal woz pAsiN At fUt pEs
Yl H sOlJxz' rimRä rilEtad t H tM jaN wanz. evri fEs
bP YlmOst H sEm smFl, iäpresiN ansImli TYts abQt H
wimin.
<p>
“Jast sI, H /Jxman sosiJ iz mEkiN trAä, tM!”
<p>
“sel mI H misiz,” sed anaHx sOlJx, adresiN H /Jxman,
hM, ANgri n frFtand, strOd enxJetikli aloN wiH dQnkAst
Fz.
<p>
“sI hQ smRt SI'z mEd hxself! O, H devalz!”
<p>
“HX, /fedOtOf, V SUd bI kwPtxd on Hem!”
<p>
“F hAv sIn Az mac bifP nQ, mEt!”
<p>
“wX R V gOiN?” Askt an infantri ofisx hM woz ItiN an
Apal, YlsO hAf smFliN Az hI lUkt At H hAndsam gxl.
<p>
H /Jxman klOzd hiz Fz, signifFiN HAt hI did not andxstAnd.
<p>
“tEk it if V lFk,” sed H ofisx, giviN H gxl an Apal.
<p>
H gxl smFld n tUk it. /nesvitski lFk H rest v H men on H
briJ did not tEk hiz Fz of H wimin til HE hAd pAst. wen
HE hAd gon bF, H sEm strIm v sOlJxz folOd, wiH H sEm
kFnd v tYk, n At lAst Yl stopt. Az oftan hApanz, H hPsaz v
a konvq wAgan bikEm restiv At H end v H briJ, n H hOl
krQd hAd t wEt.
<p>
“n wF R HE stopiN? HX'z nO propx Pdx!” sed H
sOlJxz. “wX R V SaviN t? deval tEk V! kAnt V wEt?
it'l bI wxs if hI fFxz H briJ. sI, hC'z an ofisx JAmd
in tM”—difxant vqsaz wx sEiN in H krQd, Az H men lUkt
At wan anaHx, n Yl prest tPd H eäit from H briJ.
<p>
lUkiN dQn At H wYtxz v H /enz andx H briJ, /nesvitski
sadanli hxd a sQnd nM t him, v samTiN swiftli aprOciN...
samTiN big, HAt splASt intM H wYtx.
<p>
“Jast sI wX it kAriz t!” a sOlJx nC bF sed stxnli,
lUkiN rQnd At H sQnd.
<p>
“inkariJiN as t get aloN kwikx,” sed anaHx anIzili.
<p>
H krQd mMvd on agen. /nesvitski rWlFzd HAt it woz a kAnan bYl.
<p>
“hE, /kosAk, mF hPs!” hI sed. “nQ, Hen, V HX! get Qt
v H wE! mEk wE!”
<p>
wiH grEt difikalti hI mAniJd t get t hiz hPs, n SQtiN
kantinVali hI mMvd on. H sOlJxz skwIzd Hemselvz t mEk wE
f him, bat agen prest on him sO HAt HE JAmd hiz leg, n HOz
nCast him wx not t blEm f HE wx Hemselvz prest stil
hRdx from bihFnd.
<p>
“/nesvitski, /nesvitski! V namskal!” kEm a hPs vqs from
bihFnd him.
<p>
/nesvitski lUkt rQnd n sY, sam fiftIn pEsaz awE bat sepxEtad
bF H liviN mAs v mMviN infantri, /vyska /denisOf, red n SAgi,
wiH hiz kAp on H bAk v hiz blAk hed n a klOk hANiN JYntili
Ovx hiz SOldx.
<p>
“tel HIz devalz, HIz fIndz, t let mI pAs!” SQtad /denisOf
evidentli in a fit v rEJ, hiz kOl-blAk Fz wiH HX bladSot
wFts glitxiN n rOliN Az hI wEvd hiz SIHd sEbx in a smYl
bX hAnd Az red Az hiz fEs.
<p>
“y, /vyska!” Jqfali riplFd /nesvitski. “wot's ap wiH
V?”
<p>
“H skwodwan kAnt pAs,” SQtad /vyska /denisOf, SOiN hiz
wFt tIT fCsli n spxiN hiz blAk TarObred /Arab, wic
twict its Cz Az H bEanets tact it, n snPtad, spxtiN
wFt fOm from hiz bit, trAmpiN H plANä v H briJ wiH hiz
hUfs, n apArantli redi t Jamp Ovx H rEliNz hAd hiz rFdx let
him. “wot iz His? HE'x lFk SIp! Jast lFk SIp! Qt v H
wE!... let as pAs!... stop HX, V deval wiH H kRt! F'l hAk
V wiH mF sEbx!” hI SQtad, AkcMali drYiN hiz sEbx from its
skAbxd n flariSiN it.
<p>
H sOlJxz krQdad agenst wan anaHx wiH terifFd fEsaz, n
/denisOf Jqnd /nesvitski.
<p>
“hQ'z it V'x not draNk tadE?” sed /nesvitski wen H
aHx hAd ridan ap t him.
<p>
“HE dOnt Ivan giv wan tFm t dwiNk!” Ansxd /vyska
/denisOf. “HE kIp dwAgiN H /wegimant t n fwO Yl dE. if HE
mIn t fFt, let's fFt. bat H deval nOz wot His iz.”
<p>
“wot a dAndi V R tadE!” sed /nesvitski, lUkiN At
/denisOf's nM klOk n sAdalkloT.
<p>
/denisOf smFld, tUk Qt v hiz sEbxItEk a hANkxcif HAt difVzd
a smel v pxfVm, n pUt it t /nesvitski'z nOz.
<p>
“v kPs. F'm gOiN intM AkSan! F'v SEvd, bwaSt mF tIT,
n sentad mFself.”
<p>
H impOziN figjx v /nesvitski folOd bF hiz /kosAk, n
H ditxminESan v /denisOf hM flariSt hiz sPd n SQtad
frAntikli, hAd sac an ifekt HAt HE mAniJd t skwIz TrM
t H fRHx sFd v H briJ n stopt H infantri. bisFd H
briJ /nesvitski fQnd H kxnal t hMm hI hAd t dilivx H Pdx,
n hAviN dan His hI rOd bAk.
<p>
hAviN klCd H wE /denisOf stopt At H end v H briJ.
kXlasli hOldiN in hiz stAlWn HAt woz nEiN n pYiN H
grQnd, Igx t rIJqn its felOz, hI woct hiz skwodran drY
nCx. Hen H klAN v hUfs, Az v sevxal hPsaz gAlapiN,
rizQndad on H plANä v H briJ, n H skwodran, ofisxz in
frant n men fP abrest, spred akros H briJ n bigAn t imxJ
on hiz sFd v it.
<p>
H infantri hM hAd bin stopt krQdad nC H briJ in H
trAmpald mad n gEzd wiH HAt pxtikVlx fIliN v il-wil,
istrEnJmant, n ridikVl wiH wic trMps v difxant Rmz VZMali
inkQntx wan anaHx At H klIn, smRt hMsRz hM mMvd pAst Hem in
regVlx Pdx.
<p>
“smRt lAdz! Onli fit f a fX!” sed wan.
<p>
“wot gUd R HE? HE'x led abQt Jast f SO!” rimRkt
anaHx.
<p>
“dOnt kik ap H dast, V infantri!” Jestad an hMsR hMz
prAnsiN hPs hAd splASt mad Ovx sam fUt sOlJxz.
<p>
“F'd lFk t pUt V on a tM dEz' mRc wiH a nApsAk! jP
fFn kPdz wUd sMn get a bit rabd,” sed an infantriman, wFpiN
H mad of hiz fEs wiH hiz slIv. “pxct ap HX, V'x mP
lFk a bxd HAn a mAn.”
<p>
“HX nQ, /zikin, HE Yt t pUt V on a hPs. V'd lUk
fFn,” sed a kPpxal, cAfiN a Tin lital sOlJx hM bent andx
H wEt v hiz nApsAk.
<p>
“tEk a stik bitwIn jP leã, HAt'l sMt V f a hPs!”
H hMsR SQtad bAk.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
H lAst v H infantri haridli krost H briJ, skwIziN
tageHx Az HE aprOct it Az if pAsiN TrM a fanal. At lAst
H bAgiJ wAganz hAd Yl krost, H kraS woz les, n H lAst
batAlWn kEm ontM H briJ. Onli /denisOf's skwodran v hMsRz
rimEnd on H fRHx sFd v H briJ fEsiN H enami, hM kUd
bI sIn from H hil on H opazit bANk bat woz not jet vizabal from
H briJ, f H hxFzan Az sIn from H vAli TrM wic H
rivx flOd woz fPmd bF H rFziN grQnd Onli hAf a mFl awE.
At H fUt v H hil lE wEstlAnd Ovx wic a fV grMps v Qx
/kosAk skQts wx mMviN. sadanli on H rOd At H top v H hF
grQnd, Rtilxi n trMps in blM VnifPm wx sIn. HIz wx H
/frenc. a grMp v /kosAk skQts ritFxd dQn H hil At a trot. Yl
H ofisxz n men v /denisOf's skwodran, HO HE trFd t tYk
v aHx TiNz n t lUk in aHx direkSanz, TYt Onli v wot
woz HX on H hiltop, n kept konstantli lUkiN At H pAcaz
apCiN on H skFlFn, wic HE nM t bI H enami'z trMps.
H weHx hAd klCd agen sins nMn n H san woz disendiN
brFtli apon H /dAnVb n H dRk hilz xQnd it. it woz kym, n
At intxvalz H bVgal kYlz n H SQts v H enami kUd bI hxd
from H hil. HX woz nO wan nQ bitwIn H skwodran n H enami
iäept a fV skAtxd skxmiSxz. an empti spEs v sam sevan handrad
jRdz woz Yl HAt sepxEtad Hem. H enami sIst fFxiN, n HAt
stxn, TretaniN, inaäesabal, n intAnJabal lFn wic sepxEts
tM hostFl Rmiz woz Yl H mP klCli felt.
<p>
“wan step bijond HAt bQndri lFn wic rizembalz H lFn divFdiN
H liviN from H ded lFz ansxtanti, safxiN, n deT. n
wot iz HX? hM iz HX?—HX bijond HAt fIld, HAt trI, HAt
rMf lit ap bF H san? nO wan nOz, bat wan wonts t nO. V fC
n jet loN t kros HAt lFn, n nO HAt sMnx P lEtx it mast
bI krost n V wil hAf t fFnd Qt wot iz HX, Jast Az V wil
inevitabli hAf t lxn wot lFz H aHx sFd v deT. bat V R
stroN, helTi, cCfal, n iäFtad, n R sxQndad bF aHx sac
iäFtadli AnimEtad n helTi men.” sO TiNä, P At eni rEt
fIlz, eniwan hM kamz in sFt v H enami, n HAt fIliN givz
a pxtikVlx glAmx n glAd kInnas v impreSan t evriTiN HAt
tEä plEs At sac mOments.
<p>
on H hF grQnd wX H enami woz, H smOk v a kAnan rOz,
n a bYl flM wisaliN Ovx H hedz v H hMsR skwodran. H
ofisxz hM hAd bin stAndiN tageHx rOd of t HX plEsaz. H
hMsRz bigAn kXfali alFniN HX hPsaz. sFlans fel on H hOl
skwodran. Yl wx lUkiN At H enami in frant n At H skwodran
kamAndx, awEtiN H wxd v kamAnd. a sekand n a Txd kAnan
bYl flM pAst. evidentli HE wx fFxiN At H hMsRz, bat H bYlz
wiH rApid riHmik wisal flM Ovx H hedz v H hPsmen n fel
samwX bijond Hem. H hMsRz did not lUk rQnd, bat At H sQnd
v Ic Sot, Az At H wxd v kamAnd, H hOl skwodran wiH its
rOz v fEsaz sO alFk jet sO difxant, hOldiN its breT wFl H
bYl flM pAst, rOz in H stxaps n sANk bAk agen. H sOlJxz
wiHQt txniN HX hedz glAnst At wan anaHx, kjUxWs t sI HX
komrAdz' impreSan. evri fEs, from /denisOf's t HAt v H
bVgalx, SOd wan koman iäpreSan v konflikt, iritESan, n
iäFtmant, xQnd cin n mQT. H kwPtxmAstx frQnd, lUkiN
At H sOlJxz Az if TretaniN t paniS Hem. kadet /mCOnOf dakt
evri tFm a bYl flM pAst. /rOstOf on H left flANk, mQntad on hiz
/rUk—a hAndsam hPs dispFt its gEm leg—hAd H hApi X v a
skMlbq kYld ap bifP a lRJ YdWns f an iãAminESan in wic
hI fIlz SUx hI wil distiNgwiS himself. hI woz glAnsiN At evriwan
wiH a klC, brFt iäpreSan, Az if AskiN Hem t nOtis hQ kymli
hI sAt andx fFx. bat dispFt himself, on hiz fEs tM HAt sEm
indikESan v samTiN nM n stxn SOd rQnd H mQT.
<p>
“hM'z HAt kxtsiiN HX? kadet /miwOnOf! HAt's not wFt!
lUk At mI,” krFd /denisOf hM, anEbal t kIp stil on wan spot,
kept txniN hiz hPs in frant v H skwodran.
<p>
H blAk, hXi, snab-nOzd fEs v /vyska /denisOf, n hiz hOl
SPt stxdi figjx wiH H sinVi hXi hAnd n stampi fiNgxz in
wic hI held H hilt v hiz nEkad sEbx, lUkt Jast Az it VZMali
did, ispeSali tPd IvniN wen hI hAd emptid hiz sekand botal; hI
woz Onli redx HAn VZMal. wiH hiz SAgi hed TrOn bAk lFk bxdz
wen HE driNk, presiN hiz spxz mxsilasli intM H sFdz v hiz
gUd hPs, /bedMin, n sitiN Az HO fYliN bAkwxdz in H
sAdal, hI gAlapt t H aHx flANk v H skwodran n SQtad in
a hPs vqs t H men t lUk t HX pistalz. hI rOd ap t
/kCstan. H stAf kAptin on hiz brYd-bAkt, stedi mX kEm At a
wYk t mIt him. hiz fEs wiH its loN mastAS woz sCWs Az YlwEz,
Onli hiz Fz wx brFtx HAn VZMal.
<p>
“wel, wot abQt it?” sed hI t /denisOf. “it wOnt kam t a
fFt. V'l sI—wI SAl ritFx.”
<p>
“H deval Onli nOz wot HE'x abQt!” matxd /denisOf.
“y, /wostOf,” hI krFd nOtisiN H kadet's brFt fEs,
“V'v got it At lAst.”
<p>
n hI smFld aprMviNli, evidentli plIzd wiH H kadet. /rOstOf
felt pxfiktli hApi. Jast Hen H kamAndx apCd on H briJ.
/denisOf gAlapt ap t him.
<p>
“jP eäalansi! let as atAk Hem! F'l dwFv Hem of.”
<p>
“atAk indId!” sed H kxnal in a bPd vqs, pakxiN ap hiz
fEs Az if drFviN of a trabalsam flF. “n wF R V stopiN
hC? dOnt V sI H skxmiSxz R ritrItiN? lId H skwodran
bAk.”
<p>
H skwodran krost H briJ n drM Qt v rEnJ v fFx wiHQt
hAviN lost a siNgal mAn. H sekand skwodran HAt hAd bin in H frant
lFn folOd Hem akros n H lAst /kosAä kwitad H fRHx sFd
v H rivx.
<p>
H tM /pyvlOgryd skwodranz, hAviN krost H briJ, ritFxd ap H
hil wan Aftx H aHx. HX kxnal, /kRl /bOgdynic /SMbxt, kEm
ap t /denisOf's skwodran n rOd At a fUtpEs not fR from /rOstOf,
wiHQt tEkiN eni nOtis v him YlHO HE wx nQ mItiN f H
fxst tFm sins HX inkQntx kansxniN /teljynin. /rOstOf, fIliN
HAt hI woz At H frant n in H pQx v a mAn tPd hMm hI nQ
admitad HAt hI hAd bin t blEm, did not lift hiz Fz from H
kxnal'z ATletik bAk, hiz nEp kavxd wiH lFt hX, n hiz red
nek. it sImd t /rOstOf HAt /bOgdynic woz Onli pritendiN not
t nOtis him, n HAt hiz hOl Em nQ woz t test H kadet's
kariJ, sO hI drM himself ap n lUkt xQnd him merili; Hen it
sImd t him HAt /bOgdynic rOd sO nC in Pdx t SO him hiz
kariJ. neät hI TYt HAt hiz enami wUd send H skwodran on a
despxat atAk Jast t paniS him—/rOstOf. Hen hI imAJind hQ,
Aftx H atAk, /bOgdynic wUd kam ap t him Az hI lE wMndad n
wUd mAgnAnimasli iätend H hAnd v rekansiliESan.
<p>
H hF-SOldxd figjx v /ZerkOf, familC t H /pyvlOgrydz Az
hI hAd bat rIsantli left HX reJimant, rOd ap t H kxnal.
Aftx hiz dismisal from hedkwPtxz /ZerkOf hAd not rimEnd in H
reJimant, sEiN hI woz not sac a fMl Az t slEv At H frant wen hI
kUd get mP riwPdz bF dMiN naTiN on H stAf, n hAd saäIdad
in atAciN himself Az an Pdxli ofisx t /prins /bygrytiOn. hI nQ
kEm t hiz fPmx cIf wiH an Pdx from H kamAndx v H rC
gRd.
<p>
“kxnal,” hI sed, adresiN /rOstOf's enami wiH an X v
glMmi grAviti n glAnsiN rQnd At hiz komrAdz, “HX iz an Pdx
t stop n fFx H briJ.”
<p>
“an Pdx t hM?” Askt H kxnal mxOsli.
<p>
“F dOnt mFself nO 't hM,'” riplFd H kPnet in a
sCWs tOn, “bat H prins tOld mI t 'gO n tel H kxnal
HAt H hMsRz mast ritxn kwikli n fFx H briJ.'”
<p>
/ZerkOf woz folOd bF an ofisx v H swIt hM rOd ap t H
kxnal v hMsRz wiH H sEm Pdx. Aftx him H stQt /nesvitski
kEm gAlapiN ap on a /kosAk hPs HAt kUd skXsli kAri hiz
wEt.
<p>
“hQ'z His, /kxnal?” hI SQtad Az hI aprOct. “F tOld V
t fFx H briJ, n nQ samwan hAz gon n blandxd; HE R Yl
bisFd Hemselvz Ovx HX n wan kAnt mEk eniTiN Qt.”
<p>
H kxnal dilibxatli stopt H reJimant n txnd t /nesvitski.
<p>
“V spOk t mI v inflAmabal matCWl,” sed hI, “bat V sed
naTiN abQt fFxiN it.”
<p>
“bat, mF dC sx,” sed /nesvitski Az hI drM ap, tEkiN of hiz
kAp n smMHiN hiz hX wet wiH pxspxESan wiH hiz plamp hAnd,
“wozant F teliN V t fFx H briJ, wen inflAmabal matCWl
hAd bin pUt in paziSan?”
<p>
“F Am not jP 'dC sx,' /mx /stAf /ofisx, n V did not tel
mI t bxn H briJ! F nO H sxvis, n it iz mF hAbit Pdxz
striktli t ObE. V sed H briJ wUd bI bxnd, bat hM wUd
bxn it, F kUd not nO bF H hOli spirit!”
<p>
“y, HAt's YlwEz H wE!” sed /nesvitski wiH a wEv v H
hAnd. “hQ did V get hC?” sed hI, txniN t /ZerkOf.
<p>
“on H sEm biznas. bat V R dAmp! let mI riN V Qt!”
<p>
“V wx sEiN, /mx /stAf /ofisx...” kantinVd H kxnal in an
afendad tOn.
<p>
“kxnal,” intxaptad H ofisx v H swIt, “V mast bI
kwik P H enami wil briN ap hiz ganz t Vz grEpSot.”
<p>
H kxnal lUkt sFlantli At H ofisx v H swIt, At H stQt
stAf ofisx, n At /ZerkOf, n hI frQnd.
<p>
“F wil H briJ fFx,” hI sed in a solam tOn Az if t anQns
HAt in spFt v Yl H anplezantnas hI hAd t indx hI wUd stil
dM H rFt TiN.
<p>
strFkiN hiz hPs wiH hiz loN maskVlx leã Az if it wx t blEm
f evriTiN, H kxnal mMvd fPwxd n Pdxd H sekand
skwodran, HAt in wic /rOstOf woz sxviN andx /denisOf, t ritxn t
H briJ.
<p>
“HX, it's Jast Az F TYt,” sed /rOstOf t himself. “hI
wiSaz t test mI!” hiz hRt kantrAktad n H blad raSt t hiz
fEs. “let him sI weHx F Am a kQxd!” hI TYt.
<p>
agen on Yl H brFt fEsaz v H skwodran H sCWs iäpreSan
apCd HAt HE hAd wPn wen andx fFx. /rOstOf woct hiz enami,
H kxnal, klOsli—t fFnd in hiz fEs konfxmESan v hiz On
kanJekcx, bat H kxnal did not wans glAns At /rOstOf, n lUkt
Az hI YlwEz did wen At H frant, solam n stxn. Hen kEm H wxd
v kamAnd.
<p>
“lUk SRp! lUk SRp!” sevxal vqsaz ripItad xQnd him.
<p>
HX sEbxz kAciN in H brFdalz n HX spxz JiNgaliN, H
hMsRz hEstili dismQntad, not nOiN wot HE wx t dM. H men
wx krosiN Hemselvz. /rOstOf nO loNgx lUkt At H kxnal, hI
hAd nO tFm. hI woz afrEd v fYliN bihFnd H hMsRz, sO mac afrEd
HAt hiz hRt stUd stil. hiz hAnd trembald Az hI gEv hiz hPs intM
an Pdxli'z cRJ, n hI felt H blad raS t hiz hRt wiH
a Tad. /denisOf rOd pAst him, lIniN bAk n SQtiN samTiN.
/rOstOf sY naTiN bat H hMsRz raniN Yl xQnd him, HX spxz
kAciN n HX sEbxz klAtxiN.
<p>
“strecxz!” SQtad samwan bihFnd him.
<p>
/rOstOf did not TiNk wot His kYl f strecxz ment; hI rAn on,
trFiN Onli t bI ahed v H aHxz; bat Jast At H briJ, not
lUkiN At H grQnd, hI kEm on sam stiki, trodan mad, stambald,
n fel on hiz hAndz. H aHxz Qtstript him.
<p>
“At bos zFdz, /kAptin,” hI hxd H vqs v H kxnal, hM,
hAviN ridan ahed, hAd pUld ap hiz hPs nC H briJ, wiH a
trFamfant, cCfal fEs.
<p>
/rOstOf wFpiN hiz madi hAndz on hiz brIcaz lUkt At hiz enami n
woz abQt t ran on, TiNkiN HAt H fRHx hI went t H frant
H betx. bat /bOgdynic, wiHQt lUkiN At P rekagnFziN /rOstOf,
SQtad t him:
<p>
“hM'z HAt raniN on H midal v H briJ? t H rFt! kam
bAk, /kadet!” hI krFd ANgrili; n txniN t /denisOf, hM, SOiN
of hiz kariJ, hAd ridan on t H plANä v H briJ:
<p>
“wF ran risä, /kAptin? V SUd dismQnt,” hI sed.
<p>
“O, evri bUlat hAz its bilat,” Ansxd /vyska /denisOf, txniN
in hiz sAdal.
<p>
<p>
mInwFl /nesvitski, /ZerkOf, n H ofisx v H swIt wx
stAndiN tageHx Qt v rEnJ v H Sots, wociN, nQ H smYl
grMp v men wiH jelO SEkOz, dRk-grIn JAkats brEdad wiH kPd,
n blM rFdiN brIcaz, hM wx swPmiN nC H briJ, n Hen At
wot woz aprOciN in H distans from H opazit sFd—H blM
VnifPmz n grMps wiH hPsaz, Izili rekagnFzabal Az Rtilxi.
<p>
“wil HE bxn H briJ P not? hM'l get HX fxst? wil HE
get HX n fFx H briJ P wil H /frenc get wiHin grEpSot
rEnJ n wFp Hem Qt?” HIz wx H kwescanz Ic mAn v H
trMps on H hF grQnd abav H briJ involantXili Askt himself
wiH a siNkiN hRt—wociN H briJ n H hMsRz in H brFt
IvniN lFt n H blM tMniä advAnsiN from H aHx sFd wiH
HX bEanets n ganz.
<p>
“ag. H hMsRz wil get it hot!” sed /nesvitski; “HE R
wiHin grEpSot rEnJ nQ.”
<p>
“hI SUdant hAv tEkan sO meni men,” sed H ofisx v H
swIt.
<p>
“trM inaf,” Ansxd /nesvitski; “tM smRt felOz kUd hAv
dan H Job Jast Az wel.”
<p>
“y, jP eäalansi,” pUt in /ZerkOf, hiz Fz fiät on H
hMsRz, bat stil wiH HAt nFIv X HAt mEd it imposabal t nO
weHx hI woz spIkiN in Jest P in xnast. “y, jP eäalansi!
hQ V lUk At TiNz! send tM men? n hM Hen wUd giv as H
/vlydimC medal n riban? bat nQ, Ivan if HE dM get pepxd, H
skwodran mE bI rekamendad f onxz n hI mE get a riban. Qx
/bOgdynic nOz hQ TiNz R dan.”
<p>
“HX nQ!” sed H ofisx v H swIt, “HAt's
grEpSot.”
<p>
hI pqntad t H /frenc ganz, H limbxz v wic wx bIiN ditAct
n haridli rimMvd.
<p>
on H /frenc sFd, amid H grMps wiH kAnan, a klQd v smOk
apCd, Hen a sekand n a Txd YlmOst sFmaltEnWsli, n At H
mOment wen H fxst ripPt woz hxd a fPT woz sIn. Hen tM
ripPts wan Aftx anaHx, n a Txd.
<p>
“O! O!” grOnd /nesvitski Az if in fCs pEn, sIziN H
ofisx v H swIt bF H Rm. “lUk! a mAn hAz fYlan! fYlan,
fYlan!”
<p>
“tM, F TiNk.”
<p>
“if F wx /tsR F wUd nevx gO t wP,” sed /nesvitski, txniN
awE.
<p>
H /frenc ganz wx hEstili rIlOdad. H infantri in HX blM
VnifPmz advAnst tPd H briJ At a ran. smOk apCd agen
bat At iregVlx intxvalz, n grEpSot krAkt n rAtald ontM H
briJ. bat His tFm /nesvitski kUd not sI wot woz hApaniN HX,
Az a dens klQd v smOk xOz from it. H hMsRz hAd saäIdad in
setiN it on fFx n H /frenc bAtxiz wx nQ fFxiN At Hem, nO
loNgx t hindx Hem bat bikoz H ganz wx trEnd n HX woz
samwan t fFx At
<p>
H /frenc hAd tFm t fFx TrI rQndz v grEpSot bifP H hMsRz
got bAk t HX hPsaz. tM wx misdirektad n H Sot went tM
hF, bat H lAst rQnd fel in H midst v a grMp v hMsRz n
nokt TrI v Hem Ovx.
<p>
/rOstOf, absPbd bF hiz rilESanz wiH /bOgdynic, hAd pYzd on H
briJ not nOiN wot t dM. HX woz nO wan t hV dQn (Az hI
hAd YlwEz imAJind bAtalz t himself), nP kUd hI help t fFx H
briJ bikoz hI hAd not brYt eni bxniN strY wiH him lFk H
aHx sOlJxz. hI stUd lUkiN abQt him, wen sadanli hI hxd a
rAtal on H briJ Az if nats wx bIiN spilt, n H hMsR nCast
t him fel agenst H rElz wiH a grOn. /rOstOf rAn ap t him wiH
H aHxz. agen samwan SQtad, “strecxz!” fP men sIzd H
hMsR n bigAn liftiN him.
<p>
“M! f /krFst's sEk let mI alOn!” krFd H wMndad mAn, bat
stil hI woz liftad n lEd on H strecx.
<p>
/nikalas /rOstOf txnd awE n, Az if sxciN f samTiN, gEzd
intM H distans, At H wYtxz v H /dAnVb, At H skF, n At H
san. hQ bVtifal H skF lUkt; hQ blM, hQ kym, n hQ dIp!
hQ brFt n glPWs woz H setiN san! wiH wot soft glitx H
wYtxz v H distant /dAnVb SOn. n fXx stil wx H fRawE
blM mQntanz bijond H rivx, H nanxi, H mistCWs gPJaz, n
H pFn fPists vEld in H mist v HX samits... HX woz pIs
n hApinas... “F SUd wiS f naTiN els, naTiN, if Onli F
wx HX,” TYt /rOstOf. “in mFself alOn n in HAt sanSFn
HX iz sO mac hApinas; bat hC... grOnz, safxiN, fC, n
His ansxtanti n hari... HX—HE R SQtiN agen, n
agen R Yl raniN bAk samwX, n F SAl ran wiH Hem, n it,
deT, iz hC abav mI n xQnd... anaHx instant n F SAl nevx
agen sI H san, His wYtx, HAt gPJ!...”
<p>
At HAt instant H san bigAn t hFd bihFnd H klQdz, n aHx
strecxz kEm intM vV bifP /rOstOf. n H fC v deT n v
H strecxz, n lav v H san n v lFf, Yl mxJd intM wan
fIliN v sikaniN AJitESan.
<p>
“O /lPd /god! HQ hM Rt in HAt hevan, sEv, fxgiv, n pratekt
mI!” /rOstOf wispxd.
<p>
H hMsRz rAn bAk t H men hM held HX hPsaz; HX vqsaz
sQndad lQdx n kymx, H strecxz disapCd from sFt.
<p>
“wel, fwend? sO V'v smelt pQda!” SQtad /vyska /denisOf
Jast abav hiz C.
<p>
“it's Yl Ovx; bat F Am a kQxd—jes, a kQxd!” TYt
/rOstOf, n sFiN dIpli hI tUk /rUk, hiz hPs, wic stUd restiN
wan fUt, from H Pdxli n bigAn t mQnt.
<p>
“woz HAt grEpSot?” hI Askt /denisOf.
<p>
“jes n nO mistEk!” krFd /denisOf. “V wxkt lFk /wegVlx
bwiä n it's nAsti wxk! an atAk's plezant wxk! hAkiN
awE At H doã! bat His sPt v TiN iz H veri deval, wiH Hem
SMtiN At V lFk a tRgat.”
<p>
n /denisOf rOd ap t a grMp HAt hAd stopt nC /rOstOf, kampOzd
v H kxnal, /nesvitski, /ZerkOf, n H ofisx from H swIt.
<p>
“wel, it sImz HAt nO wan hAz nOtist,” TYt /rOstOf. n His
woz trM. nO wan hAd tEkan eni nOtis, f evriwan nM H sensESan
wic H kadet andx fFx f H fxst tFm hAd iäpCWnst.
<p>
“hC'z samTiN f V t ripPt,” sed /ZerkOf. “sI if F
dOnt get pramOtad t a sablMtenansi.”
<p>
“infPm H prins HAt F H briJ fFxd!” sed H kxnal
trFamfantli n gEli.
<p>
“n if hI Asä abQt H losaz?”
<p>
“a trFfal,” sed H kxnal in hiz bEs vqs: “tM hMsRz
wMndad, n wan nokt Qt,” hI Adad, anEbal t ristrEn a hApi
smFl, n pranQnsiN H frEz “nokt Qt” wiH riNiN
distiNktnas.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
/pxsMd bF H /frenc Rmi v a handrad TQzand men andx H kamAnd
v /bOnapRt, inkQntxiN a popVlESan HAt woz anfrendli t it,
lMziN konfidans in its AlFz, safxiN from SPtnas v saplFz,
n kampeld t Akt andx kandiSanz v wP anlFk eniTiN HAt hAd
bin fPsIn, H /raSan Rmi v Txti-fFv TQzand men kamAndad
bF /kMtMzOf woz haridli ritrItiN aloN H /dAnVb, stopiN wX
OvxtEkan bF H enami n fFtiN rCgRd AkSanz Onli Az fR Az
nesisXi t inEbal it t ritrIt wiHQt lMziN its hevi ikwipmant.
HX hAd bin AkSanz At /lymbyâ, /ymStetin, n /melk; bat dispFt H
kariJ n indxans—aknoliJd Ivan bF H enami—wiH wic H
/raSanz fYt, H Onli konsikwans v HIz AkSanz woz a jet mP
rApid ritrIt. /ostrWn trMps HAt hAd iskEpt kApcx At /Mlm n hAd
Jqnd /kMtMzOf At /brQnQ nQ sepxEtad from H /raSan Rmi, n
/kMtMzOf woz left wiH Onli hiz On wIk n iãYstad fPsaz. H
difens v /viena woz nO loNgx t bI TYt v. insted v an
afensiv, H plAn v wic, kXfali pripXd in akPd wiH H
modxn sFans v stratIJiä, hAd bin hAndad t /kMtMzOf wen hI woz in
/viena bF H /ostrWn /hofkrIãraT, H sOl n YlmOst anatEnabal
Em rimEniN f him woz t ifekt a JaNkSan wiH H fPsaz HAt wx
advAnsiN from /raSa, wiHQt lMziN hiz Rmi Az /mAk hAd dan At /Mlm.
<p>
on H twenti-EtT v oktObx /kMtMzOf wiH hiz Rmi krost t H
left bANk v H /dAnVb n tUk ap a paziSan f H fxst tFm
wiH H rivx bitwIn himself n H mEn bodi v H /frenc. on H
TxtWT hI atAkt /mPtiE'z diviZan, wic woz on H left bANk,
n brOk it ap. in His AkSan f H fxst tFm trOfiz wx tEkan:
bAnxz, kAnan, n tM enami Jenxalz. f H fxst tFm, Aftx a
fPtnFt's ritrIt, H /raSan trMps hAd hYltad n Aftx a fFt
hAd not Onli held H fIld bat hAd ripalst H /frenc. HO H
trMps wx il-klAd, iãYstad, n hAd lost a Txd v HX nambx
in kild, wMndad, sik, n strAgalxz; HO a nambx v sik n
wMndad hAd bin abAndand on H aHx sFd v H /dAnVb wiH a letx
in wic /kMtMzOf intrastad Hem t H hVmAniti v H enami; n
HO H big hospitalz n H hQzaz in /krems kanvxtad intM militXi
hospitalz kUd nO loNgx akomadEt Yl H sik n wMndad, jet H
stAnd mEd At /krems n H viktxi Ovx /mPtiE rEzd H spirits v
H Rmi kansidxabli. TrMQt H hOl Rmi n At hedkwPtxz
mOst Jqfal HO irOnWs rMmxz wx rFf v H imAJinXi aprOc
v kolamz from /raSa, v sam viktxi gEnd bF H /ostrWnz, n v
H ritrIt v H frFtand /bOnapRt.
<p>
prins /AndrM dxiN H bAtal hAd bin in atendans on H /ostrWn
/Jenxal /Smit, hM woz kild in H AkSan. hiz hPs hAd bin
wMndad andx him n hiz On Rm slFtli grEzd bF a bUlat. Az a mRk
v H kamAndx in cIf's speSal fEvx hI woz sent wiH H nMz v
His viktxi t H /ostrWn kPt, nQ nO loNgx At /viena (wic woz
Tretand bF H /frenc) bat At /brUn. dispFt hiz apArantli delikat
bild /prins /AndrM kUd indx fizikal fatIg fR betx HAn meni
veri maskVlx men, n on H nFt v H bAtal, hAviN xFvd
At /krems iäFtad bat not wCi, wiH dispAcaz from /dOâtMrOf t
/kMtMzOf, hI woz sent imIdWtli wiH a speSal dispAc t /brUn.
t bI sO sent ment not Onli a riwPd bat an impPtant step tPd
pramOSan.
<p>
H nFt woz dRk bat stRi, H rOd SOd blAk in H snO HAt
hAd fYlan H prIvWs dE—H dE v H bAtal. rivViN hiz
impreSanz v H rIsant bAtal, pikcxiN plezantli t himself H
impreSan hiz nMz v a viktxi wUd kriEt, P rikYliN H send-of
givan him bF H kamAndx in cIf n hiz felO ofisxz, /prins
/AndrM woz gAlapiN aloN in a pOst SEz inJqiN H fIliNz v a
mAn hM hAz At leNT bigan t atEn a loN-dizFxd hApinas. Az sMn
Az hI klOzd hiz Fz hiz Cz sImd fild wiH H rAtal v H
wIlz n H sensESan v viktxi. Hen hI bigAn t imAJin HAt
H /raSanz wx raniN awE n HAt hI himself woz kild, bat hI
kwikli rQzd himself wiH a fIliN v Jq, Az if lxniN afreS HAt
His woz not sO bat HAt on H kontrXi H /frenc hAd ran awE. hI
agen rikYld Yl H dItElz v H viktxi n hiz On kym kariJ
dxiN H bAtal, n fIliN rIaSUxd hI dOzd of.... H dRk
stRi nFt woz folOd bF a brFt cCfal mPniN. H snO woz
TYiN in H sanSFn, H hPsaz gAlapt kwikli, n on bOT sFdz
v H rOd wx fPists v difxant kFndz, fIldz, n viliJaz.
<p>
At wan v H pOst stESanz hI OvxtUk a konvq v /raSan wMndad.
H /raSan ofisx in cRJ v H trAnspPt lold bAk in H frant
kRt, SQtiN n skOldiN a sOlJx wiH kPs abVs. in Ic v
H loN /Jxman kRts siä P mP pEl, dxti, bAndiJd men wx bIiN
JOltad Ovx H stOni rOd. sam v Hem wx tYkiN (hI hxd /raSan
wxdz), aHxz wx ItiN bred; H mP sivCli wMndad lUkt
sFlantli, wiH H lANgwid intxast v sik cildran, At H ynvq
hariiN pAst Hem.
<p>
prins /AndrM tOld hiz drFvx t stop, n Askt a sOlJx in wot
AkSan HE hAd bin wMndad. “dE bifP jestxdE, on H /dAnVb,”
Ansxd H sOlJx. prins /AndrM tUk Qt hiz pxs n gEv H
sOlJx TrI gOld pIsaz.
<p>
“HAt's f Hem Yl,” hI sed t H ofisx hM kEm ap.
<p>
“get wel sMn, lAdz!” hI kantinVd, txniN t H sOlJxz.
“HX'z plenti t dM stil.”
<p>
“wot nMz, sx?” Askt H ofisx, evidentli ANkSas t stRt a
konvxsESan.
<p>
“gUd nMz!... gO on!” hI SQtad t H drFvx, n HE gAlapt
on.
<p>
it woz Ylredi kwFt dRk wen /prins /AndrM rAtald Ovx H pEvd
strIts v /brUn n fQnd himself sxQndad bF hF bildiNz, H
lFts v Sops, hQzaz, n strIt lAmps, fFn kAriJaz, n Yl HAt
AtmasfC v a lRJ n Aktiv tQn wic iz YlwEz sO atrAktiv t a
sOlJx Aftx kAmp lFf. dispFt hiz rApid Jxni n slIplas nFt,
/prins /AndrM wen hI drOv ap t H pAlas felt Ivan mP vigxas n
alxt HAn hI hAd dan H dE bifP. Onli hiz Fz glImd fIvxiSli
n hiz TYts folOd wan anaHx wiH iätrPdinXi klCnas n
rapiditi. hI agen vividli rikYld H dItElz v H bAtal, nO loNgx
dim, bat definit n in H kansFs fPm in wic hI imAJind himself
stEtiN Hem t H /empxx /frAnsis. hI vividli imAJind H kAZMal
kwescanz HAt mFt bI pUt t him n H Ansxz hI wUd giv. hI
iäpektad t bI At wans prizentad t H /empxx. At H cIf entrans
t H pAlas, hQevx, an afiSal kEm raniN Qt t mIt him, n
lxniN HAt hI woz a speSal mesinJx led him t anaHx entrans.
<p>
“t H rFt from H koridP, Euer /hOâgebPan! HX V wil fFnd
H AJUtant on dMti,” sed H afiSal. “hI wil kandakt V t
H /ministx v /wP.”
<p>
H AJUtant on dMti, mItiN /prins /AndrM, Askt him t wEt, n went
in t H /ministx v /wP. fFv minits lEtx hI ritxnd n bQiN
wiH pxtikVlx kxtasi aSxd /prins /AndrM bifP him aloN a
koridP t H kAbinat wX H /ministx v /wP woz At wxk. H
AJUtant bF hiz ilAbxat kxtasi apCd t wiS t wPd of eni
atempt At familiAriti on H pRt v H /raSan mesinJx.
<p>
prins /AndrM'z Jqas fIliN woz kansidxabli wIkand Az hI
aprOct H dP v H ministx'z rMm. hI felt afendad, n
wiHQt hiz nOtisiN it H fIliN v afens imIdWtli txnd intM
wan v disdEn wic woz kwFt ankYld f. hiz fxtFl mFnd instantli
saJestad t him a pqnt v vV wic gEv him a rFt t dispFz
H AJUtant n H ministx. “awE from H smel v pQdx, HE
probabli TiNk it Izi t gEn viktxiz!” hI TYt. hiz Fz
nArOd disdEnfali, hI entxd H rMm v H /ministx v /wP wiH
pikVlCli dilibxat steps. His fIliN v disdEn woz hFtand
wen hI sY H ministx sItad At a lRJ tEbal rIdiN sam pEpxz
n mEkiN pensil nOts on Hem, n f H fxst tM P TrI minits
tEkiN nO nOtis v hiz xFval. a wAä kAndal stUd At Ic sFd v H
ministx'z bent bYld hed wiH its grE tempalz. hI went on rIdiN
t H end, wiHQt rEziN hiz Fz At H OpaniN v H dP n H
sQnd v fUtsteps.
<p>
“tEk His n dilivx it,” sed hI t hiz AJUtant, hAndiN him H
pEpxz n stil tEkiN nO nOtis v H speSal mesinJx.
<p>
prins /AndrM felt HAt FHx H AkSanz v /kMtMzOf's Rmi
intxastad H /ministx v /wP les HAn eni v H aHx mAtxz hI woz
kansxnd wiH, P hI wontad t giv H /raSan speSal mesinJx HAt
impreSan. “bat HAt iz a mAtx v pxfikt indifxans t mI,” hI
TYt. H ministx drM H rimEniN pEpxz tageHx, xEnJd Hem
Ivanli, n Hen rEzd hiz hed. hI hAd an intalekcMal n distiNktiv
hed, bat H instant hI txnd t /prins /AndrM H fxm, inteliJant
iäpreSan on hiz fEs cEnJd in a wE evidentli dilibxat n
habicMal t him. hiz fEs tUk on H stMpid RtifiSal smFl (wic
daz not Ivan atempt t hFd its RtifiSiAliti) v a mAn hM iz
kantinVali risIviN meni patiSanxz wan Aftx anaHx.
<p>
“from /Jenxal /fIld /mRSal /kMtMzOf?” hI Askt. “F hOp it iz
gUd nMz? HX hAz bin an inkQntx wiH /mPtiE? a viktxi? it woz
hF tFm!”
<p>
hI tUk H dispAc wic woz adrest t him n bigAn t rId it
wiH a mPnfal iäpreSan.
<p>
“O, mF /god! mF /god! /Smit!” hI iäklEmd in /Jxman. “wot a
kalAmiti! wot a kalAmiti!”
<p>
hAviN glAnst TrM H dispAc hI lEd it on H tEbal n lUkt
At /prins /AndrM, evidentli kansidxiN samTiN.
<p>
“y wot a kalAmiti! V sE H afX woz disFsiv? bat /mPtiE iz
not kApcxd.” agen hI pondxd. “F Am veri glAd V hAv brYt
gUd nMz, HO /Smit's deT iz a hevi prFs t pE f H
viktxi. hiz /mAJasti wil nO dQt wiS t sI V, bat not tadE. F
TANk V! V mast hAv a rest. bI At H levi tamorO Aftx H
pxEd. hQevx, F wil let V nO.”
<p>
H stMpid smFl, wic hAd left hiz fEs wFl hI woz spIkiN,
rIapCd.
<p>
“O ravwR! TANk V veri mac. hiz /mAJasti wil probabli dizFx t
sI V,” hI Adad, bQiN hiz hed.
<p>
wen /prins /AndrM left H pAlas hI felt HAt Yl H intxast
n hApinas H viktxi hAd afPdad him hAd bin nQ left in H
indifxant hAndz v H /ministx v /wP n H palFt AJUtant. H
hOl tenx v hiz TYts instantEnWsli cEnJd; H bAtal sImd
H memxi v a rimOt ivent loN pAst.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/prins /AndrM stEd At /brUn wiH /bilibin, a /raSan akwEntans v
hiz in H diplamAtik sxvis.
<p>
“y, mF dC prins! F kUd not hAv a mP welkam vizitx,”
sed /bilibin Az hI kEm Qt t mIt /prins /AndrM. “/frynz, pUt H
prins'az TiNz in mF bedrMm,” sed hI t H sxvant hM woz
aSxiN /bOlkOnski in. “sO V'x a mesinJx v viktxi, E?
splendid! n F Am sitiN hC il, Az V sI.”
<p>
Aftx woSiN n dresiN, /prins /AndrM kEm intM H diplamAt's
lagZUxWs stadi n sAt dQn t H dinx pripXd f him. /bilibin
setald dQn kamfxtabli bisFd H fFx.
<p>
Aftx hiz Jxni n H kAmpEn dxiN wic hI hAd bin diprFvd v
Yl H kamfxts v klenlinas n Yl H rifFnmants v lFf, /prins
/AndrM felt a plezant sens v ripOz amaN lagZUxWs sxQndiNz sac
Az hI hAd bin akastamd t from cFldhUd. bisFdz it woz plezant,
Aftx hiz risepSan bF H /ostrWnz, t spIk if not in /raSan
(f HE wx spIkiN /frenc) At lIst wiH a /raSan hM wUd, hI
sapOzd, SX H Jenxal /raSan AntipaTi t H /ostrWnz wic woz
Hen pxtikVlxli stroN.
<p>
/bilibin woz a mAn v Txti-fFv, a bAcalx, n v H sEm sxkal Az
/prins /AndrM. HE hAd nOn Ic aHx prIvWsli in /pItxzbxg, bat
hAd bikam mP intimat wen /prins /AndrM woz in /viena wiH /kMtMzOf.
Jast Az /prins /AndrM woz a jaN mAn hM gEv promis v rFziN hF
in H militXi prafeSan, sO t an Ivan grEtx iätent /bilibin gEv
promis v rFziN in hiz diplamAtik kxC. hI woz stil a jaN mAn bat
nO loNgx a jaN diplamAt, Az hI hAd entxd H sxvis At H EJ
v siätIn, hAd bin in /pAris n /kOpenhEgin, n nQ held a rAHx
impPtant pOst in /viena. bOT H forin ministx n Qx AmbAsadx
in /viena nM him n vAlVd him. hI woz not wan v HOz meni
diplamAts hM R istImd bikoz HE hAv sxtan negativ kwolitiz,
avqd dMiN sxtan TiNz, n spIk /frenc. hI woz wan v HOz,
hM, lFkiN wxk, nM hQ t dM it, n dispFt hiz indalans wUd
samtFmz spend a hOl nFt At hiz rFtiN tEbal. hI wxkt wel
wotevx H impPt v hiz wxk. it woz not H kwescan “wot f?”
bat H kwescan “hQ?” HAt intxastad him. wot H diplamAtik
mAtx mFt bI hI did not kX, bat it gEv him grEt pleZx t
pripX a sxkVlx, memxAndam, P ripPt, skilfali, pqntadli, n
eligantli. /bilibin'z sxvisaz wx vAlVd not Onli f wot hI rOt,
bat YlsO f hiz skil in dIliN n kanvxsiN wiH HOz in H
hFast sfCz.
<p>
/bilibin lFkt konvxsESan Az hI lFkt wxk, Onli wen it kUd bI
mEd eligantli witi. in sasFati hI YlwEz awEtad an opxtMniti t sE
samTiN strFkiN n tUk pRt in a konvxsESan Onli wen HAt woz
posabal. hiz konvxsESan woz YlwEz spriNkald wiH witili xiJinal,
finiSt frEzaz v Jenxal intxast. HIz sEiNz wx pripXd in H
inx labPatPi v hiz mFnd in a pPtabal fPm Az if intenSanali, sO
HAt insignifikant sasFati pIpal mFt kAri Hem from drYiN rMm t
drYiN rMm. n, in fAkt, /bilibin'z witisizamz wx hYkt abQt
in H /vienIz drYiN rMmz n oftan hAd an inflMans on mAtxz
kansidxd impPtant.
<p>
hiz Tin, wPn, sAlO fEs woz kavxd wiH dIp riNkalz, wic YlwEz
lUkt Az klIn n wel woSt Az H tips v wan'z fiNgxz Aftx a
/raSan bAT. H mMvmant v HIz riNkalz fPmd H prinsipal plE
v iäpreSan on hiz fEs. nQ hiz fPhed wUd pakx intM dIp fOldz
n hiz FbrQz wx liftad, Hen hiz FbrQz wUd disend n
dIp riNkalz wUd krIs hiz cIä. hiz smYl, dIp-set Fz YlwEz
twiNkald n lUkt Qt strEt.
<p>
“wel, nQ tel mI abQt jP eäplqts,” sed hI.
<p>
/bOlkOnski, veri modastli wiHQt wans menSaniN himself, diskrFbd H
ingEJmant n hiz risepSan bF H /ministx v /wP.
<p>
“HE risIvd mI n mF nMz Az wan risIvz a dog in a gEm v
skitalz,” sed hI in kanklMZan.
<p>
/bilibin smFld n H riNkalz on hiz fEs disapCd.
<p>
“sependant, man /Ser,” hI rimRkt, iãAminiN hiz nElz from a
distans n pakxiN H skin abav hiz left F, “malgre ly Ot
estime kE Ze professe pP H /PTadoä /raSan Rmi, j'avoue kE
vOtr viktOFx nE py /de plas viktxiWsaz.” *
<p>
     * “bat mF dC felO, wiH Yl mF rispekt f H /PTadoä
     /raSan Rmi, F mast sE HAt jP viktxi woz not
     pxtikVlxli viktPWs.”
<p>
<p>
hI went on tYkiN in His wE in /frenc, atxiN Onli HOz wxdz in
/raSan on wic hI wiSt t pUt a kantempcMas emfasis.
<p>
“kam nQ! V wiH Yl jP fPsaz fYl on H anfPcanat /mPtiE
n hiz wan diviZan, n Ivan Hen /mPtiE slips TrM jP fiNgxz!
wX'z H viktxi?”
<p>
“bat sCWsli,” sed /prins /AndrM, “wI kAn At eni rEt sE
wiHQt bOstiN HAt it woz a lital betx HAn At /Mlm...”
<p>
“wF didant V kApcx wan, Jast wan, mRSal f as?”
<p>
“bikoz not evriTiN hApanz Az wan iäpekts P wiH H smMHnas
v a pxEd. wI hAd iäpektad, Az F tOld V, t get At HX rC bF
sevan in H mPniN bat hAd not rIct it bF fFv in H AftxnMn.”
<p>
“n wF didant V dM it At sevan in H mPniN? V Yt t hAv
bin HX At sevan in H mPniN,” ritxnd /bilibin wiH a smFl.
“V Yt t hAv bin HX At sevan in H mPniN.”
<p>
“wF did V not saäId in impresiN on /bOnapRt bF diplamAtik
meTadz HAt hI hAd betx lIv /JenOa alOn?” ritPtad /prins /AndrM
in H sEm tOn.
<p>
“F nO,” intxaptad /bilibin, “V'x TiNkiN it's veri
Izi t tEk mRSalz, sitiN on a sOfa bF H fFx! HAt iz trM, bat
stil wF didant V kApcx him? sO dOnt bI sxprFzd if not Onli
H /ministx v /wP bat YlsO hiz mOst Ygast /mAJasti H /empxx n
/kiN /frAnsis iz not mac dilFtad bF jP viktxi. Ivan F, a pUx
sekratXi v H /raSan /embasi, dM not fIl eni nId in tOkan v mF
Jq t giv mF /frynz a tylx, P let him gO wiH hiz /lIbâan t H
/prEtx... trM, wI hAv nO /prEtx hC...”
<p>
hI lUkt strEt At /prins /AndrM n sadanli anriNkald hiz
fPhed.
<p>
“it iz nQ mF txn t Ask V 'wF?' man /Ser,” sed /bOlkOnski.
“F kanfes F dM not andxstAnd: pxhAps HX R diplamAtik
sataltiz hC bijond mF fIbal inteliJans, bat F kAnt mEk it
Qt. mAk lMzaz a hOl Rmi, H /RcdMk /fxdinAnd n H /RcdMk
/kRl giv nO sFnz v lFf n mEk blandx Aftx blandx. /kMtMzOf
alOn At lAst gEnz a rWl viktxi, distrqiN H spel v H
invinsabiliti v H /frenc, n H /ministx v /wP daz not Ivan kX
t hC H dItElz.”
<p>
“HAt's Jast it, mF dC felO. V sI it's hxy f H /tsR,
f /raSa, f H /PTadoä /grIk fET! Yl HAt iz bVtifal, bat
wot dM wI, F mIn H /ostrWn kPt, kX f jP viktxiz? briN
as nFs nMz v a viktxi bF H /RcdMk /kRl P /fxdinAnd (wan
RcdMk's Az gUd Az anaHx, Az V nO) n Ivan if it iz Onli
Ovx a fFx brigEd v /bOnapRt's, HAt wil bI anaHx stPi n
wI'l fFx of sam kAnan! bat His sPt v TiN sImz dan
on pxpas t veä as. H /RcdMk /kRl daz naTiN, H /RcdMk
/fxdinAnd disgrEsaz himself. V abAndan /viena, giv ap its
difens—Az mac Az t sE: 'hevan iz wiH as, bat hevan help V
n jP kApital!' H wan Jenxal hMm wI Yl lavd, /Smit, V
iäpOz t a bUlat, n Hen V kangrAcalEt as on H viktxi! admit
HAt mP iritEtiN nMz HAn jPz kUd not hAv bin kansIvd.
it's Az if it hAd bin dan on pxpas, on pxpas. bisFdz, sapOz
V did gEn a brilWnt viktxi, if Ivan H /RcdMk /kRl gEnd a
viktxi, wot ifekt wUd HAt hAv on H Jenxal kPs v ivents?
it's tM lEt nQ wen /viena iz okVpFd bF H /frenc Rmi!”
<p>
“wot? okVpFd? /viena okVpFd?”
<p>
“not Onli okVpFd, bat /bOnapRt iz At /SxnbrUn, n H kQnt,
Qx dC /kQnt /vxbna, gOz t him f Pdxz.”
<p>
Aftx H fatIã n impreSanz v H Jxni, hiz risepSan, n
ispeSali Aftx hAviN dFnd, /bOlkOnski felt HAt hI kUd not tEk in
H fUl signifikans v H wxdz hI hxd.
<p>
“kQnt /liâtanfels woz hC His mPniN,” /bilibin kantinVd,
“n SOd mI a letx in wic H pxEd v H /frenc in /viena
woz fUli diskrFbd: prins /mMryt et tQt lU trembalmant... V sI HAt
jP viktxi iz not a mAtx f grEt riJqsiN n HAt V kAnt bI
risIvd Az a sEvjx.”
<p>
“rWli F dOnt kX abQt HAt, F dOnt kX At Yl,” sed
/prins /AndrM, biginiN t andxstAnd HAt hiz nMz v H bAtal
bifP /krems woz rWli v smYl impPtans in vV v sac ivents Az
H fYl v /ostrW'z kApital. “hQ iz it /viena woz tEkan? wot v
H briJ n its selabrEtad briJhed n /prins /Qxspxg? wI hxd
ripPts HAt /prins /Qxspxg woz difendiN /viena?” hI sed.
<p>
“prins /Qxspxg iz on His, on Qx sFd v H rivx, n iz
difendiN as—dMiN it veri bAdli, F TiNk, bat stil hI iz difendiN
as. bat /viena iz on H aHx sFd. nO, H briJ hAz not jet bin
tEkan n F hOp it wil not bI, f it iz mFnd n Pdxz hAv bin
givan t blO it ap. aHxwFz wI SUd loN agO hAv bin in H
mQntanz v /bOhImW, n V n jP Rmi wUd hAv spent a bAd
kwPtx v an Qx bitwIn tM fFxz.”
<p>
“bat stil His daz not mIn HAt H kAmpEn iz Ovx,” sed
/prins /AndrM.
<p>
“wel, F TiNk it iz. H bigwiã hC TiNk sO tM, bat HE
dXant sE sO. it wil bI Az F sed At H biginiN v H kAmpEn,
it wOnt bI jP skxmiSiN At /dxanstFn, P ganpQdx At Yl,
HAt wil disFd H mAtx, bat HOz hM divFzd it,” sed /bilibin
kwOtiN wan v hiz On mOz, rilIsiN H riNkalz on hiz fPhed, n
pYziN. “H Onli kwescan iz wot wil kam v H mItiN bitwIn
H /empxx /AliãAndx n H /kiN v /praSa in /bxlin? if /praSa
Jqnz H /AlFz, /ostrW'z hAnd wil bI fPst n HX wil bI wP.
if not it iz mCli a kwescan v setaliN wX H priliminXiz v
H nM /kympO /fPmiO R t bI drYn ap.”
<p>
“wot an iätrPdinXi JInWs!” prins /AndrM sadanli iäklEmd,
klenciN hiz smYl hAnd n strFkiN H tEbal wiH it, “n wot
lak H mAn hAz!”
<p>
“/bMOnapRte?” sed /bilibin inkwFxiNli, pakxiN ap hiz fPhed
t indikEt HAt hI woz abQt t sE samTiN witi. “/bMOnapRte?”
hI ripItad, aäencMEtiN H V: “F TiNk, hQevx, nQ HAt hI lEz
dQn lYz f /ostrW At /SxnbrUn, il fO /lMi fX grEs de
l'u! * F SAl sxtanli adopt an inavESan n kYl him simpli
/bOnapRt!”
<p>
    * “wI mast let him of H V!”
<p>
<p>
“bat JOkiN apRt,” sed /prins /AndrM, “dM V rWli TiNk H
kAmpEn iz Ovx?”
<p>
“His iz wot F TiNk. /ostrW hAz bin mEd a fMl v, n SI iz
not Vst t it. SI wil ritAliEt. n SI hAz bin fMld in H
fxst plEs bikoz hx provinsaz hAv bin piliJd—HE sE H /hOli
/raSan Rmi lMts teribli—hx Rmi iz distrqd, hx kApital
tEkan, n Yl His f H bOz yeux * v /hiz /sRdinWn /mAJasti. n
HXfP—His iz bitwIn Qxselvz—F instiNktivli fIl HAt wI
R bIiN disIvd, mF instiNkt telz mI v nigOSiESanz wiH /fryns n
proJekts f pIs, a sIkrat pIs kanklMdad sepxatli.”
<p>
    * fFn Fz.
<p>
“imposabal!” krFd /prins /AndrM. “HAt wUd bI tM bEs.”
<p>
“if wI liv wI SAl sI,” riplFd /bilibin, hiz fEs agen bikamiN
smMH Az a sFn HAt H konvxsESan woz At an end.
<p>
wen /prins /AndrM rIct H rMm pripXd f him n lE dQn in a
klIn Sxt on H feHx bed wiH its wPmd n frEgrant pilOz, hI
felt HAt H bAtal v wic hI hAd brYt tFdiNz woz fR, fR
awE from him. H alFans wiH /praSa, /ostrW'z trecxi,
/bOnapRt's nM trFamf, tamorO'z levi n pxEd, n H
YdWns wiH H /empxx /frAnsis okVpFd hiz TYts.
<p>
hI klOzd hiz Fz, n imIdWtli a sQnd v kAnanEdiN, v maskatri
n H rAtaliN v kAriJ wIlz sImd t fil hiz Cz, n nQ
agen drYn Qt in a Tin lFn H maskatCz wx disendiN H hil,
H /frenc wx fFxiN, n hI felt hiz hRt pAlpitEtiN Az hI rOd
fPwxd bisFd /Smit wiH H bUlats merili wisaliN Yl xQnd,
n hI iäpCWnst tenfOld H Jq v liviN, Az hI hAd not dan sins
cFldhUd.
<p>
hI wOk ap...
<p>
“jes, HAt Yl hApand!” hI sed, n, smFliN hApili t himself
lFk a cFld, hI fel intM a dIp, VTfal slambx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/neät dE hI wOk lEt. rikYliN hiz rIsant impreSanz, H fxst
TYt HAt kEm intM hiz mFnd woz HAt tadE hI hAd t bI prizentad
t H /empxx /frAnsis; hI rimembxd H /ministx v /wP, H palFt
/ostrWn AJUtant, /bilibin, n lAst nFt's konvxsESan. hAviN
drest f hiz atendans At kPt in fUl pxEd VnifPm, wic hI
hAd not wPn f a loN tFm, hI went intM /bilibin'z stadi freS,
AnimEtad, n hAndsam, wiH hiz hAnd bAndiJd. in H stadi wx fP
Jentalmen v H diplamAtik kP. wiH /prins /ipOlIt /kMrygin,
hM woz a sekratXi t H embasi, /bOlkOnski woz Ylredi akwEntad.
/bilibin intradMst him t H aHxz.
<p>
H Jentalmen asembald At /bilibin'z wx jaN, welTi, gE sasFati
men, hM hC, Az in /viena, fPmd a speSal set wic /bilibin, HX
lIdx, kYld /lez nOtxz. * His set, kansistiN YlmOst iäklMsivli v
diplamAts, evidentli hAd its On intxasts wic hAd naTiN t dM wiH
wP P politiä bat rilEtad t hF sasFati, t sxtan wimin, n t
H afiSal sFd v H sxvis. HIz Jentalmen risIvd /prins
/AndrM Az wan v Hemselvz, an onx HE did not iätend t meni. from
palFtnas n t stRt konvxsESan, HE Askt him a fV kwescanz
abQt H Rmi n H bAtal, n Hen H tYk went of intM meri
Jests n gosip.
<p>
    * Qxz.
<p>
“bat H best v it woz,” sed wan, teliN v H misfPcMn v
a felO diplamAt, “HAt H /cAnsalx tOld him flAtli HAt hiz
apqntmant t /landan woz a pramOSan n HAt hI woz sO t rigRd it.
kAn V fAnsi H figjx hI kat?...”
<p>
“bat H wxst v it, Jentalmen—F Am giviN /kMrygin awE t
V—iz HAt HAt mAn safxz, n His /don /`yn, wikad felO, iz
tEkiN advAntiJ v it!”
<p>
prins /ipOlIt woz loliN in a lQnJ cX wiH hiz leã Ovx its
Rm. hI bigAn t lAf.
<p>
“tel mI abQt HAt!” hI sed.
<p>
“O, V /don /`yn! V sxpant!” krFd sevxal vqsaz.
<p>
“V, /bOlkOnski, dOnt nO,” sed /bilibin txniN t /prins
/AndrM, “HAt Yl H atrositiz v H /frenc Rmi (F nCli sed v
H /raSan Rmi) R naTiN kampXd t wot His mAn hAz bin dMiN
amaN H wimin!”
<p>
“ly fem est ly compagne de l'Om,” * anQnst /prins
/ipOlIt, n bigAn lUkiN TrM a lPnjet At hiz elivEtad leã.
<p>
    * “wUman iz mAn'z kampAnjan.”
<p>
<p>
/bilibin n H rest v “Qxz” bxst Qt lAfiN in /ipOlIt's
fEs, n /prins /AndrM sY HAt /ipOlIt, v hMm—hI hAd t
admit—hI hAd YlmOst bin Jelas on hiz wFf's akQnt, woz H bat
v His set.
<p>
“O, F mast giv V a trIt,” /bilibin wispxd t /bOlkOnski.
“/kMrygin iz iäkwizit wen hI diskasaz politiä—V SUd sI hiz
grAviti!”
<p>
hI sAt dQn bisFd /ipOlIt n riNkaliN hiz fPhed bigAn tYkiN
t him abQt politiä. prins /AndrM n H aHxz gAHxd rQnd HIz
tM.
<p>
“H /bxlin kAbinat kAnot iäpres a fIliN v alFans,” bigAn
/ipOlIt gEziN rQnd wiH impPtans At H aHxz, “wiHQt
iäpresiN... Az in its lAst nOt... V andxstAnd... bisFdz, anles
/hiz /mAJasti H /empxx deragEts from H prinsapal v Qx alFans...
<p>
“wEt, F hAv not finiSt...” hI sed t /prins /AndrM, sIziN
him bF H Rm, “F bilIv HAt intxvenSan wil bI stroNgx HAn
nonintxvenSan. n...” hI pYzd. “fFnali wan kAnot impVt H
nonrisIt v Qx dispAc v nOvembx 18. HAt iz hQ it wil end.”
n hI rilIst /bOlkOnski'z Rm t indikEt HAt hI hAd nQ kwFt
finiSt.
<p>
“/dimosTanIz, F nO HI bF H pebal HQ sikrItast in HF gOldan
mQT!” sed /bilibin, n H mop v hX on hiz hed mMvd wiH
sAtisfAkSan.
<p>
evribodi lAft, n /ipOlIt lQdx HAn eniwan. hI woz evidentli
distrest, n brIHd pEnfali, bat kUd not ristrEn H wFld
lAftx HAt kanvalst hiz VZMali impAsiv fIcxz.
<p>
“wel nQ, Jentalmen,” sed /bilibin, “/bOlkOnski iz mF gest in
His hQs n in /brUn itself. F wont t entxtEn him Az fR Az F
kAn, wiH Yl H pleZxz v lFf hC. if wI wx in /viena it wUd
bI Izi, bat hC, in His recad /mPEvWn hOl, it iz mP difikalt,
n F beg V Yl t help mI. /brUn'z atrAkSanz mast bI SOn him.
V kAn andxtEk H TWtx, F sasFati, n V, /ipOlIt, v kPs
H wimin.”
<p>
“wI mast let him sI /ymeli, SI'z iäkwizit!” sed wan v
“Qxz,” kisiN hiz fiNgx tips.
<p>
“in Jenxal wI mast txn His bladTxsti sOlJx t mP hVmEn
intxasts,” sed /bilibin.
<p>
“F SAl skXsli bI Ebal t avEl mFself v jP hospitAliti,
Jentalmen, it iz Ylredi tFm f mI t gO,” riplFd /prins /AndrM
lUkiN At hiz woc.
<p>
“wX t?”
<p>
“t H /empxx.”
<p>
“O! O! O!”
<p>
“wel, O ravwR, /bOlkOnski! O ravwR, /prins! kam bAk xli t
dinx,” krFd sevxal vqsaz. “wI'l tEk V in hAnd.”
<p>
“wen spIkiN t H /empxx, trF Az fR Az V kAn t prEz H wE
HAt praviZanz R saplFd n H rQts indikEtad,” sed /bilibin,
akampaniiN him t H hYl.
<p>
“F SUd lFk t spIk wel v Hem, bat Az fR Az F nO H fAkts,
F kAnt,” riplFd /bOlkOnski, smFliN.
<p>
“wel, tYk Az mac Az V kAn, eniwE. hI hAz a pASan f giviN
YdWnsaz, bat hI daz not lFk tYkiN himself n kAnt dM it, Az
V wil sI.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
At H levi /prins /AndrM stUd amaN H /ostrWn ofisxz Az hI hAd
bin tOld t, n H /empxx /frAnsis mCli lUkt fiäadli intM hiz
fEs n Jast nodad t him wiH hiz loN hed. bat Aftx it woz
Ovx, H AJUtant hI hAd sIn H prIvWs dE serimOnWsli infPmd
/bOlkOnski HAt H /empxx dizFxd t giv him an YdWns. H /empxx
/frAnsis risIvd him stAndiN in H midal v H rMm. bifP H
konvxsESan bigAn /prins /AndrM woz strak bF H fAkt HAt H /empxx
sImd kanfVzd n blaSt Az if not nOiN wot t sE.
<p>
“tel mI, wen did H bAtal bigin?” hI Askt haridli.
<p>
prins /AndrM riplFd. Hen folOd aHx kwescanz Jast Az simpal:
“woz /kMtMzOf wel? wen hAd hI left /krems?” n sO on. H /empxx
spOk Az if hiz sOl Em wx t pUt a givan nambx v kwescanz—H
Ansxz t HIz kwescanz, Az woz Onli tM evidant, did not intxast
him.
<p>
“At wot O'klok did H bAtal bigin?” Askt H /empxx.
<p>
“F kAnot infPm jP /mAJasti At wot O'klok H bAtal bigAn At
H frant, bat At /dxanstFn, wX F woz, Qx atAk bigAn Aftx
fFv in H AftxnMn,” riplFd /bOlkOnski grOiN mP AnimEtad n
iäpektiN HAt hI wUd hAv a cAns t giv a rilFabal akQnt, wic
hI hAd redi in hiz mFnd, v Yl hI nM n hAd sIn. bat H /empxx
smFld n intxaptad him.
<p>
“hQ meni mFlz?”
<p>
“from wX t wX, jP /mAJasti?”
<p>
“from /dxanstFn t /krems.”
<p>
“TrI n a hAf mFlz, jP /mAJasti.”
<p>
“H /frenc hAv abAndand H left bANk?”
<p>
“akPdiN t H skQts H lAst v Hem krost on rAfts dxiN H
nFt.”
<p>
“iz HX safiSant fPiJ in /krems?”
<p>
“fPiJ hAz not bin saplFd t H iätent...”
<p>
H /empxx intxaptad him.
<p>
“At wot O'klok woz /Jenxal /Smit kild?”
<p>
“At sevan O'klok, F bilIv.”
<p>
“At sevan O'klok? it's veri sAd, veri sAd!”
<p>
H /empxx TANkt /prins /AndrM n bQd. prins /AndrM wiHdrM n
woz imIdWtli sxQndad bF kPtCz on Yl sFdz. evriwX hI
sY frendli lUä n hxd frendli wxdz. jestxdE'z AJUtant
riprOct him f not hAviN stEd At H pAlas, n ofxd him
hiz On hQs. H /ministx v /wP kEm ap n kangrAcalEtad him on H
/mxW /txIza /Pdx v H Txd grEd, wic H /empxx woz kanfxiN
on him. H /empres' cEmbxlin invFtad him t sI hx /mAJasti. H
Rcdacas YlsO wiSt t sI him. hI did not nO hMm t Ansx, n
f a fV sekandz kalektad hiz TYts. Hen H /raSan AmbAsadx
tUk him bF H SOldx, led him t H windO, n bigAn t tYk t
him.
<p>
kontrXi t /bilibin'z fPkAst H nMz hI hAd brYt woz Jqfali
risIvd. a TANägiviN sxvis woz xEnJd, /kMtMzOf woz awPdad
H /grAnd /kros v /mxW /txIza, n H hOl Rmi risIvd riwPdz.
/bOlkOnski woz invFtad evriwX, n hAd t spend H hOl mPniN
kYliN on H prinsipal /ostrWn dignitXiz. bitwIn fP n fFv
in H AftxnMn, hAviN mEd Yl hiz kYlz, hI woz ritxniN t
/bilibin'z hQs TiNkiN Qt a letx t hiz fyHx abQt H bAtal
n hiz vizit t /brUn. At H dP hI fQnd a vIikal hAf fUl v
lagiJ. /frynz, /bilibin'z mAn, woz drAgiN a pPtmAntO wiH sam
difikalti Qt v H frant dP.
<p>
bifP ritxniN t /bilibin'z /prins /AndrM hAd gon t a bUkSop
t pravFd himself wiH sam bUä f H kAmpEn, n hAd spent sam
tFm in H Sop.
<p>
“wot iz it?” hI Askt.
<p>
“O, jP eäalansi!” sed /frynz, wiH difikalti rOliN H
pPtmAntO intM H vIikal, “wI R t mMv on stil fRHx. H
skQndral iz agen At Qx hIlz!”
<p>
“E? wot?” Askt /prins /AndrM.
<p>
/bilibin kEm Qt t mIt him. hiz VZMali kym fEs SOd iäFtmant.
<p>
“HX nQ! kanfes HAt His iz dilFtfal,” sed hI. “His
afX v H /tybP /briJ, At /viena.... HE hAv krost wiHQt
strFkiN a blO!”
<p>
prins /AndrM kUd not andxstAnd.
<p>
“bat wX dM V kam from not t nO wot evri kOcman in H
tQn nOz?”
<p>
“F kam from H Rcdacas'. F hxd naTiN HX.”
<p>
“n V didant sI HAt evribodi iz pAkiN ap?”
<p>
“F did not... wot iz it Yl abQt?” inkwFxd /prins /AndrM
impESantli.
<p>
“wot's it Yl abQt? wF, H /frenc hAv krost H briJ HAt
/Qxspxg woz difendiN, n H briJ woz not blOn ap: sO /mMryt
iz nQ raSiN aloN H rOd t /brUn n wil bI hC in a dE P
tM.”
<p>
“wot? hC? bat wF did HE not blO ap H briJ, if it woz
mFnd?”
<p>
“HAt iz wot F Ask V. nO wan, not Ivan /bOnapRt, nOz wF.”
<p>
/bOlkOnski Sragd hiz SOldxz.
<p>
“bat if H briJ iz krost it mInz HAt H Rmi tM iz lost? it
wil bI kat of,” sed hI.
<p>
“HAt's Jast it,” Ansxd /bilibin. “lisan! H /frenc entxd
/viena Az F tOld V. veri wel. neät dE, wic woz jestxdE, HOz
Jentalmen, mesixz /lez marechaux, * /mMryt, /lynes, n /beliRd,
mQnt n rFd t H briJ. (abzxv HAt Yl TrI R /gyskonz.)
'Jentalmen,' sez wan v Hem, 'V nO H /tybP /briJ iz
mFnd n dabli mFnd n HAt HX R menasiN fPtifikESanz At its
hed n an Rmi v fiftIn TQzand men hAz bin Pdxd t blO ap
H briJ n not let as kros? bat it wil plIz Qx sovran H
/empxx /napOlWn if wI tEk His briJ, sO let as TrI gO n tEk
it!' 'jes, let's!' sE H aHxz. n of HE gO n tEk H
briJ, kros it, n nQ wiH HX hOl Rmi R on His sFd v H
/dAnVb, mRciN on as, V, n jP lFnz v kamVnikESan.”
<p>
    * H mRSalz.
<p>
“stop JestiN,” sed /prins /AndrM sAdli n sCWsli. His nMz
grIvd him n jet hI woz plIzd.
<p>
Az sMn Az hI lxnd HAt H /raSan Rmi woz in sac a hOplas
sicMESan it akxd t him HAt it woz hI hM woz destind t lId it
Qt v His paziSan; HAt hC woz H /tMlon HAt wUd lift him from
H rANä v abskjUx ofisxz n ofx him H fxst step t fEm!
lisaniN t /bilibin hI woz Ylredi imAJiniN hQ on rIciN H Rmi
hI wUd giv an apinjan At H wP kQnsal wic wUd bI H Onli wan
HAt kUd sEv H Rmi, n hQ hI alOn wUd bI intrastad wiH H
eäikVtiN v H plAn.
<p>
“stop His JestiN,” hI sed.
<p>
“F Am not JestiN,” /bilibin went on. “naTiN iz trMx P sAdx.
HIz Jentalmen rFd ontM H briJ alOn n wEv wFt hANkxcifs;
HE aSUx H ofisx on dMti HAt HE, H mRSalz, R on
HX wE t nigOSiEt wiH /prins /Qxspxg. hI lets Hem entx H
tEt-dI-pont. * HE spin him a TQzand /gyskonEdz, sEiN HAt
H wP iz Ovx, HAt H /empxx /frAnsis iz xEnJiN a mItiN wiH
/bOnapRt, HAt HE dizFx t sI /prins /Qxspxg, n sO on. H
ofisx sendz f /Qxspxg; HIz Jentalmen imbrEs H ofisxz, krAk
JOä, sit on H kAnan, n mInwFl a /frenc batAlWn gets t
H briJ anabzxvd, fliNz H bAã v insendiXi matCWl intM
H wYtx, n aprOcaz H tEt-dI-pont. At leNT apCz H
lMtenant Jenxal, Qx dC /prins /Qxspxg fon /mQtxn himself.
'dCast fO! flQx v H /ostrWn Rmi, hCO v H /txkiS wPz!
hostilitiz R endad, wI kAn SEk wan anaHx'z hAnd.... H
/empxx /napOlWn bxnz wiH impESans t mEk /prins /Qxspxg'z
akwEntans.' in a wxd, HOz Jentalmen, /gyskonz indId, sO
biwildxd him wiH fFn wxdz, n hI iz sO flAtxd bF hiz rApidli
istAbliSt intimasi wiH H /frenc mRSalz, n sO dAzald bF H
sFt v /mMryt's mAntal n ostric plMmz, kw'il n'y /vOit kE dM
feu, et oublie sIlMi kw'il devait fX fX sx l'enami!” *(2)
in spFt v H AnimESan v hiz spIc, /bilibin did not fxget t
pYz Aftx His mO t giv tFm f its dM aprISiESan. “H
/frenc batAlWn raSaz t H briJhed, spFä H ganz, n H
briJ iz tEkan! bat wot iz best v Yl,” hI went on, hiz iäFtmant
sabsFdiN andx H dilFtfal intxast v hiz On stPi, “iz HAt H
sRJant in cRJ v H kAnan wic woz t giv H signal t fFx
H mFnz n blO ap H briJ, His sRJant, sIiN HAt H /frenc
trMps wx raniN ontM H briJ, woz abQt t fFx, bat /lynes
stEd hiz hAnd. H sRJant, hM woz evidentli wFzx HAn hiz Jenxal,
gOz ap t /Qxspxg n sez: 'prins, V R bIiN disIvd, hC
R H /frenc!' /mMryt, sIiN HAt Yl iz lost if H sRJant iz
alQd t spIk, txnz t /Qxspxg wiH fEnd astoniSmant (hI iz a
trM /gyskon) n sez: 'F dOnt rekagnFz H wxld-fEmas /ostrWn
disiplin, if V alQ a sabPdinat t adres V lFk HAt!' it
woz a strOk v JInWs. prins /Qxspxg fIlz hiz digniti At stEk n
Pdxz H sRJant t bI xestad. kam, V mast On HAt His afX
v H /tybP /briJ iz dilFtfal! it iz not iãAktli stMpiditi, nP
ryskAliti....”
<p>
     * briJhed.
<p>
     * (2) HAt HX fFx gets intM hiz Fz n hI fxgets HAt
     hI Yt t bI fFxiN At H enami.
<p>
“it mE bI trecxi,” sed /prins /AndrM, vividli imAJiniN H
grE OvxkOts, wMndz, H smOk v ganpQdx, H sQndz v fFxiN,
n H glPi HAt awEtad him.
<p>
“not HAt FHx. HAt pUts H kPt in tM bAd a lFt,” riplFd
/bilibin. “it's not trecxi nP ryskAliti nP stMpiditi: it iz
Jast Az At /Mlm... it iz...”—hI sImd t bI trFiN t fFnd H rFt
iäpreSan. “/sE... sE dM /mAk. nMs /somz /makes (it iz...
it iz a bit v /mAk. wI R /mAkt),” hI kanklMdad, fIliN HAt hI
hAd prOdMst a gUd epigrAm, a freS wan HAt wUd bI ripItad. hiz
hiHxtM pakxd brQ bikEm smMH Az a sFn v pleZx, n wiH a
slFt smFl hI bigAn t iãAmin hiz nElz.
<p>
“wX R V of t?” hI sed sadanli t /prins /AndrM hM hAd
rizan n woz gOiN tPd hiz rMm.
<p>
“F Am gOiN awE.”
<p>
“wX t?”
<p>
“t H Rmi.”
<p>
“bat V ment t stE anaHx tM dEz?”
<p>
“bat nQ F Am of At wans.”
<p>
n /prins /AndrM Aftx giviN direkSanz abQt hiz dipRcx went t
hiz rMm.
<p>
“dM V nO, man /Ser,” sed /bilibin folOiN him, “F hAv bin
TiNkiN abQt V. wF R V gOiN?”
<p>
n in prMf v H kanklMsivnas v hiz apinjan Yl H riNkalz
vAniSt from hiz fEs.
<p>
prins /AndrM lUkt inkwFxiNli At him n gEv nO riplF.
<p>
“wF R V gOiN? F nO V TiNk it jP dMti t gAlap bAk t
H Rmi nQ HAt it iz in dEnJx. F andxstAnd HAt. man /Ser, it iz
herOizam!”
<p>
“not At Yl,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“bat Az V R a filosafx, bI a kansistant wan, lUk At H aHx
sFd v H kwescan n V wil sI HAt jP dMti, on H kontrXi,
iz t tEk kX v jPself. lIv it t HOz hM R nO loNgx fit f
eniTiN els.... V hAv not bin Pdxd t ritxn n hAv not bin
dismist from hC; HXfP, V kAn stE n gO wiH as wXevx Qx
il lak tEä as. HE sE wI R gOiN t /OlmUts, n /OlmUts iz a
veri dIsant tQn. V n F wil trAval kamfxtabli in mF kyleS.”
<p>
“dM stop JOkiN, /bilibin,” krFd /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“F Am spIkiN sinsCli Az a frend! kansidx! wX n wF R
V gOiN, wen V mFt rimEn hC? V R fEst bF wan v tM
TiNz,” n H skin Ovx hiz left tempal pakxd, “FHx V
wil not rIc jP reJimant bifP pIs iz kanklMdad, P V wil
SX difIt n disgrEs wiH /kMtMzOf's hOl Rmi.”
<p>
n /bilibin anriNkald hiz tempal, fIliN HAt H dilema woz
insolVbal.
<p>
“F kAnot RgV abQt it,” riplFd /prins /AndrM kOldli, bat hI
TYt: “F Am gOiN t sEv H Rmi.”
<p>
“mF dC felO, V R a hCO!” sed /bilibin.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
HAt sEm nFt, hAviN tEkan lIv v H /ministx v /wP, /bOlkOnski
set of t rIJqn H Rmi, not nOiN wX hI wUd fFnd it n
fCiN t bI kApcxd bF H /frenc on H wE t /krems.
<p>
in /brUn evribodi atAct t H kPt woz pAkiN ap, n H hevi
bAgiJ woz Ylredi bIiN dispAct t /OlmUts. nC /hetsalzdPf /prins
/AndrM strak H hF rOd aloN wic H /raSan Rmi woz mMviN wiH
grEt hEst n in H grEtast disPdx. H rOd woz sO abstraktad
wiH kRts HAt it woz imposabal t get bF in a kAriJ. prins /AndrM
tUk a hPs n a /kosAk from a /kosAk kamAndx, n haNgri n
wCi, mEkiN hiz wE pAst H bAgiJ wAganz, rOd in sxc v H
kamAndx in cIf n v hiz On lagiJ. veri sinistx ripPts v H
paziSan v H Rmi rIct him Az hI went aloN, n H apCans v
H trMps in HX disPdxli flFt kanfxmd HIz rMmxz.
<p>
“set RmI /rMs kE l'P de /l'oNglater a trAnspPtI /de
iätrImFts de l'anFvxz, nMs ylanz /lMi fX /IprMvx lU mIm
sPt—(lU sPt de l'RmI /d'Mlm).” * hI rimembxd HIz wxdz
in /bOnapRt's adres t hiz Rmi At H biginiN v H kAmpEn,
n HE awOk in him astoniSmant At H JInWs v hiz hCO, a fIliN
v wMndad prFd, n a hOp v glPi. “n SUd HX bI naTiN
left bat t dF?” hI TYt. “wel, if nId bI, F SAl dM it nO
wxs HAn aHxz.”
<p>
     * “HAt /raSan Rmi wic hAz bin brYt from H endz v
     H xT bF /iNgliS gOld, wI SAl kYz t SX H sEm
     fEt—(H fEt v H Rmi At /Mlm).”
<p>
<p>
hI lUkt wiH disdEn At H endlas kanfVzd mAs v ditAcmants,
kRts, ganz, Rtilxi, n agen bAgiJ wAganz n vIikalz v Yl
kFndz OvxtEkiN wan anaHx n blokiN H madi rOd, TrI n
samtFmz fP abrest. from Yl sFdz, bihFnd n bifP, Az fR Az C
kUd rIc, HX wx H rAtal v wIlz, H krIkiN v kRts
n gan kAriJaz, H trAmp v hPsaz, H krAk v wips, SQts, H
xJiN v hPsaz, n H swXiN v sOlJxz, Pdxliz, n ofisxz.
Yl aloN H sFdz v H rOd fYlan hPsaz wx t bI sIn, sam
flEd, sam not, n brOkan-dQn kRts bisFd wic solitXi sOlJxz
sAt wEtiN f samTiN, n agen sOlJxz strAgaliN from HX
kampaniz, krQdz v hMm set of t H nEbxiN viliJaz, P
ritxnd from Hem drAgiN SIp, fQlz, hE, n balJiN sAä. At
Ic asent P disent v H rOd H krQdz wx jet densx n H
din v SQtiN mP insesant. sOlJxz flQndxiN nI-dIp in mad
pUSt H ganz n wAganz Hemselvz. wips krAkt, hUfs slipt,
trEsaz brOk, n laNz wx strEnd wiH SQtiN. H ofisxz
direktiN H mRc rOd bAkwxd n fPwxd bitwIn H kRts. HX
vqsaz wx bat fIbli hxd amid H aprP n wan sY bF HX fEsaz
HAt HE dispXd v H posabiliti v cekiN His disPdx.
<p>
“hC iz Qx dC /PTadoä /raSan Rmi,” TYt /bOlkOnski,
rikYliN /bilibin'z wxdz.
<p>
wiSiN t fFnd Qt wX H kamAndx in cIf woz, hI rOd ap t
a konvq. direktli opazit t him kEm a strEnJ wan-hPs vIikal,
evidentli rigd ap bF sOlJxz Qt v eni avElabal matCWlz n
lUkiN lFk samTiN bitwIn a kRt, a kAbrWlE, n a kyleS.
a sOlJx woz drFviN, n a wUman invelapt in SYlz sAt bihFnd H
Epran andx H leHx hUd v H vIikal. prins /AndrM rOd ap
n woz Jast pUtiN hiz kwescan t a sOlJx wen hiz atenSan
woz dFvxtad bF H despxat SrIä v H wUman in H vIikal. an
ofisx in cRJ v trAnspPt woz bItiN H sOlJx hM woz drFviN
H wUman'z vIikal f trFiN t get ahed v aHxz, n H strOä
v hiz wip fel on H Epran v H ekwipiJ. H wUman skrImd
pCsiNli. sIiN /prins /AndrM SI lInd Qt from bihFnd H Epran
n, wEviN hx Tin Rmz from andx H wUlan SYl, krFd:
<p>
“/mx /Ed-dI-kAmp! /mx /Ed-dI-kAmp!... f hevan'z sEk... pratekt
mI! wot wil bikam v as? F Am H wFf v H doktx v H /sevanT
/SAsExz.... HE wOnt let as pAs, wI R left bihFnd n hAv lost
Qx pIpal...”
<p>
“F'l flAtan V intM a pAnkEk!” SQtad H ANgri ofisx t
H sOlJx. “txn bAk wiH jP slat!”
<p>
“/mx /Ed-dI-kAmp! help mI!... wot daz it Yl mIn?” skrImd H
doktx'z wFf.
<p>
“kFndli let His kRt pAs. dOnt V sI it's a wUman?” sed
/prins /AndrM rFdiN ap t H ofisx.
<p>
H ofisx glAnst At him, n wiHQt riplFiN txnd agen t H
sOlJx. “F'l tIc V t pUS on!... bAk!”
<p>
“let Hem pAs, F tel V!” ripItad /prins /AndrM, kampresiN hiz
lips.
<p>
“n hM R V?” krFd H ofisx, txniN on him wiH tipsi
rEJ, “hM R V? R V in kamAnd hC? E? F Am kamAndx hC,
not V! gO bAk P F'l flAtan V intM a pAnkEk,” ripItad hI.
His iäpreSan evidentli plIzd him.
<p>
“HAt woz a nFs snab f H lital Ed-dI-kAmp,” kEm a vqs
from bihFnd.
<p>
prins /AndrM sY HAt H ofisx woz in HAt stEt v senslas,
tipsi rEJ wen a mAn daz not nO wot hI iz sEiN. hI sY HAt hiz
cAmpWnSip v H doktx'z wFf in hx kwC trAp mFt iäpOz him
t wot hI dredad mP HAn eniTiN in H wxld—t ridikVl; bat
hiz instiNkt xJd him on. bifP H ofisx finiSt hiz sentans
/prins /AndrM, hiz fEs distPtad wiH fjUxi, rOd ap t him n rEzd
hiz rFdiN wip.
<p>
“kFnd...li let—Hem—pAs!”
<p>
H ofisx flariSt hiz Rm n hEstili rOd awE.
<p>
“it's Yl H fYlt v HIz felOz on H stAf HAt HX'z
His disPdx,” hI matxd. “dM Az V lFk.”
<p>
prins /AndrM wiHQt liftiN hiz Fz rOd hEstili awE from H
doktx'z wFf, hM woz kYliN him hx dilivxx, n rikYliN wiH
a sens v disgast H mFnMtast dItElz v His hVmiliEtiN sIn hI
gAlapt on t H viliJ wX hI woz tOld hM H kamAndx in cIf
woz.
<p>
on rIciN H viliJ hI dismQntad n went t H nCast hQs,
intendiN t rest if bat f a mOment, It samTiN, n trF t sPt
Qt H stiNiN n tPmentiN TYts HAt kanfVzd hiz mFnd. “His
iz a mob v skQndralz n not an Rmi,” hI woz TiNkiN Az hI went
ap t H windO v H fxst hQs, wen a familC vqs kYld him bF
nEm.
<p>
hI txnd rQnd. /nesvitski'z hAndsam fEs lUkt Qt v H lital
windO. /nesvitski, mMviN hiz mqst lips Az hI cMd samTiN, n
flariSiN hiz Rm, kYld him t entx.
<p>
“/bOlkOnski! /bOlkOnski!... dOnt V hC? E? kam kwik...” hI
SQtad.
<p>
entxiN H hQs, /prins /AndrM sY /nesvitski n anaHx AJUtant
hAviN samTiN t It. HE hEstili txnd rQnd t him AskiN if hI
hAd eni nMz. on HX familC fEsaz hI red AJitESan n alRm.
His woz pxtikVlxli nOtisabal on /nesvitski'z VZMali lAfiN
kQntanans.
<p>
“wX iz H kamAndx in cIf?” Askt /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“hC, in HAt hQs,” Ansxd H AJUtant.
<p>
“wel, iz it trM HAt it's pIs n kapicalESan?” Askt
/nesvitski.
<p>
“F woz gOiN t Ask V. F nO naTiN iäept HAt it woz Yl F kUd
dM t get hC.”
<p>
“n wI, mF dC bq! it's teribal! F woz roN t lAf At /mAk,
wI'x getiN it stil wxs,” sed /nesvitski. “bat sit dQn n
hAv samTiN t It.”
<p>
“V wOnt bI Ebal t fFnd FHx jP bAgiJ P eniTiN els nQ,
/prins. n /god Onli nOz wX jP mAn /pItx iz,” sed H aHx
AJUtant.
<p>
“wX R hedkwPtxz?”
<p>
“wI R t spend H nFt in /znFm.”
<p>
“wel, F hAv got Yl F nId intM pAä f tM hPsaz,” sed
/nesvitski. “HE'v mEd ap splendid pAä f mI—fit t kros
H /bOhImWn mQntanz wiH. it's a bAd lUkQt, Old felO! bat
wot's H mAtx wiH V? V mast bI il t Sivx lFk HAt,” hI
Adad, nOtisiN HAt /prins /AndrM winst Az At an ilektrik Sok.
<p>
“it's naTiN,” riplFd /prins /AndrM.
<p>
hI hAd Jast rimembxd hiz rIsant inkQntx wiH H doktx'z wFf n
H konvq ofisx.
<p>
“wot iz H kamAndx in cIf dMiN hC?” hI Askt.
<p>
“F kAnt mEk Qt At Yl,” sed /nesvitski.
<p>
“wel, Yl F kAn mEk Qt iz HAt evriTiN iz abominabal,
abominabal, kwFt abominabal!” sed /prins /AndrM, n hI went of t
H hQs wX H kamAndx in cIf woz.
<p>
pAsiN bF /kMtMzOf's kAriJ n H iãYstad sAdal hPsaz v
hiz swIt, wiH HX /kosAä hM wx tYkiN lQdli tageHx, /prins
/AndrM entxd H pAsiJ. /kMtMzOf himself, hI woz tOld, woz in H
hQs wiH /prins /bygrytiOn n /wEroTx. /wEroTx woz H /ostrWn
Jenxal hM hAd saäIdad /Smit. in H pAsiJ lital /kOzlOfski woz
skwotiN on hiz hIlz in frant v a klxk. H klxk, wiH kafs txnd
ap, woz hEstili rFtiN At a tab txnd botam apwxdz. kOzlOfski'z
fEs lUkt wPn—hI tM hAd evidentli not slept Yl nFt. hI glAnst
At /prins /AndrM n did not Ivan nod t him.
<p>
“sekand lFn... hAv V ritan it?” hI kantinVd diktEtiN t H
klxk. “H /kIev /grenadCz, /pOdOlWn...”
<p>
“wan kAnt rFt sO fAst, jP onx,” sed H klxk, glAnsiN
ANgrili n disrispektfali At /kOzlOfski.
<p>
TrM H dP kEm H sQndz v /kMtMzOf's vqs, iäFtad n
dissAtisfFd, intxaptad bF anaHx, an anfamilC vqs. from H
sQnd v HIz vqsaz, H inatentiv wE /kOzlOfski lUkt At him, H
disrispektfal mAnx v H iãYstad klxk, H fAkt HAt H klxk n
/kOzlOfski wx skwotiN on H flP bF a tab sO nC t H kamAndx
in cIf, n from H nqzi lAftx v H /kosAä hOldiN H
hPsaz nC H windO, /prins /AndrM felt HAt samTiN impPtant n
dizAstras woz abQt t hApan.
<p>
hI txnd t /kOzlOfski wiH xJant kwescanz.
<p>
“imIdWtli, /prins,” sed /kOzlOfski. “dispaziSanz f
/bygrytiOn.”
<p>
“wot abQt kapicalESan?”
<p>
“naTiN v H sPt. Pdxz R iSVd f a bAtal.”
<p>
prins /AndrM mMvd tPd H dP from wens vqsaz wx hxd.
Jast Az hI woz gOiN t Opan it H sQndz sIst, H dP Opand, n
/kMtMzOf wiH hiz Igal nOz n pafi fEs apCd in H dPwE.
prins /AndrM stUd rFt in frant v /kMtMzOf bat H iäpreSan v
H kamAndx in cIf's wan sQnd F SOd him t bI sO prIokVpFd
wiH TYts n ANzFatiz Az t bI ablivWs v hiz prezans. hI
lUkt strEt At hiz AJUtant's fEs wiHQt rekagnFziN him.
<p>
“wel, hAv V finiSt?” sed hI t /kOzlOfski.
<p>
“wan mOment, jP eäalansi.”
<p>
/bygrytiOn, a gYnt midal-EJd mAn v mIdWm hFt wiH a fxm,
impAsiv fEs v /Piental tFp, kEm Qt Aftx H kamAndx in cIf.
<p>
“F hAv H onx t prizent mFself,” ripItad /prins /AndrM rAHx
lQdli, hAndiN /kMtMzOf an envalOp.
<p>
“y, from /viena? veri gUd. lEtx, lEtx!”
<p>
/kMtMzOf went Qt intM H pPc wiH /bygrytiOn.
<p>
“wel, gUd-bF, /prins,” sed hI t /bygrytiOn. “mF blesiN, n
mE /krFst bI wiH V in jP grEt indevx!”
<p>
hiz fEs sadanli sofand n tCz kEm intM hiz Fz. wiH hiz left
hAnd hI drM /bygrytiOn tPd him, n wiH hiz rFt, on wic hI wP
a riN, hI mEd H sFn v H kros Ovx him wiH a Jescx evidentli
habicMal, ofxiN hiz pafi cIk, bat /bygrytiOn kist him on H
nek insted.
<p>
“/krFst bI wiH V!” /kMtMzOf ripItad n went tPd hiz
kAriJ. “get in wiH mI,” sed hI t /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“jP eäalansi, F SUd lFk t bI v Vs hC. alQ mI t rimEn
wiH /prins /bygrytiOn'z ditAcmant.”
<p>
“get in,” sed /kMtMzOf, n nOtisiN HAt /bOlkOnski stil dilEd,
hI Adad: “F nId gUd ofisxz mFself, nId Hem mFself!”
<p>
HE got intM H kAriJ n drOv f a fV minits in sFlans.
<p>
“HX iz stil mac, mac bifP as,” hI sed, Az if wiH an Old
mAn'z penitrESan hI andxstUd Yl HAt woz pAsiN in /bOlkOnski'z
mFnd. “if a tenT pRt v hiz ditAcmant ritxnz F SAl TANk /god,”
hI Adad Az if spIkiN t himself.
<p>
prins /AndrM glAnst At /kMtMzOf's fEs Onli a fUt distant from him
n involantXili nOtist H kXfali woSt sImz v H skR nC
hiz tempal, wX an /ismaIl bUlat hAd pCst hiz skal, n H empti
F sokat. “jes, hI hAz a rFt t spIk sO kymli v HOz men'z
deT,” TYt /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“HAt iz wF F beg t bI sent t HAt ditAcmant,” hI sed.
<p>
/kMtMzOf did not riplF. hI sImd t hAv fxgotan wot hI hAd bin
sEiN, n sAt planJd in TYt. fFv minits lEtx, Jentli swEiN
on H soft spriNz v H kAriJ, hI txnd t /prins /AndrM.
HX woz not a trEs v AJitESan on hiz fEs. wiH delikat Frani hI
kwescand /prins /AndrM abQt H dItElz v hiz intxvV wiH H
/empxx, abQt H rimRä hI hAd hxd At kPt kansxniN H /krems
afX, n abQt sam lEdiz HE bOT nM.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
on nOvembx 1 /kMtMzOf hAd risIvd, TrM a spF, nMz HAt H Rmi
hI kamAndad woz in an YlmOst hOplas paziSan. H spF ripPtad HAt
H /frenc, Aftx krosiN H briJ At /viena, wx advAnsiN in
imens fPs apon /kMtMzOf's lFn v kamVnikESan wiH H trMps
HAt wx xFviN from /raSa. if /kMtMzOf disFdad t rimEn At /krems,
/napOlWn'z Rmi v wan handrad n fifti TQzand men wUd kat him
of kamplItli n sxQnd hiz iãYstad Rmi v fPti TQzand, n hI
wUd fFnd himself in H paziSan v /mAk At /Mlm. if /kMtMzOf disFdad
t abAndan H rOd kanektiN him wiH H trMps xFviN from /raSa,
hI wUd hAf t mRc wiH nO rOd intM annOn pRts v H /bOhImWn
mQntanz, difendiN himself agenst sMpCC fPsaz v H enami n
abAndaniN Yl hOp v a JaNkSan wiH /bMähxvden. if /kMtMzOf disFdad
t ritrIt aloN H rOd from /krems t /OlmUts, t VnFt wiH H
trMps xFviN from /raSa, hI riskt bIiN fPstYld on HAt rOd
bF H /frenc hM hAd krost H /viena briJ, n inkambxd bF hiz
bAgiJ n trAnspPt, hAviN t aäept bAtal on H mRc agenst an
enami TrI tFmz Az stroN, hM wUd hem him in from tM sFdz.
<p>
/kMtMzOf cOz His lAtx kPs.
<p>
H /frenc, H spF ripPtad, hAviN krost H /viena briJ, wx
advAnsiN bF fPst mRcaz tPd /znFm, wic lE siäti-siä mFlz
of on H lFn v /kMtMzOf's ritrIt. if hI rIct /znFm bifP H
/frenc, HX wUd bI grEt hOp v sEviN H Rmi; t let H
/frenc fPstYl him At /znFm ment H iäpOZx v hiz hOl Rmi t a
disgrEs sac Az HAt v /Mlm, P t atx distrakSan. bat t fPstYl
H /frenc wiH hiz hOl Rmi woz imposabal. H rOd f H /frenc
from /viena t /znFm woz SPtx n betx HAn H rOd f H
/raSanz from /krems t /znFm.
<p>
H nFt hI risIvd H nMz, /kMtMzOf sent /bygrytiOn'z vAngRd,
fP TQzand stroN, t H rFt akros H hilz from H /krems-/znFm
t H /viena-/znFm rOd. /bygrytiOn woz t mEk His mRc wiHQt
restiN, n t hYlt fEsiN /viena wiH /znFm t hiz rC, n if hI
saäIdad in fPstYliN H /frenc hI woz t dilE Hem Az loN Az
posabal. /kMtMzOf himself wiH Yl hiz trAnspPt tUk H rOd t
/znFm.
<p>
mRciN Txti mFlz HAt stPmi nFt akros rOdlas hilz, wiH hiz
haNgri, il-Sod sOlJxz, n lMziN a Txd v hiz men Az strAgalxz
bF H wE, /bygrytiOn kEm Qt on H /viena-/znFm rOd At /holabrUn
a fV Qxz ahed v H /frenc hM wx aprOciN /holabrUn from
/viena. /kMtMzOf wiH hiz trAnspPt hAd stil t mRc f sam dEz
bifP hI kUd rIc /znFm. hens /bygrytiOn wiH hiz fP TQzand
haNgri, iãYstad men wUd hAf t ditEn f dEz H hOl enami Rmi
HAt kEm apon him At /holabrUn, wic woz klCli imposabal. bat
a frIk v fEt mEd H imposabal posabal. H saäes v H trik
HAt hAd plEst H /viena briJ in H hAndz v H /frenc wiHQt
a fFt led /mMryt t trF t disIv /kMtMzOf in a similx wE. mItiN
/bygrytiOn'z wIk ditAcmant on H /znFm rOd hI sapOzd it t bI
/kMtMzOf's hOl Rmi. t bI Ebal t kraS it AbsalMtli hI awEtad
H xFval v H rest v H trMps hM wx on HX wE from /viena,
n wiH His obJekt ofxd a TrI dEz' trMs on kandiSan HAt
bOT Rmiz SUd rimEn in paziSan wiHQt mMviN. /mMryt diklXd
HAt nigOSiESanz f pIs wx Ylredi prOsIdiN, n HAt hI
HXfP ofxd His trMs t avqd annesisXi bladSed. kQnt
/nOstits, H /ostrWn Jenxal okVpFiN H advAnst pOsts, bilIvd
/mMryt's emisXi n ritFxd, lIviN /bygrytiOn'z diviZan
iäpOzd. anaHx emisXi rOd t H /raSan lFn t anQns H pIs
nigOSiESanz n t ofx H /raSan Rmi H TrI dEz' trMs.
/bygrytiOn riplFd HAt hI woz not YTxFzd FHx t aäept P rifVz
a trMs n sent hiz AJUtant t /kMtMzOf t ripPt H ofx hI hAd
risIvd.
<p>
a trMs woz /kMtMzOf's sOl cAns v gEniN tFm, giviN
/bygrytiOn'z iãYstad trMps sam rest, n letiN H trAnspPt n
hevi konvqz (hMz mMvmants wx kansIld from H /frenc) advAns
if bat wan stEJ nCx /znFm. H ofx v a trMs gEv H Onli, n
a kwFt aniäpektad, cAns v sEviN H Rmi. on risIviN H nMz
hI imIdWtli dispAct /AJUtant /Jenxal /wintsiNxOd, hM woz in
atendans on him, t H enami kAmp. wintsiNxOd woz not mCli
t agrI t H trMs bat YlsO t ofx txmz v kapicalESan, n
mInwFl /kMtMzOf sent hiz AJUtants bAk t hEsan t H atmOst H
mMvmants v H bAgiJ trEnz v H intFx Rmi aloN H /krems-/znFm
rOd. /bygrytiOn'z iãYstad n haNgri ditAcmant, wic alOn
kavxd His mMvmant v H trAnspPt n v H hOl Rmi, hAd t
rimEn stESanXi in fEs v an enami Et tFmz Az stroN Az itself.
<p>
/kMtMzOf's eäpektESanz HAt H prapOzalz v kapicalESan (wic wx
in nO wE bFndiN) mFt giv tFm f pRt v H trAnspPt t pAs,
n YlsO HAt /mMryt's mistEk wUd veri sMn bI diskavxd, prMvd
kxekt. Az sMn Az /bOnapRt (hM woz At /SxnbrUn, siätIn mFlz
from /holabrUn) risIvd /mMryt's dispAc wiH H prapOzal v a
trMs n a kapicalESan, hI ditektad a rMz n rOt H folOiN
letx t /mMryt:
<p>
/SxnbrUn, 25T /brMmX, 1805,
<p>
At Et O'klok in H mPniN
<p>
t /prins /mMryt,
<p>
F kAnot fFnd wxdz t iäpres t V mF displeZx. V kamAnd Onli
mF advAns gRd, n hAv nO rFt t xEnJ an Rmistis wiHQt mF
Pdx. V R kYziN mI t lMz H frMts v a kAmpEn. brEk
H Rmistis imIdWtli n mRc on H enami. infPm him HAt H
Jenxal hM sFnd HAt kapicalESan hAd nO rFt t dM sO, n HAt nO
wan bat H /empxx v /raSa hAz HAt rFt.
<p>
if, hQevx, H /empxx v /raSa rAtifFz HAt kanvenSan, F wil
rAtifF it; bat it iz Onli a trik. mRc on, distrq H /raSan
Rmi.... V R in a paziSan t sIz its bAgiJ n Rtilxi.
<p>
H /raSan /empxx'z Ed-dI-kAmp iz an impostx. ofisxz R
naTiN wen HE hAv nO pQxz; His wan hAd nan.... H /ostrWnz
let Hemselvz bI trikt At H krosiN v H /viena briJ, V R
letiN jPself bI trikt bF an Ed-dI-kAmp v H /empxx.
<p>
/napOlWn
<p>
/bOnapRt's AJUtant rOd fUl gAlap wiH His menasiN letx t
/mMryt. /bOnapRt himself, not trastiN t hiz Jenxalz, mMvd wiH Yl
H /gRdz t H fIld v bAtal, afrEd v letiN a redi viktim
iskEp, n /bygrytiOn'z fP TQzand men merili lFtad kAmpfFxz,
drFd n wPmd Hemselvz, kUkt HX poriJ f H fxst tFm
f TrI dEz, n not wan v Hem nM P imAJind wot woz in stP
f him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
/bitwIn TrI n fP O'klok in H AftxnMn /prins /AndrM, hM
hAd pxsistad in hiz rikwest t /kMtMzOf, xFvd At /grUnT n ripPtad
himself t /bygrytiOn. /bOnapRt's AJUtant hAd not jet rIct
/mMryt's ditAcmant n H bAtal hAd not jet bigan. in /bygrytiOn'z
ditAcmant nO wan nM eniTiN v H Jenxal paziSan v afXz. HE
tYkt v pIs bat did not bilIv in its posabiliti; aHxz tYkt
v a bAtal bat YlsO disbilIvd in H nCnas v an ingEJmant.
/bygrytiOn, nOiN /bOlkOnski t bI a fEvxit n trastad AJUtant,
risIvd him wiH distiNkSan n speSal mRä v fEvx, iäplEniN t
him HAt HX wUd probabli bI an ingEJmant HAt dE P H neät, n
giviN him fUl libxti t rimEn wiH him dxiN H bAtal P t Jqn
H rCgRd n hAv an F on H Pdx v ritrIt, “wic iz YlsO
veri impPtant.”
<p>
“hQevx, HX wil hRdli bI an ingEJmant tadE,” sed /bygrytiOn
Az if t rIaSUx /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“if hI iz wan v H PdinXi lital stAf dAndiz sent t xn a
medal hI kAn get hiz riwPd Jast Az wel in H rCgRd, bat if hI
wiSaz t stE wiH mI, let him... hI'l bI v Vs hC if hI'z a
brEv ofisx,” TYt /bygrytiOn. prins /AndrM, wiHQt riplFiN,
Askt H prins'az pxmiSan t rFd rQnd H paziSan t sI H
dispaziSan v H fPsaz, sO Az t nO hiz bXiNz SUd hI bI sent
t eäikVt an Pdx. H ofisx on dMti, a hAndsam, eligantli drest
mAn wiH a dFmand riN on hiz fPfiNgx, hM woz fond v spIkiN
/frenc HO hI spOk it bAdli, ofxd t kandakt /prins /AndrM.
<p>
on Yl sFdz HE sY rEn-sOkt ofisxz wiH diJektad fEsaz hM
sImd t bI sIkiN samTiN, n sOlJxz drAgiN dPz, bencaz,
n fensiN from H viliJ.
<p>
“HX nQ, /prins! wI kAnt stop HOz felOz,” sed H stAf
ofisx pqntiN t H sOlJxz. “H ofisxz dOnt kIp Hem in
hAnd. n HX,” hI pqntad t a /satlx'z tent, “HE krQd in
n sit. His mPniN F txnd Hem Yl Qt n nQ lUk, it's fUl
agen. F mast gO HX, /prins, n skX Hem a bit. it wOnt tEk a
mOment.”
<p>
“jes, let's gO in n F wil get mFself a rOl n sam cIz,”
sed /prins /AndrM hM hAd not jet hAd tFm t It eniTiN.
<p>
“wF didant V menSan it, /prins? F wUd hAv ofxd V
samTiN.”
<p>
HE dismQntad n entxd H tent. sevxal ofisxz, wiH flaSt n
wCi fEsaz, wx sitiN At H tEbal ItiN n driNkiN.
<p>
“nQ wot daz His mIn, Jentalmen?” sed H stAf ofisx, in
H riprOcfal tOn v a mAn hM hAz ripItad H sEm TiN mP
HAn wans. “V nO it wOnt dM t lIv jP pOsts lFk His.
H prins gEv Pdxz HAt nO wan SUd lIv hiz pOst. nQ V,
/kAptin,” n hI txnd t a Tin, dxti lital Rtilxi ofisx hM
wiHQt hiz bMts (hI hAd givan Hem t H kAntIn kIpx t drF),
in Onli hiz stokiNz, rOz wen HE entxd, smFliN not YltageHx
kamfxtabli.
<p>
“wel, Rnt V aSEmd v jPself, /kAptin /tMSin?” hI
kantinVd. “wan wUd TiNk HAt Az an Rtilxi ofisx V wUd set
a gUd iãAmpal, jet hC V R wiHQt jP bMts! H alRm wil bI
sQndad n V'l bI in a priti paziSan wiHQt jP bMts!” (H
stAf ofisx smFld.) “kFndli ritxn t jP pOsts, Jentalmen, Yl v
V, Yl!” hI Adad in a tOn v kamAnd.
<p>
prins /AndrM smFld involantXili Az hI lUkt At H Rtilxi ofisx
/tMSin, hM sFlant n smFliN, SiftiN from wan stokiNd fUt t
H aHx, glAnst inkwFxiNli wiH hiz lRJ, inteliJant, kFndli Fz
from /prins /AndrM t H stAf ofisx.
<p>
“H sOlJxz sE it fIlz IzC wiHQt bMts,” sed /kAptin
/tMSin smFliN SFli in hiz ankamfxtabal paziSan, evidentli wiSiN
t adopt a JokVlx tOn. bat bifP hI hAd finiSt hI felt HAt hiz
Jest woz anaäeptabal n hAd not kam of. hI grM kanfVzd.
<p>
“kFndli ritxn t jP pOsts,” sed H stAf ofisx trFiN t
prizxv hiz grAviti.
<p>
prins /AndrM glAnst agen At H Rtilxi ofisx'z smYl figjx.
HX woz samTiN pikVlC abQt it, kwFt ansOlJxli, rAHx komik,
bat iätrImli atrAktiv.
<p>
H stAf ofisx n /prins /AndrM mQntad HX hPsaz n rOd on.
<p>
hAviN ridan bijond H viliJ, kantinVali mItiN n OvxtEkiN
sOlJxz n ofisxz v vXWs reJimants, HE sY on HX left sam
intrencmants bIiN TrOn ap, H freSli dag klE v wic SOd ap
red. sevxal batAlWnz v sOlJxz, in HX Sxt slIvz dispFt
H kOld wind, swPmd in HIz xTwxä lFk a hOst v wFt Ants;
spEdfUlz v red klE wx kantinVali bIiN TrOn ap from bihFnd H
bANk bF ansIn hAndz. prins /AndrM n H ofisx rOd ap, lUkt At
H intrencmant, n went on agen. Jast bihFnd it HE kEm apon sam
dazanz v sOlJxz, kantinVali riplEst bF aHxz, hM rAn from H
intrencmant. HE hAd t hOld HX nOzaz n pUt HX hPsaz t a
trot t iskEp from H pqzand AtmasfC v HIz latrInz.
<p>
“vwyly l'agramant /de kAmps, masjx lU prins,” * sed H
stAf ofisx.
<p>
    * “His iz a pleZx wan gets in kAmp, /prins.”
<p>
<p>
HE rOd ap H opazit hil. from HX H /frenc kUd Ylredi bI
sIn. prins /AndrM stopt n bigAn iãAminiN H paziSan.
<p>
“HAt's Qx bAtxi,” sed H stAf ofisx indikEtiN H
hFast pqnt. “it's in cRJ v H kwC felO wI sY wiHQt
hiz bMts. V kAn sI evriTiN from HX; let's gO HX,
/prins.”
<p>
“TANk V veri mac, F wil gO on alOn,” sed /prins /AndrM,
wiSiN t rid himself v His stAf ofisx'z kampani, “plIz
dOnt trabal jPself fxHx.”
<p>
H stAf ofisx rimEnd bihFnd n /prins /AndrM rOd on alOn.
<p>
H fRHx fPwxd n nCx H enami hI went, H mP Pdxli n
cCfal wx H trMps. H grEtast disPdx n dipreSan hAd bin
in H bAgiJ trEn hI hAd pAst HAt mPniN on H /znFm rOd sevan
mFlz awE from H /frenc. At /grUnT YlsO sam AprihenSan n alRm
kUd bI felt, bat H nCx /prins /AndrM kEm t H /frenc lFnz H
mP konfidant woz H apCans v Qx trMps. H sOlJxz in
HX grEtkOts wx rEnJd in lFnz, H sRJants mEJx n kampani
ofisxz wx kQntiN H men, pOkiN H lAst mAn in Ic sekSan in
H ribz n teliN him t hOld hiz hAnd ap. sOlJxz skAtxd Ovx
H hOl plEs wx drAgiN loã n braSwUd n wx bildiN
Seltxz wiH meri cAtx n lAftx; xQnd H fFxz sAt aHxz,
drest n andrest, drFiN HX Sxts n leg bAndz P mendiN
bMts P OvxkOts n krQdiN rQnd H bqlxz n poriJ kUkxz.
in wan kampani dinx woz redi, n H sOlJxz wx gEziN Igxli
At H stImiN bqlx, wEtiN til H sAmpal, wic a kwPtxmAstx
sRJant woz kAriiN in a wUdan bOl t an ofisx hM sAt on a log
bifP hiz Seltx, hAd bin tEstad.
<p>
anaHx kampani, a laki wan f not Yl H kampaniz hAd vodka,
krQdad rQnd a pokmRkt, brYd-SOldxd sRJant mEJx hM, tiltiN
a keg, fild wan Aftx anaHx H kAntIn lidz held Qt t him. H
sOlJxz liftad H kAntIn lidz t HX lips wiH revxenSal fEsaz,
emptid Hem, rOliN H vodka in HX mQHz, n wYkt awE from
H sRJant mEJx wiH brFtand iäpreSanz, likiN HX lips n
wFpiN Hem on H slIvz v HX grEtkOts. Yl HX fEsaz wx
Az sxIn Az if Yl His wx hApaniN At hOm awEtiN pIsfal
inkAmpmant, n not wiHin sFt v H enami bifP an AkSan in
wic At lIst hAf v Hem wUd bI left on H fIld. Aftx pAsiN a
SAsEx reJimant n in H lFnz v H /kIev grenadCz—fFn felOz
bizi wiH similx pIsfal afXz—nC H Seltx v H reJimental
kamAndx, hFx HAn n difxant from H aHxz, /prins /AndrM kEm
Qt in frant v a plAtMn v grenadCz bifP hMm lE a nEkad mAn. tM
sOlJxz held him wFl tM aHxz wx flariSiN HX swicaz n
strFkiN him regVlxli on hiz bX bAk. H mAn SrIkt annAcxali.
a stQt mEJx woz pEsiN ap n dQn H lFn, n rigRdlas v H
skrImz kept ripItiN:
<p>
“it's a SEm f a sOlJx t stIl; a sOlJx mast bI onast,
onxabal, n brEv, bat if hI robz hiz felOz HX iz nO onx in
him, hI'z a skQndral. gO on! gO on!”
<p>
sO H swiSiN sQnd v H strOä, n H despxat bat annAcxal
skrImz, kantinVd.
<p>
“gO on, gO on!” sed H mEJx.
<p>
a jaN ofisx wiH a biwildxd n pEnd iäpreSan on hiz fEs
stept awE from H mAn n lUkt rQnd inkwFxiNli At H AJUtant
Az hI rOd bF.
<p>
prins /AndrM, hAviN rIct H frant lFn, rOd aloN it. Qx frant
lFn n HAt v H enami wx fR apRt on H rFt n left flANä,
bat in H sentx wX H men wiH a flAg v trMs hAd pAst HAt
mPniN, H lFnz wx sO nC tageHx HAt H men kUd sI wan
anaHx'z fEsaz n spIk t wan anaHx. bisFdz H sOlJxz hM
fPmd H pikat lFn on FHx sFd, HX wx meni kjUxWs onlUkxz
hM, JestiN n lAfiN, stXd At HX strEnJ forin enamiz.
<p>
sins xli mPniN—dispFt an inJaNkSan not t aprOc H pikat
lFn—H ofisxz hAd bin anEbal t kIp sFt-sIxz awE. H
sOlJxz fPmiN H pikat lFn, lFk SOmen iãibitiN a kjUxiositi,
nO loNgx lUkt At H /frenc bat pEd atenSan t H sFt-sIxz n
grM wCi wEtiN t bI rilIvd. prins /AndrM hYltad t hAv a lUk
At H /frenc.
<p>
“lUk! lUk HX!” wan sOlJx woz sEiN t anaHx, pqntiN t a
/raSan maskatC hM hAd gon ap t H pikat lFn wiH an ofisx n
woz rApidli n iäFtadli tYkiN t a /frenc grenadC. “hRk t him
JAbxiN! fFn, izant it? it's Yl H /frenci kAn dM t kIp ap
wiH him. HX nQ, /sidPOf!”
<p>
“wEt a bit n lisan. it's fFn!” Ansxd /sidPOf, hM woz
kansidxd an adept At /frenc.
<p>
H sOlJx t hMm H lAfxz rifxd woz /dOlOâOf. prins /AndrM
rekagnFzd him n stopt t lisan t wot hI woz sEiN. /dOlOâOf
hAd kam from H left flANk wX HX reJimant woz stESand, wiH
hiz kAptin.
<p>
“nQ Hen, gO on, gO on!” insFtad H ofisx, bendiN fPwxd n
trFiN not t lMz a wxd v H spIc wic woz inkomprihensabal t
him. “mP, plIz: mP! wot's hI sEiN?”
<p>
/dOlOâOf did not Ansx H kAptin; hI hAd bin drYn intM a hot
dispVt wiH H /frenc grenadC. HE wx nAcxali tYkiN abQt H
kAmpEn. H /frencman, kanfVziN H /ostrWnz wiH H /raSanz, woz
trFiN t prMv HAt H /raSanz hAd sxendxd n hAd fled Yl
H wE from /Mlm, wFl /dOlOâOf mEntEnd HAt H /raSanz hAd not
sxendxd bat hAd bItan H /frenc.
<p>
“wI hAv Pdxz t drFv V of hC, n wI SAl drFv V of,”
sed /dOlOâOf.
<p>
“Onli tEk kX V n jP /kosAä R not Yl kApcxd!” sed
H /frenc grenadC.
<p>
H /frenc onlUkxz n lisanxz lAft.
<p>
“wI'l mEk V dAns Az wI did andx /sMvPOf...,” * sed
/dOlOâOf.
<p>
    * “on vM fera dynsx.”
<p>
<p>
“kw' est-se kw'il /Synte?” * Askt a /frencman.
<p>
    * “wot's hI siNiN abQt?”
<p>
<p>
“it's Encant histxi,” sed anaHx, gesiN HAt it rifxd t
a fPmx wP. “H /empxx wil tIc jP /sMvRa Az hI hAz tYt H
aHxz...”
<p>
“/bOnapRt...” bigAn /dOlOâOf, bat H /frencman intxaptad him.
<p>
“not /bOnapRt. hI iz H /empxx! sykre nom...!” krFd hI ANgrili.
<p>
“H deval skin jP /empxx.”
<p>
n /dOlOâOf swP At him in kPs sOlJx'z /raSan n SOldxiN
hiz maskat wYkt awE.
<p>
“let as gO, /ivyn /lMkic,” hI sed t H kAptin.
<p>
“y, HAt's H wE t tYk /frenc,” sed H pikat sOlJxz.
“nQ, /sidPOf, V hAv a trF!”
<p>
/sidPOf, txniN t H /frenc, wiNkt, n bigAn t JAbx mIniNlas
sQndz veri fAst: “kRi, myly, tAfa, sEfi, mVtx, /kyska,” hI sed,
trFiN t giv an iäpresiv intanESan t hiz vqs.
<p>
“hO! hO! hO! hy! hy! hy! hy! Ouh! ouh!” kEm pIlz v sac helTi
n gUd-hVmxd lAftx from H sOlJxz HAt it infektad H /frenc
involantXili, sO mac sO HAt H Onli TiN left t dM sImd t bI
t anlOd H maskats, iäplOd H AmVniSan, n Yl ritxn hOm Az
kwikli Az posabal.
<p>
bat H ganz rimEnd lOdad, H lMphOlz in blokhQzaz n
intrencmants lUkt Qt Jast Az menasiNli, n H anlimbxd kAnan
kanfrantad wan anaHx Az bifP.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
/hAviN ridan rQnd H hOl lFn from rFt flANk t left, /prins
/AndrM mEd hiz wE ap t H bAtxi from wic H stAf ofisx hAd
tOld him H hOl fIld kUd bI sIn. hC hI dismQntad, n stopt
bisFd H fRHast v H fP anlimbxd kAnan. bifP H ganz an
Rtilxi sentri woz pEsiN ap n dQn; hI stUd At atenSan wen H
ofisx xFvd, bat At a sFn rizMmd hiz meZxd, manotanas pEsiN.
bihFnd H ganz wx HX limbxz n stil fRHx bAk pikat rOps
n Rtilximen'z bonfFxz. t H left, not fR from H fRHast
kAnan, woz a smYl, nMli kanstraktad wotal Sed from wic kEm H
sQnd v ofisxz' vqsaz in Igx konvxsESan.
<p>
it woz trM HAt a vV Ovx nCli H hOl /raSan paziSan n H
grEtx pRt v H enami'z Opand Qt from His bAtxi. Jast fEsiN
it, on H krest v H opazit hil, H viliJ v /Sxn /grAbxn
kUd bI sIn, n in TrI plEsaz t left n rFt H /frenc trMps
amid H smOk v HX kAmpfFxz, H grEtx pRt v hMm wx
evidentli in H viliJ itself n bihFnd H hil. t H left from
HAt viliJ, amid H smOk, woz samTiN rizembaliN a bAtxi, bat it
woz imposabal t sI it klCli wiH H nEkad F. Qx rFt flANk woz
pOstad on a rAHx stIp inklFn wic dominEtad H /frenc paziSan.
Qx infantri wx stESand HX, n At H fRHast pqnt H
dragMnz. in H sentx, wX /tMSin'z bAtxi stUd n from wic
/prins /AndrM woz sxvEiN H paziSan, woz H IzWst n mOst
direkt disent n asent t H brUk sepxEtiN as from /Sxn
/grAbxn. on H left Qx trMps wx klOs t a kops, in wic smOkt
H bonfFxz v Qx infantri hM wx feliN wUd. H /frenc lFn woz
wFdx HAn Qxz, n it woz plEn HAt HE kUd Izili QtflANk as
on bOT sFdz. bihFnd Qx paziSan woz a stIp n dIp dip, mEkiN it
difikalt f Rtilxi n kAvalri t ritFx. prins /AndrM tUk
Qt hiz nOtbUk n, lIniN on H kAnan, skect a plAn v H
paziSan. hI mEd sam nOts on tM pqnts, intendiN t menSan Hem t
/bygrytiOn. hiz FdW woz, fxst, t konsantrEt Yl H Rtilxi in H
sentx, n sekandli, t wiHdrY H kAvalri t H aHx sFd v H
dip. prins /AndrM, bIiN YlwEz nC H kamAndx in cIf, klOsli
folOiN H mAs mMvmants n Jenxal Pdxz, n konstantli stadiiN
histPikal akQnts v bAtalz, involantXili pikcxd t himself H
kPs v ivents in H fPTkamiN AkSan in brYd QtlFn. hI
imAJind Onli impPtant posabilitiz: “if H enami atAä H rFt
flANk,” hI sed t himself, “H /kIev grenadCz n H /pOdOlsk
SAsExz mast hOld HX paziSan til rizxvz from H sentx
kam ap. in HAt kEs H dragMnz kUd saäesfali mEk a flANk
kQntxatAk. if HE atAk Qx sentx wI, hAviN H sentx bAtxi
on His hF grQnd, SAl wiHdrY H left flANk andx its kavx, n
ritrIt t H dip bF eSalonz.” sO hI rIzand.... Yl H tFm
hI hAd bin bisFd H gan, hI hAd hxd H vqsaz v H ofisxz
distiNktli, bat Az oftan hApanz hAd not andxstUd a wxd v wot HE
wx sEiN. sadanli, hQevx, hI woz strak bF a vqs kamiN from H
Sed, n its tOn woz sO sinsC HAt hI kUd not bat lisan.
<p>
“nO, frend,” sed a plezant n, Az it sImd t /prins /AndrM, a
familC vqs, “wot F sE iz HAt if it wx posabal t nO
wot iz bijond deT, nan v as wUd bI afrEd v it. HAt's sO,
frend.”
<p>
anaHx, a jaNgx vqs, intxaptad him: “afrEd P not, V kAnt
iskEp it enihQ.”
<p>
“Yl H sEm, wan iz afrEd! O, V klevx pIpal,” sed a Txd
mAnli vqs intxaptiN Hem bOT. “v kPs V Rtilxi men R
veri wFz, bikoz V kAn tEk evriTiN aloN wiH V—vodka n
snAä.”
<p>
n H Onx v H mAnli vqs, evidentli an infantri ofisx,
lAft.
<p>
“jes, wan iz afrEd,” kantinVd H fxst spIkx, hI v H
familC vqs. “wan iz afrEd v H annOn, HAt's wot it iz.
wotevx wI mE sE abQt H sOl gOiN t H skF... wI nO HX iz
nO skF bat Onli an AtmasfC.”
<p>
H mAnli vqs agen intxaptad H Rtilxi ofisx.
<p>
“wel, stAnd as sam v jP xb vodka, /tMSin,” it sed.
<p>
“wF,” TYt /prins /AndrM, “HAt's H kAptin hM stUd ap
in H /satlx'z hat wiHQt hiz bMts.” hI rekagnFzd H agrIabal,
filosafFziN vqs wiH pleZx.
<p>
“sam xb vodka? sxtanli!” sed /tMSin. “bat stil, t
kansIv a fVcx lFf...”
<p>
hI did not finiS. Jast Hen HX woz a wisal in H X; nCx n
nCx, fAstx n lQdx, lQdx n fAstx, a kAnan bYl, Az if it
hAd not finiSt sEiN wot woz nesisXi, Tadad intM H grQnd nC
H Sed wiH sMpx hVman fPs, TrOiN ap a mAs v xT. H grQnd
sImd t grOn At H teribal impAkt.
<p>
n imIdWtli /tMSin, wiH a SPt pFp in H kPnx v hiz mQT
n hiz kFnd, inteliJant fEs rAHx pEl, raSt Qt v H Sed
folOd bF H Onx v H mAnli vqs, a dASiN infantri ofisx hM
harid of t hiz kampani, bataniN ap hiz kOt Az hI rAn.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/mQntiN hiz hPs agen /prins /AndrM liNgxd wiH H bAtxi,
lUkiN At H paf from H gan HAt hAd sent H bYl. hiz Fz
rAn rApidli Ovx H wFd spEs, bat hI Onli sY HAt H hiHxtM
mOSanlas mAsaz v H /frenc nQ swEd n HAt HX rWli woz
a bAtxi t HX left. H smOk abav it hAd not jet dispxst. tM
mQntad /frencmen, probabli AJUtants, wx gAlapiN ap H hil. a
smYl bat distiNktli vizabal enami kolam woz mMviN dQn H hil,
probabli t streNTan H frant lFn. H smOk v H fxst Sot hAd
not jet dispxst bifP anaHx paf apCd, folOd bF a ripPt.
H bAtal hAd bigan! prins /AndrM txnd hiz hPs n gAlapt bAk
t /grUnT t fFnd /prins /bygrytiOn. hI hxd H kAnanEd bihFnd him
grOiN lQdx n mP frIkwant. evidentli Qx ganz hAd bigan t riplF.
from H botam v H slOp, wX H pRliz hAd tEkan plEs, kEm
H ripPt v maskatri.
<p>
/lUmR`y hAd Jast xFvd At a gAlap wiH /bOnapRt's stxn letx,
n /mMryt, hVmiliEtad n ANkSas t eäpiEt hiz fYlt, hAd At wans
mMvd hiz fPsaz t atAk H sentx n QtflANk bOT H /raSan
wiNz, hOpiN bifP IvniN n bifP H xFval v H /empxx t
kraS H kantemptabal ditAcmant HAt stUd bifP him.
<p>
“it hAz bigan. hC it iz!” TYt /prins /AndrM, fIliN H
blad raS t hiz hRt. “bat wX n hQ wil mF /tMlon prizent
itself?”
<p>
pAsiN bitwIn H kampaniz HAt hAd bin ItiN poriJ n driNkiN
vodka a kwPtx v an Qx bifP, hI sY evriwX H sEm rApid
mMvmant v sOlJxz fPmiN rANä n getiN HX maskats redi,
n on Yl HX fEsaz hI rekagnFzd H sEm Igxnas HAt fild hiz
hRt. “it hAz bigan! hC it iz, dredfal bat inJqabal!” woz wot
H fEs v Ic sOlJx n Ic ofisx sImd t sE.
<p>
bifP hI hAd rIct H imbANkmants HAt wx bIiN TrOn ap, hI sY,
in H lFt v H dal Ytam IvniN, mQntad men kamiN tPd him.
H fPmOst, wXiN a /kosAk klOk n lAmskin kAp n rFdiN a
wFt hPs, woz /prins /bygrytiOn. prins /AndrM stopt, wEtiN f
him t kam ap; /prins /bygrytiOn rEnd in hiz hPs n rekagnFziN
/prins /AndrM nodad t him. hI stil lUkt ahed wFl /prins /AndrM
tOld him wot hI hAd sIn.
<p>
H fIliN, “it hAz bigan! hC it iz!” woz sIn Ivan on /prins
/bygrytiOn'z hRd brQn fEs wiH its hAf-klOzd, dal, slIpi Fz.
prins /AndrM gEzd wiH ANkSas kjUxiositi At HAt impAsiv fEs
n wiSt hI kUd tel wot, if eniTiN, His mAn woz TiNkiN
n fIliN At HAt mOment. “iz HX eniTiN At Yl bihFnd HAt
impAsiv fEs?” prins /AndrM Askt himself Az hI lUkt. prins
/bygrytiOn bent hiz hed in sFn v agrImant wiH wot /prins /AndrM
tOld him, n sed, “veri gUd!” in a tOn HAt sImd t implF HAt
evriTiN HAt tUk plEs n woz ripPtad t him woz iãAktli wot hI
hAd fPsIn. prins /AndrM, Qt v breT wiH hiz rApid rFd, spOk
kwikli. prins /bygrytiOn, atxiN hiz wxdz wiH an /Piental Aäent,
spOk pxtikVlxli slOli, Az if t impres H fAkt HAt HX woz nO
nId t hari. hQevx, hI pUt hiz hPs t a trot in H direkSan
v /tMSin'z bAtxi. prins /AndrM folOd wiH H swIt. bihFnd
/prins /bygrytiOn rOd an ofisx v H swIt, H prins'az pxsanal
AJUtant, /ZerkOf, an Pdxli ofisx, H stAf ofisx on dMti,
rFdiN a fFn bobtEld hPs, n a sivilWn—an akQntant hM hAd
Askt pxmiSan t bI prezant At H bAtal Qt v kjUxiositi. H
akQntant, a stQt, fUl-fEst mAn, lUkt xQnd him wiH a nFIv
smFl v sAtisfAkSan n prizentad a strEnJ apCans amaN H
hMsRz, /kosAä, n AJUtants, in hiz kAmlat kOt, Az hI JOltad on
hiz hPs wiH a konvq ofisx'z sAdal.
<p>
“hI wonts t sI a bAtal,” sed /ZerkOf t /bOlkOnski, pqntiN
t H akQntant, “bat hI fIlz a pEn in H pit v hiz stamak
Ylredi.”
<p>
“O, lIv of!” sed H akQntant wiH a bImiN bat rAHx
kaniN smFl, Az if flAtxd At bIiN mEd H sabJekt v /ZerkOf's
JOk, n pxpasli trFiN t apC stMpidx HAn hI rWli woz.
<p>
“it iz veri strEnJ, man /masjx /prins,” sed H stAf ofisx.
(hI rimembxd HAt in /frenc HX iz sam pikVlC wE v adresiN a
prins, bat kUd not get it kwFt rFt.)
<p>
bF His tFm HE wx Yl aprOciN /tMSin'z bAtxi, n a bYl
strak H grQnd in frant v Hem.
<p>
“wot's HAt HAt hAz fYlan?” Askt H akQntant wiH a nFIv
smFl.
<p>
“a /frenc pAnkEk,” Ansxd /ZerkOf.
<p>
“sO HAt's wot HE hit wiH?” Askt H akQntant. “hQ
Yfal!”
<p>
hI sImd t swel wiH sAtisfAkSan. hI hAd hRdli finiSt spIkiN
wen HE agen hxd an aniäpektadli vFalant wisaliN wic sadanli
endad wiH a Tad intM samTiN soft... f-f-flop! n a /kosAk, rFdiN
a lital t HX rFt n bihFnd H akQntant, krASt t xT wiH
hiz hPs. /ZerkOf n H stAf ofisx bent Ovx HX sAdalz n
txnd HX hPsaz awE. H akQntant stopt, fEsiN H /kosAk,
n iãAmind him wiH atentiv kjUxiositi. H /kosAk woz ded, bat H
hPs stil stragald.
<p>
prins /bygrytiOn skrMd ap hiz Fz, lUkt rQnd, n, sIiN H
kYz v H kanfVZan, txnd awE wiH indifxans, Az if t sE,
“iz it wxT wFl nOtisiN trFfalz?” hI rEnd in hiz hPs wiH
H kX v a skilfal rFdx n, slFtli bendiN Ovx, disingEJd hiz
sEbx wic hAd kYt in hiz klOk. it woz an Old-fASand sEbx v
a kFnd nO loNgx in Jenxal Vs. prins /AndrM rimembxd H stPi v
/sMvPOf giviN hiz sEbx t /bygrytiOn in /itali, n H rekalekSan
woz pxtikVlxli plezant At HAt mOment. HE hAd rIct H bAtxi
At wic /prins /AndrM hAd bin wen hI iãAmind H bAtalfIld.
<p>
“hMz kampani?” Askt /prins /bygrytiOn v an RtilximAn stAndiN
bF H AmVniSan wAgan.
<p>
hI Askt, “hMz kampani?” bat hI rWli ment, “R V
frFtand hC?” n H RtilximAn andxstUd him.
<p>
“kAptin /tMSin'z, jP eäalansi!” SQtad H red-hXd,
frekald ganx in a meri vqs, stAndiN t atenSan.
<p>
“jes, jes,” matxd /bygrytiOn Az if kansidxiN samTiN, n hI
rOd pAst H limbxz t H fRHast kAnan.
<p>
Az hI aprOct, a riNiN Sot iSVd from it defaniN him n hiz
swIt, n in H smOk HAt sadanli sxQndad H gan HE kUd sI
H ganxz hM hAd sIzd it strEniN t rOl it kwikli bAk t its
fPmx paziSan. a hVJ, brYd-SOldxd ganx, /nambx /wan, hOldiN
a mop, hiz leã fR apRt, sprAN t H wIl; wFl /nambx /tM wiH
a trembaliN hAnd plEst a cRJ in H kAnan'z mQT. H SPt,
rQnd-SOldxd /kAptin /tMSin, stambaliN Ovx H tEl v H gan
kAriJ, mMvd fPwxd n, not nOtisiN H Jenxal, lUkt Qt
SEdiN hiz Fz wiH hiz smYl hAnd.
<p>
“lift it tM lFnz mP n it wil bI Jast rFt,” krFd hI in a
fIbal vqs t wic hI trFd t impRt a dASiN nOt, il-sMtad t
hiz wIk figjx. “nambx /tM!” hI skwIkt. “fFx, /medvedjef!”
<p>
/bygrytiOn kYld t him, n /tMSin, rEziN TrI fiNgxz t hiz kAp
wiH a bASfal n Ykwxd Jescx not At Yl lFk a militXi salMt
bat lFk a prIst's benidikSan, aprOct H Jenxal. HO
/tMSin'z ganz hAd bin intendad t kAnanEd H vAli, hI woz
fFxiN insendiXi bYlz At H viliJ v /Sxn /grAbxn vizabal Jast
opazit, in frant v wic lRJ mAsaz v /frenc wx advAnsiN.
<p>
nO wan hAd givan /tMSin Pdxz wX n At wot t fFx, bat Aftx
kansaltiN hiz sRJant mEJx, /zyâRcenkO, f hMm hI hAd grEt
rispekt, hI hAd disFdad HAt it wUd bI a gUd TiN t set fFx t H
viliJ. “veri gUd!” sed /bygrytiOn in riplF t H ofisx'z
ripPt, n bigAn dilibxatli t iãAmin H hOl bAtalfIld iätendad
bifP him. H /frenc hAd advAnst nCast on Qx rFt. bilO H
hFt on wic H /kIev reJimant woz stESand, in H holO wX H
rivVlat flOd, H sOl-stxiN rOliN n krAkaliN v maskatri woz
hxd, n mac fRHx t H rFt bijond H dragMnz, H ofisx v
H swIt pqntad Qt t /bygrytiOn a /frenc kolam HAt woz QtflANkiN
as. t H left H hxFzan bQndad bF H aJEsant wUd. prins
/bygrytiOn Pdxd tM batAlWnz from H sentx t bI sent t
rIinfPs H rFt flANk. H ofisx v H swIt vencxd t rimRk
t H prins HAt if HIz batAlWnz went awE, H ganz wUd rimEn
wiHQt sapPt. prins /bygrytiOn txnd t H ofisx n wiH hiz
dal Fz lUkt At him in sFlans. it sImd t /prins /AndrM HAt H
ofisx'z rimRk woz Jast n HAt rWli nO Ansx kUd bI mEd t
it. bat At HAt mOment an AJUtant gAlapt ap wiH a mesiJ from H
kamAndx v H reJimant in H holO n nMz HAt imens mAsaz
v H /frenc wx kamiN dQn apon Hem n HAt hiz reJimant woz in
disPdx n woz ritrItiN apon H /kIev grenadCz. prins /bygrytiOn
bQd hiz hed in sFn v asent n aprMval. hI rOd of At a wYk t
H rFt n sent an AJUtant t H dragMnz wiH Pdxz t atAk H
/frenc. bat His AJUtant ritxnd hAf an Qx lEtx wiH H nMz HAt
H kamAndx v H dragMnz hAd Ylredi ritrItad bijond H dip in
H grQnd, Az a hevi fFx hAd bin Opand on him n hI woz lMziN
men Vslasli, n sO hAd hEsand t TrO sam SRpSMtxz intM H
wUd.
<p>
“veri gUd!” sed /bygrytiOn.
<p>
Az hI woz lIviN H bAtxi, fFxiN woz hxd on H left YlsO, n
Az it woz tM fR t H left flANk f him t hAv tFm t gO HX
himself, /prins /bygrytiOn sent /ZerkOf t tel H Jenxal in kamAnd
(H wan hM hAd pxEdad hiz reJimant bifP /kMtMzOf At /brQnQ) HAt
hI mast ritrIt Az kwikli Az posabal bihFnd H holO in H rC,
Az H rFt flANk wUd probabli not bI Ebal t wiHstAnd H enami'z
atAk veri loN. abQt /tMSin n H batAlWn HAt hAd bin in
sapPt v hiz bAtxi Yl woz fxgotan. prins /AndrM lisand
atentivli t /bygrytiOn'z kolakwiz wiH H kamAndiN ofisxz
n H Pdxz hI gEv Hem n, t hiz sxprFz, fQnd HAt nO Pdxz
wx rWli givan, bat HAt /prins /bygrytiOn trFd t mEk it apC
HAt evriTiN dan bF nisesiti, bF Aäidant, P bF H wil v
sabPdinat kamAndxz woz dan, if not bF hiz direkt kamAnd, At lIst
in akPd wiH hiz intenSanz. prins /AndrM nOtist, hQevx, HAt
HO wot hApand woz dM t cAns n woz indipendant v H
kamAndx'z wil, OiN t H tAkt /bygrytiOn SOd, hiz prezans
woz veri vAlVabal. ofisxz hM aprOct him wiH distxbd
kQntanansaz bikEm kym; sOlJxz n ofisxz grItad him gEli, grM
mP cCfal in hiz prezans, n wx evidentli ANkSas t displE
HX kariJ bifP him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
/prins /bygrytiOn, hAviN rIct H hFast pqnt v Qx rFt flANk,
bigAn rFdiN dQnhil t wX H rOl v maskatri woz hxd bat wX
on akQnt v H smOk naTiN kUd bI sIn. H nCx HE got t
H holO H les HE kUd sI bat H mP HE felt H nCnas
v H AkcMal bAtalfIld. HE bigAn t mIt wMndad men. wan wiH a
blIdiN hed n nO kAp woz bIiN drAgd aloN bF tM sOlJxz hM
sapPtad him andx H Rmz. HX woz a gxgal in hiz TrOt n hI
woz spitiN blad. a bUlat hAd evidentli hit him in H TrOt P
mQT. anaHx woz wYkiN stxdili bF himself bat wiHQt hiz maskat,
grOniN alQd n swiNiN hiz Rm wic hAd Jast bin hxt, wFl
blad from it woz strImiN Ovx hiz grEtkOt Az from a botal. hI hAd
HAt mOment bin wMndad n hiz fEs SOd fC rAHx HAn safxiN.
krosiN a rOd HE disendad a stIp inklFn n sY sevxal men
lFiN on H grQnd; HE YlsO met a krQd v sOlJxz sam v hMm wx
anwQndad. H sOlJxz wx asendiN H hil brIHiN hevili, n
dispFt H Jenxal'z prezans wx tYkiN lQdli n JestikVlEtiN.
in frant v Hem rOz v grE klOä wx Ylredi vizabal TrM H
smOk, n an ofisx kAciN sFt v /bygrytiOn raSt SQtiN Aftx
H krQd v ritrItiN sOlJxz, PdxiN Hem bAk. /bygrytiOn rOd ap
t H rANä aloN wic Sots krAkald nQ hC n nQ HX, drQniN
H sQnd v vqsaz n H SQts v kamAnd. H hOl X rIkt wiH
smOk. H iäFtad fEsaz v H sOlJxz wx blAkand wiH it. sam
wx VziN HX rAmrodz, aHxz pUtiN pQdx on H tacpAnz P
tEkiN cRJaz from HX pQcaz, wFl aHxz wx fFxiN, HO hM
HE wx fFxiN At kUd not bI sIn f H smOk wic HX woz nO
wind t kAri awE. a plezant hamiN n wisaliN v bUlats wx
oftan hxd. “wot iz His?” TYt /prins /AndrM aprOciN H
krQd v sOlJxz. “it kAnt bI an atAk, f HE R not mMviN;
it kAnt bI a skwX—f HE R not drYn ap f HAt.”
<p>
H kamAndx v H reJimant, a Tin, fIbal-lUkiN Old mAn wiH a
plezant smFl—hiz Flidz drMpiN mP HAn hAf Ovx hiz Old Fz,
giviN him a mFld iäpreSan, rOd ap t /bygrytiOn n welkamd him Az
a hOst welkamz an onxd gest. hI ripPtad HAt hiz reJimant hAd
bin atAkt bF /frenc kAvalri n HAt, HO H atAk hAd bin
ripalst, hI hAd lost mP HAn hAf hiz men. hI sed H atAk
hAd bin ripalst, implqiN His militXi txm t diskrFb wot hAd
akxd t hiz reJimant, bat in riAliti hI did not himself nO wot
hAd hApand dxiN HAt hAf-Qx t H trMps intrastad t him, n
kUd not sE wiH sxtanti weHx H atAk hAd bin ripalst P hiz
reJimant hAd bin brOkan ap. Yl hI nM woz HAt At H kamensmant
v H AkSan bYlz n Selz bigAn flFiN Yl Ovx hiz reJimant n
hitiN men n HAt Aftxwxdz samwan hAd SQtad “kAvalri!” n
Qx men hAd bigan fFxiN. HE wx stil fFxiN, not At H kAvalri
wic hAd disapCd, bat At /frenc infantri hM hAd kam intM H
holO n wx fFxiN At Qx men. prins /bygrytiOn bQd hiz hed Az a
sFn HAt His woz iãAktli wot hI hAd dizFxd n iäpektad. txniN
t hiz AJUtant hI Pdxd him t briN dQn H tM batAlWnz v H
/siäT /SAsExz hMm HE hAd Jast pAst. prins /AndrM woz strak bF
H cEnJd iäpreSan on /prins /bygrytiOn'z fEs At His mOment. it
iäprest H konsantrEtad n hApi rezalMSan V sI on H fEs v
a mAn hM on a hot dE tEä a fFnal ran bifP planJiN intM H wYtx.
H dal, slIpi iäpreSan woz nO loNgx HX, nP H AfektESan
v prafQnd TYt. H rQnd, stedi, hYk's Fz lUkt bifP him
Igxli n rAHx disdEnfali, not restiN on eniTiN YlHO hiz
mMvmants wx stil slO n meZxd.
<p>
H kamAndx v H reJimant txnd t /prins /bygrytiOn, intrItiN
him t gO bAk Az it woz tM dEnJxas t rimEn wX HE wx.
“plIz, jP eäalansi, f /god'z sEk!” hI kept sEiN,
glAnsiN f sapPt At an ofisx v H swIt hM txnd awE
from him. “HX, V sI!” n hI drM atenSan t H bUlats
wisaliN, siNiN, n hisiN kantinVali xQnd Hem. hI spOk in H
tOn v intrIti n riprOc HAt a kRpantx Vzaz t a Jentalman hM
hAz pikt ap an Aä: “wI R Vst t it, bat V, sx, wil blistx
jP hAndz.” hI spOk Az if HOz bUlats kUd not kil him, n hiz
hAf-klOzd Fz gEv stil mP pxswEsivnas t hiz wxdz. H stAf
ofisx Jqnd in H kxnal'z apIlz, bat /bygrytiOn did not riplF;
hI Onli gEv an Pdx t sIs fFxiN n rI-fPm, sO Az t giv rMm
f H tM aprOciN batAlWnz. wFl hI woz spIkiN, H kxtan
v smOk HAt hAd kansIld H holO, drivan bF a rFziN wind, bigAn
t mMv from rFt t left Az if drYn bF an invizabal hAnd, n H
hil opazit, wiH H /frenc mMviN abQt on it, Opand Qt bifP
Hem. Yl Fz fAsand involantXili on His /frenc kolam advAnsiN
agenst Hem n wFndiN dQn Ovx H anIvan grQnd. wan kUd Ylredi
sI H sOlJxz' SAgi kAps, distiNgwiS H ofisxz from H men,
n sI H stAndxd flApiN agenst its stAf.
<p>
“HE mRc splendidli,” rimRkt samwan in /bygrytiOn'z swIt.
<p>
H hed v H kolam hAd Ylredi disendad intM H holO. H klAS
wUd tEk plEs on His sFd v it...
<p>
H rimEnz v Qx reJimant wic hAd bin in AkSan rApidli fPmd ap
n mMvd t H rFt; from bihFnd it, dispxsiN H lAgxdz, kEm
tM batAlWnz v H /siäT /SAsExz in fFn Pdx. bifP HE hAd
rIct /bygrytiOn, H wEti tred v H mAs v men mRciN in
step kUd bI hxd. on HX left flANk, nCast t /bygrytiOn, mRct
a kampani kamAndx, a fFn rQnd-fEst mAn, wiH a stMpid n hApi
iäpreSan—H sEm mAn hM hAd raSt Qt v H wotal Sed. At HAt
mOment hI woz klCli TiNkiN v naTiN bat hQ dASiN a felO hI
wUd apC Az hI pAst H kamAndx.
<p>
wiH H self-sAtisfAkSan v a mAn on pxEd, hI stept lFtli wiH
hiz maskVlx leã Az if sEliN aloN, streciN himself t hiz fUl
hFt wiHQt H smYlast efxt, hiz Iz kantrAstiN wiH H hevi
tred v H sOlJxz hM wx kIpiN step wiH him. hI kArid klOs
t hiz leg a nArO anSIHd sPd (smYl, kxvd, n not lFk a rWl
wepan) n lUkt nQ At H sMpCC ofisxz n nQ bAk At H men
wiHQt lMziN step, hiz hOl pQxfal bodi txniN fleäabli. it woz Az
if Yl H pQxz v hiz sOl wx konsantrEtad on pAsiN H kamAndx
in H best posabal mAnx, n fIliN HAt hI woz dMiN it wel hI
woz hApi. “left... left... left...” hI sImd t ripIt t himself
At Ic Yltxnat step; n in tFm t His, wiH stxn bat vXid
fEsaz, H wYl v sOlJxz bxdand wiH nApsAä n maskats mRct
in step, n Ic wan v HIz handradz v sOlJxz sImd t bI
ripItiN t himself At Ic Yltxnat step, “left... left...
left...” a fAt mEJx skxtad a bUS, pafiN n fYliN Qt v
step; a sOlJx hM hAd fYlan bihFnd, hiz fEs SOiN alRm At hiz
difekSan, rAn At a trot, pAntiN t kAc ap wiH hiz kampani. a kAnan
bYl, klIviN H X, flM Ovx H hedz v /bygrytiOn n hiz swIt,
n fel intM H kolam t H meZx v “left... left!” “klOz
ap!” kEm H kampani kamAndx'z vqs in JYnti tOnz. H
sOlJxz pAst in a semisxkal rQnd samTiN wX H bYl hAd
fYlan, n an Old trMpx on H flANk, a nonkamiSand ofisx hM
hAd stopt bisFd H ded men, rAn t kAc ap hiz lFn n, fYliN
intM step wiH a hop, lUkt bAk ANgrili, n TrM H ominas
sFlans n H regVlx trAmp v fIt bItiN H grQnd in Vnisan, wan
sImd t hC left... left... left.
<p>
“wel dan, lAdz!” sed /prins /bygrytiOn.
<p>
“glAd t dM Qx best, jP eä'lan-lensi!” kEm a kanfVzd SQt
from H rANä. a mxOs sOlJx mRciN on H left txnd hiz Fz on
/bygrytiOn Az hI SQtad, wiH an iäpreSan HAt sImd t sE: “wI
nO HAt Qxselvz!” anaHx, wiHQt lUkiN rQnd, Az HO
fCiN t rilAä, SQtad wiH hiz mQT wFd Opan n pAst on.
<p>
H Pdx woz givan t hYlt n dQn nApsAä.
<p>
/bygrytiOn rOd rQnd H rANä HAt hAd mRct pAst him n
dismQntad. hI gEv H rEnz t a /kosAk, tUk of n hAndad Ovx hiz
felt kOt, strect hiz leã, n set hiz kAp strEt. H hed v H
/frenc kolam, wiH its ofisxz lIdiN, apCd from bilO H hil.
<p>
“fPwxd, wiH /god!” sed /bygrytiOn, in a rezalMt, sanPas vqs,
txniN f a mOment t H frant lFn, n slFtli swiNiN hiz Rmz,
hI went fPwxd anIzili Ovx H raf fIld wiH H Ykwxd gEt v
a kAvalriman. prins /AndrM felt HAt an invizabal pQx woz lIdiN him
fPwxd, n iäpCWnst grEt hApinas.
<p>
H /frenc wx Ylredi nC. prins /AndrM, wYkiN bisFd /bygrytiOn,
kUd klCli distiNgwiS HX bAndalCz, red epalets, n Ivan HX
fEsaz. (hI distiNktli sY an Old /frenc ofisx hM, wiH gEtxd
leã n txnd-Qt tOz, klFmd H hil wiH difikalti.) prins
/bygrytiOn gEv nO fxHx Pdxz n sFlantli kantinVd t wYk on in
frant v H rANä. sadanli wan Sot Aftx anaHx rAN Qt from H
/frenc, smOk apCd Yl aloN HX anIvan rANä, n maskat Sots
sQndad. sevxal v Qx men fel, amaN Hem H rQnd-fEst ofisx
hM hAd mRct sO gEli n kamplEsantli. bat At H mOment H fxst
ripPt woz hxd, /bygrytiOn lUkt rQnd n SQtad, “hxy!”
<p>
“hxy—y!—y!” rAN a loN-drYn SQt from Qx rANä, n
pAsiN /bygrytiOn n rEsiN wan anaHx HE raSt in an iregVlx
bat Jqas n Igx krQd dQn H hil At HX disPdxd fO.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
H atAk v H /siäT /SAsExz sikjUxd H ritrIt v Qx rFt
flANk. in H sentx /tMSin'z fxgotan bAtxi, wic hAd mAniJd t
set fFx t H /Sxn /grAbxn viliJ, dilEd H /frenc advAns. H
/frenc wx pUtiN Qt H fFx wic H wind woz sprediN, n Has
gEv as tFm t ritrIt. H ritFxmant v H sentx t H aHx sFd
v H dip in H grQnd At H rC woz harid n nqzi, bat H
difxant kampaniz did not get miät. bat Qx left—wic kansistad
v H /yzOf n /pOdOlsk infantri n H /pyvlOgryd hMsRz—woz
sFmaltEnWsli atAkt n QtflANkt bF sMpCC /frenc fPsaz andx
/lynes n woz TrOn intM kanfVZan. /bygrytiOn hAd sent /ZerkOf
t H Jenxal kamAndiN HAt left flANk wiH Pdxz t ritrIt
imIdWtli.
<p>
/ZerkOf, not rimMviN hiz hAnd from hiz kAp, txnd hiz hPs abQt
n gAlapt of. bat nO sMnx hAd hI left /bygrytiOn HAn hiz kariJ
fEld him. hI woz sIzd bF pAnik n kUd not gO wX it woz
dEnJxas.
<p>
hAviN rIct H left flANk, insted v gOiN t H frant wX H
fFxiN woz, hI bigAn t lUk f H Jenxal n hiz stAf wX HE
kUd not posabli bI, n sO did not dilivx H Pdx.
<p>
H kamAnd v H left flANk biloNd bF sIniPiti t H kamAndx v
H reJimant /kMtMzOf hAd rivVd At /brQnQ n in wic /dOlOâOf woz
sxviN Az a prFvat. bat H kamAnd v H iätrIm left flANk hAd bin
asFnd t H kamAndx v H /pyvlOgryd reJimant in wic /rOstOf
woz sxviN, n a misandxstAndiN xOz. H tM kamAndxz wx mac
iãAspxEtad wiH wan anaHx n, loN Aftx H AkSan hAd bigan on
H rFt flANk n H /frenc wx Ylredi advAnsiN, wx ingEJd
in diskaSan wiH H sOl obJekt v afendiN wan anaHx. bat H
reJimants, bOT kAvalri n infantri, wx bF nO mInz redi f H
impendiN AkSan. from prFvats t Jenxal HE wx not iäpektiN a
bAtal n wx ingEJd in pIsfal okVpESanz, H kAvalri fIdiN H
hPsaz n H infantri kalektiN wUd.
<p>
“hI hFx /is dAn F in rANk,” sed H /Jxman kxnal v H
hMsRz, flaSiN n adresiN an AJUtant hM hAd ridan ap, “sO
let him dM wot hI vil, bat F kAnot sAkrifFs mF hMsRz... bVgalx,
sOant zI ritrIt!”
<p>
bat hEst woz bikamiN imperativ. kAnan n maskatri, miNgaliN
tageHx, Tandxd on H rFt n in H sentx, wFl H /kypOtEz
v /lynes' SRpSMtxz wx Ylredi sIn krosiN H mildam n
fPmiN ap wiHin twFs H rEnJ v a maskat Sot. H Jenxal in
kamAnd v H infantri went tPd hiz hPs wiH Jxki steps, n
hAviN mQntad drM himself ap veri strEt n tYl n rOd t H
/pyvlOgryd kamAndx. H kamAndxz met wiH palFt bQz bat wiH
sIkrat malevalans in HX hRts.
<p>
“wans agen, /kxnal,” sed H Jenxal, “F kAnt lIv hAf
mF men in H wUd. F beg v V, F beg v V,” hI ripItad, “t
okVpF H paziSan n pripX f an atAk.”
<p>
“F peg v V jPself not t miä in vot iz not jP biznas!”
sadanli riplFd H FrEt kxnal. “if V /vC in H kAvalri...”
<p>
“F Am not in H kAvalri, /kxnal, bat F Am a /raSan Jenxal n if
V R not awX v H fAkt...”
<p>
“kwFt avare, jP eäalansi,” sadanli SQtad H kxnal,
taciN hiz hPs n txniN pxpal in H fEs. “vil V bI sO
gOot t kam t zI frant n sI dAt /zIz paziSan /is nO gOot? F dOnt
/viS t distrq mF men f jP pleZx!”
<p>
“V fxget jPself, /kxnal. F Am not kansidxiN mF On pleZx
n F wOnt alQ it t bI sed!”
<p>
tEkiN H kxnal'z Qtbxst Az a cAlanJ t hiz kariJ, H
Jenxal iäpAndad hiz cest n rOd, frQniN, bisFd him t H
frant lFn, Az if HX difxansaz wUd bI setald HX amaNst H
bUlats. HE rIct H frant, sevxal bUlats sped Ovx Hem, n
HE hYltad in sFlans. HX woz naTiN freS t bI sIn from H
lFn, f from wX HE hAd bin bifP it hAd bin evidant HAt it
woz imposabal f kAvalri t Akt amaN H bUSaz n brOkan grQnd,
Az wel Az HAt H /frenc wx QtflANkiN Qx left. H Jenxal
n kxnal lUkt stxnli n signifikantli At wan anaHx lFk tM
fFtiN koä pripXiN f bAtal, Ic vEnli trFiN t ditekt sFnz
v kQxdis in H aHx. bOT pAst H iãAminESan saäesfali. Az
HX woz naTiN t bI sed, n nFHx wiSt t giv akEZan f
it t bI aleJd HAt hI hAd bin H fxst t lIv H rEnJ v fFx,
HE wUd hAv rimEnd HX f a loN tFm testiN Ic aHx'z
kariJ hAd it not bin HAt Jast Hen HE hxd H rAtal v maskatri
n a mafald SQt YlmOst bihFnd Hem in H wUd. H /frenc hAd
atAkt H men kalektiN wUd in H kops. it woz nO loNgx posabal
f H hMsRz t ritrIt wiH H infantri. HE wx kat of from
H lFn v ritrIt on H left bF H /frenc. hQevx inkanvInWnt H
paziSan, it woz nQ nesisXi t atAk in Pdx t kat a wE TrM
f Hemselvz.
<p>
H skwodran in wic /rOstOf woz sxviN hAd skXsli tFm t mQnt
bifP it woz hYltad fEsiN H enami. agen, Az At H /enz briJ,
HX woz naTiN bitwIn H skwodran n H enami, n agen HAt
teribal divFdiN lFn v ansxtanti n fC—rizembaliN H lFn
sepxEtiN H liviN from H ded—lE bitwIn Hem. Yl wx
konSas v His ansIn lFn, n H kwescan weHx HE wUd kros
it P not, n hQ HE wUd kros it, AJitEtad Hem Yl.
<p>
H kxnal rOd t H frant, ANgrili gEv sam riplF t kwescanz pUt
t him bF H ofisxz, n, lFk a mAn despxatli insistiN on hAviN
hiz On wE, gEv an Pdx. nO wan sed eniTiN definit, bat H rMmx
v an atAk spred TrM H skwodran. H kamAnd t fPm ap rAN
Qt n H sEbxz wizd Az HE wx drYn from HX skAbxdz.
stil nO wan mMvd. H trMps v H left flANk, infantri n hMsRz
alFk, felt HAt H kamAndx did not himself nO wot t dM, n His
irezalMSan kamVnikEtad itself t H men.
<p>
“if Onli HE wUd bI kwik!” TYt /rOstOf, fIliN HAt At lAst
H tFm hAd kam t iäpCWns H Jq v an atAk v wic hI hAd sO
oftan hxd from hiz felO hMsRz.
<p>
“/fO'wxd, wiH /god, lAdz!” rAN Qt /denisOf's vqs. “At a
twot /fO'wxd!”
<p>
H hPsaz' krMps bigAn t swE in H frant lFn. rUk pUld At H
rEnz n stRtad v hiz On akPd.
<p>
bifP him, on H rFt, /rOstOf sY H frant lFnz v hiz hMsRz n
stil fRHx ahed a dRk lFn wic hI kUd not sI distiNktli bat
tUk t bI H enami. Sots kUd bI hxd, bat sam wE of.
<p>
“fAstx!” kEm H wxd v kamAnd, n /rOstOf felt /rUk's flANä
drMpiN Az hI brOk intM a gAlap.
<p>
/rOstOf AntisipEtad hiz hPs'az mMvmants n bikEm mP n mP
ilEtad. hI hAd nOtist a solitXi trI ahed v him. His trI hAd bin
in H midal v H lFn HAt hAd sImd sO teribal—n nQ hI
hAd krost HAt lFn n not Onli woz HX naTiN teribal, bat
evriTiN woz bikamiN mP n mP hApi n AnimEtad. “O, hQ F
wil slAS At him!” TYt /rOstOf, gripiN H hilt v hiz sEbx.
<p>
“hx-a-a-a-y!” kEm a rP v vqsaz. “let eniwan kam mF wE
nQ,” TYt /rOstOf drFviN hiz spxz intM /rUk n letiN him gO
At a fUl gAlap sO HAt hI Qtstript H aHxz. ahed, H enami woz
Ylredi vizabal. sadanli samTiN lFk a bxc brMm sImd t swIp
Ovx H skwodran. /rOstOf rEzd hiz sEbx, redi t strFk, bat At
HAt instant H trMpx /nikitenkO, hM woz gAlapiN ahed, Sot awE
from him, n /rOstOf felt Az in a drIm HAt hI kantinVd t bI kArid
fPwxd wiH annAcxal spId bat jet stEd on H sEm spot. from
bihFnd him /bOndRcMk, an hMsR hI nM, JOltad agenst him n lUkt
ANgrili At him. /bOndRcMk's hPs swxvd n gAlapt pAst.
<p>
“hQ iz it F Am not mMviN? F hAv fYlan, F Am kild!” /rOstOf
Askt n Ansxd At H sEm instant. hI woz alOn in H midal v a
fIld. insted v H mMviN hPsaz n hMsRz' bAä, hI sY naTiN
bifP him bat H mOSanlas xT n H stabal xQnd him. HX
woz wPm blad andx hiz Rm. “nO, F Am wMndad n H hPs iz
kild.” rUk trFd t rFz on hiz fPleã bat fel bAk, piniN hiz
rFdx'z leg. blad woz flOiN from hiz hed; hI stragald bat kUd
not rFz. /rOstOf YlsO trFd t rFz bat fel bAk, hiz sEbxItEk
hAviN bikam intANgald in H sAdal. wX Qx men wx, n wX H
/frenc, hI did not nO. HX woz nO wan nC.
<p>
hAviN disintANgald hiz leg, hI rOz. “wX, on wic sFd, woz nQ
H lFn HAt hAd sO SRpli divFdad H tM Rmiz?” hI Askt himself
n kUd not Ansx. “kAn samTiN bAd hAv hApand t mI?”
hI wandxd Az hI got ap: n At HAt mOment hI felt HAt samTiN
sMpxflMas woz hANiN on hiz binamd left Rm. H rist felt Az if
it wx not hiz. hI iãAmind hiz hAnd kXfali, vEnli trFiN t fFnd
blad on it. “y, hC R pIpal kamiN,” hI TYt Jqfali,
sIiN sam men raniN tPd him. “HE wil help mI!” in frant
kEm a mAn wXiN a strEnJ SEkO n a blM klOk, swPHi, sanbxnd,
n wiH a hUkt nOz. Hen kEm tM mP, n meni mP raniN
bihFnd. wan v Hem sed samTiN strEnJ, not in /raSan. in amaN H
hFndmOst v HIz men wXiN similx SEkOz woz a /raSan hMsR. hI
woz bIiN held bF H Rmz n hiz hPs woz bIiN led bihFnd him.
<p>
“it mast bI wan v Qxz, a prizanx. jes. kAn it bI HAt HE wil
tEk mI tM? hM R HIz men?” TYt /rOstOf, skXsli bilIviN
hiz Fz. “kAn HE bI /frenc?” hI lUkt At H aprOciN
/frencmen, n HO bat a mOment bifP hI hAd bin gAlapiN t get
At Hem n hAk Hem t pIsaz, HX proäimiti nQ sImd sO Yfal
HAt hI kUd not bilIv hiz Fz. “hM R HE? wF R HE
raniN? kAn HE bI kamiN At mI? n wF? t kil mI? mI hMm evriwan
iz sO fond v?” hI rimembxd hiz maHx'z lav f him, n hiz
fAmli'z, n hiz frendz', n H enami'z intenSan t kil him
sImd imposabal. “bat pxhAps HE mE dM it!” f mP HAn ten
sekandz hI stUd not mMviN from H spot P rWlFziN H sicMESan.
H fPmOst /frencman, H wan wiH H hUkt nOz, woz Ylredi sO
klOs HAt H iäpreSan v hiz fEs kUd bI sIn. n H iäFtad,
ElWn fEs v HAt mAn, hiz bEanet hANiN dQn, hOldiN hiz breT,
n raniN sO lFtli, frFtand /rOstOf. hI sIzd hiz pistal n,
insted v fFxiN it, flaN it At H /frencman n rAn wiH Yl hiz
mFt tPd H bUSaz. hI did not nQ ran wiH H fIliN v dQt
n konflikt wiH wic hI hAd trodan H /enz briJ, bat wiH H
fIliN v a hX flIiN from H hQndz. wan siNgal sentimant, HAt
v fC f hiz jaN n hApi lFf, pazest hiz hOl bIiN. rApidli
lIpiN H farOz, hI fled akros H fIld wiH H impecMositi hI
Vst t SO At kAcplE, nQ n Hen txniN hiz gUd-nEcxd, pEl,
jaN fEs t lUk bAk. a Sadx v terx went TrM him: “nO,
betx not lUk,” hI TYt, bat hAviN rIct H bUSaz hI glAnst
rQnd wans mP. H /frenc hAd fYlan bihFnd, n Jast Az hI lUkt
rQnd H fxst mAn cEnJd hiz ran t a wYk n, txniN, SQtad
samTiN lQdli t a komrAd fRHx bAk. /rOstOf pYzd. “nO,
HX'z sam mistEk,” TYt hI. “HE kAnt hAv wontad t
kil mI.” bat At H sEm tFm, hiz left Rm felt Az hevi Az if
a sevanti-pQnd wEt wx tFd t it. hI kUd ran nO mP. H
/frencman YlsO stopt n tUk Em. /rOstOf klOzd hiz Fz n stMpt
dQn. wan bUlat n Hen anaHx wisald pAst him. hI mastxd hiz
lAst rimEniN streNT, tUk hOld v hiz left hAnd wiH hiz rFt, n
rIct H bUSaz. bihFnd HIz wx sam /raSan SRpSMtxz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
H infantri reJimants HAt hAd bin kYt anawXz in H Qtskxts
v H wUd rAn Qt v it, H difxant kampaniz getiN miät, n
ritrItad Az a disPdxli krQd. wan sOlJx, in hiz fC, atxd H
senslas krF, “kat of!” HAt iz sO teribal in bAtal, n HAt
wxd infektad H hOl krQd wiH a fIliN v pAnik.
<p>
“sxQndad! kat of? wI'x lost!” SQtad H fVJativz.
<p>
H mOment hI hxd H fFxiN n H krF from bihFnd, H Jenxal
rWlFzd HAt samTiN dredfal hAd hApand t hiz reJimant, n H
TYt HAt hI, an iãemplxi ofisx v meni jCz' sxvis hM
hAd nevx bin t blEm, mFt bI held risponsabal At hedkwPtxz
f negliJans P inifiSansi sO stAgxd him HAt, fxgetiN H
rikAlsitrant kAvalri kxnal, hiz On digniti Az a Jenxal, n abav
Yl kwFt fxgetiN H dEnJx n Yl rigRd f self-prezxvESan, hI
klact H krapx v hiz sAdal n, spxiN hiz hPs, gAlapt t
H reJimant andx a hEl v bUlats wic fel xQnd, bat fPcanatli
mist him. hiz wan dizFx woz t nO wot woz hApaniN n At eni
kost kxekt, P remadi, H mistEk if hI hAd mEd wan, sO HAt hI,
an iãemplxi ofisx v twenti-tM jCz' sxvis, hM hAd nevx bin
senSxd, SUd not bI held t blEm.
<p>
hAviN gAlapt sEfli TrM H /frenc, hI rIct a fIld bihFnd
H kops akros wic Qx men, rigRdlas v Pdxz, wx raniN n
disendiN H vAli. HAt mOment v mPal hezitESan wic disFdz
H fEt v bAtalz hAd xFvd. wUd His disPdxli krQd v sOlJxz
atend t H vqs v HX kamAndx, P wUd HE, disrigRdiN him,
kantinV HX flFt? dispFt hiz despxat SQts HAt Vst t sIm
sO teribal t H sOlJxz, dispFt hiz fjUxWs pxpal kQntanans
distPtad Qt v Yl lFknas t hiz fPmx self, n H flariSiN v
hiz sEbx, H sOlJxz Yl kantinVd t ran, tYkiN, fFxiN intM H
X, n disObEiN Pdxz. H mPal hezitESan wic disFdad H fEt
v bAtalz woz evidentli kalminEtiN in a pAnik.
<p>
H Jenxal hAd a fit v kofiN Az a rizalt v SQtiN n v H
pQdx smOk n stopt in dispX. evriTiN sImd lost. bat At HAt
mOment H /frenc hM wx atAkiN, sadanli n wiHQt eni apArant
rIzan, rAn bAk n disapCd from H Qtskxts, n /raSan
SRpSMtxz SOd Hemselvz in H kops. it woz /timOâin'z
kampani, wic alOn hAd mEntEnd its Pdx in H wUd n, hAviN
lEn in AmbUS in a dic, nQ atAkt H /frenc aniäpektadli.
/timOâin, Rmd Onli wiH a sPd, hAd raSt At H enami wiH sac
a despxat krF n sac mAd, draNkan ditxminESan HAt, tEkan bF
sxprFz, H /frenc hAd TrOn dQn HX maskats n ran. /dOlOâOf,
raniN bisFd /timOâin, kild a /frencman At klOs kwPtxz n woz
H fxst t sIz H sxendxiN /frenc ofisx bF hiz kolx. Qx
fVJativz ritxnd, H batAlWnz rI-fPmd, n H /frenc hM hAd
nCli kat Qx left flANk in hAf wx f H mOment ripalst. Qx
rizxv Vnits wx Ebal t Jqn ap, n H fFt woz At an end. H
reJimental kamAndx n /mEJx /ekOnOmOf hAd stopt bisFd a briJ,
letiN H ritrItiN kampaniz pAs bF Hem, wen a sOlJx kEm ap
n tUk hOld v H kamAndx'z stxap, YlmOst lIniN agenst him.
H mAn woz wXiN a blMiS kOt v brYdkloT, hI hAd nO nApsAk
P kAp, hiz hed woz bAndiJd, n Ovx hiz SOldx a /frenc mVniSan
pQc woz slaN. hI hAd an ofisx'z sPd in hiz hAnd. H sOlJx
woz pEl, hiz blM Fz lUkt impVdantli intM H kamAndx'z fEs,
n hiz lips wx smFliN. HO H kamAndx woz okVpFd in giviN
instrakSanz t /mEJx /ekOnOmOf, hI kUd not help tEkiN nOtis v H
sOlJx.
<p>
“jP eäalansi, hC R tM trOfiz,” sed /dOlOâOf, pqntiN
t H /frenc sPd n pQc. “F hAv tEkan an ofisx prizanx. F
stopt H kampani.” /dOlOâOf brIHd hevili from wCinas n
spOk in abrapt sentansaz. “H hOl kampani kAn bX witnas. F beg
V wil rimembx His, jP eäalansi!”
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt,” riplFd H kamAndx, n txnd t /mEJx
/ekOnOmOf.
<p>
bat /dOlOâOf did not gO awE; hI antFd H hANkxcif xQnd hiz
hed, pUld it of, n SOd H blad kanJIld on hiz hX.
<p>
“a bEanet wMnd. F rimEnd At H frant. rimembx, jP
eäalansi!”
<p>
<p>
/tMSin'z bAtxi hAd bin fxgotan n Onli At H veri end v H
AkSan did /prins /bygrytiOn, stil hCiN H kAnanEd in H sentx,
send hiz Pdxli stAf ofisx, n lEtx /prins /AndrM YlsO, t Pdx
H bAtxi t ritFx Az kwikli Az posabal. wen H sapPts atAct
t /tMSin'z bAtxi hAd bin mMvd awE in H midal v H AkSan
bF samwan'z Pdx, H bAtxi hAd kantinVd fFxiN n woz Onli not
kApcxd bF H /frenc bikoz H enami kUd not sxmFz HAt eniwan
kUd hAv H ifrantxi t kantinV fFxiN from fP kwFt andifendad
ganz. on H kontrXi, H enxJetik AkSan v HAt bAtxi led H
/frenc t sapOz HAt hC—in H sentx—H mEn /raSan fPsaz
wx konsantrEtad. twFs HE hAd atemptad t atAk His pqnt, bat on
Ic akEZan hAd bin drivan bAk bF grEpSot from H fP FsalEtad
ganz on H hilak.
<p>
sMn Aftx /prins /bygrytiOn hAd left him, /tMSin hAd saäIdad in
setiN fFx t /Sxn /grAbxn.
<p>
“lUk At Hem skariiN! it's bxniN! Jast sI H smOk! fFn!
grAnd! lUk At H smOk, H smOk!” iäklEmd H Rtilximen,
brFtaniN ap.
<p>
Yl H ganz, wiHQt wEtiN f Pdxz, wx bIiN fFxd in H
direkSan v H konflagrESan. Az if xJiN Ic aHx on, H sOlJxz
krFd At Ic Sot: “fFn! HAt's gUd! lUk At it... grAnd!” H
fFx, fAnd bF H brIz, woz rApidli sprediN. H /frenc kolamz
HAt hAd advAnst bijond H viliJ went bAk; bat Az HO in rivenJ
f His fEljx, H enami plEst ten ganz t H rFt v H viliJ
n bigAn fFxiN Hem At /tMSin'z bAtxi.
<p>
in HX cFldlFk glI, xQzd bF H fFx n HX lak in
saäesfali kAnanEdiN H /frenc, Qx Rtilximen Onli nOtist His
bAtxi wen tM bYlz, n Hen fP mP, fel amaN Qx ganz, wan
nokiN Ovx tM hPsaz n anaHx tCiN of a mVniSan-wAgan
drFvx'z leg. HX spirits wans rQzd wx, hQevx, not diminiSt,
bat Onli cEnJd kAraktx. H hPsaz wx riplEst bF aHxz from a
rizxv gan kAriJ, H wMndad wx kArid awE, n H fP ganz
wx txnd agenst H ten-gan bAtxi. /tMSin'z kampAnjan ofisx
hAd bin kild At H biginiN v H ingEJmant n wiHin an Qx
sevantIn v H fPti men v H ganz' krMz hAd bin disEbald, bat
H Rtilximen wx stil Az meri n lFvli Az evx. twFs HE
nOtist H /frenc apCiN bilO Hem, n Hen HE fFxd grEpSot
At Hem.
<p>
lital /tMSin, mMviN fIbli n Ykwxdli, kept teliN hiz Pdxli t
“rIfil mF pFp f HAt wan!” n Hen, skAtxiN spRä from it,
rAn fPwxd SEdiN hiz Fz wiH hiz smYl hAnd t lUk At H /frenc.
<p>
“smAk At 'am, lAdz!” hI kept sEiN, sIziN H ganz bF H
wIlz n wxkiN H skrMz himself.
<p>
amid H smOk, defand bF H insesant ripPts wic YlwEz mEd him
Jamp, /tMSin not tEkiN hiz pFp from hiz mQT rAn from gan t gan,
nQ EmiN, nQ kQntiN H cRJaz, nQ giviN Pdxz abQt riplEsiN
ded P wMndad hPsaz n hRnasiN freS wanz, n SQtiN in hiz
fIbal vqs, sO hF pict n irezalMt. hiz fEs grM mP n
mP AnimEtad. Onli wen a mAn woz kild P wMndad did hI frQn n
txn awE from H sFt, SQtiN ANgrili At H men hM, Az iz YlwEz
H kEs, hezitEtad abQt liftiN H inJxd P ded. H sOlJxz,
f H mOst pRt hAndsam felOz n, Az iz YlwEz H kEs in an
Rtilxi kampani, a hed n SOldxz tYlx n twFs Az brYd
Az HX ofisx—Yl lUkt At HX kamAndx lFk cildran in an
imbArasiN sicMESan, n H iäpreSan on hiz fEs woz invXWbli
riflektad on HXz.
<p>
OiN t H teribal aprP n H nisesiti f konsantrESan n
Aktiviti, /tMSin did not iäpCWns H slFtast anplezant sens v
fC, n H TYt HAt hI mFt bI kild P bAdli wMndad nevx
akxd t him. on H kontrXi, hI bikEm mP n mP ilEtad. it
sImd t him HAt it woz a veri loN tFm agO, YlmOst a dE, sins hI
hAd fxst sIn H enami n fFxd H fxst Sot, n HAt H kPnx
v H fIld hI stUd on woz wel-nOn n familC grQnd. HO hI
TYt v evriTiN, kansidxd evriTiN, n did evriTiN H
best v ofisxz kUd dM in hiz paziSan, hI woz in a stEt akin t
fIvxiS dilirWm P draNkannas.
<p>
from H defaniN sQndz v hiz On ganz xQnd him, H wisal n
Tad v H enami'z kAnan bYlz, from H flaSt n pxspFxiN
fEsaz v H krM basaliN rQnd H ganz, from H sFt v H blad
v men n hPsaz, from H lital pafs v smOk on H enami'z sFd
(YlwEz folOd bF a bYl flFiN pAst n strFkiN H xT, a mAn, a
gan, a hPs), from H sFt v Yl HIz TiNz a fAntAstik wxld v
hiz On hAd tEkan pazeSan v hiz brEn n At HAt mOment afPdad
him pleZx. H enami'z ganz wx in hiz fAnsi not ganz bat pFps
from wic akEZanal pafs wx blOn bF an invizabal smOkx.
<p>
“HX... hI'z pafiN agen,” matxd /tMSin t himself, Az a
smYl klQd rOz from H hil n woz bPn in a strIk t H left bF
H wind.
<p>
“nQ lUk Qt f H bYl... wI'l TrO it bAk.”
<p>
“wot dM V wont, jP onx?” Askt an RtilximAn, stAndiN
klOs bF, hM hxd him matxiN.
<p>
“naTiN... Onli a Sel...” hI Ansxd.
<p>
“kam aloN, Qx /mytvevna!” hI sed t himself. “/mytvevna” *
woz H nEm hiz fAnsi gEv t H fRHast gan v H bAtxi, wic
woz lRJ n v an Old pAtxn. H /frenc swPmiN rQnd HX ganz
sImd t him lFk Ants. in HAt wxld, H hAndsam draNkxd /nambx /wan
v H sekand gan'z krM woz “aNkal”; /tMSin lUkt At him mP
oftan HAn At eniwan els n tUk dilFt in hiz evri mMvmant.
H sQnd v maskatri At H fUt v H hil, nQ diminiSiN, nQ
inkrIsiN, sImd lFk samwan'z brIHiN. hI lisand intentli t
H eb n flO v HIz sQndz.
<p>
    * dYtx v /mATV.
<p>
“y! brIHiN agen, brIHiN!” hI matxd t himself.
<p>
hI imAJind himself Az an inPmasli tYl, pQxfal mAn hM woz TrOiN
kAnan bYlz At H /frenc wiH bOT hAndz.
<p>
“nQ Hen, /mytvevna, dC Old lEdi, dOnt let mI dQn!” hI woz
sEiN Az hI mMvd from H gan, wen a strEnJ, anfamilC vqs kYld
abav hiz hed: “kAptin /tMSin! kAptin!”
<p>
/tMSin txnd rQnd in dismE. it woz H stAf ofisx hM hAd txnd
him Qt v H bMT At /grUnT. hI woz SQtiN in a gAspiN vqs:
<p>
“R V mAd? V hAv twFs bin Pdxd t ritrIt, n V...”
<p>
“wF R HE dQn on mI?” TYt /tMSin, lUkiN in alRm At hiz
sMpCC.
<p>
“F... dOnt...” hI matxd, hOldiN ap tM fiNgxz t hiz kAp.
“F...”
<p>
bat H stAf ofisx did not finiS wot hI wontad t sE. a kAnan
bYl, flFiN klOs t him, kYzd him t dak n bend Ovx hiz hPs.
hI pYzd, n Jast Az hI woz abQt t sE samTiN mP, anaHx bYl
stopt him. hI txnd hiz hPs n gAlapt of.
<p>
“ritFx! Yl t ritFx!” hI SQtad from a distans.
<p>
H sOlJxz lAft. a mOment lEtx, an AJUtant xFvd wiH H sEm
Pdx.
<p>
it woz /prins /AndrM. H fxst TiN hI sY on rFdiN ap t H spEs
wX /tMSin'z ganz wx stESand woz an anhRnast hPs wiH a
brOkan leg, HAt lE skrImiN pitWsli bisFd H hRnast hPsaz.
blad woz gaSiN from its leg Az from a spriN. amaN H limbxz lE
sevxal ded men. wan bYl Aftx anaHx pAst Ovx Az hI aprOct
n hI felt a nxvas Sadx ran dQn hiz spFn. bat H mC TYt
v bIiN afrEd rQzd him agen. “F kAnot bI afrEd,” TYt hI,
n dismQntad slOli amaN H ganz. hI dilivxd H Pdx n did
not lIv H bAtxi. hI disFdad t hAv H ganz rimMvd from HX
paziSanz n wiHdrYn in hiz prezans. tageHx wiH /tMSin, stepiN
akros H bodiz n andx a teribal fFx from H /frenc, hI atendad
t H rimMval v H ganz.
<p>
“a stAf ofisx woz hC a minit agO, bat skipt of,” sed an
RtilximAn t /prins /AndrM. “not lFk jP onx!”
<p>
prins /AndrM sed naTiN t /tMSin. HE wx bOT sO bizi Az t sIm
not t nOtis wan anaHx. wen hAviN limbxd ap H Onli tM kAnan
HAt rimEnd aninJxd Qt v H fP, HE bigAn mMviN dQn H hil
(wan SAtxd gan n wan VnikPn wx left bihFnd), /prins /AndrM rOd
ap t /tMSin.
<p>
“wel, til wI mIt agen...” hI sed, hOldiN Qt hiz hAnd t
/tMSin.
<p>
“gUd-bF, mF dC felO,” sed /tMSin. “dC sOl! gUd-bF, mF
dC felO!” n f sam annOn rIzan tCz sadanli fild hiz
Fz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXI
<p>
H wind hAd fYlan n blAk klQdz, mxJiN wiH H pQdx smOk,
haN lO Ovx H fIld v bAtal on H hxFzan. it woz grOiN
dRk n H glO v tM konflagrESanz woz H mP kanspikVas. H
kAnanEd woz dFiN dQn, bat H rAtal v maskatri bihFnd n on H
rFt sQndad oftanx n nCx. Az sMn Az /tMSin wiH hiz ganz,
kantinVali drFviN rQnd P kamiN apon wMndad men, woz Qt v rEnJ
v fFx n hAd disendad intM H dip, hI woz met bF sam v H stAf,
amaN Hem H stAf ofisx n /ZerkOf, hM hAd bin twFs sent t
/tMSin'z bAtxi bat hAd nevx rIct it. intxaptiN wan
anaHx, HE Yl gEv, n trAnzmitad, Pdxz Az t hQ t prOsId,
reprimyndiN n riprOciN him. /tMSin gEv nO Pdxz, n,
sFlantli—fCiN t spIk bikoz At evri wxd hI felt redi t
wIp wiHQt nOiN wF—rOd bihFnd on hiz Rtilxi nAg. HO
H Pdxz wx t abAndan H wMndad, meni v Hem drAgd Hemselvz
Aftx trMps n begd f sIts on H gan kAriJaz. H JYnti
infantri ofisx hM Jast bifP H bAtal hAd raSt Qt v
/tMSin'z wotal Sed woz lEd, wiH a bUlat in hiz stamak, on
“/mytvevna'z” kAriJ. At H fUt v H hil, a pEl hMsR
kadet, sapPtiN wan hAnd wiH H aHx, kEm ap t /tMSin n Askt
f a sIt.
<p>
“kAptin, f /god'z sEk! F'v hxt mF Rm,” hI sed timidli.
“f /god'z sEk... F kAnt wYk. f /god'z sEk!”
<p>
it woz plEn HAt His kadet hAd Ylredi ripItadli Askt f a lift n
bin rifVzd. hI Askt in a hezitEtiN, pitWs vqs.
<p>
“tel Hem t giv mI a sIt, f /god'z sEk!”
<p>
“giv him a sIt,” sed /tMSin. “lE a klOk f him t sit on,
lAd,” hI sed, adresiN hiz fEvxit sOlJx. “n wX iz H
wMndad ofisx?”
<p>
“hI hAz bin set dQn. hI dFd,” riplFd samwan.
<p>
“help him ap. sit dQn, dC felO, sit dQn! spred Qt H klOk,
/yntOnOf.”
<p>
H kadet woz /rOstOf. wiH wan hAnd hI sapPtad H aHx; hI woz
pEl n hiz JY trembald, SivxiN fIvxiSli. hI woz plEst on
“/mytvevna,” H gan from wic HE hAd rimMvd H ded ofisx.
H klOk HE spred andx him woz wet wiH blad wic stEnd hiz
brIcaz n Rm.
<p>
“wot, R V wMndad, mF lAd?” sed /tMSin, aprOciN H gan
on wic /rOstOf sAt.
<p>
“nO, it's a sprEn.”
<p>
“Hen wot iz His blad on H gan kAriJ?” inkwFxd /tMSin.
<p>
“it woz H ofisx, jP onx, stEnd it,” Ansxd H
RtilximAn, wFpiN awE H blad wiH hiz kOt slIv, Az if
apolaJFziN f H stEt v hiz gan.
<p>
it woz Yl HAt HE kUd dM t get H ganz ap H rFz Edad bF H
infantri, n hAviN rIct H viliJ v /grMntxzdPf HE hYltad. it
hAd grOn sO dRk HAt wan kUd not distiNgwiS H VnifPmz ten pEsaz
of, n H fFxiN hAd bigan t sabsFd. sadanli, nC bF on H
rFt, SQtiN n fFxiN wx agen hxd. flASaz v Sot glImd in
H dRknas. His woz H lAst /frenc atAk n woz met bF sOlJxz
hM hAd Seltxd in H viliJ hQzaz. HE Yl raSt Qt v
H viliJ agen, bat /tMSin'z ganz kUd not mMv, n H
Rtilximen, /tMSin, n H kadet iäcEnJd sFlant glAnsaz Az HE
awEtad HX fEt. H fFxiN dFd dQn n sOlJxz, tYkiN Igxli,
strImd Qt v a sFd strIt.
<p>
“not hxt, /petrOf?” Askt wan.
<p>
“wI'v givan it 'am hot, mEt! HE wOnt mEk anaHx pUS
nQ,” sed anaHx.
<p>
“V kUdant sI a TiN. hQ HE Sot At HX On felOz!
naTiN kUd bI sIn. pic-dRk, braHx! izant HX samTiN t
driNk?”
<p>
H /frenc hAd bin ripalst f H lAst tFm. n agen n agen in
H kamplIt dRknas /tMSin'z ganz mMvd fPwxd, sxQndad bF H
hamiN infantri Az bF a frEm.
<p>
in H dRknas, it sImd Az HO a glMmi ansIn rivx woz flOiN
YlwEz in wan direkSan, hamiN wiH wispxz n tYk n H sQnd v
hUfs n wIlz. amid H Jenxal rambal, H grOnz n vqsaz v H
wMndad wx mP distiNktli hxd HAn eni aHx sQnd in H dRknas
v H nFt. H glMm HAt invelapt H Rmi woz fild wiH HX
grOnz, wic sImd t melt intM wan wiH H dRknas v H nFt.
Aftx a wFl H mMviN mAs bikEm AJitEtad, samwan rOd pAst on
a wFt hPs folOd bF hiz swIt, n sed samTiN in pAsiN:
“wot did hI sE? wX t, nQ? hYlt, iz it? did hI TANk as?” kEm
Igx kwescanz from Yl sFdz. H hOl mMviN mAs bigAn presiN
klOsx tageHx n a ripPt spred HAt HE wx Pdxd t hYlt:
evidentli HOz in frant hAd hYltad. Yl rimEnd wX HE wx in H
midal v H madi rOd.
<p>
fFxz wx lFtad n H tYk bikEm mP Ydabal. kAptin /tMSin,
hAviN givan Pdxz t hiz kampani, sent a sOlJx t fFnd a dresiN
stESan P a doktx f H kadet, n sAt dQn bF a bonfFx H
sOlJxz hAd kindald on H rOd. /rOstOf, tM, drAgd himself t H
fFx. from pEn, kOld, n dAmp, a fIvxiS SivxiN SUk hiz hOl
bodi. drQzinas woz irizistabli mAstxiN him, bat hI kept awEk bF
an iäkrMSiEtiN pEn in hiz Rm, f wic hI kUd fFnd nO sAtisfAktxi
paziSan. hI kept klOziN hiz Fz n Hen agen lUkiN At H fFx,
wic sImd t him dAzaliNli red, n At H fIbal, rQnd-SOldxd
figjx v /tMSin hM woz sitiN kros-legad lFk a /txk bisFd him.
/tMSin'z lRJ, kFnd, inteliJant Fz wx fiät wiH simpaTi n
kamizxESan on /rOstOf, hM sY HAt /tMSin wiH hiz hOl hRt
wiSt t help him bat kUd not.
<p>
from Yl sFdz wx hxd H fUtsteps n tYk v H infantri, hM
wx wYkiN, drFviN pAst, n setaliN dQn Yl xQnd. H sQnd
v vqsaz, H trAmpiN fIt, H hPsaz' hUfs mMviN in mad, H
krAkaliN v wUd fFxz nC n afR, mxJd intM wan tremVlas rambal.
<p>
it woz nO loNgx, Az bifP, a dRk, ansIn rivx flOiN TrM H
glMm, bat a dRk sI sweliN n grAJMali sabsFdiN Aftx a stPm.
/rOstOf lUkt At n lisand listlasli t wot pAst bifP n
xQnd him. an infantriman kEm t H fFx, skwotad on hiz hIlz, held
hiz hAndz t H blEz, n txnd awE hiz fEs.
<p>
“V dOnt mFnd jP onx?” hI Askt /tMSin. “F'v lost mF
kampani, jP onx. F dOnt nO wX... sac bAd lak!”
<p>
wiH H sOlJx, an infantri ofisx wiH a bAndiJd cIk kEm ap t
H bonfFx, n adresiN /tMSin Askt him t hAv H ganz mMvd a
trFfal t let a wAgan gO pAst. Aftx hI hAd gon, tM sOlJxz raSt t
H kAmpfFx. HE wx kworaliN n fFtiN despxatli, Ic trFiN
t snAc from H aHx a bMt HE wx bOT hOldiN on t.
<p>
“V pikt it ap?... F dX sE! V'x veri smRt!” wan v Hem
SQtad hPsli.
<p>
Hen a Tin, pEl sOlJx, hiz nek bAndiJd wiH a bladstEnd leg
bAnd, kEm ap n in ANgri tOnz Askt H Rtilximen f wYtx.
<p>
“mast wan dF lFk a dog?” sed hI.
<p>
/tMSin tOld Hem t giv H mAn sam wYtx. Hen a cCfal sOlJx
rAn ap, begiN a lital fFx f H infantri.
<p>
“a nFs lital hot tPc f H infantri! gUd lak t V, felO
kantrimen. TANä f H fFx—wI'l ritxn it wiH intxast,”
sed hI, kAriiN awE intM H dRknas a glOiN stik.
<p>
neät kEm fP sOlJxz, kAriiN samTiN hevi on a klOk, n pAst
bF H fFx. wan v Hem stambald.
<p>
“hM H deval hAz pUt H loã on H rOd?” snRld hI.
<p>
“hI'z ded—wF kAri him?” sed anaHx.
<p>
“Sat ap!”
<p>
n HE disapCd intM H dRknas wiH HX lOd.
<p>
“stil EkiN?” /tMSin Askt /rOstOf in a wispx.
<p>
“jes.”
<p>
“jP onx, V'x wontad bF H Jenxal. hI iz in H hat hC,”
sed a ganx, kamiN ap t /tMSin.
<p>
“kamiN, frend.”
<p>
/tMSin rOz n, bataniN hiz grEtkOt n pUliN it strEt,
wYkt awE from H fFx.
<p>
not fR from H Rtilxi kAmpfFx, in a hat HAt hAd bin pripXd
f him, /prins /bygrytiOn sAt At dinx, tYkiN wiH sam kamAndiN
ofisxz hM hAd gAHxd At hiz kwPtxz. H lital Old mAn wiH
H hAf-klOzd Fz woz HX grIdili nYiN a matan bOn, n H
Jenxal hM hAd sxvd blEmlasli f twenti-tM jCz, flaSt bF a
glAs v vodka n H dinx; n H stAf ofisx wiH H signat
riN, n /ZerkOf, anIzili glAnsiN At Hem Yl, n /prins /AndrM,
pEl, wiH kamprest lips n fIvxiSli glitxiN Fz.
<p>
in a kPnx v H hat stUd a stAndxd kApcxd from H /frenc, n
H akQntant wiH H nFIv fEs woz fIliN its teäcx, SEkiN hiz
hed in pxpleäiti—pxhAps bikoz H bAnx rWli intxastad him,
pxhAps bikoz it woz hRd f him, haNgri Az hI woz, t lUk on At
a dinx wX HX woz nO plEs f him. in H neät hat HX woz a
/frenc kxnal hM hAd bin tEkan prizanx bF Qx dragMnz. Qx ofisxz
wx flokiN in t lUk At him. prins /bygrytiOn woz TANkiN H
indiviJMal kamAndxz n inkwFxiN intM dItElz v H AkSan n Qx
losaz. H Jenxal hMz reJimant hAd bin inspektad At /brQnQ woz
infPmiN H prins HAt Az sMn Az H AkSan bigAn hI hAd wiHdrYn
from H wUd, mastxd H men hM wx wUdkatiN, n, alQiN H
/frenc t pAs him, hAd mEd a bEanet cRJ wiH tM batAlWnz n
hAd brOkan ap H /frenc trMps.
<p>
“wen F sY, jP eäalansi, HAt HX fxst batAlWn woz
disPganFzd, F stopt in H rOd n TYt: 'F'l let Hem
kam on n wil mIt Hem wiH H fFx v H hOl batAlWn'—n
HAt's wot F did.”
<p>
H Jenxal hAd sO wiSt t dM His n woz sO sori hI hAd not mAniJd
t dM it HAt it sImd t him Az if it hAd rWli hApand. pxhAps
it mFt rWli hAv bin sO? kUd wan posabli mEk Qt amid Yl HAt
kanfVZan wot did P did not hApan?
<p>
“bF H wE, jP eäalansi, F SUd infPm V,” hI
kantinVd—rimembxiN /dOlOâOf's konvxsESan wiH /kMtMzOf n hiz
lAst intxvV wiH H Jentalman-rANkx—“HAt /prFvat /dOlOâOf,
hM woz ridMst t H rANä, tUk a /frenc ofisx prizanx in mF
prezans n pxtikVlxli distiNgwiSt himself.”
<p>
“F sY H /pyvlOgryd hMsRz atAk HX, jP eäalansi,” cFmd
in /ZerkOf, lUkiN anIzili xQnd. hI hAd not sIn H hMsRz Yl
HAt dE, bat hAd hxd abQt Hem from an infantri ofisx. “HE
brOk ap tM skwXz, jP eäalansi.”
<p>
sevxal v HOz prezant smFld At /ZerkOf's wxdz, iäpektiN wan v
hiz VZMal JOä, bat nOtisiN HAt wot hI woz sEiN ridQndad t
H glPi v Qx Rmz n v H dE'z wxk, HE asMmd a sCWs
iäpreSan, HO meni v Hem nM HAt wot hI woz sEiN woz a lF
divqd v eni fQndESan. prins /bygrytiOn txnd t H Old kxnal:
<p>
“Jentalmen, F TANk V Yl; Yl Rmz hAv bihEvd hirOikli:
infantri, kAvalri, n Rtilxi. hQ woz it HAt tM ganz wx
abAndand in H sentx?” hI inkwFxd, sxciN wiH hiz Fz f
samwan. (prins /bygrytiOn did not Ask abQt H ganz on H left
flANk; hI nM HAt Yl H ganz HX hAd bin abAndand At H veri
biginiN v H AkSan.) “F TiNk F sent V?” hI Adad, txniN t
H stAf ofisx on dMti.
<p>
“wan woz dAmiJd,” Ansxd H stAf ofisx, “n H aHx F
kAnt andxstAnd. F woz HX Yl H tFm giviN Pdxz n hAd Onli
Jast left.... it iz trM HAt it woz hot HX,” hI Adad, modastli.
<p>
samwan menSand HAt /kAptin /tMSin woz bivUAkiN klOs t H
viliJ n hAd Ylredi bin sent f.
<p>
“O, bat V wx HX?” sed /prins /bygrytiOn, adresiN /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
“v kPs, wI Onli Jast mist wan anaHx,” sed H stAf
ofisx, wiH a smFl t /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“F hAd not H pleZx v sIiN V,” sed /prins /AndrM, kOldli
n abraptli.
<p>
Yl wx sFlant. /tMSin apCd At H TreShOld n mEd hiz wE
timidli from bihFnd H bAä v H Jenxalz. Az hI stept pAst H
Jenxalz in H krQdad hat, fIliN imbArast Az hI YlwEz woz bF H
sFt v hiz sMpCCz, hI did not nOtis H stAf v H bAnx n
stambald Ovx it. sevxal v HOz prezant lAft.
<p>
“hQ woz it a gan woz abAndand?” Askt /bygrytiOn, frQniN, not sO
mac At H kAptin Az At HOz hM wx lAfiN, amaN hMm /ZerkOf
lAft lQdast.
<p>
Onli nQ, wen hI woz kanfrantad bF H stxn YToritiz, did hiz gilt
n H disgrEs v hAviN lost tM ganz n jet rimEniN alFv prizent
Hemselvz t /tMSin in Yl HX horx. hI hAd bin sO iäFtad HAt
hI hAd not TYt abQt it antil HAt mOment. H ofisxz' lAftx
kanfVzd him stil mP. hI stUd bifP /bygrytiOn wiH hiz lOx
JY trembaliN n woz hRdli Ebal t matx: “F dOnt nO... jP
eäalansi... F hAd nO men... jP eäalansi.”
<p>
“V mFt hAv tEkan sam from H kavxiN trMps.”
<p>
/tMSin did not sE HAt HX wx nO kavxiN trMps, HO HAt
woz pxfiktli trM. hI woz afrEd v getiN sam aHx ofisx intM
trabal, n sFlantli fiät hiz Fz on /bygrytiOn Az a skMlbq hM
hAz blandxd lUä At an iãAminx.
<p>
H sFlans lAstad sam tFm. prins /bygrytiOn, apArantli not wiSiN
t bI sivC, fQnd naTiN t sE; H aHxz did not vencx t
intxvIn. prins /AndrM lUkt At /tMSin from andx hiz brQz n hiz
fiNgxz twict nxvasli.
<p>
“jP eäalansi!” prins /AndrM brOk H sFlans wiH hiz abrapt
vqs, “V wx plIzd t send mI t /kAptin /tMSin'z bAtxi. F
went HX n fQnd tM Txdz v H men n hPsaz nokt Qt, tM
ganz smASt, n nO sapPts At Yl.”
<p>
prins /bygrytiOn n /tMSin lUkt wiH Ikwal intentnas At
/bOlkOnski, hM spOk wiH saprest AJitESan.
<p>
“n, if jP eäalansi wil alQ mI t iäpres mF apinjan,” hI
kantinVd, “wI O tadE'z saäes cIfli t H AkSan v HAt
bAtxi n H hirOik indxans v /kAptin /tMSin n hiz kampani,”
n wiHQt awEtiN a riplF, /prins /AndrM rOz n left H tEbal.
<p>
prins /bygrytiOn lUkt At /tMSin, evidentli rilaktant t SO
distrast in /bOlkOnski'z imfAtik apinjan jet not fIliN Ebal fUli
t kredit it, bent hiz hed, n tOld /tMSin HAt hI kUd gO. prins
/AndrM went Qt wiH him.
<p>
“TANk V; V sEvd mI, mF dC felO!” sed /tMSin.
<p>
prins /AndrM gEv him a lUk, bat sed naTiN n went awE. hI felt
sAd n diprest. it woz Yl sO strEnJ, sO anlFk wot hI hAd hOpt.
<p>
<p>
“hM R HE? wF R HE hC? wot dM HE wont? n wen wil
Yl His end?” TYt /rOstOf, lUkiN At H cEnJiN SAdOz bifP
him. H pEn in hiz Rm bikEm mP n mP intens. irizistabal
drQzinas OvxpQxd him, red riNz dAnst bifP hiz Fz, n H
impreSan v HOz vqsaz n fEsaz n a sens v lOnlinas mxJd
wiH H fizikal pEn. it woz HE, HIz sOlJxz—wMndad n
anwQndad—it woz HE hM wx kraSiN, wEiN dQn, n twistiN
H sinVz n skPciN H fleS v hiz sprEnd Rm n SOldx. t
rid himself v Hem hI klOzd hiz Fz.
<p>
f a mOment hI dOzd, bat in HAt SPt intxval inMmxabal TiNz
apCd t him in a drIm: hiz maHx n hx lRJ wFt hAnd,
/sonja'z Tin lital SOldxz, /nytySa'z Fz n lAftx,
/denisOf wiH hiz vqs n mastAS, n /teljynin n Yl HAt afX
wiH /teljynin n /bOgdynic. HAt afX woz H sEm TiN Az His
sOlJx wiH H hRS vqs, n it woz HAt afX n His sOlJx
HAt wx sO AganFziNli, insesantli pUliN n presiN hiz Rm n
YlwEz drAgiN it in wan direkSan. hI trFd t get awE from Hem, bat
HE wUd not f an instant let hiz SOldx mMv a hX'z bredT.
it wUd not Ek—it wUd bI wel—if Onli HE did not pUl it, bat
it woz imposabal t get rid v Hem.
<p>
hI Opand hiz Fz n lUkt ap. H blAk kAnapi v nFt haN les
HAn a jRd abav H glO v H cRkOl. flEä v fYliN snO wx
flatxiN in HAt lFt. /tMSin hAd not ritxnd, H doktx hAd not
kam. hI woz alOn nQ, iäept f a sOlJx hM woz sitiN nEkad At
H aHx sFd v H fFx, wPmiN hiz Tin jelO bodi.
<p>
“nObodi wonts mI!” TYt /rOstOf. “HX iz nO wan t help mI P
piti mI. jet F woz wans At hOm, stroN, hApi, n lavd.” hI sFd
n, dMiN sO, grOnd involantXili.
<p>
“E, iz eniTiN hxtiN V?” Askt H sOlJx, SEkiN hiz Sxt
Qt Ovx H fFx, n not wEtiN f an Ansx hI gEv a grant n
Adad: “wot a lot v men hAv bin kripald tadE—frFtfal!”
<p>
/rOstOf did not lisan t H sOlJx. hI lUkt At H snOflEä
flatxiN abav H fFx n rimembxd a /raSan wintx At hiz wPm,
brFt hOm, hiz flafi fx kOt, hiz kwikli glFdiN slE, hiz
helTi bodi, n Yl H afekSan n kX v hiz fAmli. “n wF
did F kam hC?” hI wandxd.
<p>
neät dE H /frenc Rmi did not rinM HX atAk, n H remnant v
/bygrytiOn'z ditAcmant woz rIVnFtad t /kMtMzOf's Rmi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /TrI: 1805
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/prins /vysili woz not a mAn hM dilibxatli TYt Qt hiz plAnz.
stil les did hI TiNk v inJxiN eniwan f hiz On advAntiJ. hI
woz mCli a mAn v H wxld hM hAd got on n t hMm getiN on hAd
bikam a hAbit. skImz n divFsaz f wic hI nevx rFtli akQntad
t himself, bat wic fPmd H hOl intxast v hiz lFf,
wx konstantli SEpiN Hemselvz in hiz mFnd, xFziN from H
sxkamstAnsaz n pxsanz hI met. v HIz plAnz hI hAd not mCli wan
P tM in hiz hed bat dazanz, sam Onli biginiN t fPm Hemselvz,
sam aprOciN acIvmant, n sam in kPs v disintigrESan. hI
did not, f instans, sE t himself: “His mAn nQ hAz inflMans, F
mast gEn hiz konfidans n frendSip n TrM him abtEn a speSal
grAnt.” nP did hI sE t himself: “/piX iz a ric mAn, F mast
intFs him t mAri mF dYtx n lend mI H fPti TQzand rMbalz
F nId.” bat wen hI kEm akros a mAn v paziSan hiz instiNkt
imIdWtli tOld him HAt His mAn kUd bI Vsfal, n wiHQt eni
prImeditESan /prins /vysili tUk H fxst opxtMniti t gEn hiz
konfidans, flAtx him, bikam intimat wiH him, n fFnali mEk hiz
rikwest.
<p>
hI hAd /piX At hAnd in /moskQ n prakjUxd f him an apqntmant Az
/Jentalman v H /bedcEmbx, wic At HAt tFm kanfxd H stAtas v
/kQnsalx v /stEt, n insistad on H jaN mAn akampaniiN him t
/pItxzbxg n stEiN At hiz hQs. wiH apArant Absant-mFndadnas,
jet wiH anhezitEtiN aSUxans HAt hI woz dMiN H rFt TiN,
/prins /vysili did evriTiN t get /piX t mAri hiz dYtx. hAd
hI TYt Qt hiz plAnz bifPhAnd hI kUd not hAv bin sO nAcxal
n SOn sac anafektad familiAriti in intxkPs wiH evribodi bOT
abav n bilO him in sOSal stAndiN. samTiN YlwEz drM him tPd
HOz ricx n mP pQxfal HAn himself n hI hAd rX skil in
sIziN H mOst opxtMn mOment f mEkiN Vs v pIpal.
<p>
/piX, on aniäpektadli bikamiN /kQnt /bezMâOf n a ric mAn, felt
himself Aftx hiz rIsant lOnlinas n frIdam from kXz sO biset n
prIokVpFd HAt Onli in bed woz hI Ebal t bI bF himself. hI hAd t
sFn pEpxz, t prizent himself At gavxnmant ofisaz, H pxpas v
wic woz not klC t him, t kwescan hiz cIf stMxd, t vizit hiz
istEt nC /moskQ, n t risIv meni pIpal hM fPmxli did not
Ivan wiS t nO v hiz iãistans bat wUd nQ hAv bin afendad
n grIvd hAd hI cOzan not t sI Hem. HIz difxant
pIpal—biznasmen, rilESanz, n akwEntansaz alFk—wx Yl
dispOzd t trIt H jaN X in H mOst frendli n flAtxiN
mAnx: HE wx Yl evidentli fxmli kanvinst v /piX'z nObal
kwolitiz. hI woz YlwEz hCiN sac wxdz Az: “wiH jP rimRkabal
kFndnas,” P, “wiH jP eäalant hRt,” “V R jPself sO
onxabal, /kQnt,” P, “wx hI Az klevx Az V,” n sO on,
til hI bigAn sinsCli t bilIv in hiz On iäepSanal kFndnas n
iätrPdinXi inteliJans, H mP sO Az in H depT v hiz hRt it
hAd YlwEz sImd t him HAt hI rWli woz veri kFnd n inteliJant.
Ivan pIpal hM hAd fPmxli bin spFtfal tPd him n evidentli
anfrendli nQ bikEm Jental n afekSanat. H ANgri eldast
prinsas, wiH H loN wEst n hX plAstxd dQn lFk a dol'z,
hAd kam intM /piX'z rMm Aftx H fVnxal. wiH drMpiN Fz
n frIkwant blaSaz SI tOld him SI woz veri sori abQt HX pAst
misandxstAndiNz n did not nQ fIl SI hAd a rFt t Ask him f
eniTiN, iäept Onli f pxmiSan, Aftx H blO SI hAd risIvd,
t rimEn f a fV wIä loNgx in H hQs SI sO lavd n wX
SI hAd sAkrifFst sO mac. SI kUd not rifrEn from wIpiN At HIz
wxdz. tact HAt His stAcVesk prinsas kUd sO cEnJ, /piX
tUk hx hAnd n begd hx fxgivnas, wiHQt nOiN wot f.
from HAt dE H eldast prinsas kwFt cEnJd tPd /piX n bigAn
nitiN a strFpt skRf f him.
<p>
“dM His f mF sEk, man /Ser; Aftx Yl, SI hAd t pUt ap wiH a
grEt dIl from H disIst,” sed /prins /vysili t him, hAndiN him
a dId t sFn f H prinsas' benifit.
<p>
prins /vysili hAd kam t H kanklMZan HAt it woz nesisXi t TrO
His bOn—a bil f Txti TQzand rMbalz—t H pUx prinsas
HAt it mFt not akx t hx t spIk v hiz SX in H afX v
H inlEd pPtfOliO. /piX sFnd H dId n Aftx HAt H prinsas
grM stil kFndx. H jaNgx sistxz YlsO bikEm afekSanat t him,
ispeSali H jaNgast, H priti wan wiH H mOl, hM oftan mEd
him fIl kanfVzd bF hx smFlz n hx On kanfVZan wen mItiN him.
<p>
it sImd sO nAcxal t /piX HAt evriwan SUd lFk him, n it
wUd hAv sImd sO annAcxal hAd eniwan dislFkt him, HAt hI kUd
not bat bilIv in H sinseriti v HOz xQnd him. bisFdz, hI hAd
nO tFm t Ask himself weHx HIz pIpal wx sinsC P not. hI
woz YlwEz bizi n YlwEz felt in a stEt v mFld n cCfal
intoäikESan. hI felt Az HO hI wx H sentx v sam impPtant n
Jenxal mMvmant; HAt samTiN woz konstantli iäpektad v him, HAt if
hI did not dM it hI wUd grIv n disapqnt meni pIpal, bat if hI
did His n HAt, Yl wUd bI wel; n hI did wot woz dimAndad v
him, bat stil HAt hApi rizalt YlwEz rimEnd in H fVcx.
<p>
mP HAn eniwan els, /prins /vysili tUk pazeSan v /piX'z
afXz n v /piX himself in HOz xli dEz. from H deT v
/kQnt /bezMâOf hI did not let gO hiz hOld v H lAd. hI hAd H X v
a mAn aprest bF biznas, wCi n safxiN, hM jet wUd not, f
piti'z sEk, lIv His helplas VT hM, Aftx Yl, woz H san v
hiz Old frend n H pazesx v sac inPmas welT, t H kaprIs
v fEt n H dizFnz v rOã. dxiN H fV dEz hI spent in
/moskQ Aftx H deT v /kQnt /bezMâOf, hI wUd kYl /piX, P
gO t him himself, n tel him wot Yt t bI dan in a tOn v
wCinas n aSUxans, Az if hI wx AdiN evri tFm: “V nO
F Am Ovxwelmd wiH biznas n it iz pjUxli Qt v cAriti HAt
F trabal mFself abQt V, n V YlsO nO kwFt wel HAt wot F
prapOz iz H Onli TiN posabal.”
<p>
“wel, mF dC felO, tamorO wI R of At lAst,” sed /prins
/vysili wan dE, klOziN hiz Fz n fiNgxiN /piX'z elbO,
spIkiN Az if hI wx sEiN samTiN wic hAd loN sins bin agrId
apon n kUd not nQ bI Yltxd. “wI stRt tamorO n F'm giviN
V a plEs in mF kAriJ. F Am veri glAd. Yl Qx impPtant biznas
hC iz nQ setald, n F Yt t hAv bin of loN agO. hC iz
samTiN F hAv risIvd from H cAnsalx. F Askt him f V, n
V hAv bin entxd in H diplamAtik kP n mEd a /Jentalman v
H /bedcEmbx. H diplamAtik kxC nQ lFz Opan bifP V.”
<p>
notwiHstAndiN H tOn v wCid aSUxans wiH wic HIz wxdz
wx pranQnst, /piX, hM hAd sO loN bin kansidxiN hiz kxC,
wiSt t mEk sam saJescan. bat /prins /vysili intxaptad him in
H speSal dIp kMiN tOn, priklMdiN H posabiliti v intxaptiN
hiz spIc, wic hI Vzd in iätrIm kEsaz wen speSal pxswEZan woz
nIdad.
<p>
“/mFz, man /Ser, F did His f mF On sEk, t sAtisfF mF konSans,
n HX iz naTiN t TANk mI f. nO wan hAz evx kamplEnd jet v
bIiN tM mac lavd; n bisFdz, V R frI, V kUd TrO it
ap tamorO. bat V wil sI evriTiN f jPself wen V get t
/pItxzbxg. it iz hF tFm f V t get awE from HIz teribal
rekalekSanz.” prins /vysili sFd. “jes, jes, mF bq. n mF
vAlE kAn gO in jP kAriJ. y! F woz nCli fxgetiN,” hI Adad.
“V nO, man /Ser, jP fyHx n F hAd sam akQnts t setal, sO
F hAv risIvd wot woz dM from H /rjyzyn istEt n wil kIp it;
V wOnt rikwFx it. wI'l gO intM H akQnts lEtx.”
<p>
bF “wot woz dM from H /rjyzyn istEt” prins /vysili ment
sevxal TQzand rMbalz kwitrant risIvd from /piX'z pezants,
wic H prins hAd ritEnd f himself.
<p>
in /pItxzbxg, Az in /moskQ, /piX fQnd H sEm AtmasfC v
Jentalnas n afekSan. hI kUd not rifVz H pOst, P rAHx H
rANk (f hI did naTiN), HAt /prins /vysili hAd prakjUxd f him,
n akwEntansaz, invitESanz, n sOSal okVpESanz wx sO nMmxas
HAt, Ivan mP HAn in /moskQ, hI felt a sens v biwildxmant, basal,
n kantinVal eäpektESan v sam gUd, YlwEz in frant v him bat nevx
atEnd.
<p>
v hiz fPmx bAcalx akwEntansaz meni wx nO loNgx in /pItxzbxg.
H /gRdz hAd gon t H frant; /dOlOâOf hAd bin ridMst t H
rANä; /ynatOl woz in H Rmi samwX in H provinsaz; /prins /AndrM
woz abrYd; sO /piX hAd not H opxtMniti t spend hiz nFts Az hI
Vst t lFk t spend Hem, P t Opan hiz mFnd bF intimat tYä wiH
a frend Oldx HAn himself n hMm hI rispektad. hiz hOl tFm
woz tEkan ap wiH dinxz n bYlz n woz spent cIfli At /prins
/vysili'z hQs in H kampani v H stQt prinsas, hiz wFf, n
hiz bVtifal dYtx /helIn.
<p>
lFk H aHxz, /Ana /pyvlOvna /Serx SOd /piX H cEnJ v
AtitMd tPd him HAt hAd tEkan plEs in sasFati.
<p>
fPmxli in /Ana /pyvlOvna'z prezans, /piX hAd YlwEz felt HAt
wot hI woz sEiN woz Qt v plEs, tAktlas n ansMtabal, HAt
rimRä wic sImd t him klevx wFl HE fPmd in hiz mFnd bikEm
fMliS Az sMn Az hI atxd Hem, wFl on H kontrXi /ipOlIt's
stMpidast rimRä kEm Qt klevx n Apt. nQ evriTiN /piX sed
woz cRmant. Ivan if /Ana /pyvlOvna did not sE sO, hI kUd sI HAt
SI wiSt t n Onli rifrEnd Qt v rigRd f hiz modasti.
<p>
in H biginiN v H wintx v 1805-6 /piX risIvd wan v /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z VZMal piNk nOts wiH an invitESan t wic woz Adad:
“V wil fFnd H bVtifal /helIn hC, hMm it iz YlwEz
dilFtfal t sI.”
<p>
wen hI red HAt sentans, /piX felt f H fxst tFm HAt sam
liNk wic aHx pIpal rekagnFzd hAd grOn ap bitwIn himself n
/helIn, n HAt TYt bOT alRmd him, Az if sam obligESan wx
bIiN impOzd on him wic hI kUd not fUlfil, n plIzd him Az an
entxtEniN sapaziSan.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna'z “At /hOm” woz lFk H fPmx wan, Onli H
novalti SI ofxd hx gests His tFm woz not /mPtemR, bat a
diplOmatist freS from /bxlin wiH H veri lEtast dItElz v H
/empxx /AliãAndx'z vizit t /potsdAm, n v hQ H tM Ygast
frendz hAd pleJd Hemselvz in an indisolVbal alFans t aphOld
H kYz v Jastis agenst H enami v H hVman rEs. Ana /pyvlOvna
risIvd /piX wiH a SEd v melankoli, evidentli rilEtiN t H
jaN mAn'z rIsant los bF H deT v /kQnt /bezMâOf (evriwan
konstantli kansidxd it a dMti t aSUx /piX HAt hI woz grEtli
afliktad bF H deT v H fyHx hI hAd hRdli nOn), n hx
melankoli woz Jast lFk H Ygast melankoli SI SOd At H menSan
v hx mOst Ygast /mAJasti H /empres /mRja /fjOdPOvna. /piX felt
flAtxd bF His. Ana /pyvlOvna xEnJd H difxant grMps in hx
drYiN rMm wiH hx habicMal skil. H lRJ grMp, in wic wx
/prins /vysili n H Jenxalz, hAd H benifit v H diplamAt.
anaHx grMp woz At H tI tEbal. /piX wiSt t Jqn H fPmx,
bat /Ana /pyvlOvna—hM woz in H iäFtad kandiSan v a kamAndx on
a bAtalfIld t hMm TQzandz v nM n brilWnt FdWz akx wic
HX iz hRdli tFm t pUt in AkSan—sIiN /piX, tact hiz
slIv wiH hx fiNgx, sEiN:
<p>
“wEt a bit, F hAv samTiN in vV f V His IvniN.”
(SI glAnst At /helIn n smFld At hx.) “mF dC /helIn, bI
cAritabal t mF pUx ynt hM adPz V. gO n kIp hx kampani f
ten minits. n HAt it wil not bI tM dal, hC iz H dC kQnt
hM wil not rifVz t akampani V.”
<p>
H bVti went t H ynt, bat /Ana /pyvlOvna ditEnd /piX, lUkiN
Az if SI hAd t giv sam fFnal nesisXi instrakSanz.
<p>
“izant SI iäkwizit?” SI sed t /piX, pqntiN t H stEtli
bVti Az SI glFdad awE. “n hQ SI kAriz hxself! f sO jaN
a gxl, sac tAkt, sac mAstxli pxfekSan v mAnx! it kamz from
hx hRt. hApi H mAn hM winz hx! wiH hx H lIst wxldli v men
wUd okVpF a mOst brilWnt paziSan in sasFati. dOnt V TiNk sO?
F Onli wontad t nO jP apinjan,” n /Ana /pyvlOvna let /piX gO.
<p>
/piX, in riplF, sinsCli agrId wiH hx Az t /helIn'z
pxfekSan v mAnx. if hI evx TYt v /helIn, it woz Jast v
hx bVti n hx rimRkabal skil in apCiN sFlantli dignifFd in
sasFati.
<p>
H Old ynt risIvd H tM jaN pIpal in hx kPnx, bat sImd
dizFxas v hFdiN hx AdxESan f /helIn n inklFnd rAHx
t SO hx fC v /Ana /pyvlOvna. SI lUkt At hx nIs, Az if
inkwFxiN wot SI woz t dM wiH HIz pIpal. on lIviN Hem, /Ana
/pyvlOvna agen tact /piX'z slIv, sEiN: “F hOp V wOnt
sE HAt it iz dal in mF hQs agen,” n SI glAnst At /helIn.
<p>
/helIn smFld, wiH a lUk implFiN HAt SI did not admit H
posabiliti v eniwan sIiN hx wiHQt bIiN incAntad. H ynt
koft, swolOd, n sed in /frenc HAt SI woz veri plIzd t sI
/helIn, Hen SI txnd t /piX wiH H sEm wxdz v welkam
n H sEm lUk. in H midal v a dal n hYltiN konvxsESan,
/helIn txnd t /piX wiH H bVtifal brFt smFl HAt SI gEv
t evriwan. /piX woz sO Vst t HAt smFl, n it hAd sO lital
mIniN f him, HAt hI pEd nO atenSan t it. H ynt woz Jast
spIkiN v a kalekSan v snafboäaz HAt hAd biloNd t /piX'z
fyHx, /kQnt /bezMâOf, n SOd Hem hx On boä. prinsas /helIn
Askt t sI H pPtrEt v H ynt's hazband on H boä lid.
<p>
“HAt iz probabli H wxk v /vines,” sed /piX, menSaniN
a selabrEtad minWcxist, n hI lInd Ovx H tEbal t tEk H
snafboä wFl trFiN t hC wot woz bIiN sed At H aHx tEbal.
<p>
hI hAf rOz, mIniN t gO rQnd, bat H ynt hAndad him H snafboä,
pAsiN it akros /helIn'z bAk. /helIn stMpt fPwxd t mEk
rMm, n lUkt rQnd wiH a smFl. SI woz, Az YlwEz At IvniN
pRtiz, wXiN a dres sac Az woz Hen fASanabal, kat veri lO At
frant n bAk. hx bast, wic hAd YlwEz sImd lFk mRbal t /piX,
woz sO klOs t him HAt hiz SPtsFtad Fz kUd not bat pxsIv
H liviN cRm v hx nek n SOldxz, sO nC t hiz lips HAt
hI nId Onli hAv bent hiz hed a lital t hAv tact Hem. hI woz
konSas v H wPmT v hx bodi, H sent v pxfVm, n H
krIkiN v hx kPsat Az SI mMvd. hI did not sI hx mRbal bVti
fPmiN a kamplIt hOl wiH hx dres, bat Yl H cRm v hx bodi
Onli kavxd bF hx gRmants. n hAviN wans sIn His hI kUd not
help bIiN awX v it, Jast Az wI kAnot rinM an ilMZan wI hAv wans
sIn TrM.
<p>
“sO V hAv nevx nOtist bifP hQ bVtifal F Am?” /helIn
sImd t sE. “V hAd not nOtist HAt F Am a wUman? jes, F Am a
wUman hM mE biloN t eniwan—t V tM,” sed hx glAns. n At
HAt mOment /piX felt HAt /helIn not Onli kUd, bat mast, bI hiz
wFf, n HAt it kUd not bI aHxwFz.
<p>
hI nM His At HAt mOment Az SUxli Az if hI hAd bin stAndiN At H
Yltx wiH hx. hQ n wen His wUd bI hI did not nO, hI did not
Ivan nO if it wUd bI a gUd TiN (hI Ivan felt, hI nM not wF,
HAt it wUd bI a bAd TiN), bat hI nM it wUd hApan.
<p>
/piX dropt hiz Fz, liftad Hem agen, n wiSt wans mP t sI
hx Az a distant bVti fR rimMvd from him, Az hI hAd sIn hx evri
dE antil Hen, bat hI kUd nO loNgx dM it. hI kUd not, eni mP
HAn a mAn hM hAz bin lUkiN At a taft v step grAs TrM H
mist n tEkiN it f a trI kAn agen tEk it f a trI Aftx hI hAz
wans rekagnFzd it t bI a taft v grAs. SI woz teribli klOs t him.
SI Ylredi hAd pQx Ovx him, n bitwIn Hem HX woz nO loNgx eni
bArC iäept H bArC v hiz On wil.
<p>
“wel, F wil lIv V in jP lital kPnx,” kEm /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z vqs, “F sI V R Yl rFt HX.”
<p>
n /piX, ANkSasli trFiN t rimembx weHx hI hAd dan eniTiN
reprihensabal, lUkt rQnd wiH a blaS. it sImd t him HAt evriwan
nM wot hAd hApand t him Az hI nM it himself.
<p>
a lital lEtx wen hI went ap t H lRJ sxkal, /Ana /pyvlOvna sed
t him: “F hC V R rIfitiN jP /pItxzbxg hQs?”
<p>
His woz trM. H Rkitekt hAd tOld him HAt it woz nesisXi, n
/piX, wiHQt nOiN wF, woz hAviN hiz inPmas /pItxzbxg hQs
dan ap.
<p>
“HAt's a gUd TiN, bat dOnt mMv from /prins /vysili'z. it
iz gUd t hAv a frend lFk H prins,” SI sed, smFliN At /prins
/vysili. “F nO samTiN abQt HAt. dOnt F? n V R stil sO
jaN. V nId advFs. dOnt bI ANgri wiH mI f eäxsFziN an Old
wUman'z privaliJ.”
<p>
SI pYzd, Az wimin YlwEz dM, iäpektiN samTiN Aftx HE hAv
menSand HX EJ. “if V mAri it wil bI a difxant TiN,”
SI kantinVd, VnFtiN Hem bOT in wan glAns. /piX did not lUk At
/helIn nP SI At him. bat SI woz Jast Az teribli klOs t him. hI
matxd samTiN n kalxd.
<p>
wen hI got hOm hI kUd not slIp f a loN tFm f TiNkiN v wot
hAd hApand. wot hAd hApand? naTiN. hI hAd mCli andxstUd HAt
H wUman hI hAd nOn Az a cFld, v hMm wen hx bVti woz menSand
hI hAd sed Absant-mFndadli: “jes, SI'z gUd lUkiN,” hI hAd
andxstUd HAt His wUman mFt biloN t him.
<p>
“bat SI'z stMpid. F hAv mFself sed SI iz stMpid,” hI TYt.
“HX iz samTiN nAsti, samTiN roN, in H fIliN SI iäFts
in mI. F hAv bin tOld HAt hx braHx /ynatOl woz in lav wiH hx
n SI wiH him, HAt HX woz kwFt a skAndal n HAt HAt's wF
hI woz sent awE. /ipOlIt iz hx braHx... prins /vysili iz hx
fyHx... it's bAd....” hI riflektad, bat wFl hI woz TiNkiN His
(H riflekSan woz stil inkamplIt), hI kYt himself smFliN n woz
konSas HAt anaHx lFn v TYt hAd spraN ap, n wFl TiNkiN
v hx wxTlasnas hI woz YlsO drImiN v hQ SI wUd bI hiz
wFf, hQ SI wUd lav him bikam kwFt difxant, n hQ Yl hI hAd
TYt n hxd v hx mFt bI fYls. n hI agen sY hx not Az H
dYtx v /prins /vysili, bat viZMalFzd hx hOl bodi Onli vEld
bF its grE dres. “bat nO! wF did His TYt nevx akx t mI
bifP?” n agen hI tOld himself HAt it woz imposabal, HAt HX
wUd bI samTiN annAcxal, n Az it sImd t him disonxabal, in
His mAriJ. hI rikYld hx fPmx wxdz n lUä n H wxdz
n lUä v HOz hM hAd sIn Hem tageHx. hI rikYld /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z wxdz n lUä wen SI spOk t him abQt hiz hQs,
rikYld TQzandz v sac hints from /prins /vysili n aHxz, n woz
sIzd bF terx lest hI hAd Ylredi, in sam wE, bQnd himself t dM
samTiN HAt woz evidentli roN n HAt hI Yt not t dM. bat At
H veri tFm hI woz iäpresiN His kanvikSan t himself, in anaHx
pRt v hiz mFnd hx imiJ rOz in Yl its wUmanli bVti.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
in nOvembx, 1805, /prins /vysili hAd t gO on a tUx v inspekSan
in fP difxant provinsaz. hI hAd xEnJd His f himself sO Az t
vizit hiz niglektad istEts At H sEm tFm n pik ap hiz san /ynatOl
wX hiz reJimant woz stESand, n tEk him t vizit /prins /nikalas
/bOlkOnski in Pdx t xEnJ a mAc f him wiH H dYtx v HAt
ric Old mAn. bat bifP lIviN hOm n andxtEkiN HIz nM afXz,
/prins /vysili hAd t setal mAtxz wiH /piX, hM, it iz trM, hAd
lAtxli spent hOl dEz At hOm, HAt iz, in /prins /vysili'z hQs
wX hI woz stEiN, n hAd bin absxd, iäFtad, n fMliS in
/helIn'z prezans (Az a lavx SUd bI), bat hAd not jet prapOzd
t hx.
<p>
“His iz Yl veri fFn, bat TiNz mast bI setald,” sed /prins
/vysili t himself, wiH a sorOfal sF, wan mPniN, fIliN HAt
/piX hM woz andx sac obligESanz t him (“bat nevx mFnd HAt”)
woz not bihEviN veri wel in His mAtx. “VT, frivoliti... wel,
/god bI wiH him,” TYt hI, reliSiN hiz On gUdnas v hRt,
“bat it mast bI brYt t a hed. H dE Aftx tamorO wil bI
/lelja'z nEm dE. F wil invFt tM P TrI pIpal, n if hI daz
not andxstAnd wot hI Yt t dM Hen it wil bI mF afX—jes, mF
afX. F Am hx fyHx.”
<p>
siä wIä Aftx /Ana /pyvlOvna'z “At /hOm” n Aftx H slIplas
nFt wen hI hAd disFdad HAt t mAri /helIn wUd bI a kalAmiti n
HAt hI Yt t avqd hx n gO awE, /piX, dispFt HAt disiZan,
hAd not left /prins /vysili'z n felt wiH terx HAt in pIpal'z
Fz hI woz evri dE mP n mP kanektad wiH hx, HAt it woz
imposabal f him t ritxn t hiz fPmx kansepSan v hx, HAt hI
kUd not brEk awE from hx, n HAt HO it wUd bI a teribal
TiN hI wUd hAf t VnFt hiz fEt wiH hxz. hI mFt pxhAps hAv
bin Ebal t frI himself bat HAt /prins /vysili (hM hAd rXli bifP
givan risepSanz) nQ hRdli let a dE gO bF wiHQt hAviN an IvniN
pRti At wic /piX hAd t bI prezant anles hI wiSt t spql
H Jenxal pleZx n disapqnt evriwan'z eäpektESan. prins
/vysili, in H rX mOments wen hI woz At hOm, wUd tEk /piX'z
hAnd in pAsiN n drY it dQnwxdz, P Absant-mFndadli hOld Qt hiz
riNkald, klIn-SEvan cIk f /piX t kis n wUd sE: “til
tamorO,” P, “bI in t dinx P F SAl not sI V,” P, “F
Am stEiN in f jP sEk,” n sO on. n HO /prins /vysili,
wen hI stEd in (Az hI sed) f /piX'z sEk, hRdli iäcEnJd a
kapal v wxdz wiH him, /piX felt anEbal t disapqnt him.
evri dE hI sed t himself wan n H sEm TiN: “it iz tFm F
andxstUd hx n mEd ap mF mFnd wot SI rWli iz. woz F mistEkan
bifP, P Am F mistEkan nQ? nO, SI iz not stMpid, SI iz an eäalant
gxl,” hI samtFmz sed t himself “SI nevx mEä a mistEk,
nevx sez eniTiN stMpid. SI sez lital, bat wot SI daz sE iz
YlwEz klC n simpal, sO SI iz not stMpid. SI nevx woz abASt n
iz not abASt nQ, sO SI kAnot bI a bAd wUman!” hI hAd oftan bigan
t mEk riflekSanz P TiNk alQd in hx kampani, n SI hAd YlwEz
Ansxd him FHx bF a brIf bat aprOprWt rimRk—SOiN HAt it
did not intxast hx—P bF a sFlant lUk n smFl wic mP pAlpabli
HAn eniTiN els SOd /piX hx sMpCiPiti. SI woz rFt in
rigRdiN Yl RgVmants Az nonsens in kampArisan wiH HAt smFl.
<p>
SI YlwEz adrest him wiH a rEdWntli kanfFdiN smFl ment f him
alOn, in wic HX woz samTiN mP signifikant HAn in H Jenxal
smFl HAt VZMali brFtand hx fEs. /piX nM HAt evriwan woz
wEtiN f him t sE a wxd n kros a sxtan lFn, n hI nM HAt
sMnx P lEtx hI wUd step akros it, bat an inkomprihensabal terx
sIzd him At H TYt v HAt dredfal step. a TQzand tFmz dxiN
HAt manT n a hAf wFl hI felt himself drYn nCx n nCx t
HAt dredfal abis, /piX sed t himself: “wot Am F dMiN? F nId
rezalMSan. kAn it bI HAt F hAv nan?”
<p>
hI wiSt t tEk a disiZan, bat felt wiH dismE HAt in His mAtx
hI lAkt HAt streNT v wil wic hI hAd nOn in himself n rWli
pazest. /piX woz wan v HOz hM R Onli stroN wen HE fIl
Hemselvz kwFt inasant, n sins HAt dE wen hI woz OvxpQxd
bF a fIliN v dizFx wFl stMpiN Ovx H snafboä At /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z, an anaknoliJd sens v H gilt v HAt dizFx
pAralFzd hiz wil.
<p>
on /helIn'z nEm dE, a smYl pRti v Jast HX On pIpal—Az
hiz wFf sed—met f sapx At /prins /vysili'z. Yl HIz frendz
n rilESanz hAd bin givan t andxstAnd HAt H fEt v H jaN
gxl wUd bI disFdad HAt IvniN. H vizitxz wx sItad At sapx.
prinsas /kMrygIna, a pPtli impOziN wUman hM hAd wans bin hAndsam,
woz sitiN At H hed v H tEbal. on FHx sFd v hx sAt H
mP impPtant gests—an Old Jenxal n hiz wFf, n /Ana /pyvlOvna
/Serx. At H aHx end sAt H jaNgx n les impPtant gests,
n HX tM sAt H membxz v H fAmli, n /piX n /helIn,
sFd bF sFd. prins /vysili woz not hAviN eni sapx: hI went rQnd
H tEbal in a meri mMd, sitiN dQn nQ bF wan, nQ bF anaHx, v
H gests. t Ic v Hem hI mEd sam kXlas n agrIabal rimRk
iäept t /piX n /helIn, hMz prezans hI sImd not t nOtis.
hI inlFvand H hOl pRti. H wAä kAndalz bxnd brFtli, H
silvx n kristal glImd, sO did H lEdiz' tqlats n H gOld
n silvx v H men'z epalets; sxvants in skRlat livxiz mMvd
rQnd H tEbal, H klAtx v plEts, nFvz, n glAsaz miNgald wiH
H AnimEtad ham v sevxal konvxsESanz. At wan end v H tEbal, H
Old cEmbxlin woz hxd aSUxiN an Old bAranas HAt hI lavd hx
pASanatli, At wic SI lAft; At H aHx kUd bI hxd H
stPi v H misfPcMnz v sam /mXi /viktPOvna P aHx. At H
sentx v H tEbal, /prins /vysili atrAktad evribodi'z atenSan.
wiH a fasISas smFl on hiz fEs, hI woz teliN H lEdiz abQt lAst
wenzdE'z mItiN v H /impCWl /kQnsal, At wic /sergE /kMzmic
/vjyzmitinOf, H nM militXi gavxnx Jenxal v /pItxzbxg, hAd
risIvd n red H Hen fEmas rIskript v H /empxx /AliãAndx
from H Rmi t /sergE /kMzmic, in wic H /empxx sed HAt hI woz
risIviN from Yl sFdz deklxESanz v H pIpal'z lqalti, HAt
H deklxESan from /pItxzbxg gEv him pxtikVlx pleZx, n HAt
hI woz prQd t bI At H hed v sac a nESan n wUd indevx t bI
wxHi v it. His rIskript bigAn wiH H wxdz: “/sergE /kMzmic,
from Yl sFdz ripPts rIc mI,” ets
<p>
“wel, n sO hI nevx got fRHx HAn: '/sergE /kMzmic'?”
Askt wan v H lEdiz.
<p>
“iãAktli, not a hX'z bredT fRHx,” Ansxd /prins /vysili,
lAfiN, “'/sergE /kMzmic... from Yl sFdz... from Yl sFdz...
/sergE /kMzmic...' pUx /vjyzmitinOf kUd not get eni fRHx!
hI bigAn H rIskript agen n agen, bat Az sMn Az hI atxd
'/sergE' hI sobd, '/kMz-mI-c,' tCz, n 'from Yl
sFdz' woz smaHxd in sobz n hI kUd get nO fRHx. n agen
hiz hANkxcif, n agen: '/sergE /kMzmic, from Yl sFdz,'...
n tCz, til At lAst sambodi els woz Askt t rId it.”
<p>
“/kMzmic... from Yl sFdz... n Hen tCz,” samwan ripItad
lAfiN.
<p>
“dOnt bI ankFnd,” krFd /Ana /pyvlOvna from hx end v H tEbal
hOldiN ap a TretaniN fiNgx. “hI iz sac a wxHi n eäalant
mAn, Qx dC /vjyzmitinOf....”
<p>
evribodi lAft a grEt dIl. At H hed v H tEbal, wX H
onxd gests sAt, evriwan sImd t bI in hF spirits n andx H
inflMans v a vxFati v iäFtiN sensESanz. Onli /piX n
/helIn sAt sFlantli sFd bF sFd YlmOst At H botam v H tEbal, a
saprest smFl brFtaniN bOT HX fEsaz, a smFl HAt hAd naTiN
t dM wiH /sergE /kMzmic—a smFl v bASfalnas At HX On
fIliNz. bat mac Az Yl H rest lAft, tYkt, n JOkt, mac
Az HE inJqd HX /rFn wFn, sYtE, n Fsaz, n hQevx HE
avqdad lUkiN At H jaN kapal, n hIdlas n anabzxvant Az
HE sImd v Hem, wan kUd fIl bF H akEZanal glAnsaz HE gEv
HAt H stPi abQt /sergE /kMzmic, H lAftx, n H fMd
wx Yl a prItens, n HAt H hOl atenSan v HAt kampani woz
direktad t—/piX n /helIn. prins /vysili mimikt H sobiN
v /sergE /kMzmic n At H sEm tFm hiz Fz glAnst tPd hiz
dYtx, n wFl hI lAft H iäpreSan on hiz fEs klCli sed:
“jes... it's getiN on, it wil Yl bI setald tadE.” Ana
/pyvlOvna Tretand him on bihAf v “Qx dC /vjyzmitinOf,” n
in hx Fz, wic, f an instant, glAnst At /piX, /prins /vysili
red a kangrAcalESan on hiz fVcx san-in-lY n on hiz dYtx'z
hApinas. H Old prinsas sFd sAdli Az SI ofxd sam wFn t H
Old lEdi neät t hx n glAnst ANgrili At hx dYtx, n hx sF
sImd t sE: “jes, HX'z naTiN left f V n mI bat t sip
swIt wFn, mF dC, nQ HAt H tFm hAz kam f HIz jaN wanz t
bI Has bOldli, pravokativli hApi.” “n wot nonsens Yl His iz
HAt F Am sEiN!” TYt a diplOmatist, glAnsiN At H hApi fEsaz
v H lavxz. “HAt's hApinas!”
<p>
intM H insignifikant, trFfaliN, n RtifiSal intxasts VnFtiN HAt
sasFati hAd entxd H simpal fIliN v H atrAkSan v a helTi
n hAndsam jaN mAn n wUman f wan anaHx. n His hVman fIliN
dominEtad evriTiN els n sPd abav Yl HX afektad cAtx.
Jests fel flAt, nMz woz not intxastiN, n H AnimESan woz
evidentli fPst. not Onli H gests bat Ivan H fUtmen wEtiN At
tEbal sImd t fIl His, n HE fxgot HX dMtiz Az HE lUkt
At H bVtifal /helIn wiH hx rEdWnt fEs n At H red, brYd,
n hApi HO anIzi fEs v /piX. it sImd Az if H veri lFt
v H kAndalz woz fOkast on HOz tM hApi fEsaz alOn.
<p>
/piX felt HAt hI woz H sentx v it Yl, n His bOT plIzd n
imbArast him. hI woz lFk a mAn intFxli absPbd in sam okVpESan.
hI did not sI, hC, P andxstAnd eniTiN klCli. Onli nQ n
Hen ditAct FdWz n impreSanz from H wxld v riAliti Sot
aniäpektadli TrM hiz mFnd.
<p>
“sO it iz Yl finiSt!” hI TYt. “n hQ hAz it Yl hApand?
hQ kwikli! nQ F nO HAt not bikoz v hx alOn, nP v mFself
alOn, bat bikoz v evriwan, it mast inevitabli kam abQt. HE R
Yl iäpektiN it, HE R sO SUx HAt it wil hApan HAt F kAnot, F
kAnot, disapqnt Hem. bat hQ wil it bI? F dM not nO, bat it
wil sxtanli hApan!” TYt /piX, glAnsiN At HOz dAzaliN
SOldxz klOs t hiz Fz.
<p>
P hI wUd sadanli fIl aSEmd v hI nM not wot. hI felt it
Ykwxd t atrAkt evriwan'z atenSan n t bI kansidxd a
laki mAn n, wiH hiz plEn fEs, t bI lUkt on Az a sPt v /pAris
pazest v a /helan. “bat nO dQt it YlwEz iz n mast bI sO!”
hI kansOld himself. “n bisFdz, wot hAv F dan t briN it abQt?
hQ did it bigin? F trAvald from /moskQ wiH /prins /vysili. Hen HX
woz naTiN. sO wF SUd F not stE At hiz hQs? Hen F plEd kRdz
wiH hx n pikt ap hx retikVl n drOv Qt wiH hx. hQ did it
bigin, wen did it Yl kam abQt?” n hC hI woz sitiN bF hx
sFd Az hx bitrOHd, sIiN, hCiN, fIliN hx nCnas, hx
brIHiN, hx mMvmants, hx bVti. Hen it wUd sadanli sIm t him
HAt it woz not SI bat hI woz sO anVZMali bVtifal, n HAt HAt woz
wF HE Yl lUkt sO At him, n flAtxd bF His Jenxal AdmxESan
hI wUd iäpAnd hiz cest, rEz hiz hed, n riJqs At hiz gUd
fPcMn. sadanli hI hxd a familC vqs ripItiN samTiN t him a
sekand tFm. bat /piX woz sO absPbd HAt hI did not andxstAnd wot
woz sed.
<p>
“F Am AskiN V wen V lAst hxd from /bOlkOnski,” ripItad
/prins /vysili a Txd tFm. “hQ Absant-mFndad V R, mF dC
felO.”
<p>
prins /vysili smFld, n /piX nOtist HAt evriwan woz smFliN At
him n /helIn. “wel, wot v it, if V Yl nO it?” TYt
/piX. “wot v it? it's H trMT!” n hI himself smFld hiz
Jental cFldlFk smFl, n /helIn smFld tM.
<p>
“wen did V get H letx? woz it from /OlmUts?” ripItad
/prins /vysili, hM pritendad t wont t nO His in Pdx t setal a
dispVt.
<p>
“hQ kAn wan tYk P TiNk v sac trFfalz?” TYt /piX.
<p>
“jes, from /OlmUts,” hI Ansxd, wiH a sF.
<p>
Aftx sapx /piX wiH hiz pRtnx folOd H aHxz intM H
drYiN rMm. H gests bigAn t dispxs, sam wiHQt tEkiN lIv
v /helIn. sam, Az if anwiliN t distrAkt hx from an impPtant
okVpESan, kEm ap t hx f a mOment n mEd hEst t gO awE,
rifVziN t let hx sI Hem of. H diplOmatist prizxvd a mPnfal
sFlans Az hI left H drYiN rMm. hI pikcxd H vAniti v hiz
diplamAtik kxC in kampArisan wiH /piX'z hApinas. H Old
Jenxal grambald At hiz wFf wen SI Askt hQ hiz leg woz. “O, H
Old fMl,” hI TYt. “HAt /prinsas /helIn wil bI bVtifal
stil wen SI'z fifti.”
<p>
“F TiNk F mE kangrAcalEt V,” wispxd /Ana /pyvlOvna t H
Old prinsas, kisiN hx sQndli. “if F hAdant His hedEk F'd
hAv stEd loNgx.”
<p>
H Old prinsas did not riplF, SI woz tPmentad bF Jelasi v hx
dYtx'z hApinas.
<p>
wFl H gests wx tEkiN HX lIv /piX rimEnd f a loN tFm
alOn wiH /helIn in H lital drYiN rMm wX HE wx sitiN.
hI hAd oftan bifP, dxiN H lAst siä wIä, rimEnd alOn wiH hx,
bat hAd nevx spOkan t hx v lav. nQ hI felt HAt it woz inevitabal,
bat hI kUd not mEk ap hiz mFnd t tEk H fFnal step. hI felt
aSEmd; hI felt HAt hI woz okVpFiN samwan els'az plEs hC
bisFd /helIn. “His hApinas iz not f V,” sam inx vqs
wispxd t him. “His hApinas iz f HOz hM hAv not in Hem
wot HX iz in V.”
<p>
bat, Az hI hAd t sE samTiN, hI bigAn bF AskiN hx weHx SI woz
sAtisfFd wiH H pRti. SI riplFd in hx VZMal simpal mAnx HAt
His nEm dE v hxz hAd bin wan v H plezantast SI hAd evx hAd.
<p>
sam v H nCast relativz hAd not jet left. HE wx sitiN in
H lRJ drYiN rMm. prins /vysili kEm ap t /piX wiH lANgwid
fUtsteps. /piX rOz n sed it woz getiN lEt. prins /vysili gEv
him a lUk v stxn inkwFxi, Az HO wot /piX hAd Jast sed woz
sO strEnJ HAt wan kUd not tEk it in. bat Hen H iäpreSan v
siveriti cEnJd, n hI drM /piX'z hAnd dQnwxdz, mEd him sit
dQn, n smFld afekSanatli.
<p>
“wel, /lelja?” hI Askt, txniN instantli t hiz dYtx n
adresiN hx wiH H kXlas tOn v habicMal tendxnas nAcxal t
pXants hM hAv petad HX cildran from bEbihUd, bat wic /prins
/vysili hAd Onli akwFxd bF imitEtiN aHx pXants.
<p>
n hI agen txnd t /piX.
<p>
“/sergE /kMzmic—from Yl sFdz—” hI sed, anbataniN H top
batan v hiz wEstkOt.
<p>
/piX smFld, bat hiz smFl SOd HAt hI nM it woz not H stPi
abQt /sergE /kMzmic HAt intxastad /prins /vysili Jast Hen, n
/prins /vysili sY HAt /piX nM His. hI sadanli matxd
samTiN n went awE. it sImd t /piX HAt Ivan H prins woz
diskansxtad. H sFt v H diskampOZx v HAt Old mAn v H wxld
tact /piX: hI lUkt At /helIn n SI tM sImd diskansxtad,
n hx lUk sImd t sE: “wel, it iz jP On fYlt.”
<p>
“H step mast bI tEkan bat F kAnot, F kAnot!” TYt /piX,
n hI agen bigAn spIkiN abQt indifxant mAtxz, abQt /sergE
/kMzmic, AskiN wot H pqnt v H stPi woz Az hI hAd not hxd it
propxli. /helIn Ansxd wiH a smFl HAt SI tM hAd mist it.
<p>
wen /prins /vysili ritxnd t H drYiN rMm, H prinsas, hiz
wFf, woz tYkiN in lO tOnz t H eldxli lEdi abQt /piX.
<p>
“v kPs, it iz a veri brilWnt mAc, bat hApinas, mF dC...”
<p>
“mAriJaz R mEd in hevan,” riplFd H eldxli lEdi.
<p>
prins /vysili pAst bF, sImiN not t hC H lEdiz, n sAt dQn
on a sOfa in a fR kPnx v H rMm. hI klOzd hiz Fz n sImd t
bI dOziN. hiz hed sANk fPwxd n Hen hI rQzd himself.
<p>
“alFn,” hI sed t hiz wFf, “gO n sI wot HE R abQt.”
<p>
H prinsas went ap t H dP, pAst bF it wiH a dignifFd n
indifxant X, n glAnst intM H lital drYiN rMm. /piX n
/helIn stil sAt tYkiN Jast Az bifP.
<p>
“stil H sEm,” SI sed t hx hazband.
<p>
prins /vysili frQnd, twistiN hiz mQT, hiz cIä kwivxd n hiz
fEs asMmd H kPs, anplezant iäpreSan pikVlC t him. SEkiN
himself, hI rOz, TrM bAk hiz hed, n wiH rezalMt steps went
pAst H lEdiz intM H lital drYiN rMm. wiH kwik steps hI went
Jqfali ap t /piX. hiz fEs woz sO anVZMali trFamfant HAt /piX
rOz in alRm on sIiN it.
<p>
“TANk /god!” sed /prins /vysili. “mF wFf hAz tOld mI
evriTiN!” (hI pUt wan Rm xQnd /piX n H aHx xQnd hiz
dYtx.)—“mF dC bq... /lelja... F Am veri plIzd.” (hiz
vqs trembald.) “F lavd jP fyHx... n SI wil mEk V a gUd
wFf... god bles V!...”
<p>
hI imbrEst hiz dYtx, n Hen agen /piX, n kist him wiH hiz
mAlOdxas mQT. tCz AkcMali mqsand hiz cIä.
<p>
“prinsas, kam hC!” hI SQtad.
<p>
H Old prinsas kEm in n YlsO wept. H eldxli lEdi woz VziN
hx hANkxcif tM. /piX woz kist, n hI kist H bVtifal
/helIn'z hAnd sevxal tFmz. Aftx a wFl HE wx left alOn
agen.
<p>
“Yl His hAd t bI n kUd not bI aHxwFz,” TYt /piX,
“sO it iz Vslas t Ask weHx it iz gUd P bAd. it iz gUd bikoz
it's definit n wan iz rid v H Old tPmentiN dQt.” /piX
held H hAnd v hiz bitrOHd in sFlans, lUkiN At hx bVtifal
bUzam Az it rOz n fel.
<p>
“/helIn!” hI sed alQd n pYzd.
<p>
“samTiN speSal iz YlwEz sed in sac kEsaz,” hI TYt, bat
kUd not rimembx wot it woz HAt pIpal sE. hI lUkt At hx fEs.
SI drM nCx t him. hx fEs flaSt.
<p>
“O, tEk HOz of... HOz...” SI sed, pqntiN t hiz
spektakalz.
<p>
/piX tUk Hem of, n hiz Fz, bisFdz H strEnJ lUk Fz hAv
from wic spektakalz hAv Jast bin rimMvd, hAd YlsO a frFtand n
inkwFxiN lUk. hI woz abQt t stMp Ovx hx hAnd n kis it, bat
wiH a rApid, YlmOst brMtal mMvmant v hx hed, SI intxseptad hiz
lips n met Hem wiH hx On. hx fEs strak /piX, bF its Yltxd,
anplezantli iäFtad iäpreSan.
<p>
“it iz tM lEt nQ, it's dan; bisFdz F lav hx,” TYt
/piX.
<p>
“Ze vM /eme!” * hI sed, rimembxiN wot hAs t bI sed At sac
mOments: bat hiz wxdz sQndad sO wIk HAt hI felt aSEmd v himself.
<p>
    * “F lav V.”
<p>
<p>
siä wIä lEtx hI woz mArid, n setald in /kQnt /bezMâOf's
lRJ, nMli fxniSt /pItxzbxg hQs, H hApi pazesx, Az pIpal
sed, v a wFf hM woz a selabrEtad bVti n v milWnz v mani.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
/Old /prins /nikalas /bOlkOnski risIvd a letx from /prins /vysili
in nOvembx, 1805, anQnsiN HAt hI n hiz san wUd bI pEiN him
a vizit. “F Am stRtiN on a Jxni v inspekSan, n v kPs F
SAl TiNk naTiN v an eätra sevanti mFlz t kam n sI V At
H sEm tFm, mF onxd benifAktx,” rOt /prins /vysili. “mF san
/ynatOl iz akampaniiN mI on hiz wE t H Rmi, sO F hOp V wil
alQ him pxsanali t iäpres H dIp rispekt HAt, emVlEtiN hiz
fyHx, hI fIlz f V.”
<p>
“it sImz HAt HX wil bI nO nId t briN /mXi Qt, sMtxz R
kamiN t as v HX On akPd,” inkYSasli rimRkt H lital
prinsas on hCiN H nMz.
<p>
prins /nikalas frQnd, bat sed naTiN.
<p>
a fPtnFt Aftx H letx /prins /vysili'z sxvants kEm wan
IvniN in advAns v him, n hI n hiz san xFvd neät dE.
<p>
Old /bOlkOnski hAd YlwEz hAd a pUx apinjan v /prins /vysili'z
kAraktx, bat mP sO rIsantli, sins in H nM rEnz v /pYl n
/AliãAndx /prins /vysili hAd rizan t hF paziSan n onxz. n nQ,
from H hints kantEnd in hiz letx n givan bF H lital prinsas,
hI sY wic wE H wind woz blOiN, n hiz lO apinjan cEnJd intM
a fIliN v kantempcMas il wil. hI snPtad wenevx hI menSand
him. on H dE v /prins /vysili'z xFval, /prins /bOlkOnski woz
pxtikVlxli diskantentad n Qt v tempx. weHx hI woz in a bAd
tempx bikoz /prins /vysili woz kamiN, P weHx hiz bIiN in a bAd
tempx mEd him speSali anqd At /prins /vysili'z vizit, hI woz
in a bAd tempx, n in H mPniN /tiâOn hAd Ylredi advFzd H
Rkitekt not t gO t H prins wiH hiz ripPt.
<p>
“dM V hC hQ hI'z wYkiN?” sed /tiâOn, drYiN H
Rkitekt's atenSan t H sQnd v H prins'az fUtsteps.
“stepiN flAt on hiz hIlz—wI nO wot HAt mInz....”
<p>
hQevx, At nFn O'klok H prins, in hiz velvat kOt wiH a sEbal
kolx n kAp, went Qt f hiz VZMal wYk. it hAd snOd H dE
bifP n H pAT t H hothQs, aloN wic H prins woz in H
hAbit v wYkiN, hAd bin swept: H mRä v H brMm wx stil
vizabal in H snO n a Saval hAd bin left stikiN in wan v H
soft snObANä HAt bPdxd bOT sFdz v H pAT. H prins went
TrM H kansxvatPiz, H sxfs' kwPtxz, n H QtbildiNz,
frQniN n sFlant.
<p>
“kAn a slE pAs?” hI Askt hiz OvxsIx, a venxabal mAn,
rizembaliN hiz mAstx in mAnxz n lUä, hM woz akampaniiN him
bAk t H hQs.
<p>
“H snO iz dIp. F Am hAviN H AvanM swept, jP onx.”
<p>
H prins bQd hiz hed n went ap t H pPc. “god bI
TANkt,” TYt H OvxsIx, “H stPm hAz blOn Ovx!”
<p>
“it wUd hAv bin hRd t drFv ap, jP onx,” hI Adad. “F
hxd, jP onx, HAt a ministx iz kamiN t vizit jP onx.”
<p>
H prins txnd rQnd t H OvxsIx n fiät hiz Fz on him,
frQniN.
<p>
“wot? a ministx? wot ministx? hM gEv Pdxz?” hI sed in
hiz Sril, hRS vqs. “H rOd iz not swept f H prinsas mF
dYtx, bat f a ministx! f mI, HX R nO ministxz!”
<p>
“jP onx, F TYt...”
<p>
“V TYt!” SQtad H prins, hiz wxdz kamiN mP n mP
rApidli n indistiNktli. “V TYt!... ryskalz! blAgRdz!...
F'l tIc V t TiNk!” n liftiN hiz stik hI swaN it n
wUd hAv hit /ylpytic, H OvxsIx, hAd not H lAtx instiNktivli
avqdad H blO. “TYt... blAgRdz...” SQtad H prins
rApidli.
<p>
bat YlHO /ylpytic, frFtand At hiz On timeriti in avqdiN H
strOk, kEm ap t H prins, bQiN hiz bYld hed rizFnadli bifP
him, P pxhAps f HAt veri rIzan, H prins, HO hI kantinVd
t SQt: “blAgRdz!... TrO H snO bAk on H rOd!” did not
lift hiz stik agen bat harid intM H hQs.
<p>
bifP dinx, /prinsas /mXi n /mAdamwazel /bMrien, hM nM
HAt H prins woz in a bAd hVmx, stUd awEtiN him; /mAdamwazel
/bMrien wiH a rEdWnt fEs HAt sed: “F nO naTiN, F Am H
sEm Az VZMal,” n /prinsas /mXi pEl, frFtand, n wiH dQnkAst
Fz. wot SI fQnd hRdast t bX woz t nO HAt on sac akEZanz
SI Yt t bihEv lFk /mAdamwazel /bMrien, bat kUd not.
SI TYt: “if F sIm not t nOtis hI wil TiNk HAt F dM not
simpaTFz wiH him; if F sIm sAd n Qt v spirits mFself, hI wil
sE (Az hI hAz dan bifP) HAt F'm in H damps.”
<p>
H prins lUkt At hiz dYtx'z frFtand fEs n snPtad.
<p>
“fMl... P dami!” hI matxd.
<p>
“n H aHx wan iz not hC. HE'v bin teliN tElz,” hI
TYt—rifxiN t H lital prinsas hM woz not in H dFniN
rMm.
<p>
“wX iz H prinsas?” hI Askt. “hFdiN?”
<p>
“SI iz not veri wel,” Ansxd /mAdamwazel /bMrien wiH
a brFt smFl, “sO SI wOnt kam dQn. it iz nAcxal in hx
stEt.”
<p>
“hm! hm!” matxd H prins, sitiN dQn.
<p>
hiz plEt sImd t him not kwFt klIn, n pqntiN t a spot hI
flaN it awE. /tiâOn kYt it n hAndad it t a fUtman. H lital
prinsas woz not anwel, bat hAd sac an OvxpQxiN fC v H prins
HAt, hCiN hI woz in a bAd hVmx, SI hAd disFdad not t apC.
<p>
“F Am afrEd f H bEbi,” SI sed t /mAdamwazel /bMrien:
“hevan nOz wot a frFt mFt dM.”
<p>
in Jenxal At /bYld /hilz H lital prinsas livd in konstant fC, n
wiH a sens v AntipaTi t H Old prins wic SI did not
rWlFz bikoz H fC woz sO mac H stroNgx fIliN. H prins
risiprakEtad His AntipaTi, bat it woz OvxpQxd bF hiz kantempt
f hx. wen H lital prinsas hAd grOn akastamd t lFf At /bYld
/hilz, SI tUk a speSal fAnsi t /mAdamwazel /bMrien, spent hOl
dEz wiH hx, Askt hx t slIp in hx rMm, n oftan tYkt wiH hx
abQt H Old prins n kritisFzd him.
<p>
“sO wI R t hAv vizitxz, man prins?” rimRkt /mAdamwazel
/bMrien, anfOldiN hx wFt nApkin wiH hx rOzi fiNgxz. “hiz
/eäalansi /prins /vysili /kMrygin n hiz san, F andxstAnd?” SI
sed inkwFxiNli.
<p>
“hm!—hiz eäalansi iz a papi.... F got him hiz apqntmant in H
sxvis,” sed H prins disdEnfali. “wF hiz san iz kamiN F
dOnt andxstAnd. pxhAps /prinsas /ilizabaT n /prinsas /mXi nO.
F dOnt wont him.” (hI lUkt At hiz blaSiN dYtx.) “R V
anwel tadE? E? afrEd v H 'ministx' Az HAt idWt /ylpytic
kYld him His mPniN?”
<p>
“nO, man pere.”
<p>
HO /mAdamwazel /bMrien hAd bin sO ansaäesfal in hx cqs
v a sabJekt, SI did not stop tYkiN, bat cAtxd abQt H
kansxvatPiz n H bVti v a flQx HAt hAd Jast Opand, n
Aftx H sMp H prins bikEm mP JInWl.
<p>
Aftx dinx, hI went t sI hiz dYtx-in-lY. H lital prinsas
woz sitiN At a smYl tEbal, cAtxiN wiH /mySa, hx mEd. SI grM
pEl on sIiN hx fyHx-in-lY.
<p>
SI woz mac Yltxd. SI woz nQ plEn rAHx HAn priti. hx cIä
hAd saNk, hx lip woz drYn ap, n hx Fz drYn dQn.
<p>
“jes, F fIl a kFnd v apreSan,” SI sed in riplF t H
prins'az kwescan Az t hQ SI felt.
<p>
“dM V wont eniTiN?”
<p>
“nO, mXsi, man pere.”
<p>
“wel, Yl rFt, Yl rFt.”
<p>
hI left H rMm n went t H wEtiN rMm wX /ylpytic stUd wiH
bQd hed.
<p>
“hAz H snO bin Savald bAk?”
<p>
“jes, jP eäalansi. fxgiv mI f hevan'z sEk... it woz Onli
mF stMpiditi.”
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt,” intxaptad H prins, n lAfiN hiz
annAcxal wE, hI strect Qt hiz hAnd f /ylpytic t kis, n Hen
prOsIdad t hiz stadi.
<p>
prins /vysili xFvd HAt IvniN. hI woz met in H AvanM bF
kOcmen n fUtmen, hM, wiH lQd SQts, drAgd hiz slEz ap t
wan v H loJaz Ovx H rOd pxpasli lEdan wiH snO.
<p>
prins /vysili n /ynatOl hAd sepxat rMmz asFnd t Hem.
<p>
/ynatOl, hAviN tEkan of hiz OvxkOt, sAt wiH Rmz akimbO bifP a
tEbal on a kPnx v wic hI smFliNli n Absant-mFndadli fiät hiz
lRJ n hAndsam Fz. hI rigRdad hiz hOl lFf Az a kantinVal rQnd
v amVzmant wic samwan f sam rIzan hAd t pravFd f him.
n hI lUkt on His vizit t a cxliS Old mAn n a ric n agli
Xas in H sEm wE. Yl His mFt, hI TYt, txn Qt veri wel
n amVziNli. “n wF not mAri hx if SI rWli hAz sO mac mani?
HAt nevx daz eni hRm,” TYt /ynatOl.
<p>
hI SEvd n sentad himself wiH H kX n eligans wic hAd
bikam habicMal t him n, hiz hAndsam hed held hF, entxd hiz
fyHx'z rMm wiH H gUd-hVmxd n viktPWs X nAcxal t
him. prins /vysili'z tM vAlEz wx bizi dresiN him, n hI lUkt
rQnd wiH mac AnimESan n cCfali nodad t hiz san Az H lAtx
entxd, Az if t sE: “jes, HAt's hQ F wont V t lUk.”
<p>
“F sE, /fyHx, JOkiN apRt, iz SI veri hidWs?” /ynatOl Askt,
Az if kantinViN a konvxsESan H sabJekt v wic hAd oftan bin
menSand dxiN H Jxni.
<p>
“inaf! wot nonsens! abav Yl, trF t bI rispektfal n kYSas
wiH H Old prins.”
<p>
“if hI stRts a rO F'l gO awE,” sed /prins /ynatOl. “F
kAnt bX HOz Old men! E?”
<p>
“rimembx, f V evriTiN dipendz on His.”
<p>
in H mIntFm, not Onli woz it nOn in H mEdsxvants' rMmz HAt
H ministx n hiz san hAd xFvd, bat H apCans v bOT hAd
bin mFnMtli diskrFbd. prinsas /mXi woz sitiN alOn in hx rMm,
vEnli trFiN t mAstx hx AJitESan.
<p>
“wF did HE rFt, wF did /lIz tel mI abQt it? it kAn nevx
hApan!” SI sed, lUkiN At hxself in H glAs. “hQ SAl F
entx H drYiN rMm? Ivan if F lFk him F kAnt nQ bI mFself wiH
him.” H mC TYt v hx fyHx'z lUk fild hx wiH terx.
H lital prinsas n /mAdamwazel /bMrien hAd Ylredi risIvd
from /mySa, H lEdi'z mEd, H nesisXi ripPt v hQ hAndsam H
ministx'z san woz, wiH hiz rOzi cIä n dRk FbrQz, n wiH
wot difikalti H fyHx hAd drAgd hiz leã apstXz wFl H san
hAd folOd him lFk an Igal, TrI steps At a tFm. hAviN risIvd
His infxmESan, H lital prinsas n /mAdamwazel /bMrien, hMz
cAtxiN vqsaz hAd rIct hx from H koridP, went intM /prinsas
/mXi'z rMm.
<p>
“V nO HE'v kam, /mxI?” sed H lital prinsas, wodaliN
in, n siNkiN hevili intM an RmcX.
<p>
SI woz nO loNgx in H lMs gQn SI Jenxali wP in H mPniN,
bat hAd on wan v hx best dresaz. hx hX woz kXfali dan n hx
fEs woz AnimEtad, wic, hQevx, did not kansIl its saNkan n fEdad
QtlFnz. drest Az SI Vst t bI in /pItxzbxg sasFati, it woz stil
mP nOtisabal hQ mac plEnx SI hAd bikam. sam anabtrMsiv tac
hAd bin Adad t /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z tqlat wic rendxd hx
freS n priti fEs jet mP atrAktiv.
<p>
“wot! R V gOiN t rimEn Az V R, dC prinsas?” SI
bigAn. “HE'l bI anQnsiN HAt H Jentalmen R in H drYiN
rMm n wI SAl hAf t gO dQn, n V hAv not smRtand jPself
ap At Yl!”
<p>
H lital prinsas got ap, rAN f H mEd, n haridli n merili
bigAn t divFz n kAri Qt a plAn v hQ /prinsas /mXi SUd bI
drest. prinsas /mXi'z self-istIm woz wMndad bF H fAkt HAt
H xFval v a sMtx AJitEtad hx, n stil mP sO bF bOT
hx kampAnjanz' not hAviN H lIst kansepSan HAt it kUd bI
aHxwFz. t tel Hem HAt SI felt aSEmd f hxself n f Hem
wUd bI t bitrE hx AJitESan, wFl t diklFn HX ofxz t
dres hx wUd prOloN HX bAntx n insistans. SI flaSt, hx
bVtifal Fz grM dim, red blocaz kEm on hx fEs, n it tUk
on H anatrAktiv mRtxlFk iäpreSan it sO oftan wP, Az SI
sabmitad hxself t /mAdamwazel /bMrien n /lIz. bOT HIz wimin
kwFt sinsCli trFd t mEk hx lUk priti. SI woz sO plEn HAt
nFHx v Hem kUd TiNk v hx Az a rFval, sO HE bigAn dresiN
hx wiH pxfikt sinseriti, n wiH H nFIv n fxm kanvikSan
wimin hAv HAt dres kAn mEk a fEs priti.
<p>
“nO rWli, mF dC, His dres iz not priti,” sed /lIz, lUkiN
sFdwEz At /prinsas /mXi from a lital distans. “V hAv a mxMn
dres, hAv it fect. rWli! V nO H fEt v jP hOl lFf mE
bI At stEk. bat His wan iz tM lFt, it's not bikamiN!”
<p>
it woz not H dres, bat H fEs n hOl figjx v /prinsas /mXi
HAt woz not priti, bat nFHx /mAdamwazel /bMrien nP H lital
prinsas felt His; HE stil TYt HAt if a blM riban wx plEst
in H hX, H hX kOmd ap, n H blM skRf xEnJd lOx on
H best mxMn dres, n sO on, Yl wUd bI wel. HE fxgot HAt
H frFtand fEs n H figjx kUd not bI Yltxd, n HAt
hQevx HE mFt cEnJ H setiN n adPnmant v HAt fEs, it
wUd stil rimEn pitWs n plEn. Aftx tM P TrI cEnJaz t
wic /prinsas /mXi mIkli sabmitad, Jast Az hx hX hAd bin xEnJd
on H top v hx hed (a stFl HAt kwFt Yltxd n spqld hx
lUä) n SI hAd pUt on a mxMn dres wiH a pEl-blM skRf, H
lital prinsas wYkt twFs rQnd hx, nQ aJastiN a fOld v H
dres wiH hx lital hAnd, nQ xEnJiN H skRf n lUkiN At hx
wiH hx hed bent fxst on wan sFd n Hen on H aHx.
<p>
“nO, it wil not dM,” SI sed disFdadli, klAspiN hx hAndz. “nO,
/mXi, rWli His dres daz not sMt V. F prifx V in jP lital
grE evridE dres. nQ plIz, dM it f mF sEk. /kEti,” SI sed
t H mEd, “briN H prinsas hx grE dres, n V'l sI,
/mAdamwazel /bMrien, hQ F SAl xEnJ it,” SI Adad, smFliN
wiH a fPtEst v Rtistik pleZx.
<p>
bat wen /kEti brYt H rikwFxd dres, /prinsas /mXi rimEnd
sitiN mOSanlas bifP H glAs, lUkiN At hx fEs, n sY in H
mirx hx Fz fUl v tCz n hx mQT kwivxiN, redi t bxst
intM sobz.
<p>
“kam, dC prinsas,” sed /mAdamwazel /bMrien, “Jast wan mP
lital efxt.”
<p>
H lital prinsas, tEkiN H dres from H mEd, kEm ap t /prinsas
/mXi.
<p>
“wel, nQ wI'l xEnJ samTiN kwFt simpal n bikamiN,” SI
sed.
<p>
H TrI vqsaz, hxz, /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z, n /kEti'z, hM
woz lAfiN At samTiN, miNgald in a meri sQnd, lFk H cxpiN
v bxdz.
<p>
“nO, lIv mI alOn,” sed /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
hx vqs sQndad sO sCWs n sO sAd HAt H cxpiN v H bxdz
woz sFlanst At wans. HE lUkt At H bVtifal, lRJ, TYtfal
Fz fUl v tCz n v TYts, gEziN SFniNli n implPiNli At
Hem, n andxstUd HAt it woz Vslas n Ivan krMal t insist.
<p>
“At lIst, cEnJ jP kwyfjUx,” sed H lital prinsas.
“didant F tel V,” SI went on, txniN riprOcfali t
/mAdamwazel /bMrien, “mXi'z iz a fEs wic sac a kwyfjUx daz
not sMt in H lIst. not in H lIst! plIz cEnJ it.”
<p>
“lIv mI alOn, plIz lIv mI alOn! it iz Yl kwFt H sEm t
mI,” Ansxd a vqs stragaliN wiH tCz.
<p>
/mAdamwazel /bMrien n H lital prinsas hAd t On t Hemselvz
HAt /prinsas /mXi in His gFz lUkt veri plEn, wxs HAn VZMal,
bat it woz tM lEt. SI woz lUkiN At Hem wiH an iäpreSan HE
bOT nM, an iäpreSan TYtfal n sAd. His iäpreSan in /prinsas
/mXi did not frFtan Hem (SI nevx inspFxd fC in eniwan), bat HE
nM HAt wen it apCd on hx fEs, SI bikEm mVt n woz not t
bI SEkan in hx ditxminESan.
<p>
“V wil cEnJ it, wOnt V?” sed /lIz. n Az /prinsas /mXi
gEv nO Ansx, SI left H rMm.
<p>
prinsas /mXi woz left alOn. SI did not kamplF wiH /lIz'az rikwest,
SI not Onli left hx hX Az it woz, bat did not Ivan lUk in hx
glAs. letiN hx Rmz fYl helplasli, SI sAt wiH dQnkAst Fz n
pondxd. a hazband, a mAn, a stroN dominant n strEnJli atrAktiv
bIiN rOz in hx imAJinESan, n kArid hx intM a tOtali difxant
hApi wxld v hiz On. SI fAnsid a cFld, hx On—sac Az SI hAd
sIn H dE bifP in H Rmz v hx nxs'az dYtx—At hx
On brest, H hazband stAndiN bF n gEziN tendxli At hx n H
cFld. “bat nO, it iz imposabal, F Am tM agli,” SI TYt.
<p>
“plIz kam t tI. H prins wil bI Qt in a mOment,” kEm H
mEd'z vqs At H dP.
<p>
SI rQzd hxself, n felt apYld At wot SI hAd bin TiNkiN, n
bifP gOiN dQn SI went intM H rMm wX H Fkonz haN n, hx
Fz fiät on H dRk fEs v a lRJ Fkon v H /sEvjx lit bF a
lAmp, SI stUd bifP it wiH fOldad hAndz f a fV mOments. a pEnfal
dQt fild hx sOl. kUd H Jq v lav, v xTli lav f a
mAn, bI f hx? in hx TYts v mAriJ /prinsas /mXi drImd v
hApinas n v cildran, bat hx stroNgast, mOst dIpli hidan loNiN
woz f xTli lav. H mP SI trFd t hFd His fIliN from
aHxz n Ivan from hxself, H stroNgx it grM. “O /god,” SI
sed, “hQ Am F t stFfal in mF hRt HIz temptESanz v H deval?
hQ Am F t rinQns fxevx HIz vFl fAnsiz, sO Az pIsfali t
fUlfil /HF wil?” n skXsli hAd SI pUt HAt kwescan HAn /god
gEv hx H Ansx in hx On hRt. “dizFx naTiN f HFself,
sIk naTiN, bI not ANkSas P envWs. mAn'z fVcx n HF On fEt
mast rimEn hidan from HI, bat liv sO HAt HQ mEast bI redi f
eniTiN. if it bI /god'z wil t prMv HI in H dMtiz v mAriJ,
bI redi t fUlfil /hiz wil.” wiH His kansOliN TYt (bat
jet wiH a hOp f H fUlfilmant v hx fxbidan xTli loNiN)
/prinsas /mXi sFd, n hAviN krost hxself went dQn, TiNkiN
nFHx v hx gQn n kwyfjUx nP v hQ SI wUd gO in nP v wot
SI wUd sE. wot kUd Yl HAt mAtx in kampArisan wiH H wil v
/god, wiHQt /hMz kX not a hX v mAn'z hed kAn fYl?
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
wen /prinsas /mXi kEm dQn, /prins /vysili n hiz san wx Ylredi
in H drYiN rMm, tYkiN t H lital prinsas n /mAdamwazel
/bMrien. wen SI entxd wiH hx hevi step, trediN on hx hIlz,
H Jentalmen n /mAdamwazel /bMrien rOz n H lital prinsas,
indikEtiN hx t H Jentalmen, sed: “vwyly /mxI!” prinsas /mXi
sY Hem Yl n sY Hem in dItEl. SI sY /prins /vysili'z fEs,
sCWs f an instant At H sFt v hx, bat imIdWtli smFliN
agen, n H lital prinsas kjUxWsli nOtiN H impreSan
“/mxI” prOdMst on H vizitxz. n SI sY /mAdamwazel
/bMrien, wiH hx riban n priti fEs, n hx anVZMali AnimEtad
lUk wic woz fiät on him, bat him SI kUd not sI, SI Onli sY
samTiN lRJ, brilWnt, n hAndsam mMviN tPd hx Az SI
entxd H rMm. prins /vysili aprOct fxst, n SI kist H
bOld fPhed HAt bent Ovx hx hAnd n Ansxd hiz kwescan bF
sEiN HAt, on H kontrXi, SI rimembxd him kwFt wel. Hen
/ynatOl kEm ap t hx. SI stil kUd not sI him. SI Onli felt a
soft hAnd tEkiN hxz fxmli, n SI tact wiH hx lips a wFt
fPhed, Ovx wic woz bVtifal lFt-brQn hX smeliN v pamyd.
wen SI lUkt ap At him SI woz strak bF hiz bVti. /ynatOl stUd
wiH hiz rFt Tam andx a batan v hiz VnifPm, hiz cest iäpAndad
n hiz bAk drYn in, slFtli swiNiN wan fUt, n, wiH hiz hed a
lital bent, lUkt wiH bImiN fEs At H prinsas wiHQt
spIkiN n evidentli not TiNkiN abQt hx At Yl. /ynatOl woz not
kwik-witad, nP redi P elakwant in konvxsESan, bat hI hAd H
fAkalti, sO invAlVabal in sasFati, v kampOZx n impxtxbabal
self-pazeSan. if a mAn lAkiN in self-konfidans rimEnz dam on
a fxst intradakSan n bitrEz a konSasnas v H impraprFati v
sac sFlans n an ANzFati t fFnd samTiN t sE, H ifekt iz
bAd. bat /ynatOl woz dam, swaN hiz fUt, n smFliNli iãAmind H
prinsas' hX. it woz evidant HAt hI kUd bI sFlant in His wE f
a veri loN tFm. “if eniwan fFndz His sFlans inkanvInWnt, let him
tYk, bat F dOnt wont t,” hI sImd t sE. bisFdz His, in hiz
bihEvjx t wimin /ynatOl hAd a mAnx wic pxtikVlxli inspFxz in
Hem kjUxiositi, Y, n Ivan lav—a sMpxsilWs konSasnas v
hiz On sMpCiPiti. it woz Az if hI sed t Hem: “F nO V, F nO
V, bat wF SUd F boHx abQt V? V'd bI Onli tM glAd, v
kPs.” pxhAps hI did not rWli TiNk His wen hI met wimin—Ivan
probabli hI did not, f in Jenxal hI TYt veri lital—bat hiz
lUä n mAnx gEv HAt impreSan. H prinsas felt His, n Az if
wiSiN t SO him HAt SI did not Ivan dX iäpekt t intxast him,
SI txnd t hiz fyHx. H konvxsESan woz Jenxal n AnimEtad,
TANä t /prinsas /lIz'az vqs n lital dQni lip HAt liftad Ovx
hx wFt tIT. SI met /prins /vysili wiH HAt plEfal mAnx oftan
implqd bF lFvli cAti pIpal, n kansistiN in H asampSan
HAt bitwIn H pxsan HE sO adres n Hemselvz HX R sam
semi-prFvat, loN-istAbliSt JOä n amVziN reminisansaz, HO
nO sac reminisansaz rWli iãist—Jast Az nan iãistad in His kEs.
prins /vysili redili adoptad hx tOn n H lital prinsas YlsO
drM /ynatOl, hMm SI hRdli nM, intM HIz amVziN rekalekSanz v
TiNz HAt hAd nevx akxd. /mAdamwazel /bMrien YlsO SXd Hem
n Ivan /prinsas /mXi felt hxself plezantli mEd t SX in HIz
meri reminisansaz.
<p>
“hC At lIst wI SAl hAv H benifit v jP kampani Yl t
Qxselvz, dC prins,” sed H lital prinsas (v kPs, in
/frenc) t /prins /vysili. “it's not Az At /anet's * risepSanz
wX V YlwEz rAn awE; V rimembx set Ser /anet!”
<p>
    * Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
“y, bat V wOnt tYk politiä t mI lFk /anet!”
<p>
“n Qx lital tI tEbal?”
<p>
“O, jes!”
<p>
“wF iz it V wx nevx At /anet's?” H lital prinsas Askt
/ynatOl. “y, F nO, F nO,” SI sed wiH a slF glAns, “jP
braHx /ipOlIt tOld mI abQt jP gOiNz on. O!” n SI SUk hx
fiNgx At him, “F hAv Ivan hxd v jP dMiNz in /pAris!”
<p>
“n didant /ipOlIt tel V?” Askt /prins /vysili, txniN t
hiz san n sIziN H lital prinsas' Rm Az if SI wUd hAv ran
awE n hI hAd Jast mAniJd t kAc hx, “didant hI tel V hQ
hI himself woz pFniN f H dC prinsas, n hQ SI SOd him H
dP? O, SI iz a pxl amaN wimin, /prinsas,” hI Adad, txniN t
/prinsas /mXi.
<p>
wen /pAris woz menSand, /mAdamwazel /bMrien f hx pRt sIzd H
opxtMniti v JqniN in H Jenxal karant v rekalekSanz.
<p>
SI tUk H libxti v inkwFxiN weHx it woz loN sins /ynatOl
hAd left /pAris n hQ hI hAd lFkt HAt siti. /ynatOl Ansxd H
/frencwUman veri redili n, lUkiN At hx wiH a smFl, tYkt t hx
abQt hx nEtiv lAnd. wen hI sY H priti lital /bMrien, /ynatOl
kEm t H kanklMZan HAt hI wUd not fFnd /bYld /hilz dal FHx.
“not At Yl bAd!” hI TYt, iãAminiN hx, “not At Yl bAd, HAt
lital kampAnjan! F hOp SI wil briN hx aloN wiH hx wen wI'x
mArid, ly patIt est gentille.” *
<p>
    * H lital wan iz cRmiN.
<p>
H Old prins drest lIZxli in hiz stadi, frQniN n kansidxiN
wot hI woz t dM. H kamiN v HIz vizitxz anqd him. “wot R
/prins /vysili n HAt san v hiz t mI? prins /vysili iz a SAlO
brAgxt n hiz san, nO dQt, iz a fFn spesaman,” hI grambald t
himself. wot ANgxd him woz HAt H kamiN v HIz vizitxz rivFvd
in hiz mFnd an ansetald kwescan hI YlwEz trFd t stFfal, wan abQt
wic hI YlwEz disIvd himself. H kwescan woz weHx hI kUd evx
briN himself t pRt from hiz dYtx n giv hx t a hazband. H
prins nevx direktli Askt himself HAt kwescan, nOiN bifPhAnd
HAt hI wUd hAf t Ansx it Jastli, n Jastis klASt not Onli
wiH hiz fIliNz bat wiH H veri posabiliti v lFf. lFf wiHQt
/prinsas /mXi, lital Az hI sImd t vAlV hx, woz anTiNkabal t
him. “n wF SUd SI mAri?” hI TYt. “t bI anhApi f
sxtan. HX'z /lIz, mArid t /AndrM—a betx hazband wan wUd
TiNk kUd hRdli bI fQnd nQadEz—bat iz SI kantentad wiH hx
lot? n hM wUd mAri /mxI f lav? plEn n Ykwxd! HE'l
tEk hx f hx kanekSanz n welT. R HX nO wimin liviN
anmArid, n Ivan H hApC f it?” sO TYt /prins /bOlkOnski
wFl dresiN, n jet H kwescan hI woz YlwEz pUtiN of dimAndad
an imIdWt Ansx. prins /vysili hAd brYt hiz san wiH H evidant
intenSan v prapOziN, n tadE P tamorO hI wUd probabli Ask
f an Ansx. hiz bxT n paziSan in sasFati wx not bAd. “wel,
F'v naTiN agenst it,” H prins sed t himself, “bat hI mast
bI wxHi v hx. n HAt iz wot wI SAl sI.”
<p>
“HAt iz wot wI SAl sI! HAt iz wot wI SAl sI!” hI Adad
alQd.
<p>
hI entxd H drYiN rMm wiH hiz VZMal alxt step, glAnsiN rApidli
rQnd H kampani. hI nOtist H cEnJ in H lital prinsas'
dres, /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z riban, /prinsas /mXi'z anbikamiN
kwyfjUx, /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z n /ynatOl'z smFlz, n H
lOnlinas v hiz dYtx amid H Jenxal konvxsESan. “got hxself
ap lFk a fMl!” hI TYt, lUkiN iritabli At hx. “SI iz
SEmlas, n hI ignPz hx!”
<p>
hI went strEt ap t /prins /vysili.
<p>
“wel! hQ d'jI dM? hQ d'jI dM? glAd t sI V!”
<p>
“frendSip lAfs At distans,” bigAn /prins /vysili in hiz VZMal
rApid, self-konfidant, familC tOn. “hC iz mF sekand san; plIz
lav n bifrend him.”
<p>
prins /bOlkOnski sxvEd /ynatOl.
<p>
“fFn jaN felO! fFn jaN felO!” hI sed. “wel, kam n
kis mI,” n hI ofxd hiz cIk.
<p>
/ynatOl kist H Old mAn, n lUkt At him wiH kjUxiositi n pxfikt
kampOZx, wEtiN f a displE v H eäentrisitiz hiz fyHx hAd
tOld him t iäpekt.
<p>
prins /bOlkOnski sAt dQn in hiz VZMal plEs in H kPnx v H sOfa
n, drYiN ap an RmcX f /prins /vysili, pqntad t it n bigAn
kwescaniN him abQt politikal afXz n nMz. hI sImd t lisan
atentivli t wot /prins /vysili sed, bat kept glAnsiN At /prinsas
/mXi.
<p>
“n sO HE R rFtiN from /potsdAm Ylredi?” hI sed, ripItiN
/prins /vysili'z lAst wxdz. Hen rFziN, hI sadanli went ap t hiz
dYtx.
<p>
“iz it f vizitxz V'v got jPself ap lFk HAt, E?” sed
hI. “fFn, veri fFn! V hAv dan ap jP hX in His nM wE f
H vizitxz, n bifP H vizitxz F tel V HAt in fVcx V R
nevx t dX t cEnJ jP wE v dres wiHQt mF kansent.”
<p>
“it woz mF fYlt, man pere,” intxsIdad H lital prinsas, wiH a
blaS.
<p>
“V mast dM Az V plIz,” sed /prins /bOlkOnski, bQiN t hiz
dYtx-in-lY, “bat SI nId not mEk a fMl v hxself, SI'z
plEn inaf Az it iz.”
<p>
n hI sAt dQn agen, pEiN nO mP atenSan t hiz dYtx, hM woz
ridMst t tCz.
<p>
“on H kontrXi, HAt kwyfjUx sMts H prinsas veri wel,” sed
/prins /vysili.
<p>
“nQ V, jaN prins, wot's jP nEm?” sed /prins /bOlkOnski,
txniN t /ynatOl, “kam hC, let as tYk n get akwEntad.”
<p>
“nQ H fan biginz,” TYt /ynatOl, sitiN dQn wiH a smFl
bisFd H Old prins.
<p>
“wel, mF dC bq, F hC V'v bin eJakEtad abrYd, not tYt
t rId n rFt bF H dIkan, lFk jP fyHx n mI. nQ tel mI,
mF dC bq, R V sxviN in H /hPs /gRdz?” Askt H Old mAn,
skrMtinFziN /ynatOl klOsli n intentli.
<p>
“nO, F hAv bin trAnsfxd t H lFn,” sed /ynatOl, hRdli Ebal
t ristrEn hiz lAftx.
<p>
“y! HAt's a gUd TiN. sO, mF dC bq, V wiS t sxv H
/tsR n H kantri? it iz wPtFm. sac a fFn felO mast sxv.
wel, R V of t H frant?”
<p>
“nO, /prins, Qx reJimant hAz gon t H frant, bat F Am atAct...
wot iz it F Am atAct t, /pypy?” sed /ynatOl, txniN t hiz
fyHx wiH a lAf.
<p>
“a splendid sOlJx, splendid! 'wot Am F atAct t!' hy, hy,
hy!” lAft /prins /bOlkOnski, n /ynatOl lAft stil lQdx.
sadanli /prins /bOlkOnski frQnd.
<p>
“V mE gO,” hI sed t /ynatOl.
<p>
/ynatOl ritxnd smFliN t H lEdiz.
<p>
“n sO V'v hAd him eJakEtad abrYd, /prins /vysili, hAvant
V?” sed H Old prins t /prins /vysili.
<p>
“F hAv dan mF best f him, n F kAn aSUx V H eJakESan HX
iz mac betx HAn Qxz.”
<p>
“jes, evriTiN iz difxant nQadEz, evriTiN iz cEnJd. H
lAd'z a fFn felO, a fFn felO! wel, kam wiH mI nQ.” hI tUk
/prins /vysili'z Rm n led him t hiz stadi. Az sMn Az HE wx
alOn tageHx, /prins /vysili anQnst hiz hOps n wiSaz t H Old
prins.
<p>
“wel, dM V TiNk F SAl privent hx, HAt F kAnt pRt from
hx?” sed H Old prins ANgrili. “wot an FdW! F'm redi f it
tamorO! Onli let mI tel V, F wont t nO mF san-in-lY betx. V
nO mF prinsapalz—evriTiN abavbPd! F wil Ask hx tamorO in
jP prezans; if SI iz wiliN, Hen hI kAn stE on. hI kAn stE n
F'l sI.” H Old prins snPtad. “let hx mAri, it's Yl H
sEm t mI!” hI skrImd in H sEm pCsiN tOn Az wen pRtiN
from hiz san.
<p>
“F wil tel V frANkli,” sed /prins /vysili in H tOn v
a krAfti mAn kanvinst v H fVtiliti v bIiN kaniN wiH sO
kIn-sFtad a kampAnjan. “V nO, V sI rFt TrM pIpal.
/ynatOl iz nO JInWs, bat hI iz an onast, gUdhRtad lAd; an eäalant
san P kinzman.”
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt, wI'l sI!”
<p>
Az YlwEz hApanz wen wimin lId lOnli lFvz f eni leNT v tFm
wiHQt mEl sasFati, on /ynatOl'z apCans Yl H TrI wimin v
/prins /bOlkOnski'z hQshOld felt HAt HX lFf hAd not bin rWl
til Hen. HX pQxz v rIzaniN, fIliN, n abzxviN imIdWtli
inkrIst tenfOld, n HX lFf, wic sImd t hAv bin pAst in
dRknas, woz sadanli lit ap bF a nM brFtnas, fUl v signifikans.
<p>
prinsas /mXi grM kwFt ankonSas v hx fEs n kwyfjUx. H
hAndsam Opan fEs v H mAn hM mFt pxhAps bI hx hazband absPbd
Yl hx atenSan. hI sImd t hx kFnd, brEv, ditxmind, mAnli, n
mAgnAnimas. SI felt kanvinst v HAt. TQzandz v drImz v a fVcx
fAmli lFf kantinVali rOz in hx imAJinESan. SI drOv Hem awE n
trFd t kansIl Hem.
<p>
“bat Am F not tM kOld wiH him?” TYt H prinsas. “F trF
t bI rizxvd bikoz in H depT v mF sOl F fIl tM nC t him
Ylredi, bat Hen hI kAnot nO wot F TiNk v him n mE imAJin
HAt F dM not lFk him.”
<p>
n /prinsas /mXi trFd, bat kUd not mAniJ, t bI kPJal t hx nM
gest. “pUx gxl, SI'z devaliS agli!” TYt /ynatOl.
<p>
/mAdamwazel /bMrien, YlsO rQzd t grEt iäFtmant bF /ynatOl'z
xFval, TYt in anaHx wE. v kPs, SI, a hAndsam jaN wUman
wiHQt eni definit paziSan, wiHQt rilESanz P Ivan a kantri, did
not intend t divOt hx lFf t sxviN /prins /bOlkOnski, t rIdiN
alQd t him n bIiN frendz wiH /prinsas /mXi. /mAdamwazel
/bMrien hAd loN bin wEtiN f a /raSan prins hM, Ebal t
aprISiEt At a glAns hx sMpCiPiti t H plEn, bAdli drest,
angEnli /raSan prinsasaz, wUd fYl in lav wiH hx n kAri hx
of; n hC At lAst woz a /raSan prins. /mAdamwazel /bMrien nM
a stPi, hxd from hx ynt bat finiSt in hx On wE, wic SI
lFkt t ripIt t hxself. it woz H stPi v a gxl hM hAd bin
sidMst, n t hMm hx pUx maHx (/sy pOvra mC) apCd, n
riprOct hx f jIldiN t a mAn wiHQt bIiN mArid. /mAdamwazel
/bMrien woz oftan tact t tCz Az in imAJinESan SI tOld His
stPi t him, hx sidMsx. n nQ hI, a rWl /raSan prins, hAd
apCd. hI wUd kAri hx awE n Hen /sy pOvra mC wUd apC
n hI wUd mAri hx. sO hx fVcx SEpt itself in /mAdamwazel
/bMrien'z hed At H veri tFm SI woz tYkiN t /ynatOl abQt
/pAris. it woz not kAlkVlESan HAt gFdad hx (SI did not Ivan f a
mOment kansidx wot SI SUd dM), bat Yl His hAd loN bin familC
t hx, n nQ HAt /ynatOl hAd apCd it Jast grMpt itself xQnd
him n SI wiSt n trFd t plIz him Az mac Az posabal.
<p>
H lital prinsas, lFk an Old wP hPs HAt hCz H trampat,
ankonSasli n kwFt fxgetiN hx kandiSan, pripXd f H
familC gAlap v kOkatri, wiHQt eni altCC mOtiv P eni
stragal, bat wiH nFIv n lFthRtad gEiti.
<p>
YlHO in fImEl sasFati /ynatOl VZMali asMmd H rOl v a mAn
tFxd v bIiN ran Aftx bF wimin, hiz vAniti woz flAtxd bF H
spektakal v hiz pQx Ovx HIz TrI wimin. bisFdz HAt, hI woz
biginiN t fIl f H priti n pravokativ /mAdamwazel /bMrien
HAt pASanat Animal fIliN wic woz Apt t mAstx him wiH grEt
sadannas n prompt him t H kPsast n mOst reklas AkSanz.
<p>
Aftx tI, H kampani went intM H sitiN rMm n /prinsas /mXi woz
Askt t plE on H klAvikPd. /ynatOl, lAfiN n in hF spirits,
kEm n lInd on hiz elbOz, fEsiN hx n bisFd /mAdamwazel
/bMrien. prinsas /mXi felt hiz lUk wiH a pEnfali Jqas imOSan.
hx fEvxit sanyta bP hx intM a mOst intimatli pOetik wxld n
H lUk SI felt apon hx mEd HAt wxld stil mP pOetik. bat
/ynatOl'z iäpreSan, HO hiz Fz wx fiät on hx, rifxd not
t hx bat t H mMvmants v /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z lital
fUt, wic hI woz Hen taciN wiH hiz On andx H klAvikPd.
/mAdamwazel /bMrien woz YlsO lUkiN At /prinsas /mXi, n in hx
lavli Fz HX woz a lUk v fCfal Jq n hOp HAt woz YlsO nM
t H prinsas.
<p>
“hQ SI lavz mI!” TYt /prinsas /mXi. “hQ hApi F Am nQ,
n hQ hApi F mE bI wiH sac a frend n sac a hazband! hazband?
kAn it bI posabal?” SI TYt, not dXiN t lUk At hiz fEs, bat
stil fIliN hiz Fz gEziN At hx.
<p>
in H IvniN, Aftx sapx, wen Yl wx abQt t ritFx, /ynatOl
kist /prinsas /mXi'z hAnd. SI did not nO hQ SI fQnd H
kariJ, bat SI lUkt strEt intM hiz hAndsam fEs Az it kEm nC
t hx SPtsFtad Fz. txniN from /prinsas /mXi hI went ap n
kist /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z hAnd. (His woz not etiket, bat
Hen hI did evriTiN sO simpli n wiH sac aSUxans!) /mAdamwazel
/bMrien flaSt, n gEv H prinsas a frFtand lUk.
<p>
“wot delikasi!” TYt H prinsas. “iz it posabal HAt
/ymeli” (/mAdamwazel /bMrien) “TiNä F kUd bI Jelas v hx,
n not vAlV hx pjUx afekSan n divOSan t mI?” SI went ap
t hx n kist hx wPmli. /ynatOl went ap t kis H lital
prinsas' hAnd.
<p>
“nO! nO! nO! wen jP fyHx rFts t tel mI HAt V R bihEviN
wel F wil giv V mF hAnd t kis. not til Hen!” SI sed. n
smFliNli rEziN a fiNgx At him, SI left H rMm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
HE Yl sepxEtad, bat, iäept /ynatOl hM fel aslIp Az sMn Az hI
got intM bed, Yl kept awEk a loN tFm HAt nFt.
<p>
“iz hI rWli t bI mF hazband, His strEnJx hM iz sO kFnd—jes,
kFnd, HAt iz H cIf TiN,” TYt /prinsas /mXi; n fC, wic
SI hAd seldam iäpCWnst, kEm apon hx. SI fCd t lUk rQnd, it
sImd t hx HAt samwan woz HX stAndiN bihFnd H skrIn in H
dRk kPnx. n His samwan woz hI—H deval—n hI woz YlsO His
mAn wiH H wFt fPhed, blAk FbrQz, n red lips.
<p>
SI rAN f hx mEd n Askt hx t slIp in hx rMm.
<p>
/mAdamwazel /bMrien wYkt ap n dQn H kansxvatPi f a loN
tFm HAt IvniN, vEnli iäpektiN samwan, nQ smFliN At samwan, nQ
wxkiN hxself ap t tCz wiH H imAJinXi wxdz v hx pOvra mC
ribVkiN hx f hx fYl.
<p>
H lital prinsas grambald t hx mEd HAt hx bed woz bAdli mEd.
SI kUd not lF FHx on hx fEs P on hx sFd. evri paziSan woz
Ykwxd n ankamfxtabal, n hx bxdan aprest hx nQ mP HAn
evx bikoz /ynatOl'z prezans hAd vividli rikYld t hx H tFm
wen SI woz not lFk HAt n wen evriTiN woz lFt n gE. SI
sAt in an RmcX in hx dresiN JAkat n nFtkAp n /kEti, slIpi
n diSevald, bIt n txnd H hevi feHx bed f H Txd
tFm, matxiN t hxself.
<p>
“F tOld V it woz Yl lamps n hOlz!” H lital prinsas
ripItad. “F SUd bI glAd inaf t fYl aslIp, sO it's not mF
fYlt!” n hx vqs kwivxd lFk HAt v a cFld abQt t krF.
<p>
H Old prins did not slIp FHx. /tiâOn, hAf aslIp, hxd him
pEsiN ANgrili abQt n snPtiN. H Old prins felt Az HO hI
hAd bin insaltad TrM hiz dYtx. H insalt woz H mP pqntad
bikoz it kansxnd not himself bat anaHx, hiz dYtx, hMm hI
lavd mP HAn himself. hI kept teliN himself HAt hI wUd kansidx
H hOl mAtx n disFd wot woz rFt n hQ hI SUd Akt, bat
insted v HAt hI Onli iäFtad himself mP n mP.
<p>
“H fxst mAn HAt txnz ap—SI fxgets hx fyHx n evriTiN
els, ranz apstXz n daz ap hx hX n wAã hx tEl n iz anlFk
hxself! glAd t TrO hx fyHx Ovx! n SI nM F SUd nOtis
it. fr... fr... fr! n dOnt F sI HAt HAt idWt hAd Fz Onli f
/bMrien—F SAl hAf t get rid v hx. n hQ iz it SI hAz not
prFd inaf t sI it? if SI hAz nO prFd f hxself SI mFt At
lIst hAv sam f mF sEk! SI mast bI SOn HAt H blokhed TiNä
naTiN v hx n lUä Onli At /bMrien. nO, SI hAz nO prFd... bat
F'l let hx sI....”
<p>
H Old prins nM HAt if hI tOld hiz dYtx SI woz mEkiN a
mistEk n HAt /ynatOl ment t flxt wiH /mAdamwazel /bMrien,
/prinsas /mXi'z self-istIm wUd bI wMndad n hiz pqnt (not t
bI pRtad from hx) wUd bI gEnd, sO pAsifFiN himself wiH His
TYt, hI kYld /tiâOn n bigAn t andres.
<p>
“wot deval brYt Hem hC?” TYt hI, wFl /tiâOn woz
pUtiN H nFtSxt Ovx hiz drFd-ap Old bodi n grE-hXd cest.
“F nevx invFtad Hem. HE kEm t distxb mF lFf—n HX iz not
mac v it left.”
<p>
“deval tEk 'am!” hI matxd, wFl hiz hed woz stil kavxd bF
H Sxt.
<p>
/tiâOn nM hiz mAstx'z hAbit v samtFmz TiNkiN alQd, n
HXfP met wiH anYltxd lUä H ANgrili inkwizitiv iäpreSan v
H fEs HAt imxJd from H Sxt.
<p>
“gon t bed?” Askt H prins.
<p>
/tiâOn, lFk Yl gUd vAlEz, instiNktivli nM H direkSan v hiz
mAstx'z TYts. hI gest HAt H kwescan rifxd t /prins
/vysili n hiz san.
<p>
“HE hAv gon t bed n pUt Qt HX lFts, jP eäalansi.”
<p>
“nO gUd... nO gUd...” sed H prins rApidli, n TrastiN hiz
fIt intM hiz slipxz n hiz Rmz intM H slIvz v hiz dresiN
gQn, hI went t H kQc on wic hI slept.
<p>
HO nO wxdz hAd pAst bitwIn /ynatOl n /mAdamwazel /bMrien,
HE kwFt andxstUd wan anaHx Az t H fxst pRt v HX rOmAns,
ap t H apCans v H pOvra mC; HE andxstUd HAt HE hAd
mac t sE t wan anaHx in prFvat n sO HE hAd bin sIkiN an
opxtMniti sins mPniN t mIt wan anaHx alOn. wen /prinsas /mXi
went t hx fyHx'z rMm At H VZMal Qx, /mAdamwazel /bMrien
n /ynatOl met in H kansxvatPi.
<p>
prinsas /mXi went t H dP v H stadi wiH speSal trepidESan.
it sImd t hx HAt not Onli did evribodi nO HAt hx fEt wUd bI
disFdad HAt dE, bat HAt HE YlsO nM wot SI TYt abQt it. SI
red His in /tiâOn'z fEs n in HAt v /prins /vysili'z vAlE,
hM mEd hx a lO bQ wen SI met him in H koridP kAriiN hot
wYtx.
<p>
H Old prins woz veri afekSanat n kXfal in hiz trItmant v
hiz dYtx HAt mPniN. prinsas /mXi wel nM His pEnztEkiN
iäpreSan v hx fyHx'z. hiz fEs wP HAt iäpreSan wen hiz
drF hAndz klenct wiH veäESan At hx not andxstAndiN a sam in
xiTmatik, wen rFziN from hiz cX hI wUd wYk awE from hx,
ripItiN in a lO vqs H sEm wxdz sevxal tFmz Ovx.
<p>
hI kEm t H pqnt At wans, trItiN hx serimOnWsli.
<p>
“F hAv hAd a propaziSan mEd mI kansxniN V,” hI sed wiH an
annAcxal smFl. “F iäpekt V hAv gest HAt /prins /vysili hAz
not kam n brYt hiz pVpal wiH him” (f sam rIzan /prins
/bOlkOnski rifxd t /ynatOl Az a “pVpal”) “f H sEk v mF
bVtifal Fz. lAst nFt a propaziSan woz mEd mI on jP akQnt
n, Az V nO mF prinsapalz, F rifx it t V.”
<p>
“hQ Am F t andxstAnd V, man pere?” sed H prinsas, grOiN
pEl n Hen blaSiN.
<p>
“hQ andxstAnd mI!” krFd hx fyHx ANgrili. “prins /vysili
fFndz V t hiz tEst Az a dYtx-in-lY n mEä a prapOzal t V
on hiz pVpal'z bihAf. HAt's hQ it's t bI andxstUd! 'hQ
andxstAnd it'!... n F Ask V!”
<p>
“F dM not nO wot V TiNk, /fyHx,” wispxd H prinsas.
<p>
“F? F? wot v mI? lIv mI Qt v H kwescan. F'm not gOiN t
get mArid. wot abQt V? HAt's wot F wont t nO.”
<p>
H prinsas sY HAt hx fyHx rigRdad H mAtx wiH disaprMval,
bat At HAt mOment H TYt akxd t hx HAt hx fEt wUd bI
disFdad nQ P nevx. SI lOxd hx Fz sO Az not t sI H gEz
andx wic SI felt HAt SI kUd not TiNk, bat wUd Onli bI Ebal t
sabmit from hAbit, n SI sed: “F wiS Onli t dM jP wil, bat if
F hAd t iäpres mF On dizFx...” SI hAd nO tFm t finiS. H Old
prins intxaptad hx.
<p>
“HAt's Admxabal!” hI SQtad. “hI wil tEk V wiH jP
dQxi n tEk /mAdamwazel /bMrien intM H bRgin. SI'l bI H
wFf, wFl V...”
<p>
H prins stopt. hI sY H ifekt HIz wxdz hAd prOdMst on hiz
dYtx. SI lOxd hx hed n woz redi t bxst intM tCz.
<p>
“nQ Hen, nQ Hen, F'm Onli JOkiN!” hI sed. “rimembx His,
/prinsas, F hOld t H prinsapal HAt a mEdan hAz a fUl rFt t
cMz. F giv V frIdam. Onli rimembx HAt jP lFf's hApinas
dipendz on jP disiZan. nevx mFnd mI!”
<p>
“bat F dM not nO, /fyHx!”
<p>
“HX'z nO nId t tYk! hI risIvz hiz Pdxz n wil mAri V
P enibodi; bat V R frI t cMz.... gO t jP rMm, TiNk it
Ovx, n kam bAk in an Qx n tel mI in hiz prezans: jes P nO.
F nO V wil prE Ovx it. wel, prE if V lFk, bat V hAd betx
TiNk it Ovx. gO! jes P nO, jes P nO, jes P nO!” hI stil SQtad
wen H prinsas, Az if lost in a fog, hAd Ylredi stAgxd Qt v H
stadi.
<p>
hx fEt woz disFdad n hApili disFdad. bat wot hx fyHx hAd sed
abQt /mAdamwazel /bMrien woz dredfal. it woz antrM t bI SUx, bat
stil it woz teribal, n SI kUd not help TiNkiN v it. SI woz
gOiN strEt on TrM H kansxvatPi, nFHx sIiN nP hCiN
eniTiN, wen sadanli H wel-nOn wispxiN v /mAdamwazel
/bMrien xQzd hx. SI rEzd hx Fz, n tM steps awE sY
/ynatOl imbrEsiN H /frencwUman n wispxiN samTiN t hx. wiH
a horifFd iäpreSan on hiz hAndsam fEs, /ynatOl lUkt At /prinsas
/mXi, bat did not At wans tEk hiz Rm from H wEst v /mAdamwazel
/bMrien hM hAd not jet sIn hx.
<p>
“hM'z HAt? wF? wEt a mOment!” /ynatOl'z fEs sImd t sE.
prinsas /mXi lUkt At Hem in sFlans. SI kUd not andxstAnd it. At
lAst /mAdamwazel /bMrien gEv a skrIm n rAn awE. /ynatOl bQd t
/prinsas /mXi wiH a gE smFl, Az if invFtiN hx t Jqn in a lAf At
His strEnJ insidant, n Hen SragiN hiz SOldxz went t H dP
HAt led t hiz On apRtmants.
<p>
an Qx lEtx, /tiâOn kEm t kYl /prinsas /mXi t H Old prins;
hI Adad HAt /prins /vysili woz YlsO HX. wen /tiâOn kEm t hx
/prinsas /mXi woz sitiN on H sOfa in hx rMm, hOldiN H wIpiN
/mAdamwazel /bMrien in hx Rmz n Jentli strOkiN hx hX. H
prinsas' bVtifal Fz wiH Yl HX fPmx kym rEdWns wx
lUkiN wiH tendx afekSan n piti At /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z
priti fEs.
<p>
“nO, /prinsas, F hAv lost jP afekSan fxevx!” sed
/mAdamwazel /bMrien.
<p>
“wF? F lav V mP HAn evx,” sed /prinsas /mXi, “n F wil
trF t dM Yl F kAn f jP hApinas.”
<p>
“bat V dispFz mI. V hM R sO pjUx kAn nevx andxstAnd bIiN sO
kArid awE bF pASan. O, Onli mF pUx maHx...”
<p>
“F kwFt andxstAnd,” Ansxd /prinsas /mXi, wiH a sAd smFl.
“kym jPself, mF dC. F wil gO t mF fyHx,” SI sed, n went
Qt.
<p>
prins /vysili, wiH wan leg TrOn hF Ovx H aHx n a snafboä
in hiz hAnd, woz sitiN HX wiH a smFl v dIp imOSan on hiz fEs,
Az if stxd t hiz hRt's kP n himself rigretiN n lAfiN
At hiz On sensabiliti, wen /prinsas /mXi entxd. hI haridli tUk a
pinc v snaf.
<p>
“y, mF dC, mF dC!” hI bigAn, rFziN n tEkiN hx bF bOT
hAndz. Hen, sFiN, hI Adad: “mF san'z fEt iz in jP hAndz.
disFd, mF dC, gUd, Jental /mxI, hMm F hAv YlwEz lavd Az a
dYtx!”
<p>
hI drM bAk n a rWl tC apCd in hiz F.
<p>
“fr... fr...” snPtad /prins /bOlkOnski. “H prins iz mEkiN a
propaziSan t V in hiz pVpal'z—F mIn, hiz san'z—nEm. dM V
wiS P not t bI /prins /ynatOl /kMrygin'z wFf? riplF: jes P nO,”
hI SQtad, “n Hen F SAl rizxv H rFt t stEt mF apinjan
YlsO. jes, mF apinjan, n Onli mF apinjan,” Adad /prins /bOlkOnski,
txniN t /prins /vysili n AnsxiN hiz implPiN lUk. “jes, P
nO?”
<p>
“mF dizFx iz nevx t lIv V, /fyHx, nevx t sepxEt mF
lFf from jPz. F dOnt wiS t mAri,” SI Ansxd pozitivli,
glAnsiN At /prins /vysili n At hx fyHx wiH hx bVtifal Fz.
<p>
“hambag! nonsens! hambag, hambag, hambag!” krFd /prins /bOlkOnski,
frQniN n tEkiN hiz dYtx'z hAnd; hI did not kis hx, bat Onli
bendiN hiz fPhed t hxz Jast tact it, n prest hx hAnd sO
HAt SI winst n atxd a krF.
<p>
prins /vysili rOz.
<p>
“mF dC, F mast tel V HAt His iz a mOment F SAl nevx, nevx
fxget. bat, mF dC, wil V not giv as a lital hOp v taciN
His hRt, sO kFnd n Jenxas? sE 'pxhAps'... H fVcx iz sO
loN. sE 'pxhAps.'”
<p>
“prins, wot F hAv sed iz Yl HX iz in mF hRt. F TANk V f
H onx, bat F SAl nevx bI jP san'z wFf.”
<p>
“wel, sO HAt's finiSt, mF dC felO! F Am veri glAd t hAv
sIn V. veri glAd! gO bAk t jP rMmz, /prinsas. gO!” sed
H Old prins. “veri, veri glAd t hAv sIn V,” ripItad hI,
imbrEsiN /prins /vysili.
<p>
“mF vOkESan iz a difxant wan,” TYt /prinsas /mXi. “mF
vOkESan iz t bI hApi wiH anaHx kFnd v hApinas, H hApinas
v lav n self-sAkrifFs. n kost wot it mE, F wil xEnJ
pUx /ymeli'z hApinas, SI lavz him sO pASanatli, n sO
pASanatli ripents. F wil dM Yl F kAn t xEnJ H mAc bitwIn
Hem. if hI iz not ric F wil giv hx H mInz; F wil Ask mF
fyHx n /AndrM. F SAl bI sO hApi wen SI iz hiz wFf. SI iz sO
anfPcanat, a strEnJx, alOn, helplas! n, O /god, hQ pASanatli
SI mast lav him if SI kUd sO fR fxget hxself! pxhAps F mFt
hAv dan H sEm!...” TYt /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
it woz loN sins H /rOstOfs hAd nMz v /nikalas. not til midwintx
woz H kQnt At lAst hAndad a letx adrest in hiz san'z
hAndrFtiN. on risIviN it, hI rAn on tiptO t hiz stadi in alRm n
hEst, trFiN t iskEp nOtis, klOzd H dP, n bigAn t rId H
letx.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna, hM YlwEz nM evriTiN HAt pAst in H hQs,
on hCiN v H xFval v H letx went softli intM H rMm n
fQnd H kQnt wiH it in hiz hAnd, sobiN n lAfiN At H sEm
tFm.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna, HO hx sxkamstAnsaz hAd imprMvd, woz stil
liviN wiH H /rOstOfs.
<p>
“mF dC frend?” sed SI, in a tOn v paTetik inkwFxi, pripXd
t simpaTFz in eni wE.
<p>
H kQnt sobd jet mP.
<p>
“/nikOlenka... a letx... /wy... a... z... wMndad... mF dRliN
bq... H kQntas... pramOtad t bI an ofisx... TANk /god... hQ
tel H lital kQntas!”
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna sAt dQn bisFd him, wiH hx On hANkxcif wFpt
H tCz from hiz Fz n from H letx, Hen hAviN drFd hx
On Fz SI kamfxtad H kQnt, n disFdad HAt At dinx n til
tItFm SI wUd pripX H kQntas, n Aftx tI, wiH /god'z
help, wUd infPm hx.
<p>
At dinx /Ana /miâFlOvna tYkt H hOl tFm abQt H wP nMz
n abQt /nikOlenka, twFs Askt wen H lAst letx hAd bin risIvd
from him, HO SI nM HAt Ylredi, n rimRkt HAt HE mFt
veri lFkli bI getiN a letx from him HAt dE. Ic tFm HAt HIz
hints bigAn t mEk H kQntas ANkSas n SI glAnst anIzili At
H kQnt n At /Ana /miâFlOvna, H lAtx veri adrqtli txnd
H konvxsESan t insignifikant mAtxz. /nytySa, hM, v H hOl
fAmli, woz H mOst giftad wiH a kapAsiti t fIl eni SEdz v
intanESan, lUk, n iäpreSan, prikt ap hx Cz from H biginiN
v H mIl n woz sxtan HAt HX woz sam sIkrat bitwIn hx
fyHx n /Ana /miâFlOvna, HAt it hAd samTiN t dM wiH hx
braHx, n HAt /Ana /miâFlOvna woz pripXiN Hem f it. bOld Az
SI woz, /nytySa, hM nM hQ sensitiv hx maHx woz t eniTiN
rilEtiN t /nikOlenka, did not vencx t Ask eni kwescanz At dinx,
bat SI woz tM iäFtad t It eniTiN n kept rigaliN abQt on hx
cX rigRdlas v hx gavxnas' rimRä. Aftx dinx, SI raSt
hedloN Aftx /Ana /miâFlOvna n, dASiN At hx, flaN hxself on
hx nek Az sMn Az SI OvxtUk hx in H sitiN rMm.
<p>
“ynti, dRliN, dM tel mI wot it iz!”
<p>
“naTiN, mF dC.”
<p>
“nO, dCast, swIt wan, hani, F wOnt giv ap—F nO V nO
samTiN.”
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna SUk hx hed.
<p>
“V R a lital slFbMts,” SI sed.
<p>
“a letx from /nikOlenka! F'm SUx v it!” iäklEmd /nytySa,
rIdiN konfxmESan in /Ana /miâFlOvna'z fEs.
<p>
“bat f /god'z sEk, bI kXfal, V nO hQ it mE afekt jP
mymy.”
<p>
“F wil, F wil, Onli tel mI! V wOnt? Hen F wil gO n tel At
wans.”
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna, in a fV wxdz, tOld hx H kontents v H letx,
on kandiSan HAt SI SUd tel nO wan.
<p>
“nO, on mF trM wxd v onx,” sed /nytySa, krosiN hxself,
“F wOnt tel eniwan!” n SI rAn of At wans t /sonja.
<p>
“/nikOlenka... wMndad... a letx,” SI anQnst in glIfal
trFamf.
<p>
“/nikalas!” woz Yl /sonja sed, instantli txniN wFt.
<p>
/nytySa, sIiN H impreSan H nMz v hx braHx'z wMnd
prOdMst on /sonja, felt f H fxst tFm H sorOfal sFd v H
nMz.
<p>
SI raSt t /sonja, hagd hx, n bigAn t krF.
<p>
“a lital wMnd, bat hI hAz bin mEd an ofisx; hI iz wel nQ, hI
rOt himself,” sed SI TrM hx tCz.
<p>
“HX nQ! it's trM HAt Yl V wimin R krFbEbiz,” rimRkt
/petja, pEsiN H rMm wiH lRJ, rezalMt strFdz. “nQ F'm veri
glAd, veri glAd indId, HAt mF braHx hAz distiNgwiSt himself sO.
V R Yl blabxxz n andxstAnd naTiN.”
<p>
/nytySa smFld TrM hx tCz.
<p>
“V hAvant red H letx?” Askt /sonja.
<p>
“nO, bat SI sed HAt it woz Yl Ovx n HAt hI'z nQ an
ofisx.”
<p>
“TANk /god!” sed /sonja, krosiN hxself. “bat pxhAps SI
disIvd V. let as gO t /mymy.”
<p>
/petja pEst H rMm in sFlans f a tFm.
<p>
“if F'd bin in /nikOlenka'z plEs F wUd hAv kild Ivan mP
v HOz /frencmen,” hI sed. “wot nAsti brMts HE R! F'd
hAv kild sO meni HAt HX'd hAv bin a hIp v Hem.”
<p>
“hOld jP taN, /petja, wot a gMs V R!”
<p>
“F'm not a gMs, bat HE R hM krF abQt trFfalz,” sed
/petja.
<p>
“dM V rimembx him?” /nytySa sadanli Askt, Aftx a mOment's
sFlans.
<p>
/sonja smFld.
<p>
“dM F rimembx /nikalas?”
<p>
“nO, /sonja, bat dM V rimembx sO HAt V rimembx him pxfiktli,
rimembx evriTiN?” sed /nytySa, wiH an iäpresiv Jescx,
evidentli wiSiN t giv hx wxdz a veri definit mIniN. “F
rimembx /nikOlenka tM, F rimembx him wel,” SI sed. “bat F
dOnt rimembx /bPis. F dOnt rimembx him a bit.”
<p>
“wot! V dOnt rimembx /bPis?” Askt /sonja in sxprFz.
<p>
“it's not HAt F dOnt rimembx—F nO wot hI iz lFk, bat not
Az F rimembx /nikOlenka. him—F Jast Sat mF Fz n rimembx,
bat /bPis... nO!” (SI Sat hx Fz.) “nO! HX'z naTiN At
Yl.”
<p>
“O, /nytySa!” sed /sonja, lUkiN iätAtikli n xnastli At
hx frend Az if SI did not kansidx hx wxHi t hC wot SI ment
t sE n Az if SI wx sEiN it t samwan els, wiH hMm JOkiN
woz Qt v H kwescan, “F Am in lav wiH jP braHx wans f Yl
n, wotevx mE hApan t him P t mI, SAl nevx sIs t lav him
Az loN Az F liv.”
<p>
/nytySa lUkt At /sonja wiH wandxiN n inkwizitiv Fz, n sed
naTiN. SI felt HAt /sonja woz spIkiN H trMT, HAt HX woz
sac lav Az /sonja woz spIkiN v. bat /nytySa hAd not jet felt
eniTiN lFk it. SI bilIvd it kUd bI, bat did not andxstAnd it.
<p>
“SAl V rFt t him?” SI Askt.
<p>
/sonja bikEm TYtfal. H kwescan v hQ t rFt t /nikalas, n
weHx SI Yt t rFt, tPmentad hx. nQ HAt hI woz Ylredi an
ofisx n a wMndad hCO, wUd it bI rFt t rimFnd him v hxself
n, Az it mFt sIm, v H obligESanz t hx hI hAd tEkan on
himself?
<p>
“F dOnt nO. F TiNk if hI rFts, F wil rFt tM,” SI sed,
blaSiN.
<p>
“n V wOnt fIl aSEmd t rFt t him?”
<p>
/sonja smFld.
<p>
“nO.”
<p>
“n F SUd bI aSEmd t rFt t /bPis. F'm not gOiN t.”
<p>
“wF SUd V bI aSEmd?”
<p>
“wel, F dOnt nO. it's Ykwxd n wUd mEk mI aSEmd.”
<p>
“n F nO wF SI'd bI aSEmd,” sed /petja, afendad bF
/nytySa'z prIvWs rimRk. “it's bikoz SI woz in lav wiH
HAt fAt wan in spektakalz” (HAt woz hQ /petja diskrFbd hiz
nEmsEk, H nM /kQnt /bezMâOf) “n nQ SI'z in lav wiH HAt
siNx” (hI ment /nytySa'z /itAlWn siNiN mAstx), “HAt's
wF SI'z aSEmd!”
<p>
“/petja, V'x stMpid!” sed /nytySa.
<p>
“not mP stMpid HAn V, mAdam,” sed H nFn-jC-Old /petja,
wiH H X v an Old brigadC.
<p>
H kQntas hAd bin pripXd bF /Ana /miâFlOvna'z hints At dinx.
on ritFxiN t hx On rMm, SI sAt in an RmcX, hx Fz fiät on a
minWcx pPtrEt v hx san on H lid v a snafboä, wFl H tCz
kept kamiN intM hx Fz. Ana /miâFlOvna, wiH H letx, kEm on
tiptO t H kQntas' dP n pYzd.
<p>
“dOnt kam in,” SI sed t H Old kQnt hM woz folOiN hx.
“kam lEtx.” n SI went in, klOziN H dP bihFnd hx.
<p>
H kQnt pUt hiz C t H kIhOl n lisand.
<p>
At fxst hI hxd H sQnd v indifxant vqsaz, Hen /Ana
/miâFlOvna'z vqs alOn in a loN spIc, Hen a krF, Hen sFlans,
Hen bOT vqsaz tageHx wiH glAd intanESanz, n Hen fUtsteps.
Ana /miâFlOvna Opand H dP. hx fEs wP H prQd iäpreSan
v a sxJan hM hAz Jast pxfPmd a difikalt opxESan n admits H
pablik t aprISiEt hiz skil.
<p>
“it iz dan!” SI sed t H kQnt, pqntiN trFamfantli t H
kQntas, hM sAt hOldiN in wan hAnd H snafboä wiH its pPtrEt n
in H aHx H letx, n presiN Hem Yltxnatli t hx lips.
<p>
wen SI sY H kQnt, SI strect Qt hx Rmz t him, imbrEst hiz
bYld hed, Ovx wic SI agen lUkt At H letx n H pPtrEt,
n in Pdx t pres Hem agen t hx lips, SI slFtli pUSt awE
H bYld hed. /vCa, /nytySa, /sonja, n /petja nQ entxd H rMm,
n H rIdiN v H letx bigAn. Aftx a brIf diskripSan v
H kAmpEn n H tM bAtalz in wic hI hAd tEkan pRt, n hiz
pramOSan, /nikalas sed HAt hI kist hiz fyHx'z n maHx'z
hAndz AskiN f HX blesiN, n HAt hI kist /vCa, /nytySa, n
/petja. bisFdz HAt, hI sent grItiNz t /masjx /SeliN, /madym
/Sos, n hiz Old nxs, n Askt Hem t kis f him “dC
/sonja, hMm hI lavd n TYt v Jast H sEm Az evx.” wen SI
hxd His /sonja blaSt sO HAt tCz kEm intM hx Fz n, anEbal
t bX H lUä txnd apon hx, rAn awE intM H dAnsiN hYl,
wxld rQnd it At fUl spId wiH hx dres paft Qt lFk a balMn,
n, flaSt n smFliN, plampt dQn on H flP. H kQntas woz
krFiN.
<p>
“wF R V krFiN, /mymy?” Askt /vCa. “from Yl hI sez wan
SUd bI glAd n not krF.”
<p>
His woz kwFt trM, bat H kQnt, H kQntas, n /nytySa lUkt
At hx riprOcfali. “n hM iz it SI tEä Aftx?” TYt H
kQntas.
<p>
/nikalas' letx woz red Ovx handradz v tFmz, n HOz hM wx
kansidxd wxHi t hC it hAd t kam t H kQntas, f SI
did not let it Qt v hx hAndz. H tMtxz kEm, n H nxsaz, n
/dmItri, n sevxal akwEntansaz, n H kQntas rIred H letx
Ic tFm wiH freS pleZx n Ic tFm diskavxd in it freS
prMfs v /nikOlenka'z vxcMz. hQ strEnJ, hQ iätrPdinXi, hQ
Jqfal it sImd, HAt hx san, H skXsli pxseptabal mOSan v hMz
tFni limz SI hAd felt twenti jCz agO wiHin hx, HAt san abQt hMm
SI Vst t hAv kworalz wiH H tM indalJant kQnt, HAt san hM
hAd fxst lxnd t sE “pX” n Hen “grAni,” HAt His san
SUd nQ bI awE in a forin lAnd amid strEnJ sxQndiNz, a mAnli
wPC dMiN sam kFnd v mAn'z wxk v hiz On, wiHQt help P
gFdans. H Vnivxsal iäpCWns v EJaz, SOiN HAt cildran dM
grO impxseptabli from H krEdal t mAnhUd, did not iãist f H
kQntas. hx san'z grOT tPd mAnhUd, At Ic v its stEJaz,
hAd sImd Az iätrPdinXi t hx Az if HX hAd nevx iãistad H
milWnz v hVman bIiNz hM grM ap in H sEm wE. Az twenti
jCz bifP, it sImd imposabal HAt H lital krIcx hM livd
samwX andx hx hRt wUd evx krF, sak hx brest, n bigin t
spIk, sO nQ SI kUd not bilIv HAt HAt lital krIcx kUd bI
His stroN, brEv mAn, His modal san n ofisx HAt, JaJiN bF His
letx, hI nQ woz.
<p>
“wot a stFl! hQ cRmiNli hI diskrFbz!” sed SI, rIdiN H
diskriptiv pRt v H letx. “n wot a sOl! not a wxd abQt
himself.... not a wxd! abQt sam /denisOf P aHx, HO hI himself,
F dX sE, iz brEvx HAn eni v Hem. hI sez naTiN abQt hiz
safxiNz. wot a hRt! hQ lFk him it iz! n hQ hI hAz rimembxd
evribodi! not fxgetiN eniwan. F YlwEz sed wen hI woz Onli sO
hF—F YlwEz sed....”
<p>
f mP HAn a wIk prepxESanz wx bIiN mEd, raf drAfts v
letxz t /nikalas from Yl H hQshOld wx ritan n kopid Qt,
wFl andx H sMpxviZan v H kQntas n H salisitMd v H
kQnt, mani n Yl TiNz nesisXi f H VnifPm n ikwipmant
v H nMli kamiSand ofisx wx kalektad. Ana /miâFlOvna,
prAktikal wUman HAt SI woz, hAd Ivan mAniJd bF fEvx wiH Rmi
YToritiz t sikjUx AdvantEJas mInz v kamVnikESan f hxself
n hx san. SI hAd opxtMnitiz v sendiN hx letxz t H /grAnd
/dMk /konstantIn /pyvlOvic, hM kamAndad H /gRdz. H /rOstOfs
sapOzd HAt H /raSan /gRdz, /abrYd, woz kwFt a definit adres,
n HAt if a letx rIct H /grAnd /dMk in kamAnd v H /gRdz
HX woz nO rIzan wF it SUd not rIc H /pyvlOgryd reJimant,
wic woz prizMmabli samwX in H sEm nEbxhUd. n sO it woz
disFdad t send H letxz n mani bF H /grAnd /dMk's kUrC t
/bPis n /bPis woz t fPwxd Hem t /nikalas. H letxz wx from
H Old kQnt, H kQntas, /petja, /vCa, /nytySa, n /sonja, n
fFnali HX wx siä TQzand rMbalz f hiz Qtfit n vXWs aHx
TiNz H Old kQnt sent t hiz san.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
on H twelfT v nOvembx, /kMtMzOf's Aktiv Rmi, in kAmp bifP
/OlmUts, woz pripXiN t bI rivVd neät dE bF H tM /empxxz—H
/raSan n H /ostrWn. H /gRdz, Jast xFvd from /raSa, spent
H nFt ten mFlz from /OlmUts n neät mPniN wx t kam strEt
t H rivV, rIciN H fIld At /OlmUts bF ten O'klok.
<p>
HAt dE /nikalas /rOstOf risIvd a letx from /bPis, teliN him
HAt H /izmElOf reJimant woz kwPtxd f H nFt ten mFlz from
/OlmUts n HAt hI wontad t sI him Az hI hAd a letx n mani f
him. /rOstOf woz pxtikVlxli in nId v mani nQ HAt H trMps,
Aftx HX Aktiv sxvis, wx stESand nC /OlmUts n H kAmp
swPmd wiH wel-praviZand /satlxz n /ostrWn /JMz ofxiN
Yl sPts v temptiN wXz. H /pyvlOgrydz held fIst Aftx fIst,
selabrEtiN awPdz HE hAd risIvd f H kAmpEn, n mEd
eäpidiSanz t /OlmUts t vizit a sxtan /kAralFn H /haNgXWn,
hM hAd rIsantli Opand a restxont HX wiH gxlz Az wEtrasaz.
/rOstOf, hM hAd Jast selabrEtad hiz pramOSan t a kPnetsi n bYt
/denisOf's hPs, /bedMin, woz in det Yl rQnd, t hiz komrAdz n
H /satlxz. on risIviN /bPis' letx hI rOd wiH a felO ofisx
t /OlmUts, dFnd HX, drANk a botal v wFn, n Hen set of alOn
t H /gRdz' kAmp t fFnd hiz Old plEmEt. /rOstOf hAd not jet hAd
tFm t get hiz VnifPm. hI hAd on a SAbi kadet JAkat, dekxEtad wiH
a sOlJx'z kros, Ikwali SAbi kadet's rFdiN brIcaz lFnd wiH
wPn leHx, n an ofisx'z sEbx wiH a sPd not. H /don hPs
hI woz rFdiN woz wan hI hAd bYt from a /kosAk dxiN H kAmpEn,
n hI wP a krampald hMsR kAp stak JYntili bAk on wan sFd v hiz
hed. Az hI rOd ap t H kAmp hI TYt hQ hI wUd impres /bPis
n Yl hiz komrAdz v H /gRdz bF hiz apCans—HAt v a
fFtiN hMsR hM hAd bin andx fFx.
<p>
H /gRdz hAd mEd HX hOl mRc Az if on a pleZx trip, pxEdiN
HX klenlinas n disiplin. HE hAd kam bF Izi stEJaz, HX
nApsAä kanvEd on kRts, n H /ostrWn YToritiz hAd pravFdad
eäalant dinxz f H ofisxz At evri hYltiN plEs. H reJimants
hAd entxd n left H tQn wiH HX bAndz plEiN, n bF H /grAnd
/dMk's Pdxz H men hAd mRct Yl H wE in step (a prAktis on
wic H /gRdz prFdad Hemselvz), H ofisxz on fUt n At HX
propx pOsts. bPis hAd bin kwPtxd, n hAd mRct Yl H
wE, wiH /bxg hM woz Ylredi in kamAnd v a kampani. bxg, hM hAd
abtEnd hiz kAptinsi dxiN H kAmpEn, hAd gEnd H konfidans v
hiz sMpCCz bF hiz promptitMd n Akjxasi n hAd xEnJd hiz mani
mAtxz veri sAtisfAktxili. bPis, dxiN H kAmpEn, hAd mEd H
akwEntans v meni pxsanz hM mFt prMv Vsfal t him, n bF
a letx v rekamendESan hI hAd brYt from /piX hAd bikam
akwEntad wiH /prins /AndrM /bOlkOnski, TrM hMm hI hOpt t
abtEn a pOst on H kamAndx in cIf's stAf. bxg n /bPis,
hAviN restad Aftx jestxdE'z mRc, wx sitiN, klIn n nItli
drest, At a rQnd tEbal in H klIn kwPtxz alotad t Hem,
plEiN ces. bxg held a smOkiN pFp bitwIn hiz nIz. bPis, in
H Akjxat wE kAraktxistik v him, woz bildiN a lital piramid v
cesmen wiH hiz delikat wFt fiNgxz wFl awEtiN /bxg'z mMv,
n woct hiz apOnant's fEs, evidentli TiNkiN abQt H gEm Az
hI YlwEz TYt Onli v wotevx hI woz ingEJd on.
<p>
“wel, hQ R V gOiN t get Qt v HAt?” hI rimRkt.
<p>
“wI'l trF t,” riplFd /bxg, taciN a pYn n Hen rimMviN
hiz hAnd.
<p>
At HAt mOment H dP Opand.
<p>
“hC hI iz At lAst!” SQtad /rOstOf. “n /bxg tM! O, V
pItisanfanz, alE kUSE dPmC!” hI iäklEmd, imitEtiN hiz /raSan
nxs'az /frenc, At wic hI n /bPis Vst t lAf loN agO.
<p>
“dC mI, hQ V hAv cEnJd!”
<p>
bPis rOz t mIt /rOstOf, bat in dMiN sO did not Omit t stedi n
riplEs sam cesmen HAt wx fYliN. hI woz abQt t imbrEs hiz
frend, bat /nikalas avqdad him. wiH HAt pikVlC fIliN v VT,
HAt dred v bItan trAä, n wiS t iäpres itself in a mAnx
difxant from HAt v its eldxz wic iz oftan insinsC, /nikalas
wiSt t dM samTiN speSal on mItiN hiz frend. hI wontad t pinc
him, pUS him, dM eniTiN bat kis him—a TiN evribodi did. bat
notwiHstAndiN His, /bPis imbrEst him in a kwFat, frendli wE n
kist him TrI tFmz.
<p>
HE hAd not met f nCli hAf a jC n, bIiN At H EJ wen jaN
men tEk HX fxst steps on lFf's rOd, Ic sY imens cEnJaz in
H aHx, kwFt a nM riflekSan v H sasFati in wic HE hAd tEkan
HOz fxst steps. bOT hAd cEnJd grEtli sins HE lAst met n bOT
wx in a hari t SO H cEnJaz HAt hAd tEkan plEs in Hem.
<p>
“O, V dAmd dAndiz! klIn n freS Az if V'd bin t a fEt,
not lFk as sinxz v H lFn,” krFd /rOstOf, wiH mRSal swAgx
n wiH bAritOn nOts in hiz vqs, nM t /bPis, pqntiN t hiz On
mad-bispAtxd brIcaz. H /Jxman lAndlEdi, hCiN /rOstOf's lQd
vqs, popt hx hed in At H dP.
<p>
“E, iz SI priti?” hI Askt wiH a wiNk.
<p>
“wF dM V SQt sO? V'l frFtan Hem!” sed /bPis. “F did
not iäpekt V tadE,” hI Adad. “F Onli sent V H nOt jestxdE
bF /bOlkOnski—an AJUtant v /kMtMzOf's, hM'z a frend v mFn.
F did not TiNk hI wUd get it t V sO kwikli.... wel, hQ R V?
bin andx fFx Ylredi?” Askt /bPis.
<p>
wiHQt AnsxiN, /rOstOf SUk H sOlJx'z /kros v /st /JPJ
fAsand t H kPdiN v hiz VnifPm n, indikEtiN a bAndiJd Rm,
glAnst At /bxg wiH a smFl.
<p>
“Az V sI,” hI sed.
<p>
“indId? jes, jes!” sed /bPis, wiH a smFl. “n wI tM hAv
hAd a splendid mRc. V nO, v kPs, HAt /hiz /impCWl /hFnas
rOd wiH Qx reJimant Yl H tFm, sO HAt wI hAd evri kamfxt n
evri advAntiJ. wot risepSanz wI hAd in /pOland! wot dinxz n
bYlz! F kAnt tel V. n H /tsRevic woz veri grESas t Yl
Qx ofisxz.”
<p>
n H tM frendz tOld Ic aHx v HX dMiNz, H wan v hiz
hMsR revalz n lFf in H fFtiN lFn, H aHx v H pleZxz
n advAntiJaz v sxvis andx membxz v H /impCWl fAmli.
<p>
“O, V /gRdz!” sed /rOstOf. “F sE, send f sam wFn.”
<p>
bPis mEd a grimas.
<p>
“if V rWli wont it,” sed hI.
<p>
hI went t hiz bed, drM a pxs from andx H klIn pilO, n sent
f wFn.
<p>
“jes, n F hAv sam mani n a letx t giv V,” hI Adad.
<p>
/rOstOf tUk H letx n, TrOiN H mani on H sOfa, pUt bOT
Rmz on H tEbal n bigAn t rId. Aftx rIdiN a fV lFnz, hI
glAnst ANgrili At /bxg, Hen, mItiN hiz Fz, hid hiz fEs bihFnd H
letx.
<p>
“wel, HE'v sent V a tFdi sam,” sed /bxg, FiN H hevi
pxs HAt sANk intM H sOfa. “Az f as, /kQnt, wI get aloN on Qx
pE. F kAn tel V f mFself...”
<p>
“F sE, /bxg, mF dC felO,” sed /rOstOf, “wen V get a
letx from hOm n mIt wan v jP On pIpal hMm V wont t tYk
evriTiN Ovx wiH, n F hApan t bI HX, F'l gO At wans, t
bI Qt v jP wE! dM gO samwX, eniwX... t H deval!” hI
iäklEmd, n imIdWtli sIziN him bF H SOldx n lUkiN
EmWbli intM hiz fEs, evidentli wiSiN t sofan H rMdnas v hiz
wxdz, hI Adad, “dOnt bI hxt, mF dC felO; V nO F spIk
from mF hRt Az t an Old akwEntans.”
<p>
“O, dOnt menSan it, /kQnt! F kwFt andxstAnd,” sed /bxg,
getiN ap n spIkiN in a mafald n gatxal vqs.
<p>
“gO akros t Qx hOsts: HE invFtad V,” Adad /bPis.
<p>
bxg pUt on H klInast v kOts, wiHQt a spot P spek v dast,
stUd bifP a lUkiN glAs n braSt H hX on hiz tempalz
apwxdz, in H wE afektad bF H /empxx /AliãAndx, n, hAviN
aSUxd himself from H wE /rOstOf lUkt At it HAt hiz kOt hAd bin
nOtist, left H rMm wiH a plezant smFl.
<p>
“O dC, wot a bIst F Am!” matxd /rOstOf, Az hI red H
letx.
<p>
“wF?”
<p>
“O, wot a pig F Am, not t hAv ritan n t hAv givan Hem
sac a frFt! O, wot a pig F Am!” hI ripItad, flaSiN sadanli.
“wel, hAv V sent /gEbrWl f sam wFn? Yl rFt let's hAv
sam!”
<p>
in H letx from hiz pXants woz inklOzd a letx v rekamendESan
t /bygrytiOn wic H Old kQntas At /Ana /miâFlOvna'z advFs hAd
abtEnd TrM an akwEntans n sent t hx san, AskiN him t tEk
it t its destinESan n mEk Vs v it.
<p>
“wot nonsens! mac F nId it!” sed /rOstOf, TrOiN H letx
andx H tEbal.
<p>
“wF hAv V TrOn HAt awE?” Askt /bPis.
<p>
“it iz sam letx v rekamendESan... wot H deval dM F wont it
f!”
<p>
“wF 'wot H deval'?” sed /bPis, pikiN it ap n rIdiN
H adres. “His letx wUd bI v grEt Vs t V.”
<p>
“F wont naTiN, n F wOnt bI eniwan'z AJUtant.”
<p>
“wF not?” inkwFxd /bPis.
<p>
“it's a lAki'z Job!”
<p>
“V R stil H sEm drImx, F sI,” rimRkt /bPis, SEkiN
hiz hed.
<p>
“n V'x stil H sEm diplOmatist! bat HAt's not H
pqnt... kam, hQ R V?” Askt /rOstOf.
<p>
“wel, Az V sI. sO fR evriTiN'z Yl rFt, bat F kanfes F
SUd mac lFk t bI an AJUtant n not rimEn At H frant.”
<p>
“wF?”
<p>
“bikoz wen wans a mAn stRts on militXi sxvis, hI SUd trF t
mEk Az saäesfal a kxC v it Az posabal.”
<p>
“O, HAt's it!” sed /rOstOf, evidentli TiNkiN v samTiN
els.
<p>
hI lUkt intentli n inkwFxiNli intM hiz frend'z Fz, evidentli
trFiN in vEn t fFnd H Ansx t sam kwescan.
<p>
Old /gEbrWl brYt in H wFn.
<p>
“SUdant wI nQ send f /bxg?” Askt /bPis. “hI wUd driNk
wiH V. F kAnt.”
<p>
“wel, send f him... n hQ dM V get on wiH HAt /Jxman?”
Askt /rOstOf, wiH a kantempcMas smFl.
<p>
“hI iz a veri, veri nFs, onast, n plezant felO,” Ansxd
/bPis.
<p>
agen /rOstOf lUkt intentli intM /bPis' Fz n sFd. bxg
ritxnd, n Ovx H botal v wFn konvxsESan bitwIn H TrI
ofisxz bikEm AnimEtad. H /gRdzmen tOld /rOstOf v HX mRc n
hQ HE hAd bin mEd mac v in /raSa, /pOland, n abrYd. HE spOk
v H sEiNz n dMiNz v HX kamAndx, H /grAnd /dMk, n tOld
stPiz v hiz kFndnas n irAsabiliti. bxg, Az VZMal, kept sFlant
wen H sabJekt did not rilEt t himself, bat in kanekSan wiH H
stPiz v H /grAnd /dMk's kwik tempx hI rilEtad wiH gastO hQ in
/gylISa hI hAd mAniJd t dIl wiH H /grAnd /dMk wen H lAtx
mEd a tUx v H reJimants n woz anqd At H iregVlAriti v
a mMvmant. wiH a plezant smFl /bxg rilEtad hQ H /grAnd /dMk
hAd ridan ap t him in a vFalant pASan, SQtiN: “/RnQts!”
(“/RnQts” woz H /tsRevic'az fEvxit iäpreSan wen hI woz in
a rEJ) n kYld f H kampani kamAndx.
<p>
“wUd V bilIv it, /kQnt, F woz not At Yl alRmd, bikoz F nM
F woz rFt. wiHQt bOstiN, V nO, F mE sE HAt F nO H /Rmi
/Pdxz bF hRt n nO H /regVlESanz Az wel Az F dM H /lPd'z
/prEx. sO, /kQnt, HX nevx iz eni negliJans in mF kampani, n
sO mF konSans woz At Iz. F kEm fPwxd....” (bxg stUd ap n
SOd hQ hI prizentad himself, wiH hiz hAnd t hiz kAp, n rWli
it wUd hAv bin difikalt f a fEs t iäpres grEtx rispekt n
self-kamplEsansi HAn hiz did.) “wel, hI stPmd At mI, Az H sEiN
iz, stPmd n stPmd n stPmd! it woz not a mAtx v lFf bat
rAHx v deT, Az H sEiN iz. '/AlbEnWnz!' n 'devalz!'
n 't /sFbCW!'” sed /bxg wiH a sagESas smFl. “F nM F
woz in H rFt sO F kept sFlant; woz not HAt best, /kQnt?... 'hE,
R V dam?' hI SQtad. stil F rimEnd sFlant. n wot dM V
TiNk, /kQnt? H neät dE it woz not Ivan menSand in H /Pdxz v
H /dE. HAt's wot kIpiN wan'z hed mInz. HAt's H wE,
/kQnt,” sed /bxg, lFtiN hiz pFp n imitiN riNz v smOk.
<p>
“jes, HAt woz fFn,” sed /rOstOf, smFliN.
<p>
bat /bPis nOtist HAt hI woz pripXiN t mEk fan v /bxg, n
skilfali cEnJd H sabJekt. hI Askt him t tel Hem hQ n wX
hI got hiz wMnd. His plIzd /rOstOf n hI bigAn tYkiN abQt it,
n Az hI went on bikEm mP n mP AnimEtad. hI tOld Hem v hiz
/Sxn /grAbxn afX, Jast Az HOz hM hAv tEkan pRt in a bAtal
Jenxali dM diskrFb it, HAt iz, Az HE wUd lFk it t hAv bin,
Az HE hAv hxd it diskrFbd bF aHxz, n Az sQndz wel, bat not
At Yl Az it rWli woz. /rOstOf woz a trMTfal jaN mAn n wUd on
nO akQnt hAv tOld a dilibxat lF. hI bigAn hiz stPi mIniN t
tel evriTiN Jast Az it hApand, bat impxseptabli, involantXili,
n inevitabli hI lApst intM fYlshUd. if hI hAd tOld H trMT t hiz
hCxz—hM lFk himself hAd oftan hxd stPiz v atAä n hAd
fPmd a definit FdW v wot an atAk woz n wx iäpektiN t hC
Jast sac a stPi—HE wUd FHx not hAv bilIvd him P, stil
wxs, wUd hAv TYt HAt /rOstOf woz himself t blEm sins wot
Jenxali hApanz t H nArEtxz v kAvalri atAä hAd not hApand
t him. hI kUd not tel Hem simpli HAt evriwan went At a trot n
HAt hI fel of hiz hPs n sprEnd hiz Rm n Hen rAn Az hRd Az
hI kUd from a /frencman intM H wUd. bisFdz, t tel evriTiN Az
it rWli hApand, it wUd hAv bin nesisXi t mEk an efxt v
wil t tel Onli wot hApand. it iz veri difikalt t tel H trMT,
n jaN pIpal R rXli kEpabal v it. hiz hCxz iäpektad a stPi
v hQ bisFd himself n Yl aflEm wiH iäFtmant, hI hAd flOn lFk
a stPm At H skwX, kat hiz wE in, slASt rFt n left, hQ hiz
sEbx hAd tEstad fleS n hI hAd fYlan iãYstad, n sO on. n sO hI
tOld Hem Yl HAt.
<p>
in H midal v hiz stPi, Jast Az hI woz sEiN: “V kAnot imAJin
wot a strEnJ frenzi wan iäpCWnsaz dxiN an atAk,” prins
/AndrM, hMm /bPis woz iäpektiN, entxd H rMm. prins /AndrM, hM
lFkt t help jaN men, woz flAtxd bF bIiN Askt f hiz asistans
n bIiN wel dispOzd tPd /bPis, hM hAd mAniJd t plIz him H
dE bifP, hI wiSt t dM wot H jaN mAn wontad. hAviN bin sent
wiH pEpxz from /kMtMzOf t H /tsRevic, hI lUkt in on /bPis,
hOpiN t fFnd him alOn. wen hI kEm in n sY an hMsR v H lFn
rikQntiN hiz militXi eäplqts (/prins /AndrM kUd not indx
HAt sPt v mAn), hI gEv /bPis a plezant smFl, frQnd Az wiH
hAf-klOzd Fz hI lUkt At /rOstOf, bQd slFtli n wCili, n
sAt dQn lANgwidli on H sOfa: hI felt it anplezant t hAv dropt
in on bAd kampani. /rOstOf flaSt ap on nOtisiN His, bat hI did not
kX, His woz a mC strEnJx. glAnsiN, hQevx, At /bPis, hI sY
HAt hI tM sImd aSEmd v H hMsR v H lFn.
<p>
in spFt v /prins /AndrM'z disagrIabal, Fronikal tOn, in spFt v
H kantempt wiH wic /rOstOf, from hiz fFtiN Rmi pqnt v vV,
rigRdad Yl HIz lital AJUtants on H stAf v hMm H nMkamx
woz evidentli wan, /rOstOf felt kanfVzd, blaSt, n bikEm sFlant.
bPis inkwFxd wot nMz HX mFt bI on H stAf, n wot, wiHQt
indiskreSan, wan mFt Ask abQt Qx plAnz.
<p>
“wI SAl probabli advAns,” riplFd /bOlkOnski, evidentli rilaktant
t sE mP in H prezans v a strEnJx.
<p>
bxg tUk H opxtMniti t Ask, wiH grEt palFtnas, weHx, Az woz
rMmxd, H alQans v fPiJ mani t kAptinz v kampaniz wUd bI
dabald. t His /prins /AndrM Ansxd wiH a smFl HAt hI kUd
giv nO apinjan on sac an impPtant gavxnmant Pdx, n /bxg lAft
gEli.
<p>
“Az t jP biznas,” prins /AndrM kantinVd, adresiN /bPis,
“wI wil tYk v it lEtx” (n hI lUkt rQnd At /rOstOf). “kam
t mI Aftx H rivV n wI wil dM wot iz posabal.”
<p>
n, hAviN glAnst rQnd H rMm, /prins /AndrM txnd t /rOstOf,
hMz stEt v ankoNkxabal cFldiS imbArasmant nQ cEnJiN t
ANgx hI did not kondisend t nOtis, n sed: “F TiNk V wx
tYkiN v H /Sxn /grAbxn afX? wx V HX?”
<p>
“F woz HX,” sed /rOstOf ANgrili, Az if intendiN t insalt H
Ed-dI-kAmp.
<p>
/bOlkOnski nOtist H hMsR'z stEt v mFnd, n it amVzd him. wiH
a slFtli kantempcMas smFl, hI sed: “jes, HX R meni stPiz
nQ tOld abQt HAt afX!”
<p>
“jes, stPiz!” ripItad /rOstOf lQdli, lUkiN wiH Fz sadanli
grOn fjUxWs, nQ At /bPis, nQ At /bOlkOnski. “jes, meni stPiz!
bat Qx stPiz R H stPiz v men hM hAv bin andx H enami'z
fFx! Qx stPiz hAv sam wEt, not lFk H stPiz v HOz
felOz on H stAf hM get riwPdz wiHQt dMiN eniTiN!”
<p>
“v hMm V imAJin mI t bI wan?” sed /prins /AndrM, wiH a kwFat
n pxtikVlxli EmWbal smFl.
<p>
a strEnJ fIliN v iãAspxESan n jet v rispekt f His mAn'z
self-pazeSan miNgald At HAt mOment in /rOstOf's sOl.
<p>
“F Am not tYkiN abQt V,” hI sed, “F dOnt nO V n,
frANkli, F dOnt wont t. F Am spIkiN v H stAf in Jenxal.”
<p>
“n F wil tel V His,” prins /AndrM intxaptad in a tOn v
kwFat YToriti, “V wiS t insalt mI, n F Am redi t agrI wiH
V HAt it wUd bI veri Izi t dM sO if V hAvant safiSant
self-rispekt, bat admit HAt H tFm n plEs R veri bAdli cOzan.
in a dE P tM wI SAl Yl hAf t tEk pRt in a grEtx n mP
sCWs dMal, n bisFdz, /drMbetskq, hM sez hI iz an Old frend
v jPz, iz not At Yl t blEm HAt mF fEs hAz H misfPcMn t
displIz V. hQevx,” hI Adad rFziN, “V nO mF nEm n
wX t fFnd mI, bat dOnt fxget HAt F dM not rigRd FHx mFself
P V Az hAviN bin At Yl insaltad, n Az a mAn Oldx HAn V, mF
advFs iz t let H mAtx drop. wel Hen, on frFdE Aftx H rivV
F SAl iäpekt V, /drMbetskq. O ravwR!” iäklEmd /prins /AndrM,
n wiH a bQ t Hem bOT hI went Qt.
<p>
Onli wen /prins /AndrM woz gon did /rOstOf TiNk v wot hI Yt t
hAv sed. n hI woz stil mP ANgri At hAviN Omitad t sE it. hI
Pdxd hiz hPs At wans n, kOldli tEkiN lIv v /bPis, rOd
hOm. SUd hI gO t hedkwPtxz neät dE n cAlanJ HAt afektad
AJUtant, P rWli let H mAtx drop, woz H kwescan HAt warid
him Yl H wE. hI TYt ANgrili v H pleZx hI wUd hAv At
sIiN H frFt v HAt smYl n frEl bat prQd mAn wen kavxd bF
hiz pistal, n Hen hI felt wiH sxprFz HAt v Yl H men hI nM
HX woz nan hI wUd sO mac lFk t hAv f a frend Az HAt veri
AJUtant hMm hI sO hEtad.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
H dE Aftx /rOstOf hAd bin t sI /bPis, a rivV woz held v H
/ostrWn n /raSan trMps, bOT HOz freSli xFvd from /raSa n
HOz hM hAd bin kAmpEniN andx /kMtMzOf. H tM /empxxz,
H /raSan wiH hiz X H /tsRevic, n H /ostrWn wiH H
/RcdMk, inspektad H AlFd Rmi v Eti TQzand men.
<p>
from xli mPniN H smRt klIn trMps wx on H mMv, fPmiN ap
on H fIld bifP H fPtras. nQ TQzandz v fIt n bEanets
mMvd n hYltad At H ofisxz' kamAnd, txnd wiH bAnxz flFiN,
fPmd ap At intxvalz, n wIld rQnd aHx similx mAsaz v
infantri in difxant VnifPmz; nQ woz hxd H riHmik bIt v
hUfs n H JiNgaliN v SOi kAvalri in blM, red, n grIn brEdad
VnifPmz, wiH smRtli drest bAndzmen in frant mQntad on blAk, rOn,
P grE hPsaz; Hen agen, sprediN Qt wiH H brEzan klAtx v H
poliSt SFniN kAnan HAt kwivxd on H gan kAriJaz n wiH
H smel v linstoä, kEm H Rtilxi wic krYld bitwIn H
infantri n kAvalri n tUk ap its apqntad paziSan. not Onli H
Jenxalz in fUl pxEd VnifPmz, wiH HX Tin P Tik wEsts drYn
in t H atmOst, HX red neä skwIzd intM HX stif kolxz, n
wXiN skRvz n Yl HX dekxESanz, not Onli H eligant, pamydad
ofisxz, bat evri sOlJx wiH hiz freSli woSt n SEvan fEs n
hiz wepanz klIn n poliSt t H atmOst, n evri hPs grMmd
til its kOt SOn lFk sAtin n evri hX v its wetad mEn lE
smMH—felt HAt nO smYl mAtx woz hApaniN, bat an impPtant n
solam afX. evri Jenxal n evri sOlJx woz konSas v hiz On
insignifikans, awX v bIiN bat a drop in HAt OSan v men, n
jet At H sEm tFm woz konSas v hiz streNT Az a pRt v HAt
inPmas hOl.
<p>
from xli mPniN strenVas Aktivitiz n efxts hAd bigan n bF ten
O'klok Yl hAd bin brYt intM dM Pdx. H rANä wx drYn
ap on H vAst fIld. H hOl Rmi woz iätendad in TrI lFnz: H
kAvalri in frant, bihFnd it H Rtilxi, n bihFnd HAt agen H
infantri.
<p>
a spEs lFk a strIt woz left bitwIn Ic tM lFnz v trMps. H
TrI pRts v HAt Rmi wx SRpli distiNgwiSt: /kMtMzOf's
fFtiN Rmi (wiH H /pyvlOgrydz on H rFt flANk v H frant);
HOz rIsantli xFvd from /raSa, bOT /gRdz n reJimants v H
lFn; n H /ostrWn trMps. bat HE Yl stUd in H sEm lFnz,
andx wan kamAnd, n in a lFk Pdx.
<p>
lFk wind Ovx lIvz rAn an iäFtad wispx: “HE'x kamiN!
HE'x kamiN!” alRmd vqsaz wx hxd, n a stx v fFnal
prepxESan swept Ovx Yl H trMps.
<p>
from H direkSan v /OlmUts in frant v Hem, a grMp woz sIn
aprOciN. n At HAt mOment, HO H dE woz stil, a lFt gast
v wind blOiN Ovx H Rmi slFtli stxd H strImxz on H
lAnsaz n H anfOldad stAndxdz flatxd agenst HX stAfs. it
lUkt Az if bF HAt slFt mOSan H Rmi itself woz iäpresiN its
Jq At H aprOc v H /empxxz. wan vqs woz hxd SQtiN:
“Fz frant!” Hen, lFk H krOiN v koä At sanrFz, His woz
ripItad bF aHxz from vXWs sFdz n Yl bikEm sFlant.
<p>
in H deTlFk stilnas Onli H trAmp v hPsaz woz hxd. His
woz H /empxxz' swIts. H /empxxz rOd ap t H flANk, n H
trampats v H fxst kAvalri reJimant plEd H Jenxal mRc. it
sImd Az HO not H trampatxz wx plEiN, bat Az if H Rmi
itself, riJqsiN At H /empxxz' aprOc, hAd nAcxali bxst intM
mVzik. amid HIz sQndz, Onli H VTfal kFndli vqs v H /empxx
/AliãAndx woz klCli hxd. hI gEv H wxdz v grItiN, n H
fxst reJimant rPd “hxy!” sO defaniNli, kantinVasli, n
Jqfali HAt H men Hemselvz wx Yd bF HX maltitMd n H
imensiti v H pQx HE konstitMtad.
<p>
/rOstOf, stAndiN in H frant lFnz v /kMtMzOf's Rmi wic H /tsR
aprOct fxst, iäpCWnst H sEm fIliN Az evri aHx mAn in
HAt Rmi: a fIliN v self-fxgetfalnas, a prQd konSasnas v
mFt, n a pASanat atrAkSan t him hM woz H kYz v His
trFamf.
<p>
hI felt HAt At a siNgal wxd from HAt mAn Yl His vAst mAs (n hI
himself an insignifikant Atam in it) wUd gO TrM fFx n wYtx,
kamit krFm, dF, P pxfPm dIdz v hFast herOizam, n sO hI kUd
not bat trembal n hiz hRt stAnd stil At H iminans v HAt wxd.
<p>
“hxy! hxy! hxy!” Tandxd from Yl sFdz, wan reJimant
Aftx anaHx grItiN H /tsR wiH H strEnz v H mRc, n Hen
“hxy!”... Hen H Jenxal mRc, n agen “hxy! hxy!”
grOiN evx stroNgx n fUlx n mxJiN intM a defaniN rP.
<p>
til H /tsR rIct it, Ic reJimant in its sFlans n imObiliti
sImd lFk a lFflas bodi, bat Az sMn Az hI kEm ap it bikEm alFv,
its Tandx JqniN H rP v H hOl lFn aloN wic hI hAd
Ylredi pAst. TrM H teribal n defaniN rP v HOz vqsaz,
amid H skwX mAsaz v trMps stAndiN mOSanlas Az if txnd t
stOn, handradz v rFdxz kampOziN H swIts mMvd kXlasli bat
simetrikli n abav Yl frIli, n in frant v Hem tM men—H
/empxxz. apon Hem H andivFdad, tensli pASanat atenSan v HAt
hOl mAs v men woz konsantrEtad.
<p>
H hAndsam jaN /empxx /AliãAndx, in H VnifPm v H /hPs
/gRdz, wXiN a kokt hAt wiH its pIä frant n bAk, wiH hiz
plezant fEs n rezanant HO not lQd vqs, atrAktad evriwan'z
atenSan.
<p>
/rOstOf woz not fR from H trampatxz, n wiH hiz kIn sFt hAd
rekagnFzd H /tsR n woct hiz aprOc. wen hI woz wiHin twenti
pEsaz, n /nikalas kUd klCli distiNgwiS evri dItEl v hiz
hAndsam, hApi jaN fEs, hI iäpCWnst a fIliN v tendxnas
n eätasi sac Az hI hAd nevx bifP nOn. evri trEt n evri
mMvmant v H /tsR'z sImd t him incAntiN.
<p>
stopiN in frant v H /pyvlOgrydz, H /tsR sed samTiN in /frenc
t H /ostrWn /empxx n smFld.
<p>
sIiN HAt smFl, /rOstOf involantXili smFld himself n felt a stil
stroNgx flO v lav f hiz sovran. hI loNd t SO HAt lav in
sam wE n nOiN HAt His woz imposabal woz redi t krF. H /tsR
kYld H kxnal v H reJimant n sed a fV wxdz t him.
<p>
“O /god, wot wUd hApan t mI if H /empxx spOk t mI?”
TYt /rOstOf. “F SUd dF v hApinas!”
<p>
H /tsR adrest H ofisxz YlsO: “F TANk V Yl, Jentalmen, F
TANk V wiH mF hOl hRt.” t /rOstOf evri wxd sQndad lFk a
vqs from hevan. hQ glAdli wUd hI hAv dFd At wans f hiz /tsR!
<p>
“V hAv xnd H /st /JPJ'az stAndxdz n wil bI wxHi v
Hem.”
<p>
“O, t dF, t dF f him,” TYt /rOstOf.
<p>
H /tsR sed samTiN mP wic /rOstOf did not hC, n H
sOlJxz, strEniN HX laNz, SQtad “hxy!”
<p>
/rOstOf tM, bendiN Ovx hiz sAdal, SQtad “hxy!” wiH Yl hiz
mFt, fIliN HAt hI wUd lFk t inJx himself bF HAt SQt, if
Onli t iäpres hiz rApcx fUli.
<p>
H /tsR stopt a fV minits in frant v H hMsRz Az if andisFdad.
<p>
“hQ kAn H /empxx bI andisFdad?” TYt /rOstOf, bat Hen Ivan
His indisiZan apCd t him maJestik n incAntiN, lFk evriTiN
els H /tsR did.
<p>
HAt hezitESan lAstad Onli an instant. H /tsR'z fUt, in H nArO
pqntad bMt Hen fASanabal, tact H grqn v H bobtEld bE
mX hI rOd, hiz hAnd in a wFt glav gAHxd ap H rEnz, n hI
mMvd of akampanid bF an iregVlxli swEiN sI v Edz-dI-kAmp.
fRHx n fRHx hI rOd awE, stopiN At aHx reJimants, til At
lAst Onli hiz wFt plMmz wx vizabal t /rOstOf from amid H swIts
HAt sxQndad H /empxxz.
<p>
amaN H Jentalmen v H swIt, /rOstOf nOtist /bOlkOnski, sitiN
hiz hPs indalantli n kXlasli. /rOstOf rikYld HX kworal v
jestxdE n H kwescan prizentad itself weHx hI Yt P Yt
not t cAlanJ /bOlkOnski. “v kPs not!” hI nQ TYt. “iz
it wxT TiNkiN P spIkiN v it At sac a mOment? At a tFm v sac
lav, sac rApcx, n sac self-sAkrifFs, wot dM eni v Qx kworalz
n afrants mAtx? F lav n fxgiv evribodi nQ.”
<p>
wen H /empxx hAd pAst nCli Yl H reJimants, H trMps bigAn
a serimOnWl mRc pAst him, n /rOstOf on /bedMin, rIsantli pxcast
from /denisOf, rOd pAst tM, At H rC v hiz skwodran—HAt iz,
alOn n in fUl vV v H /empxx.
<p>
bifP hI rIct him, /rOstOf, hM woz a splendid hPsman, spxd
/bedMin twFs n saäesfali pUt him t H SOi trot in wic H
Animal went wen iäFtad. bendiN hiz fOmiN mazal t hiz cest, hiz
tEl iätendad, /bedMin, Az if YlsO konSas v H /empxx'z F
apon him, pAst splendidli, liftiN hiz fIt wiH a hF n grEsfal
AkSan, Az if flFiN TrM H X wiHQt taciN H grQnd.
<p>
/rOstOf himself, hiz leã wel bAk n hiz stamak drYn in n fIliN
himself wan wiH hiz hPs, rOd pAst H /empxx wiH a frQniN bat
blisfal fEs “lFk a vewi deval,” Az /denisOf iäprest it.
<p>
“fFn felOz, H /pyvlOgrydz!” rimRkt H /empxx.
<p>
“mF /god, hQ hApi F SUd bI if hI Pdxd mI t lIp intM H fFx
His instant!” TYt /rOstOf.
<p>
wen H rivV woz Ovx, H nMli xFvd ofisxz, n YlsO
/kMtMzOf's, kalektad in grMps n bigAn t tYk abQt H awPdz,
abQt H /ostrWnz n HX VnifPmz, abQt HX lFnz, abQt
/bOnapRt, n hQ bAdli H lAtx wUd fX nQ, ispeSali if H
/esan kP xFvd n /praSa tUk Qx sFd.
<p>
bat H tYk in evri grMp woz cIfli abQt H /empxx /AliãAndx. hiz
evri wxd n mMvmant woz diskrFbd wiH eätasi.
<p>
HE Yl hAd bat wan wiS: t advAns Az sMn Az posabal agenst H
enami andx H /empxx'z kamAnd. kamAndad bF H /empxx himself
HE kUd not fEl t vANkwiS eniwan, bI it hMm it mFt: sO TYt
/rOstOf n mOst v H ofisxz Aftx H rivV.
<p>
Yl wx Hen mP konfidant v viktxi HAn H winiN v tM bAtalz
wUd hAv mEd Hem.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
H dE Aftx H rivV, /bPis, in hiz best VnifPm n wiH hiz
komrAd /bxg'z best wiSaz f saäes, rOd t /OlmUts t sI
/bOlkOnski, wiSiN t profit bF hiz frendlinas n abtEn f himself
H best pOst hI kUd—prefxabli HAt v AJUtant t sam impPtant
pxsaniJ, a paziSan in H Rmi wic sImd t him mOst atrAktiv.
“it iz Yl veri wel f /rOstOf, hMz fyHx sendz him ten TQzand
rMbalz At a tFm, t tYk abQt not wiSiN t krinJ t enibodi n not
bI eniwan'z lAki, bat F hM hAv naTiN bat mF brEnz hAf t
mEk a kxC n mast not mis opxtMnitiz, bat mast avEl mFself v
Hem!” hI riflektad.
<p>
hI did not fFnd /prins /AndrM in /OlmUts HAt dE, bat H apCans v
H tQn wX H hedkwPtxz n H diplamAtik kP wx stESand
n H tM /empxxz wx liviN wiH HX swIts, hQshOldz, n
kPts Onli streNTand hiz dizFx t biloN t HAt hFx wxld.
<p>
hI nM nO wan, n dispFt hiz smRt /gRdzman'z VnifPm, Yl HIz
iãYltad pxsaniJaz pAsiN in H strIts in HX eligant kAriJaz
wiH HX plMmz, ribanz, n medalz, bOT kPtCz n militXi
men, sImd sO imeZxabli abav him, an insignifikant ofisx v H
/gRdz, HAt HE not Onli did not wiS t, bat simpli kUd not, bI
awX v hiz iãistans. At H kwPtxz v H kamAndx in cIf,
/kMtMzOf, wX hI inkwFxd f /bOlkOnski, Yl H AJUtants n Ivan
H Pdxliz lUkt At him Az if HE wiSt t impres on him HAt a
grEt meni ofisxz lFk him wx YlwEz kamiN HX n HAt evribodi
woz hRtili sik v Hem. in spFt v His, P rAHx bikoz v
it, neät dE, nOvembx 15, Aftx dinx hI agen went t /OlmUts n,
entxiN H hQs okVpFd bF /kMtMzOf, Askt f /bOlkOnski. prins
/AndrM woz in n /bPis woz SOn intM a lRJ hYl probabli fPmxli
Vzd f dAnsiN, bat in wic fFv bedz nQ stUd, n fxnicx v
vXWs kFndz: a tEbal, cXz, n a klAvikPd. wan AJUtant, nCast
H dP, woz sitiN At H tEbal in a /pxZan dresiN gQn, rFtiN.
anaHx, H red, stQt /nesvitski, lE on a bed wiH hiz Rmz andx hiz
hed, lAfiN wiH an ofisx hM hAd sAt dQn bisFd him. a Txd woz
plEiN a /vienIz wYlts on H klAvikPd, wFl a fPT, lFiN on
H klAvikPd, sAN H tMn. /bOlkOnski woz not HX. nan v HIz
Jentalmen cEnJd hiz paziSan on sIiN /bPis. H wan hM woz rFtiN
n hMm /bPis adrest txnd rQnd krosli n tOld him /bOlkOnski
woz on dMti n HAt hI SUd gO TrM H dP on H left intM H
risepSan rMm if hI wiSt t sI him. bPis TANkt him n went t
H risepSan rMm, wX hI fQnd sam ten ofisxz n Jenxalz.
<p>
wen hI entxd, /prins /AndrM, hiz Fz drMpiN kantempcMasli (wiH
HAt pikVlC iäpreSan v palFt wCinas wic plEnli sez, “if
it wx not mF dMti F wUd not tYk t V f a mOment”), woz
lisaniN t an Old /raSan Jenxal wiH dekxESanz, hM stUd veri
irekt, YlmOst on tiptO, wiH a sOlJx'z obsIkwWs iäpreSan on hiz
pxpal fEs, ripPtiN samTiN.
<p>
“veri wel, Hen, bI sO gUd Az t wEt,” sed /prins /AndrM t H
Jenxal, in /raSan, spIkiN wiH H /frenc intanESan hI afektad
wen hI wiSt t spIk kantempcMasli, n nOtisiN /bPis, /prins
/AndrM, pEiN nO mP hId t H Jenxal hM rAn Aftx him implPiN
him t hC samTiN mP, nodad n txnd t him wiH a cCfal
smFl.
<p>
At HAt mOment /bPis klCli rWlFzd wot hI hAd bifP sxmFzd, HAt
in H Rmi, bisFdz H sabPdinESan n disiplin priskrFbd in H
militXi kOd, wic hI n H aHxz nM in H reJimant, HX woz
anaHx, mP impPtant, sabPdinESan, wic mEd His tFt-lEst,
pxpal-fEst Jenxal wEt rispektfali wFl /kAptin /prins /AndrM, f
hiz On pleZx, cOz t cAt wiH /lMtenant /drMbetskq. mP HAn
evx woz /bPis rizolvd t sxv in fVcx not akPdiN t H ritan
kOd, bat andx His anritan lY. hI felt nQ HAt mCli bF hAviN
bin rekamendad t /prins /AndrM hI hAd Ylredi rizan abav H Jenxal
hM At H frant hAd H pQx t anFalEt him, a lMtenant v H
/gRdz. prins /AndrM kEm ap t him n tUk hiz hAnd.
<p>
“F Am veri sori V did not fFnd mI in jestxdE. F woz fasiN abQt
wiH /Jxmanz Yl dE. wI went wiH /wEroTx t sxvE H dispaziSanz.
wen /Jxmanz stRt bIiN Akjxat, HX'z nO end t it!”
<p>
bPis smFld, Az if hI andxstUd wot /prins /AndrM woz alMdiN t
Az samTiN Jenxali nOn. bat it woz H fxst tFm hI hAd hxd
/wEroTx'z nEm, P Ivan H txm “dispaziSanz.”
<p>
“wel, mF dC felO, sO V stil wont t bI an AJUtant? F hAv
bin TiNkiN abQt V.”
<p>
“jes, F woz TiNkiN”—f sam rIzan /bPis kUd not help
blaSiN—“v AskiN H kamAndx in cIf. hI hAz hAd a letx from
/prins /kMrygin abQt mI. F Onli wontad t Ask bikoz F fC H /gRdz
wOnt bI in AkSan,” hI Adad Az if in apolaJi.
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt. wI'l tYk it Ovx,” riplFd /prins /AndrM.
“Onli let mI ripPt His Jentalman'z biznas, n F SAl bI At
jP dispOzal.”
<p>
wFl /prins /AndrM went t ripPt abQt H pxpal-fEst Jenxal, HAt
Jentalman—evidentli not SXiN /bPis' kansepSan v H advAntiJaz
v H anritan kOd v sabPdinESan—lUkt sO fiäadli At H
prizampcMas lMtenant hM hAd priventad hiz finiSiN wot hI hAd t
sE t H AJUtant HAt /bPis felt ankamfxtabal. hI txnd awE n
wEtad impESantli f /prins /AndrM'z ritxn from H kamAndx in
cIf's rMm.
<p>
“V sI, mF dC felO, F hAv bin TiNkiN abQt V,”
sed /prins /AndrM wen HE hAd gon intM H lRJ rMm wX H
klAvikPd woz. “it's nO Vs jP gOiN t H kamAndx in cIf.
hI wUd sE a lot v plezant TiNz, Ask V t dinx” (“HAt
wUd not bI bAd Az rigRdz H anritan kOd,” TYt /bPis),
“bat naTiN mP wUd kam v it. HX wil sMn bI a batAlWn v
as Edz-dI-kAmp n AJUtants! bat His iz wot wI'l dM: F hAv
a gUd frend, an AJUtant Jenxal n an eäalant felO, /prins
/dOlgPMkOf; n HO V mE not nO it, H fAkt iz HAt nQ
/kMtMzOf wiH hiz stAf n Yl v as kQnt f naTiN. evriTiN iz
nQ sentxd rQnd H /empxx. sO wI wil gO t /dOlgPMkOf; F hAf t
gO HX enihQ n F hAv Ylredi spOkan t him abQt V. wI SAl
sI weHx hI kAnot atAc V t himself P fFnd a plEs f V
samwX nCx H san.”
<p>
prins /AndrM YlwEz bikEm speSali kIn wen hI hAd t gFd a jaN
mAn n help him t wxldli saäes. andx kavx v abtEniN help
v His kFnd f anaHx, wic from prFd hI wUd nevx aäept f
himself, hI kept in tac wiH H sxkal wic kanfxz saäes n
wic atrAktad him. hI veri redili tUk ap /bPis' kYz n went
wiH him t /dOlgPMkOf.
<p>
it woz lEt in H IvniN wen HE entxd H pAlas At /OlmUts
okVpFd bF H /empxxz n HX retinMz.
<p>
HAt sEm dE a kQnsal v wP hAd bin held in wic Yl H membxz v
H /hofkrIãraT n bOT /empxxz tUk pRt. At HAt kQnsal, kontrXi
t H vVz v H Old Jenxalz /kMtMzOf n /prins /SvRtsaanbxg, it
hAd bin disFdad t advAns imIdWtli n giv bAtal t /bOnapRt.
H kQnsal v wP woz Jast Ovx wen /prins /AndrM akampanid
bF /bPis xFvd At H pAlas t fFnd /dOlgPMkOf. evriwan At
hedkwPtxz woz stil andx H spel v H dE'z kQnsal, At wic
H pRti v H jaN hAd trFamft. H vqsaz v HOz hM kQnsald
dilE n advFzd wEtiN f samTiN els bifP advAnsiN hAd bin
sO kamplItli sFlanst n HX RgVmants kanfVtad bF sac kanklMsiv
evidans v H advAntiJaz v atAkiN HAt wot hAd bin diskast
At H kQnsal—H kamiN bAtal n H viktxi HAt wUd sxtanli
rizalt from it—nO loNgx sImd t bI in H fVcx bat in H pAst.
Yl H advAntiJaz wx on Qx sFd. Qx inPmas fPsaz, andQtadli
sMpCC t /napOlWn'z, wx konsantrEtad in wan plEs, H trMps
inspFxd bF H /empxxz' prezans wx Igx f AkSan. H
stratIJik paziSan wX H opxESanz wUd tEk plEs woz familC in
Yl its dItElz t H /ostrWn /Jenxal /wEroTx: a laki Aäidant hAd
PdEnd HAt H /ostrWn Rmi SUd manMvx H prIvWs jC on H
veri fIldz wX H /frenc hAd nQ t bI fYt; H aJEsant
lOkAliti woz nOn n SOn in evri dItEl on H mAps, n /bOnapRt,
evidentli wIkand, woz andxtEkiN naTiN.
<p>
/dOlgPMkOf, wan v H wPmast Advakats v an atAk, hAd Jast
ritxnd from H kQnsal, tFxd n iãYstad bat Igx n prQd
v H viktxi HAt hAd bin gEnd. prins /AndrM intradMst hiz
prOtiZE, bat /prins /dOlgPMkOf palFtli n fxmli presiN hiz hAnd
sed naTiN t /bPis n, evidentli anEbal t sapres H TYts
wic wx apxmOst in hiz mFnd At HAt mOment, adrest /prins /AndrM
in /frenc.
<p>
“y, mF dC felO, wot a bAtal wI hAv gEnd! god grAnt HAt
H wan HAt wil rizalt from it wil bI Az viktPWs! hQevx, dC
felO,” hI sed abraptli n Igxli, “F mast kanfes t hAviN
bin anJast t H /ostrWnz n ispeSali t /wEroTx. wot
iãAktitMd, wot mFnMtnas, wot noliJ v H lOkAliti, wot
fPsFt f evri ivencMAliti, evri posabiliti Ivan t H smYlast
dItEl! nO, mF dC felO, nO kandiSanz betx HAn Qx prezant wanz
kUd hAv bin divFzd. His kombinESan v /ostrWn prisiZan wiH
/raSan vAlx—wot mP kUd bI wiSt f?”
<p>
“sO H atAk iz definitli rizolvd on?” Askt /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“n dM V nO, mF dC felO, it sImz t mI HAt /bOnapRt hAz
disFdadli lost bXiNz, V nO HAt a letx woz risIvd from him
tadE f H /empxx.” /dOlgPMkOf smFld signifikantli.
<p>
“iz HAt sO? n wot did hI sE?” inkwFxd /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“wot kAn hI sE? try-dF-/rI-dF-ry n sO on... mCli t gEn tFm.
F tel V hI iz in Qx hAndz, HAt's sxtan! bat wot woz mOst
amVziN,” hI kantinVd, wiH a sadan, gUd-nEcxd lAf, “woz HAt
wI kUd not TiNk hQ t adres H riplF! if not Az '/konsal'
n v kPs not Az '/empxx,' it sImd t mI it SUd bI t
'/Jenxal /bOnapRt.'”
<p>
“bat bitwIn not rekagnFziN him Az /empxx n kYliN him /Jenxal
/bOnapRt, HX iz a difxans,” rimRkt /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“HAt's Jast it,” intxaptad /dOlgPMkOf kwikli, lAfiN.
“V nO /bilibin—hI'z a veri klevx felO. hI saJestad
adresiN him Az '/Vzxpx n /enami v /mAnkFnd.'”
<p>
/dOlgPMkOf lAft merili.
<p>
“Onli HAt?” sed /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“Yl H sEm, it woz /bilibin hM fQnd a sMtabal fPm f H
adres. hI iz a wFz n klevx felO.”
<p>
“wot woz it?”
<p>
“t H /hed v H /frenc /gavxnmant... O Sef dM gOMvxnamant
/fransE,” sed /dOlgPMkOf, wiH grEv sAtisfAkSan. “gUd,
wozant it?”
<p>
“jes, bat hI wil dislFk it iätrImli,” sed /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“O jes, veri mac! mF braHx nOz him, hI'z dFnd wiH him—H
prezant /empxx—mP HAn wans in /pAris, n telz mI hI nevx met a
mP kaniN P satal diplOmatist—V nO, a kombinESan v /frenc
adrqtnas n /itAlWn plE-AktiN! dM V nO H tEl abQt him n
/kQnt /mRkOf? kQnt /mRkOf woz H Onli mAn hM nM hQ t hAndal
him. V nO H stPi v H hANkxcif? it iz dilFtfal!”
<p>
n H tYkativ /dOlgPMkOf, txniN nQ t /bPis, nQ t /prins
/AndrM, tOld hQ /bOnapRt wiSiN t test /mRkOf, Qx AmbAsadx,
pxpasli dropt a hANkxcif in frant v him n stUd lUkiN
At /mRkOf, probabli iäpektiN /mRkOf t pik it ap f him, n hQ
/mRkOf imIdWtli dropt hiz On bisFd it n pikt it ap wiHQt
taciN /bOnapRt's.
<p>
“dilFtfal!” sed /bOlkOnski. “bat F hAv kam t V, /prins,
Az a patiSanx on bihAf v His jaN mAn. V sI...” bat
bifP /prins /AndrM kUd finiS, an Ed-dI-kAmp kEm in t saman
/dOlgPMkOf t H /empxx.
<p>
“O, wot a nMsans,” sed /dOlgPMkOf, getiN ap haridli n
presiN H hAndz v /prins /AndrM n /bPis. “V nO F SUd
bI veri glAd t dM Yl in mF pQx bOT f V n f His dC jaN
mAn.” agen hI prest H hAnd v H lAtx wiH an iäpreSan v
gUd-nEcxd, sinsC, n AnimEtad leviti. “bat V sI... anaHx
tFm!”
<p>
bPis woz iäFtad bF H TYt v bIiN sO klOs t H hFx pQxz
Az hI felt himself t bI At HAt mOment. hI woz konSas HAt hC
hI woz in kontAkt wiH H spriNz HAt set in mOSan H inPmas
mMvmants v H mAs v wic in hiz reJimant hI felt himself a tFni,
ObIdWnt, n insignifikant Atam. HE folOd /prins /dOlgPMkOf Qt
intM H koridP n met—kamiN Qt v H dP v H /empxx'z
rMm bF wic /dOlgPMkOf hAd entxd—a SPt mAn in sivilWn klOHz
wiH a klevx fEs n SRpli praJektiN JY wic, wiHQt spqliN
hiz fEs, gEv him a pikVlC vivAsiti n Siftinas v iäpreSan.
His SPt mAn nodad t /dOlgPMkOf Az t an intimat frend n stXd
At /prins /AndrM wiH kMl intensiti, wYkiN strEt tPd him n
evidentli iäpektiN him t bQ P t step Qt v hiz wE. prins /AndrM
did nFHx: a lUk v Animositi apCd on hiz fEs n H aHx
txnd awE n went dQn H sFd v H koridP.
<p>
“hM woz HAt?” Askt /bPis.
<p>
“hI iz wan v H mOst rimRkabal, bat t mI mOst anplezant v
men—H /ministx v /forin /afXz, /prins /Adam /cRtPiski.... it
iz sac men Az hI hM disFd H fEt v nESanz,” Adad /bOlkOnski
wiH a sF hI kUd not sapres, Az HE pAst Qt v H pAlas.
<p>
neät dE, H Rmi bigAn its kAmpEn, n ap t H veri bAtal v
/Qstxlits, /bPis woz anEbal t sI FHx /prins /AndrM P /dOlgPMkOf
agen n rimEnd f a wFl wiH H /izmElOf reJimant.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
At dYn on H siätInT v nOvembx, /denisOf's skwodran, in
wic /nikalas /rOstOf sxvd n wic woz in /prins /bygrytiOn'z
ditAcmant, mMvd from H plEs wX it hAd spent H nFt, advAnsiN
intM AkSan Az xEnJd, n Aftx gOiN bihFnd aHx kolamz f
abQt tM Txdz v a mFl woz stopt on H hFrOd. /rOstOf sY H
/kosAä n Hen H fxst n sekand skwodranz v hMsRz n infantri
batAlWnz n Rtilxi pAs bF n gO fPwxd n Hen /Jenxalz
/bygrytiOn n /dOlgPMkOf rFd pAst wiH HX AJUtants. Yl H fC
bifP AkSan wic hI hAd iäpCWnst Az prIvWsli, Yl H inx
stragal t koNkx HAt fC, Yl hiz drImz v distiNgwiSiN himself
Az a trM hMsR in His bAtal, hAd bin wEstad. HX skwodran
rimEnd in rizxv n /nikalas /rOstOf spent HAt dE in a dal n
recad mMd. At nFn in H mPniN, hI hxd fFxiN in frant n
SQts v hxy, n sY wMndad bIiN brYt bAk (HX wx not
meni v Hem), n At lAst hI sY hQ a hOl ditAcmant v /frenc
kAvalri woz brYt in, konvqd bF a sotnW v /kosAä. evidentli H
afX woz Ovx n, HO not big, hAd bin a saäesfal ingEJmant.
H men n ofisxz ritxniN spOk v a brilWnt viktxi, v H
okVpESan v H tQn v /viSQ n H kApcx v a hOl /frenc
skwodran. H dE woz brFt n sani Aftx a SRp nFt frost, n
H cCfal glitx v HAt Ytam dE woz in kIpiN wiH H nMz v
viktxi wic woz kanvEd, not Onli bF H tElz v HOz hM hAd tEkan
pRt in it, bat YlsO bF H Jqfal iäpreSan on H fEsaz v sOlJxz,
ofisxz, Jenxalz, n AJUtants, Az HE pAst /rOstOf gOiN P
kamiN. n /nikalas, hM hAd vEnli safxd Yl H dred HAt
prisIdz a bAtal n hAd spent HAt hApi dE in inAktiviti, woz Yl
H mP diprest.
<p>
“kam hC, /wostOf. let's dwiNk t dwQn Qx /gwIf!” SQtad
/denisOf, hM hAd setald dQn bF H rOdsFd wiH a flAsk n sam
fMd.
<p>
H ofisxz gAHxd rQnd /denisOf's kAntIn, ItiN n tYkiN.
<p>
“HX! HE R briNiN anaHx!” krFd wan v H ofisxz,
indikEtiN a kAptiv /frenc dragMn hM woz bIiN brYt in on fUt bF
tM /kosAä.
<p>
wan v Hem woz lIdiN bF H brFdal a fFn lRJ /frenc hPs hI hAd
tEkan from H prizanx.
<p>
“sel as HAt hPs!” /denisOf kYld Qt t H /kosAä.
<p>
“if V lFk, jP onx!”
<p>
H ofisxz got ap n stUd rQnd H /kosAä n HX prizanx.
H /frenc dragMn woz a jaN /AlsESan hM spOk /frenc wiH a /Jxman
Aäent. hI woz breTlas wiH AJitESan, hiz fEs woz red, n wen
hI hxd sam /frenc spOkan hI At wans bigAn spIkiN t H ofisxz,
adresiN fxst wan, Hen anaHx. hI sed hI wUd not hAv bin
tEkan, it woz not hiz fYlt bat H kPpxal'z hM hAd sent him t
sIz sam hPskloTs, HO hI hAd tOld him H /raSanz wx HX.
n At evri wxd hI Adad: “bat dOnt hxt mF lital hPs!” n
strOkt H Animal. it woz plEn HAt hI did not kwFt grAsp wX hI
woz. nQ hI iäkVzd himself f hAviN bin tEkan prizanx n nQ,
imAJiniN himself bifP hiz On ofisxz, insistad on hiz sOlJxli
disiplin n zIl in H sxvis. hI brYt wiH him intM Qx
rCgRd Yl H freSnas v AtmasfC v H /frenc Rmi, wic woz
sO ElWn t as.
<p>
H /kosAä sOld H hPs f tM gOld pIsaz, n /rOstOf, bIiN H
ricast v H ofisxz nQ HAt hI hAd risIvd hiz mani, bYt it.
<p>
“bat dOnt hxt mF lital hPs!” sed H /AlsESan gUd-nEcxdli
t /rOstOf wen H Animal woz hAndad Ovx t H hMsR.
<p>
/rOstOf smFliNli rIaSUxd H dragMn n gEv him mani.
<p>
“Ali! Ali!” sed H /kosAk, taciN H prizanx'z Rm t
mEk him gO on.
<p>
“H /empxx! H /empxx!” woz sadanli hxd amaN H hMsRz.
<p>
Yl bigAn t ran n basal, n /rOstOf sY kamiN ap H rOd bihFnd
him sevxal rFdxz wiH wFt plMmz in HX hAts. in a mOment evriwan
woz in hiz plEs, wEtiN.
<p>
/rOstOf did not nO P rimembx hQ hI rAn t hiz plEs n mQntad.
instantli hiz rigret At not hAviN bin in AkSan n hiz diJektad mMd
amid pIpal v hMm hI woz wCi hAd gon, instantli evri TYt v
himself hAd vAniSt. hI woz fild wiH hApinas At hiz nCnas t
H /empxx. hI felt HAt His nCnas bF itself mEd ap t him f H
dE hI hAd lost. hI woz hApi Az a lavx wen H loNd-f mOment v
mItiN xFvz. not dXiN t lUk rQnd n wiHQt lUkiN rQnd, hI
woz iätAtikli konSas v hiz aprOc. hI felt it not Onli from H
sQnd v H hUfs v H aprOciN kAvalkEd, bat bikoz Az hI drM
nC evriTiN grM brFtx, mP Jqfal, mP signifikant, n mP
festiv xQnd him. nCx n nCx t /rOstOf kEm HAt san SediN
bImz v mFld n maJestik lFt xQnd, n Ylredi hI felt himself
invelapt in HOz bImz, hI hxd hiz vqs, HAt kFndli, kym,
n maJestik vqs HAt woz jet sO simpal! n Az if in akPd wiH
/rOstOf's fIliN, HX woz a deTli stilnas amid wic woz hxd
H /empxx'z vqs.
<p>
“H /pyvlOgryd hMsRz?” hI inkwFxd.
<p>
“H rizxvz, sFx!” riplFd a vqs, a veri hVman wan kampXd t
HAt wic hAd sed: “H /pyvlOgryd hMsRz?”
<p>
H /empxx drM leval wiH /rOstOf n hYltad. /AliãAndx'z fEs woz
Ivan mP bVtifal HAn it hAd bin TrI dEz bifP At H rivV. it
SOn wiH sac gEiti n VT, sac inasant VT, HAt it saJestad
H lFvlinas v a fPtIn-jC-Old bq, n jet it woz H fEs
v H maJestik /empxx. kAZMali, wFl sxvEiN H skwodran, H
/empxx'z Fz met /rOstOf's n restad on Hem f not mP HAn
tM sekandz. weHx P nO H /empxx andxstUd wot woz gOiN on in
/rOstOf's sOl (it sImd t /rOstOf HAt hI andxstUd evriTiN),
At eni rEt hiz lFt-blM Fz gEzd f abQt tM sekandz intM
/rOstOf's fEs. a Jental, mFld lFt pPd from Hem. Hen Yl At
wans hI rEzd hiz FbrQz, abraptli tact hiz hPs wiH hiz left
fUt, n gAlapt on.
<p>
H jaNgx /empxx kUd not ristrEn hiz wiS t bI prezant At H
bAtal n, in spFt v H rimonstransaz v hiz kPtCz, At twelv
O'klok left H Txd kolam wiH wic hI hAd bin n gAlapt
tPd H vAngRd. bifP hI kEm ap wiH H hMsRz, sevxal
AJUtants met him wiH nMz v H saäesfal rizalt v H AkSan.
<p>
His bAtal, wic kansistad in H kApcx v a /frenc skwodran, woz
reprizentad Az a brilWnt viktxi Ovx H /frenc, n sO H
/empxx n H hOl Rmi, ispeSali wFl H smOk haN Ovx
H bAtalfIld, bilIvd HAt H /frenc hAd bin difItad n wx
ritrItiN agenst HX wil. a fV minits Aftx H /empxx hAd
pAst, H /pyvlOgryd diviZan woz Pdxd t advAns. in /viSQ
itself, a peti /Jxman tQn, /rOstOf sY H /empxx agen. in H
mRkat plEs, wX HX hAd bin sam rAHx hevi fFxiN bifP H
/empxx'z xFval, lE sevxal kild n wMndad sOlJxz hMm HX
hAd not bin tFm t mMv. H /empxx, sxQndad bF hiz swIt
v ofisxz n kPtCz, woz rFdiN a bobtEld cestnat mX, a
difxant wan from HAt wic hI hAd ridan At H rivV, n bendiN
t wan sFd hI grEsfali held a gOld lPnjet t hiz Fz n lUkt
At a sOlJx hM lE prOn, wiH blad on hiz ankavxd hed. H
wMndad sOlJx woz sO dxti, kPs, n rivOltiN HAt hiz proäimiti
t H /empxx Sokt /rOstOf. /rOstOf sY hQ H /empxx'z rAHx
rQnd SOldxz Sadxd Az if a kOld Sivx hAd ran dQn Hem, hQ hiz
left fUt bigAn kanvalsivli tApiN H hPs'az sFd wiH H spx,
n hQ H wel-trEnd hPs lUkt rQnd ankansxnd n did not
stx. an AJUtant, dismQntiN, liftad H sOlJx andx H Rmz t
plEs him on a strecx HAt hAd bin brYt. H sOlJx grOnd.
<p>
“Jentli, Jentli! kAnt V dM it mP Jentli?” sed H /empxx
apArantli safxiN mP HAn H dFiN sOlJx, n hI rOd awE.
<p>
/rOstOf sY tCz filiN H /empxx'z Fz n hxd him, Az hI woz
rFdiN awE, sE t /cRtPiski: “wot a teribal TiN wP iz: wot
a teribal TiN! kel teribal cOz kE ly ger!”
<p>
H trMps v H vAngRd wx stESand bifP /viSQ, wiHin sFt
v H enami'z lFnz, wic Yl dE loN hAd jIldad grQnd t as
At H lIst fFxiN. H /empxx'z grAtitMd woz anQnst t H
vAngRd, riwPdz wx promist, n H men risIvd a dabal rASan v
vodka. H kAmpfFxz krAkald n H sOlJxz' soNz rizQndad
Ivan mP merili HAn on H prIvWs nFt. /denisOf selabrEtad hiz
pramOSan t H rANk v mEJx, n /rOstOf, hM hAd Ylredi draNk
inaf, At H end v H fIst prapOzd H /empxx'z helT. “not
'Qx /sovran, H /empxx,' Az HE sE At afiSal dinxz,”
sed hI, “bat H helT v Qx /sovran, HAt gUd, incAntiN, n
grEt mAn! let as driNk t hiz helT n t H sxtan difIt v H
/frenc!”
<p>
“if wI fYt bifP,” hI sed, “not letiN H /frenc pAs, Az
At /Sxn /grAbxn, wot SAl wI not dM nQ wen hI iz At H frant? wI
wil Yl dF f him glAdli! iz it not sO, Jentalmen? pxhAps F Am not
sEiN it rFt, F hAv draNk a gUd dIl—bat HAt iz hQ F fIl, n
sO dM V tM! t H helT v /AliãAndx H /fxst! hxy!”
<p>
“hxy!” rAN H inTVziAstik vqsaz v H ofisxz.
<p>
n H Old kAvalri kAptin, /kCstan, SQtad inTVziAstikli n nO
les sinsCli HAn H twenti-jC-Old /rOstOf.
<p>
wen H ofisxz hAd emptid n smASt HX glAsaz, /kCstan fild
aHxz n, in Sxt slIvz n brIcaz, went glAs in hAnd t H
sOlJxz' bonfFxz n wiH hiz loN grE mastAS, hiz wFt cest
SOiN andx hiz Opan Sxt, hI stUd in a maJestik pOz in H lFt
v H kAmpfFx, wEviN hiz apliftad Rm.
<p>
“lAdz! hC'z t Qx /sovran, H /empxx, n viktxi Ovx
Qx enamiz! hxy!” hI iäklEmd in hiz dASiN, Old, hMsR'z
bAritOn.
<p>
H hMsRz krQdad rQnd n rispondad hRtili wiH lQd SQts.
<p>
lEt HAt nFt, wen Yl hAd sepxEtad, /denisOf wiH hiz SPt hAnd
pAtad hiz fEvxit, /rOstOf, on H SOldx.
<p>
“Az HX'z nO wan t fYl in lav wiH on kAmpEn, hI'z fYlan
in lav wiH H /tsR,” hI sed.
<p>
“/denisOf, dOnt mEk fan v it!” krFd /rOstOf. “it iz sac a
lofti, bVtifal fIliN, sac a...”
<p>
“F bilIv it, F bilIv it, fwend, n F SX n ApwOv...”
<p>
“nO, V dOnt andxstAnd!”
<p>
n /rOstOf got ap n went wondxiN amaN H kAmpfFxz, drImiN v
wot hApinas it wUd bI t dF—not in sEviN H /empxx'z lFf
(hI did not Ivan dX t drIm v HAt), bat simpli t dF bifP hiz
Fz. hI rWli woz in lav wiH H /tsR n H glPi v H /raSan
Rmz n H hOp v fVcx trFamf. n hI woz not H Onli mAn t
iäpCWns HAt fIliN dxiN HOz memxabal dEz prisIdiN H bAtal
v /Qstxlits: nFn tenTs v H men in H /raSan Rmi wx Hen in
lav, HO les iätAtikli, wiH HX /tsR n H glPi v H
/raSan Rmz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
H neät dE H /empxx stopt At /viSQ, n /viliE, hiz fiziSan,
woz ripItadli samand t sI him. At hedkwPtxz n amaN H trMps
nC bF H nMz spred HAt H /empxx woz anwel. hI Et naTiN n
hAd slept bAdli HAt nFt, HOz xQnd him ripPtad. H kYz v His
indispaziSan woz H stroN impreSan mEd on hiz sensitiv mFnd bF
H sFt v H kild n wMndad.
<p>
At dEbrEk on H sevantInT, a /frenc ofisx hM hAd kam wiH
a flAg v trMs, dimAndiN an YdWns wiH H /raSan /empxx, woz
brYt intM /viSQ from Qx QtpOsts. His ofisx woz /syvRi. H
/empxx hAd Onli Jast fYlan aslIp n sO /syvRi hAd t wEt. At middE
hI woz admitad t H /empxx, n an Qx lEtx hI rOd of wiH
/prins /dOlgPMkOf t H advAnst pOst v H /frenc Rmi.
<p>
it woz rMmxd HAt /syvRi hAd bin sent t prapOz t /AliãAndx
a mItiN wiH /napOlWn. t H Jq n prFd v H hOl Rmi, a
pxsanal intxvV woz rifVzd, n insted v H /sovran, /prins
/dOlgPMkOf, H viktx At /viSQ, woz sent wiH /syvRi t nigOSiEt
wiH /napOlWn if, kontrXi t eäpektESanz, HIz nigOSiESanz wx
AkcMEtad bF a rWl dizFx f pIs.
<p>
tPd IvniN /dOlgPMkOf kEm bAk, went strEt t H /tsR, n
rimEnd alOn wiH him f a loN tFm.
<p>
on H EtInT n nFntInT v nOvembx, H Rmi advAnst tM
dEz' mRc n H enami'z QtpOsts Aftx a brIf intxcEnJ
v Sots ritrItad. in H hFast Rmi sxkalz from middE on H
nFntInT, a grEt, iäFtadli basaliN Aktiviti bigAn wic lAstad til
H mPniN v H twentWT, wen H memxabal bAtal v /Qstxlits
woz fYt.
<p>
til middE on H nFntInT, H Aktiviti—H Igx tYk, raniN t
n frO, n dispAciN v AJUtants—woz kanfFnd t H /empxx'z
hedkwPtxz. bat on H AftxnMn v HAt dE, His Aktiviti rIct
/kMtMzOf's hedkwPtxz n H stAfs v H kamAndxz v kolamz.
bF IvniN, H AJUtants hAd spred it t Yl endz n pRts v H
Rmi, n in H nFt from H nFntInT t H twentWT, H hOl
Eti TQzand AlFd trMps rOz from HX bivUAä t H ham v
vqsaz, n H Rmi swEd n stRtad in wan inPmas mAs siä mFlz
loN.
<p>
H konsantrEtad Aktiviti wic hAd bigan At H /empxx'z
hedkwPtxz in H mPniN n hAd stRtad H hOl mMvmant HAt
folOd woz lFk H fxst mMvmant v H mEn wIl v a lRJ tQx
klok. wan wIl slOli mMvd, anaHx woz set in mOSan, n a Txd,
n wIlz bigAn t rivolv fAstx n fAstx, levxz n kogwIlz t
wxk, cFmz t plE, figjxz t pop Qt, n H hAndz t advAns wiH
regVlx mOSan Az a rizalt v Yl HAt Aktiviti.
<p>
Jast Az in H mekanizam v a klok, sO in H mekanizam v H militXi
maSIn, an impals wans givan lIdz t H fFnal rizalt; n Jast Az
indifxantli kwiesant til H mOment wen mOSan iz trAnzmitad
t Hem R H pRts v H mekanizam wic H impals hAz not jet
rIct. wIlz krIk on HX Aäalz Az H koã ingEJ wan anaHx n
H rivolviN pUliz wx wiH H rapiditi v HX mMvmant, bat a
nEbxiN wIl iz Az kwFat n mOSanlas Az HO it wx pripXd
t rimEn sO f a handrad jCz; bat H mOment kamz wen H levx
kAcaz it n ObEiN H impals HAt wIl biginz t krIk n Jqnz
in H koman mOSan H rizalt n Em v wic R bijond its ken.
<p>
Jast Az in a klok, H rizalt v H komplikEtad mOSan v inMmxabal
wIlz n pUliz iz mCli a slO n regVlx mMvmant v H
hAndz wic SO H tFm, sO H rizalt v Yl H komplikEtad hVman
Aktivitiz v 160,000 /raSanz n /frenc—Yl HX pASanz, dizFxz,
rimPs, hVmiliESanz, safxiNz, Qtbxsts v prFd, fC, n
inTVziAzam—woz Onli H los v H bAtal v /Qstxlits, H
sO-kYld bAtal v H TrI /empxxz—HAt iz t sE, a slO mMvmant
v H hAnd on H dFl v hVman histxi.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz on dMti HAt dE n in konstant atendans on H
kamAndx in cIf.
<p>
At siä in H IvniN, /kMtMzOf went t H /empxx'z hedkwPtxz
n Aftx stEiN bat a SPt tFm wiH H /tsR went t sI H grAnd
mRSal v H kPt, /kQnt /tOlstq.
<p>
/bOlkOnski tUk H opxtMniti t gO in t get sam dItElz v H
kamiN AkSan from /dOlgPMkOf. hI felt HAt /kMtMzOf woz apset
n dissAtisfFd abQt samTiN n HAt At hedkwPtxz HE wx
dissAtisfFd wiH him, n YlsO HAt At H /empxx'z hedkwPtxz
evriwan adoptad tPd him H tOn v men hM nO samTiN aHxz dM
not nO: hI HXfP wiSt t spIk t /dOlgPMkOf.
<p>
“wel, hQ d'V dM, mF dC felO?” sed /dOlgPMkOf, hM woz
sitiN At tI wiH /bilibin. “H fEt iz f tamorO. hQ iz jP
Old felO? Qt v sPts?”
<p>
“F wOnt sE hI iz Qt v sPts, bat F fAnsi hI wUd lFk t bI
hxd.”
<p>
“bat HE hxd him At H kQnsal v wP n wil hC him wen hI
tYä sens, bat t tempxFz n wEt f samTiN nQ wen /bOnapRt
fCz naTiN sO mac Az a Jenxal bAtal iz imposabal.”
<p>
“jes, V hAv sIn him?” sed /prins /AndrM. “wel, wot iz
/bOnapRt lFk? hQ did hI impres V?”
<p>
“jes, F sY him, n Am kanvinst HAt hI fCz naTiN sO mac Az
a Jenxal ingEJmant,” ripItad /dOlgPMkOf, evidentli prFziN His
Jenxal kanklMZan wic hI hAd xFvd At from hiz intxvV wiH
/napOlWn. “if hI wxnt afrEd v a bAtal wF did hI Ask f HAt
intxvV? wF nigOSiEt, n abav Yl wF ritrIt, wen t ritrIt iz
sO kontrXi t hiz meTad v kondaktiN wP? bilIv mI, hI iz afrEd,
afrEd v a Jenxal bAtal. hiz Qx hAz kam! mRk mF wxdz!”
<p>
“bat tel mI, wot iz hI lFk, E?” sed /prins /AndrM agen.
<p>
“hI iz a mAn in a grE OvxkOt, veri ANkSas HAt F SUd kYl
him 'jP /mAJasti,' bat hM, t hiz SAgrin, got nO tFtal from
mI! HAt's H sPt v mAn hI iz, n naTiN mP,” riplFd
/dOlgPMkOf, lUkiN rQnd At /bilibin wiH a smFl.
<p>
“dispFt mF grEt rispekt f Old /kMtMzOf,” hI kantinVd, “wI
SUd bI a nFs set v felOz if wI wx t wEt abQt n sO giv him
a cAns t iskEp, P t trik as, nQ HAt wI sxtanli hAv him in
Qx hAndz! nO, wI masant fxget /sMvPOf n hiz rMl—not t pUt
jPself in a paziSan t bI atAkt, bat jPself t atAk. bilIv
mI in wP H enxJi v jaN men oftan SOz H wE betx HAn Yl
H iäpCWns v Old /kaNktEtxz.”
<p>
“bat in wot paziSan R wI gOiN t atAk him? F hAv bin At H
QtpOsts tadE n it iz imposabal t sE wX hiz cIf fPsaz R
sicMEtad,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
hI wiSt t iäplEn t /dOlgPMkOf a plAn v atAk hI hAd himself
fPmd.
<p>
“O, HAt iz Yl H sEm,” /dOlgPMkOf sed kwikli, n getiN ap
hI spred a mAp on H tEbal. “Yl ivencMAlitiz hAv bin fPsIn.
if hI iz stAndiN bifP /brUn...”
<p>
n /prins /dOlgPMkOf rApidli bat indistiNktli iäplEnd /wEroTx'z
plAn v a flANkiN mMvmant.
<p>
prins /AndrM bigAn t riplF n t stEt hiz On plAn, wic mFt
hAv bin Az gUd Az /wEroTx'z, bat f H disadvAntiJ HAt
/wEroTx'z hAd Ylredi bin aprMvd. Az sMn Az /prins /AndrM bigAn
t demanstrEt H dIfekts v H lAtx n H merits v hiz On plAn,
/prins /dOlgPMkOf sIst t lisan t him n gEzd Absant-mFndadli not
At H mAp, bat At /prins /AndrM'z fEs.
<p>
“HX wil bI a kQnsal v wP At /kMtMzOf's tanFt, HO; V
kAn sE Yl His HX,” rimRkt /dOlgPMkOf.
<p>
“F wil dM sO,” sed /prins /AndrM, mMviN awE from H mAp.
<p>
“wotevx R V boHxiN abQt, Jentalmen?” sed /bilibin, hM,
til Hen, hAd lisand wiH an amVzd smFl t HX konvxsESan n
nQ woz evidentli redi wiH a JOk. “weHx tamorO briNz
viktxi P difIt, H glPi v Qx /raSan Rmz iz sikjUx. iäept jP
/kMtMzOf, HX iz not a siNgal /raSan in kamAnd v a kolam! H
kamAndxz R: her /Jenxal /wimpfan, lU /kOmtE de /lynZxOn, lU /prins de
/liâtanstFn, lU /prins de /hOinlOe, n fFnali /priSpriS, n sO on
lFk Yl HOz /pOliS nEmz.”
<p>
“bI kwFat, bAkbFtx!” sed /dOlgPMkOf. “it iz not trM; HX
R nQ tM /raSanz, /milPydOvic, n /dOâtMrOf, n HX wUd bI
a Txd, /kQnt /RykcEef, if hiz nxvz wx not tM wIk.”
<p>
“hQevx, F TiNk /Jenxal /kMtMzOf hAz kam Qt,” sed /prins
/AndrM. “F wiS V gUd lak n saäes, Jentalmen!” hI Adad n
went Qt Aftx SEkiN hAndz wiH /dOlgPMkOf n /bilibin.
<p>
on H wE hOm, /prins /AndrM kUd not rifrEn from AskiN /kMtMzOf,
hM woz sitiN sFlantli bisFd him, wot hI TYt v tamorO'z
bAtal.
<p>
/kMtMzOf lUkt stxnli At hiz AJUtant n, Aftx a pYz, riplFd:
“F TiNk H bAtal wil bI lost, n sO F tOld /kQnt /tOlstq n
Askt him t tel H /empxx. wot dM V TiNk hI riplFd? 'bat, mF
dC Jenxal, F Am ingEJd wiH rFs n katlats, lUk Aftx militXi
mAtxz jPself!' jes... HAt woz H Ansx F got!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
/SPtli Aftx nFn O'klok HAt IvniN, /wEroTx drOv wiH hiz
plAnz t /kMtMzOf's kwPtxz wX H kQnsal v wP woz t bI
held. Yl H kamAndxz v kolamz wx samand t H kamAndx in
cIf's n wiH H iäepSan v /prins /bygrytiOn, hM diklFnd t
kam, wx Yl HX At H apqntad tFm.
<p>
/wEroTx, hM woz in fUl kantrOl v H prapOzd bAtal, bF hiz
Igxnas n brisknas prizentad a mRkt kontrAst t H dissAtisfFd
n drQzi /kMtMzOf, hM rilaktantli plEd H pRt v cXman n
prezidant v H kQnsal v wP. /wEroTx evidentli felt himself t bI
At H hed v a mMvmant HAt hAd Ylredi bikam anristrEnabal. hI woz
lFk a hPs raniN dQnhil hRnast t a hevi kRt. weHx hI woz
pUliN it P bIiN pUSt bF it hI did not nO, bat raSt aloN At
hedloN spId wiH nO tFm t kansidx wot His mMvmant mFt lId
t. /wEroTx hAd bin twFs HAt IvniN t H enami'z pikat
lFn t rIkanqtx pxsanali, n twFs t H /empxxz, /raSan n
/ostrWn, t ripPt n iäplEn, n t hiz hedkwPtxz wX hI hAd
diktEtad H dispaziSanz in /Jxman, n nQ, mac iãYstad, hI xFvd
At /kMtMzOf's.
<p>
hI woz evidentli sO bizi HAt hI Ivan fxgot t bI palFt t H
kamAndx in cIf. hI intxaptad him, tYkt rApidli n indistiNktli,
wiHQt lUkiN At H mAn hI woz adresiN, n did not riplF t
kwescanz pUt t him. hI woz bispAtxd wiH mad n hAd a pitifal,
wCi, n distrAktad X, HO At H sEm tFm hI woz hYti n
self-konfidant.
<p>
/kMtMzOf woz okVpFiN a nObalman'z kAsal v modast dimenSanz nC
/ostralits. in H lRJ drYiN rMm wic hAd bikam H kamAndx
in cIf's ofis wx gAHxd /kMtMzOf himself, /wEroTx, n H
membxz v H kQnsal v wP. HE wx driNkiN tI, n Onli awEtad
/prins /bygrytiOn t bigin H kQnsal. At lAst /bygrytiOn'z Pdxli
kEm wiH H nMz HAt H prins kUd not atend. prins /AndrM kEm
in t infPm H kamAndx in cIf v His n, avEliN himself
v pxmiSan prIvWsli givan him bF /kMtMzOf t bI prezant At H
kQnsal, hI rimEnd in H rMm.
<p>
“sins /prins /bygrytiOn iz not kamiN, wI mE bigin,” sed
/wEroTx, haridli rFziN from hiz sIt n gOiN ap t H tEbal on
wic an inPmas mAp v H invFranz v /brUn woz spred Qt.
<p>
/kMtMzOf, wiH hiz VnifPm anbatand sO HAt hiz fAt nek balJd Ovx
hiz kolx Az if iskEpiN, woz sitiN YlmOst aslIp in a lO cX,
wiH hiz poJi Old hAndz restiN simetrikli on its Rmz. At H sQnd
v /wEroTx'z vqs, hI Opand hiz wan F wiH an efxt.
<p>
“jes, jes, if V plIz! it iz Ylredi lEt,” sed hI, n nodiN
hiz hed hI let it drMp n agen klOzd hiz F.
<p>
if At fxst H membxz v H kQnsal TYt HAt /kMtMzOf woz
pritendiN t slIp, H sQndz hiz nOz imitad dxiN H rIdiN HAt
folOd prMvd HAt H kamAndx in cIf At HAt mOment woz absPbd
bF a fR mP sCWs mAtx HAn a dizFx t SO hiz kantempt f
H dispaziSanz P eniTiN els—hI woz ingEJd in sAtisfFiN H
irizistabal hVman nId f slIp. hI rWli woz aslIp. /wEroTx, wiH
H Jescx v a mAn tM bizi t lMz a mOment, glAnst At /kMtMzOf n,
hAviN kanvinst himself HAt hI woz aslIp, tUk ap a pEpx n in
a lQd, manotanas vqs bigAn t rId Qt H dispaziSanz f H
impendiN bAtal, andx a hediN wic hI YlsO red Qt:
<p>
“dispaziSanz f an atAk on H enami paziSan bihFnd /kObalnits n
/sOkOlnits, nOvembx 30, 1805.”
<p>
H dispaziSanz wx veri komplikEtad n difikalt. HE bigAn Az
folOz:
<p>
“Az H enami'z left wiN rests on wUdad hilz n hiz rFt
iätendz aloN /kObalnits n /sOkOlnits bihFnd H pondz HAt R HX,
wFl wI, on H aHx hAnd, wiH Qx left wiN bF fR QtflANk hiz
rFt, it iz AdvantEJas t atAk H enami'z lAtx wiN ispeSali
if wI okVpF H viliJaz v /sOkOlnits n /kObalnits, wXbF wI
kAn bOT fYl on hiz flANk n pxsM him Ovx H plEn bitwIn
/SlApanits n H /TMxAsa fPist, avqdiN H difFlz v
/SlApanits n /belOvits wic kavx H enami'z frant. f His
obJekt it iz nesisXi HAt... H fxst kolam mRcaz... H sekand
kolam mRcaz... H Txd kolam mRcaz...” n sO on, rId
/wEroTx.
<p>
H Jenxalz sImd t lisan rilaktantli t H difikalt dispaziSanz.
H tYl, fX-hXd /Jenxal /bMähxvden stUd, lIniN hiz bAk agenst
H wYl, hiz Fz fiät on a bxniN kAndal, n sImd not t lisan
P Ivan t wiS t bI TYt t lisan. iãAktli opazit /wEroTx,
wiH hiz glisaniN wFd-Opan Fz fiät apon him n hiz mastAS
twistad apwxdz, sAt H radi /milPydOvic in a militXi pOz, hiz
elbOz txnd Qtwxdz, hiz hAndz on hiz nIz, n hiz SOldxz
rEzd. hI rimEnd stabxnli sFlant, gEziN At /wEroTx'z fEs,
n Onli txnd awE hiz Fz wen H /ostrWn cIf v stAf finiSt
rIdiN. Hen /milPydOvic lUkt rQnd signifikantli At H aHx
Jenxalz. bat wan kUd not tel from HAt signifikant lUk weHx hI
agrId P disagrId n woz sAtisfFd P not wiH H xEnJmants. neät
t /wEroTx sAt /kQnt /lynZxOn hM, wiH a satal smFl HAt nevx left
hiz tipikli saHxn /frenc fEs dxiN H hOl tFm v H rIdiN,
gEzd At hiz delikat fiNgxz wic rApidli twxld bF its kPnxz
a gOld snafboä on wic woz a pPtrEt. in H midal v wan v H
loNgast sentansaz, hI stopt H rOtxi mOSan v H snafboä, rEzd
hiz hed, n wiH inimikal palFtnas lxkiN in H kPnxz v hiz
Tin lips intxaptad /wEroTx, wiSiN t sE samTiN. bat H
/ostrWn Jenxal, kantinViN t rId, frQnd ANgrili n Jxkt hiz
elbOz, Az if t sE: “V kAn tel mI jP vVz lEtx, bat nQ bI sO
gUd Az t lUk At H mAp n lisan.” /lynZxOn liftad hiz Fz wiH
an iäpreSan v pxpleäiti, txnd rQnd t /milPydOvic Az if sIkiN
an eäplanESan, bat mItiN H lAtx'z impresiv bat mIniNlas
gEz drMpt hiz Fz sAdli n agen tUk t twxliN hiz snafboä.
<p>
“a Jiografi lesan!” hI matxd Az if t himself, bat lQd inaf
t bI hxd.
<p>
/pSebiSefski, wiH rispektfal bat dignifFd palFtnas, held hiz
hAnd t hiz C tPd /wEroTx, wiH H X v a mAn absPbd in
atenSan. /dOâcxOf, a lital mAn, sAt opazit /wEroTx, wiH
an AsiJMas n modast mIn, n stMpiN Ovx H Qtspred mAp
konSienSasli stadid H dispaziSanz n H anfamilC lOkAliti. hI
Askt /wEroTx sevxal tFmz t ripIt wxdz hI hAd not klCli hxd
n H difikalt nEmz v viliJaz. /wEroTx kamplFd n /dOâcxOf
nOtad Hem dQn.
<p>
wen H rIdiN wic lAstad mP HAn an Qx woz Ovx, /lynZxOn agen
brYt hiz snafboä t rest n, wiHQt lUkiN At /wEroTx P At
eniwan in pxtikVlx, bigAn t sE hQ difikalt it woz t kAri Qt
sac a plAn in wic H enami'z paziSan woz asMmd t bI nOn,
wXAz it woz pxhAps not nOn, sins H enami woz in mMvmant.
/lynZxOn'z abJekSanz wx vAlid bat it woz obvWs HAt HX cIf
Em woz t SO /Jenxal /wEroTx—hM hAd red hiz dispaziSanz wiH
Az mac self-konfidans Az if hI wx adresiN skMl cildran—HAt
hI hAd t dM, not wiH fMlz, bat wiH men hM kUd tIc him samTiN
in militXi mAtxz.
<p>
wen H manotanas sQnd v /wEroTx'z vqs sIst, /kMtMzOf Opand
hiz F Az a milx wEä ap wen H sopxifik drOn v H mil wIl
iz intxaptad. hI lisand t wot /lynZxOn sed, Az if rimRkiN,
“sO V R stil At HAt sili biznas!” kwikli klOzd hiz F
agen, n let hiz hed siNk stil lOx.
<p>
/lynZxOn, trFiN Az viralantli Az posabal t stiN /wEroTx'z vAniti
Az YTx v H militXi plAn, RgVd HAt /bOnapRt mFt Izili
atAk insted v bIiN atAkt, n sO rendx H hOl v His
plAn pxfiktli wxTlas. /wEroTx met Yl abJekSanz wiH a fxm n
kantempcMas smFl, evidentli pripXd bifPhAnd t mIt Yl abJekSanz
bI HE wot HE mFt.
<p>
“if hI kUd atAk as, hI wUd hAv dan sO tadE,” sed hI.
<p>
“sO V TiNk hI iz pQxlas?” sed /lynZxOn.
<p>
“hI hAz fPti TQzand men At mOst,” riplFd /wEroTx, wiH H
smFl v a doktx t hMm an Old wFf wiSaz t iäplEn H trItmant v
a kEs.
<p>
“in HAt kEs hI iz invFtiN hiz dMm bF awEtiN Qx atAk,” sed
/lynZxOn, wiH a satali Fronikal smFl, agen glAnsiN rQnd f sapPt
t /milPydOvic hM woz nC him.
<p>
bat /milPydOvic woz At HAt mOment evidentli TiNkiN v eniTiN
rAHx HAn v wot H Jenxalz wx dispVtiN abQt.
<p>
“my foi!” sed hI, “tamorO wI SAl sI Yl HAt on H
bAtalfIld.”
<p>
/wEroTx agen gEv HAt smFl wic sImd t sE HAt t him it woz
strEnJ n ridikVlas t mIt abJekSanz from /raSan Jenxalz n t
hAf t prMv t Hem wot hI hAd not mCli kanvinst himself v, bat
hAd YlsO kanvinst H sovran /empxxz v.
<p>
“H enami hAz kwenct hiz fFxz n a kantinVal nqz iz hxd from
hiz kAmp,” sed hI. “wot daz HAt mIn? FHx hI iz ritrItiN,
wic iz H Onli TiN wI nId fC, P hI iz cEnJiN hiz paziSan.”
(hI smFld Fronikli.) “bat Ivan if hI YlsO tUk ap a paziSan in
H /TMxAsa, hI mCli sEvz as a grEt dIl v trabal n Yl Qx
xEnJmants t H mFnMtast dItEl rimEn H sEm.”
<p>
“hQ iz HAt?...” bigAn /prins /AndrM, hM hAd f loN bin wEtiN
an opxtMniti t iäpres hiz dQts.
<p>
/kMtMzOf hC wOk ap, koft hevili, n lUkt rQnd At H
Jenxalz.
<p>
“Jentalmen, H dispaziSanz f tamorO—P rAHx f tadE, f
it iz pAst midnFt—kAnot nQ bI Yltxd,” sed hI. “V hAv
hxd Hem, n wI SAl Yl dM Qx dMti. bat bifP a bAtal, HX iz
naTiN mP impPtant...” hI pYzd, “HAn t hAv a gUd slIp.”
<p>
hI mMvd Az if t rFz. H Jenxalz bQd n ritFxd. it woz pAst
midnFt. prins /AndrM went Qt.
<p>
H kQnsal v wP, At wic /prins /AndrM hAd not bin Ebal t
iäpres hiz apinjan Az hI hAd hOpt t, left on him a vEg n anIzi
impreSan. weHx /dOlgPMkOf n /wEroTx, P /kMtMzOf, /lynZxOn,
n H aHxz hM did not aprMv v H plAn v atAk, wx
rFt—hI did not nO. “bat woz it rWli not posabal f /kMtMzOf
t stEt hiz vVz plEnli t H /empxx? iz it posabal HAt on
akQnt v kPt n pxsanal kansidxESanz tenz v TQzandz v lFvz,
n mF lFf, mF lFf,” hI TYt, “mast bI riskt?”
<p>
“jes, it iz veri lFkli HAt F SAl bI kild tamorO,” hI
TYt. n sadanli, At His TYt v deT, a hOl sCIz v mOst
distant, mOst intimat, memxiz rOz in hiz imAJinESan: hI rimembxd
hiz lAst pRtiN from hiz fyHx n hiz wFf; hI rimembxd H dEz
wen hI fxst lavd hx. hI TYt v hx pregnansi n felt sori f
hx n f himself, n in a nxvasli imOSanal n sofand mMd hI
went Qt v H hat in wic hI woz bilatad wiH /nesvitski n bigAn
t wYk ap n dQn bifP it.
<p>
H nFt woz fogi n TrM H fog H mMnlFt glImd
mistCWsli. “jes, tamorO, tamorO!” hI TYt. “tamorO
evriTiN mE bI Ovx f mI! Yl HIz memxiz wil bI nO mP, nan
v Hem wil hAv eni mIniN f mI. tamorO pxhAps, Ivan sxtanli,
F hAv a prizentimant HAt f H fxst tFm F SAl hAf t SO Yl
F kAn dM.” n hiz fAnsi pikcxd H bAtal, its los, H
konsantrESan v fFtiN At wan pqnt, n H hezitESan v Yl H
kamAndxz. n Hen HAt hApi mOment, HAt /tMlon f wic hI hAd
sO loN wEtad, prizents itself t him At lAst. hI fxmli n klCli
iäpresaz hiz apinjan t /kMtMzOf, t /wEroTx, n t H /empxxz.
Yl R strak bF H Jastnas v hiz vVz, bat nO wan andxtEä t
kAri Hem Qt, sO hI tEä a reJimant, a diviZan—stipVlEts HAt nO
wan iz t intxfC wiH hiz xEnJmants—lIdz hiz diviZan t
H disFsiv pqnt, n gEnz H viktxi alOn. “bat deT n
safxiN?” saJestad anaHx vqs. prins /AndrM, hQevx, did not
Ansx HAt vqs n went on drImiN v hiz trFamfs. H dispaziSanz
f H neät bAtal R plAnd bF him alOn. nominali hI iz Onli an
AJUtant on /kMtMzOf's stAf, bat hI daz evriTiN alOn. H neät
bAtal iz wan bF him alOn. /kMtMzOf iz rimMvd n hI iz apqntad...
“wel n Hen?” Askt H aHx vqs. “if bifP HAt V R
not ten tFmz wMndad, kild, P bitrEd, wel... wot Hen?...”
“wel Hen,” prins /AndrM Ansxd himself, “F dOnt nO
wot wil hApan n dOnt wont t nO, n kAnt, bat if F wont
His—wont glPi, wont t bI nOn t men, wont t bI lavd bF Hem, it
iz not mF fYlt HAt F wont it n wont naTiN bat HAt n liv Onli
f HAt. jes, f HAt alOn! F SAl nevx tel eniwan, bat, O /god!
wot Am F t dM if F lav naTiN bat fEm n men'z istIm? deT,
wMndz, H los v fAmli—F fC naTiN. n preSas n dC
Az meni pxsanz R t mI—fyHx, sistx, wFf—HOz dCast t
mI—jet dredfal n annAcxal Az it sImz, F wUd giv Hem Yl At
wans f a mOment v glPi, v trFamf Ovx men, v lav from men F
dOnt nO n nevx SAl nO, f H lav v HIz men hC,” hI
TYt, Az hI lisand t vqsaz in /kMtMzOf's kPtjRd. H vqsaz
wx HOz v H Pdxliz hM wx pAkiN ap; wan vqs, probabli a
kOcman'z, woz tIziN /kMtMzOf's Old kUk hMm /prins /AndrM nM,
n hM woz kYld /tit. hI woz sEiN, “tit, F sE, /tit!”
<p>
“wel?” ritxnd H Old mAn.
<p>
“gO, /tit, TreS a bit!” sed H wAg.
<p>
“O, gO t H deval!” kYld Qt a vqs, drQnd bF H lAftx
v H Pdxliz n sxvants.
<p>
“Yl H sEm, F lav n vAlV naTiN bat trFamf Ovx Hem Yl, F
vAlV His mistik pQx n glPi HAt iz flOtiN hC abav mI in His
mist!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
HAt sEm nFt, /rOstOf woz wiH a plAtMn on skxmiSiN dMti in frant
v /bygrytiOn'z ditAcmant. hiz hMsRz wx plEst aloN H lFn
in kapalz n hI himself rOd aloN H lFn trFiN t mAstx H
slIpinas HAt kept kamiN Ovx him. an inPmas spEs, wiH Qx
Rmi'z kAmpfFxz dimli glOiN in H fog, kUd bI sIn bihFnd him;
in frant v him woz misti dRknas. /rOstOf kUd sI naTiN, pC Az
hI wUd intM HAt fogi distans: nQ samTiN glImd grE, nQ HX
woz samTiN blAk, nQ lital lFts sImd t glimx wX H enami
Yt t bI, nQ hI fAnsid it woz Onli samTiN in hiz On Fz. hiz
Fz kept klOziN, n in hiz fAnsi apCd—nQ H /empxx, nQ
/denisOf, n nQ /moskQ memxiz—n hI agen haridli Opand hiz
Fz n sY klOs bifP him H hed n Cz v H hPs hI woz
rFdiN, n samtFmz, wen hI kEm wiHin siä pEsaz v Hem, H
blAk figjxz v hMsRz, bat in H distans woz stil H sEm misti
dRknas. “wF not?... it mFt Izili hApan,” TYt /rOstOf,
“HAt H /empxx wil mIt mI n giv mI an Pdx Az hI wUd t eni
aHx ofisx; hI'l sE: 'gO n fFnd Qt wot's HX.' HX
R meni stPiz v hiz getiN t nO an ofisx in Jast sac a cAns
wE n atAciN him t himself! wot if hI gEv mI a plEs nC him?
O, hQ F wUd gRd him, hQ F wUd tel him H trMT, hQ F wUd
anmAsk hiz disIvxz!” n in Pdx t rWlFz vividli hiz lav
divOSan t H sovran, /rOstOf pikcxd t himself an enami P a
disItfal /Jxman, hMm hI wUd not Onli kil wiH pleZx bat hMm
hI wUd slAp in H fEs bifP H /empxx. sadanli a distant SQt
xQzd him. hI stRtad n Opand hiz Fz.
<p>
“wX Am F? O jes, in H skxmiSiN lFn... pAs n
wocwxd—SAft, /OlmUts. wot a nMsans HAt Qx skwodran wil bI in
rizxv tamorO,” hI TYt. “F'l Ask lIv t gO t H frant,
His mE bI mF Onli cAns v sIiN H /empxx. it wOnt bI loN
nQ bifP F Am of dMti. F'l tEk anaHx txn n wen F get bAk
F'l gO t H Jenxal n Ask him.” hI rIaJastad himself in H
sAdal n tact ap hiz hPs t rFd wans mP rQnd hiz hMsRz. it
sImd t him HAt it woz getiN lFtx. t H left hI sY a slOpiN
disent lit ap, n fEsiN it a blAk nOl HAt sImd Az stIp Az a
wYl. on His nOl HX woz a wFt pAc HAt /rOstOf kUd not At
Yl mEk Qt: woz it a glEd in H wUd lit ap bF H mMn, P sam
anmeltad snO, P sam wFt hQzaz? hI Ivan TYt samTiN mMvd on
HAt wFt spot. “F iäpekt it's snO... HAt spot... a spot—Un
tache,” hI TYt. “HX nQ... it's not a tache... /nytySa...
sistx, blAk Fz... ny... /tySa... (wOnt SI bI sxprFzd wen
F tel hx hQ F'v sIn H /empxx?) /nytySa... tEk mF
sEbxItEk...”—“kIp t H rFt, jP onx, HX R bUSaz
hC,” kEm H vqs v an hMsR, pAst hMm /rOstOf woz rFdiN in
H Akt v fYliN aslIp. /rOstOf liftad hiz hed HAt hAd saNk YlmOst
t hiz hPs'az mEn n pUld ap bisFd H hMsR. hI woz sakamiN
t irizistabal, VTfal, cFldiS drQzinas. “bat wot woz F
TiNkiN? F masant fxget. hQ SAl F spIk t H /empxx? nO,
HAt's not it—HAt's tamorO. O jes! /nytySa... sEbxItEk...
sEbx Hem... hMm? H hMsRz... y, H hMsRz wiH mastASaz. aloN
H /tverskFa /strIt rOd H hMsR wiH mastASaz... F TYt abQt
him tM, Jast opazit /gxjef's hQs... Old /gxjef.... O, bat
/denisOf's a fFn felO. bat HAt's Yl nonsens. H cIf TiN
iz HAt H /empxx iz hC. hQ hI lUkt At mI n wiSt t sE
samTiN, bat dXd not.... nO, it woz F hM dXd not. bat HAt's
nonsens, H cIf TiN iz not t fxget H impPtant TiN F
woz TiNkiN v. jes, /ny-/tySa, sEbxItEk, O, jes, jes! HAt's
rFt!” n hiz hed wans mP sANk t hiz hPs'az nek. Yl At wans
it sImd t him HAt hI woz bIiN fFxd At “wot? wot? wot?... kat
Hem dQn! wot?...” sed /rOstOf, wEkiN ap. At H mOment hI Opand
hiz Fz hI hxd in frant v him, wX H enami woz, H loN-drYn
SQts v TQzandz v vqsaz. hiz hPs n H hPs v H hMsR
nC him prikt HX Cz At HIz SQts. Ovx HX, wX H
SQtiN kEm from, a fFx flXd ap n went Qt agen, Hen anaHx,
n Yl aloN H /frenc lFn on H hil fFxz flXd ap n H
SQtiN grM lQdx n lQdx. /rOstOf kUd hC H sQnd v /frenc
wxdz bat kUd not distiNgwiS Hem. H din v meni vqsaz woz tM
grEt; Yl hI kUd hC woz: “yaa!” n “rrrr!”
<p>
“wot's HAt? wot dM V mEk v it?” sed /rOstOf t H hMsR
bisFd him. “HAt mast bI H enami'z kAmp!”
<p>
H hMsR did not riplF.
<p>
“wF, dOnt V hC it?” /rOstOf Askt agen, Aftx wEtiN f a
riplF.
<p>
“hM kAn tel, jP onx?” riplFd H hMsR rilaktantli.
<p>
“from H direkSan, it mast bI H enami,” ripItad /rOstOf.
<p>
“it mE bI hI P it mE bI naTiN,” matxd H hMsR. “it's
dRk... stedi!” hI krFd t hiz fiJatiN hPs.
<p>
/rOstOf's hPs woz YlsO getiN restiv: it pYd H frOzan grQnd,
prikiN its Cz At H nqz n lUkiN At H lFts. H SQtiN
grM stil lQdx n mxJd intM a Jenxal rP HAt Onli an Rmi
v sevxal TQzand men kUd pradMs. H lFts spred fRHx n
fRHx, probabli aloN H lFn v H /frenc kAmp. /rOstOf nO loNgx
wontad t slIp. H gE trFamfant SQtiN v H enami Rmi hAd a
stimVlEtiN ifekt on him. “vIv /l'empxx! /l'empxx!” hI nQ
hxd distiNktli.
<p>
“HE kAnt bI fR of, probabli Jast bijond H strIm,” hI sed
t H hMsR bisFd him.
<p>
H hMsR Onli sFd wiHQt riplFiN n koft ANgrili. H sQnd
v hPs'az hUfs aprOciN At a trot aloN H lFn v hMsRz woz
hxd, n Qt v H fogi dRknas H figjx v a sRJant v hMsRz
sadanli apCd, lMmiN hVJ Az an elifant.
<p>
“jP onx, H Jenxalz!” sed H sRJant, rFdiN ap t /rOstOf.
<p>
/rOstOf, stil lUkiN rQnd tPd H fFxz n H SQts, rOd wiH
H sRJant t mIt sam mQntad men hM wx rFdiN aloN H lFn.
wan woz on a wFt hPs. prins /bygrytiOn n /prins /dOlgPMkOf wiH
HX AJUtants hAd kam t witnas H kjUxWs finominon v H
lFts n SQts in H enami'z kAmp. /rOstOf rOd ap t /bygrytiOn,
ripPtad t him, n Hen Jqnd H AJUtants lisaniN t wot H
Jenxalz wx sEiN.
<p>
“bilIv mI,” sed /prins /dOlgPMkOf, adresiN /bygrytiOn, “it
iz naTiN bat a trik! hI hAz ritrItad n Pdxd H rCgRd t
kindal fFxz n mEk a nqz t disIv as.”
<p>
“hRdli,” sed /bygrytiOn. “F sY Hem His IvniN on HAt
nOl; if HE hAd ritrItad HE wUd hAv wiHdrYn from HAt tM....
ofisx!” sed /bygrytiOn t /rOstOf, “R H enami'z skxmiSxz
stil HX?”
<p>
“HE wx HX His IvniN, bat nQ F dOnt nO, jP
eäalansi. SAl F gO wiH sam v mF hMsRz t sI?” riplFd
/rOstOf.
<p>
/bygrytiOn stopt n, bifP riplFiN, trFd t sI /rOstOf's fEs
in H mist.
<p>
“wel, gO n sI,” hI sed, Aftx a pYz.
<p>
“jes, sx.”
<p>
/rOstOf spxd hiz hPs, kYld t /sRJant /fedcenkO n tM aHx
hMsRz, tOld Hem t folO him, n trotad dQnhil in H direkSan
from wic H SQtiN kEm. hI felt bOT frFtand n plIzd t bI
rFdiN alOn wiH TrI hMsRz intM HAt mistCWs n dEnJxas misti
distans wX nO wan hAd bin bifP him. /bygrytiOn kYld t him from
H hil not t gO bijond H strIm, bat /rOstOf pritendad not t hC
him n did not stop bat rOd on n on, kantinVali mistEkiN bUSaz
f trIz n galiz f men n kantinVali diskavxiN hiz mistEä.
hAviN disendad H hil At a trot, hI nO loNgx sY FHx Qx On P
H enami'z fFxz, bat hxd H SQtiN v H /frenc mP lQdli
n distiNktli. in H vAli hI sY bifP him samTiN lFk a rivx,
bat wen hI rIct it hI fQnd it woz a rOd. hAviN kam Qt ontM
H rOd hI rEnd in hiz hPs, hezitEtiN weHx t rFd aloN it P
kros it n rFd Ovx H blAk fIld ap H hilsFd. t kIp t H
rOd wic glImd wFt in H mist wUd hAv bin sEfx bikoz it
wUd bI IzC t sI pIpal kamiN aloN it. “folO mI!” sed hI,
krost H rOd, n bigAn rFdiN ap H hil At a gAlap tPd H
pqnt wX H /frenc pikats hAd bin stAndiN HAt IvniN.
<p>
“jP onx, HX hI iz!” krFd wan v H hMsRz bihFnd him. n
bifP /rOstOf hAd tFm t mEk Qt wot H blAk TiN woz HAt hAd
sadanli apCd in H fog, HX woz a flAS, folOd bF a ripPt,
n a bUlat wiziN hF ap in H mist wiH a plEntiv sQnd pAst
Qt v hCiN. anaHx maskat mist fFx bat flASt in H pAn.
/rOstOf txnd hiz hPs n gAlapt bAk. fP mP ripPts folOd
At intxvalz, n H bUlats pAst samwX in H fog siNiN in
difxant tOnz. /rOstOf rEnd in hiz hPs, hMz spirits hAd rizan,
lFk hiz On, At H fFxiN, n went bAk At a fUtpEs. “wel, sam
mP! sam mP!” a meri vqs woz sEiN in hiz sOl. bat nO mP
Sots kEm.
<p>
Onli wen aprOciN /bygrytiOn did /rOstOf let hiz hPs gAlap agen,
n wiH hiz hAnd At H salMt rOd ap t H Jenxal.
<p>
/dOlgPMkOf woz stil insistiN HAt H /frenc hAd ritrItad n hAd
Onli lit fFxz t disIv as.
<p>
“wot daz HAt prMv?” hI woz sEiN Az /rOstOf rOd ap. “HE
mFt ritrIt n lIv H pikats.”
<p>
“it's plEn HAt HE hAv not Yl gon jet, /prins,” sed
/bygrytiOn. “wEt til tamorO mPniN, wI'l fFnd Qt evriTiN
tamorO.”
<p>
“H pikat iz stil on H hil, jP eäalansi, Jast wX it woz
in H IvniN,” ripPtad /rOstOf, stMpiN fPwxd wiH hiz hAnd At
H salMt n anEbal t ripres H smFl v dilFt indMst bF hiz
rFd n ispeSali bF H sQnd v H bUlats.
<p>
“veri gUd, veri gUd,” sed /bygrytiOn. “TANk V, ofisx.”
<p>
“jP eäalansi,” sed /rOstOf, “mE F Ask a fEvx?”
<p>
“wot iz it?”
<p>
“tamorO Qx skwodran iz t bI in rizxv. mE F Ask t bI atAct
t H fxst skwodran?”
<p>
“wot's jP nEm?”
<p>
“kQnt /rOstOf.”
<p>
“O, veri wel, V mE stE in atendans on mI.”
<p>
“kQnt /ilja /rOstOf's san?” Askt /dOlgPMkOf.
<p>
bat /rOstOf did not riplF.
<p>
“Hen F mE rekan on it, jP eäalansi?”
<p>
“F wil giv H Pdx.”
<p>
“tamorO veri lFkli F mE bI sent wiH sam mesiJ t H
/empxx,” TYt /rOstOf.
<p>
“TANk /god!”
<p>
H fFxz n SQtiN in H enami'z Rmi wx akEZand bF H fAkt
HAt wFl /napOlWn'z proklamESan woz bIiN red t H trMps H
/empxx himself rOd rQnd hiz bivUAä. H sOlJxz, on sIiN him,
lit wisps v strY n rAn Aftx him, SQtiN, “vIv /l'empxx!”
/napOlWn'z proklamESan woz Az folOz:
<p>
sOlJxz! H /raSan Rmi iz advAnsiN agenst V t avenJ H
/ostrWn Rmi v /Mlm. HE R H sEm batAlWnz V brOk At
/holabrUn n hAv pxsMd evx sins t His plEs. H paziSan wI
okVpF iz a stroN wan, n wFl HE R mRciN t gO rQnd mI on
H rFt HE wil iäpOz a flANk t mI. sOlJxz! F wil mFself direkt
jP batAlWnz. F wil kIp Qt v fFx if V wiH jP habicMal
vAlx kAri disPdx n kanfVZan intM H enami'z rANä, bat SUd
viktxi bI in dQt, Ivan f a mOment, V wil sI jP /empxx
iäpOziN himself t H fxst blOz v H enami, f HX mast bI nO
dQt v viktxi, ispeSali on His dE wen wot iz At stEk iz H
onx v H /frenc infantri, sO nesisXi t H onx v Qx nESan.
<p>
dM not brEk jP rANä on H plI v rimMviN H wMndad! let evri
mAn bI fUli imbVd wiH H TYt HAt wI mast difIt HIz hFxliNz
v /iNgland, inspFxd bF sac hEtrad v Qx nESan! His viktxi wil
kanklMd Qx kAmpEn n wI kAn ritxn t wintx kwPtxz, wX freS
/frenc trMps hM R bIiN rEzd in /fryns wil Jqn as, n H pIs
F SAl kanklMd wil bI wxHi v mF pIpal, v V, n v mFself.
<p>
/napOlWn
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
At fFv in H mPniN it woz stil kwFt dRk. H trMps v H
sentx, H rizxvz, n /bygrytiOn'z rFt flANk hAd not jet mMvd,
bat on H left flANk H kolamz v infantri, kAvalri, n Rtilxi,
wic wx t bI H fxst t disend H hFts t atAk H /frenc
rFt flANk n drFv it intM H /bOhImWn mQntanz akPdiN t plAn,
wx Ylredi ap n astx. H smOk v H kAmpfFxz, intM wic HE
wx TrOiN evriTiN sMpxflMas, mEd H Fz smRt. it woz kOld
n dRk. H ofisxz wx haridli driNkiN tI n brekfastiN, H
sOlJxz, manciN biskit n bItiN a tAtM wiH HX fIt t
wPm Hemselvz, gAHxiN rQnd H fFxz TrOiN intM H flEmz H
rimEnz v Sedz, cXz, tEbalz, wIlz, tabz, n evriTiN HAt HE
did not wont P kUd not kAri awE wiH Hem. /ostrWn kolam gFdz
wx mMviN in n Qt amaN H /raSan trMps n sxvd Az heraldz
v H advAns. Az sMn Az an /ostrWn ofisx SOd himself nC
a kamAndiN ofisx'z kwPtxz, H reJimant bigAn t mMv: H
sOlJxz rAn from H fFxz, Trast HX pFps intM HX bMts, HX
bAã intM H kRts, got HX maskats redi, n fPmd rANk. H
ofisxz batand ap HX kOts, bakald on HX sPdz n pQcaz,
n mMvd aloN H rANä SQtiN. H trEn drFvxz n Pdxliz
hRnast n pAkt H wAganz n tFd on H lOdz. H AJUtants n
batAlWn n reJimental kamAndxz mQntad, krost Hemselvz, gEv
fFnal instrakSanz, Pdxz, n kamiSanz t H bAgiJ men
hM rimEnd bihFnd, n H manotanas trAmp v TQzandz v fIt
rizQndad. H kolam mMvd fPwxd wiHQt nOiN wX n anEbal,
from H mAsaz xQnd Hem, H smOk n H inkrIsiN fog, t sI
FHx H plEs HE wx lIviN P HAt t wic HE wx gOiN.
<p>
a sOlJx on H mRc iz hemd in n bPn aloN bF hiz reJimant Az
mac Az a sElx iz bF hiz Sip. hQevx fR hI hAz wYkt, wotevx
strEnJ, annOn, n dEnJxas plEsaz hI rIcaz, Jast Az a sElx iz
YlwEz sxQndad bF H sEm deä, mAsts, n rigiN v hiz Sip, sO
H sOlJx YlwEz hAz xQnd him H sEm komrAdz, H sEm rANä, H
sEm sRJant mEJx /ivyn /mitric, H sEm kampani dog /JAk, n H
sEm kamAndxz. H sElx rXli kXz t nO H lAtitMd in wic
hiz Sip iz sEliN, bat on H dE v bAtal—hevan nOz hQ n
wens—a stxn nOt v wic Yl R konSas sQndz in H mPal
AtmasfC v an Rmi, anQnsiN H aprOc v samTiN disFsiv
n solam, n awEkaniN in H men an anVZMal kjUxiositi. on H dE v
bAtal H sOlJxz iäFtadli trF t get bijond H intxasts v HX
reJimant, HE lisan intentli, lUk abQt, n Igxli Ask kansxniN
wot iz gOiN on xQnd Hem.
<p>
H fog hAd grOn sO dens HAt HO it woz grOiN lFt HE kUd
not sI ten pEsaz ahed. bUSaz lUkt lFk JFgAntik trIz n leval
grQnd lFk klifs n slOps. eniwX, on eni sFd, wan mFt
inkQntx an enami invizabal ten pEsaz of. bat H kolamz advAnst
f a loN tFm, YlwEz in H sEm fog, disendiN n asendiN hilz,
avqdiN gRdanz n inklOZxz, gOiN Ovx nM n annOn grQnd, n
nOwX inkQntxiN H enami. on H kontrXi, H sOlJxz bikEm
awX HAt in frant, bihFnd, n on Yl sFdz, aHx /raSan kolamz
wx mMviN in H sEm direkSan. evri sOlJx felt glAd t nO HAt
t H annOn plEs wX hI woz gOiN, meni mP v Qx men wx gOiN
tM.
<p>
“HX nQ, H /kMrskiz hAv YlsO gon pAst,” woz bIiN sed in
H rANä.
<p>
“it's wandxfal wot a lot v Qx trMps hAv gAHxd, lAdz! lAst
nFt F lUkt At H kAmpfFxz n HX woz nO end v Hem. a regVlx
/moskQ!”
<p>
HO nan v H kolam kamAndxz rOd ap t H rANä P tYkt t
H men (H kamAndxz, Az wI sY At H kQnsal v wP, wx Qt v
hVmx n dissAtisfFd wiH H afX, n sO did not iãxt Hemselvz
t cC H men bat mCli kArid Qt H Pdxz), jet H trMps
mRct gEli, Az HE YlwEz dM wen gOiN intM AkSan, ispeSali t
an atAk. bat wen HE hAd mRct f abQt an Qx in H dens fog,
H grEtx pRt v H men hAd t hYlt n an anplezant konSasnas
v sam dislOkESan n blandx spred TrM H rANä. hQ sac
a konSasnas iz kamVnikEtad iz veri difikalt t difFn, bat it
sxtanli iz kamVnikEtad veri SUxli, n flOz rApidli, impxseptabli,
n iripresabli, Az wYtx daz in a krIk. hAd H /raSan Rmi bin
alOn wiHQt eni AlFz, it mFt pxhAps hAv bin a loN tFm bifP
His konSasnas v mismAniJmant bikEm a Jenxal kanvikSan, bat Az
it woz, H disPdx woz redili n nAcxali atribVtad t H stMpid
/Jxmanz, n evriwan woz kanvinst HAt a dEnJxas madal hAd bin
akEZand bF H sosiJ Itxz.
<p>
“wF hAv wI stopt? iz H wE blokt? P hAv wI Ylredi kam ap
agenst H /frenc?”
<p>
“nO, wan kAnt hC Hem. HE'd bI fFxiN if wI hAd.”
<p>
“HE wx in a hari inaf t stRt as, n nQ hC wI stAnd in
H midal v a fIld wiHQt rFm P rIzan. it's Yl HOz dAmd
/Jxmanz' madaliN! wot stMpid devalz!”
<p>
“jes, F'd send Hem on in frant, bat nO fC, HE'x krQdiN ap
bihFnd. n nQ hC wI stAnd haNgri.”
<p>
“F sE, SAl wI sMn bI klC? HE sE H kAvalri R blokiN H
wE,” sed an ofisx.
<p>
“y, HOz dAmd /Jxmanz! HE dOnt nO HX On kantri!”
sed anaHx.
<p>
“wot diviZan R V?” SQtad an AJUtant, rFdiN ap.
<p>
“H /EtInT.”
<p>
“Hen wF R V hC? V SUd hAv gon on loN agO, nQ V
wOnt get HX til IvniN.”
<p>
“wot stMpid Pdxz! HE dOnt Hemselvz nO wot HE R
dMiN!” sed H ofisx n rOd of.
<p>
Hen a Jenxal rOd pAst SQtiN samTiN ANgrili, not in /raSan.
<p>
“tAfa-lAfa! bat wot hI'z JAbxiN nO wan kAn mEk Qt,” sed a
sOlJx, mimikiN H Jenxal hM hAd ridan awE. “F'd SMt Hem,
H skQndralz!”
<p>
“wI wx Pdxd t bI At H plEs bifP nFn, bat wI hAvant got
hAfwE. fFn Pdxz!” woz bIiN ripItad on difxant sFdz.
<p>
n H fIliN v enxJi wiH wic H trMps hAd stRtad bigAn t
txn intM veäESan n ANgx At H stMpid xEnJmants n At H
/Jxmanz.
<p>
H kYz v H kanfVZan woz HAt wFl H /ostrWn kAvalri woz
mMviN tPd Qx left flANk, H hFx kamAnd fQnd HAt Qx sentx
woz tM fR sepxEtad from Qx rFt flANk n H kAvalri wx Yl
Pdxd t txn bAk t H rFt. sevxal TQzand kAvalri krost in
frant v H infantri, hM hAd t wEt.
<p>
At H frant an YltxkESan akxd bitwIn an /ostrWn gFd n a
/raSan Jenxal. H Jenxal SQtad a dimAnd HAt H kAvalri SUd bI
hYltad, H /ostrWn RgVd HAt not hI, bat H hFx kamAnd, woz t
blEm. H trMps mInwFl stUd grOiN listlas n dispiritad. Aftx
an Qx'z dilE HE At lAst mMvd on, disendiN H hil. H fog
HAt woz dispxsiN on H hil lE stil mP densli bilO, wX HE
wx disendiN. in frant in H fog a Sot woz hxd n Hen anaHx,
At fxst iregVlxli At vXiiN intxvalz—tryta...tAt—n Hen mP
n mP regVlxli n rApidli, n H AkSan At H /gOldbyâ /strIm
bigAn.
<p>
not iäpektiN t kam on H enami dQn bF H strIm, n hAviN
stambald on him in H fog, hCiN nO inkariJiN wxd from HX
kamAndxz, n wiH a konSasnas v bIiN tM lEt sprediN TrM
H rANä, n abav Yl bIiN anEbal t sI eniTiN in frant P xQnd
Hem in H Tik fog, H /raSanz iäcEnJd Sots wiH H enami
lEzili n advAnst n agen hYltad, risIviN nO tFmli Pdxz from
H ofisxz P AJUtants hM wondxd abQt in H fog in HOz annOn
sxQndiNz anEbal t fFnd HX On reJimants. in His wE H AkSan
bigAn f H fxst, sekand, n Txd kolamz, wic hAd gon dQn intM
H vAli. H fPT kolam, wiH wic /kMtMzOf woz, stUd on H
/prytsan /hFts.
<p>
bilO, wX H fFt woz biginiN, HX woz stil Tik fog; on H
hFx grQnd it woz klCiN, bat naTiN kUd bI sIn v wot woz
gOiN on in frant. weHx Yl H enami fPsaz wx, Az wI sapOzd,
siä mFlz awE, P weHx HE wx nC bF in HAt sI v mist, nO wan
nM til Aftx Et O'klok.
<p>
it woz nFn O'klok in H mPniN. H fog lE anbrOkan lFk a sI
dQn bilO, bat hFx ap At H viliJ v /SlApanits wX /napOlWn
stUd wiH hiz mRSalz xQnd him, it woz kwFt lFt. abav him woz
a klC blM skF, n H san'z vAst Pb kwivxd lFk a hVJ holO,
krimzan flOt on H sxfis v HAt milki sI v mist. H hOl /frenc
Rmi, n Ivan /napOlWn himself wiH hiz stAf, wx not on H fR sFd
v H strImz n holOz v /sOkOlnits n /SlApanits bijond wic wI
intendad t tEk ap Qx paziSan n bigin H AkSan, bat wx on His
sFd, sO klOs t Qx On fPsaz HAt /napOlWn wiH H nEkad F kUd
distiNgwiS a mQntad mAn from wan on fUt. /napOlWn, in H blM klOk
wic hI hAd wPn on hiz /itAlWn kAmpEn, sAt on hiz smYl grE /Arab
hPs a lital in frant v hiz mRSalz. hI gEzd sFlantli At H hilz
wic sImd t rFz Qt v H sI v mist n on wic H /raSan
trMps wx mMviN in H distans, n hI lisand t H sQndz v
fFxiN in H vAli. not a siNgal masal v hiz fEs—wic in HOz
dEz woz stil Tin—mMvd. hiz glImiN Fz wx fiät intentli on
wan spot. hiz pridikSanz wx bIiN JastifFd. pRt v H /raSan
fPs hAd Ylredi disendad intM H vAli tPd H pondz n lEä
n pRt wx lIviN HIz /prytsan /hFts wic hI intendad t atAk
n rigRdad Az H kI t H paziSan. hI sY Ovx H mist HAt in
a holO bitwIn tM hilz nC H viliJ v /prytsan, H /raSan
kolamz, HX bEanets glitxiN, wx mMviN kantinVasli in wan
direkSan tPd H vAli n disapCiN wan Aftx anaHx intM
H mist. from infxmESan hI hAd risIvd H IvniN bifP, from H
sQnd v wIlz n fUtsteps hxd bF H QtpOsts dxiN H nFt,
bF H disPdxli mMvmant v H /raSan kolamz, n from Yl
indikESanz, hI sY klCli HAt H AlFz bilIvd him t bI fR awE
in frant v Hem, n HAt H kolamz mMviN nC /prytsan konstitMtad
H sentx v H /raSan Rmi, n HAt HAt sentx woz Ylredi
safiSantli wIkand t bI saäesfali atAkt. bat stil hI did not
bigin H ingEJmant.
<p>
tadE woz a grEt dE f him—H Anivxsxi v hiz kPanESan.
bifP dYn hI hAd slept f a fV Qxz, n rifreSt, vigxas, n
in gUd spirits, hI mQntad hiz hPs n rOd Qt intM H fIld
in HAt hApi mMd in wic evriTiN sImz posabal n evriTiN
saäIdz. hI sAt mOSanlas, lUkiN At H hFts vizabal abav
H mist, n hiz kOld fEs wP HAt speSal lUk v konfidant,
self-kamplEsant hApinas HAt wan sIz on H fEs v a bq hApili
in lav. H mRSalz stUd bihFnd him not vencxiN t distrAkt hiz
atenSan. hI lUkt nQ At H /prytsan /hFts, nQ At H san flOtiN
ap Qt v H mist.
<p>
wen H san hAd intFxli imxJd from H fog, n fIldz n mist wx
aglO wiH dAzaliN lFt—Az if hI hAd Onli awEtad His t bigin H
AkSan—hI drM H glav from hiz SEpli wFt hAnd, mEd a sFn
wiH it t H mRSalz, n Pdxd H AkSan t bigin. H mRSalz,
akampanid bF AJUtants, gAlapt of in difxant direkSanz, n
a fV minits lEtx H cIf fPsaz v H /frenc Rmi mMvd rApidli
tPd HOz /prytsan /hFts wic wx bIiN mP n mP dinMdad bF
/raSan trMps mMviN dQn H vAli t HX left.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
At Et O'klok /kMtMzOf rOd t /prytsan At H hed v H fPT
kolam, /milPydOvic'az, H wan HAt woz t tEk H plEs v
/pSebiSefski'z n /lynZxOn'z kolamz wic hAd Ylredi gon dQn
intM H vAli. hI grItad H men v H fPmOst reJimant n gEv
Hem H Pdx t mRc, HXbF indikEtiN HAt hI intendad t lId
HAt kolam himself. wen hI hAd rIct H viliJ v /prytsan hI
hYltad. prins /AndrM woz bihFnd, amaN H imens nambx fPmiN H
kamAndx in cIf's swIt. hI woz in a stEt v saprest iäFtmant
n iritESan, HO kantrOladli kym Az a mAn iz At H aprOc v
a loN-awEtad mOment. hI woz fxmli kanvinst HAt His woz H dE v
hiz /tMlon, P hiz briJ v /RkOla. hQ it wUd kam abQt hI did not
nO, bat hI felt SUx it wUd dM sO. H lOkAliti n H paziSan v
Qx trMps wx nOn t him Az fR Az HE kUd bI nOn t eniwan
in Qx Rmi. hiz On stratIJik plAn, wic obvWsli kUd not nQ
bI kArid Qt, woz fxgotan. nQ, entxiN intM /wEroTx'z plAn,
/prins /AndrM kansidxd posabal kantinJansiz n fPmd nM proJekts
sac Az mFt kYl f hiz rapiditi v pxsepSan n disiZan.
<p>
t H left dQn bilO in H mist, H maskatri fFx v ansIn fPsaz
kUd bI hxd. it woz HX /prins /AndrM TYt H fFt wUd
konsantrEt. “HX wI SAl inkQntx difikaltiz, n HX,”
TYt hI, “F SAl bI sent wiH a brigEd P diviZan, n HX,
stAndxd in hAnd, F SAl gO fPwxd n brEk wotevx iz in frant v
mI.”
<p>
hI kUd not lUk kymli At H stAndxdz v H pAsiN batAlWnz.
sIiN Hem hI kept TiNkiN, “HAt mE bI H veri stAndxd wiH
wic F SAl lId H Rmi.”
<p>
in H mPniN Yl HAt woz left v H nFt mist on H hFts woz
a hP frost nQ txniN t dM, bat in H vAliz it stil lE lFk a
milk-wFt sI. naTiN woz vizabal in H vAli t H left intM wic
Qx trMps hAd disendad n from wens kEm H sQndz v fFxiN.
abav H hFts woz H dRk klC skF, n t H rFt H vAst Pb
v H san. in frant, fR of on H fRHx SP v HAt sI v mist,
sam wUdad hilz wx disxnabal, n it woz HX H enami probabli
woz, f samTiN kUd bI diskrFd. on H rFt H /gRdz wx
entxiN H misti rIJan wiH a sQnd v hUfs n wIlz n nQ n
Hen a glIm v bEanets; t H left bijond H viliJ similx mAsaz
v kAvalri kEm ap n disapCd in H sI v mist. in frant n
bihFnd mMvd infantri. H kamAndx in cIf woz stAndiN At H end v
H viliJ letiN H trMps pAs bF him. HAt mPniN /kMtMzOf sImd
wPn n iritabal. H infantri pAsiN bifP him kEm t a hYlt
wiHQt eni kamAnd bIiN givan, apArantli abstraktad bF samTiN in
frant.
<p>
“dM Pdx Hem t fPm intM batAlWn kolamz n gO rQnd H
viliJ!” hI sed ANgrili t a Jenxal hM hAd ridan ap. “dOnt
V andxstAnd, jP eäalansi, mF dC sx, HAt V mast not
difFl TrM nArO viliJ strIts wen wI R mRciN agenst H
enami?”
<p>
“F intendad t rI-fPm Hem bijond H viliJ, jP eäalansi,”
Ansxd H Jenxal.
<p>
/kMtMzOf lAft bitxli.
<p>
“V'l mEk a fFn TiN v it, diplqiN in sFt v H enami!
veri fFn!”
<p>
“H enami iz stil fR awE, jP eäalansi. akPdiN t H
dispaziSanz...”
<p>
“H dispaziSanz!” iäklEmd /kMtMzOf bitxli. “hM tOld V
HAt?... kFndli dM Az V R Pdxd.”
<p>
“jes, sx.”
<p>
“mF dC felO,” /nesvitski wispxd t /prins /AndrM, “H Old
mAn iz Az sxli Az a dog.”
<p>
an /ostrWn ofisx in a wFt VnifPm wiH grIn plMmz in hiz hAt
gAlapt ap t /kMtMzOf n Askt in H /empxx'z nEm hAd H fPT
kolam advAnst intM AkSan.
<p>
/kMtMzOf txnd rQnd wiHQt AnsxiN n hiz F hApand t fYl
apon /prins /AndrM, hM woz bisFd him. sIiN him, /kMtMzOf's
malevalant n kYstik iäpreSan sofand, Az if admitiN HAt wot
woz bIiN dan woz not hiz AJUtant's fYlt, n stil not AnsxiN
H /ostrWn AJUtant, hI adrest /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“gO, mF dC felO, n sI weHx H Txd diviZan hAz pAst H
viliJ. tel it t stop n awEt mF Pdxz.”
<p>
hRdli hAd /prins /AndrM stRtad HAn hI stopt him.
<p>
“n Ask weHx SRpSMtxz hAv bin pOstad,” hI Adad. “wot
R HE dMiN? wot R HE dMiN?” hI mxmxd t himself, stil
not riplFiN t H /ostrWn.
<p>
prins /AndrM gAlapt of t eäikVt H Pdx.
<p>
OvxtEkiN H batAlWnz HAt kantinVd t advAns, hI stopt
H Txd diviZan n kanvinst himself HAt HX rWli wx nO
SRpSMtxz in frant v Qx kolamz. H kxnal At H hed v H
reJimant woz mac sxprFzd At H kamAndx in cIf's Pdx t TrO
Qt skxmiSxz. hI hAd felt pxfiktli SUx HAt HX wx aHx trMps
in frant v him n HAt H enami mast bI At lIst siä mFlz awE.
HX woz rWli naTiN t bI sIn in frant iäept a bAran disent
hidan bF dens mist. hAviN givan Pdxz in H kamAndx in cIf's
nEm t rektifF His OmiSan, /prins /AndrM gAlapt bAk. /kMtMzOf
stil in H sEm plEs, hiz stQt bodi restiN hevili in H sAdal
wiH H lAsitMd v EJ, sAt jYniN wCili wiH klOzd Fz. H
trMps wx nO loNgx mMviN, bat stUd wiH H bats v HX maskats
on H grQnd.
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt!” hI sed t /prins /AndrM, n txnd t a
Jenxal hM, woc in hAnd, woz sEiN it woz tFm HE stRtad Az Yl
H left-flANk kolamz hAd Ylredi disendad.
<p>
“plenti v tFm, jP eäalansi,” matxd /kMtMzOf in H midst v
a jYn. “plenti v tFm,” hI ripItad.
<p>
Jast Hen At a distans bihFnd /kMtMzOf woz hxd H sQnd v reJimants
salMtiN, n His sQnd rApidli kEm nCx aloN H hOl iätendad
lFn v H advAnsiN /raSan kolamz. evidentli H pxsan HE wx
grItiN woz rFdiN kwikli. wen H sOlJxz v H reJimant in frant
v wic /kMtMzOf woz stAndiN bigAn t SQt, hI rOd a lital t wan
sFd n lUkt rQnd wiH a frQn. aloN H rOd from /prytsan gAlapt
wot lUkt lFk a skwodran v hPsmen in vXWs VnifPmz. tM v Hem
rOd sFd bF sFd in frant, At fUl gAlap. wan in a blAk VnifPm wiH
wFt plMmz in hiz hAt rOd a bobtEld cestnat hPs, H aHx hM
woz in a wFt VnifPm rOd a blAk wan. HIz wx H tM /empxxz
folOd bF HX swIts. /kMtMzOf, afektiN H mAnxz v an Old
sOlJx At H frant, gEv H kamAnd “atenSan!” n rOd ap
t H /empxxz wiH a salMt. hiz hOl apCans n mAnx wx
sadanli trAnsfPmd. hI pUt on H X v a sabPdinat hM ObEz
wiHQt rIzaniN. wiH an AfektESan v rispekt wic evidentli strak
/AliãAndx anplezantli, hI rOd ap n salMtad.
<p>
His anplezant impreSan mCli flitad Ovx H jaN n hApi fEs
v H /empxx lFk a klQd v hEz akros a klC skF n vAniSt.
Aftx hiz ilnas hI lUkt rAHx Tinx HAt dE HAn on H fIld
v /OlmUts wX /bOlkOnski hAd sIn him f H fxst tFm abrYd, bat
HX woz stil H sEm biwiciN kombinESan v mAJasti n mFldnas
in hiz fFn grE Fz, n on hiz delikat lips H sEm kapAsiti f
vXiiN iäpreSan n H sEm prevalant apCans v gUdhRtad
inasant VT.
<p>
At H /OlmUts rivV hI hAd sImd mP maJestik; hC hI sImd
brFtx n mP enxJetik. hI woz slFtli flaSt Aftx gAlapiN tM
mFlz, n rEniN in hiz hPs hI sFd restfali n lUkt rQnd
At H fEsaz v hiz swIt, jaN n AnimEtad Az hiz On. /cRtPiski,
/nOvOsiltsef, /prins /vOlkOnski, /strOganOf, n H aHxz, Yl ricli
drest gE jaN men on splendid, wel-grMmd, freS, Onli slFtli
hItad hPsaz, iäcEnJiN rimRä n smFliN, hAd stopt bihFnd H
/empxx. H /empxx /frAnsis, a rOzi, loN fEst jaN mAn, sAt veri
irekt on hiz hAndsam blAk hPs, lUkiN abQt him in a lIZxli n
prIokVpFd mAnx. hI bekand t wan v hiz wFt AJUtants n Askt
sam kwescan—“mOst lFkli hI iz AskiN At wot O'klok HE
stRtad,” TYt /prins /AndrM, wociN hiz Old akwEntans wiH
a smFl hI kUd not ripres Az hI rikYld hiz risepSan At /brUn.
in H /empxxz' swIt wx H pikt jaN Pdxli ofisxz v H
/gRd n lFn reJimants, /raSan n /ostrWn. amaN Hem wx grMmz
lIdiN H /tsR'z bVtifal rilE hPsaz kavxd wiH imbrqdxd
kloTs.
<p>
Az wen a windO iz Opand a wif v freS X from H fIldz entxz
a stafi rMm, sO a wif v VTfalnas, enxJi, n konfidans v
saäes rIct /kMtMzOf's cClas stAf wiH H gAlapiN Advent
v Yl HIz brilWnt jaN men.
<p>
“wF Rnt V biginiN, /mFkal /ilRiOnOvic?” sed H
/empxx /AliãAndx haridli t /kMtMzOf, glAnsiN kxtWsli At H
sEm tFm At H /empxx /frAnsis.
<p>
“F Am wEtiN, jP /mAJasti,” Ansxd /kMtMzOf, bendiN fPwxd
rispektfali.
<p>
H /empxx, frQniN slFtli, bent hiz C fPwxd Az if hI hAd not
kwFt hxd.
<p>
“wEtiN, jP /mAJasti,” ripItad /kMtMzOf. (prins /AndrM nOtad
HAt /kMtMzOf's apx lip twict annAcxali Az hI sed H
wxd “wEtiN.”) “not Yl H kolamz hAv fPmd ap jet, jP
/mAJasti.”
<p>
H /tsR hxd bat obvWsli did not lFk H riplF; hI Sragd hiz
rAHx rQnd SOldxz n glAnst At /nOvOsiltsef hM woz nC him, Az
if kamplEniN v /kMtMzOf.
<p>
“V nO, /mFkal /ilRiOnOvic, wI R not on H /empres' /fIld
wX a pxEd daz not bigin til Yl H trMps R asembald,” sed
H /tsR wiH anaHx glAns At H /empxx /frAnsis, Az if invFtiN
him if not t Jqn in At lIst t lisan t wot hI woz sEiN. bat H
/empxx /frAnsis kantinVd t lUk abQt him n did not lisan.
<p>
“HAt iz Jast wF F dM not bigin, sFx,” sed /kMtMzOf in a
rizQndiN vqs, apArantli t priklMd H posabiliti v not bIiN
hxd, n agen samTiN in hiz fEs twict—“HAt iz Jast wF
F dM not bigin, sFx, bikoz wI R not on pxEd n not on H
/empres' /fIld,” sed hI klCli n distiNktli.
<p>
in H /empxx'z swIt Yl iäcEnJd rApid lUä HAt iäprest
dissAtisfAkSan n riprOc. “Old HO hI mE bI, hI SUd not, hI
sxtanli SUd not, spIk lFk HAt,” HX glAnsaz sImd t sE.
<p>
H /tsR lUkt intentli n abzxvantli intM /kMtMzOf's F
wEtiN t hC weHx hI wUd sE eniTiN mP. bat /kMtMzOf, wiH
rispektfali bQd hed, sImd YlsO t bI wEtiN. H sFlans lAstad
f abQt a minit.
<p>
“hQevx, if V kamAnd it, jP /mAJasti,” sed /kMtMzOf, liftiN
hiz hed n agen asMmiN hiz fPmx tOn v a dal, anrIzaniN, bat
sabmisiv Jenxal.
<p>
hI tact hiz hPs n hAviN kYld /milPydOvic, H kamAndx v
H kolam, gEv him H Pdx t advAns.
<p>
H trMps agen bigAn t mMv, n tM batAlWnz v H /nOvgPOd n
wan v H /ypSerOn reJimant went fPwxd pAst H /empxx.
<p>
Az His /ypSerOn batAlWn mRct bF, H red-fEst /milPydOvic,
wiHQt hiz grEtkOt, wiH hiz /Pdxz on hiz brest n an inPmas
taft v plMmz in hiz kokt hAt wPn on wan sFd wiH its kPnxz frant
n bAk, gAlapt strenVasli fPwxd, n wiH a dASiN salMt rEnd
in hiz hPs bifP H /empxx.
<p>
“god bI wiH V, Jenxal!” sed H /empxx.
<p>
“my foi, sFx, nMs feranz se kwF sery dAnz nOtx posibilFt,
sFx,” * hI Ansxd gEli, rEziN nevxHales Fronik smFlz amaN
H Jentalmen v H /tsR'z swIt bF hiz pUx /frenc.
<p>
     * “indId, /sFx, wI SAl dM evriTiN it iz posabal t
     dM, /sFx.”
<p>
<p>
/milPydOvic wIld hiz hPs SRpli n stESand himself a lital
bihFnd H /empxx. H /ypSerOn men, iäFtad bF H /tsR'z prezans,
pAst in step bifP H /empxxz n HX swIts At a bOld, brisk
pEs.
<p>
“lAdz!” SQtad /milPydOvic in a lQd, self-konfidant, n cCi
vqs, obvWsli sO ilEtad bF H sQnd v fFxiN, bF H prospekt v
bAtal, n bF H sFt v H gAlant /ypSerOnz, hiz komrAdz in
/sMvPOf's tFm, nQ pAsiN sO gAlantli bifP H /empxxz, HAt hI
fxgot H sovranz' prezans. “lAdz, it's not H fxst viliJ
V'v hAd t tEk,” krFd hI.
<p>
“glAd t dM Qx best!” SQtad H sOlJxz.
<p>
H /empxx'z hPs stRtad At H sadan krF. His hPs HAt hAd
kArid H sovran At rivVz in /raSa bP him YlsO hC on H
fIld v /Qstxlits, indxiN H hIdlas blOz v hiz left fUt n
prikiN its Cz At H sQnd v Sots Jast Az it hAd dan on H
/empres' /fIld, not andxstAndiN H signifikans v H fFxiN, nP
v H nCnas v H /empxx /frAnsis' blAk kob, nP v Yl HAt woz
bIiN sed, TYt, n felt HAt dE bF its rFdx.
<p>
H /empxx txnd wiH a smFl t wan v hiz folOxz n mEd a
rimRk t him, pqntiN t H gAlant /ypSerOnz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
/kMtMzOf akampanid bF hiz AJUtants rOd At a wYkiN pEs bihFnd H
kRabInCz.
<p>
wen hI hAd gon les HAn hAf a mFl in H rC v H kolam hI
stopt At a solitXi, dizxtad hQs HAt hAd probabli wans bin an
in, wX tM rOdz pRtad. bOT v Hem led dQnhil n trMps wx
mRciN aloN bOT.
<p>
H fog hAd bigan t klC n enami trMps wx Ylredi dimli vizabal
abQt a mFl n a hAf of on H opazit hFts. dQn bilO, on
H left, H fFxiN bikEm mP distiNkt. /kMtMzOf hAd stopt n woz
spIkiN t an /ostrWn Jenxal. prins /AndrM, hM woz a lital bihFnd
lUkiN At Hem, txnd t an AJUtant t Ask him f a fIld glAs.
<p>
“lUk, lUk!” sed His AJUtant, lUkiN not At H trMps in H
distans, bat dQn H hil bifP him. “it's H /frenc!”
<p>
H tM Jenxalz n H AJUtant tUk hOld v H fIld glAs, trFiN
t snAc it from wan anaHx. H iäpreSan on Yl HX fEsaz
sadanli cEnJd t wan v horx. H /frenc wx sapOst t bI a
mFl n a hAf awE, bat hAd sadanli n aniäpektadli apCd Jast in
frant v as.
<p>
“it's H enami?... nO!... jes, sI it iz!... f sxtan.... bat
hQ iz HAt?” sed difxant vqsaz.
<p>
wiH H nEkad F /prins /AndrM sY bilO Hem t H rFt, not mP
HAn fFv handrad pEsaz from wX /kMtMzOf woz stAndiN, a dens /frenc
kolam kamiN ap t mIt H /ypSerOnz.
<p>
“hC it iz! H disFsiv mOment hAz xFvd. mF txn hAz kam,”
TYt /prins /AndrM, n strFkiN hiz hPs hI rOd ap t /kMtMzOf.
<p>
“H /ypSerOnz mast bI stopt, jP eäalansi,” krFd hI. bat At
HAt veri instant a klQd v smOk spred Yl rQnd, fFxiN woz hxd
kwFt klOs At hAnd, n a vqs v nFIv terx bXli tM steps from
/prins /AndrM SQtad, “braHxz! Yl'z lost!” n At His Az if
At a kamAnd, evriwan bigAn t ran.
<p>
kanfVzd n evx-inkrIsiN krQdz wx raniN bAk t wX fFv
minits bifP H trMps hAd pAst H /empxxz. not Onli wUd it
hAv bin difikalt t stop HAt krQd, it woz Ivan imposabal not t
bI kArid bAk wiH it wanself. /bOlkOnski Onli trFd not t lMz
tac wiH it, n lUkt xQnd biwildxd n anEbal t grAsp wot woz
hApaniN in frant v him. /nesvitski wiH an ANgri fEs, red n anlFk
himself, woz SQtiN t /kMtMzOf HAt if hI did not rFd awE At wans
hI wUd sxtanli bI tEkan prizanx. /kMtMzOf rimEnd in H sEm
plEs n wiHQt AnsxiN drM Qt a hANkxcif. blad woz flOiN
from hiz cIk. prins /AndrM fPst hiz wE t him.
<p>
“V R wMndad?” hI Askt, hRdli Ebal t mAstx H trembaliN v
hiz lOx JY.
<p>
“H wMnd iz not hC, it iz HX!” sed /kMtMzOf, presiN H
hANkxcif t hiz wMndad cIk n pqntiN t H flIiN sOlJxz.
“stop Hem!” hI SQtad, n At H sEm mOment, probabli rWlFziN
HAt it woz imposabal t stop Hem, spxd hiz hPs n rOd t H
rFt.
<p>
a freS wEv v H flFiN mob kYt him n bP him bAk wiH it.
<p>
H trMps wx raniN in sac a dens mAs HAt wans sxQndad bF
Hem it woz difikalt t get Qt agen. wan woz SQtiN, “get on!
wF R V hindxiN as?” anaHx in H sEm plEs txnd rQnd n
fFxd in H X; a Txd woz strFkiN H hPs /kMtMzOf himself rOd.
hAviN bF a grEt efxt got awE t H left from HAt flad v men,
/kMtMzOf, wiH hiz swIt diminiSt bF mP HAn hAf, rOd tPd a
sQnd v Rtilxi fFx nC bF. hAviN fPst hiz wE Qt v H krQd
v fVJativz, /prins /AndrM, trFiN t kIp nC /kMtMzOf, sY on H
slOp v H hil amid H smOk a /raSan bAtxi HAt woz stil fFxiN
n /frencmen raniN tPd it. hFx ap stUd sam /raSan infantri,
nFHx mMviN fPwxd t pratekt H bAtxi nP bAkwxd wiH H
flIiN krQd. a mQntad Jenxal sepxEtad himself from H infantri n
aprOct /kMtMzOf. v /kMtMzOf's swIt Onli fP rimEnd. HE wx
Yl pEl n iäcEnJd lUä in sFlans.
<p>
“stop HOz recaz!” gAspt /kMtMzOf t H reJimental kamAndx,
pqntiN t H flFiN sOlJxz; bat At HAt instant, Az if t paniS
him f HOz wxdz, bUlats flM hisiN akros H reJimant n akros
/kMtMzOf's swIt lFk a flok v lital bxdz.
<p>
H /frenc hAd atAkt H bAtxi n, sIiN /kMtMzOf, wx fFxiN
At him. Aftx His voli H reJimental kamAndx klact At hiz leg;
sevxal sOlJxz fel, n a sekand lMtenant hM woz hOldiN H
flAg let it fYl from hiz hAndz. it swEd n fel, bat kYt on H
maskats v H nCast sOlJxz. H sOlJxz stRtad fFxiN wiHQt
Pdxz.
<p>
“O! O! O!” grOnd /kMtMzOf dispXiNli n lUkt xQnd....
“/bOlkOnski!” hI wispxd, hiz vqs trembaliN from a konSasnas
v H fIbalnas v EJ, “/bOlkOnski!” hI wispxd, pqntiN t
H disPdxd batAlWn n At H enami, “wot's HAt?”
<p>
bat bifP hI hAd finiSt spIkiN, /prins /AndrM, fIliN tCz v
SEm n ANgx cOkiN him, hAd Ylredi lept from hiz hPs n ran t
H stAndxd.
<p>
“fPwxd, lAdz!” hI SQtad in a vqs pCsiN Az a cFld'z.
<p>
“hC it iz!” TYt hI, sIziN H stAf v H stAndxd n
hCiN wiH pleZx H wisal v bUlats evidentli Emd At him.
sevxal sOlJxz fel.
<p>
“hxy!” SQtad /prins /AndrM, n, skXsli Ebal t hOld ap
H hevi stAndxd, hI rAn fPwxd wiH fUl konfidans HAt H hOl
batAlWn wUd folO him.
<p>
n rWli hI Onli rAn a fV steps alOn. wan sOlJx mMvd n Hen
anaHx n sMn H hOl batAlWn rAn fPwxd SQtiN “hxy!”
n OvxtUk him. a sRJant v H batAlWn rAn ap n tUk H flAg
HAt woz swEiN from its wEt in /prins /AndrM'z hAndz, bat hI
woz imIdWtli kild. prins /AndrM agen sIzd H stAndxd n,
drAgiN it bF H stAf, rAn on wiH H batAlWn. in frant hI sY Qx
Rtilximen, sam v hMm wx fFtiN, wFl aHxz, hAviN abAndand
HX ganz, wx raniN tPd him. hI YlsO sY /frenc infantri
sOlJxz hM wx sIziN H Rtilxi hPsaz n txniN H ganz
rQnd. prins /AndrM n H batAlWn wx Ylredi wiHin twenti pEsaz
v H kAnan. hI hxd H wisal v bUlats abav him ansIsiNli n
t rFt n left v him sOlJxz kantinVali grOnd n dropt. bat
hI did not lUk At Hem: hI lUkt Onli At wot woz gOiN on in frant
v him—At H bAtxi. hI nQ sY klCli H figjx v a red-hXd
ganx wiH hiz SEkO nokt xF, pUliN wan end v a mop wFl
a /frenc sOlJx tagd At H aHx. hI kUd distiNktli sI H
distrYt jet ANgri iäpreSan on H fEsaz v HIz tM men, hM
evidentli did not rWlFz wot HE wx dMiN.
<p>
“wot R HE abQt?” TYt /prins /AndrM Az hI gEzd At Hem.
“wF dazant H red-hXd ganx ran awE Az hI iz anRmd?
wF dazant H /frencman stAb him? hI wil not get awE bifP H
/frencman rimembxz hiz bEanet n stAbz him....”
<p>
n rWli anaHx /frenc sOlJx, trEliN hiz maskat, rAn ap t
H stragaliN men, n H fEt v H red-hXd ganx, hM hAd
trFamfantli sikjUxd H mop n stil did not rWlFz wot awEtad him,
woz abQt t bI disFdad. bat /prins /AndrM did not sI hQ it endad. it
sImd t him Az HO wan v H sOlJxz nC him hit him on H hed
wiH H fUl swiN v a blaJan. it hxt a lital, bat H wxst v
it woz HAt H pEn distrAktad him n priventad hiz sIiN wot hI hAd
bin lUkiN At
<p>
“wot's His? Am F fYliN? mF leã R giviN wE,” TYt hI,
n fel on hiz bAk. hI Opand hiz Fz, hOpiN t sI hQ H stragal
v H /frencmen wiH H ganxz endad, weHx H red-hXd ganx
hAd bin kild P not n weHx H kAnan hAd bin kApcxd P
sEvd. bat hI sY naTiN. abav him HX woz nQ naTiN bat H
skF—H lofti skF, not klC jet stil imeZxabli lofti, wiH grE
klQdz glFdiN slOli akros it. “hQ kwFat, pIsfal, n solam; not
At Yl Az F rAn,” TYt /prins /AndrM—“not Az wI rAn, SQtiN
n fFtiN, not At Yl Az H ganx n H /frencman wiH frFtand
n ANgri fEsaz stragald f H mop: hQ difxantli dM HOz klQdz
glFd akros HAt lofti infinit skF! hQ woz it F did not sI HAt
lofti skF bifP? n hQ hApi F Am t hAv fQnd it At lAst! jes! Yl
iz vAniti, Yl fYlshUd, iäept HAt infinit skF. HX iz naTiN,
naTiN, bat HAt. bat Ivan it daz not iãist, HX iz naTiN bat
kwFat n pIs. TANk /god!...”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
on Qx rFt flANk kamAndad bF /bygrytiOn, At nFn O'klok H bAtal
hAd not jet bigan. not wiSiN t agrI t /dOlgPMkOf's dimAnd t
kamens H AkSan, n wiSiN t avxt risponsabiliti from himself,
/prins /bygrytiOn prapOzd t /dOlgPMkOf t send t inkwFx v H
kamAndx in cIf. /bygrytiOn nM HAt Az H distans bitwIn H tM
flANä woz mP HAn siä mFlz, Ivan if H mesinJx wx not kild
(wic hI veri lFkli wUd bI), n fQnd H kamAndx in cIf
(wic wUd bI veri difikalt), hI wUd not bI Ebal t get bAk bifP
IvniN.
<p>
/bygrytiOn kAst hiz lRJ, iäpreSanlas, slIpi Fz rQnd hiz swIt,
n H bqiS fEs v /rOstOf, breTlas wiH iäFtmant n hOp, woz
H fxst t kAc hiz F. hI sent him.
<p>
“n if F SUd mIt /hiz /mAJasti bifP F mIt H kamAndx in
cIf, jP eäalansi?” sed /rOstOf, wiH hiz hAnd t hiz kAp.
<p>
“V kAn giv H mesiJ t /hiz /mAJasti,” sed /dOlgPMkOf,
haridli intxaptiN /bygrytiOn.
<p>
on bIiN rilIvd from pikat dMti /rOstOf hAd mAniJd t get a fV
Qxz' slIp bifP mPniN n felt cCfal, bOld, n rezalMt,
wiH ilAstisiti v mMvmant, fET in hiz gUd fPcMn, n Jenxali in
HAt stEt v mFnd wic mEä evriTiN sIm posabal, plezant, n
Izi.
<p>
Yl hiz wiSaz wx bIiN fUlfild HAt mPniN: HX woz t bI a
Jenxal ingEJmant in wic hI woz tEkiN pRt, mP HAn HAt, hI woz
Pdxli t H brEvast Jenxal, n stil mP, hI woz gOiN wiH a
mesiJ t /kMtMzOf, pxhAps Ivan t H sovran himself. H mPniN
woz brFt, hI hAd a gUd hPs andx him, n hiz hRt woz fUl v
Jq n hApinas. on risIviN H Pdx hI gEv hiz hPs H rEn
n gAlapt aloN H lFn. At fxst hI rOd aloN H lFn v
/bygrytiOn'z trMps, wic hAd not jet advAnst intM AkSan bat wx
stAndiN mOSanlas; Hen hI kEm t H rIJan okVpFd bF /MvROf's
kAvalri n hC hI nOtist a stx n sFnz v prepxESan f bAtal;
hAviN pAst /MvROf's kAvalri hI klCli hxd H sQnd v kAnan
n maskatri ahed v him. H fFxiN grM lQdx n lQdx.
<p>
in H freS mPniN X wx nQ hxd, not tM P TrI maskat Sots
At iregVlx intxvalz Az bifP, folOd bF wan P tM kAnan Sots,
bat a rOl v voliz v maskatri from H slOps v H hil bifP
/prytsan, intxaptad bF sac frIkwant ripPts v kAnan HAt samtFmz
sevxal v Hem wx not sepxEtad from wan anaHx bat mxJd intM a
Jenxal rP.
<p>
hI kUd sI pafs v maskatri smOk HAt sImd t cEs wan anaHx
dQn H hilsFdz, n klQdz v kAnan smOk rOliN, sprediN,
n miNgaliN wiH wan anaHx. hI kUd YlsO, bF H glIm v bEanets
vizabal TrM H smOk, mEk Qt mMviN mAsaz v infantri n nArO
lFnz v Rtilxi wiH grIn kEsonz.
<p>
/rOstOf stopt hiz hPs f a mOment on a hilak t sI wot woz
gOiN on, bat strEn hiz atenSan Az hI wUd hI kUd not andxstAnd
P mEk Qt eniTiN v wot woz hApaniN: HX in H smOk men v
sam sPt wx mMviN abQt, in frant n bihFnd mMvd lFnz v trMps;
bat wF, wiHx, n hM HE wx, it woz imposabal t mEk Qt.
HIz sFts n sQndz hAd nO dipresiN P intimidEtiN ifekt on him;
on H kontrXi, HE stimVlEtad hiz enxJi n ditxminESan.
<p>
“gO on! gO on! giv it Hem!” hI mentali iäklEmd At HIz sQndz,
n agen prOsIdad t gAlap aloN H lFn, penitrEtiN fRHx n
fRHx intM H rIJan wX H Rmi woz Ylredi in AkSan.
<p>
“hQ it wil bI HX F dOnt nO, bat Yl wil bI wel!” TYt
/rOstOf.
<p>
Aftx pAsiN sam /ostrWn trMps hI nOtist HAt H neät pRt v H
lFn (H /gRdz) woz Ylredi in AkSan.
<p>
“sO mac H betx! F SAl sI it klOs,” hI TYt.
<p>
hI woz rFdiN YlmOst aloN H frant lFn. a hAndfUl v men kEm
gAlapiN tPd him. HE wx Qx /Mlynz hM wiH disPdxd
rANä wx ritxniN from H atAk. /rOstOf got Qt v HX wE,
involantXili nOtist HAt wan v Hem woz blIdiN, n gAlapt on.
<p>
“HAt iz nO biznas v mFn,” hI TYt. hI hAd not ridan meni
handrad jRdz Aftx HAt bifP hI sY t hiz left, akros H hOl
widT v H fIld, an inPmas mAs v kAvalri in brilWnt wFt
VnifPmz, mQntad on blAk hPsaz, trotiN strEt tPd him n
akros hiz pAT. /rOstOf pUt hiz hPs t fUl gAlap t get Qt v H
wE v HIz men, n hI wUd hAv got klC hAd HE kantinVd At H
sEm spId, bat HE kept inkrIsiN HX pEs, sO HAt sam v H
hPsaz wx Ylredi gAlapiN. /rOstOf hxd H Tad v HX hUfs
n H JiNgal v HX wepanz n sY HX hPsaz, HX figjxz, n
Ivan HX fEsaz, mP n mP distiNktli. HE wx Qx /hPs /gRdz,
advAnsiN t atAk H /frenc kAvalri HAt woz kamiN t mIt Hem.
<p>
H /hPs /gRdz wx gAlapiN, bat stil hOldiN in HX hPsaz.
/rOstOf kUd Ylredi sI HX fEsaz n hxd H kamAnd:
“cRJ!” SQtad bF an ofisx hM woz xJiN hiz TarObred t
fUl spId. /rOstOf, fCiN t bI kraSt P swept intM H atAk on
H /frenc, gAlapt aloN H frant Az hRd Az hiz hPs kUd gO, bat
stil woz not in tFm t avqd Hem.
<p>
H lAst v H /hPs /gRdz, a hVJ pokmRkt felO, frQnd ANgrili
on sIiN /rOstOf bifP him, wiH hMm hI wUd inevitabli kalFd.
His /gRdzman wUd sxtanli hAv bOld /rOstOf n hiz /bedMin Ovx
(/rOstOf felt himself kwFt tFni n wIk kampXd t HIz JFgAntik men
n hPsaz) hAd it not akxd t /rOstOf t flariS hiz wip bifP
H Fz v H /gRdzman'z hPs. H hevi blAk hPs, siätIn
hAndz hF, SFd, TrOiN bAk its Cz; bat H pokmRkt /gRdzman
drOv hiz hVJ spxz in vFalantli, n H hPs, flariSiN its tEl
n iätendiN its nek, gAlapt on jet fAstx. hRdli hAd H /hPs
/gRdz pAst /rOstOf bifP hI hxd Hem SQt, “hxy!” n
lUkiN bAk sY HAt HX fPmOst rANä wx miät ap wiH sam
forin kAvalri wiH red epalets, probabli /frenc. hI kUd sI naTiN
mP, f imIdWtli Aftxwxdz kAnan bigAn fFxiN from samwX n
smOk invelapt evriTiN.
<p>
At HAt mOment, Az H /hPs /gRdz, hAviN pAst him, disapCd in
H smOk, /rOstOf hezitEtad weHx t gAlap Aftx Hem P t gO wX
hI woz sent. His woz H brilWnt cRJ v H /hPs /gRdz HAt
amEzd H /frenc Hemselvz. /rOstOf woz horifFd t hC lEtx HAt
v Yl HAt mAs v hVJ n hAndsam men, v Yl HOz brilWnt,
ric VHz, ofisxz n kadets, hM hAd gAlapt pAst him on HX
TQzand-rMbal hPsaz, Onli EtIn wx left Aftx H cRJ.
<p>
“wF SUd F envi Hem? mF cAns iz not lost, n mEbI F SAl sI
H /empxx imIdWtli!” TYt /rOstOf n gAlapt on.
<p>
wen hI kEm leval wiH H /fUt /gRdz hI nOtist HAt abQt Hem n
xQnd Hem kAnan bYlz wx flFiN, v wic hI woz awX not sO
mac bikoz hI hxd HX sQnd Az bikoz hI sY anIzinas on
H sOlJxz' fEsaz n annAcxal wPlFk salemniti on HOz v H
ofisxz.
<p>
pAsiN bihFnd wan v H lFnz v a reJimant v /fUt /gRdz hI hxd a
vqs kYliN him bF nEm.
<p>
“/rOstOf!”
<p>
“wot?” hI Ansxd, not rekagnFziN /bPis.
<p>
“F sE, wI'v bin in H frant lFn! Qx reJimant atAkt!” sed
/bPis wiH H hApi smFl sIn on H fEsaz v jaN men hM hAv bin
andx fFx f H fxst tFm.
<p>
/rOstOf stopt.
<p>
“hAv V?” hI sed. “wel, hQ did it gO?”
<p>
“wI drOv Hem bAk!” sed /bPis wiH AnimESan, grOiN tYkativ.
“kAn V imAJin it?” n hI bigAn diskrFbiN hQ H /gRdz, hAviN
tEkan ap HX paziSan n sIiN trMps bifP Hem, TYt HE wx
/ostrWnz, n Yl At wans diskavxd from H kAnan bYlz discRJd
bF HOz trMps HAt HE wx Hemselvz in H frant lFn n hAd
aniäpektadli t gO intM AkSan. /rOstOf wiHQt hCiN /bPis t H
end spxd hiz hPs.
<p>
“wX R V of t?” Askt /bPis.
<p>
“wiH a mesiJ t /hiz /mAJasti.”
<p>
“HX hI iz!” sed /bPis, TiNkiN /rOstOf hAd sed “hiz
/hFnas,” n pqntiN t H /grAnd /dMk hM wiH hiz hF SOldxz
n frQniN brQz stUd a handrad pEsaz awE from Hem in hiz helmat
n /hPs /gRdz' JAkat, SQtiN samTiN t a pEl, wFt
VnifPmd /ostrWn ofisx.
<p>
“bat HAt's H /grAnd /dMk, n F wont H kamAndx in cIf P H
/empxx,” sed /rOstOf, n woz abQt t spx hiz hPs.
<p>
“kQnt! kQnt!” SQtad /bxg hM rAn ap from H aHx sFd Az Igx
Az /bPis. “kQnt! F Am wMndad in mF rFt hAnd” (n hI SOd hiz
blIdiN hAnd wiH a hANkxcif tFd rQnd it) “n F rimEnd At
H frant. F held mF sPd in mF left hAnd, /kQnt. Yl Qx fAmli—H
fon /bxã—hAv bin nFts!”
<p>
hI sed samTiN mP, bat /rOstOf did not wEt t hC it n rOd
awE.
<p>
hAviN pAst H /gRdz n travxst an empti spEs, /rOstOf, t avqd
agen getiN in frant v H fxst lFn Az hI hAd dan wen H /hPs
/gRdz cRJd, folOd H lFn v rizxvz, gOiN fR rQnd H plEs
wX H hotast maskat fFx n kAnanEd wx hxd. sadanli hI
hxd maskat fFx kwFt klOs in frant v him n bihFnd Qx trMps,
wX hI kUd nevx hAv iäpektad H enami t bI.
<p>
“wot kAn it bI?” hI TYt. “H enami in H rC v Qx Rmi?
imposabal!” n sadanli hI woz sIzd bF a pAnik v fC f himself
n f H iSV v H hOl bAtal. “bat bI HAt wot it mE,”
hI riflektad, “HX iz nO rFdiN rQnd it nQ. F mast lUk f H
kamAndx in cIf hC, n if Yl iz lost it iz f mI t periS wiH
H rest.”
<p>
H fPbOdiN v Ival HAt hAd sadanli kam Ovx /rOstOf woz mP n
mP kanfxmd H fRHx hI rOd intM H rIJan bihFnd H viliJ v
/prytsan, wic woz fUl v trMps v Yl kFndz.
<p>
“wot daz it mIn? wot iz it? hMm R HE fFxiN At? hM iz
fFxiN?” /rOstOf kept AskiN Az hI kEm ap t /raSan n /ostrWn
sOlJxz raniN in kanfVzd krQdz akros hiz pAT.
<p>
“H deval nOz! HE'v kild evribodi! it's Yl ap nQ!”
hI woz tOld in /raSan, /Jxman, n /cek bF H krQd v fVJativz hM
andxstUd wot woz hApaniN Az lital Az hI did.
<p>
“kil H /Jxmanz!” SQtad wan.
<p>
“mE H deval tEk Hem—H trEtxz!”
<p>
“tsMm /heNkx dFIz /rMsan!” * matxd a /Jxman.
<p>
    * “hAN HIz /raSanz!”
<p>
<p>
sevxal wMndad men pAst aloN H rOd, n wxdz v abVs, skrImz,
n grOnz miNgald in a Jenxal habab, Hen H fFxiN dFd dQn.
/rOstOf lxnd lEtx HAt /raSan n /ostrWn sOlJxz hAd bin fFxiN
At wan anaHx.
<p>
“mF /god! wot daz it Yl mIn?” TYt hI. “n hC, wX At
eni mOment H /empxx mE sI Hem.... bat nO, HIz mast bI Onli a
hAndfUl v skQndralz. it wil sMn bI Ovx, it kAnt bI HAt, it
kAnt bI! Onli t get pAst Hem kwikx, kwikx!”
<p>
H FdW v difIt n flFt kUd not entx /rOstOf's hed. HO
hI sY /frenc kAnan n /frenc trMps on H /prytsan /hFts Jast wX
hI hAd bin Pdxd t lUk f H kamAndx in cIf, hI kUd not,
did not wiS t, bilIv HAt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
/rOstOf hAd bin Pdxd t lUk f /kMtMzOf n H /empxx nC H
viliJ v /prytsan. bat nFHx HE nP a siNgal kamAndiN ofisx
wx HX, Onli disPganFzd krQdz v trMps v vXWs kFndz. hI
xJd on hiz Ylredi wCi hPs t get kwikli pAst HIz krQdz, bat
H fRHx hI went H mP disPganFzd HE wx. H hFrOd on
wic hI hAd kam Qt woz TroNd wiH kyleSaz, kAriJaz v Yl
sPts, n /raSan n /ostrWn sOlJxz v Yl Rmz, sam wMndad n
sam not. His hOl mAs drOnd n Josald in kanfVZan andx H
dizmal inflMans v kAnan bYlz flFiN from H /frenc bAtxiz
stESand on H /prytsan /hFts.
<p>
“wX iz H /empxx? wX iz /kMtMzOf?” /rOstOf kept AskiN
evriwan hI kUd stop, bat got nO Ansx from eniwan.
<p>
At lAst sIziN a sOlJx bF hiz kolx hI fPst him t Ansx.
<p>
“E, braHx! HE'v Yl bOltad loN agO!” sed H sOlJx,
lAfiN f sam rIzan n SEkiN himself frI.
<p>
hAviN left HAt sOlJx hM woz evidentli draNk, /rOstOf stopt H
hPs v a bAtman P grMm v sam impPtant pxsaniJ n bigAn t
kwescan him. H mAn anQnst HAt H /tsR hAd bin drivan in a
kAriJ At fUl spId abQt an Qx bifP aloN HAt veri rOd n
HAt hI woz dEnJxasli wMndad.
<p>
“it kAnt bI!” sed /rOstOf. “it mast hAv bin samwan els.”
<p>
“F sY him mFself,” riplFd H mAn wiH a self-konfidant smFl v
diriZan. “F Yt t nO H /empxx bF nQ, Aftx H tFmz F'v
sIn him in /pItxzbxg. F sY him Jast Az F sI V.... HX hI sAt in
H kAriJ Az pEl Az eniTiN. hQ HE mEd H fP blAk hPsaz
flF! grESas mI, HE did rAtal pAst! it's tFm F nM H /impCWl
hPsaz n /ilja /ivynic. F dOnt TiNk /ilja drFvz eniwan iäept
H /tsR!”
<p>
/rOstOf let gO v H hPs n woz abQt t rFd on, wen a wMndad
ofisx pAsiN bF adrest him:
<p>
“hM iz it V wont?” hI Askt. “H kamAndx in cIf? hI woz
kild bF a kAnan bYl—strak in H brest bifP Qx reJimant.”
<p>
“not kild—wMndad!” anaHx ofisx kxektad him.
<p>
“hM? /kMtMzOf?” Askt /rOstOf.
<p>
“not /kMtMzOf, bat wot's hiz nEm—wel, nevx mFnd... HX R
not meni left alFv. gO HAt wE, t HAt viliJ, Yl H kamAndxz
R HX,” sed H ofisx, pqntiN t H viliJ v /hOsjerydek,
n hI wYkt on.
<p>
/rOstOf rOd on At a fUtpEs not nOiN wF P t hMm hI woz nQ
gOiN. H /empxx woz wMndad, H bAtal lost. it woz imposabal t
dQt it nQ. /rOstOf rOd in H direkSan pqntad Qt t him, in wic
hI sY tarats n a cxc. wot nId t hari? wot woz hI nQ t sE
t H /tsR P t /kMtMzOf, Ivan if HE wx alFv n anwQndad?
<p>
“tEk His rOd, jP onx, HAt wE V wil bI kild At wans!” a
sOlJx SQtad t him. “HE'd kil V HX!”
<p>
“O, wot R V tYkiN abQt?” sed anaHx. “wX iz hI t
gO? HAt wE iz nCx.”
<p>
/rOstOf kansidxd, n Hen went in H direkSan wX HE sed hI
wUd bI kild.
<p>
“it's Yl H sEm nQ. if H /empxx iz wMndad, Am F t trF t
sEv mFself?” hI TYt. hI rOd on t H rIJan wX H grEtast
nambx v men hAd periSt in flIiN from /prytsan. H /frenc hAd not
jet okVpFd HAt rIJan, n H /raSanz—H aninJxd n slFtli
wMndad—hAd left it loN agO. Yl abQt H fIld, lFk hIps v
manMx on wel-kept plQland, lE from ten t fiftIn ded n wMndad
t Ic kapal v Ekxz. H wMndad krept tageHx in tMz n TrIz
n wan kUd hC HX distresiN skrImz n grOnz, samtFmz
fEnd—P sO it sImd t /rOstOf. hI pUt hiz hPs t a trot t
avqd sIiN Yl HIz safxiN men, n hI felt afrEd—afrEd not
f hiz lFf, bat f H kariJ hI nIdad n wic hI nM wUd not
stAnd H sFt v HIz anfPcanats.
<p>
H /frenc, hM hAd sIst fFxiN At His fIld strMn wiH ded n
wMndad wX HX woz nO wan left t fFx At, on sIiN an AJUtant
rFdiN Ovx it trEnd a gan on him n fFxd sevxal Sots. H
sensESan v HOz teribal wisaliN sQndz n v H kPpsaz xQnd
him mxJd in /rOstOf's mFnd intM a siNgal fIliN v terx n piti
f himself. hI rimembxd hiz maHx'z lAst letx. “wot wUd SI
fIl,” TYt hI, “if SI sY mI hC nQ on His fIld wiH H
kAnan Emd At mI?”
<p>
in H viliJ v /hOsjerydek HX wx /raSan trMps ritFxiN from
H fIld v bAtal, hM HO stil in sam kanfVZan wx les
disPdxd. H /frenc kAnan did not rIc HX n H maskatri fFx
sQndad fR awE. hC evriwan klCli sY n sed HAt H bAtal
woz lost. nO wan hMm /rOstOf Askt kUd tel him wX H /empxx
P /kMtMzOf woz. sam sed H ripPt HAt H /empxx woz wMndad woz
kxekt, aHxz HAt it woz not, n iäplEnd H fYls rMmx HAt hAd
spred bF H fAkt HAt H /empxx'z kAriJ hAd rWli gAlapt
from H fIld v bAtal wiH H pEl n terifFd /Obx-/hofmxSal
/kQnt /tOlstq, hM hAd ridan Qt t H bAtalfIld wiH aHxz in
H /empxx'z swIt. wan ofisx tOld /rOstOf HAt hI hAd sIn samwan
from hedkwPtxz bihFnd H viliJ t H left, n HiHx /rOstOf
rOd, not hOpiN t fFnd eniwan bat mCli t Iz hiz konSans. wen
hI hAd ridan abQt tM mFlz n hAd pAst H lAst v H /raSan
trMps, hI sY, nC a kicin gRdan wiH a dic rQnd it, tM men
on hPsbAk fEsiN H dic. wan wiH a wFt plMm in hiz hAt sImd
familC t /rOstOf; H aHx on a bVtifal cestnat hPs (wic
/rOstOf fAnsid hI hAd sIn bifP) rOd ap t H dic, strak hiz
hPs wiH hiz spxz, n giviN it H rEn lIpt lFtli Ovx. Onli
a lital xT krambald from H bANk andx H hPs'az hFnd hUfs.
txniN H hPs SRpli, hI agen Jampt H dic, n defxenSali
adrest H hPsman wiH H wFt plMmz, evidentli saJestiN
HAt hI SUd dM H sEm. H rFdx, hMz figjx sImd familC
t /rOstOf n involantXili rivatad hiz atenSan, mEd a Jescx v
rifVzal wiH hiz hed n hAnd n bF HAt Jescx /rOstOf instantli
rekagnFzd hiz lAmentad n adPd monRk.
<p>
“bat it kAnt bI hI, alOn in H midst v His empti fIld!”
TYt /rOstOf. At HAt mOment /AliãAndx txnd hiz hed n /rOstOf
sY H bilavad fIcxz HAt wx sO dIpli ingrEvd on hiz memxi. H
/empxx woz pEl, hiz cIä saNkan n hiz Fz holO, bat H cRm,
H mFldnas v hiz fIcxz, woz Yl H grEtx. /rOstOf woz hApi
in H aSUxans HAt H rMmxz abQt H /empxx bIiN wMndad wx
fYls. hI woz hApi t bI sIiN him. hI nM HAt hI mFt n Ivan
Yt t gO strEt t him n giv H mesiJ /dOlgPMkOf hAd Pdxd
him t dilivx.
<p>
bat Az a VT in lav trembalz, iz annxvd, n dXz not atx H
TYts hI hAz drImd v f nFts, bat lUä xQnd f help P a
cAns v dilE n flFt wen H loNd-f mOment kamz n hI iz
alOn wiH hx, sO /rOstOf, nQ HAt hI hAd atEnd wot hI hAd loNd
f mP HAn eniTiN els in H wxld, did not nO hQ t aprOc
H /empxx, n a TQzand rIzanz akxd t him wF it wUd bI
inkanvInWnt, ansImli, n imposabal t dM sO.
<p>
“wot! it iz Az if F wx glAd v a cAns t tEk advAntiJ v
hiz bIiN alOn n dispondant! a strEnJ fEs mE sIm anplezant P
pEnfal t him At His mOment v sorO; bisFdz, wot kAn F sE t him
nQ, wen mF hRt fElz mI n mF mQT fIlz drF At H mC sFt
v him?” not wan v H inMmxabal spIcaz adrest t H /empxx
HAt hI hAd kampOzd in hiz imAJinESan kUd hI nQ rikYl. HOz
spIcaz wx intendad f kwFt aHx kandiSanz, HE wx f H
mOst pRt t bI spOkan At a mOment v viktxi n trFamf, Jenxali
wen hI woz dFiN v wMndz n H sovran hAd TANkt him f hirOik
dIdz, n wFl dFiN hI iäprest H lav hiz AkSanz hAd prMvd.
<p>
“bisFdz hQ kAn F Ask H /empxx f hiz instrakSanz f H rFt
flANk nQ HAt it iz nCli fP O'klok n H bAtal iz lost?
nO, sxtanli F mast not aprOc him, F mast not intrMd on hiz
riflekSanz. betx dF a TQzand tFmz HAn risk risIviN an ankFnd
lUk P bAd apinjan from him,” /rOstOf disFdad; n sorOfali n
wiH a hRt fUl dispX hI rOd awE, kantinVali lUkiN bAk At H
/tsR, hM stil rimEnd in H sEm AtitMd v indisiZan.
<p>
wFl /rOstOf woz Has RgViN wiH himself n rFdiN sAdli awE,
/kAptin fon /tOl cAnst t rFd t H sEm spot, n sIiN H
/empxx At wans rOd ap t him, ofxd hiz sxvisaz, n asistad him
t kros H dic on fUt. H /empxx, wiSiN t rest n fIliN
anwel, sAt dQn andx an Apal trI n fon /tOl rimEnd bisFd him.
/rOstOf from a distans sY wiH envi n rimPs hQ fon /tOl spOk
loN n wPmli t H /empxx n hQ H /empxx, evidentli wIpiN,
kavxd hiz Fz wiH hiz hAnd n prest fon /tOl'z hAnd.
<p>
“n F mFt hAv bin in hiz plEs!” TYt /rOstOf, n hRdli
ristrEniN hiz tCz v piti f H /empxx, hI rOd on in atx
dispX, not nOiN wX t P wF hI woz nQ rFdiN.
<p>
hiz dispX woz Yl H grEtx from fIliN HAt hiz On wIknas woz
H kYz v hiz grIf.
<p>
hI mFt... not Onli mFt bat SUd, hAv gon ap t H sovran. it
woz a VnIk cAns t SO hiz divOSan t H /empxx n hI hAd not
mEd Vs v it.... “wot hAv F dan?” TYt hI. n hI txnd
rQnd n gAlapt bAk t H plEs wX hI hAd sIn H /empxx, bat
HX woz nO wan bijond H dic nQ. Onli sam kRts n kAriJaz
wx pAsiN bF. from wan v H drFvxz hI lxnd HAt /kMtMzOf's
stAf wx not fR of, in H viliJ H vIikalz wx gOiN t.
/rOstOf folOd Hem. in frant v him wYkt /kMtMzOf's grMm lIdiN
hPsaz in hPskloTs. Hen kEm a kRt, n bihFnd HAt wYkt an Old,
bAndi-legad damestik sxf in a pIkt kAp n SIpskin kOt.
<p>
“tit! F sE, /tit!” sed H grMm.
<p>
“wot?” Ansxd H Old mAn Absant-mFndadli.
<p>
“gO, /tit! TreS a bit!”
<p>
“O, V fMl!” sed H Old mAn, spitiN ANgrili. sam tFm pAst
in sFlans, n Hen H sEm JOk woz ripItad.
<p>
<p>
bifP fFv in H IvniN H bAtal hAd bin lost At Yl pqnts. mP
HAn a handrad kAnan wx Ylredi in H hAndz v H /frenc.
<p>
/pSebiSefski n hiz kP hAd lEd dQn HX Rmz. aHx kolamz
Aftx lMziN hAf HX men wx ritrItiN in disPdxli kanfVzd
mAsaz.
<p>
H rimEnz v /lynZxOn'z n /dOâtMrOf's miNgald fPsaz wx
krQdiN xQnd H dAmz n bANä v H pondz nC H viliJ v
/Qgezd.
<p>
Aftx fFv O'klok it woz Onli At H /Qgezd /dAm HAt a hot kAnanEd
(dilivxd bF H /frenc alOn) woz stil t bI hxd from nMmxas
bAtxiz rEnJd on H slOps v H /prytsan /hFts, direktad At Qx
ritrItiN fPsaz.
<p>
in H rCgRd, /dOâtMrOf n aHxz rAliiN sam batAlWnz kept ap
a maskatri fFx At H /frenc kAvalri HAt woz pxsMiN Qx trMps. it
woz grOiN dask. on H nArO /Qgezd /dAm wX f sO meni jCz H
Old milx hAd bin akastamd t sit in hiz tAsald kAp pIsfali
ANgaliN, wFl hiz grAndsan, wiH Sxt slIvz rOld ap, hAndald H
flQndxiN silvxi fiS in H wYtxiN kAn, on HAt dAm Ovx wic f
sO meni jCz /mPEvWnz in SAgi kAps n blM JAkats hAd pIsfali
drivan HX tM-hPs kRts lOdad wiH wIt n hAd ritxnd dasti
wiH flQx wFtaniN HX kRts—on HAt nArO dAm amid H wAganz
n H kAnan, andx H hPsaz' hUfs n bitwIn H wAgan wIlz,
men disfigjxd bF fC v deT nQ krQdad tageHx, kraSiN wan
anaHx, dFiN, stepiN Ovx H dFiN n kiliN wan anaHx, Onli t
mMv on a fV steps n bI kild Hemselvz in H sEm wE.
<p>
evri ten sekandz a kAnan bYl flM kampresiN H X xQnd, P
a Sel bxst in H midst v HAt dens TroN, kiliN sam n
splASiN wiH blad HOz nC Hem.
<p>
/dOlOâOf—nQ an ofisx—wMndad in H Rm, n on fUt, wiH
H reJimental kamAndx on hPsbAk n sam ten men v hiz kampani,
reprizentad Yl HAt woz left v HAt hOl reJimant. impeld bF H
krQd, HE hAd got weJd in At H aprOc t H dAm n, JAmd in
on Yl sFdz, hAd stopt bikoz a hPs in frant hAd fYlan andx a
kAnan n H krQd wx drAgiN it Qt. a kAnan bYl kild samwan
bihFnd Hem, anaHx fel in frant n splASt /dOlOâOf wiH blad.
H krQd, pUSiN fPwxd despxatli, skwIzd tageHx, mMvd a fV
steps, n agen stopt.
<p>
“mMv on a handrad jRdz n wI R sxtanli sEvd, rimEn hC
anaHx tM minits n it iz sxtan deT,” TYt Ic wan.
<p>
/dOlOâOf hM woz in H midst v H krQd fPst hiz wE t H eJ
v H dAm, TrOiN tM sOlJxz of HX fIt, n rAn ontM H
slipxi Fs HAt kavxd H milpMl.
<p>
“txn His wE!” hI SQtad, JampiN Ovx H Fs wic krIkt
andx him; “txn His wE!” hI SQtad t HOz wiH H gan. “it
bXz!...”
<p>
H Fs bP him bat it swEd n krIkt, n it woz plEn HAt it
wUd giv wE not Onli andx a kAnan P a krQd, bat veri sMn Ivan
andx hiz wEt alOn. H men lUkt At him n prest t H
bANk, hezitEtiN t step ontM H Fs. H Jenxal on hPsbAk At H
entrans t H dAm rEzd hiz hAnd n Opand hiz mQT t adres
/dOlOâOf. sadanli a kAnan bYl hist sO lO abav H krQd HAt
evriwan dakt. it flopt intM samTiN mqst, n H Jenxal fel
from hiz hPs in a pMl v blad. nObodi gEv him a lUk P TYt v
rEziN him.
<p>
“get ontM H Fs, Ovx H Fs! gO on! txn! dOnt V hC? gO
on!” inMmxabal vqsaz sadanli SQtad Aftx H bYl hAd strak
H Jenxal, H men Hemselvz not nOiN wot, P wF, HE wx
SQtiN.
<p>
wan v H hFndmOst ganz HAt woz gOiN ontM H dAm txnd of ontM H
Fs. krQdz v sOlJxz from H dAm bigAn raniN ontM H frOzan pond.
H Fs gEv wE andx wan v H fPmOst sOlJxz, n wan leg slipt
intM H wYtx. hI trFd t rFt himself bat fel in ap t hiz wEst.
H nCast sOlJxz SrANk bAk, H gan drFvx stopt hiz hPs, bat
from bihFnd stil kEm H SQts: “ontM H Fs, wF dM V stop? gO
on! gO on!” n krFz v horx wx hxd in H krQd. H sOlJxz
nC H gan wEvd HX Rmz n bIt H hPsaz t mEk Hem txn n
mMv on. H hPsaz mMvd of H bANk. H Fs, HAt hAd held andx
HOz on fUt, kalApst in a grEt mAs, n sam fPti men hM wx on
it dASt, sam fPwxd n sam bAk, drQniN wan anaHx.
<p>
stil H kAnan bYlz kantinVd regVlxli t wisal n flop ontM H
Fs n intM H wYtx n oftanast v Yl amaN H krQd HAt kavxd
H dAm, H pond, n H bANk.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
on H /prytsan /hFts, wX hI hAd fYlan wiH H flAgstAf in hiz
hAnd, lE /prins /AndrM /bOlkOnski blIdiN prafVsli n ankonSasli
atxiN a Jental, pitWs, n cFldlFk mOn.
<p>
tPd IvniN hI sIst mOniN n bikEm kwFt stil. hI did not nO
hQ loN hiz ankonSasnas lAstad. sadanli hI agen felt HAt hI woz
alFv n safxiN from a bxniN, lAsxEtiN pEn in hiz hed.
<p>
“wX iz it, HAt lofti skF HAt F did not nO til nQ, bat sY
tadE?” woz hiz fxst TYt. “n F did not nO His safxiN
FHx,” hI TYt. “jes, F did not nO eniTiN, eniTiN At Yl
til nQ. bat wX Am F?”
<p>
hI lisand n hxd H sQnd v aprOciN hPsaz, n vqsaz
spIkiN /frenc. hI Opand hiz Fz. abav him agen woz H sEm lofti
skF wiH klQdz HAt hAd rizan n wx flOtiN stil hFx, n
bitwIn Hem glImd blM infiniti. hI did not txn hiz hed n did not
sI HOz hM, JaJiN bF H sQnd v hUfs n vqsaz, hAd ridan ap
n stopt nC him.
<p>
it woz /napOlWn akampanid bF tM Edz-dI-kAmp. /bOnapRt rFdiN
Ovx H bAtalfIld hAd givan fFnal Pdxz t streNTan H bAtxiz
fFxiN At H /Qgezd /dAm n woz lUkiN At H kild n wMndad left
on H fIld.
<p>
“fFn men!” rimRkt /napOlWn, lUkiN At a ded /raSan grenadC,
hM, wiH hiz fEs berid in H grQnd n a blAkand nEp, lE on hiz
stamak wiH an Ylredi stifand Rm flaN wFd.
<p>
“H AmVniSan f H ganz in paziSan iz iãYstad, jP
/mAJasti,” sed an AJUtant hM hAd kam from H bAtxiz HAt wx
fFxiN At /Qgezd.
<p>
“hAv sam brYt from H rizxv,” sed /napOlWn, n hAviN gon
on a fV steps hI stopt bifP /prins /AndrM, hM lE on hiz bAk wiH
H flAgstAf HAt hAd bin dropt bisFd him. (H flAg hAd Ylredi
bin tEkan bF H /frenc Az a trOfi.)
<p>
“HAt's a fFn deT!” sed /napOlWn Az hI gEzd At /bOlkOnski.
<p>
prins /AndrM andxstUd HAt His woz sed v him n HAt it woz
/napOlWn hM sed it. hI hxd H spIkx adrest Az /sFx. bat hI
hxd H wxdz Az hI mFt hAv hxd H baziN v a flF. not Onli
did HE not intxast him, bat hI tUk nO nOtis v Hem n At wans
fxgot Hem. hiz hed woz bxniN, hI felt himself blIdiN t deT,
n hI sY abav him H rimOt, lofti, n evxlAstiN skF. hI nM it
woz /napOlWn—hiz hCO—bat At HAt mOment /napOlWn sImd t him
sac a smYl, insignifikant krIcx kampXd wiH wot woz pAsiN nQ
bitwIn himself n HAt lofti infinit skF wiH H klQdz flFiN Ovx
it. At HAt mOment it ment naTiN t him hM mFt bI stAndiN Ovx
him, P wot woz sed v him; hI woz Onli glAd HAt pIpal wx stAndiN
nC him n Onli wiSt HAt HE wUd help him n briN him bAk t
lFf, wic sImd t him sO bVtifal nQ HAt hI hAd tadE lxnd t
andxstAnd it sO difxantli. hI kalektad Yl hiz streNT, t stx n
atx a sQnd. hI fIbli mMvd hiz leg n atxd a wIk, sikli grOn
wic xQzd hiz On piti.
<p>
“y! hI iz alFv,” sed /napOlWn. “lift His jaN mAn ap n
kAri him t H dresiN stESan.”
<p>
hAviN sed His, /napOlWn rOd on t mIt /mRSal /lynes, hM, hAt in
hAnd, rOd ap smFliN t H /empxx t kangrAcalEt him on H viktxi.
<p>
prins /AndrM rimembxd naTiN mP: hI lost konSasnas from H
teribal pEn v bIiN liftad ontM H strecx, H JOltiN wFl
bIiN mMvd, n H prObiN v hiz wMnd At H dresiN stESan.
hI did not rigEn konSasnas til lEt in H dE, wen wiH aHx
wMndad n kApcxd /raSan ofisxz hI woz kArid t H hospital.
dxiN His trAnsfx hI felt a lital stroNgx n woz Ebal t lUk
abQt him n Ivan spIk.
<p>
H fxst wxdz hI hxd on kamiN t hiz sensaz wx HOz v a /frenc
konvq ofisx, hM sed rApidli: “wI mast hYlt hC: H /empxx
wil pAs hC imIdWtli; it wil plIz him t sI HIz Jentalmen
prizanxz.”
<p>
“HX R sO meni prizanxz tadE, nCli H hOl /raSan Rmi,
HAt hI iz probabli tFxd v Hem,” sed anaHx ofisx.
<p>
“Yl H sEm! HE sE His wan iz H kamAndx v Yl H /empxx
/AliãAndx'z /gRdz,” sed H fxst wan, indikEtiN a /raSan
ofisx in H wFt VnifPm v H /hPs /gRdz.
<p>
/bOlkOnski rekagnFzd /prins /repnin hMm hI hAd met in /pItxzbxg
sasFati. bisFd him stUd a lAd v nFntIn, YlsO a wMndad ofisx v
H /hPs /gRdz.
<p>
/bOnapRt, hAviN kam ap At a gAlap, stopt hiz hPs.
<p>
“wic iz H sInC?” hI Askt, on sIiN H prizanxz.
<p>
HE nEmd H kxnal, /prins /repnin.
<p>
“V R H kamAndx v H /empxx /AliãAndx'z reJimant v /hPs
/gRdz?” Askt /napOlWn.
<p>
“F kamAndad a skwodran,” riplFd /repnin.
<p>
“jP reJimant fUlfild its dMti onxabli,” sed /napOlWn.
<p>
“H prEz v a grEt kamAndx iz a sOlJx'z hFast riwPd,”
sed /repnin.
<p>
“F bistO it wiH pleZx,” sed /napOlWn. “n hM iz HAt jaN
mAn bisFd V?”
<p>
prins /repnin nEmd /lMtenant /sMâtelan.
<p>
Aftx lUkiN At him /napOlWn smFld.
<p>
“hI'z veri jaN t kam t medal wiH as.”
<p>
“VT iz nO hindrans t kariJ,” matxd /sMâtelan in a fEliN
vqs.
<p>
“a splendid riplF!” sed /napOlWn. “jaN mAn, V wil gO fR!”
<p>
prins /AndrM, hM hAd YlsO bin brYt fPwxd bifP H /empxx'z
Fz t kamplIt H SO v prizanxz, kUd not fEl t atrAkt hiz
atenSan. /napOlWn apArantli rimembxd sIiN him on H bAtalfIld
n, adresiN him, agen Vzd H epiTet “jaN mAn” HAt woz
kanektad in hiz memxi wiH /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“wel, n V, jaN mAn,” sed hI. “hQ dM V fIl, man
brEv?”
<p>
HO fFv minits bifP, /prins /AndrM hAd bin Ebal t sE a fV
wxdz t H sOlJxz hM wx kAriiN him, nQ wiH hiz Fz fiät
strEt on /napOlWn, hI woz sFlant.... sO insignifikant At HAt mOment
sImd t him Yl H intxasts HAt ingrOst /napOlWn, sO mIn did hiz
hCO himself wiH hiz pYltri vAniti n Jq in viktxi apC,
kampXd t H lofti, ekwitabal, n kFndli skF wic hI hAd sIn n
andxstUd, HAt hI kUd not Ansx him.
<p>
evriTiN sImd sO fVtFl n insignifikant in kampArisan wiH H
stxn n solam trEn v TYt HAt wIknas from los v blad,
safxiN, n H nCnas v deT xQzd in him. lUkiN intM
/napOlWn'z Fz /prins /AndrM TYt v H insignifikans v
grEtnas, H animpPtans v lFf wic nO wan kUd andxstAnd, n
H stil grEtx animpPtans v deT, H mIniN v wic nO wan
alFv kUd andxstAnd P iäplEn.
<p>
H /empxx wiHQt wEtiN f an Ansx txnd awE n sed t wan v
H ofisxz Az hI went: “hAv HIz Jentalmen atendad t n tEkan
t mF bivUAk; let mF doktx, /lRE, iãAmin HX wMndz. O ravwR,
/prins /repnin!” n hI spxd hiz hPs n gAlapt awE.
<p>
hiz fEs SOn wiH self-sAtisfAkSan n pleZx.
<p>
H sOlJxz hM hAd kArid /prins /AndrM hAd nOtist n tEkan H
lital gOld Fkon /prinsas /mXi hAd haN rQnd hx braHx'z nek, bat
sIiN H fEvx H /empxx SOd H prizanxz, HE nQ hEsand t
ritxn H hOli imiJ.
<p>
prins /AndrM did not sI hQ n bF hMm it woz riplEst, bat H
lital Fkon wiH its Tin gOld cEn sadanli apCd apon hiz cest
QtsFd hiz VnifPm.
<p>
“it wUd bI gUd,” TYt /prins /AndrM, glAnsiN At H Fkon hiz
sistx hAd haN rQnd hiz nek wiH sac imOSan n revxans, “it
wUd bI gUd if evriTiN wx Az klC n simpal Az it sImz t
/mXi. hQ gUd it wUd bI t nO wX t sIk f help in His lFf,
n wot t iäpekt Aftx it bijond H grEv! hQ hApi n kym F
SUd bI if F kUd nQ sE: 'lPd, hAv mxsi on mI!'... bat t
hMm SUd F sE HAt? FHx t a /pQx indifFnabal, inkomprihensabal,
wic F not Onli kAnot adres bat wic F kAnot Ivan iäpres in
wxdz—H /grEt Yl P /naTiN-” sed hI t himself, “P t
HAt /god hM hAz bin sOn intM His AmVlat bF /mXi! HX iz naTiN
sxtan, naTiN At Yl iäept H animpPtans v evriTiN F
andxstAnd, n H grEtnas v samTiN inkomprihensabal bat
Yl-impPtant.”
<p>
H strecxz mMvd on. At evri JOlt hI agen felt anindxabal pEn;
hiz fIvxiSnas inkrIst n hI grM dilirWs. viZanz v hiz fyHx,
wFf, sistx, n fVcx san, n H tendxnas hI hAd felt H nFt
bifP H bAtal, H figjx v H insignifikant lital /napOlWn, n
abav Yl His H lofti skF, fPmd H cIf sabJekts v hiz dilirWs
fAnsiz.
<p>
H kwFat hOm lFf n pIsfal hApinas v /bYld /hilz prizentad
itself t him. hI woz Ylredi inJqiN HAt hApinas wen HAt
lital /napOlWn hAd sadanli apCd wiH hiz ansimpaTFziN lUk v
SPtsFtad dilFt At H mizxi v aHxz, n dQts n tPments
hAd folOd, n Onli H hevanz promist pIs. tPd mPniN
Yl HIz drImz meltad n mxJd intM H kEos n dRknas v
ankonsWsnas n ablivWn wic in H apinjan v /napOlWn'z doktx,
/lRE, woz mac mP lFkli t end in deT HAn in konvalesans.
<p>
“hI iz a nxvas, bilWs sabJekt,” sed /lRE, “n wil not
rikavx.”
<p>
n /prins /AndrM, wiH aHxz fEtali wMndad, woz left t H kX v
H inhAbitants v H distrikt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /fP: 1806
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/xli in H jC 1806 /nikalas /rOstOf ritxnd hOm on lIv. /denisOf
woz gOiN hOm t /vPOneZ n /rOstOf pxswEdad him t trAval wiH him
Az fR Az /moskQ n t stE wiH him HX. mItiN a komrAd At
H lAst pOst stESan bat wan bifP /moskQ, /denisOf hAd draNk TrI
botalz v wFn wiH him n, dispFt H JOltiN rats akros H
snO-kavxd rOd, did not wans wEk ap on H wE t /moskQ, bat lE
At H botam v H slE bisFd /rOstOf, hM grM mP n mP
impESant H nCx HE got t /moskQ.
<p>
“hQ mac loNgx? hQ mac loNgx? O, HIz insafxabal strIts,
Sops, bEkxz' sFnbPdz, strIt lAmps, n slEz!” TYt
/rOstOf, wen HX lIv pxmits hAd bin pAst At H tQn gEt n
HE hAd entxd /moskQ.
<p>
“/denisOf! wI'x hC! hI'z aslIp,” hI Adad, lIniN fPwxd
wiH hiz hOl bodi Az if in HAt paziSan hI hOpt t hEsan H spId
v H slE.
<p>
/denisOf gEv nO Ansx.
<p>
“HX'z H kPnx At H krosrOdz, wX H kAbman, /zyâR,
hAz hiz stAnd, n HX'z /zyâR himself n stil H sEm hPs!
n hC'z H lital Sop wX wI Vst t bF JinJxbred! kAnt
V hari ap? nQ Hen!”
<p>
“wic hQs iz it?” Askt H drFvx.
<p>
“wF, HAt wan, rFt At H end, H big wan. dOnt V sI?
HAt's Qx hQs,” sed /rOstOf. “v kPs, it's Qx hQs!
/denisOf, /denisOf! wI'x YlmOst HX!”
<p>
/denisOf rEzd hiz hed, koft, n mEd nO Ansx.
<p>
“/dmItri,” sed /rOstOf t hiz vAlE on H boä, “HOz lFts R
in Qx hQs, Rnt HE?”
<p>
“jes, sx, n HX'z a lFt in jP fyHx'z stadi.”
<p>
“Hen HE'v not gon t bed jet? wot dM V TiNk? mFnd nQ,
dOnt fxget t pUt Qt mF nM kOt,” Adad /rOstOf, fiNgxiN hiz
nM mastAS. “nQ Hen, get on,” hI SQtad t H drFvx. “dM
wEk ap, /vyska!” hI went on, txniN t /denisOf, hMz hed
woz agen nodiN. “kam, get on! V SAl hAv TrI rMbalz f
vodka—get on!” /rOstOf SQtad, wen H slE woz Onli TrI
hQzaz from hiz dP. it sImd t him H hPsaz wx not mMviN At
Yl. At lAst H slE bP t H rFt, drM ap At an entrans, n
/rOstOf sY Ovxhed H Old familC kPnis wiH a bit v plAstx
brOkan of, H pPc, n H pOst bF H sFd v H pEvmant. hI
sprAN Qt bifP H slE stopt, n rAn intM H hYl. H hQs
stUd kOld n sFlant, Az if kwFt rigRdlas v hM hAd kam t it.
HX woz nO wan in H hYl. “O /god! iz evriwan Yl rFt?”
hI TYt, stopiN f a mOment wiH a siNkiN hRt, n Hen
imIdWtli stRtiN t ran aloN H hYl n ap H wPpt steps v
H familC stXkEs. H wel-nOn Old dP hAndal, wic YlwEz
ANgxd H kQntas wen it woz not propxli klInd, txnd Az lMsli
Az evx. a solitXi tAlO kAndal bxnd in H AntirMm.
<p>
Old /mFkal woz aslIp on H cest. /prOkOfi, H fUtman, hM woz
sO stroN HAt hI kUd lift H bAk v H kAriJ from bihFnd, sAt
plEtiN slipxz Qt v kloT selviJaz. hI lUkt ap At H OpaniN
dP n hiz iäpreSan v slIpi indifxans sadanli cEnJd t wan
v dilFtad amEzmant.
<p>
“grESas hevanz! H jaN kQnt!” hI krFd, rekagnFziN hiz
jaN mAstx. “kAn it bI? mF treZx!” n /prOkOfi, trembaliN wiH
iäFtmant, raSt tPd H drYiN rMm dP, probabli in Pdx t
anQns him, bat, cEnJiN hiz mFnd, kEm bAk n stMpt t kis H
jaN mAn'z SOldx.
<p>
“Yl wel?” Askt /rOstOf, drYiN awE hiz Rm.
<p>
“jes, /god bI TANkt! jes! HE'v Jast finiSt sapx. let mI hAv
a lUk At V, jP eäalansi.”
<p>
“iz evriTiN kwFt Yl rFt?”
<p>
“H /lPd bI TANkt, jes!”
<p>
/rOstOf, hM hAd kamplItli fxgotan /denisOf, not wiSiN eniwan t
fPstYl him, TrM of hiz fx kOt n rAn on tiptO TrM H
lRJ dRk bYlrMm. Yl woz H sEm: HX wx H sEm Old kRd
tEbalz n H sEm SAndalC wiH a kavx Ovx it; bat samwan hAd
Ylredi sIn H jaN mAstx, n, bifP hI hAd rIct H drYiN
rMm, samTiN flM Qt from a sFd dP lFk a tPnEdO n bigAn
hagiN n kisiN him. anaHx n jet anaHx krIcx v H sEm
kFnd sprAN from a sekand dP n a Txd; mP hagiN, mP kisiN,
mP QtkrFz, n tCz v Jq. hI kUd not distiNgwiS wic woz
/pypy, wic /nytySa, n wic /petja. evriwan SQtad, tYkt, n
kist him At H sEm tFm. Onli hiz maHx woz not HX, hI nOtist
HAt.
<p>
“n F did not nO... /nikalas... mF dRliN!...”
<p>
“hC hI iz... Qx On... /kOljy, * dC felO... hQ hI hAz
cEnJd!... wX R H kAndalz?... tI!...”
<p>
    * /nikalas.
<p>
“n mI, kis mI!”
<p>
“dCast... n mI!”
<p>
/sonja, /nytySa, /petja, /Ana /miâFlOvna, /vCa, n H Old kQnt
wx Yl hagiN him, n H sxfs, men n mEdz, flokt intM H
rMm, iäklEmiN n O-iN n y-iN.
<p>
/petja, kliNiN t hiz leã, kept SQtiN, “n mI tM!”
<p>
/nytySa, Aftx SI hAd pUld him dQn tPd hx n kavxd hiz fEs
wiH kisaz, hOldiN him tFt bF H skxt v hiz kOt, sprAN awE n
prAnst ap n dQn in wan plEs lFk a gOt n SrIkt pCsiNli.
<p>
Yl xQnd wx laviN Fz glisaniN wiH tCz v Jq, n Yl xQnd
wx lips sIkiN a kis.
<p>
/sonja tM, Yl rOzi red, klaN t hiz Rm n, rEdWnt wiH blis,
lUkt Igxli tPd hiz Fz, wEtiN f H lUk f wic SI
loNd. /sonja nQ woz siätIn n SI woz veri priti, ispeSali At
His mOment v hApi, rApcxas iäFtmant. SI gEzd At him, not tEkiN
hx Fz of him, n smFliN n hOldiN hx breT. hI gEv hx a
grEtfal lUk, bat woz stil iäpektant n lUkiN f samwan. H Old
kQntas hAd not jet kam. bat nQ steps wx hxd At H dP, steps
sO rApid HAt HE kUd hRdli bI hiz maHx'z.
<p>
jet it woz SI, drest in a nM gQn wic hI did not nO, mEd sins
hI hAd left. Yl H aHxz let him gO, n hI rAn t hx. wen HE
met, SI fel on hiz brest, sobiN. SI kUd not lift hx fEs, bat
Onli prest it t H kOld brEdiN v hiz hMsR'z JAkat. /denisOf,
hM hAd kam intM H rMm annOtist bF eniwan, stUd HX n wFpt
hiz Fz At H sFt.
<p>
“/vysili /denisOf, jP san'z frend,” hI sed, intradMsiN
himself t H kQnt, hM woz lUkiN inkwFxiNli At him.
<p>
“V R mOst welkam! F nO, F nO,” sed H kQnt, kisiN n
imbrEsiN /denisOf. “/nikalas rOt as... /nytySa, /vCa, lUk! hC
iz /denisOf!”
<p>
H sEm hApi, rApcxas fEsaz txnd t H SAgi figjx v /denisOf.
<p>
“dRliN /denisOf!” skrImd /nytySa, bisFd hxself wiH rApcx,
spriNiN t him, pUtiN hx Rmz rQnd him, n kisiN him. His
eskapEd mEd evribodi fIl kanfVzd. /denisOf blaSt tM, bat smFld
n, tEkiN /nytySa'z hAnd, kist it.
<p>
/denisOf woz SOn t H rMm pripXd f him, n H /rOstOfs Yl
gAHxd rQnd /nikalas in H sitiN rMm.
<p>
H Old kQntas, not letiN gO v hiz hAnd n kisiN it evri
mOment, sAt bisFd him: H rest, krQdiN rQnd him, woct evri
mMvmant, wxd, P lUk v hiz, nevx tEkiN HX blisfali adPiN
Fz of him. hiz braHx n sistxz stragald f H plEsaz nCast
t him n dispVtad wiH wan anaHx hM SUd briN him hiz tI,
hANkxcif, n pFp.
<p>
/rOstOf woz veri hApi in H lav HE SOd him; bat H fxst
mOment v mItiN hAd bin sO bWtifik HAt hiz prezant Jq sImd
insafiSant, n hI kept iäpektiN samTiN mP, mP n jet mP.
<p>
neät mPniN, Aftx H fatIã v HX Jxni, H trAvalxz slept
til ten O'klok.
<p>
in H rMm neät t HX bedrMm HX woz a kanfVZan v sEbxz,
sAcalz, sEbxItEä, Opan pPtmAntOz, n dxti bMts. tM freSli
klInd pXz wiH spxz hAd Jast bin plEst bF H wYl. H sxvants
wx briNiN in Jaã n bEsanz, hot wYtx f SEviN, n HX
wel-braSt klOHz. HX woz a mAskVlin Odx n a smel v tabAkO.
<p>
“halO, /gwiska—mF pFp!” kEm /vysili /denisOf's haski vqs.
“/wostOf, get ap!”
<p>
/rOstOf, rabiN hiz Fz HAt sImd glMd tageHx, rEzd hiz
diSevald hed from H hot pilO.
<p>
“wF, iz it lEt?”
<p>
“lEt! it's nCli ten O'klok,” Ansxd /nytySa'z vqs.
a rasal v stRct petikOts n H wispxiN n lAftx v
gxlz' vqsaz kEm from H aJqniN rMm. H dP woz Opand a
krAk n HX woz a glimps v samTiN blM, v ribanz, blAk hX,
n meri fEsaz. it woz /nytySa, /sonja, n /petja, hM hAd kam t
sI weHx HE wx getiN ap.
<p>
“/nikalas! get ap!” /nytySa'z vqs woz agen hxd At H dP.
<p>
“direktli!”
<p>
mInwFl, /petja, hAviN fQnd n sIzd H sEbxz in H Qtx rMm,
wiH H dilFt bqz fIl At H sFt v a militXi eldx braHx, n
fxgetiN HAt it woz anbikamiN f H gxlz t sI men andrest,
Opand H bedrMm dP.
<p>
“iz His jP sEbx?” hI SQtad.
<p>
H gxlz sprAN asFd. /denisOf hid hiz hXi leã andx H blANkat,
lUkiN wiH a skXd fEs At hiz komrAd f help. H dP, hAviN let
/petja in, klOzd agen. a sQnd v lAftx kEm from bihFnd it.
<p>
“/nikalas! kam Qt in jP dresiN gQn!” sed /nytySa'z vqs.
<p>
“iz His jP sEbx?” Askt /petja. “P iz it jPz?” hI sed,
adresiN H blAk-mastASt /denisOf wiH sxvFl defxans.
<p>
/rOstOf haridli pUt samTiN on hiz fIt, drM on hiz dresiN gQn,
n went Qt. /nytySa hAd pUt on wan spxd bMt n woz Jast getiN
hx fUt intM H aHx. /sonja, wen hI kEm in, woz twxliN rQnd n
woz abQt t iäpAnd hx dresaz intM a balMn n sit dQn. HE wx
drest alFk, in nM pEl-blM froä, n wx bOT freS, rOzi, n
brFt. /sonja rAn awE, bat /nytySa, tEkiN hx braHx'z Rm, led
him intM H sitiN rMm, wX HE bigAn tYkiN. HE hRdli gEv
wan anaHx tFm t Ask kwescanz n giv riplFz kansxniN a TQzand
lital mAtxz wic kUd not intxast eniwan bat Hemselvz. /nytySa
lAft At evri wxd hI sed P HAt SI sed hxself, not bikoz wot
HE wx sEiN woz amVziN, bat bikoz SI felt hApi n woz anEbal
t kantrOl hx Jq wic iäprest itself bF lAftx.
<p>
“O, hQ nFs, hQ splendid!” SI sed t evriTiN.
<p>
/rOstOf felt HAt, andx H inflMans v H wPm rEz v lav, HAt
cFldlFk smFl wic hAd not wans apCd on hiz fEs sins hI left
hOm nQ f H fxst tFm Aftx EtIn manTs agen brFtand hiz
sOl n hiz fEs.
<p>
“nO, bat lisan,” SI sed, “nQ V R kwFt a mAn, Rnt
V? F'm Yfali glAd V'x mF braHx.” SI tact hiz
mastAS. “F wont t nO wot V men R lFk. R V H sEm Az
wI? nO?”
<p>
“wF did /sonja ran awE?” Askt /rOstOf.
<p>
“y, jes! HAt's a hOl loN stPi! hQ R V gOiN t spIk t
hx—HQ P V?”
<p>
“Az mE hApan,” sed /rOstOf.
<p>
“nO, kYl hx V, plIz! F'l tel V Yl abQt it sam aHx
tFm. nO, F'l tel V nQ. V nO /sonja'z mF dCast frend.
sac a frend HAt F bxnd mF Rm f hx sEk. lUk hC!”
<p>
SI pUld ap hx mazlin slIv n SOd him a red skR on hx loN,
slendx, delikat Rm, hF abav H elbO on HAt pRt HAt iz kavxd
Ivan bF a bYl dres.
<p>
“F bxnd His t prMv mF lav f hx. F Jast hItad a rMlx in H
fFx n prest it HX!”
<p>
sitiN on H sOfa wiH H lital kUSanz on its Rmz, in wot Vst
t bI hiz Old skMlrMm, n lUkiN intM /nytySa'z wFldli brFt
Fz, /rOstOf rI-entxd HAt wxld v hOm n cFldhUd wic hAd nO
mIniN f eniwan els, bat gEv him sam v H best Jqz v hiz lFf;
n H bxniN v an Rm wiH a rMlx Az a prMf v lav did not sIm
t him senslas, hI andxstUd n woz not sxprFzd At it.
<p>
“wel, n iz HAt Yl?” hI Askt.
<p>
“wI R sac frendz, sac frendz! Yl HAt rMlx biznas woz Jast
nonsens, bat wI R frendz fxevx. SI, if SI lavz eniwan, daz it
f lFf, bat F dOnt andxstAnd HAt, F fxget kwikli.”
<p>
“wel, wot Hen?”
<p>
“wel, SI lavz mI n V lFk HAt.”
<p>
/nytySa sadanli flaSt.
<p>
“wF, V rimembx bifP V went awE?... wel, SI sez V R t
fxget Yl HAt.... SI sez: 'F SAl lav him YlwEz, bat let him bI
frI.' izant HAt lavli n nObal! jes, veri nObal? izant it?”
Askt /nytySa, sO sCWsli n iäFtadli HAt it woz evidant HAt wot
SI woz nQ sEiN SI hAd tYkt v bifP, wiH tCz.
<p>
/rOstOf bikEm TYtfal.
<p>
“F nevx gO bAk on mF wxd,” hI sed. “bisFdz, /sonja iz sO
cRmiN HAt Onli a fMl wUd rinQns sac hApinas.”
<p>
“nO, nO!” krFd /nytySa, “SI n F hAv Ylredi tYkt it Ovx.
wI nM V'd sE sO. bat it wOnt dM, bikoz V sI, if V sE
HAt—if V kansidx jPself bQnd bF jP promis—it wil sIm Az
if SI hAd not ment it sCWsli. it mEä it Az if V wx mAriiN
hx bikoz V mast, n HAt wUdant dM At Yl.”
<p>
/rOstOf sY HAt it hAd bin wel kansidxd bF Hem. /sonja hAd Ylredi
strak him bF hx bVti on H prisIdiN dE. tadE, wen hI hAd kYt
a glimps v hx, SI sImd stil mP lavli. SI woz a cRmiN gxl
v siätIn, evidentli pASanatli in lav wiH him (hI did not dQt
HAt f an instant). wF SUd hI not lav hx nQ, n Ivan mAri
hx, /rOstOf TYt, bat Jast nQ HX wx sO meni aHx pleZxz
n intxasts bifP him! “jes, HE hAv tEkan a wFz disiZan,” hI
TYt, “F mast rimEn frI.”
<p>
“wel Hen, HAt's eäalant,” sed hI. “wI'l tYk it Ovx
lEtx on. O, hQ glAd F Am t hAv V!”
<p>
“wel, n R V stil trM t /bPis?” hI kantinVd.
<p>
“O, wot nonsens!” krFd /nytySa, lAfiN. “F dOnt TiNk
abQt him P eniwan els, n F dOnt wont eniTiN v H kFnd.”
<p>
“dC mI! Hen wot R V ap t nQ?”
<p>
“nQ?” ripItad /nytySa, n a hApi smFl lit ap hx fEs. “hAv
V sIn /dMpPt?”
<p>
“nO.”
<p>
“not sIn /dMpPt—H fEmas dAnsx? wel Hen, V wOnt
andxstAnd. HAt's wot F'm ap t.”
<p>
kxviN hx Rmz, /nytySa held Qt hx skxts Az dAnsxz dM, rAn bAk
a fV steps, txnd, kat a kEpx, brYt hx lital fIt SRpli
tageHx, n mEd sam steps on H veri tips v hx tOz.
<p>
“sI, F'm stAndiN! sI!” SI sed, bat kUd not mEntEn hxself
on hx tOz eni loNgx. “sO HAt's wot F'm ap t! F'l nevx
mAri eniwan, bat wil bI a dAnsx. Onli dOnt tel eniwan.”
<p>
/rOstOf lAft sO lQd n merili HAt /denisOf, in hiz bedrMm, felt
envWs n /nytySa kUd not help JqniN in.
<p>
“nO, bat dOnt V TiNk it's nFs?” SI kept ripItiN.
<p>
“nFs! n sO V nO loNgx wiS t mAri /bPis?”
<p>
/nytySa flXd ap. “F dOnt wont t mAri eniwan. n F'l tel
him sO wen F sI him!”
<p>
“dC mI!” sed /rOstOf.
<p>
“bat HAt's Yl rabiS,” /nytySa cAtxd on. “n iz
/denisOf nFs?” SI Askt.
<p>
“jes, indId!”
<p>
“O, wel Hen, gUd-bF: gO n dres. iz hI veri teribal,
/denisOf?”
<p>
“wF teribal?” Askt /nikalas. “nO, /vyska iz a splendid
felO.”
<p>
“V kYl him /vyska? HAt's fani! n iz hI veri nFs?”
<p>
“veri.”
<p>
“wel Hen, bI kwik. wI'l Yl hAv brekfast tageHx.”
<p>
n /nytySa rOz n went Qt v H rMm on tiptO, lFk a bAlE
dAnsx, bat smFliN Az Onli hApi gxlz v fiftIn kAn smFl. wen
/rOstOf met /sonja in H drYiN rMm, hI redand. hI did not nO
hQ t bihEv wiH hx. H IvniN bifP, in H fxst hApi mOment v
mItiN, HE hAd kist Ic aHx, bat tadE HE felt it kUd not
bI dan; hI felt HAt evribodi, inklMdiN hiz maHx n sistxz, woz
lUkiN inkwFxiNli At him n wociN t sI hQ hI wUd bihEv
wiH hx. hI kist hx hAnd n adrest hx not Az HQ bat Az
V—/sonja. bat HX Fz met n sed HQ, n iäcEnJd tendx
kisaz. hx lUä Askt him t fxgiv hx f hAviN dXd, bF
/nytySa'z intxmIdWsi, t rimFnd him v hiz promis, n Hen
TANkt him f hiz lav. hiz lUä TANkt hx f ofxiN him hiz
frIdam n tOld hx HAt wan wE P anaHx hI wUd nevx sIs t
lav hx, f HAt wUd bI imposabal.
<p>
“hQ strEnJ it iz,” sed /vCa, silektiN a mOment wen Yl wx
sFlant, “HAt /sonja n /nikalas nQ sE V t wan anaHx n mIt
lFk strEnJxz.”
<p>
/vCa'z rimRk woz kxekt, Az hx rimRä YlwEz wx, bat, lFk
mOst v hx obzxvESanz, it mEd evriwan fIl ankamfxtabal, not
Onli /sonja, /nikalas, n /nytySa, bat Ivan H Old kQntas,
hM—drediN His lav afX wic mFt hindx /nikalas from mEkiN
a brilWnt mAc—blaSt lFk a gxl.
<p>
/denisOf, t /rOstOf's sxprFz, apCd in H drYiN rMm wiH
pamydad hX, pxfVmd, n in a nM VnifPm, lUkiN Jast Az smRt Az
hI mEd himself wen gOiN intM bAtal, n hI woz mP EmWbal t H
lEdiz n Jentalmen HAn /rOstOf hAd evx iäpektad t sI him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
on hiz ritxn t /moskQ from H Rmi, /nikalas /rOstOf woz welkamd
bF hiz hOm sxkal Az H best v sanz, a hCO, n HX dRliN
/nikOlenka; bF hiz rilESanz Az a cRmiN, atrAktiv, n palFt jaN
mAn; bF hiz akwEntansaz Az a hAndsam lMtenant v hMsRz, a gUd
dAnsx, n wan v H best mAcaz in H siti.
<p>
H /rOstOfs nM evribodi in /moskQ. H Old kQnt hAd mani inaf
HAt jC, Az Yl hiz istEts hAd bin rImPgiJd, n sO /nikalas,
akwFxiN a trotx v hiz On, veri stFliS rFdiN brIcaz v H
lEtast kat, sac Az nO wan els jet hAd in /moskQ, n bMts v H
lEtast fASan, wiH iätrImli pqntad tOz n smYl silvx spxz,
pAst hiz tFm veri gEli. Aftx a SPt pCWd v adAptiN himself
t H Old kandiSanz v lFf, /nikalas fQnd it veri plezant t bI
At hOm agen. hI felt HAt hI hAd grOn ap n macUxd veri mac. hiz
dispX At fEliN in a /skripcx iãAminESan, hiz borOiN mani from
/gAvril t pE a slE drFvx, hiz kisiN /sonja on H slF—hI nQ
rikYld Yl His Az cFldiSnas hI hAd left imeZxabli bihFnd.
nQ hI woz a lMtenant v hMsRz, in a JAkat lEst wiH silvx, n
wXiN H /kros v /st /JPJ, awPdad t sOlJxz f brEvxi in
AkSan, n in H kampani v wel-nOn, eldxli, n rispektad rEsiN
men woz trEniN a trotx v hiz On f a rEs. hI nM a lEdi on wan
v H bMlavRdz hMm hI vizitad v an IvniN. hI led H mazxka
At H /RâROvz' bYl, tYkt abQt H wP wiH /fIld /mRSal
/kymenski, vizitad H /iNgliS /klab, n woz on intimat txmz wiH a
kxnal v fPti t hMm /denisOf hAd intradMst him.
<p>
hiz pASan f H /empxx hAd kMld samwot in /moskQ. bat stil, Az
hI did not sI him n hAd nO opxtMniti v sIiN him, hI oftan spOk
abQt him n abQt hiz lav f him, letiN it bI andxstUd HAt hI
hAd not tOld Yl n HAt HX woz samTiN in hiz fIliNz f H
/empxx not evriwan kUd andxstAnd, n wiH hiz hOl sOl hI SXd
H AdxESan Hen koman in /moskQ f H /empxx, hM woz spOkan v
Az H “EnJal inkRnat.”
<p>
dxiN /rOstOf's SPt stE in /moskQ, bifP rIJqniN H Rmi, hI
did not drY klOsx t /sonja, bat rAHx driftad awE from hx. SI woz
veri priti n swIt, n evidentli dIpli in lav wiH him, bat hI woz
At H pCWd v VT wen HX sImz sO mac t dM HAt HX iz nO
tFm f HAt sPt v TiN n a jaN mAn fCz t bFnd himself n
prFzaz hiz frIdam wic hI nIdz f sO meni aHx TiNz. wen hI
TYt v /sonja, dxiN His stE in /moskQ, hI sed t himself,
“y, HX wil bI, n HX R, meni mP sac gxlz samwX hMm
F dM not jet nO. HX wil bI tFm inaf t TiNk abQt lav wen F
wont t, bat nQ F hAv nO tFm.” bisFdz, it sImd t him HAt H
sasFati v wimin woz rAHx dirogatPi t hiz mAnhUd. hI went t bYlz
n intM lEdiz' sasFati wiH an AfektESan v dMiN sO agenst hiz
wil. H rEsaz, H /iNgliS /klab, sprIz wiH /denisOf, n vizits t
a sxtan hQs—HAt woz anaHx mAtx n kwFt H TiN f a
dASiN jaN hMsR!
<p>
At H biginiN v mRc, Old /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf woz veri bizi
xEnJiN a dinx in onx v /prins /bygrytiOn At H /iNgliS /klab.
<p>
H kQnt wYkt ap n dQn H hYl in hiz dresiN gQn, giviN
Pdxz t H klab stMxd n t H fEmas /feOktist, H klab'z
hed kUk, abQt aspAragas, freS kVkambxz, strYberiz, vIl, n
fiS f His dinx. H kQnt hAd bin a membx n on H kamiti
v H klab from H dE it woz fQndad. t him H klab intrastad H
xEnJmant v H festival in onx v /bygrytiOn, f fV men nM
sO wel hQ t xEnJ a fIst on an Opan-hAndad, hospitabal skEl,
n stil fVx men wUd bI sO wel Ebal n wiliN t mEk ap Qt v
HX On rIsPsaz wot mFt bI nIdad f H saäes v H fEt.
H klab kUk n H stMxd lisand t H kQnt's Pdxz wiH
plIzd fEsaz, f HE nM HAt andx nO aHx mAniJmant kUd HE
sO Izili iätrAkt a gUd profit f Hemselvz from a dinx kostiN
sevxal TQzand rMbalz.
<p>
“wel Hen, mFnd n hAv koä' kOm in H txtal sMp, V
nO!”
<p>
“SAl wI hAv TrI kOld diSaz Hen?” Askt H kUk.
<p>
H kQnt kansidxd.
<p>
“wI kAnt hAv les—jes, TrI... H mEanEz, HAt's wan,”
sed hI, bendiN dQn a fiNgx.
<p>
“Hen Am F t Pdx HOz lRJ sterlats?” Askt H stMxd.
<p>
“jes, it kAnt bI helpt if HE wOnt tEk les. y, dC mI! F
woz fxgetiN. wI mast hAv anaHx ontrE. y, gUdnas grESas!”
hI klact At hiz hed. “hM iz gOiN t get mI H flQxz? /dmItri!
E, /dmItri! gAlap of t Qx /moskQ istEt,” hI sed t H fAktOtam
hM apCd At hiz kYl. “hari of n tel /myäim, H gRdanx,
t set H sxfs t wxk. sE HAt evriTiN Qt v H hothQzaz mast
bI brYt hC wel rApt ap in felt. F mast hAv tM handrad pots
hC on frFdE.”
<p>
hAviN givan sevxal mP Pdxz, hI woz abQt t gO t hiz “lital
kQntas” t hAv a rest, bat rimembxiN samTiN els v
impPtans, hI ritxnd agen, kYld bAk H kUk n H klab
stMxd, n agen bigAn giviN Pdxz. a lFt fUtstep n H
kliNkiN v spxz wx hxd At H dP, n H jaN kQnt, hAndsam,
rOzi, wiH a dRk lital mastAS, evidentli restad n mEd slIkx bF
hiz Izi lFf in /moskQ, entxd H rMm.
<p>
“y, mF bq, mF hed'z in a wxl!” sed H Old mAn wiH a smFl,
Az if hI felt a lital kanfVzd bifP hiz san. “nQ, if V wUd
Onli help a bit! F mast hAv siNxz tM. F SAl hAv mF On Pkistra,
bat SUdant wI get H Jipsi siNxz Az wel? V militXi men lFk
HAt sPt v TiN.”
<p>
“rWli, /pypy, F bilIv /prins /bygrytiOn warid himself les bifP
H bAtal v /Sxn /grAbxn HAn V dM nQ,” sed hiz san wiH a
smFl.
<p>
H Old kQnt pritendad t bI ANgri.
<p>
“jes, V tYk, bat trF it jPself!”
<p>
n H kQnt txnd t H kUk, hM, wiH a SrMd n rispektfal
iäpreSan, lUkt abzxvantli n simpaTetikli At H fyHx n
san.
<p>
“wot hAv H jaN pIpal kam t nQadEz, E, /feOktist?” sed
hI. “lAfiN At as Old felOz!”
<p>
“HAt's sO, jP eäalansi, Yl HE hAf t dM iz t It a gUd
dinx, bat pravFdiN it n sxviN it Yl ap, HAt's not HX
biznas!”
<p>
“HAt's it, HAt's it!” iäklEmd H kQnt, n gEli sIziN
hiz san bF bOT hAndz, hI krFd, “nQ F'v got V, sO tEk H
slE n pX At wans, n gO t /bezMâOf's, n tel him '/kQnt
/ilja hAz sent V t Ask f strYberiz n freS pFnApalz.' wI
kAnt get Hem from eniwan els. hI'z not HX himself, sO V'l
hAf t gO in n Ask H prinsasaz; n from HX gO on t H
/rysgMljF—H kOcman /ipytka nOz—n lUk ap H Jipsi
/ilVSka, H wan hM dAnst At /kQnt /PlOf's, V rimembx, in a
wFt /kosAk kOt, n briN him aloN t mI.”
<p>
“n Am F t briN H Jipsi gxlz aloN wiH him?” Askt /nikalas,
lAfiN. “dC, dC!...”
<p>
At HAt mOment, wiH nqzlas fUtsteps n wiH H biznaslFk,
prIokVpFd, jet mIkli /kriscan lUk wic nevx left hx fEs, /Ana
/miâFlOvna entxd H hYl. HO SI kEm apon H kQnt in hiz
dresiN gQn evri dE, hI invXWbli bikEm kanfVzd n begd hx t
iäkVz hiz kostMm.
<p>
“nO mAtx At Yl, mF dC kQnt,” SI sed, mIkli klOziN hx
Fz. “bat F'l gO t /bezMâOf's mFself. /piX hAz xFvd, n
nQ wI SAl get eniTiN wI wont from hiz hothQzaz. F hAf t sI him
in eni kEs. hI hAz fPwxdad mI a letx from /bPis. TANk /god, /bPis
iz nQ on H stAf.”
<p>
H kQnt woz dilFtad At /Ana /miâFlOvna'z tEkiN apon hxself wan
v hiz kamiSanz n Pdxd H smYl klOzd kAriJ f hx.
<p>
“tel /bezMâOf t kam. F'l pUt hiz nEm dQn. iz hiz wFf wiH
him?” hI Askt.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna txnd ap hx Fz, n prafQnd sAdnas woz dipiktad
on hx fEs.
<p>
“y, mF dC frend, hI iz veri anfPcanat,” SI sed. “if wot
wI hC iz trM, it iz dredfal. hQ lital wI drImd v sac a TiN
wen wI wx riJqsiN At hiz hApinas! n sac a lofti AnJelik sOl
Az jaN /bezMâOf! jes, F piti him from mF hRt, n SAl trF t giv
him wot konsalESan F kAn.”
<p>
“w-wot iz H mAtx?” Askt bOT H jaN n Old /rOstOf.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna sFd dIpli.
<p>
“/dOlOâOf, /mXi /ivynOvna'z san,” SI sed in a mistCWs
wispx, “hAz kompramFzd hx kamplItli, HE sE. /piX tUk him
ap, invFtad him t hiz hQs in /pItxzbxg, n nQ... SI hAz kam hC
n HAt dXdeval Aftx hx!” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna, wiSiN t SO
hx simpaTi f /piX, bat bF involantXi intanESanz n a hAf smFl
bitrEiN hx simpaTi f H “dXdeval,” Az SI kYld /dOlOâOf.
“HE sE /piX iz kwFt brOkan bF hiz misfPcMn.”
<p>
“dC, dC! bat stil tel him t kam t H klab—it wil Yl blO
Ovx. it wil bI a trimendas bANkwat.”
<p>
neät dE, H Txd v mRc, sMn Aftx wan O'klok, tM handrad n
fifti membxz v H /iNgliS /klab n fifti gests wx awEtiN H
gest v onx n hCO v H /ostrWn kAmpEn, /prins /bygrytiOn, t
dinx.
<p>
on H fxst xFval v H nMz v H bAtal v /Qstxlits, /moskQ hAd
bin biwildxd. At HAt tFm, H /raSanz wx sO Vst t viktxiz
HAt on risIviN nMz v H difIt sam wUd simpli not bilIv it,
wFl aHxz sYt sam iätrPdinXi eäplanESan v sO strEnJ an
ivent. in H /iNgliS /klab, wX Yl hM wx distiNgwiSt, impPtant,
n wel infPmd fPgAHxd wen H nMz bigAn t xFv in
disembx, naTiN woz sed abQt H wP n H lAst bAtal, Az
HO Yl wx in a kanspirasi v sFlans. H men hM set H tOn
in konvxsESan—/kQnt /rOstOpcin, /prins /Vri /dOlgPMkOf, /vylMef,
/kQnt /mRkOf, n /prins /vjyzemski—did not SO Hemselvz At H
klab, bat met in prFvat hQzaz in intimat sxkalz, n H
/moskOvFts hM tUk HX apinjanz from aHxz—/ilja /rOstOf amaN
Hem—rimEnd f a wFl wiHQt eni definit apinjan on H sabJekt
v H wP n wiHQt lIdxz. H /moskOvFts felt HAt samTiN woz
roN n HAt t diskas H bAd nMz woz difikalt, n sO it woz best
t bI sFlant. bat Aftx a wFl, Jast Az a JUxi kamz Qt v its rMm,
H bigwiã hM gFdad H klab'z apinjan rIapCd, n evribodi
bigAn spIkiN klCli n definitli. rIzanz wx fQnd f H
inkredabal, anhxd-v, n imposabal ivent v a /raSan difIt,
evriTiN bikEm klC, n in Yl kPnxz v /moskQ H sEm TiNz
bigAn t bI sed. HIz rIzanz wx H trecxi v H /ostrWnz, a
difektiv komisXWt, H trecxi v H /pOl /pSebiSefski n v
H /frencman /lynZxOn, /kMtMzOf's inkapAsiti, n (it woz wispxd)
H VT n iniäpCWns v H sovran, hM hAd trastad wxTlas
n insignifikant pIpal. bat H Rmi, H /raSan Rmi, evriwan
diklXd, woz iätrPdinXi n hAd acIvd mirakalz v vAlx. H
sOlJxz, ofisxz, n Jenxalz wx hCOz. bat H hCO v hCOz woz
/prins /bygrytiOn, distiNgwiSt bF hiz /Sxn /grAbxn afX n bF
H ritrIt from /Qstxlits, wX hI alOn hAd wiHdrYn hiz kolam
anbrOkan n hAd Yl dE bItan bAk an enami fPs twFs Az nMmxas
Az hiz On. wot YlsO kandMst t /bygrytiOn'z bIiN silektad Az
/moskQ'z hCO woz H fAkt HAt hI hAd nO kanekSanz in H siti
n woz a strEnJx HX. in hiz pxsan, onx woz SOn t a simpal
fFtiN /raSan sOlJx wiHQt kanekSanz n intrIã, n t wan
hM woz asOSiEtad bF memxiz v H /itAlWn kAmpEn wiH H nEm v
/sMvPOf. mPOvx, pEiN sac onx t /bygrytiOn woz H best wE v
iäpresiN disaprMval n dislFk v /kMtMzOf.
<p>
“hAd HX bin nO /bygrytiOn, it wUd hAv bin nesisXi t
invent him,” sed H wit /SinSin, pAradiiN H wxdz v /vOltX.
/kMtMzOf nO wan spOk v, iäept sam hM abVzd him in wispxz,
kYliN him a kPt weHxkok n an Old sEtx.
<p>
Yl /moskQ ripItad /prins /dOlgPMkOf's sEiN: “if V gO on
modaliN n modaliN V mast get smCd wiH klE,” saJestiN
konsalESan f Qx difIt bF H memxi v fPmx viktxiz; n H
wxdz v /rOstOpcin, HAt /frenc sOlJxz hAf t bI insFtad t bAtal
bF hFfalMtin wxdz, n /Jxmanz bF loJikal RgVmants t SO Hem
HAt it iz mP dEnJxas t ran awE HAn t advAns, bat HAt /raSan
sOlJxz Onli nId t bI ristrEnd n held bAk! on Yl sFdz, nM n
freS AnikdOts wx hxd v indiviJMal iãAmpalz v herOizam SOn bF
Qx ofisxz n men At /Qstxlits. wan hAd sEvd a stAndxd, anaHx
hAd kild fFv /frencmen, a Txd hAd lOdad fFv kAnan siNgalhAndad.
bxg woz menSand, bF HOz hM did not nO him, Az hAviN, wen
wMndad in H rFt hAnd, tEkan hiz sPd in H left, n gon
fPwxd. v /bOlkOnski, naTiN woz sed, n Onli HOz hM nM him
intimatli rigretad HAt hI hAd dFd sO jaN, lIviN a pregnant wFf
wiH hiz eäentrik fyHx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
on HAt Txd v mRc, Yl H rMmz in H /iNgliS /klab wx fild
wiH a ham v konvxsESan, lFk H ham v bIz swPmiN in spriNtFm.
H membxz n gests v H klab wondxd hiHx n HiHx, sAt,
stUd, met, n sepxEtad, sam in VnifPm n sam in IvniN dres,
n a fV hC n HX wiH pQdxd hX n in /raSan kAftAnz.
pQdxd fUtmen, in livxi wiH bakald SMz n smRt stokiNz,
stUd At evri dP ANkSasli nOtiN vizitxz' evri mMvmant in Pdx
t ofx HX sxvisaz. mOst v HOz prezant wx eldxli, rispektad
men wiH brYd, self-konfidant fEsaz, fAt fiNgxz, n rezalMt Jescxz
n vqsaz. His klAs v gests n membxz sAt in sxtan habicMal
plEsaz n met in sxtan habicMal grMps. a mFnPiti v HOz prezant
wx kAZMal gests—cIfli jaN men, amaN hMm wx /denisOf,
/rOstOf, n /dOlOâOf—hM woz nQ agen an ofisx in H /semjOnOf
reJimant. H fEsaz v HIz jaN pIpal, ispeSali HOz hM wx
militXi men, bP HAt iäpreSan v kondisendiN rispekt f HX
eldxz wic sImz t sE t H Oldx JenxESan, “wI R pripXd t
rispekt n onx V, bat Yl H sEm rimembx HAt H fVcx biloNz
t as.”
<p>
/nesvitski woz HX Az an Old membx v H klab. /piX, hM At hiz
wFf's kamAnd hAd let hiz hX grO n abAndand hiz spektakalz,
went abQt H rMmz fASanabli drest bat lUkiN sAd n dal. hC,
Az elswX, hI woz sxQndad bF an AtmasfC v sabsxvWns t
hiz welT, n bIiN in H hAbit v lPdiN it Ovx HIz pIpal, hI
trItad Hem wiH Absant-mFndad kantempt.
<p>
bF hiz EJ hI SUd hAv biloNd t H jaNgx men, bat bF hiz welT
n kanekSanz hI biloNd t H grMps v Old n onxd gests, n
sO hI went from wan grMp t anaHx. sam v H mOst impPtant Old men
wx H sentx v grMps wic Ivan strEnJxz aprOct rispektfali
t hC H vqsaz v wel-nOn men. H lRJast sxkalz fPmd rQnd
/kQnt /rOstOpcin, /vylMef, n /nRiSkin. /rOstOpcin woz diskrFbiN
hQ H /raSanz hAd bin Ovxwelmd bF flFiN /ostrWnz n hAd hAd t
fPs HX wE TrM Hem wiH bEanets.
<p>
/vylMef woz konfidenSali teliN HAt /MvROf hAd bin sent from
/pItxzbxg t AsxtEn wot /moskQ woz TiNkiN abQt /Qstxlits.
<p>
in H Txd sxkal, /nRiSkin woz spIkiN v H mItiN v H
/ostrWn /kQnsal v /wP At wic /sMvPOf krOd lFk a kok in riplF t
H nonsens tYkt bF H /ostrWn Jenxalz. SinSin, stAndiN klOs
bF, trFd t mEk a JOk, sEiN HAt /kMtMzOf hAd evidentli fEld t
lxn from /sMvPOf Ivan sO simpal a TiN Az H Rt v krOiN lFk a
kok, bat H eldx membxz glAnst sivCli At H wit, mEkiN him
fIl HAt in HAt plEs n on HAt dE, it woz impropx t spIk sO v
/kMtMzOf.
<p>
kQnt /ilja /rOstOf, harid n prIokVpFd, went abQt in hiz soft
bMts bitwIn H dFniN n drYiN rMmz, hEstili grItiN H
impPtant n animpPtant, Yl v hMm hI nM, Az if HE wx Yl
Ikwalz, wFl hiz Fz akEZanali sYt Qt hiz fFn wel-set-ap
jaN san, restiN on him n wiNkiN Jqfali At him. jaN /rOstOf
stUd At a windO wiH /dOlOâOf, hMz akwEntans hI hAd lEtli
mEd n hFli vAlVd. H Old kQnt kEm ap t Hem n prest
/dOlOâOf's hAnd.
<p>
“plIz kam n vizit as... V nO mF brEv bq... bin tageHx
Qt HX... bOT plEiN H hCO... y, /vysili /ignytOvic...
hQ d'jI dM, Old felO?” hI sed, txniN t an Old mAn hM woz
pAsiN, bat bifP hI hAd finiSt hiz grItiN HX woz a Jenxal
stx, n a fUtman hM hAd ran in anQnst, wiH a frFtand fEs:
“hI'z xFvd!”
<p>
belz rAN, H stMxdz raSt fPwxd, n—lFk rF SEkan tageHx
in a Saval—H gests hM hAd bin skAtxd abQt in difxant rMmz
kEm tageHx n krQdad in H lRJ drYiN rMm bF H dP v H
bYlrMm.
<p>
/bygrytiOn apCd in H dPwE v H AntirMm wiHQt hAt P sPd,
wic, in akPd wiH H klab kastam, hI hAd givan ap t H hYl
pPtx. hI hAd nO lAmskin kAp on hiz hed, nP hAd hI a lOdad wip
Ovx hiz SOldx, Az wen /rOstOf hAd sIn him on H Iv v H bAtal
v /Qstxlits, bat wP a tFt nM VnifPm wiH /raSan n forin
/Pdxz, n H /stR v /st /JPJ on hiz left brest. evidentli Jast
bifP kamiN t H dinx hI hAd hAd hiz hX n wiskxz trimd,
wic cEnJd hiz apCans f H wxs. HX woz samTiN nFIvli
festiv in hiz X, wic, in kanJaNkSan wiH hiz fxm n virFl
fIcxz, gEv him a rAHx komikal iäpreSan. /bekleSef n /TWdP
/MvROf, hM hAd xFvd wiH him, pYzd At H dPwE t alQ him,
Az H gest v onx, t entx fxst. /bygrytiOn woz imbArast, not
wiSiN t avEl himself v HX kxtasi, n His kYzd sam dilE
At H dPz, bat Aftx Yl hI did At lAst entx fxst. hI wYkt SFli
n Ykwxdli Ovx H pRkE flP v H risepSan rMm, not nOiN
wot t dM wiH hiz hAndz; hI woz mP akastamd t wYk Ovx a plQd
fIld andx fFx, Az hI hAd dan At H hed v H /kMrsk reJimant At
/Sxn /grAbxn—n hI wUd hAv fQnd HAt IzC. H kamitimen
met him At H fxst dP n, iäpresiN HX dilFt At sIiN sac a
hFli onxd gest, tUk pazeSan v him Az it wx, wiHQt wEtiN
f hiz riplF, sxQndad him, n led him t H drYiN rMm. it woz
At fxst imposabal t entx H drYiN rMm dP f H krQd v
membxz n gests JosaliN wan anaHx n trFiN t get a gUd lUk
At /bygrytiOn Ovx Ic aHx'z SOldxz, Az if hI wx sam rX
Animal. kQnt /ilja /rOstOf, lAfiN n ripItiN H wxdz, “mEk
wE, dC bq! mEk wE, mEk wE!” pUSt TrM H krQd mP
enxJetikli HAn eniwan, led H gests intM H drYiN rMm, n
sItad Hem on H sentx sOfa. H bigwiã, H mOst rispektad membxz
v H klab, biset H nM xFvalz. kQnt /ilja, agen TrastiN hiz
wE TrM H krQd, went Qt v H drYiN rMm n rIapCd a
minit lEtx wiH anaHx kamitimAn, kAriiN a lRJ silvx sAvx
wic hI prizentad t /prins /bygrytiOn. on H sAvx lE sam vxsaz
kampOzd n printad in H hCO'z onx. /bygrytiOn, on sIiN H
sAvx, glAnst xQnd in dismE, Az HO sIkiN help. bat Yl Fz
dimAndad HAt hI SUd sabmit. fIliN himself in HX pQx, hI
rezalMtli tUk H sAvx wiH bOT hAndz n lUkt stxnli n
riprOcfali At H kQnt hM hAd prizentad it t him. samwan
ablFJiNli tUk H diS from /bygrytiOn (P hI wUd, it sImd, hAv
held it til IvniN n hAv gon in t dinx wiH it) n drM hiz
atenSan t H vxsaz.
<p>
“wel, F wil rId Hem, Hen!” /bygrytiOn sImd t sE, n,
fiäiN hiz wCi Fz on H pEpx, bigAn t rId Hem wiH a fiät n
sCWs iäpreSan. bat H YTx himself tUk H vxsaz n bigAn
rIdiN Hem alQd. /bygrytiOn bQd hiz hed n lisand:
<p>
   briN glPi Hen t /AliãAndx'z rEn
   n on H TrOn Qx /tFtas SIld.
   a dredad fO bI HQ, kFndhRtad Az a mAn,
   a /rifWs At hOm, a /sIzx in H fIld!
   E'en fPcanat /napOlWn
   /nOz bF iäpCWns, nQ, /bygrytiOn,
   n dX not /hxkVlWn /raSanz trabal...
<p>
bat bifP hI hAd finiSt rIdiN, a stentPWn mEJx-dOmO anQnst
HAt dinx woz redi! H dP Opand, n from H dFniN rMm kEm
H rizQndiN strEnz v H polanEz:
<p>
   koNkwest's Jqfal Tandx wEkan,
   /trFamf, vAlWnt /raSanz, nQ!...
<p>
n /kQnt /rOstOf, glAnsiN ANgrili At H YTx hM went on rIdiN
hiz vxsaz, bQd t /bygrytiOn. evriwan rOz, fIliN HAt dinx
woz mP impPtant HAn vxsaz, n /bygrytiOn, agen prisIdiN Yl H
rest, went in t dinx. hI woz sItad in H plEs v onx bitwIn
tM /AliãAndxz—/bekleSef n /nRiSkin—wic woz a signifikant
alMZan t H nEm v H sovran. TrI handrad pxsanz tUk HX
sIts in H dFniN rMm, akPdiN t HX rANk n impPtans: H
mP impPtant nCx t H onxd gest, Az nAcxali Az wYtx flOz
dIpast wX H lAnd lFz lOast.
<p>
Jast bifP dinx, /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf prizentad hiz san t /bygrytiOn,
hM rekagnFzd him n sed a fV wxdz t him, disJqntad n Ykwxd,
Az wx Yl H wxdz hI spOk HAt dE, n /kQnt /ilja lUkt Jqfali
n prQdli xQnd wFl /bygrytiOn spOk t hiz san.
<p>
/nikalas /rOstOf, wiH /denisOf n hiz nM akwEntans, /dOlOâOf, sAt
YlmOst At H midal v H tEbal. fEsiN Hem sAt /piX, bisFd /prins
/nesvitski. kQnt /ilja /rOstOf wiH H aHx membxz v H kamiti
sAt fEsiN /bygrytiOn n, Az H veri pxsonifikESan v /moskQ
hospitAliti, did H onxz t H prins.
<p>
hiz efxts hAd not bin in vEn. H dinx, bOT H /lentan n H
aHx fX, woz splendid, jet hI kUd not fIl kwFt At Iz til H
end v H mIl. hI wiNkt At H batlx, wispxd direkSanz t H
fUtmen, n awEtad Ic iäpektad diS wiH sam ANzFati. evriTiN
woz eäalant. wiH H sekand kPs, a JFgAntik sterlat (At sFt v
wic /ilja /rOstOf blaSt wiH self-konSas pleZx), H fUtmen
bigAn popiN kPä n filiN H SAmpEn glAsaz. Aftx H fiS,
wic mEd a sxtan sensESan, H kQnt iäcEnJd glAnsaz wiH
H aHx kamitimen. “HX wil bI meni tOsts, it's tFm t
bigin,” hI wispxd, n tEkiN ap hiz glAs, hI rOz. Yl wx
sFlant, wEtiN f wot hI wUd sE.
<p>
“t H helT v Qx /sovran, H /empxx!” hI krFd, n At H
sEm mOment hiz kFndli Fz grM mqst wiH tCz v Jq n inTVziAzam.
H bAnd imIdWtli strak ap “koNkwest's Jqfal Tandx
wEkan...” Yl rOz n krFd “hxy!” /bygrytiOn YlsO rOz n
SQtad “hxy!” in iãAktli H sEm vqs in wic hI hAd SQtad
it on H fIld At /Sxn /grAbxn. jaN /rOstOf's iätAtik vqs
kUd bI hxd abav H TrI handrad aHxz. hI nCli wept. “t H
helT v Qx /sovran, H /empxx!” hI rPd, “hxy!” n
emptiiN hiz glAs At wan galp hI dASt it t H flP. meni folOd
hiz iãAmpal, n H lQd SQtiN kantinVd f a loN tFm. wen H
vqsaz sabsFdad, H fUtmen klCd awE H brOkan glAs n evribodi
sAt dQn agen, smFliN At H nqz HE hAd mEd n iäcEnJiN
rimRä. H Old kQnt rOz wans mP, glAnst At a nOt lFiN bisFd
hiz plEt, n prapOzd a tOst, “t H helT v H hCO v Qx
lAst kAmpEn, /prins /pItx /ivynOvic /bygrytiOn!” n agen hiz blM
Fz grM mqst. “hxy!” krFd H TrI handrad vqsaz agen,
bat insted v H bAnd a kwFx bigAn siNiN a kAntyta kampOzd bF /pYl
/ivynOvic /kMtMzOf:
<p>
   /raSanz! /Ox Yl bArCz on!
   kariJ koNkwest gArantIz;
   hAv wI not /bygrytiOn?
   hI briNz fOmen t HX nIz,... ets
<p>
Az sMn Az H siNiN woz Ovx, anaHx n anaHx tOst woz prapOzd
n /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf bikEm mP n mP mMvd, mP glAs woz
smASt, n H SQtiN grM lQdx. HE drANk t /bekleSef,
/nRiSkin, /MvROf, /dOlgPMkOf, /apryäin, /vylMef, t H kamiti,
t Yl H klab membxz n t Yl H klab gests, n fFnali t
/kQnt /ilja /rOstOf sepxatli, Az H PganFzx v H bANkwat. At HAt
tOst, H kQnt tUk Qt hiz hANkxcif n, kavxiN hiz fEs, wept
QtrFt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
/piX sAt opazit /dOlOâOf n /nikalas /rOstOf. Az VZMal, hI Et n
drANk mac, n Igxli. bat HOz hM nM him intimatli nOtist HAt
sam grEt cEnJ hAd kam Ovx him HAt dE. hI woz sFlant Yl TrM
dinx n lUkt abQt, bliNkiN n skQliN, P, wiH fiät Fz n
a lUk v kamplIt Absant-mFndadnas, kept rabiN H briJ v hiz
nOz. hiz fEs woz diprest n glMmi. hI sImd t sI n hC
naTiN v wot woz gOiN on xQnd him n t bI absPbd bF sam
dipresiN n ansolvd problam.
<p>
H ansolvd problam HAt tPmentad him woz kYzd bF hints givan bF H
prinsas, hiz kazan, At /moskQ, kansxniN /dOlOâOf's intimasi wiH
hiz wFf, n bF an anonimas letx hI hAd risIvd HAt mPniN, wic
in H mIn JokVlx wE koman t anonimas letxz sed HAt hI sY
bAdli TrM hiz spektakalz, bat HAt hiz wFf's kanekSan wiH
/dOlOâOf woz a sIkrat t nO wan bat himself. /piX AbsalMtli
disbilIvd bOT H prinsas' hints n H letx, bat hI fCd
nQ t lUk At /dOlOâOf, hM woz sitiN opazit him. evri tFm
hI cAnst t mIt /dOlOâOf's hAndsam insalant Fz, /piX felt
samTiN teribal n monstras rFziN in hiz sOl n txnd kwikli
awE. involantXili rikYliN hiz wFf's pAst n hx rilESanz wiH
/dOlOâOf, /piX sY klCli HAt wot woz sed in H letx mFt bI
trM, P mFt At lIst sIm t bI trM hAd it not rifxd t hiz wFf.
hI involantXili rimembxd hQ /dOlOâOf, hM hAd fUli rikavxd hiz
fPmx paziSan Aftx H kAmpEn, hAd ritxnd t /pItxzbxg n kam
t him. avEliN himself v hiz frendli rilESanz wiH /piX Az a bMn
kampAnjan, /dOlOâOf hAd kam strEt t hiz hQs, n /piX hAd pUt
him ap n lent him mani. /piX rikYld hQ /helIn hAd smFliNli
iäprest disaprMval v /dOlOâOf's liviN At HX hQs, n hQ
sinikli /dOlOâOf hAd prEzd hiz wFf's bVti t him n from HAt
tFm til HE kEm t /moskQ hAd not left Hem f a dE.
<p>
“jes, hI iz veri hAndsam,” TYt /piX, “n F nO him. it
wUd bI pxtikVlxli plezant t him t disonx mF nEm n ridikVl
mI, Jast bikoz F hAv iãxtad mFself on hiz bihAf, bifrendad him,
n helpt him. F nO n andxstAnd wot a spFs HAt wUd Ad t H
pleZx v disIviN mI, if it rWli wx trM. jes, if it wx trM,
bat F dM not bilIv it. F hAv nO rFt t, n kAnt, bilIv it.”
hI rimembxd H iäpreSan /dOlOâOf's fEs asMmd in hiz mOments
v krMalti, Az wen tFiN H palIsman t H bX n dropiN Hem
intM H wYtx, P wen hI cAlanJd a mAn t a dMal wiHQt eni
rIzan, P Sot a pOst-bq'z hPs wiH a pistal. HAt iäpreSan
woz oftan on /dOlOâOf's fEs wen lUkiN At him. “jes, hI iz a
bUli,” TYt /piX, “t kil a mAn mInz naTiN t him. it mast
sIm t him HAt evriwan iz afrEd v him, n HAt mast plIz him.
hI mast TiNk HAt F, tM, Am afrEd v him—n in fAkt F Am afrEd v
him,” hI TYt, n agen hI felt samTiN teribal n monstras
rFziN in hiz sOl. /dOlOâOf, /denisOf, n /rOstOf wx nQ sitiN
opazit /piX n sImd veri gE. /rOstOf woz tYkiN merili t hiz
tM frendz, wan v hMm woz a dASiN hMsR n H aHx a nOtPWs
dMalist n rEk, n evri nQ n Hen hI glAnst Fronikli At
/piX, hMz prIokVpFd, Absant-mFndad, n mAsiv figjx woz a veri
nOtisabal wan At H dinx. /rOstOf lUkt inimikli At /piX,
fxst bikoz /piX apCd t hiz hMsR Fz Az a ric sivilWn, H
hazband v a bVti, n in a wxd—an Old wUman; n sekandli bikoz
/piX in hiz prIokVpESan n Absant-mFndadnas hAd not rekagnFzd
/rOstOf n hAd not rispondad t hiz grItiN. wen H /empxx'z
helT woz draNk, /piX, lost in TYt, did not rFz P lift hiz
glAs.
<p>
“wot R V abQt?” SQtad /rOstOf, lUkiN At him in an eätasi
v iãAspxESan. “dOnt V hC it's /hiz /mAJasti H /empxx'z
helT?”
<p>
/piX sFd, rOz sabmisivli, emptid hiz glAs, n, wEtiN til
Yl wx sItad agen, txnd wiH hiz kFndli smFl t /rOstOf.
<p>
“wF, F didant rekagnFz V!” hI sed. bat /rOstOf woz aHxwFz
ingEJd; hI woz SQtiN “hxy!”
<p>
“wF dOnt V rinM H akwEntans?” sed /dOlOâOf t /rOstOf.
<p>
“kanfQnd him, hI'z a fMl!” sed /rOstOf.
<p>
“wan SUd mEk ap t H hazbandz v priti wimin,” sed /denisOf.
<p>
/piX did not kAc wot HE wx sEiN, bat nM HE wx tYkiN
abQt him. hI redand n txnd awE.
<p>
“wel, nQ t H helT v hAndsam wimin!” sed /dOlOâOf, n
wiH a sCWs iäpreSan, bat wiH a smFl lxkiN At H kPnxz v
hiz mQT, hI txnd wiH hiz glAs t /piX.
<p>
“hC'z t H helT v lavli wimin, /pItxkin—n HX
lavxz!” hI Adad.
<p>
/piX, wiH dQnkAst Fz, drANk Qt v hiz glAs wiHQt lUkiN At
/dOlOâOf P AnsxiN him. H fUtman, hM woz distribVtiN lIflats
wiH /kMtMzOf's kAntyta, lEd wan bifP /piX Az wan v H
prinsipal gests. hI woz Jast gOiN t tEk it wen /dOlOâOf, lIniN
akros, snAct it from hiz hAnd n bigAn rIdiN it. /piX lUkt
At /dOlOâOf n hiz Fz dropt, H samTiN teribal n monstras
HAt hAd tPmentad him Yl dinxtFm rOz n tUk pazeSan v him.
hI lInd hiz hOl mAsiv bodi akros H tEbal.
<p>
“hQ dX V tEk it?” hI SQtad.
<p>
hCiN HAt krF n sIiN t hMm it woz adrest, /nesvitski n H
nEbx on hiz rFt kwikli txnd in alRm t /bezMâOf.
<p>
“dOnt! dOnt! wot R V abQt?” wispxd HX frFtand
vqsaz.
<p>
/dOlOâOf lUkt At /piX wiH klC, mxTfal, krMal Fz, n HAt
smFl v hiz wic sImd t sE, “y! His iz wot F lFk!”
<p>
“V SAnt hAv it!” hI sed distiNktli.
<p>
pEl, wiH kwivxiN lips, /piX snAct H kopi.
<p>
“V...! V... skQndral! F cAlanJ V!” hI iJAkVlEtad, n,
pUSiN bAk hiz cX, hI rOz from H tEbal.
<p>
At H veri instant hI did His n atxd HOz wxdz, /piX felt
HAt H kwescan v hiz wFf's gilt wic hAd bin tPmentiN him
H hOl dE woz fFnali n indMbitabli Ansxd in H afxmativ.
hI hEtad hx n woz fxevx sandxd from hx. dispFt /denisOf's
rikwest HAt hI wUd tEk nO pRt in H mAtx, /rOstOf agrId t bI
/dOlOâOf's sekand, n Aftx dinx hI diskast H xEnJmants f
H dMal wiH /nesvitski, /bezMâOf's sekand. /piX went hOm, bat
/rOstOf wiH /dOlOâOf n /denisOf stEd on At H klab til lEt,
lisaniN t H Jipsiz n aHx siNxz.
<p>
“wel Hen, til tamorO At /sOkOlniki,” sed /dOlOâOf, Az hI tUk
lIv v /rOstOf in H klab pPc.
<p>
“n dM V fIl kwFt kym?” /rOstOf Askt.
<p>
/dOlOâOf pYzd.
<p>
“wel, V sI, F'l tel V H hOl sIkrat v dMaliN in tM
wxdz. if V R gOiN t fFt a dMal, n V mEk a wil n rFt
afekSanat letxz t jP pXants, n if V TiNk V mE bI
kild, V R a fMl n R lost f sxtan. bat gO wiH H fxm
intenSan v kiliN jP mAn Az kwikli n SUxli Az posabal, n
Hen Yl wil bI rFt, Az Qx bX hantsman At /kOstrOmy Vst t tel
mI. 'evriwan fCz a bX,' hI sez, 'bat wen V sI wan jP
fC'z Yl gon, n jP Onli TYt iz not t let him get awE!'
n HAt's hQ it iz wiH mI. a dImEn, man /Ser.” *
<p>
    * til tamorO, mF dC felO.
<p>
neät dE, At Et in H mPniN, /piX n /nesvitski drOv t H
/sOkOlniki fPist n fQnd /dOlOâOf, /denisOf, n /rOstOf Ylredi
HX. /piX hAd H X v a mAn prIokVpFd wiH kansidxESanz wic
hAd nO kanekSan wiH H mAtx in hAnd. hiz hAgxd fEs woz jelO.
hI hAd evidentli not slept HAt nFt. hI lUkt abQt distrAktadli n
skrMd ap hiz Fz Az if dAzald bF H san. hI woz intFxli absPbd
bF tM kansidxESanz: hiz wFf's gilt, v wic Aftx hiz slIplas
nFt hI hAd not H slFtast dQt, n H giltlasnas v
/dOlOâOf, hM hAd nO rIzan t prizxv H onx v a mAn hM woz
naTiN t him.... “F SUd pxhAps hAv dan H sEm TiN in hiz
plEs,” TYt /piX. “it's Ivan sxtan HAt F SUd hAv dan
H sEm, Hen wF His dMal, His mxdx? FHx F SAl kil him, P
hI wil hit mI in H hed, P elbO, P nI. kAnt F gO awE from
hC, ran awE, beri mFself samwX?” pAst TrM hiz mFnd. bat
Jast At mOments wen sac TYts akxd t him, hI wUd Ask in a
pxtikVlxli kym n Absant-mFndad wE, wic inspFxd H rispekt v
H onlUkxz, “wil it bI loN? R TiNz redi?”
<p>
wen Yl woz redi, H sEbxz stak in H snO t mRk H bArCz,
n H pistalz lOdad, /nesvitski went ap t /piX.
<p>
“F SUd not bI dMiN mF dMti, /kQnt,” hI sed in timid tOnz,
“n SUd not JastifF jP konfidans n H onx V hAv dan
mI in cMziN mI f jP sekand, if At His grEv, His veri
grEv, mOment F did not tel V H hOl trMT. F TiNk HX iz nO
safiSant grQnd f His afX, P f blad t bI Sed Ovx it....
V wx not rFt, not kwFt in H rFt, V wx impecMas...”
<p>
“O jes, it iz horibli stMpid,” sed /piX.
<p>
“Hen alQ mI t iäpres jP rigrets, n F Am SUx jP apOnant
wil aäept Hem,” sed /nesvitski (hM lFk H aHxz kansxnd in
H afX, n lFk evriwan in similx kEsaz, did not jet bilIv HAt
H afX hAd kam t an AkcMal dMal). “V nO, /kQnt, it iz mac
mP onxabal t admit wan'z mistEk HAn t let mAtxz bikam
irepxabal. HX woz nO insalt on FHx sFd. alQ mI t
kanvE....”
<p>
“nO! wot iz HX t tYk abQt?” sed /piX. “it's Yl H
sEm.... iz evriTiN redi?” hI Adad. “Onli tel mI wX t gO
n wX t SMt,” hI sed wiH an annAcxali Jental smFl.
<p>
hI tUk H pistal in hiz hAnd n bigAn AskiN abQt H wxkiN v H
trigx, Az hI hAd not bifP held a pistal in hiz hAnd—a fAkt HAt hI
did not wiS t kanfes.
<p>
“O jes, lFk HAt, F nO, F Onli fxgot,” sed hI.
<p>
“nO apolaJiz, nan wotevx,” sed /dOlOâOf t /denisOf (hM on
hiz sFd hAd bin atemptiN a rekansiliESan), n hI YlsO went ap t
H apqntad plEs.
<p>
H spot cOzan f H dMal woz sam Eti pEsaz from H rOd,
wX H slEz hAd bin left, in a smYl klCiN in H pFn fPist
kavxd wiH meltiN snO, H frost hAviN bigan t brEk ap dxiN H
lAst fV dEz. H AntAganists stUd fPti pEsaz apRt At H fRHx
eJ v H klCiN. H sekandz, meZxiN H pEsaz, left trAä in
H dIp wet snO bitwIn H plEs wX HE hAd bin stAndiN n
/nesvitski'z n /dOlOâOf's sEbxz, wic wx stak intM H
grQnd ten pEsaz apRt t mRk H bArC. it woz TYiN n misti; At
fPti pEsaz' distans naTiN kUd bI sIn. f TrI minits Yl hAd
bin redi, bat HE stil dilEd n Yl wx sFlant.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
“wel, bigin!” sed /dOlOâOf.
<p>
“Yl rFt,” sed /piX, stil smFliN in H sEm wE. a fIliN
v dred woz in H X. it woz evidant HAt H afX sO lFtli bigan
kUd nO loNgx bI avxtad bat woz tEkiN its kPs indipendantli v
men'z wil.
<p>
/denisOf fxst went t H bArC n anQnst: “Az H
adve'sawies hAv wefast a wekansiliESan, plIz pwOsId. tEk jP
pistalz, n At H wxd TwI bigin t advAns.
<p>
“O-nE! T-wO! TwI!” hI SQtad ANgrili n stept asFd.
<p>
H kambAtants advAnst aloN H trodan trAä, nCx n nCx t
wan anaHx, biginiN t sI wan anaHx TrM H mist. HE hAd H
rFt t fFx wen HE lFkt Az HE aprOct H bArC. /dOlOâOf
wYkt slOli wiHQt rEziN hiz pistal, lUkiN intentli wiH hiz
brFt, spRkaliN blM Fz intM hiz AntAganist's fEs. hiz mQT wP
its VZMal semblans v a smFl.
<p>
“sO F kAn fFx wen F lFk!” sed /piX, n At H wxd
“TrI,” hI went kwikli fPwxd, misiN H trodan pAT n
stepiN intM H dIp snO. hI held H pistal in hiz rFt hAnd At
Rm'z leNT, apArantli afrEd v SMtiN himself wiH it. hiz left
hAnd hI held kXfali bAk, bikoz hI wiSt t sapPt hiz rFt
hAnd wiH it n nM hI mast not dM sO. hAviN advAnst siä pEsaz n
strEd of H trAk intM H snO, /piX lUkt dQn At hiz fIt,
Hen kwikli glAnst At /dOlOâOf n, bendiN hiz fiNgx Az hI hAd bin
SOn, fFxd. not At Yl iäpektiN sO lQd a ripPt, /piX Sadxd
At H sQnd n Hen, smFliN At hiz On sensESanz, stUd stil. H
smOk, rendxd densx bF H mist, priventad him from sIiN eniTiN
f an instant, bat HX woz nO sekand ripPt Az hI hAd iäpektad. hI
Onli hxd /dOlOâOf's harid steps, n hiz figjx kEm in vV
TrM H smOk. hI woz presiN wan hAnd t hiz left sFd, wFl
H aHx klact hiz drMpiN pistal. hiz fEs woz pEl. /rOstOf rAn
tPd him n sed samTiN.
<p>
“nO-O-O!” matxd /dOlOâOf TrM hiz tIT, “nO, it's not
Ovx.” n Aftx stambaliN a fV stAgxiN steps rFt ap t H
sEbx, hI sANk on H snO bisFd it. hiz left hAnd woz bladi; hI wFpt
it on hiz kOt n sapPtad himself wiH it. hiz frQniN fEs woz
pAlid n kwivxd.
<p>
“plI...” bigAn /dOlOâOf, bat kUd not At fxst pranQns H
wxd.
<p>
“plIz,” hI atxd wiH an efxt.
<p>
/piX, hRdli ristrEniN hiz sobz, bigAn raniN tPd /dOlOâOf n
woz abQt t kros H spEs bitwIn H bArCz, wen /dOlOâOf krFd:
<p>
“t jP bArC!” n /piX, grAspiN wot woz ment, stopt bF
hiz sEbx. Onli ten pEsaz divFdad Hem. /dOlOâOf lOxd hiz hed t
H snO, grIdili bit At it, agen rEzd hiz hed, aJastad himself,
drM in hiz leã n sAt ap, sIkiN a fxm sentx v grAviti. hI sakt
n swolOd H kOld snO, hiz lips kwivxd bat hiz Fz, stil
smFliN, glitxd wiH efxt n iãAspxESan Az hI mastxd hiz
rimEniN streNT. hI rEzd hiz pistal n Emd.
<p>
“sFdwEz! kavx jPself wiH jP pistal!” iJAkVlEtad /nesvitski.
<p>
“kavx jPself!” Ivan /denisOf krFd t hiz AdvxsXi.
<p>
/piX, wiH a Jental smFl v piti n rimPs, hiz Rmz n leã
helplasli spred Qt, stUd wiH hiz brYd cest direktli fEsiN
/dOlOâOf n lUkt sorOfali At him. /denisOf, /rOstOf, n
/nesvitski klOzd HX Fz. At H sEm instant HE hxd a ripPt
n /dOlOâOf's ANgri krF.
<p>
“mist!” SQtad /dOlOâOf, n hI lE helplasli, fEs dQnwxdz
on H snO.
<p>
/piX klact hiz tempalz, n txniN rQnd went intM H fPist,
trAmpaliN TrM H dIp snO, n matxiN inkOhCant wxdz:
<p>
“foli... foli! deT... lFz...” hI ripItad, pakxiN hiz fEs.
<p>
/nesvitski stopt him n tUk him hOm.
<p>
/rOstOf n /denisOf drOv awE wiH H wMndad /dOlOâOf.
<p>
H lAtx lE sFlant in H slE wiH klOzd Fz n did not Ansx
a wxd t H kwescanz adrest t him. bat on entxiN /moskQ hI
sadanli kEm t n, liftiN hiz hed wiH an efxt, tUk /rOstOf, hM
woz sitiN bisFd him, bF H hAnd. /rOstOf woz strak bF H
tOtali Yltxd n aniäpektadli rApcxas n tendx iäpreSan on
/dOlOâOf's fEs.
<p>
“wel? hQ dM V fIl?” hI Askt.
<p>
“bAd! bat it's not HAt, mF frend—” sed /dOlOâOf wiH a
gAspiN vqs. “wX R wI? in /moskQ, F nO. F dOnt mAtx,
bat F hAv kild hx, kild... SI wOnt get Ovx it! SI wOnt
sxvFv....”
<p>
“hM?” Askt /rOstOf.
<p>
“mF maHx! mF maHx, mF EnJal, mF adPd EnJal maHx,” n
/dOlOâOf prest /rOstOf's hAnd n bxst intM tCz.
<p>
wen hI hAd bikam a lital kwFatx, hI iäplEnd t /rOstOf HAt hI woz
liviN wiH hiz maHx, hM, if SI sY him dFiN, wUd not sxvFv it.
hI implPd /rOstOf t gO on n pripX hx.
<p>
/rOstOf went on ahed t dM wot woz Askt, n t hiz grEt sxprFz
lxnd HAt /dOlOâOf H brYlx, /dOlOâOf H bUli, livd in /moskQ
wiH an Old maHx n a hancbAk sistx, n woz H mOst afekSanat
v sanz n braHxz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/piX hAd v lEt rXli sIn hiz wFf alOn. bOT in /pItxzbxg n in
/moskQ HX hQs woz YlwEz fUl v vizitxz. H nFt Aftx H
dMal hI did not gO t hiz bedrMm bat, Az hI oftan did, rimEnd in hiz
fyHx'z rMm, HAt hVJ rMm in wic /kQnt /bezMâOf hAd dFd.
<p>
hI lE dQn on H sOfa mIniN t fYl aslIp n fxget Yl HAt
hAd hApand t him, bat kUd not dM sO. sac a stPm v fIliNz,
TYts, n memxiz sadanli xOz wiHin him HAt hI kUd not fYl
aslIp, nP Ivan rimEn in wan plEs, bat hAd t Jamp ap n pEs H
rMm wiH rApid steps. nQ hI sImd t sI hx in H xli dEz v
HX mAriJ, wiH bX SOldxz n a lANgwid, pASanat lUk on
hx fEs, n Hen imIdWtli hI sY bisFd hx /dOlOâOf's hAndsam,
insalant, hRd, n mokiN fEs Az hI hAd sIn it At H bANkwat, n
Hen HAt sEm fEs pEl, kwivxiN, n safxiN, Az it hAd bin wen
hI rIld n sANk on H snO.
<p>
“wot hAz hApand?” hI Askt himself. “F hAv kild hx lavx,
jes, kild mF wFf's lavx. jes, HAt woz it! n wF? hQ did F kam
t dM it?”—“bikoz V mArid hx,” Ansxd an inx vqs.
<p>
“bat in wot woz F t blEm?” hI Askt. “in mAriiN hx wiHQt
laviN hx; in disIviN jPself n hx.” n hI vividli rikYld
HAt mOment Aftx sapx At /prins /vysili'z, wen hI spOk HOz
wxdz hI hAd fQnd sO difikalt t atx: “F lav V.” “it Yl
kamz from HAt! Ivan Hen F felt it,” hI TYt. “F felt Hen HAt
it woz not sO, HAt F hAd nO rFt t dM it. n sO it txnz Qt.”
<p>
hI rimembxd hiz hanimMn n blaSt At H rekalekSan.
pxtikVlxli vivid, hVmiliEtiN, n SEmfal woz H rekalekSan v
hQ wan dE sMn Aftx hiz mAriJ hI kEm Qt v H bedrMm intM hiz
stadi a lital bifP nMn in hiz silk dresiN gQn n fQnd hiz hed
stMxd HX, hM, bQiN rispektfali, lUkt intM hiz fEs n At
hiz dresiN gQn n smFld slFtli, Az if iäpresiN rispektfal
andxstAndiN v hiz implqx'z hApinas.
<p>
“bat hQ oftan F hAv felt prQd v hx, prQd v hx maJestik bVti
n sOSal tAkt,” TYt hI; “bin prQd v mF hQs, in wic SI
risIvd Yl /pItxzbxg, prQd v hx anaprOcabiliti n bVti. sO
His iz wot F woz prQd v! F Hen TYt HAt F did not andxstAnd
hx. hQ oftan wen kansidxiN hx kAraktx F hAv tOld mFself HAt
F woz t blEm f not andxstAndiN hx, f not andxstAndiN HAt
konstant kampOZx n kamplEsansi n lAk v Yl intxasts P dizFxz,
n H hOl sIkrat lFz in H teribal trMT HAt SI iz a diprEvd
wUman. nQ F hAv spOkan HAt teribal wxd t mFself Yl hAz bikam
klC.
<p>
“/ynatOl Vst t kam t borO mani from hx n Vst t kis hx
nEkad SOldxz. SI did not giv him H mani, bat let hxself bI
kist. hx fyHx in Jest trFd t rQz hx Jelasi, n SI riplFd
wiH a kym smFl HAt SI woz not sO stMpid Az t bI Jelas: 'let
him dM wot hI plIzaz,' SI Vst t sE v mI. wan dE F Askt hx if
SI felt eni simptamz v pregnansi. SI lAft kantempcMasli n sed
SI woz not a fMl t wont t hAv cildran, n HAt SI woz not gOiN
t hAv eni cildran bF mI.”
<p>
Hen hI rikYld H kPsnas n blantnas v hx TYts n H
valgAriti v H iäpreSanz HAt wx nAcxal t hx, HO SI hAd
bin brYt ap in H mOst AristakrAtik sxkalz.
<p>
“F'm not sac a fMl.... Jast V trF it on.... ylE-vM
promanx,” * SI Vst t sE. oftan sIiN H saäes SI hAd wiH
jaN n Old men n wimin /piX kUd not andxstAnd wF hI did not
lav hx.
<p>
    * “V klC Qt v His.”
<p>
<p>
“jes, F nevx lavd hx,” sed hI t himself; “F nM SI woz a
diprEvd wUman,” hI ripItad, “bat dXd not admit it t mFself.
n nQ HX'z /dOlOâOf sitiN in H snO wiH a fPst smFl n
pxhAps dFiN, wFl mItiN mF rimPs wiH sam fPst bravydO!”
<p>
/piX woz wan v HOz pIpal hM, in spFt v an apCans v wot
iz kYld wIk kAraktx, dM not sIk a konfidynt in HX trabalz. hI
dFJestad hiz safxiNz alOn.
<p>
“it iz Yl, Yl hx fYlt,” hI sed t himself; “bat wot v HAt?
wF did F bFnd mFself t hx? wF did F sE '/Ze vM /eme' * t hx,
wic woz a lF, n wxs HAn a lF? F Am gilti n mast indx...
wot? a slx on mF nEm? a misfPcMn f lFf? O, HAt's
nonsens,” hI TYt. “H slx on mF nEm n onx—HAt's Yl
apRt from mFself.”
<p>
    * F lav V.
<p>
“/lMi XVI woz eäikVtad bikoz HE sed hI woz disonxabal n a
kriminal,” kEm intM /piX'z hed, “n from HX pqnt v
vV HE wx rFt, Az wx HOz tM hM kAnanFzd him n dFd a
mRtx'z deT f hiz sEk. Hen /rObzpiX woz bihedad f bIiN
a despot. hM iz rFt n hM iz roN? nO wan! bat if V R
alFv—liv: tamorO V'l dF Az F mFt hAv dFd an Qx agO.
n iz it wxT tPmentiN wanself, wen wan hAz Onli a mOment v lFf
in kampArisan wiH itxniti?”
<p>
bat At H mOment wen hI imAJind himself kymd bF sac riflekSanz,
SI sadanli kEm intM hiz mFnd Az SI woz At H mOments wen hI hAd
mOst stroNli iäprest hiz insinsC lav f hx, n hI felt H
blad raS t hiz hRt n hAd agen t get ap n mMv abQt n brEk
n tX wotevx kEm t hiz hAnd. “wF did F tel hx HAt '/Ze
vM /eme'?” hI kept ripItiN t himself. n wen hI hAd sed it
f H tenT tFm, /mOliX'z wxdz: “/mFz kE dFabal ylait-il
fX dAnz set galere?” * akxd t him, n hI bigAn t lAf At
himself.
<p>
      * “bat wot H deval woz hI dMiN in HAt gAli?”
<p>
<p>
in H nFt hI kYld hiz vAlE n tOld him t pAk ap t gO t
/pItxzbxg. hI kUd not imAJin hQ hI kUd spIk t hx nQ. hI
rizolvd t gO awE neät dE n lIv a letx infPmiN hx v hiz
intenSan t pRt from hx fxevx.
<p>
neät mPniN wen H vAlE kEm intM H rMm wiH hiz kofi, /piX
woz lFiN aslIp on H otaman wiH an Opan bUk in hiz hAnd.
<p>
hI wOk ap n lUkt rQnd f a wFl wiH a stRtald iäpreSan,
anEbal t rWlFz wX hI woz.
<p>
“H kQntas tOld mI t inkwFx weHx jP eäalansi woz At
hOm,” sed H vAlE.
<p>
bat bifP /piX kUd disFd wot Ansx hI wUd send, H kQntas
hxself in a wFt sAtin dresiN gQn imbrqdxd wiH silvx n wiH
simpli drest hX (tM imens plEts twFs rQnd hx lavli hed lFk
a kPanet) entxd H rMm, kym n maJestik, iäept HAt HX woz
a rATfal riNkal on hx rAHx prominant mRbal brQ. wiH hx
impxtxbabal kym SI did not bigin t spIk in frant v H vAlE.
SI nM v H dMal n hAd kam t spIk abQt it. SI wEtad til H
vAlE hAd set dQn H kofi TiNz n left H rMm. /piX lUkt
At hx timidli Ovx hiz spektakalz, n lFk a hX sxQndad bF hQndz
hM lEz bAk hx Cz n kantinVz t krQc mOSanlas bifP hx
enamiz, hI trFd t kantinV rIdiN. bat fIliN His t bI senslas
n imposabal, hI agen glAnst timidli At hx. SI did not sit dQn
bat lUkt At him wiH a kantempcMas smFl, wEtiN f H vAlE t
gO.
<p>
“wel, wot's His nQ? wot hAv V bin ap t nQ, F SUd lFk
t nO?” SI Askt stxnli.
<p>
“F? wot hAv F...?” stAmxd /piX.
<p>
“sO it sImz V'x a hCO, E? kam nQ, wot woz His dMal abQt?
wot iz it ment t prMv? wot? F Ask V.”
<p>
/piX txnd Ovx hevili on H otaman n Opand hiz mQT, bat
kUd not riplF.
<p>
“if V wOnt Ansx, F'l tel V...” /helIn went on. “V
bilIv evriTiN V'x tOld. V wx tOld...” /helIn lAft,
“HAt /dOlOâOf woz mF lavx,” SI sed in /frenc wiH hx kPs
plEnnas v spIc, atxiN H wxd Amant Az kAZMali Az eni aHx
wxd, “n V bilIvd it! wel, wot hAv V prMvd? wot daz His
dMal prMv? HAt V'x a fMl, kE vM etes an sot, bat evribodi
nM HAt. wot wil bI H rizalt? HAt F SAl bI H lAfiNstok v
Yl /moskQ, HAt evriwan wil sE HAt V, draNk n not nOiN wot
V wx abQt, cAlanJd a mAn V R Jelas v wiHQt kYz.”
/helIn rEzd hx vqs n bikEm mP n mP iäFtad, “a mAn
hM'z a betx mAn HAn V in evri wE...”
<p>
“hm... hm...!” grQld /piX, frQniN wiHQt lUkiN At hx, n
not mMviN a masal.
<p>
“n hQ kUd V bilIv hI woz mF lavx? wF? bikoz F lFk
hiz kampani? if V wx klevxx n mP agrIabal, F SUd prifx
jPz.”
<p>
“dOnt spIk t mI... F beg V,” matxd /piX hPsli.
<p>
“wF SUdant F spIk? F kAn spIk Az F lFk, n F tel V
plEnli HAt HX R not meni wFvz wiH hazbandz sac Az V hM
wUd not hAv tEkan lavxz (/de Amants), bat F hAv not dan sO,”
sed SI.
<p>
/piX wiSt t sE samTiN, lUkt At hx wiH Fz hMz strEnJ
iäpreSan SI did not andxstAnd, n lE dQn agen. hI woz safxiN
fizikli At HAt mOment, HX woz a wEt on hiz cest n hI kUd
not brIH. hI nM HAt hI mast dM samTiN t pUt an end t His
safxiN, bat wot hI wontad t dM woz tM teribal.
<p>
“wI hAd betx sepxat,” hI matxd in a brOkan vqs.
<p>
“sepxat? veri wel, bat Onli if V giv mI a fPcMn,” sed
/helIn. “sepxat! HAt's a TiN t frFtan mI wiH!”
<p>
/piX lIpt ap from H sOfa n raSt stAgxiN tPd hx.
<p>
“F'l kil V!” hI SQtad, n sIziN H mRbal top v a tEbal
wiH a streNT hI hAd nevx bifP felt, hI mEd a step tPd hx
brAndiSiN H slAb.
<p>
/helIn'z fEs bikEm teribal, SI SrIkt n sprAN asFd. hiz
fyHx'z nEcx SOd itself in /piX. hI felt H fAsinESan n
dilFt v frenzi. hI flaN dQn H slAb, brOk it, n swMpiN
dQn on hx wiH Qtstrect hAndz SQtad, “get Qt!” in sac a
teribal vqs HAt H hOl hQs hxd it wiH horx. god nOz wot
hI wUd hAv dan At HAt mOment hAd /helIn not fled from H rMm.
<p>
<p>
a wIk lEtx /piX gEv hiz wFf fUl pQx t kantrOl Yl hiz istEts
in /grEt /raSa, wic fPmd H lRJx pRt v hiz propxti, n left
f /pItxzbxg alOn.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/tM manTs hAd ilApst sins H nMz v H bAtal v /Qstxlits n
H los v /prins /AndrM hAd rIct /bYld /hilz, n in spFt v H
letxz sent TrM H embasi n Yl H sxcaz mEd, hiz bodi hAd
not bin fQnd nP woz hI on H list v prizanxz. wot woz wxst v
Yl f hiz rilESanz woz H fAkt HAt HX woz stil a posabiliti v
hiz hAviN bin pikt ap on H bAtalfIld bF H pIpal v H
plEs n HAt hI mFt nQ bI lFiN, rikavxiN P dFiN, alOn amaN
strEnJxz n anEbal t send nMz v himself. H gazets from wic
H Old prins fxst hxd v H difIt At /Qstxlits stEtad, Az VZMal
veri brIfli n vEgli, HAt Aftx brilWnt ingEJmants H /raSanz
hAd hAd t ritrIt n hAd mEd HX wiHdrYal in pxfikt Pdx. H
Old prins andxstUd from His afiSal ripPt HAt Qx Rmi hAd bin
difItad. a wIk Aftx H gazet ripPt v H bAtal v /Qstxlits
kEm a letx from /kMtMzOf infPmiN H prins v H fEt HAt hAd
bifYlan hiz san.
<p>
“jP san,” rOt /kMtMzOf, “fel bifP mF Fz, a stAndxd in
hiz hAnd n At H hed v a reJimant—hI fel Az a hCO, wxHi v
hiz fyHx n hiz fyHxlAnd. t H grEt rigret v mFself n v H
hOl Rmi it iz stil ansxtan weHx hI iz alFv P not. F kamfxt
mFself n V wiH H hOp HAt jP san iz alFv, f aHxwFz
hI wUd hAv bin menSand amaN H ofisxz fQnd on H fIld v
bAtal, a list v hMm hAz bin sent mI andx flAg v trMs.”
<p>
Aftx risIviN His nMz lEt in H IvniN, wen hI woz alOn in hiz
stadi, H Old prins went f hiz wYk Az VZMal neät mPniN, bat hI
woz sFlant wiH hiz stMxd, H gRdanx, n H Rkitekt, n HO
hI lUkt veri grim hI sed naTiN t eniwan.
<p>
wen /prinsas /mXi went t him At H VZMal Qx hI woz wxkiN At hiz
lEH n, Az VZMal, did not lUk rQnd At hx.
<p>
“y, /prinsas /mXi!” hI sed sadanli in an annAcxal vqs,
TrOiN dQn hiz cizal. (H wIl kantinVd t rivolv bF its On
impitas, n /prinsas /mXi loN rimembxd H dFiN krIk v HAt
wIl, wic mxJd in hx memxi wiH wot folOd.)
<p>
SI aprOct him, sY hiz fEs, n samTiN gEv wE wiHin hx. hx
Fz grM dim. bF H iäpreSan v hx fyHx'z fEs, not sAd, not
kraSt, bat ANgri n wxkiN annAcxali, SI sY HAt hANiN Ovx
hx n abQt t kraS hx woz sam teribal misfPcMn, H wxst
in lFf, wan SI hAd not jet iäpCWnst, irepxabal n
inkomprihensabal—H deT v wan SI lavd.
<p>
“fyHx! AndrM!”—sed H angrEsfal, Ykwxd prinsas wiH sac
an indiskrFbabal cRm v sorO n self-fxgetfalnas HAt hx fyHx
kUd not bX hx lUk bat txnd awE wiH a sob.
<p>
“bAd nMz! hI'z not amaN H prizanxz nP amaN H kild!
/kMtMzOf rFts...” n hI skrImd Az pCsiNli Az if hI wiSt t
drFv H prinsas awE bF HAt skrIm... “kild!”
<p>
H prinsas did not fYl dQn P fEnt. SI woz Ylredi pEl, bat on
hCiN HIz wxdz hx fEs cEnJd n samTiN brFtand in hx
bVtifal, rEdWnt Fz. it woz Az if Jq—a sMprIm Jq apRt from H
Jqz n sorOz v His wxld—OvxflOd H grEt grIf wiHin hx.
SI fxgot Yl fC v hx fyHx, went ap t him, tUk hiz hAnd, n
drYiN him dQn pUt hx Rm rQnd hiz Tin, skrAgi nek.
<p>
“fyHx,” SI sed, “dM not txn awE from mI, let as wIp
tageHx.”
<p>
“skQndralz! blAgRdz!” SrIkt H Old mAn, txniN hiz fEs
awE from hx. “distrqiN H Rmi, distrqiN H men! n wF? gO,
gO n tel /lIz.”
<p>
H prinsas sANk helplasli intM an RmcX bisFd hx fyHx n
wept. SI sY hx braHx nQ Az hI hAd bin At H mOment wen hI tUk
lIv v hx n v /lIz, hiz lUk tendx jet prQd. SI sY him tendx
n amVzd Az hI woz wen hI pUt on H lital Fkon. “did hI bilIv?
hAd hI ripentad v hiz anbilIf? woz hI nQ HX? HX in H relmz
v itxnal pIs n blesadnas?” SI TYt.
<p>
“fyHx, tel mI hQ it hApand,” SI Askt TrM hx tCz.
<p>
“gO! gO! kild in bAtal, wX H best v /raSan men n
/raSa'z glPi wx led t distrakSan. gO, /prinsas /mXi. gO n tel
/lIz. F wil folO.”
<p>
wen /prinsas /mXi ritxnd from hx fyHx, H lital prinsas sAt
wxkiN n lUkt ap wiH HAt kjUxWs iäpreSan v inx, hApi kym
pikVlC t pregnant wimin. it woz evidant HAt hx Fz did not sI
/prinsas /mXi bat wx lUkiN wiHin... intM hxself... At samTiN
Jqfal n mistCWs tEkiN plEs wiHin hx.
<p>
“mXi,” SI sed, mMviN awE from H imbrqdxi frEm n lFiN
bAk, “giv mI jP hAnd.” SI tUk hx sistx-in-lY'z hAnd n
held it bilO hx wEst.
<p>
hx Fz wx smFliN iäpektantli, hx dQni lip rOz n rimEnd
liftad in cFldlFk hApinas.
<p>
prinsas /mXi nelt dQn bifP hx n hid hx fEs in H fOldz v hx
sistx-in-lY'z dres.
<p>
“HX, HX! dM V fIl it? F fIl sO strEnJ. n dM V nO,
/mXi, F Am gOiN t lav him veri mac,” sed /lIz, lUkiN wiH
brFt n hApi Fz At hx sistx-in-lY.
<p>
prinsas /mXi kUd not lift hx hed, SI woz wIpiN.
<p>
“wot iz H mAtx, /mXi?”
<p>
“naTiN... Onli F fIl sAd... sAd abQt /AndrM,” SI sed, wFpiN
awE hx tCz on hx sistx-in-lY'z nI.
<p>
sevxal tFmz in H kPs v H mPniN /prinsas /mXi bigAn trFiN t
pripX hx sistx-in-lY, n evri tFm bigAn t krF. anabzxvant Az
woz H lital prinsas, HIz tCz, H kYz v wic SI did not
andxstAnd, AJitEtad hx. SI sed naTiN bat lUkt abQt anIzili Az
if in sxc v samTiN. bifP dinx H Old prins, v hMm SI woz
YlwEz afrEd, kEm intM hx rMm wiH a pikVlCli restlas n malFn
iäpreSan n went Qt agen wiHQt sEiN a wxd. SI lUkt At
/prinsas /mXi, Hen sAt TiNkiN f a wFl wiH HAt iäpreSan v
atenSan t samTiN wiHin hx HAt iz Onli sIn in pregnant wimin,
n sadanli bigAn t krF.
<p>
“hAz eniTiN kam from /AndrM?” SI Askt.
<p>
“nO, V nO it's tM sMn f nMz. bat mF fyHx iz ANkSas n F
fIl afrEd.”
<p>
“sO HX'z naTiN?”
<p>
“naTiN,” Ansxd /prinsas /mXi, lUkiN fxmli wiH hx rEdWnt
Fz At hx sistx-in-lY.
<p>
SI hAd ditxmind not t tel hx n pxswEdad hx fyHx t hFd H
teribal nMz from hx til Aftx hx kanfFnmant, wic woz iäpektad
wiHin a fV dEz. prinsas /mXi n H Old prins Ic bP n hid
HX grIf in HX On wE. H Old prins wUd not ceriS eni hOp:
hI mEd ap hiz mFnd HAt /prins /AndrM hAd bin kild, n HO hI
sent an afiSal t /ostrW t sIk f trEsaz v hiz san, hI Pdxd a
monVmant from /moskQ wic hI intendad t irekt in hiz On gRdan t hiz
memxi, n hI tOld evribodi HAt hiz san hAd bin kild. hI trFd not
t cEnJ hiz fPmx wE v lFf, bat hiz streNT fEld him. hI wYkt
les, Et les, slept les, n bikEm wIkx evri dE. prinsas /mXi
hOpt. SI prEd f hx braHx Az liviN n woz YlwEz awEtiN nMz
v hiz ritxn.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
“dCast,” sed H lital prinsas Aftx brekfast on H mPniN
v H nFntInT mRc, n hx dQni lital lip rOz from Old hAbit,
bat Az sorO woz mAnifest in evri smFl, H sQnd v evri wxd, n
Ivan evri fUtstep in HAt hQs sins H teribal nMz hAd kam, sO
nQ H smFl v H lital prinsas—inflManst bF H Jenxal mMd
HO wiHQt nOiN its kYz—woz sac Az t rimFnd wan stil mP
v H Jenxal sorO.
<p>
“dCast, F'm afrEd His mPniN'z fruschtique *—Az /fOka H
kUk kYlz it—hAz disagrId wiH mI.”
<p>
    * Fruhstuck: brekfast.
<p>
“wot iz H mAtx wiH V, mF dRliN? V lUk pEl. O, V
R veri pEl!” sed /prinsas /mXi in alRm, raniN wiH hx soft,
pondxas steps ap t hx sistx-in-lY.
<p>
“jP eäalansi, SUd not /mXi /bOgdynOvna bI sent f?” sed wan
v H mEdz hM woz prezant. (mXi /bOgdynOvna woz a midwFf from H
nEbxiN tQn, hM hAd bin At /bYld /hilz f H lAst fPtnFt.)
<p>
“O jes,” asentad /prinsas /mXi, “pxhAps HAt's it. F'l gO.
kariJ, mF EnJal.” SI kist /lIz n woz abQt t lIv H rMm.
<p>
“O, nO, nO!” n bisFdz H pAlx n H fizikal safxiN
on H lital prinsas' fEs, an iäpreSan v cFldiS fC v
inevitabal pEn SOd itself.
<p>
“nO, it's Onli indiJescan?... sE it's Onli indiJescan, sE sO,
/mXi! sE...” n H lital prinsas bigAn t krF kapriSasli lFk
a safxiN cFld n t riN hx lital hAndz Ivan wiH sam
AfektESan. prinsas /mXi rAn Qt v H rMm t fec /mXi
/bOgdynOvna.
<p>
“man /dV! man /dV! O!” SI hxd Az SI left H rMm.
<p>
H midwFf woz Ylredi on hx wE t mIt hx, rabiN hx smYl, plamp
wFt hAndz wiH an X v kym impPtans.
<p>
“mXi /bOgdynOvna, F TiNk it's biginiN!” sed /prinsas /mXi
lUkiN At H midwFf wiH wFd-Opan Fz v alRm.
<p>
“wel, H /lPd bI TANkt, /prinsas,” sed /mXi /bOgdynOvna, not
hEsaniN hx steps. “V jaN lEdiz SUd not nO eniTiN abQt
it.”
<p>
“bat hQ iz it H doktx from /moskQ iz not hC jet?” sed H
prinsas. (in akPdans wiH /lIz'az n /prins /AndrM'z wiSaz HE
hAd sent in gUd tFm t /moskQ f a doktx n wx iäpektiN him At
eni mOment.)
<p>
“nO mAtx, /prinsas, dOnt bI alRmd,” sed /mXi /bOgdynOvna.
“wI'l mAniJ veri wel wiHQt a doktx.”
<p>
fFv minits lEtx /prinsas /mXi from hx rMm hxd samTiN hevi
bIiN kArid bF. SI lUkt Qt. H men sxvants wx kAriiN H
lRJ leHx sOfa from /prins /AndrM'z stadi intM H bedrMm. on
HX fEsaz woz a kwFat n solam lUk.
<p>
prinsas /mXi sAt alOn in hx rMm lisaniN t H sQndz in H
hQs, nQ n Hen OpaniN hx dP wen samwan pAst n wociN
wot woz gOiN on in H pAsiJ. sam wimin pAsiN wiH kwFat steps in
n Qt v H bedrMm glAnst At H prinsas n txnd awE. SI did
not vencx t Ask eni kwescanz, n Sat H dP agen, nQ sitiN
dQn in hx Izi cX, nQ tEkiN hx prEx bUk, nQ nIliN bifP
H Fkon stAnd. t hx sxprFz n distres SI fQnd HAt hx prExz
did not kym hx iäFtmant. sadanli hx dP Opand softli n hx Old
nxs, /pryskOvja /syviSna, hM hRdli evx kEm t HAt rMm Az H
Old prins hAd fxbidan it, apCd on H TreShOld wiH a SYl
rQnd hx hed.
<p>
“F'v kam t sit wiH V a bit, /mySa,” sed H nxs, “n
hC F'v brYt H prins'az wediN kAndalz t lFt bifP hiz
sEnt, mF EnJal,” SI sed wiH a sF.
<p>
“O, nxs, F'm sO glAd!”
<p>
“god iz mxsifal, bxdi.”
<p>
H nxs lit H gilt kAndalz bifP H Fkonz n sAt dQn bF H dP
wiH hx nitiN. prinsas /mXi tUk a bUk n bigAn rIdiN. Onli
wen fUtsteps P vqsaz wx hxd did HE lUk At wan anaHx, H
prinsas ANkSas n inkwFxiN, H nxs inkariJiN. evriwan in H
hQs woz dominEtad bF H sEm fIliN HAt /prinsas /mXi iäpCWnst
Az SI sAt in hx rMm. bat OiN t H sMpxstiSan HAt H fVx
H pIpal hM nO v it H les a wUman in travEl safxz, evriwan
trFd t pritend not t nO; nO wan spOk v it, bat apRt from H
PdinXi stEd n rispektfal gUd mAnxz habicMal in H prins'az
hQshOld, a koman ANzFati, a sofaniN v H hRt, n a
konSasnas HAt samTiN grEt n mistCWs woz bIiN akompliSt
At HAt mOment mEd itself felt.
<p>
HX woz nO lAftx in H mEdz' lRJ hYl. in H men sxvants'
hYl Yl sAt wEtiN, sFlantli n alxt. in H QtlFiN sxfs'
kwPtxz tPcaz n kAndalz wx bxniN n nO wan slept. H Old
prins, stepiN on hiz hIlz, pEst ap n dQn hiz stadi n sent
/tiâOn t Ask /mXi /bOgdynOvna wot nMz.—“sE Onli HAt 'H
prins tOld mI t Ask,' n kam n tel mI hx Ansx.”
<p>
“infPm H prins HAt lEbx hAz bigan,” sed /mXi /bOgdynOvna,
giviN H mesinJx a signifikant lUk.
<p>
/tiâOn went n tOld H prins.
<p>
“veri gUd!” sed H prins klOziN H dP bihFnd him, n
/tiâOn did not hC H slFtast sQnd from H stadi Aftx HAt.
<p>
Aftx a wFl hI rI-entxd it Az if t snaf H kAndalz, n, sIiN
H prins woz lFiN on H sOfa, lUkt At him, nOtist hiz pxtxbd
fEs, SUk hiz hed, n gOiN ap t him sFlantli kist him on H
SOldx n left H rMm wiHQt snafiN H kAndalz P sEiN wF hI
hAd entxd. H mOst solam mistxi in H wxld kantinVd its kPs.
IvniN pAst, nFt kEm, n H fIliN v saspens n sofaniN v
hRt in H prezans v H anfAHamabal did not lesan bat inkrIst.
nO wan slept.
<p>
it woz wan v HOz mRc nFts wen wintx sImz t wiS t rizMm its
swE n skAtxz its lAst snOz n stPmz wiH despxat fjUxi. a rilE
v hPsaz hAd bin sent ap H hFrOd t mIt H /Jxman doktx from
/moskQ hM woz iäpektad evri mOment, n men on hPsbAk wiH lAntxnz
wx sent t H krosrOdz t gFd him Ovx H kantri rOd wiH its
holOz n snO-kavxd pMlz v wYtx.
<p>
prinsas /mXi hAd loN sins pUt asFd hx bUk: SI sAt sFlant, hx
lMminas Fz fiät on hx nxs'az riNkald fEs (evri lFn v wic
SI nM sO wel), on H lok v grE hX HAt iskEpt from andx H
kxcif, n H lMs skin HAt haN andx hx cin.
<p>
nxs /syviSna, nitiN in hAnd, woz teliN in lO tOnz, skXsli
hCiN P andxstAndiN hx On wxdz, wot SI hAd tOld handradz v
tFmz bifP: hQ H lEt prinsas hAd givan bxT t /prinsas /mXi
in /kiSanef wiH Onli a /moldEvWn pezant wUman t help insted v a
midwFf.
<p>
“god iz mxsifal, doktxz R nevx nIdad,” SI sed.
<p>
sadanli a gast v wind bIt vFalantli agenst H kEsmant v H
windO, from wic H dabal frEm hAd bin rimMvd (bF Pdx v H
prins, wan windO frEm woz rimMvd in Ic rMm Az sMn Az H lRä
ritxnd), n, fPsiN Opan a lMsli klOzd lAc, set H dAmask
kxtan flApiN n blM Qt H kAndal wiH its cil, snOi drAft.
prinsas /mXi Sadxd; hx nxs, pUtiN dQn H stokiN SI woz
nitiN, went t H windO n lIniN Qt trFd t kAc H Opan
kEsmant. H kOld wind flApt H endz v hx kxcif n hx lMs
loä v grE hX.
<p>
“prinsas, mF dC, HX'z samwan drFviN ap H AvanM!” SI
sed, hOldiN H kEsmant n not klOziN it. “wiH lAntxnz. mOst
lFkli H doktx.”
<p>
“O, mF /god! TANk /god!” sed /prinsas /mXi. “F mast gO n mIt
him, hI daz not nO /raSan.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi TrM a SYl Ovx hx hed n rAn t mIt H nMkamx.
Az SI woz krosiN H AntirMm SI sY TrM H windO a kAriJ
wiH lAntxnz, stAndiN At H entrans. SI went Qt on H stXz. on
a bAnistx pOst stUd a tAlO kAndal wic gatxd in H drAft. on
H lAndiN bilO, /filip, H fUtman, stUd lUkiN skXd n hOldiN
anaHx kAndal. stil lOx, bijond H txn v H stXkEs, wan
kUd hC H fUtstep v samwan in Tik felt bMts, n a vqs HAt
sImd familC t /prinsas /mXi woz sEiN samTiN.
<p>
“TANk /god!” sed H vqs. “n /fyHx?”
<p>
“gon t bed,” riplFd H vqs v /demjyn H hQs stMxd, hM
woz dQnstXz.
<p>
Hen H vqs sed samTiN mP, /demjyn riplFd, n H steps in
H felt bMts aprOct H ansIn bend v H stXkEs mP rApidli.
<p>
“it's /AndrM!” TYt /prinsas /mXi. “nO it kAnt bI, HAt
wUd bI tM iätrPdinXi,” n At H veri mOment SI TYt His,
H fEs n figjx v /prins /AndrM, in a fx klOk H dIp kolx v
wic kavxd wiH snO, apCd on H lAndiN wX H fUtman
stUd wiH H kAndal. jes, it woz hI, pEl, Tin, wiH a cEnJd n
strEnJli sofand bat AJitEtad iäpreSan on hiz fEs. hI kEm ap H
stXz n imbrEst hiz sistx.
<p>
“V did not get mF letx?” hI Askt, n not wEtiN f a
riplF—wic hI wUd not hAv risIvd, f H prinsas woz anEbal t
spIk—hI txnd bAk, rApidli mQntad H stXz agen wiH H
doktx hM hAd entxd H hYl Aftx him (HE hAd met At H lAst pOst
stESan), n agen imbrEst hiz sistx.
<p>
“wot a strEnJ fEt, /mySa dRliN!” n hAviN tEkan of hiz
klOk n felt bMts, hI went t H lital prinsas' apRtmant.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
H lital prinsas lE sapPtad bF pilOz, wiH a wFt kAp on hx
hed (H pEnz hAd Jast left hx). strAndz v hx blAk hX lE rQnd
hx inflEmd n pxspFxiN cIä, hx cRmiN rOzi mQT wiH its
dQni lip woz Opan n SI woz smFliN Jqfali. prins /AndrM entxd
n pYzd fEsiN hx At H fUt v H sOfa on wic SI woz lFiN.
hx glitxiN Fz, fild wiH cFldlFk fC n iäFtmant, restad
on him wiHQt cEnJiN HX iäpreSan. “F lav V Yl n hAv
dan nO hRm t eniwan; wF mast F safx sO? help mI!” hx lUk
sImd t sE. SI sY hx hazband, bat did not rWlFz H signifikans
v hiz apCans bifP hx nQ. prins /AndrM went rQnd H sOfa n
kist hx fPhed.
<p>
“mF dRliN!” hI sed—a wxd hI hAd nevx Vzd t hx bifP.
“god iz mxsifal....”
<p>
SI lUkt At him inkwFxiNli n wiH cFldlFk riprOc.
<p>
“F iäpektad help from V n F get nan, nan from V FHx!”
sed hx Fz. SI woz not sxprFzd At hiz hAviN kam; SI did
not rWlFz HAt hI hAd kam. hiz kamiN hAd naTiN t dM wiH
hx safxiNz P wiH HX rilIf. H pANz bigAn agen n /mXi
/bOgdynOvna advFzd /prins /AndrM t lIv H rMm.
<p>
H doktx entxd. prins /AndrM went Qt n, mItiN /prinsas /mXi,
agen Jqnd hx. HE bigAn tYkiN in wispxz, bat HX tYk brOk
of At evri mOment. HE wEtad n lisand.
<p>
“gO, dC,” sed /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
prins /AndrM went agen t hiz wFf n sAt wEtiN in H rMm neät
t hxz. a wUman kEm from H bedrMm wiH a frFtand fEs n bikEm
kanfVzd wen SI sY /prins /AndrM. hI kavxd hiz fEs wiH hiz hAndz
n rimEnd sO f sam minits. pitWs, helplas, Animal mOnz kEm
TrM H dP. prins /AndrM got ap, went t H dP, n trFd t
Opan it. samwan woz hOldiN it Sat.
<p>
“V kAnt kam in! V kAnt!” sed a terifFd vqs from
wiHin.
<p>
hI bigAn pEsiN H rMm. H skrImiN sIst, n a fV mP sekandz
went bF. Hen sadanli a teribal SrIk—it kUd not bI hxz, SI
kUd not skrIm lFk HAt—kEm from H bedrMm. prins /AndrM rAn t
H dP; H skrIm sIst n hI hxd H wEl v an infant.
<p>
“wot hAv HE tEkan a bEbi in HX f?” TYt /prins /AndrM in
H fxst sekand. “a bEbi? wot bEbi...? wF iz HX a bEbi HX? P
iz H bEbi bPn?”
<p>
Hen sadanli hI rWlFzd H Jqfal signifikans v HAt wEl; tCz
cOkt him, n lIniN hiz elbOz on H windO sil hI bigAn t krF,
sobiN lFk a cFld. H dP Opand. H doktx wiH hiz Sxt slIvz
takt ap, wiHQt a kOt, pEl n wiH a trembaliN JY, kEm Qt
v H rMm. prins /AndrM txnd t him, bat H doktx gEv him a
biwildxd lUk n pAst bF wiHQt a wxd. a wUman raSt Qt n
sIiN /prins /AndrM stopt, hezitEtiN on H TreShOld. hI went intM
hiz wFf's rMm. SI woz lFiN ded, in H sEm paziSan hI hAd sIn
hx in fFv minits bifP n, dispFt H fiät Fz n H pAlx v
H cIä, H sEm iäpreSan woz on hx cRmiN cFldlFk fEs wiH
its apx lip kavxd wiH tFni blAk hX.
<p>
“F lav V Yl, n hAv dan nO hRm t eniwan; n wot hAv V
dan t mI?”—sed hx cRmiN, paTetik, ded fEs.
<p>
in a kPnx v H rMm samTiN red n tFni gEv a grant n skwIld
in /mXi /bOgdynOvna'z trembaliN wFt hAndz.
<p>
<p>
tM Qxz lEtx /prins /AndrM, stepiN softli, went intM hiz fyHx'z
rMm. H Old mAn Ylredi nM evriTiN. hI woz stAndiN klOs t
H dP n Az sMn Az it Opand hiz raf Old Rmz klOzd lFk a vFs
rQnd hiz san'z nek, n wiHQt a wxd hI bigAn t sob lFk a cFld.
<p>
<p>
TrI dEz lEtx H lital prinsas woz berid, n /prins /AndrM went
ap H steps t wX H kofin stUd, t giv hx H fXwel kis.
n HX in H kofin woz H sEm fEs, HO wiH klOzd Fz.
“y, wot hAv V dan t mI?” it stil sImd t sE, n /prins
/AndrM felt HAt samTiN gEv wE in hiz sOl n HAt hI woz gilti
v a sin hI kUd nFHx remadi nP fxget. hI kUd not wIp. H
Old mAn tM kEm ap n kist H wAäan lital hAndz HAt lE kwFatli
krost wan on H aHx on hx brest, n t him, tM, hx fEs sImd
t sE: “y, wot hAv V dan t mI, n wF?” n At H sFt
H Old mAn txnd ANgrili awE.
<p>
<p>
anaHx fFv dEz pAst, n Hen H jaN /prins /nikalas /yndrEevic
woz bAptFzd. H wet nxs sapPtad H kavxlat wiH hx cin, wFl
H prIst wiH a gMs feHx anqntad H bq'z lital red n
riNkald sOlz n pymz.
<p>
hiz grAndfyHx, hM woz hiz godfyHx, trembaliN n afrEd v dropiN
him, kArid H infant rQnd H bAtxd tin font n hAndad him Ovx
t H godmaHx, /prinsas /mXi. prins /AndrM sAt in anaHx rMm,
fEnt wiH fC lest H bEbi SUd bI drQnd in H font, n awEtad
H txminESan v H serimOni. hI lUkt ap Jqfali At H bEbi wen
H nxs brYt it t him n nodad aprMval wen SI tOld him HAt
H wAä wiH H bEbi'z hX hAd not saNk in H font bat hAd flOtad.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/rOstOf's SX in /dOlOâOf's dMal wiH /bezMâOf woz haSt ap bF
H efxts v H Old kQnt, n insted v bIiN digrEdad t H rANä
Az hI iäpektad hI woz apqntad an AJUtant t H gavxnx Jenxal v
/moskQ. Az a rizalt hI kUd not gO t H kantri wiH H rest v H
fAmli, bat woz kept Yl samx in /moskQ bF hiz nM dMtiz. /dOlOâOf
rikavxd, n /rOstOf bikEm veri frendli wiH him dxiN hiz
konvalesans. /dOlOâOf lE il At hiz maHx'z hM lavd him
pASanatli n tendxli, n Old /mXi /ivynOvna, hM hAd grOn fond v
/rOstOf f hiz frendSip t hx /fedja, oftan tYkt t him abQt hx
san.
<p>
“jes, /kQnt,” SI wUd sE, “hI iz tM nObal n pjUx-sOld f
Qx prezant, diprEvd wxld. nO wan nQ lavz vxcM; it sImz lFk
a riprOc t evriwan. nQ tel mI, /kQnt, woz it rFt, woz it
onxabal, v /bezMâOf? n /fedja, wiH hiz nObal spirit, lavd him
n Ivan nQ nevx sez a wxd agenst him. HOz prANä in /pItxzbxg
wen HE plEd sam triä on a palIsman, didant HE dM it
tageHx? n HX! /bezMâOf got of skotfrI, wFl /fedja hAd t
bX H hOl bxdan on hiz SOldxz. fAnsi wot hI hAd t gO TrM!
it's trM hI hAz bin rIinstEtad, bat hQ kUd HE fEl t dM HAt?
F TiNk HX wx not meni sac gAlant sanz v H fyHxlAnd Qt
HX Az hI. n nQ—His dMal! hAv HIz pIpal nO fIliN, P
onx? nOiN him t bI an Onli san, t cAlanJ him n SMt sO
strEt! it's wel /god hAd mxsi on as. n wot woz it f? hM
dazant hAv intrIã nQadEz? wF, if hI woz sO Jelas, Az F sI
TiNz hI SUd hAv SOn it sMnx, bat hI lets it gO on f manTs.
n Hen t kYl him Qt, rekaniN on /fedja not fFtiN bikoz hI
Od him mani! wot bEsnas! wot mInnas! F nO V andxstAnd
/fedja, mF dC kQnt; HAt, bilIv mI, iz wF F Am sO fond v V. fV
pIpal dM andxstAnd him. hI iz sac a lofti, hevanli sOl!”
<p>
/dOlOâOf himself dxiN hiz konvalesans spOk t /rOstOf in a wE nO
wan wUd hAv iäpektad v him.
<p>
“F nO pIpal kansidx mI a bAd mAn!” hI sed. “let Hem! F
dOnt kX a strY abQt eniwan bat HOz F lav; bat HOz F lav,
F lav sO HAt F wUd giv mF lFf f Hem, n H aHxz F'd
Trotal if HE stUd in mF wE. F hAv an adPd, a prFslas maHx,
n tM P TrI frendz—V amaN Hem—n Az f H rest F Onli
kX abQt Hem in sO fR Az HE R hRmfal P Vsfal. n mOst v
Hem R hRmfal, ispeSali H wimin. jes, dC bq,” hI kantinVd,
“F hAv met laviN, nObal, hF-mFndad men, bat F hAv not jet met
eni wimin—kQntasaz P kUä—hM wx not vInal. F hAv not jet met
HAt divFn pjUxiti n divOSan F lUk f in wimin. if F fQnd sac a
wan F'd giv mF lFf f hx! bat HOz!...” n hI mEd a Jescx
v kantempt. “n bilIv mI, if F stil vAlV mF lFf it iz
Onli bikoz F stil hOp t mIt sac a divFn krIcx, hM wil
riJenxEt, pjUxifF, n elivEt mI. bat V dOnt andxstAnd it.”
<p>
“O, jes, F kwFt andxstAnd,” Ansxd /rOstOf, hM woz andx hiz
nM frend'z inflMans.
<p>
in H Ytam H /rOstOfs ritxnd t /moskQ. xli in H wintx
/denisOf YlsO kEm bAk n stEd wiH Hem. H fxst hAf v H
wintx v 1806, wic /nikalas /rOstOf spent in /moskQ, woz wan v H
hApWst, merWst tFmz f him n H hOl fAmli. /nikalas brYt
meni jaN men t hiz pXants' hQs. /vCa woz a hAndsam gxl
v twenti; /sonja a gxl v siätIn wiH Yl H cRm v an OpaniN
flQx; /nytySa, hAf grOn ap n hAf cFld, woz nQ cFldiSli
amVziN, nQ gxliSli incAntiN.
<p>
At HAt tFm in H /rOstOfs' hQs HX privEld an Amxas
AtmasfC kAraktxistik v hOmz wX HX R veri jaN n veri
cRmiN gxlz. evri jaN mAn hM kEm t H hQs—sIiN HOz
impreSanabal, smFliN jaN fEsaz (smFliN probabli At HX On
hApinas), fIliN H Igx basal xQnd him, n hCiN H fitfal
bxsts v soN n mVzik n H inkonsikwant bat frendli prAtal v
jaN gxlz redi f eniTiN n fUl v hOp—iäpCWnst H sEm
fIliN; SXiN wiH H jaN fOk v H /rOstOfs' hQshOld a
redinas t fYl in lav n an eäpektESan v hApinas.
<p>
amaN H jaN men intradMst bF /rOstOf wan v H fxst woz
/dOlOâOf, hMm evriwan in H hQs lFkt iäept /nytySa. SI YlmOst
kworald wiH hx braHx abQt him. SI insistad HAt hI woz a bAd
mAn, n HAt in H dMal wiH /bezMâOf, /piX woz rFt n /dOlOâOf
roN, n fxHx HAt hI woz disagrIabal n annAcxal.
<p>
“HX'z naTiN f mI t andxstAnd,” SI krFd Qt wiH
rezalMt self-wil, “hI iz wikad n hRtlas. HX nQ, F lFk
jP /denisOf HO hI iz a rEk n Yl HAt, stil F lFk him; sO
V sI F dM andxstAnd. F dOnt nO hQ t pUt it... wiH His wan
evriTiN iz kAlkVlEtad, n F dOnt lFk HAt. bat /denisOf...”
<p>
“O, /denisOf iz kwFt difxant,” riplFd /nikalas, implFiN HAt
Ivan /denisOf woz naTiN kampXd t /dOlOâOf—“V mast andxstAnd
wot a sOl HX iz in /dOlOâOf, V SUd sI him wiH hiz maHx.
wot a hRt!”
<p>
“wel, F dOnt nO abQt HAt, bat F Am ankamfxtabal wiH him. n
dM V nO hI hAz fYlan in lav wiH /sonja?”
<p>
“wot nonsens...”
<p>
“F'm sxtan v it; V'l sI.”
<p>
/nytySa'z pridikSan prMvd trM. /dOlOâOf, hM did not VZMali kX
f H sasFati v lEdiz, bigAn t kam oftan t H hQs, n H
kwescan f hMz sEk hI kEm (HO nO wan spOk v it) woz sMn
setald. hI kEm bikoz v /sonja. n /sonja, HO SI wUd nevx
hAv dXd t sE sO, nM it n blaSt skRlat evri tFm /dOlOâOf
apCd.
<p>
/dOlOâOf oftan dFnd At H /rOstOfs', nevx mist a pxfPmans At
wic HE wx prezant, n went t /iOgel'z bYlz f jaN pIpal
wic H /rOstOfs YlwEz atendad. hI woz pqntadli atentiv t /sonja
n lUkt At hx in sac a wE HAt not Onli kUd SI not bX hiz
glAnsaz wiHQt kalxiN, bat Ivan H Old kQntas n /nytySa blaSt
wen HE sY hiz lUä.
<p>
it woz evidant HAt His strEnJ, stroN mAn woz andx H irizistabal
inflMans v H dRk, grEsfal gxl hM lavd anaHx.
<p>
/rOstOf nOtist samTiN nM in /dOlOâOf's rilESanz wiH /sonja,
bat hI did not iäplEn t himself wot HIz nM rilESanz wx.
“HE'x YlwEz in lav wiH samwan,” hI TYt v /sonja n
/nytySa. bat hI woz not Az mac At Iz wiH /sonja n /dOlOâOf Az
bifP n woz les frIkwantli At hOm.
<p>
in H Ytam v 1806 evribodi hAd agen bigan tYkiN v H wP wiH
/napOlWn wiH Ivan grEtx wPmT HAn H jC bifP. Pdxz wx
givan t rEz rikrMts, ten men in evri TQzand f H regVlx Rmi,
n bisFdz His, nFn men in evri TQzand f H miliSa. evriwX
/bOnapRt woz anATamatFzd n in /moskQ naTiN bat H kamiN wP
woz tYkt v. f H /rOstOf fAmli H hOl intxast v HIz
prepxESanz f wP lE in H fAkt HAt /nikalas wUd not hC v
rimEniN in /moskQ, n Onli awEtad H txminESan v /denisOf's
fxlO Aftx /krismas t ritxn wiH him t HX reJimant. hiz
aprOciN dipRcx did not privent hiz amVziN himself, bat rAHx
gEv zest t hiz pleZxz. hI spent H grEtx pRt v hiz tFm awE
from hOm, At dinxz, pRtiz, n bYlz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
on H Txd dE Aftx /krismas /nikalas dFnd At hOm, a TiN hI hAd
rXli dan v lEt. it woz a grAnd fXwel dinx, Az hI n /denisOf
wx lIviN t Jqn HX reJimant Aftx /ipifani. abQt twenti pIpal
wx prezant, inklMdiN /dOlOâOf n /denisOf.
<p>
nevx hAd lav bin sO mac in H X, n nevx hAd H Amxas
AtmasfC mEd itself sO stroNli felt in H /rOstOfs' hQs Az At
His holidE tFm. “sIz H mOments v hApinas, lav n bI lavd!
HAt iz H Onli riAliti in H wxld, Yl els iz foli. it iz H wan
TiN wI R intxastad in hC,” sed H spirit v H plEs.
<p>
/nikalas, hAviN Az VZMal iãYstad tM pXz v hPsaz, wiHQt
vizitiN Yl H plEsaz hI ment t gO t n wX hI hAd bin invFtad,
ritxnd hOm Jast bifP dinx. Az sMn Az hI entxd hI nOtist n
felt H tenSan v H Amxas X in H hQs, n YlsO nOtist a
kjUxWs imbArasmant amaN sam v HOz prezant. /sonja, /dOlOâOf,
n H Old kQntas wx ispeSali distxbd, n t a lesx digrI
/nytySa. /nikalas andxstUd HAt samTiN mast hAv hApand bitwIn
/sonja n /dOlOâOf bifP dinx, n wiH H kFndli sensitivnas
nAcxal t him woz veri Jental n wXi wiH Hem bOT At dinx. on
HAt sEm IvniN HX woz t bI wan v H bYlz HAt /iOgel (H
dAnsiN mAstx) gEv f hiz pVpalz dxiN H holidEz.
<p>
“/nikalas, wil V kam t /iOgel'z? plIz dM!” sed /nytySa.
“hI Askt V, n /vysili /dmItric * iz YlsO gOiN.”
<p>
    * /denisOf.
<p>
“wX wUd F not gO At H kQntas' kamAnd!” sed /denisOf,
hM At H /rOstOfs' hAd JokVlxli asMmd H rOl v /nytySa'z
nFt. “F'm Ivan /wIdi t dAns H py de chale.”
<p>
“if F hAv tFm,” Ansxd /nikalas. “bat F promist H
/RâROvz; HE hAv a pRti.”
<p>
“n V?” hI Askt /dOlOâOf, bat Az sMn Az hI hAd Askt H
kwescan hI nOtist HAt it SUd not hAv bin pUt.
<p>
“pxhAps,” kOldli n ANgrili riplFd /dOlOâOf, glAnsiN At /sonja,
n, skQliN, hI gEv /nikalas Jast sac a lUk Az hI hAd givan /piX
At H klab dinx.
<p>
“HX iz samTiN ap,” TYt /nikalas, n hI woz fxHx
kanfxmd in His kanklMZan bF H fAkt HAt /dOlOâOf left imIdWtli
Aftx dinx. hI kYld /nytySa n Askt hx wot woz H mAtx.
<p>
“n F woz lUkiN f V,” sed /nytySa raniN Qt t him. “F
tOld V, bat V wUd not bilIv it,” SI sed trFamfantli. “hI
hAz prapOzd t /sonja!”
<p>
lital Az /nikalas hAd okVpFd himself wiH /sonja v lEt, samTiN
sImd t giv wE wiHin him At His nMz. /dOlOâOf woz a sMtabal n
in sam rispekts a brilWnt mAc f H dQxlas, Pfan gxl. from
H pqnt v vV v H Old kQntas n v sasFati it woz Qt v H
kwescan f hx t rifVz him. n HXfP /nikalas' fxst fIliN
on hCiN H nMz woz wan v ANgx wiH /sonja.... hI trFd t sE,
“HAt's kApital; v kPs SI'l fxget hx cFldiS promisaz
n aäept H ofx,” bat bifP hI hAd tFm t sE it /nytySa bigAn
agen.
<p>
“n fAnsi! SI rifVzd him kwFt definitli!” AdiN, Aftx a
pYz, “SI tOld him SI lavd anaHx.”
<p>
“jes, mF /sonja kUd not hAv dan aHxwFz!” TYt /nikalas.
<p>
“mac Az /mymy prest hx, SI rifVzd, n F nO SI wOnt cEnJ
wans SI hAz sed...”
<p>
“n /mymy prest hx!” sed /nikalas riprOcfali.
<p>
“jes,” sed /nytySa. “dM V nO, /nikalas—dOnt bI
ANgri—bat F nO V wil not mAri hx. F nO, hevan nOz hQ, bat
F nO f sxtan HAt V wOnt mAri hx.”
<p>
“nQ V dOnt nO HAt At Yl!” sed /nikalas. “bat F mast
tYk t hx. wot a dRliN /sonja iz!” hI Adad wiH a smFl.
<p>
“y, SI iz indId a dRliN! F'l send hx t V.”
<p>
n /nytySa kist hx braHx n rAn awE.
<p>
a minit lEtx /sonja kEm in wiH a frFtand, gilti, n skXd
lUk. /nikalas went ap t hx n kist hx hAnd. His woz H fxst
tFm sins hiz ritxn HAt HE hAd tYkt alOn n abQt HX lav.
<p>
“/sOfi,” hI bigAn, timidli At fxst n Hen mP n mP
bOldli, “if V wiS t rifVz wan hM iz not Onli a brilWnt n
AdvantEJas mAc bat a splendid, nObal felO... hI iz mF frend...”
<p>
/sonja intxaptad him.
<p>
“F hAv Ylredi rifVzd,” SI sed haridli.
<p>
“if V R rifVziN f mF sEk, F Am afrEd HAt F...”
<p>
/sonja agen intxaptad. SI gEv him an implPiN, frFtand lUk.
<p>
“/nikalas, dOnt tel mI HAt!” SI sed.
<p>
“nO, bat F mast. it mE bI Aragant v mI, bat stil it iz best t sE
it. if V rifVz him on mF akQnt, F mast tel V H hOl trMT. F
lav V, n F TiNk F lav V mP HAn eniwan els....”
<p>
“HAt iz inaf f mI,” sed /sonja, blaSiN.
<p>
“nO, bat F hAv bin in lav a TQzand tFmz n SAl fYl in
lav agen, HO f nO wan hAv F sac a fIliN v frendSip,
konfidans, n lav Az F hAv f V. Hen F Am jaN. mymy daz
not wiS it. in a wxd, F mEk nO promis. n F beg V t kansidx
/dOlOâOf's ofx,” hI sed, RtikVlEtiN hiz frend'z nEm wiH
difikalti.
<p>
“dOnt sE HAt t mI! F wont naTiN. F lav V Az a braHx n
YlwEz SAl, n F wont naTiN mP.”
<p>
“V R an EnJal: F Am not wxHi v V, bat F Am afrEd v
mislIdiN V.”
<p>
n /nikalas agen kist hx hAnd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
/iOgel'z wx H mOst inJqabal bYlz in /moskQ. sO sed H maHxz
Az HE woct HX jaN pIpal eäikVtiN HX nMli lxnd steps,
n sO sed H VHz n mEdanz Hemselvz Az HE dAnst til HE
wx redi t drop, n sO sed H grOn-ap jaN men n wimin hM
kEm t HIz bYlz wiH an X v kondisenSan n fQnd Hem mOst
inJqabal. HAt jC tM mAriJaz hAd kam v HIz bYlz. H tM
priti jaN /prinsasaz /gPcykOf met sMtxz HX n wx mArid
n sO fxHx inkrIst H fEm v HIz dAnsaz. wot distiNgwiSt
Hem from aHxz woz H Absans v hOst P hOstas n H prezans v
H gUd-nEcxd /iOgel, flFiN abQt lFk a feHx n bQiN akPdiN
t H rMlz v hiz Rt, Az hI kalektad H tikats from Yl hiz
vizitxz. HX woz H fAkt HAt Onli HOz kEm hM wiSt t dAns
n amVz Hemselvz Az gxlz v TxtIn n fPtIn dM hM R
wXiN loN dresaz f H fxst tFm. wiH skXsli eni iäepSanz
HE Yl wx, P sImd t bI, priti—sO rApcxas wx HX smFlz
n sO spRkaliN HX Fz. samtFmz H best v H pVpalz, v hMm
/nytySa, hM woz iäepSanali grEsfal, woz fxst, Ivan dAnst H py
de chale, bat At His lAst bYl Onli H IkosaFz, H ANgalaFz, n
H mazxka, wic woz Jast kamiN intM fASan, wx dAnst. /iOgel hAd
tEkan a bYlrMm in /bezMâOf's hQs, n H bYl, Az evriwan sed,
woz a grEt saäes. HX wx meni priti gxlz n H /rOstOf gxlz
wx amaN H pritWst. HE wx bOT pxtikVlxli hApi n gE.
HAt IvniN, prQd v /dOlOâOf's prapOzal, hx rifVzal, n hx
eäplanESan wiH /nikalas, /sonja twxld abQt bifP SI left hOm
sO HAt H mEd kUd hRdli get hx hX plEtad, n SI woz
trAnspArantli rEdWnt wiH impalsiv Jq.
<p>
/nytySa nO les prQd v hx fxst loN dres n v bIiN At a rWl
bYl woz Ivan hApC. HE wx bOT drest in wFt mazlin wiH piNk
ribanz.
<p>
/nytySa fel in lav H veri mOment SI entxd H bYlrMm. SI
woz not in lav wiH eniwan in pxtikVlx, bat wiH evriwan. wotevx
pxsan SI hApand t lUk At SI woz in lav wiH f HAt mOment.
<p>
“O, hQ dilFtfal it iz!” SI kept sEiN, raniN ap t /sonja.
<p>
/nikalas n /denisOf wx wYkiN ap n dQn, lUkiN wiH kFndli
pEtraniJ At H dAnsxz.
<p>
“hQ swIt SI iz—SI wil bI a wIl bVti!” sed /denisOf.
<p>
“hM?”
<p>
“kQntas /nytySa,” Ansxd /denisOf.
<p>
“n hQ SI dAnsaz! wot /gwas!” hI sed agen Aftx a pYz.
<p>
“hM R V tYkiN abQt?”
<p>
“abQt jP sistx,” iJAkVlEtad /denisOf testili.
<p>
/rOstOf smFld.
<p>
“mF dC kQnt, V wx wan v mF best pVpalz—V mast dAns,”
sed lital /iOgel kamiN ap t /nikalas. “lUk hQ meni cRmiN jaN
lEdiz—” hI txnd wiH H sEm rikwest t /denisOf hM woz YlsO a
fPmx pVpal v hiz.
<p>
“nO, mF dC felO, F'l bI a wYlflQx,” sed /denisOf.
“dOnt V wekalekt wot bAd Vs F mEd v jP lesanz?”
<p>
“O nO!” sed /iOgel, hEsaniN t rIaSUx him. “V wx Onli
inatentiv, bat V hAd tAlant—O jes, V hAd tAlant!”
<p>
H bAnd strak ap H nMli intradMst mazxka. /nikalas kUd not
rifVz /iOgel n Askt /sonja t dAns. /denisOf sAt dQn bF H Old
lEdiz n, lIniN on hiz sEbx n bItiN tFm wiH hiz fUt, tOld
Hem samTiN fani n kept Hem amVzd, wFl hI woct H jaN
pIpal dAnsiN, /iOgel wiH /nytySa, hiz prFd n hiz best pVpal, wx
H fxst kapal. nqzlasli, skilfali stepiN wiH hiz lital
fIt in lO SMz, /iOgel flM fxst akros H hYl wiH /nytySa, hM,
HO SF, went on kXfali eäikVtiN hx steps. /denisOf did not
tEk hiz Fz of hx n bIt tFm wiH hiz sEbx in a wE HAt klCli
indikEtad HAt if hI woz not dAnsiN it woz bikoz hI wUd not n not
bikoz hI kUd not. in H midal v a figjx hI bekand t /rOstOf
hM woz pAsiN:
<p>
“His iz not At Yl H TiN,” hI sed. “wot sPt v /pOliS
mazuwka iz His? bat SI daz dAns splendidli.”
<p>
nOiN HAt /denisOf hAd a repVtESan Ivan in /pOland f H mAstxli
wE in wic hI dAnst H mazxka, /nikalas rAn ap t /nytySa:
<p>
“gO n cMz /denisOf. hI iz a rWl dAnsx, a wandx!” hI sed.
<p>
wen it kEm t /nytySa'z txn t cMz a pRtnx, SI rOz n,
tripiN rApidli akros in hx lital SMz trimd wiH bOz, rAn
timidli t H kPnx wX /denisOf sAt. SI sY HAt evribodi woz
lUkiN At hx n wEtiN. /nikalas sY HAt /denisOf woz rifVziN
HO hI smFld dilFtadli. hI rAn ap t Hem.
<p>
“plIz, /vysili /dmItric,” /nytySa woz sEiN, “dM kam!”
<p>
“O nO, let mI of, /kQntas,” /denisOf riplFd.
<p>
“nQ Hen, /vyska,” sed /nikalas.
<p>
“HE kOä mI Az if F wx /vyska H kAt!” sed /denisOf JOkiNli.
<p>
“F'l siN f V a hOl IvniN,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
“O, H fEwi! SI kAn dM eniTiN wiH mI!” sed /denisOf, n
hI anhUkt hiz sEbx. hI kEm Qt from bihFnd H cXz, klAspt hiz
pRtnx'z hAnd fxmli, TrM bAk hiz hed, n advAnst hiz fUt,
wEtiN f H bIt. Onli on hPs bAk n in H mazxka woz
/denisOf's SPt stAcx not nOtisabal n hI lUkt H fFn felO
hI felt himself t bI. At H rFt bIt v H mVzik hI lUkt sFdwEz
At hiz pRtnx wiH a meri n trFamfant X, sadanli stAmpt wiH
wan fUt, bQndad from H flP lFk a bYl, n flM rQnd H rMm
tEkiN hiz pRtnx wiH him. hI glFdad sFlantli on wan fUt hAf akros
H rMm, n sImiN not t nOtis H cXz woz dASiN strEt At
Hem, wen sadanli, kliNkiN hiz spxz n sprediN Qt hiz leã,
hI stopt SPt on hiz hIlz, stUd sO a sekand, stAmpt on H spot
klANkiN hiz spxz, wxld rApidli rQnd, n, strFkiN hiz left hIl
agenst hiz rFt, flM rQnd agen in a sxkal. /nytySa gest wot
hI ment t dM, n abAndaniN hxself t him folOd hiz lId hRdli
nOiN hQ. fxst hI span hx rQnd, hOldiN hx nQ wiH hiz left, nQ
wiH hiz rFt hAnd, Hen fYliN on wan nI hI twxld hx rQnd him,
n agen JampiN ap, dASt sO impecMasli fPwxd HAt it sImd Az if
hI wUd raS TrM H hOl swIt v rMmz wiHQt drYiN breT,
n Hen hI sadanli stopt n pxfPmd sam nM n aniäpektad
steps. wen At lAst, smRtli wxliN hiz pRtnx rQnd in frant v hx
cX, hI drM ap wiH a klik v hiz spxz n bQd t hx, /nytySa
did not Ivan mEk him a kxtsi. SI fiät hx Fz on him in amEzmant,
smFliN Az if SI did not rekagnFz him.
<p>
“wot daz His mIn?” SI brYt Qt.
<p>
YlHO /iOgel did not aknoliJ His t bI H rWl mazxka, evriwan
woz dilFtad wiH /denisOf's skil, hI woz Askt agen n agen Az
a pRtnx, n H Old men bigAn smFliNli t tYk abQt /pOland n H
gUd Old dEz. /denisOf, flaSt Aftx H mazxka n mopiN himself
wiH hiz hANkxcif, sAt dQn bF /nytySa n did not lIv hx f
H rest v H IvniN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
f tM dEz Aftx HAt /rOstOf did not sI /dOlOâOf At hiz On P At
/dOlOâOf's hOm: on H Txd dE hI risIvd a nOt from him:
<p>
Az F dM not intend t bI At jP hQs agen f rIzanz V nO
v, n Am gOiN t rIJqn mF reJimant, F Am giviN a fXwel sapx
tanFt t mF frendz—kam t H /iNgliS /hOtel.
<p>
abQt ten O'klok /rOstOf went t H /iNgliS /hOtel strEt from H
TWtx, wX hI hAd bin wiH hiz fAmli n /denisOf. hI woz At wans
SOn t H best rMm, wic /dOlOâOf hAd tEkan f HAt IvniN. sam
twenti men wx gAHxd rQnd a tEbal At wic /dOlOâOf sAt bitwIn
tM kAndalz. on H tEbal woz a pFl v gOld n pEpx mani, n hI
woz kIpiN H bANk. /rOstOf hAd not sIn him sins hiz prapOzal n
/sonja'z rifVzal n felt ankamfxtabal At H TYt v hQ HE
wUd mIt.
<p>
/dOlOâOf's klC, kOld glAns met /rOstOf Az sMn Az hI entxd H
dP, Az HO hI hAd loN iäpektad him.
<p>
“it's a loN tFm sins wI met,” hI sed. “TANä f kamiN.
F'l Jast finiS dIliN, n Hen /ilVSka wil kam wiH hiz
kPas.”
<p>
“F kYld wans P twFs At jP hQs,” sed /rOstOf, redaniN.
<p>
/dOlOâOf mEd nO riplF.
<p>
“V mE pant,” hI sed.
<p>
/rOstOf rikYld At HAt mOment a strEnJ konvxsESan hI hAd wans hAd
wiH /dOlOâOf. “nan bat fMlz trast t lak in plE,” /dOlOâOf
hAd Hen sed.
<p>
“P R V afrEd t plE wiH mI?” /dOlOâOf nQ Askt Az if
gesiN /rOstOf's TYt.
<p>
binIT hiz smFl /rOstOf sY in him H mMd hI hAd SOn At H klab
dinx n At aHx tFmz, wen Az if tFxd v evridE lFf hI hAd felt
a nId t iskEp from it bF sam strEnJ, n VZMali krMal, AkSan.
<p>
/rOstOf felt il At Iz. hI trFd, bat fEld, t fFnd sam JOk wiH
wic t riplF t /dOlOâOf's wxdz. bat bifP hI hAd TYt v
eniTiN, /dOlOâOf, lUkiN strEt in hiz fEs, sed slOli n
dilibxatli sO HAt evriwan kUd hC:
<p>
“dM V rimembx wI hAd a tYk abQt kRdz... 'hI'z a fMl hM
trasts t lak, wan SUd mEk sxtan,' n F wont t trF.”
<p>
“t trF hiz lak P H sxtanti?” /rOstOf Askt himself.
<p>
“wel, V'd betx not plE,” /dOlOâOf Adad, n spriNiN a
nM pAk v kRdz sed: “bANk, Jentalmen!”
<p>
mMviN H mani fPwxd hI pripXd t dIl. /rOstOf sAt dQn bF hiz
sFd n At fxst did not plE. /dOlOâOf kept glAnsiN At him.
<p>
“wF dOnt V plE?” hI Askt.
<p>
n strEnJ t sE /nikalas felt HAt hI kUd not help tEkiN ap a
kRd, pUtiN a smYl stEk on it, n biginiN t plE.
<p>
“F hAv nO mani wiH mI,” hI sed.
<p>
“F'l trast V.”
<p>
/rOstOf stEkt fFv rMbalz on a kRd n lost, stEkt agen, n agen
lost. /dOlOâOf “kild,” HAt iz, bIt, ten kRdz v /rOstOf's
raniN.
<p>
“Jentalmen,” sed /dOlOâOf Aftx hI hAd delt f sam tFm.
“plIz plEs jP mani on H kRdz P F mE get madald in H
rekaniN.”
<p>
wan v H plExz sed hI hOpt hI mFt bI trastad.
<p>
“jes, V mFt, bat F Am afrEd v getiN H akQnts miät. sO F
Ask V t pUt H mani on jP kRdz,” riplFd /dOlOâOf. “dOnt
stint jPself, wI'l setal Aftxwxdz,” hI Adad, txniN t
/rOstOf.
<p>
H gEm kantinVd; a wEtx kept hAndiN rQnd SAmpEn.
<p>
Yl /rOstOf's kRdz wx bItan n hI hAd Et handrad rMbalz skPd
ap agenst him. hI rOt “800 rMbalz” on a kRd, bat wFl H
wEtx fild hiz glAs hI cEnJd hiz mFnd n Yltxd it t hiz VZMal
stEk v twenti rMbalz.
<p>
“lIv it,” sed /dOlOâOf, HO hI did not sIm t bI Ivan
lUkiN At /rOstOf, “V'l win it bAk Yl H sMnx. F lMz t
H aHxz bat win from V. P R V afrEd v mI?” hI Askt agen.
<p>
/rOstOf sabmitad. hI let H Et handrad rimEn n lEd dQn a sevan
v hRts wiH a tPn kPnx, wic hI hAd pikt ap from H flP. hI
wel rimembxd HAt sevan Aftxwxdz. hI lEd dQn H sevan v hRts,
on wic wiH a brOkan bit v cYk hI hAd ritan “800 rMbalz” in
klC aprFt figjxz; hI emptid H glAs v wPm SAmpEn HAt woz
hAndad him, smFld At /dOlOâOf's wxdz, n wiH a siNkiN hRt,
wEtiN f a sevan t txn ap, gEzd At /dOlOâOf's hAndz wic held
H pAk. mac dipendad on /rOstOf's winiN P lMziN on HAt sevan
v hRts. on H prIvWs sandE H Old kQnt hAd givan hiz san
tM TQzand rMbalz, n HO hI YlwEz dislFkt spIkiN v mani
difikaltiz hAd tOld /nikalas HAt His woz Yl hI kUd let him hAv
til mE, n Askt him t bI mP Ikanomikal His tFm. /nikalas hAd
riplFd HAt it wUd bI mP HAn inaf f him n HAt hI gEv hiz
wxd v onx not t tEk eniTiN mP til H spriN. nQ Onli twelv
handrad rMbalz woz left v HAt mani, sO HAt His sevan v hRts
ment f him not Onli H los v siätIn handrad rMbalz, bat H
nisesiti v gOiN bAk on hiz wxd. wiH a siNkiN hRt hI woct
/dOlOâOf's hAndz n TYt, “nQ Hen, mEk hEst n let mI hAv
His kRd n F'l tEk mF kAp n drFv hOm t sapx wiH /denisOf,
/nytySa, n /sonja, n wil sxtanli nevx tac a kRd agen.” At
HAt mOment hiz hOm lFf, JOä wiH /petja, tYä wiH /sonja, dMets
wiH /nytySa, piket wiH hiz fyHx, n Ivan hiz kamfxtabal bed
in H hQs on H /pOvRskFa rOz bifP him wiH sac vividnas,
klCnas, n cRm HAt it sImd Az if it wx Yl a lost n
anaprISiEtad blis, loN pAst. hI kUd not kansIv HAt a stMpid
cAns, letiN H sevan bI delt t H rFt rAHx HAn t H left,
mFt diprFv him v Yl His hApinas, nMli aprISiEtad n nMli
ilMmind, n planJ him intM H depTs v annOn n andifFnd
mizxi. HAt kUd not bI, jet hI awEtad wiH a siNkiN hRt H
mMvmant v /dOlOâOf's hAndz. HOz brYd, rediS hAndz, wiH hXi
rists vizabal from andx H Sxt kafs, lEd dQn H pAk n tUk
ap a glAs n a pFp HAt wx hAndad him.
<p>
“sO V R not afrEd t plE wiH mI?” ripItad /dOlOâOf, n Az
if abQt t tel a gUd stPi hI pUt dQn H kRdz, lInd bAk in hiz
cX, n bigAn dilibxatli wiH a smFl:
<p>
“jes, Jentalmen, F'v bin tOld HX'z a rMmx gOiN abQt /moskQ
HAt F'm a SRpx, sO F advFz V t bI kXfal.”
<p>
“kam nQ, dIl!” iäklEmd /rOstOf.
<p>
“O, HOz /moskQ gosips!” sed /dOlOâOf, n hI tUk ap H kRdz
wiH a smFl.
<p>
“y!” /rOstOf YlmOst skrImd liftiN bOT hAndz t hiz hed. H
sevan hI nIdad woz lFiN apxmOst, H fxst kRd in H pAk. hI hAd
lost mP HAn hI kUd pE.
<p>
“stil, dOnt rMin jPself!” sed /dOlOâOf wiH a sFd glAns At
/rOstOf Az hI kantinVd t dIl.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
an Qx n a hAf lEtx mOst v H plExz wx bat lital intxastad
in HX On plE.
<p>
H hOl intxast woz konsantrEtad on /rOstOf. insted v siätIn
handrad rMbalz hI hAd a loN kolam v figjxz skPd agenst him,
wic hI hAd rekand ap t ten TQzand, bat HAt nQ, Az hI vEgli
sapOzd, mast hAv rizan t fiftIn TQzand. in riAliti it Ylredi
iäIdad twenti TQzand rMbalz. /dOlOâOf woz nO loNgx lisaniN t
stPiz P teliN Hem, bat folOd evri mMvmant v /rOstOf's
hAndz n akEZanali rAn hiz Fz Ovx H skP agenst him. hI hAd
disFdad t plE antil HAt skP rIct fPti-TrI TQzand. hI
hAd fiät on HAt nambx bikoz fPti-TrI woz H sam v hiz n
/sonja'z Jqnt EJaz. /rOstOf, lIniN hiz hed on bOT hAndz, sAt At
H tEbal wic woz skrYld Ovx wiH figjxz, wet wiH spild wFn,
n litxd wiH kRdz. wan tPmentiN impreSan did not lIv him:
HAt HOz brYd-bOnd rediS hAndz wiH hXi rists vizabal from
andx H Sxt slIvz, HOz hAndz wic hI lavd n hEtad, held him
in HX pQx.
<p>
“siä handrad rMbalz, Es, a kPnx, a nFn... winiN it bAk's
imposabal... O, hQ plezant it woz At hOm!... H nEv, dabal P
kwits... it kAnt bI!... n wF iz hI dMiN His t mI?” /rOstOf
pondxd. samtFmz hI stEkt a lRJ sam, bat /dOlOâOf rifVzd t
aäept it n fiät H stEk himself. /nikalas sabmitad t him, n At
wan mOment prEd t /god Az hI hAd dan on H bAtalfIld At H briJ
Ovx H /enz, n Hen gest HAt H kRd HAt kEm fxst t hAnd
from H krampald hIp andx H tEbal wUd sEv him, nQ kQntad H
kPdz on hiz kOt n tUk a kRd wiH HAt nambx n trFd stEkiN H
tOtal v hiz losaz on it, Hen hI lUkt rQnd f Ed from H aHx
plExz, P pCd At H nQ kOld fEs v /dOlOâOf n trFd t rId
wot woz pAsiN in hiz mFnd.
<p>
“hI nOz v kPs wot His los mInz t mI. hI kAnt wont mF
rMin. wozant hI mF frend? wozant F fond v him? bat it's not hiz
fYlt. wot's hI t dM if hI hAz sac lak?... n it's not mF fYlt
FHx,” hI TYt t himself, “F hAv dan naTiN roN. hAv F
kild eniwan, P insaltad P wiSt hRm t eniwan? wF sac a teribal
misfPcMn? n wen did it bigin? sac a lital wFl agO F kEm t
His tEbal wiH H TYt v winiN a handrad rMbalz t bF HAt
kyskat f /mymy'z nEm dE n Hen gOiN hOm. F woz sO hApi, sO
frI, sO lFthRtad! n F did not rWlFz hQ hApi F woz! wen did
HAt end n wen did His nM, teribal stEt v TiNz bigin? wot
mRkt H cEnJ? F sAt Yl H tFm in His sEm plEs At His tEbal,
cOz n plEst kRdz, n woct HOz brYd-bOnd AJFl hAndz in H
sEm wE. wen did it hApan n wot hAz hApand? F Am wel n stroN
n stil H sEm n in H sEm plEs. nO, it kAnt bI! SUxli it
wil Yl end in naTiN!”
<p>
hI woz flaSt n bEHd in pxspxESan, HO H rMm woz not hot.
hiz fEs woz teribal n pitWs t sI, ispeSali from its helplas
efxts t sIm kym.
<p>
H skP agenst him rIct H fEtfal sam v fPti-TrI TQzand.
/rOstOf hAd Jast pripXd a kRd, bF bendiN H kPnx v wic hI
ment t dabal H TrI TQzand Jast pUt dQn t hiz skP, wen
/dOlOâOf, slAmiN dQn H pAk v kRdz, pUt it asFd n bigAn
rApidli AdiN ap H tOtal v /rOstOf's det, brEkiN H cYk Az
hI mRkt H figjxz in hiz klC, bOld hAnd.
<p>
“sapx, it's tFm f sapx! n hC R H Jipsiz!”
<p>
sam swPHi men n wimin wx rWli entxiN from H kOld QtsFd
n sEiN samTiN in HX Jipsi Aäents. /nikalas andxstUd HAt it
woz Yl Ovx; bat hI sed in an indifxant tOn:
<p>
“wel, wOnt V gO on? F hAd a splendid kRd Yl redi,” Az if it
wx H fan v H gEm wic intxastad him mOst.
<p>
“it's Yl ap! F'm lost!” TYt hI. “nQ a bUlat TrM mF
brEn—HAt's Yl HAt's left mI!” n At H sEm tFm hI sed
in a cCfal vqs:
<p>
“kam nQ, Jast His wan mP lital kRd!”
<p>
“Yl rFt!” sed /dOlOâOf, hAviN finiSt H adiSan. “Yl
rFt! twenti-wan rMbalz,” hI sed, pqntiN t H figjx twenti-wan
bF wic H tOtal iäIdad H rQnd sam v fPti-TrI TQzand; n
tEkiN ap a pAk hI pripXd t dIl. /rOstOf sabmisivli anbent H
kPnx v hiz kRd n, insted v H siä TQzand hI hAd intendad,
kXfali rOt twenti-wan.
<p>
“it's Yl H sEm t mI,” hI sed. “F Onli wont t sI weHx
V wil let mI win His ten, P bIt it.”
<p>
/dOlOâOf bigAn t dIl sCWsli. O, hQ /rOstOf ditestad At HAt
mOment HOz hAndz wiH HX SPt rediS fiNgxz n hXi rists,
wic held him in HX pQx.... H ten fel t him.
<p>
“V O fPti-TrI TQzand, /kQnt,” sed /dOlOâOf, n
streciN himself hI rOz from H tEbal. “wan daz get tFxd sitiN
sO loN,” hI Adad.
<p>
“jes, F'm tFxd tM,” sed /rOstOf.
<p>
/dOlOâOf kat him SPt, Az if t rimFnd him HAt it woz not f him t
Jest.
<p>
“wen Am F t risIv H mani, /kQnt?”
<p>
/rOstOf, flaSiN, drM /dOlOâOf intM H neät rMm.
<p>
“F kAnot pE it Yl imIdWtli. wil V tEk an I.O.U.?” hI sed.
<p>
“F sE, /rOstOf,” sed /dOlOâOf klCli, smFliN n lUkiN
/nikalas strEt in H Fz, “V nO H sEiN, '/laki in lav,
anlaki At kRdz.' jP kazan iz in lav wiH V, F nO.”
<p>
“O, it's teribal t fIl wanself sO in His mAn'z pQx,”
TYt /rOstOf. hI nM wot a Sok hI wUd inflikt on hiz fyHx n
maHx bF H nMz v His los, hI nM wot a rilIf it wUd bI t
iskEp it Yl, n felt HAt /dOlOâOf nM HAt hI kUd sEv him from
Yl His SEm n sorO, bat wontad nQ t plE wiH him Az a kAt daz
wiH a mQs.
<p>
“jP kazan...” /dOlOâOf stRtad t sE, bat /nikalas intxaptad
him.
<p>
“mF kazan hAz naTiN t dM wiH His n it's not nesisXi t
menSan hx!” hI iäklEmd fCsli.
<p>
“Hen wen Am F t hAv it?”
<p>
“tamorO,” riplFd /rOstOf n left H rMm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
t sE “tamorO” n kIp ap a dignifFd tOn woz not difikalt,
bat t gO hOm alOn, sI hiz sistxz, braHx, maHx, n fyHx,
kanfes n Ask f mani hI hAd nO rFt t Aftx giviN hiz wxd v
onx, woz teribal.
<p>
At hOm, HE hAd not jet gon t bed. H jaN pIpal, Aftx ritxniN
from H TWtx, hAd hAd sapx n wx grMpt rQnd H klAvikPd.
Az sMn Az /nikalas entxd, hI woz infOldad in HAt pOetik AtmasfC
v lav wic pxvEdad H /rOstOf hQshOld HAt wintx n, nQ Aftx
/dOlOâOf's prapOzal n /iOgel'z bYl, sImd t hAv grOn Tikx
rQnd /sonja n /nytySa Az H X daz bifP a TandxstPm. /sonja
n /nytySa, in H lFt-blM dresaz HE hAd wPn At H TWtx,
lUkiN priti n konSas v it, wx stAndiN bF H klAvikPd,
hApi n smFliN. /vCa woz plEiN ces wiH /SinSin in H drYiN
rMm. H Old kQntas, wEtiN f H ritxn v hx hazband n san,
sAt plEiN pESans wiH H Old JentalwUman hM livd in HX hQs.
/denisOf, wiH spRkaliN Fz n rafald hX, sAt At H klAvikPd
strFkiN kPdz wiH hiz SPt fiNgxz, hiz leã TrOn bAk n hiz
Fz rOliN Az hI sAN, wiH hiz smYl, haski, bat trM vqs, sam
vxsaz kYld “incAntras,” wic hI hAd kampOzd, n t wic hI
woz trFiN t fit mVzik:
<p>
   incAntras, sE, t mF fxsEkan lFx
   wot mAJik pQx iz His rikYlz mI stil?
   wot spRk hAz set mF inmOst sOl on fFx,
   wot iz His blis HAt mEä mF fiNgxz Tril?
<p>
hI woz siNiN in pASanat tOnz, gEziN wiH hiz spRkaliN
blAk-Agat Fz At H frFtand n hApi /nytySa.
<p>
“splendid! eäalant!” iäklEmd /nytySa. “anaHx vxs,” SI
sed, wiHQt nOtisiN /nikalas.
<p>
“evriTiN'z stil H sEm wiH Hem,” TYt /nikalas,
glAnsiN intM H drYiN rMm, wX hI sY /vCa n hiz maHx wiH
H Old lEdi.
<p>
“y, n hC'z /nikalas!” krFd /nytySa, raniN ap t him.
<p>
“iz /pypy At hOm?” hI Askt.
<p>
“F Am sO glAd V'v kam!” sed /nytySa, wiHQt AnsxiN him.
“wI R inJqiN Qxselvz! /vysili /dmItric iz stEiN a dE loNgx
f mF sEk! did V nO?”
<p>
“nO, /pypy iz not bAk jet,” sed /sonja.
<p>
“/nikalas, hAv V kam? kam hC, dC!” kYld H Old kQntas
from H drYiN rMm.
<p>
/nikalas went t hx, kist hx hAnd, n sitiN dQn sFlantli At hx
tEbal bigAn t woc hx hAndz xEnJiN H kRdz. from H dAnsiN
rMm, HE stil hxd H lAftx n meri vqsaz trFiN t pxswEd
/nytySa t siN.
<p>
“Yl wFt! Yl wFt!” SQtad /denisOf. “it's nO gUd mEkiN
iäkVsaz nQ! it's jP txn t siN H ba'cawolla—F intwIt
V!”
<p>
H kQntas glAnst At hx sFlant san.
<p>
“wot iz H mAtx?” SI Askt.
<p>
“O, naTiN,” sed hI, Az if wCi v bIiN kantinVali Askt H
sEm kwescan. “wil /pypy bI bAk sMn?”
<p>
“F iäpekt sO.”
<p>
“evriTiN'z H sEm wiH Hem. HE nO naTiN abQt it! wX
Am F t gO?” TYt /nikalas, n went agen intM H dAnsiN rMm
wX H klAvikPd stUd.
<p>
/sonja woz sitiN At H klAvikPd, plEiN H prelVd t
/denisOf's fEvxit bRkxOl. /nytySa woz pripXiN t siN.
/denisOf woz lUkiN At hx wiH inrApcxd Fz.
<p>
/nikalas bigAn pEsiN ap n dQn H rMm.
<p>
“wF dM HE wont t mEk hx siN? hQ kAn SI siN? HX'z
naTiN t bI hApi abQt!” TYt hI.
<p>
/sonja strak H fxst kPd v H prelVd.
<p>
“mF /god, F'm a rMind n disonxd mAn! a bUlat TrM mF brEn
iz H Onli TiN left mI—not siNiN!” hiz TYts rAn on. “gO
awE? bat wX t? it's wan—let Hem siN!”
<p>
hI kantinVd t pEs H rMm, lUkiN glMmili At /denisOf n H
gxlz n avqdiN HX Fz.
<p>
“/nikOlenka, wot iz H mAtx?” /sonja'z Fz fiät on him
sImd t Ask. SI nOtist At wans HAt samTiN hAd hApand t him.
<p>
/nikalas txnd awE from hx. /nytySa tM, wiH hx kwik instiNkt,
hAd instantli nOtist hx braHx'z kandiSan. bat, HO SI nOtist
it, SI woz hxself in sac hF spirits At HAt mOment, sO fR from
sorO, sAdnas, P self-riprOc, HAt SI pxpasli disIvd hxself
Az jaN pIpal oftan dM. “nO, F Am tM hApi nQ t spql mF
inJqmant bF simpaTi wiH eniwan'z sorO,” SI felt, n SI sed
t hxself: “nO, F mast bI mistEkan, hI mast bI fIliN hApi, Jast Az
F Am.”
<p>
“nQ, /sonja!” SI sed, gOiN t H veri midal v H rMm, wX
SI kansidxd H rezanans woz best.
<p>
hAviN liftad hx hed n let hx Rmz drMp lFflasli, Az bAlE
dAnsxz dM, /nytySa, rFziN enxJetikli from hx hIlz t hx tOz,
stept t H midal v H rMm n stUd stil.
<p>
“jes, HAt's mI!” SI sImd t sE, AnsxiN H rApt gEz wiH
wic /denisOf folOd hx.
<p>
“n wot iz SI sO plIzd abQt?” TYt /nikalas, lUkiN At hiz
sistx. “wF izant SI dal n aSEmd?”
<p>
/nytySa tUk H fxst nOt, hx TrOt sweld, hx cest rOz,
hx Fz bikEm sCWs. At HAt mOment SI woz ablivWs v hx
sxQndiNz, n from hx smFliN lips flOd sQndz wic eniwan mE
pradMs At H sEm intxvalz n hOld f H sEm tFm, bat wic
lIv V kOld a TQzand tFmz n H TQzand n fxst tFm Tril
V n mEk V wIp.
<p>
/nytySa, HAt wintx, hAd f H fxst tFm bigan t siN sCWsli,
mEnli bikoz /denisOf sO dilFtad in hx siNiN. SI nO loNgx sAN
Az a cFld, HX woz nO loNgx in hx siNiN HAt komikal, cFldiS,
pEnztEkiN ifekt HAt hAd bin in it bifP; bat SI did not jet siN
wel, Az Yl H konasxz hM hxd hx sed: “it iz not trEnd,
bat it iz a bVtifal vqs HAt mast bI trEnd.” Onli HE Jenxali
sed His sam tFm Aftx SI hAd finiSt siNiN. wFl HAt antrEnd
vqs, wiH its inkxekt brIHiN n lEbxd trAnziSanz, woz
sQndiN, Ivan H konasxz sed naTiN, bat Onli dilFtad in
it n wiSt t hC it agen. in hx vqs HX woz a vxJinal
freSnas, an ankonSasnas v hx On pQxz, n an Az jet antrEnd
velvati softnas, wic sO miNgald wiH hx lAk v Rt in siNiN HAt
it sImd Az if naTiN in HAt vqs kUd bI Yltxd wiHQt spqliN
it.
<p>
“wot iz His?” TYt /nikalas, lisaniN t hx wiH wFdli
Opand Fz. “wot hAz hApand t hx? hQ SI iz siNiN tadE!”
n sadanli H hOl wxld sentxd f him on AntisipESan v H
neät nOt, H neät frEz, n evriTiN in H wxld woz divFdad intM
TrI bIts: “O mFO crudele AfetO.”... wan, tM, TrI... wan,
tM, TrI... wan... “O mFO crudele AfetO.”... wan, tM, TrI...
wan. “O, His senslas lFf v Qxz!” TYt /nikalas. “Yl
His mizxi, n mani, n /dOlOâOf, n ANgx, n onx—it's Yl
nonsens... bat His iz rWl.... nQ Hen, /nytySa, nQ Hen, dCast!
nQ Hen, dRliN! hQ wil SI tEk HAt sI? SI'z tEkan it! TANk
/god!” n wiHQt nOtisiN HAt hI woz siNiN, t streNTan H sI
hI saN a sekand, a Txd bilO H hF nOt. “y, /god! hQ fFn! did
F rWli tEk it? hQ fPcanat!” hI TYt.
<p>
O, hQ HAt kPd vFbrEtad, n hQ mMvd woz samTiN HAt woz fFnast
in /rOstOf's sOl! n His samTiN woz apRt from evriTiN els
in H wxld n abav evriTiN in H wxld. “wot wx losaz, n
/dOlOâOf, n wxdz v onx?... Yl nonsens! wan mFt kil n rob
n jet bI hApi....”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
it woz loN sins /rOstOf hAd felt sac inJqmant from mVzik Az hI
did HAt dE. bat nO sMnx hAd /nytySa finiSt hx bRkxOl HAn
riAliti agen prizentad itself. hI got ap wiHQt sEiN a wxd n went
dQnstXz t hiz On rMm. a kwPtx v an Qx lEtx H Old kQnt
kEm in from hiz klab, cCfal n kantentad. /nikalas, hCiN him
drFv ap, went t mIt him.
<p>
“wel—hAd a gUd tFm?” sed H Old kQnt, smFliN gEli n
prQdli At hiz san.
<p>
/nikalas trFd t sE “jes,” bat kUd not: n hI nCli bxst intM
sobz. H kQnt woz lFtiN hiz pFp n did not nOtis hiz san'z
kandiSan.
<p>
“y, it kAnt bI avqdad!” TYt /nikalas, f H fxst n
lAst tFm. n sadanli, in H mOst kAZMal tOn, wic mEd him fIl
aSEmd v himself, hI sed, Az if mCli AskiN hiz fyHx t let him
hAv H kAriJ t drFv t tQn:
<p>
“pypy, F hAv kam on a mAtx v biznas. F woz nCli fxgetiN. F
nId sam mani.”
<p>
“dC mI!” sed hiz fyHx, hM woz in a speSali gUd hVmx. “F
tOld V it wUd not bI inaf. hQ mac?”
<p>
“veri mac,” sed /nikalas flaSiN, n wiH a stMpid kXlas
smFl, f wic hI woz loN anEbal t fxgiv himself, “F hAv lost a
lital, F mIn a gUd dIl, a grEt dIl—fPti TrI TQzand.”
<p>
“wot! t hMm?... nonsens!” krFd H kQnt, sadanli redaniN
wiH an Apaplektik flaS Ovx nek n nEp Az Old pIpal dM.
<p>
“F promist t pE tamorO,” sed /nikalas.
<p>
“wel!...” sed H Old kQnt, sprediN Qt hiz Rmz n siNkiN
helplasli on H sOfa.
<p>
“it kAnt bI helpt! it hApanz t evriwan!” sed H san, wiH
a bOld, frI, n Izi tOn, wFl in hiz sOl hI rigRdad himself Az a
wxTlas skQndral hMz hOl lFf kUd not atOn f hiz krFm. hI
loNd t kis hiz fyHx'z hAndz n nIl t beg hiz fxgivnas,
bat sed, in a kXlas n Ivan rMd vqs, HAt it hApanz t
evriwan!
<p>
H Old kQnt kAst dQn hiz Fz on hCiN hiz san'z wxdz n bigAn
basaliNli sxciN f samTiN.
<p>
“jes, jes,” hI matxd, “it wil bI difikalt, F fC, difikalt
t rEz... hApanz t evribodi! jes, hM hAz not dan it?”
<p>
n wiH a fxtiv glAns At hiz san'z fEs, H kQnt went Qt v H
rMm.... /nikalas hAd bin pripXd f rizistans, bat hAd not At Yl
iäpektad His.
<p>
“pypy! py-py!” hI kYld Aftx him, sobiN, “fxgiv mI!” n
sIziN hiz fyHx'z hAnd, hI prest it t hiz lips n bxst intM
tCz.
<p>
wFl fyHx n san wx hAviN HX eäplanESan, H maHx n
dYtx wx hAviN wan not les impPtant. /nytySa kEm raniN t
hx maHx, kwFt iäFtad.
<p>
“mymy!... mymy!... hI hAz mEd mI...”
<p>
“mEd wot?”
<p>
“mEd, mEd mI an ofx, /mymy! mymy!” SI iäklEmd.
<p>
H kQntas did not bilIv hx Cz. /denisOf hAd prapOzd. t hMm?
t His cit v a gxl, /nytySa, hM not sO loN agO woz plEiN wiH
dolz n hM woz stil hAviN lesanz.
<p>
“dOnt, /nytySa! wot nonsens!” SI sed, hOpiN it woz a JOk.
<p>
“nonsens, indId! F Am teliN V H fAkt,” sed /nytySa
indignantli. “F kam t Ask V wot t dM, n V kYl it
'nonsens!'”
<p>
H kQntas Sragd hx SOldxz.
<p>
“if it iz trM HAt /masjx /denisOf hAz mEd V a prapOzal, tel
him hI iz a fMl, HAt's Yl!”
<p>
“nO, hI'z not a fMl!” riplFd /nytySa indignantli n sCWsli.
<p>
“wel Hen, wot dM V wont? V'x Yl in lav nQadEz. wel,
if V R in lav, mAri him!” sed H kQntas, wiH a lAf v
anqans. “gUd lak t V!”
<p>
“nO, /mymy, F'm not in lav wiH him, F sapOz F'm not in lav
wiH him.”
<p>
“wel Hen, tel him sO.”
<p>
“mymy, R V kros? dOnt bI kros, dC! iz it mF fYlt?”
<p>
“nO, bat wot iz it, mF dC? dM V wont mI t gO n tel him?”
sed H kQntas smFliN.
<p>
“nO, F wil dM it mFself, Onli tel mI wot t sE. it's Yl veri
wel f V,” sed /nytySa, wiH a risponsiv smFl. “V SUd
hAv sIn hQ hI sed it! F nO hI did not mIn t sE it, bat it kEm
Qt Aäidentli.”
<p>
“wel, Yl H sEm, V mast rifVz him.”
<p>
“nO, F masant. F Am sO sori f him! hI'z sO nFs.”
<p>
“wel Hen, aäept hiz ofx. it's hF tFm f V t bI
mArid,” Ansxd H kQntas SRpli n sRkAstikli.
<p>
“nO, /mymy, bat F'm sO sori f him. F dOnt nO hQ F'm t
sE it.”
<p>
“n HX'z naTiN f V t sE. F SAl spIk t him mFself,”
sed H kQntas, indignant HAt HE SUd hAv dXd t trIt His
lital /nytySa Az grOn ap.
<p>
“nO, not on eni akQnt! F wil tel him mFself, n V'l lisan
At H dP,” n /nytySa rAn akros H drYiN rMm t H dAnsiN
hYl, wX /denisOf woz sitiN on H sEm cX bF H klAvikPd
wiH hiz fEs in hiz hAndz.
<p>
hI Jampt ap At H sQnd v hx lFt step.
<p>
“nEtali,” hI sed, mMviN wiH rApid steps tPd hx, “disFd mF
fEt. it iz in jP hAndz.”
<p>
“/vysili /dmItric, F'm sO sori f V!... nO, bat V R sO
nFs... bat it wOnt dM...not HAt... bat Az a frend, F SAl YlwEz
lav V.”
<p>
/denisOf bent Ovx hx hAnd n SI hxd strEnJ sQndz SI did not
andxstAnd. SI kist hiz raf kxli blAk hed. At His instant, HE
hxd H kwik rasal v H kQntas' dres. SI kEm ap t Hem.
<p>
“/vysili /dmItric, F TANk V f H onx,” SI sed, wiH an
imbArast vqs, HO it sQndad sivC t /denisOf—“bat mF
dYtx iz sO jaN, n F TYt HAt, Az mF san'z frend, V
wUd hAv adrest jPself fxst t mI. in HAt kEs V wUd not
hAv ablFJd mI t giv His rifVzal.”
<p>
“kQntas...” sed /denisOf, wiH dQnkAst Fz n a gilti fEs.
hI trFd t sE mP, bat fYltxd.
<p>
/nytySa kUd not rimEn kym, sIiN him in sac a plFt. SI bigAn
t sob alQd.
<p>
“kQntas, F hAv dan w'ong,” /denisOf went on in an anstedi
vqs, “bat bilIv mI, F sO adP jP dYtx n Yl jP fAmli
HAt F wUd giv mF lFf twFs Ovx...” hI lUkt At H kQntas,
n sIiN hx sivC fEs sed: “wel, gUd-bF, /kQntas,” n
kisiN hx hAnd, hI left H rMm wiH kwik rezalMt strFdz, wiHQt
lUkiN At /nytySa.
<p>
<p>
neät dE /rOstOf sY /denisOf of. hI did not wiS t stE anaHx
dE in /moskQ. Yl /denisOf's /moskQ frendz gEv him a fXwel
entxtEnmant At H Jipsiz', wiH H rizalt HAt hI hAd nO
rekalekSan v hQ hI woz pUt in H slE P v H fxst TrI
stEJaz v hiz Jxni.
<p>
Aftx /denisOf's dipRcx, /rOstOf spent anaHx fPtnFt in /moskQ,
wiHQt gOiN Qt v H hQs, wEtiN f H mani hiz fyHx kUd
not At wans rEz, n hI spent mOst v hiz tFm in H gxlz' rMm.
<p>
/sonja woz mP tendx n divOtad t him HAn evx. it woz Az if SI
wontad t SO him HAt hiz losaz wx an acIvmant HAt mEd hx
lav him Yl H mP, bat /nikalas nQ kansidxd himself anwxHi v
hx.
<p>
hI fild H gxlz' Albamz wiH vxsaz n mVzik, n hAviN At lAst
sent /dOlOâOf H hOl fPti-TrI TQzand rMbalz n risIvd hiz
risIt, hI left At H end v nOvembx, wiHQt tEkiN lIv v eni v
hiz akwEntansaz, t OvxtEk hiz reJimant wic woz Ylredi in /pOland.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /fFv: 1806 - 07
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/Aftx hiz intxvV wiH hiz wFf /piX left f /pItxzbxg. At H
/tPZOk pOst stESan, FHx HX wx nO hPsaz P H pOstmAstx
wUd not saplF Hem. /piX woz ablFJd t wEt. wiHQt andresiN,
hI lE dQn on H leHx sOfa in frant v a rQnd tEbal, pUt hiz big
fIt in HX OvxbMts on H tEbal, n bigAn t riflekt.
<p>
“wil V hAv H pPtmAntOz brYt in? n a bed got redi, n
tI?” Askt hiz vAlE.
<p>
/piX gEv nO Ansx, f hI nFHx hxd nP sY eniTiN. hI hAd
bigan t TiNk v H lAst stESan n woz stil pondxiN on H sEm
kwescan—wan sO impPtant HAt hI tUk nO nOtis v wot went
on xQnd him. not Onli woz hI indifxant Az t weHx hI got t
/pItxzbxg xlC P lEtx, P weHx hI sikjUxd akomadESan At His
stESan, bat kampXd t H TYts HAt nQ okVpFd him it woz a
mAtx v indifxans weHx hI rimEnd HX f a fV Qxz P f
H rest v hiz lFf.
<p>
H pOstmAstx, hiz wFf, H vAlE, n a pezant wUman seliN
/tPZOk imbrqdxi kEm intM H rMm ofxiN HX sxvisaz.
wiHQt cEnJiN hiz kXlas AtitMd, /piX lUkt At Hem Ovx hiz
spektakalz anEbal t andxstAnd wot HE wontad P hQ HE kUd gO on
liviN wiHQt hAviN solvd H problamz HAt sO absPbd him. hI hAd
bin ingrOst bF H sEm TYts evx sins H dE hI ritxnd from
/sOkOlniki Aftx H dMal n hAd spent HAt fxst AganFziN, slIplas
nFt. bat nQ, in H solitMd v H Jxni, HE sIzd him wiH
speSal fPs. nO mAtx wot hI TYt abQt, hI YlwEz ritxnd t
HIz sEm kwescanz wic hI kUd not solv n jet kUd not sIs t
Ask himself. it woz Az if H Tred v H cIf skrM wic held hiz
lFf tageHx wx stript, sO HAt H skrM kUd not get in P Qt,
bat went on txniN Vslasli in H sEm plEs.
<p>
H pOstmAstx kEm in n bigAn obsIkwWsli t beg hiz eäalansi t
wEt Onli tM Qxz, wen, kam wot mFt, hI wUd let hiz eäalansi
hAv H kUrC hPsaz. it woz plEn HAt hI woz lFiN n Onli wontad
t get mP mani from H trAvalx.
<p>
“iz His gUd P bAd?” /piX Askt himself. “it iz gUd f mI,
bAd f anaHx trAvalx, n f himself it's anavqdabal, bikoz
hI nIdz mani f fMd; H mAn sed an ofisx hAd wans givan him a
TrASiN f letiN a prFvat trAvalx hAv H kUrC hPsaz.
bat H ofisx TrASt him bikoz hI hAd t get on Az kwikli Az
posabal. n F,” kantinVd /piX, “Sot /dOlOâOf bikoz F
kansidxd mFself inJxd, n /lMi XVI woz eäikVtad bikoz HE
kansidxd him a kriminal, n a jC lEtx HE eäikVtad HOz hM
eäikVtad him—YlsO f sam rIzan. wot iz bAd? wot iz gUd? wot
SUd wan lav n wot hEt? wot daz wan liv f? n wot Am F?
wot iz lFf, n wot iz deT? wot pQx gavxnz Yl?”
<p>
HX woz nO Ansx t eni v HIz kwescanz, iäept wan, n HAt
not a loJikal Ansx n not At Yl a riplF t Hem. H Ansx woz:
“V'l dF n Yl wil end. V'l dF n nO Yl, P sIs
AskiN.” bat dFiN woz YlsO dredfal.
<p>
H /tPZOk pedalx wUman, in a wFniN vqs, went on ofxiN hx
wXz, ispeSali a pX v gOtskin slipxz. “F hAv handradz v
rMbalz F dOnt nO wot t dM wiH, n SI stAndz in hx tAtxd
klOk lUkiN timidli At mI,” hI TYt. “n wot daz SI
wont H mani f? Az if HAt mani kUd Ad a hX'z bredT t
hApinas P pIs v mFnd. kAn eniTiN in H wxld mEk hx P mI
les a prE t Ival n deT?—deT wic endz Yl n mast kam
tadE P tamorO—At eni rEt, in an instant Az kampXd wiH
itxniti.” n agen hI twistad H skrM wiH H stript Tred,
n agen it txnd Vslasli in H sEm plEs.
<p>
hiz sxvant hAndad him a hAf-kat noval, in H fPm v letxz, bF
/madym de /sMza. hI bigAn rIdiN abQt H safxiNz n vxcMas
stragalz v a sxtan /emili de /mAnzfeld. “n wF did SI rizist
hx sidMsx wen SI lavd him?” hI TYt. “god kUd not hAv pUt
intM hx hRt an impals HAt woz agenst /hiz wil. mF wFf—Az SI
wans woz—did not stragal, n pxhAps SI woz rFt. naTiN hAz bin
fQnd Qt, naTiN diskavxd,” /piX agen sed t himself. “Yl
wI kAn nO iz HAt wI nO naTiN. n HAt's H hFt v hVman
wizdam.”
<p>
evriTiN wiHin n xQnd him sImd kanfVzd, senslas, n
ripelant. jet in His veri ripagnans t Yl hiz sxkamstAnsaz /piX
fQnd a kFnd v tAntalFziN sAtisfAkSan.
<p>
“F mEk bOld t Ask jP eäalansi t mMv a lital f His
Jentalman,” sed H pOstmAstx, entxiN H rMm folOd bF anaHx
trAvalx, YlsO ditEnd f lAk v hPsaz.
<p>
H nMkamx woz a SPt, lRJ-bOnd, jelO-fEst, riNkald Old
mAn, wiH grE bUSi FbrQz OvxhANiN brFt Fz v an indefinit
grEiS kalx.
<p>
/piX tUk hiz fIt of H tEbal, stUd ap, n lE dQn on a bed HAt
hAd bin got redi f him, glAnsiN nQ n Hen At H nMkamx, hM,
wiH a glMmi n tFxd fEs, woz wCili tEkiN of hiz rAps wiH H
Ed v hiz sxvant, n not lUkiN At /piX. wiH a pX v felt bMts
on hiz Tin bOni leã, n kIpiN on a wPn, nAnkIn-kavxd, SIpskin
kOt, H trAvalx sAt dQn on H sOfa, lInd bAk hiz big hed wiH
its brYd tempalz n klOs-kropt hX, n lUkt At /bezMâOf. H
stxn, SrMd, n penitrEtiN iäpreSan v HAt lUk strak /piX. hI
felt a wiS t spIk t H strEnJx, bat bF H tFm hI hAd mEd ap hiz
mFnd t Ask him a kwescan abQt H rOdz, H trAvalx hAd klOzd hiz
Fz. hiz Srivald Old hAndz wx fOldad n on H fiNgx v wan v
Hem /piX nOtist a lRJ kAst Fxn riN wiH a sIl reprizentiN a
deT's hed. H strEnJx sAt wiHQt stxiN, FHx restiN P, Az
it sImd t /piX, saNk in prafQnd n kym meditESan. hiz sxvant
woz YlsO a jelO, riNkald Old mAn, wiHQt bCd P mastAS,
evidentli not bikoz hI woz SEvan bat bikoz HE hAd nevx grOn.
His Aktiv Old sxvant woz anpAkiN H trAvalx'z kAntIn n
pripXiN tI. hI brYt in a bqliN sAmavR. wen evriTiN woz
redi, H strEnJx Opand hiz Fz, mMvd t H tEbal, fild a
tambalx wiH tI f himself n wan f H bCdlas Old mAn t hMm
hI pAst it. /piX bigAn t fIl a sens v anIzinas, n H
nId, Ivan H inevitabiliti, v entxiN intM konvxsESan wiH His
strEnJx.
<p>
H sxvant brYt bAk hiz tambalx txnd apsFd dQn, * wiH an
anfiniSt bit v nibald SUgx, n Askt if eniTiN mP wUd bI
wontad.
<p>
    * t indikEt hI did not wont mP tI.
<p>
“nO. giv mI H bUk,” sed H strEnJx.
<p>
H sxvant hAndad him a bUk wic /piX tUk t bI a divOSanal wxk,
n H trAvalx bikEm absPbd in it. /piX lUkt At him. Yl At
wans H strEnJx klOzd H bUk, pUtiN in a mRkx, n agen,
lIniN wiH hiz Rmz on H bAk v H sOfa, sAt in hiz fPmx
paziSan wiH hiz Fz Sat. /piX lUkt At him n hAd not tFm
t txn awE wen H Old mAn, OpaniN hiz Fz, fiät hiz stedi n
sivC gEz strEt on /piX'z fEs.
<p>
/piX felt kanfVzd n wiSt t avqd HAt lUk, bat H brFt Old
Fz atrAktad him irizistabli.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
“F hAv H pleZx v adresiN /kQnt /bezMâOf, if F Am not
mistEkan,” sed H strEnJx in a dilibxat n lQd vqs.
<p>
/piX lUkt sFlantli n inkwFxiNli At him Ovx hiz spektakalz.
<p>
“F hAv hxd v V, mF dC sx,” kantinVd H strEnJx, “n
v jP misfPcMn.” hI sImd t emfasFz H lAst wxd, Az if t
sE—“jes, misfPcMn! kYl it wot V plIz, F nO HAt wot
hApand t V in /moskQ woz a misfPcMn.”—“F rigret it veri
mac, mF dC sx.”
<p>
/piX flaSt n, haridli pUtiN hiz leã dQn from H bed, bent
fPwxd tPd H Old mAn wiH a fPst n timid smFl.
<p>
“F hAv not rifxd t His Qt v kjUxiositi, mF dC sx, bat f
grEtx rIzanz.”
<p>
hI pYzd, hiz gEz stil on /piX, n mMvd asFd on H sOfa bF wE
v invFtiN H aHx t tEk a sIt bisFd him. /piX felt rilaktant
t entx intM konvxsESan wiH His Old mAn, bat, sabmitiN t him
involantXili, kEm ap n sAt dQn bisFd him.
<p>
“V R anhApi, mF dC sx,” H strEnJx kantinVd. “V
R jaN n F Am Old. F SUd lFk t help V Az fR Az lFz in mF
pQx.”
<p>
“O, jes!” sed /piX, wiH a fPst smFl. “F Am veri grEtfal
t V. wX R V trAvaliN from?”
<p>
H strEnJx'z fEs woz not JInWl, it woz Ivan kOld n sivC, bat
in spFt v His, bOT H fEs n wxdz v hiz nM akwEntans wx
irizistabli atrAktiv t /piX.
<p>
“bat if f eni rIzan V dOnt fIl inklFnd t tYk t mI,”
sed H Old mAn, “sE sO, mF dC sx.” n hI sadanli smFld, in
an aniäpektad n tendxli patxnal wE.
<p>
“O nO, not At Yl! on H kontrXi, F Am veri glAd t mEk jP
akwEntans,” sed /piX. n agen, glAnsiN At H strEnJx'z
hAndz, hI lUkt mP klOsli At H riN, wiH its skal—a /masonik
sFn.
<p>
“alQ mI t Ask,” hI sed, “R V a /mEsan?”
<p>
“jes, F biloN t H /braHxhUd v H /frImEsanz,” sed H
strEnJx, lUkiN dIpx n dIpx intM /piX'z Fz. “n in
HX nEm n mF On F hOld Qt a braHxli hAnd t V.”
<p>
“F Am afrEd,” sed /piX, smFliN, n wEvxiN bitwIn H
konfidans H pxsanAliti v H /frImEsan inspFxd in him n hiz On
hAbit v ridikVliN H /masonik bilIfs—“F Am afrEd F Am veri fR
from andxstAndiN—hQ Am F t pUt it?—F Am afrEd mF wE v lUkiN
At H wxld iz sO apOzd t jPz HAt wI SAl not andxstAnd wan
anaHx.”
<p>
“F nO jP QtlUk,” sed H /mEsan, “n H vV v lFf V
menSan, n wic V TiNk iz H rizalt v jP On mental efxts,
iz H wan held bF H maJPiti v pIpal, n iz H invXWbal frMt
v prFd, indalans, n ignxans. fxgiv mI, mF dC sx, bat if F
hAd not nOn it F SUd not hAv adrest V. jP vV v lFf iz a
rigretabal dilMZan.”
<p>
“Jast Az F mE sapOz V t bI dilMdad,” sed /piX, wiH a fEnt
smFl.
<p>
“F SUd nevx dX t sE HAt F nO H trMT,” sed H /mEsan,
hMz wxdz strak /piX mP n mP bF HX prisiZan n fxmnas.
“nO wan kAn atEn t trMT bF himself. Onli bF lEiN stOn on stOn
wiH H kOopxESan v Yl, bF H milWnz v JenxESanz from Qx
fPfyHx /Adam t Qx On tFmz, iz HAt tempal rCd wic iz t bI
a wxHi dweliN plEs v H /grEt /god,” hI Adad, n klOzd hiz
Fz.
<p>
“F Yt t tel V HAt F dM not bilIv... dM not bilIv in
/god,” sed /piX, rigretfali n wiH an efxt, fIliN it
isenSal t spIk H hOl trMT.
<p>
H /mEsan lUkt intentli At /piX n smFld Az a ric mAn wiH
milWnz in hAnd mFt smFl At a pUx felO hM tOld him HAt hI, pUx
mAn, hAd not H fFv rMbalz HAt wUd mEk him hApi.
<p>
“jes, V dM not nO /him, mF dC sx,” sed H /mEsan. “V
kAnot nO /him. V dM not nO /him n HAt iz wF V R anhApi.”
<p>
“jes, jes, F Am anhApi,” asentad /piX. “bat wot Am F t
dM?”
<p>
“V nO /him not, mF dC sx, n sO V R veri anhApi. V dM
not nO /him, bat /hI iz hC, /hI iz in mI, /hI iz in mF wxdz, /hI iz in
HI, n Ivan in HOz blAsfamas wxdz HQ hAst Jast atxd!”
pranQnst H /mEsan in a stxn n tremVlas vqs.
<p>
hI pYzd n sFd, evidentli trFiN t kym himself.
<p>
“if /hI wx not,” hI sed kwFatli, “V n F wUd not bI
spIkiN v /him, mF dC sx. v wot, v hMm, R wI spIkiN? hMm
hAst HQ dinFd?” hI sadanli Askt wiH iãaltiN Ysteriti n
YToriti in hiz vqs. “hM inventad /him, if /hI did not iãist? wens
kEm HF kansepSan v H iãistans v sac an inkomprihensabal /bIiN?
didst HQ, n wF did H hOl wxld, kansIv H FdW v H
iãistans v sac an inkomprihensabal /bIiN, a /bIiN Yl-pQxfal,
itxnal, n infinit in Yl /hiz AtribVts?...”
<p>
hI stopt n rimEnd sFlant f a loN tFm.
<p>
/piX kUd not n did not wiS t brEk His sFlans.
<p>
“hI iãists, bat t andxstAnd /him iz hRd,” H /mEsan bigAn agen,
lUkiN not At /piX bat strEt bifP him, n txniN H lIvz
v hiz bUk wiH hiz Old hAndz wic from iäFtmant hI kUd not kIp
stil. “if it wx a mAn hMz iãistans HQ didst dQt F kUd
briN him t HI, kUd tEk him bF H hAnd n SO him t HI. bat
hQ kAn F, an insignifikant mPtal, SO /hiz omnipatans, /hiz infiniti,
n Yl /hiz mxsi t wan hM iz blFnd, P hM Sats hiz Fz HAt hI mE
not sI P andxstAnd /him n mE not sI P andxstAnd hiz On vFlnas
n sinfalnas?” hI pYzd agen. “hM Rt HQ? HQ drImast HAt
HQ Rt wFz bikoz HQ kUdst atx HOz blAsfamas wxdz,” hI
went on, wiH a sombx n skPnfal smFl. “n HQ Rt mP fMliS
n anrIzanabal HAn a lital cFld, hM, plEiN wiH H pRts v a
skilfali mEd woc, dXz t sE HAt, Az hI daz not andxstAnd
its Vs, hI daz not bilIv in H mAstx hM mEd it. t nO /him iz
hRd.... f EJaz, from Qx fPfyHx /Adam t Qx On dE, wI lEbx t
atEn HAt noliJ n R stil infinitli fR from Qx Em; bat
in Qx lAk v andxstAndiN wI sI Onli Qx wIknas n /hiz
grEtnas....”
<p>
/piX lisand wiH sweliN hRt, gEziN intM H /mEsan'z fEs wiH
SFniN Fz, not intxaptiN P kwescaniN him, bat bilIviN wiH
hiz hOl sOl wot H strEnJx sed. weHx hI aäeptad H wFz
rIzaniN kantEnd in H /mEsan'z wxdz, P bilIvd Az a cFld
bilIvz, in H spIkx'z tOn v kanvikSan n xnastnas, P
H tremx v H spIkx'z vqs—wic samtFmz YlmOst brOk—P
HOz brilWnt EJd Fz grOn Old in His kanvikSan, P H kym
fxmnas n sxtanti v hiz vOkESan, wic rEdiEtad from hiz hOl
bIiN (n wic strak /piX ispeSali bF kontrAst wiH hiz On
diJekSan n hOplasnas)—At eni rEt, /piX loNd wiH hiz hOl
sOl t bilIv n hI did bilIv, n felt a Jqfal sens v kamfxt,
riJenxESan, n ritxn t lFf.
<p>
“hI iz not t bI Aprihendad bF rIzan, bat bF lFf,” sed H
/mEsan.
<p>
“F dM not andxstAnd,” sed /piX, fIliN wiH dismE dQts
rIawEkaniN. hI woz afrEd v eni wont v klCnas, eni wIknas, in
H /mEsan'z RgVmants; hI dredad not t bI Ebal t bilIv in him.
“F dOnt andxstAnd,” hI sed, “hQ it iz HAt H mFnd v mAn
kAnot atEn H noliJ v wic V spIk.”
<p>
H /mEsan smFld wiH hiz Jental fyHxli smFl.
<p>
“H hFast wizdam n trMT R lFk H pjUxast likwid wI mE wiS
t imbFb,” hI sed. “kAn F risIv HAt pjUx likwid intM an impjUx
vesal n JaJ v its pjUxiti? Onli bF H inx pjUxifikESan v mFself
kAn F ritEn in sam digrI v pjUxiti H likwid F risIv.”
<p>
“jes, jes, HAt iz sO,” sed /piX Jqfali.
<p>
“H hFast wizdam iz not fQndad on rIzan alOn, not on HOz
wxldli sFansaz v fiziä, histxi, kemistri, n H lFk, intM
wic intalekcMal noliJ iz divFdad. H hFast wizdam iz wan.
H hFast wizdam hAz bat wan sFans—H sFans v H hOl—H
sFans iäplEniN H hOl kriESan n mAn'z plEs in it. t
risIv HAt sFans it iz nesisXi t pjUxifF n rinM wan'z inx
self, n sO bifP wan kAn nO, it iz nesisXi t bilIv n t
pxfekt wan'z self. n t atEn His end, wI hAv H lFt kYld
konSans HAt /god hAz implAntad in Qx sOlz.”
<p>
“jes, jes,” asentad /piX.
<p>
“lUk Hen At HF inx self wiH H Fz v H spirit, n Ask
HFself weHx HQ Rt kantent wiH HFself. wot hAst HQ atEnd
rilFiN on rIzan Onli? wot Rt HQ? V R jaN, V R ric, V
R klevx, V R wel eJakEtad. n wot hAv V dan wiH Yl HIz
gUd gifts? R V kantent wiH jPself n wiH jP lFf?”
<p>
“nO, F hEt mF lFf,” /piX matxd, winsiN.
<p>
“HQ hEtast it. Hen cEnJ it, pjUxifF HFself; n Az HQ Rt
pjUxifFd, HQ wilt gEn wizdam. lUk At jP lFf, mF dC sx.
hQ hAv V spent it? in rFatas PJiz n dibYcxi, risIviN
evriTiN from sasFati n giviN naTiN in ritxn. V hAv bikam
H pazesx v welT. hQ hAv V Vzd it? wot hAv V dan
f jP nEbx? hAv V evx TYt v jP tenz v TQzandz
v slEvz? hAv V helpt Hem fizikli n mPali? nO! V hAv
profitad bF HX tql t lId a profligat lFf. HAt iz wot V hAv
dan. hAv V cOzan a pOst in wic V mFt bI v sxvis t jP
nEbx? nO! V hAv spent jP lFf in Fdalnas. Hen V mArid, mF
dC sx—tUk on jPself risponsabiliti f H gFdans v a jaN
wUman; n wot hAv V dan? V hAv not helpt hx t fFnd H wE
v trMT, mF dC sx, bat hAv Trast hx intM an abis v disIt n
mizxi. a mAn afendad V n V Sot him, n V sE V dM not
nO /god n hEt jP lFf. HX iz naTiN strEnJ in HAt, mF dC
sx!”
<p>
Aftx HIz wxdz, H /mEsan, Az if tFxd bF hiz loN diskPs, agen
lInd hiz Rmz on H bAk v H sOfa n klOzd hiz Fz. /piX
lUkt At HAt EJd, stxn, mOSanlas, YlmOst lFflas fEs n mMvd
hiz lips wiHQt atxiN a sQnd. hI wiSt t sE, “jes, a vFl,
Fdal, viSas lFf!” bat dXd not brEk H sFlans.
<p>
H /mEsan klCd hiz TrOt haskili, Az Old men dM, n kYld hiz
sxvant.
<p>
“hQ abQt H hPsaz?” hI Askt, wiHQt lUkiN At /piX.
<p>
“H iäcEnJ hPsaz hAv Jast kam,” Ansxd H sxvant. “wil
V not rest hC?”
<p>
“nO, tel Hem t hRnas.”
<p>
“kAn hI rWli bI gOiN awE lIviN mI alOn wiHQt hAviN tOld mI
Yl, n wiHQt promisiN t help mI?” TYt /piX, rFziN wiH
dQnkAst hed; n hI bigAn t pEs H rMm, glAnsiN akEZanali At
H /mEsan. “jes, F nevx TYt v it, bat F hAv led a kantemptabal
n profligat lFf, HO F did not lFk it n did not wont t,”
TYt /piX. “bat His mAn nOz H trMT n, if hI wiSt t,
kUd disklOz it t mI.”
<p>
/piX wiSt t sE His t H /mEsan, bat did not dX t. H
trAvalx, hAviN pAkt hiz TiNz wiH hiz prAktist hAndz, bigAn
fAsaniN hiz kOt. wen hI hAd finiSt, hI txnd t /bezMâOf, n
sed in a tOn v indifxant palFtnas:
<p>
“wX R V gOiN t nQ, mF dC sx?”
<p>
“F?... F'm gOiN t /pItxzbxg,” Ansxd /piX, in a cFldlFk,
hezitEtiN vqs. “F TANk V. F agrI wiH Yl V hAv sed. bat
dM not sapOz mI t bI sO bAd. wiH mF hOl sOl F wiS t bI wot V
wUd hAv mI bI, bat F hAv nevx hAd help from eniwan.... bat it iz
F, abav Yl, hM Am t blEm f evriTiN. help mI, tIc mI, n
pxhAps F mE...”
<p>
/piX kUd not gO on. hI galpt n txnd awE.
<p>
H /mEsan rimEnd sFlant f a loN tFm, evidentli kansidxiN.
<p>
“help kamz from /god alOn,” hI sed, “bat sac meZx v help Az
Qx /Pdx kAn bistO it wil rendx V, mF dC sx. V R gOiN t
/pItxzbxg. hAnd His t /kQnt /vilRski” (hI tUk Qt hiz nOtbUk
n rOt a fV wxdz on a lRJ SIt v pEpx fOldad in fP).
“alQ mI t giv V a pIs v advFs. wen V rIc H kApital,
fxst v Yl divOt sam tFm t solitMd n self-iãAminESan n dM
not rizMm jP fPmx wE v lFf. n nQ F wiS V a gUd Jxni,
mF dC sx,” hI Adad, sIiN HAt hiz sxvant hAd entxd... “n
saäes.”
<p>
H trAvalx woz /JOzif /yleäEevic /byzdEef, Az /piX sY from H
pOstmAstx'z bUk. /byzdEef hAd bin wan v H best-nOn /frImEsanz
n /mRtinists, Ivan in /nOvikOf's tFm. f a loN wFl Aftx hI hAd
gon, /piX did not gO t bed P Pdx hPsaz bat pEst ap n dQn
H rMm, pondxiN Ovx hiz viSas pAst, n wiH a rApcxas sens
v biginiN anM pikcxd t himself H blisfal, iriprOcabal,
vxcMas fVcx HAt sImd t him sO Izi. it sImd t him HAt hI hAd
bin viSas Onli bikoz hI hAd samhQ fxgotan hQ gUd it iz t
bI vxcMas. not a trEs v hiz fPmx dQts rimEnd in hiz sOl. hI
fxmli bilIvd in H posabiliti v H braHxhUd v men VnFtad in
H Em v sapPtiN wan anaHx in H pAT v vxcM, n HAt iz hQ
/frImEsanri prizentad itself t him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
on rIciN /pItxzbxg /piX did not let eniwan nO v hiz xFval,
hI went nOwX n spent hOl dEz in rIdiN /tomas a /kempis, hMz
bUk hAd bin sent him bF samwan annOn. wan TiN hI kantinVali
rWlFzd Az hI red HAt bUk: H Jq, hiHxtM annOn t him,
v bilIviN in H posabiliti v atEniN pxfekSan, n in H
posabiliti v Aktiv braHxli lav amaN men, wic /JOzif /yleäEevic
hAd rivIld t him. a wIk Aftx hiz xFval, H jaN /pOliS kQnt,
/vilRski, hMm /piX hAd nOn slFtli in /pItxzbxg sasFati, kEm
intM hiz rMm wan IvniN in H afiSal n serimOnWs mAnx in
wic /dOlOâOf's sekand hAd kYld on him, n, hAviN klOzd H
dP bihFnd him n sAtisfFd himself HAt HX woz nObodi els in H
rMm, adrest /piX.
<p>
“F hAv kam t V wiH a mesiJ n an ofx, /kQnt,” hI
sed wiHQt sitiN dQn. “a pxsan v veri hF stAndiN in Qx
/braHxhUd hAz mEd AplikESan f V t bI risIvd intM Qx /Pdx
bifP H VZMal txm n hAz prapOzd t mI t bI jP sponsx. F
kansidx it a sEkrad dMti t fUlfil HAt pxsan'z wiSaz. dM V wiS
t entx H /braHxhUd v /frImEsanz andx mF sponsxSip?”
<p>
H kOld, YstC tOn v His mAn, hMm hI hAd YlmOst YlwEz bifP met
At bYlz, EmWbli smFliN in H sasFati v H mOst brilWnt wimin,
sxprFzd /piX.
<p>
“jes, F dM wiS it,” sed hI.
<p>
/vilRski bQd hiz hed.
<p>
“wan mP kwescan, /kQnt,” hI sed, “wic F beg V t Ansx
in Yl sinseriti—not Az a fVcx /mEsan bat Az an onast mAn: hAv V
rinQnst jP fPmx kanvikSanz—dM V bilIv in /god?”
<p>
/piX kansidxd.
<p>
“jes... jes, F bilIv in /god,” hI sed.
<p>
“in HAt kEs...” bigAn /vilRski, bat /piX intxaptad him.
<p>
“jes, F dM bilIv in /god,” hI ripItad.
<p>
“in HAt kEs wI kAn gO,” sed /vilRski. “mF kAriJ iz At jP
sxvis.”
<p>
/vilRski woz sFlant TrMQt H drFv. t /piX'z inkwFxiz Az
t wot hI mast dM n hQ hI SUd Ansx, /vilRski Onli riplFd HAt
braHxz mP wxHi HAn hI wUd test him n HAt /piX hAd Onli t
tel H trMT.
<p>
hAviN entxd H kPtjRd v a lRJ hQs wX H /loJ hAd its
hedkwPtxz, n hAviN asendad a dRk stXkEs, HE entxd a smYl
wel-lit AntirMm wX HE tUk of HX klOä wiHQt H Ed v
a sxvant. from HX HE pAst intM anaHx rMm. a mAn in strEnJ
atFx apCd At H dP. /vilRski, stepiN tPd him, sed
samTiN t him in /frenc in an andxtOn n Hen went ap t a smYl
wPdrOb in wic /piX nOtist gRmants sac Az hI hAd nevx sIn
bifP. hAviN tEkan a kxcif from H kabxd, /vilRski bQnd
/piX'z Fz wiH it n tFd it in a not bihFnd, kAciN sam
hXz pEnfali in H not. Hen hI drM hiz fEs dQn, kist him, n
tEkiN him bF H hAnd led him fPwxd. H hXz tFd in H not hxt
/piX n HX wx lFnz v pEn on hiz fEs n a SEmfEst smFl.
hiz hVJ figjx, wiH Rmz hANiN dQn n wiH a pakxd, HO
smFliN fEs, mMvd Aftx /vilRski wiH ansxtan, timid steps.
<p>
hAviN led him abQt ten pEsaz, /vilRski stopt.
<p>
“wotevx hApanz t V,” hI sed, “V mast bX it Yl mAnfali
if V hAv fxmli rizolvd t Jqn Qx /braHxhUd.” (/piX nodad
afxmativli.) “wen V hC a nok At H dP, V wil ankavx
jP Fz,” Adad /vilRski. “F wiS V kariJ n saäes,”
n, presiN /piX'z hAnd, hI went Qt.
<p>
left alOn, /piX went on smFliN in H sEm wE. wans P twFs
hI Sragd hiz SOldxz n rEzd hiz hAnd t H kxcif, Az if
wiSiN t tEk it of, bat let it drop agen. H fFv minits spent
wiH hiz Fz bAndiJd sImd t him an Qx. hiz Rmz felt nam,
hiz leã YlmOst gEv wE, it sImd t him HAt hI woz tFxd Qt. hI
iäpCWnst a vxFati v mOst kompleä sensESanz. hI felt afrEd v wot
wUd hApan t him n stil mP afrEd v SOiN hiz fC. hI felt
kjUxWs t nO wot woz gOiN t hApan n wot wUd bI rivIld t
him; bat mOst v Yl, hI felt Jqfal HAt H mOment hAd kam wen hI
wUd At lAst stRt on HAt pAT v riJenxESan n on H Aktivli
vxcMas lFf v wic hI hAd bin drImiN sins hI met /JOzif
/yleäEevic. lQd noä wx hxd At H dP. /piX tUk H bAndiJ
of hiz Fz n glAnst xQnd him. H rMm woz in blAk dRknas,
Onli a smYl lAmp woz bxniN insFd samTiN wFt. /piX went nCx
n sY HAt H lAmp stUd on a blAk tEbal on wic lE an Opan bUk.
H bUk woz H /gospal, n H wFt TiN wiH H lAmp insFd woz a
hVman skal wiH its kAvitiz n tIT. Aftx rIdiN H fxst wxdz
v H /gospal: “in H biginiN woz H /wxd n H /wxd woz wiH
/god,” /piX went rQnd H tEbal n sY a lRJ Opan boä fild
wiH samTiN. it woz a kofin wiH bOnz insFd. hI woz not At Yl
sxprFzd bF wot hI sY. hOpiN t entx on an intFxli nM lFf kwFt
anlFk H Old wan, hI iäpektad evriTiN t bI anVZMal, Ivan mP
anVZMal HAn wot hI woz sIiN. a skal, a kofin, H /gospal—it
sImd t him HAt hI hAd iäpektad Yl His n Ivan mP. trFiN
t stimVlEt hiz imOSanz hI lUkt xQnd. “god, deT, lav, H
braHxhUd v mAn,” hI kept sEiN t himself, asOSiEtiN HIz
wxdz wiH vEg jet Jqfal FdWz. H dP Opand n samwan kEm in.
<p>
bF H dim lFt, t wic /piX hAd Ylredi bikam akastamd, hI
sY a rAHx SPt mAn. hAviN evidentli kam from H lFt intM H
dRknas, H mAn pYzd, Hen mMvd wiH kYSas steps tPd H
tEbal n plEst on it hiz smYl leHx-glavd hAndz.
<p>
His SPt mAn hAd on a wFt leHx Epran wic kavxd hiz cest n
pRt v hiz leã; hI hAd on a kFnd v neklas abav wic rOz a hF
wFt rafal, QtlFniN hiz rAHx loN fEs wic woz lit ap from
bilO.
<p>
“f wot hAv V kam hiHx?” Askt H nMkamx, txniN in
/piX'z direkSan At a slFt rasal mEd bF H lAtx. “wF hAv
V, hM dM not bilIv in H trMT v H lFt n hM hAv not
sIn H lFt, kam hC? wot dM V sIk from as? wizdam, vxcM,
inlFtanmant?”
<p>
At H mOment H dP Opand n H strEnJx kEm in, /piX felt a
sens v Y n venxESan sac Az hI hAd iäpCWnst in hiz bqhUd At
kanfeSan; hI felt himself in H prezans v wan sOSali a kamplIt
strEnJx, jet nCx t him TrM H braHxhUd v mAn. wiH bEtad
breT n bItiN hRt hI mMvd tPd H /retx (bF wic nEm H
braHx hM pripXd a sIkx f entrans intM H /braHxhUd woz
nOn). drYiN nCx, hI rekagnFzd in H /retx a mAn hI nM,
/smOljyninOf, n it mPtifFd him t TiNk HAt H nMkamx woz an
akwEntans—hI wiSt him simpli a braHx n a vxcMas instraktx.
f a loN tFm hI kUd not atx a wxd, sO HAt H /retx hAd t
ripIt hiz kwescan.
<p>
“jes... F... F... dizFx riJenxESan,” /piX atxd wiH
difikalti.
<p>
“veri wel,” sed /smOljyninOf, n went on At wans: “hAv V eni
FdW v H mInz bF wic Qx hOli /Pdx wil help V t rIc jP
Em?” sed hI kwFatli n kwikli.
<p>
“F... hOp... f gFdans... help... in riJenxESan,” sed /piX,
wiH a trembaliN vqs n sam difikalti in atxans dM t hiz
iäFtmant n t bIiN anakastamd t spIk v AbstrAkt mAtxz in
/raSan.
<p>
“wot iz jP kansepSan v /frImEsanri?”
<p>
“F imAJin HAt /frImEsanri iz H fratxniti n ikwoliti v men hM
hAv vxcMas Emz,” sed /piX, fIliN aSEmd v H inAdikwasi
v hiz wxdz f H salemniti v H mOment, Az hI spOk. “F
imAJin...”
<p>
“gUd!” sed H /retx kwikli, apArantli sAtisfFd wiH
His Ansx. “hAv V sYt f mInz v atEniN jP Em in
riliJan?”
<p>
“nO, F kansidxd it irOnWs n did not folO it,” sed /piX,
sO softli HAt H /retx did not hC him n Askt him wot hI woz
sEiN. “F hAv bin an ETiist,” Ansxd /piX.
<p>
“V R sIkiN f trMT in Pdx t folO its lYz in jP lFf,
HXfP V sIk wizdam n vxcM. iz HAt not sO?” sed H
/retx, Aftx a mOment's pYz.
<p>
“jes, jes,” asentad /piX.
<p>
H /retx klCd hiz TrOt, krost hiz glavd hAndz on hiz brest,
n bigAn t spIk.
<p>
“nQ F mast disklOz t V H cIf Em v Qx /Pdx,” hI sed,
“n if His Em kOinsFdz wiH jPz, V mE entx Qx /braHxhUd
wiH profit. H fxst n cIf obJekt v Qx /Pdx, H fQndESan on
wic it rests n wic nO hVman pQx kAn distrq, iz H prezxvESan
n hAndiN on t posteriti v a sxtan impPtant mistxi... wic
hAz kam dQn t as from H rimOtast EJaz, Ivan from H fxst mAn—a
mistxi on wic pxhAps H fEt v mAnkFnd dipendz. bat sins His
mistxi iz v sac a nEcx HAt nObodi kAn nO P Vz it anles hI bI
pripXd bF loN n diliJant self-pjUxifikESan, not evriwan kAn hOp
t atEn it kwikli. hens wI hAv a sekandXi Em, HAt v pripXiN
Qx membxz Az mac Az posabal t rifPm HX hRts, t pjUxifF n
inlFtan HX mFndz, bF mInz hAndad on t as bF tradiSan from HOz
hM hAv strivan t atEn His mistxi, n HXbF t rendx Hem
kEpabal v risIviN it.
<p>
“bF pjUxifFiN n riJenxEtiN Qx membxz wI trF, Txdli, t imprMv
H hOl hVman rEs, ofxiN it in Qx membxz an iãAmpal v pFati
n vxcM, n HXbF trF wiH Yl Qx mFt t kambAt H Ival wic
swEz H wxld. TiNk His Ovx n F wil kam t V agen.”
<p>
“t kambAt H Ival wic swEz H wxld...” /piX ripItad, n a
mental imiJ v hiz fVcx Aktiviti in His direkSan rOz in hiz mFnd.
hI imAJind men sac Az hI hAd himself bin a fPtnFt agO, n hI
adrest an edifFiN eãPtESan t Hem. hI imAJind t himself
viSas n anfPcanat pIpal hMm hI wUd asist bF wxd n dId,
imAJind apresxz hMz viktimz hI wUd reskV. v H TrI
obJekts menSand bF H /retx, His lAst, HAt v imprMviN mAnkFnd,
ispeSali apIld t /piX. H impPtant mistxi menSand bF H
/retx, HO it xQzd hiz kjUxiositi, did not sIm t him isenSal,
n H sekand Em, HAt v pjUxifFiN n riJenxEtiN himself, did not
mac intxast him bikoz At HAt mOment hI felt wiH dilFt HAt hI
woz Ylredi pxfiktli kjUxd v hiz fPmx fYlts n woz redi f Yl
HAt woz gUd.
<p>
hAf an Qx lEtx, H /retx ritxnd t infPm H sIkx v H
sevan vxcMz, korispondiN t H sevan steps v /solaman'z tempal,
wic evri /frImEsan SUd kaltivEt in himself. HIz vxcMz wx:
1. diskreSan, H kIpiN v H sIkrats v H /Pdx. 2. ObIdWns t
HOz v hFx rANä in H /Pdx. 3. mPAliti. 4. lav v mAnkFnd. 5.
kariJ. 6. Jenxositi. 7. H lav v deT.
<p>
“in H sevanT plEs, trF, bF H frIkwant TYt v deT,” H
/retx sed, “t briN jPself t rigRd it not Az a dredad fO, bat
Az a frend HAt frIz H sOl grOn wCi in H lEbxz v vxcM
from His distresfal lFf, n lIdz it t its plEs v rekampens n
pIs.”
<p>
“jes, HAt mast bI sO,” TYt /piX, wen Aftx HIz wxdz H
/retx went awE, lIviN him t solitXi meditESan. “it mast bI sO,
bat F Am stil sO wIk HAt F lav mF lFf, H mIniN v wic iz Onli
nQ grAJMali OpaniN bifP mI.” bat fFv v H aHx vxcMz wic
/piX rikYld, kQntiN Hem on hiz fiNgxz, hI felt Ylredi in hiz
sOl: kariJ, Jenxositi, mPAliti, lav v mAnkFnd, n ispeSali
ObIdWns—wic did not Ivan sIm t him a vxcM, bat a Jq. (hI nQ
felt sO glAd t bI frI from hiz On lYlasnas n t sabmit hiz wil
t HOz hM nM H indMbitabal trMT.) hI fxgot wot H sevanT
vxcM woz n kUd not rikYl it.
<p>
H Txd tFm H /retx kEm bAk mP kwikli n Askt /piX
weHx hI woz stil fxm in hiz intenSan n ditxmind t sabmit t
Yl HAt wUd bI rikwFxd v him.
<p>
“F Am redi f evriTiN,” sed /piX.
<p>
“F mast YlsO infPm V,” sed H /retx, “HAt Qx /Pdx
dilivxz its tIciN not in wxdz Onli bat YlsO bF aHx mInz, wic
mE pxhAps hAv a stroNgx ifekt on H sinsC sIkx Aftx wizdam
n vxcM HAn mC wxdz. His cEmbx wiH wot V sI HXin
SUd Ylredi hAv saJestad t jP hRt, if it iz sinsC, mP HAn
wxdz kUd dM. V wil pxhAps YlsO sI in jP fxHx iniSiESan a
lFk meTad v inlFtanmant. Qx /Pdx imitEts H Encant sasFatiz
HAt iäplEnd HX tIciN bF hFraglifiä. a hFraglif,” sed
H /retx, “iz an emblam v samTiN not kognizabal bF H sensaz
bat wic pazesaz kwolitiz rizembaliN HOz v H simbal.”
<p>
/piX nM veri wel wot a hFraglif woz, bat dXd not spIk. hI
lisand t H /retx in sFlans, fIliN from Yl hI sed HAt hiz
PdIl woz abQt t bigin.
<p>
“if V R rizolvd, F mast bigin jP iniSiESan,” sed H /retx
kamiN klOsx t /piX. “in tOkan v Jenxositi F Ask V t giv mI
Yl jP vAlVabalz.”
<p>
“bat F hAv naTiN hC,” riplFd /piX, sapOziN HAt hI woz
Askt t giv ap Yl hI pazest.
<p>
“wot V hAv wiH V: woc, mani, riNz....”
<p>
/piX kwikli tUk Qt hiz pxs n woc, bat kUd not mAniJ f
sam tFm t get H wediN riN of hiz fAt fiNgx. wen HAt hAd bin
dan, H /retx sed:
<p>
“in tOkan v ObIdWns, F Ask V t andres.”
<p>
/piX tUk of hiz kOt, wEstkOt, n left bMt akPdiN t H
/retx'z instrakSanz. H /mEsan drM H Sxt bAk from /piX'z
left brest, n stMpiN dQn pUld ap H left leg v hiz trQzxz
t abav H nI. /piX haridli bigAn tEkiN of hiz rFt bMt YlsO
n woz gOiN t tak ap H aHx trQzx leg t sEv His strEnJx H
trabal, bat H /mEsan tOld him HAt woz not nesisXi n gEv him
a slipx f hiz left fUt. wiH a cFldlFk smFl v imbArasmant,
dQt, n self-diriZan, wic apCd on hiz fEs agenst hiz wil,
/piX stUd wiH hiz Rmz hANiN dQn n leã apRt, bifP hiz
braHx /retx, n awEtad hiz fxHx kamAndz.
<p>
“n nQ, in tOkan v kAndx, F Ask V t rivIl t mI jP cIf
pASan,” sed H lAtx.
<p>
“mF pASan! F hAv hAd sO meni,” riplFd /piX.
<p>
“HAt pASan wic mP HAn Yl aHxz kYzd V t wEvx on H
pAT v vxcM,” sed H /mEsan.
<p>
/piX pYzd, sIkiN a riplF.
<p>
“wFn? glatani? Fdalnas? lEzinas? iritabiliti? ANgx? wimin?”
hI went Ovx hiz vFsaz in hiz mFnd, not nOiN t wic v Hem t giv
H prI-eminans.
<p>
“wimin,” hI sed in a lO, skXsli Ydabal vqs.
<p>
H /mEsan did not mMv n f a loN tFm sed naTiN Aftx His
Ansx. At lAst hI mMvd ap t /piX n, tEkiN H kxcif HAt lE
on H tEbal, agen bQnd hiz Fz.
<p>
“f H lAst tFm F sE t V—txn Yl jP atenSan apon
jPself, pUt a brFdal on jP sensaz, n sIk blesadnas, not in
pASan bat in jP On hRt. H sPs v blesadnas iz not wiHQt
as bat wiHin....”
<p>
/piX hAd Ylredi loN bin fIliN in himself HAt rifreSiN sPs
v blesadnas wic nQ fladad hiz hRt wiH glAd imOSan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
/sMn Aftx His HX kEm intM H dRk cEmbx t fec /piX, not
H /retx bat /piX'z sponsx, /vilRski, hMm hI rekagnFzd bF hiz
vqs. t freS kwescanz Az t H fxmnas v hiz rezalMSan /piX
riplFd: “jes, jes, F agrI,” n wiH a bImiN, cFldlFk smFl,
hiz fAt cest ankavxd, stepiN anIvanli n timidli in wan slipxd
n wan bMtad fUt, hI advAnst, wFl /vilRski held a sPd t hiz
bX cest. hI woz kondaktad from HAt rMm aloN pAsiJaz HAt txnd
bAkwxdz n fPwxdz n woz At lAst brYt t H dPz v H
/loJ. /vilRski koft, hI woz Ansxd bF H /masonik nok wiH
mAlats, H dPz Opand bifP Hem. a bEs vqs (/piX woz stil
blFndfOldad) kwescand him Az t hM hI woz, wen n wX hI woz
bPn, n sO on. Hen hI woz agen led samwX stil blFndfOldad,
n Az HE went aloN hI woz tOld AligPiz v H tqlz v hiz
pilgrimiJ, v hOli frendSip, v H /itxnal /Rkitekt v H
Vnivxs, n v H kariJ wiH wic hI SUd indx tqlz n
dEnJxz. dxiN HIz wondxiNz, /piX nOtist HAt hI woz spOkan
v nQ Az H “sIkx,” nQ Az H “safxx,” n nQ Az H
“poscalant,” t H akampanimant v vXWs nokiNz wiH
mAlats n sPdz. Az hI woz bIiN led ap t sam obJekt hI nOtist a
hezitESan n ansxtanti amaN hiz kondaktxz. hI hxd HOz xQnd
him dispVtiN in wispxz n wan v Hem insistiN HAt hI SUd bI
led aloN a sxtan kRpat. Aftx HAt HE tUk hiz rFt hAnd, plEst
it on samTiN, n tOld him t hOld a pX v kampasaz t hiz left
brest wiH H aHx hAnd n t ripIt Aftx samwan hM red alQd
an OT v fideliti t H lYz v H /Pdx. H kAndalz wx Hen
iätiNgwiSt n sam spirit lFtad, Az /piX nM bF H smel, n
hI woz tOld HAt hI wUd nQ sI H lesx lFt. H bAndiJ woz
tEkan of hiz Fz n, bF H fEnt lFt v H bxniN spirit,
/piX, Az in a drIm, sY sevxal men stAndiN bifP him, wXiN
Epranz lFk H /retx'z n hOldiN sPdz in HX hAndz pqntad At
hiz brest. amaN Hem stUd a mAn hMz wFt Sxt woz stEnd wiH
blad. on sIiN His, /piX mMvd fPwxd wiH hiz brest tPd H
sPdz, mIniN Hem t pCs it. bat H sPdz wx drYn bAk from
him n hI woz At wans blFndfOldad agen.
<p>
“nQ HQ hAst sIn H lesx lFt,” atxd a vqs. Hen H
kAndalz wx rIlit n hI woz tOld HAt hI wUd sI H fUl lFt; H
bAndiJ woz agen rimMvd n mP HAn ten vqsaz sed tageHx: “sik
trAnzit glPW mMndi.”
<p>
/piX grAJMali bigAn t rikavx himself n lUkt abQt At H rMm
n At H pIpal in it. rQnd a loN tEbal kavxd wiH blAk sAt sam
twelv men in gRmants lFk HOz hI hAd Ylredi sIn. sam v Hem
/piX hAd met in /pItxzbxg sasFati. in H /prezidant's cX sAt a
jaN mAn hI did not nO, wiH a pikVlC kros hANiN from hiz
nek. on hiz rFt sAt H /itAlWn AbE hMm /piX hAd met At
/Ana /pyvlOvna'z tM jCz bifP. HX wx YlsO prezant a veri
distiNgwiSt dignitXi n a /swis hM hAd fPmxli bin tMtx At H
/kMryginz'. Yl mEntEnd a solam sFlans, lisaniN t H wxdz
v H /prezidant, hM held a mAlat in hiz hAnd. let intM H wYl woz
a stR-SEpt lFt. At wan sFd v H tEbal woz a smYl kRpat wiH
vXWs figjxz wxkt apon it, At H aHx woz samTiN rizembaliN an
Yltx on wic lE a /testamant n a skal. rQnd it stUd sevan lRJ
kAndalstiä lFk HOz Vzd in cxcaz. tM v H braHxz led /piX
ap t H Yltx, plEst hiz fIt At rFt ANgalz, n bAd him lF dQn,
sEiN HAt hI mast prostrEt himself At H /gEts v H /tempal.
<p>
“hI mast fxst risIv H trQal,” wispxd wan v H braHxz.
<p>
“O, haS, plIz!” sed anaHx.
<p>
/piX, pxpleät, lUkt rQnd wiH hiz SPtsFtad Fz wiHQt
ObEiN, n sadanli dQts xOz in hiz mFnd. “wX Am F? wot Am
F dMiN? Rnt HE lAfiN At mI? SAnt F bI aSEmd t rimembx
His?” bat HIz dQts Onli lAstad a mOment. /piX glAnst At
H sCWs fEsaz v HOz xQnd, rimembxd Yl hI hAd Ylredi gon
TrM, n rWlFzd HAt hI kUd not stop hAfwE. hI woz agAst
At hiz hezitESan n, trFiN t xQz hiz fPmx divOSanal fIliN,
prostrEtad himself bifP H /gEts v H /tempal. n rWli, H
fIliN v divOSan ritxnd t him Ivan mP stroNli HAn bifP. wen
hI hAd lEn HX sam tFm, hI woz tOld t get ap, n a wFt leHx
Epran, sac Az H aHxz wP, woz pUt on him: hI woz givan a trQal
n TrI pXz v glavz, n Hen H /grAnd /mAstx adrest him. hI
tOld him HAt hI SUd trF t dM naTiN t stEn H wFtnas v HAt
Epran, wic simbalFzd streNT n pjUxiti; Hen v H aniäplEnd
trQal, hI tOld him t tql wiH it t klenz hiz On hRt from vFs,
n indalJantli t smMH wiH it H hRt v hiz nEbx. Az t H
fxst pX v glavz, a mAn'z, hI sed HAt /piX kUd not nO
HX mIniN bat mast kIp Hem. H sekand pX v mAn'z glavz
hI woz t wX At H mItiNz, n fFnali v H Txd, a pX v
wimin'z glavz, hI sed: “dC braHx, HIz wUman'z glavz R
intendad f V tM. giv Hem t H wUman hMm V SAl onx mOst
v Yl. His gift wil bI a pleJ v jP pjUxiti v hRt t hx hMm
V silekt t bI jP wxHi helpmIt in /mEsanri.” n Aftx a pYz,
hI Adad: “bat biwX, dC braHx, HAt HIz glavz dM not dek
hAndz HAt R anklIn.” wFl H /grAnd /mAstx sed HIz lAst wxdz
it sImd t /piX HAt hI grM imbArast. /piX himself grM stil
mP kanfVzd, blaSt lFk a cFld til tCz kEm t hiz Fz, bigAn
lUkiN abQt him anIzili, n an Ykwxd pYz folOd.
<p>
His sFlans woz brOkan bF wan v H breHran, hM led /piX ap t H
rag n bigAn rIdiN t him from a mAnVskript bUk an eäplanESan v
Yl H figjxz on it: H san, H mMn, a hAmx, a plam lFn, a
trQal, a raf stOn n a skwXd stOn, a pilx, TrI windOz, n
sO on. Hen a plEs woz asFnd t /piX, hI woz SOn H sFnz v
H /loJ, tOld H pAswxd, n At lAst woz pxmitad t sit dQn.
H /grAnd /mAstx bigAn rIdiN H stAcMts. HE wx veri loN, n
/piX, from Jq, AJitESan, n imbArasmant, woz not in a stEt t
andxstAnd wot woz bIiN red. hI mAniJd t folO Onli H lAst wxdz
v H stAcMts n HIz rimEnd in hiz mFnd.
<p>
“in Qx tempalz wI rekagnFz nO aHx distiNkSanz,” rId H /grAnd
/mAstx, “bat HOz bitwIn vxcM n vFs. biwX v mEkiN eni
distiNkSanz wic mE infrinJ ikwoliti. flF t a braHx'z Ed
hMevx hI mE bI, iãPt him hM gOaT astrE, rEz him HAt fYlaT,
nevx bX mAlis P enmiti tPd HF braHx. bI kFndli n kxtWs.
kindal in Yl hRts H flEm v vxcM. SX HF hApinas wiH HF
nEbx, n mE envi nevx dim H pjUxiti v HAt blis. fxgiv HF
enami, dM not avenJ HFself iäept bF dMiN him gUd. Has fUlfiliN
H hFast lY HQ SAlt rigEn trEsaz v H Encant digniti wic
HQ hAst lost.”
<p>
hI finiSt n, getiN ap, imbrEst n kist /piX, hM, wiH tCz
v Jq in hiz Fz, lUkt rQnd him, not nOiN hQ t Ansx H
kangrAcalESanz n grItiNz from akwEntansaz HAt met him on Yl
sFdz. hI aknoliJd nO akwEntansaz bat sY in Yl HIz men Onli
braHxz, n bxnd wiH impESans t set t wxk wiH Hem.
<p>
H /grAnd /mAstx rApt wiH hiz mAlat. Yl H /mEsanz sAt dQn in
HX plEsaz, n wan v Hem red an eãPtESan on H nisesiti v
hVmiliti.
<p>
H /grAnd /mAstx prapOzd HAt H lAst dMti SUd bI pxfPmd,
n H distiNgwiSt dignitXi hM bP H tFtal v “kalektx
v /ymz” went rQnd t Yl H braHxz. /piX wUd hAv lFkt
t sabskrFb Yl hI hAd, bat fCiN HAt it mFt lUk lFk prFd
sabskrFbd H sEm amQnt Az H aHxz.
<p>
H mItiN woz At an end, n on rIciN hOm /piX felt Az if hI hAd
ritxnd from a loN Jxni on wic hI hAd spent dazanz v jCz, hAd
bikam kamplItli cEnJd, n hAd kwFt left bihFnd hiz fPmx hAbits
n wE v lFf.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
H dE Aftx hI hAd bin risIvd intM H /loJ, /piX woz sitiN At
hOm rIdiN a bUk n trFiN t fAHam H signifikans v H /skwX,
wan sFd v wic simbalFzd /god, anaHx mPal TiNz, a Txd
fizikal TiNz, n H fPT a kombinESan v HIz. nQ n Hen
hiz atenSan wondxd from H bUk n H /skwX n hI fPmd in
imAJinESan a nM plAn v lFf. on H prIvWs IvniN At H /loJ, hI
hAd hxd HAt a rMmx v hiz dMal hAd rIct H /empxx n HAt it
wUd bI wFzx f him t lIv /pItxzbxg. /piX prapOzd gOiN t hiz
istEts in H sQT n HX atendiN t H welfX v hiz sxfs.
hI woz Jqfali plAniN His nM lFf, wen /prins /vysili sadanli
entxd H rMm.
<p>
“mF dC felO, wot hAv V bin ap t in /moskQ? wF hAv V
kworald wiH /helIn, man /Ser? V R andx a dilMZan,” sed
/prins /vysili, Az hI entxd. “F nO Yl abQt it, n F kAn tel
V pozitivli HAt /helIn iz Az inasant bifP V Az /krFst woz
bifP H /JMz.”
<p>
/piX woz abQt t riplF, bat /prins /vysili intxaptad him.
<p>
“n wF didant V simpli kam strEt t mI Az t a frend? F
nO Yl abQt it n andxstAnd it Yl,” hI sed. “V bihEvd Az
bikamz a mAn hM vAlVz hiz onx, pxhAps tM hEstili, bat wI wOnt
gO intM HAt. bat kansidx H paziSan in wic V R plEsiN hx n
mI in H Fz v sasFati, n Ivan v H kPt,” hI Adad, lOxiN
hiz vqs. “SI iz liviN in /moskQ n V R hC. rimembx,
dC bq,” n hI drM /piX'z Rm dQnwxdz, “it iz simpli a
misandxstAndiN. F iäpekt V fIl it sO jPself. let as rFt hx
a letx At wans, n SI'l kam hC n Yl wil bI iäplEnd, P
els, mF dC bq, let mI tel V it's kwFt lFkli V'l hAf t
safx f it.”
<p>
prins /vysili gEv /piX a signifikant lUk.
<p>
“F nO from rilFabal sPsaz HAt H /dQaJx /empres iz tEkiN a
kIn intxast in H hOl afX. V nO SI iz veri grESas t
/helIn.”
<p>
/piX trFd sevxal tFmz t spIk, bat, on wan hAnd, /prins /vysili
did not let him n, on H aHx, /piX himself fCd t bigin t
spIk in H tOn v disFdad rifVzal n disagrImant in wic hI hAd
fxmli rizolvd t Ansx hiz fyHx-in-lY. mPOvx, H wxdz v H
/masonik stAcMts, “bI kFndli n kxtWs,” rikxd t him. hI
bliNkt, went red, got ap n sAt dQn agen, stragaliN wiH himself
t dM wot woz f him H mOst difikalt TiN in lFf—t sE an
anplezant TiN t a mAn'z fEs, t sE wot H aHx, hMevx
hI mFt bI, did not iäpekt. hI woz sO Vst t sabmitiN t /prins
/vysili'z tOn v kXlas self-aSUxans HAt hI felt hI wUd bI
anEbal t wiHstAnd it nQ, bat hI YlsO felt HAt on wot hI sed nQ
hiz fVcx dipendad—weHx hI wUd folO H sEm Old rOd, P HAt
nM pAT sO atrAktivli SOn him bF H /mEsanz, on wic hI fxmli
bilIvd hI wUd bI rIbPn t a nM lFf.
<p>
“nQ, dC bq,” sed /prins /vysili plEfali, “sE 'jes,'
n F'l rFt t hx mFself, n wI wil kil H fAtad kAf.”
<p>
bat bifP /prins /vysili hAd finiSt hiz plEfal spIc, /piX,
wiHQt lUkiN At him, n wiH a kFnd v fjUxi HAt mEd him lFk hiz
fyHx, matxd in a wispx:
<p>
“prins, F did not Ask V hC. gO, plIz gO!” n hI Jampt ap
n Opand H dP f him.
<p>
“gO!” hI ripItad, amEzd At himself n glAd t sI H lUk v
kanfVZan n fC HAt SOd itself on /prins /vysili'z fEs.
<p>
“wot's H mAtx wiH V? R V il?”
<p>
“gO!” H kwivxiN vqs ripItad. n /prins /vysili hAd t gO
wiHQt risIviN eni eäplanESan.
<p>
a wIk lEtx, /piX, hAviN tEkan lIv v hiz nM frendz, H /mEsanz,
n lIviN lRJ samz v mani wiH Hem f ymz, went awE t hiz
istEts. hiz nM breHran gEv him letxz t H /kIev n /Odesa /mEsanz
n promist t rFt t him n gFd him in hiz nM Aktiviti.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
H dMal bitwIn /piX n /dOlOâOf woz haSt ap n, in spFt v
H /empxx'z siveriti rigRdiN dMalz At HAt tFm, nFHx H
prinsipalz nP HX sekandz safxd f it. bat H stPi v H dMal,
kanfxmd bF /piX'z rapcx wiH hiz wFf, woz H tYk v sasFati.
/piX hM hAd bin rigRdad wiH pEtranFziN kondisenSan wen hI woz
an iliJitimat san, n petad n iätOld wen hI woz H best
mAc in /raSa, hAd saNk grEtli in H istIm v sasFati Aftx hiz
mAriJ—wen H mAriJabal dYtxz n HX maHxz hAd naTiN
t hOp from him—ispeSali Az hI did not nO hQ, n did not
wiS, t kPt sasFati'z fEvx. nQ hI alOn woz blEmd f wot hAd
hApand, hI woz sed t bI insEnli Jelas n sabJekt lFk hiz
fyHx t fits v bladTxsti rEJ. n wen Aftx /piX'z
dipRcx /helIn ritxnd t /pItxzbxg, SI woz risIvd bF Yl hx
akwEntansaz not Onli kPJali, bat Ivan wiH a SEd v defxans
dM t hx misfPcMn. wen konvxsESan txnd on hx hazband /helIn
asMmd a dignifFd iäpreSan, wic wiH kAraktxistik tAkt SI hAd
akwFxd HO SI did not andxstAnd its signifikans. His iäpreSan
saJestad HAt SI hAd rizolvd t indx hx trabalz ankamplEniNli
n HAt hx hazband woz a kros lEd apon hx bF /god. prins /vysili
iäprest hiz apinjan mP Opanli. hI Sragd hiz SOldxz wen /piX
woz menSand n, pqntiN t hiz fPhed, rimRkt:
<p>
“a bit tact—F YlwEz sed sO.”
<p>
“F sed from H fxst,” diklXd /Ana /pyvlOvna rifxiN t
/piX, “F sed At H tFm n bifP eniwan els” (SI insistad
on hx prFPiti) “HAt HAt senslas jaN mAn woz spqld bF H
diprEvd FdWz v HIz dEz. F sed sO Ivan At H tFm wen evribodi
woz in rApcxz abQt him, wen hI hAd Jast ritxnd from abrYd, n
wen, if V rimembx, hI pOzd Az a sPt v /mRy At wan v mF swREz.
n hQ hAz it endad? F woz agenst His mAriJ Ivan Hen n fPtOld
Yl HAt hAz hApand.”
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna kantinVd t giv on frI IvniNz H sEm kFnd v
swREz Az bifP—sac Az SI alOn hAd H gift v xEnJiN—At
wic woz t bI fQnd “H krIm v rWli gUd sasFati, H blMm
v H intalekcMal esans v /pItxzbxg,” Az SI hxself pUt it.
bisFdz His rifFnd silekSan v sasFati /Ana /pyvlOvna'z risepSanz
wx YlsO distiNgwiSt bF H fAkt HAt SI YlwEz prizentad sam nM
n intxastiN pxsan t H vizitxz n HAt nOwX els woz H
stEt v H politikal Txmomitx v liJitimat /pItxzbxg kPt
sasFati sO dCli n distiNktli indikEtad.
<p>
tPd H end v 1806, wen Yl H sAd dItElz v /napOlWn'z
distrakSan v H /praSan Rmi At /Jena n /QxStyt n H
sxendx v mOst v H /praSan fPtrasaz hAd bin risIvd, wen Qx
trMps hAd Ylredi entxd /praSa n Qx sekand wP wiH /napOlWn
woz biginiN, /Ana /pyvlOvna gEv wan v hx swREz. H “krIm v
rWli gUd sasFati” kansistad v H fAsinEtiN /helIn, fxsEkan
bF hx hazband, /mPtemR, H dilFtfal /prins /ipOlIt hM hAd
Jast ritxnd from /viena, tM diplOmatists, H Old ynt, a jaN mAn
rifxd t in HAt drYiN rMm Az “a mAn v grEt merit” (an Om
de bOkM de mCFt), a nMli apqntad mEd v onx n hx maHx,
n sevxal aHx les nOtwxHi pxsanz.
<p>
H novalti /Ana /pyvlOvna woz setiN bifP hx gests HAt IvniN
woz /bPis /drMbetskq, hM hAd Jast xFvd Az a speSal mesinJx from
H /praSan Rmi n woz Ed-dI-kAmp t a veri impPtant pxsaniJ.
<p>
H tempxacx SOn bF H politikal Txmomitx t H kampani HAt
IvniN woz His:
<p>
“wotevx H /jUxapWn sovranz n kamAndxz mE dM t
kQntanans /bOnapRt, n t kYz mI, n as in Jenxal, anqans n
mPtifikESan, Qx apinjan v /bOnapRt kAnot Yltx. wI SAl not sIs
t iäpres Qx sinsC vVz on HAt sabJekt, n kAn Onli sE t H
/kiN v /praSa n aHxz: 'sO mac H wxs f V. tM l'Az
/vOlM, /JPJ /dyndin,' HAt's Yl wI hAf t sE abQt it!”
<p>
wen /bPis, hM woz t bI sxvd ap t H gests, entxd H drYiN
rMm, YlmOst Yl H kampani hAd asembald, n H konvxsESan, gFdad
bF /Ana /pyvlOvna, woz abQt Qx diplamAtik rilESanz wiH /ostrW n
H hOp v an alFans wiH hx.
<p>
bPis, grOn mP mAnli n lUkiN freS, rOzi n self-pazest,
entxd H drYiN rMm eligantli drest in H VnifPm v an
Ed-dI-kAmp n woz dMli kondaktad t pE hiz rispekts t H ynt n
Hen brYt bAk t H Jenxal sxkal.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna gEv him hx Srivald hAnd t kis n intradMst him t
sevxal pxsanz hMm hI did not nO, giviN him a wispxd diskripSan
v Ic.
<p>
“prins /ipOlIt /kMrygin—cRmiN jaN felO; M.
/kronk,—cRJ d'AfX from /kOpenhEgin—a prafQnd intalekt,”
n simpli, “/mx /SitOf—a mAn v grEt merit”—His v H mAn
VZMali sO diskrFbd.
<p>
TANä t /Ana /miâFlOvna'z efxts, hiz On tEsts, n H
pikVliAritiz v hiz rizxvd nEcx, /bPis hAd mAniJd dxiN hiz
sxvis t plEs himself veri AdvantEJasli. hI woz Ed-dI-kAmp t a
veri impPtant pxsaniJ, hAd bin sent on a veri impPtant miSan t
/praSa, n hAd Jast ritxnd from HX Az a speSal mesinJx. hI hAd
bikam TarOli kanvxsant wiH HAt anritan kOd wiH wic hI hAd
bin sO plIzd At /OlmUts n akPdiN t wic an ensan mFt rANk
inkompxabli hFx HAn a Jenxal, n akPdiN t wic wot woz
nIdad f saäes in H sxvis woz not efxt P wxk, P kariJ, P
pxsavCans, bat Onli H noliJ v hQ t get on wiH HOz hM kAn
grAnt riwPdz, n hI woz himself oftan sxprFzd At H rapiditi v hiz
saäes n At H inabiliti v aHxz t andxstAnd HIz TiNz.
in konsikwans v His diskavxi hiz hOl mAnx v lFf, Yl
hiz rilESanz wiH Old frendz, Yl hiz plAnz f hiz fVcx, wx
kamplItli Yltxd. hI woz not ric, bat wUd spend hiz lAst grOt t
bI betx drest HAn aHxz, n wUd rAHx diprFv himself v meni
pleZxz HAn alQ himself t bI sIn in a SAbi ekwipiJ P apC
in H strIts v /pItxzbxg in an Old VnifPm. hI mEd frendz wiH
n sYt H akwEntans v Onli HOz abav him in paziSan n
hM kUd HXfP bI v Vs t him. hI lFkt /pItxzbxg n dispFzd
/moskQ. H rimembrans v H /rOstOfs' hQs n v hiz cFldiS
lav f /nytySa woz anplezant t him n hI hAd not wans bin t sI
H /rOstOfs sins H dE v hiz dipRcx f H Rmi. t bI in /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z drYiN rMm hI kansidxd an impPtant step ap in H
sxvis, n hI At wans andxstUd hiz rOl, letiN hiz hOstas mEk
Vs v wotevx intxast hI hAd t ofx. hI himself kXfali skAnd
Ic fEs, aprEziN H posabilitiz v istAbliSiN intimasi wiH
Ic v HOz prezant, n H advAntiJaz HAt mFt akrM. hI tUk
H sIt indikEtad t him bisFd H fX /helIn n lisand t H
Jenxal konvxsESan.
<p>
“/viena kansidxz H bEsaz v H prapOzd trIti sO anatEnabal
HAt not Ivan a kontinMiti v mOst brilWnt saäesaz wUd sikjUx
Hem, n SI dQts H mInz wI hAv v gEniN Hem. HAt iz H
AkcMal frEz Vzd bF H /viena kAbinat,” sed H /dEniS cRJ
d'AfX.
<p>
“H dQt iz flAtxiN,” sed “H mAn v prafQnd intalekt,”
wiH a satal smFl.
<p>
“wI mast distiNgwiS bitwIn H /viena kAbinat n H /empxx v
/ostrW,” sed /mPtemR. “H /empxx v /ostrW kAn nevx hAv
TYt v sac a TiN, it iz Onli H kAbinat HAt sez it.”
<p>
“y, mF dC /vikOmt,” pUt in /Ana /pyvlOvna, “/l'jUxOp” (f
sam rIzan SI kYld it /VrOp Az if HAt wx a speSali rifFnd
/frenc pranansiESan wic SI kUd alQ hxself wen kanvxsiN wiH
a /frencman), “/l'jUxOp nE sery /JEmais nOtx AlFI sinsC.” *
<p>
    * “/jUxap wil nevx bI Qx sinsC AlF.”
<p>
<p>
Aftx HAt /Ana /pyvlOvna led ap t H kariJ n fxmnas v H /kiN
v /praSa, in Pdx t drY /bPis intM H konvxsESan.
<p>
bPis lisand atentivli t Ic v H spIkxz, awEtiN hiz txn,
bat mAniJd mInwFl t lUk rQnd ripItadli At hiz nEbx, H
bVtifal /helIn, hMz Fz sevxal tFmz met HOz v H hAndsam
jaN Ed-dI-kAmp wiH a smFl.
<p>
spIkiN v H paziSan v /praSa, /Ana /pyvlOvna veri nAcxali Askt
/bPis t tel Hem abQt hiz Jxni t /glOgQ n in wot stEt hI
fQnd H /praSan Rmi. bPis, spIkiN wiH dilibxESan, tOld Hem
in pjUx, kxekt /frenc meni intxastiN dItElz abQt H Rmiz n
H kPt, kXfali abstEniN from iäpresiN an apinjan v hiz
On abQt H fAkts hI woz rikQntiN. f sam tFm hI ingrOst H
Jenxal atenSan, n /Ana /pyvlOvna felt HAt H novalti SI hAd
sxvd ap woz risIvd wiH pleZx bF Yl hx vizitxz. H grEtast
atenSan v Yl t /bPis' nArativ woz SOn bF /helIn. SI Askt
him sevxal kwescanz abQt hiz Jxni n sImd grEtli intxastad in
H stEt v H /praSan Rmi. Az sMn Az hI hAd finiSt SI txnd t
him wiH hx VZMal smFl.
<p>
“V AbsalMtli mast kam n sI mI,” SI sed in a tOn HAt
implFd HAt, f sxtan kansidxESanz hI kUd not nO v, His woz
AbsalMtli nesisXi.
<p>
“on tMzdE bitwIn Et n nFn. it wil giv mI grEt pleZx.”
<p>
bPis promist t fUlfil hx wiS n woz abQt t bigin a
konvxsESan wiH hx, wen /Ana /pyvlOvna kYld him awE on H
prIteät HAt hx ynt wiSt t hC him.
<p>
“V nO hx hazband, v kPs?” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna, klOziN hx
Fz n indikEtiN /helIn wiH a sorOfal Jescx. “y, SI iz
sac an anfPcanat n cRmiN wUman! dOnt menSan him bifP
hx—plIz dOnt! it iz tM pEnfal f hx!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
wen /bPis n /Ana /pyvlOvna ritxnd t H aHxz /prins /ipOlIt
hAd H C v H kampani.
<p>
bendiN fPwxd in hiz RmcX hI sed: “lU /rwy de /prMs!” n
hAviN sed His lAft. evriwan txnd tPd him.
<p>
“lU /rwy de /prMs?” /ipOlIt sed intxogativli, agen lAfiN,
n Hen kymli n sCWsli sAt bAk in hiz cX. Ana /pyvlOvna
wEtad f him t gO on, bat Az hI sImd kwFt disFdad t sE nO mP
SI bigAn t tel v hQ At /potsdAm H impFas /bOnapRt hAd stOlan H
sPd v /fredxik H /grEt.
<p>
“it iz H sPd v /fredxik H /grEt wic F...” SI bigAn, bat
/ipOlIt intxaptad hx wiH H wxdz: “lU /rwy de /prMs...” n
agen, Az sMn Az Yl txnd tPd him, iäkVzd himself n sed nO
mP.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna frQnd. /mPtemR, /ipOlIt's frend, adrest him
fxmli.
<p>
“kam nQ, wot abQt jP /rwy de /prMs?”
<p>
/ipOlIt lAft Az if aSEmd v lAfiN.
<p>
“O, it's naTiN. F Onli wiSt t sE...” (hI wontad t ripIt
a JOk hI hAd hxd in /viena n wic hI hAd bin trFiN Yl HAt
IvniN t get in) “F Onli wiSt t sE HAt wI R roN t fFt
pP lU /rwy de /prMs!”
<p>
bPis smFld sxkamspektli, sO HAt it mFt bI tEkan Az Fronikal
P aprISativ akPdiN t H wE H JOk woz risIvd. evribodi
lAft.
<p>
“jP JOk iz tM bAd, it's witi bat anJast,” sed /Ana
/pyvlOvna, SEkiN hx lital Srivald fiNgx At him.
<p>
“wI R not fFtiN pP lU /rwy de /prMs, bat f rFt prinsapalz.
O, HAt wikad /prins /ipOlIt!” SI sed.
<p>
H konvxsESan did not flAg Yl IvniN n txnd cIfli on H
politikal nMz. it bikEm pxtikVlxli AnimEtad tPd H end v H
IvniN wen H riwPdz bistOd bF H /empxx wx menSand.
<p>
“V nO /n— /n— risIvd a snafboä wiH H pPtrEt lAst
jC?” sed “H mAn v prafQnd intalekt.” “wF SUdant
/z— /z— get H sEm distiNkSan?”
<p>
“pRdan mI! a snafboä wiH H /empxx'z pPtrEt iz a riwPd bat
not a distiNkSan,” sed H diplOmatist—“a gift, rAHx.”
<p>
“HX R presidants, F mE menSan /SvRtsaanbxg.”
<p>
“it's imposabal,” riplFd anaHx.
<p>
“wil V bet? H riban v H Pdx iz a difxant mAtx....”
<p>
wen evribodi rOz t gO, /helIn hM hAd spOkan veri lital Yl
H IvniN agen txnd t /bPis, AskiN him in a tOn v kxesiN
signifikant kamAnd t kam t hx on tMzdE.
<p>
“it iz v grEt impPtans t mI,” SI sed, txniN wiH a smFl
tPd /Ana /pyvlOvna, n /Ana /pyvlOvna, wiH H sEm sAd smFl wiH
wic SI spOk v hx iãYltad pEtranas, sapPtad /helIn'z wiS.
<p>
it sImd Az if from sam wxdz /bPis hAd spOkan HAt IvniN abQt H
/praSan Rmi, /helIn hAd sadanli fQnd it nesisXi t sI him.
SI sImd t promis t iäplEn HAt nisesiti t him wen hI kEm on
tMzdE.
<p>
bat on tMzdE IvniN, hAviN kam t /helIn'z splendid salon,
/bPis risIvd nO klC eäplanESan v wF it hAd bin nesisXi f
him t kam. HX wx aHx gests n H kQntas tYkt lital t
him, n Onli Az hI kist hx hAnd on tEkiN lIv sed aniäpektadli
n in a wispx, wiH a strEnJli ansmFliN fEs: “kam t dinx
tamorO... in H IvniN. V mast kam.... kam!”
<p>
dxiN HAt stE in /pItxzbxg, /bPis bikEm an intimat in H
kQntas' hQs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
H wP woz flEmiN ap n nCiN H /raSan frantC. evriwX wan
hxd kxsaz on /bOnapRt, “H enami v mAnkFnd.” miliSamen n
rikrMts wx bIiN inrOld in H viliJaz, n from H sIt v
wP kEm kontradiktxi nMz, fYls Az VZMal n HXfP vXWsli
intxpratad. H lFf v Old /prins /bOlkOnski, /prins /AndrM, n
/prinsas /mXi hAd grEtli cEnJd sins 1805.
<p>
in 1806 H Old prins woz mEd wan v H Et kamAndxz in cIf
Hen apqntad t sMpxvFz H inrOlmant dikrId TrMQt /raSa.
dispFt H wIknas v EJ, wic hAd bikam pxtikVlxli nOtisabal
sins H tFm wen hI TYt hiz san hAd bin kild, hI did not TiNk
it rFt t rifVz a dMti t wic hI hAd bin apqntad bF H /empxx
himself, n His freS opxtMniti f AkSan gEv him nM enxJi
n streNT. hI woz kantinVali trAvaliN TrM H TrI provinsaz
intrastad t him, woz pidAntik in H fUlfilmant v hiz dMtiz, sivC
t krMal wiH hiz sabPdinats, n went intM evriTiN dQn t H
mFnMtast dItElz himself. prinsas /mXi hAd sIst tEkiN lesanz in
mATamAtiä from hx fyHx, n wen H Old prins woz At hOm went
t hiz stadi wiH H wet nxs n lital /prins /nikalas (Az hiz
grAndfyHx kYld him). H bEbi /prins /nikalas livd wiH hiz wet
nxs n nxs /syviSna in H lEt prinsas' rMmz n /prinsas
/mXi spent mOst v H dE in H nxsxi, tEkiN a maHx'z plEs t
hx lital nefV Az best SI kUd. /mAdamwazel /bMrien, tM, sImd
pASanatli fond v H bq, n /prinsas /mXi oftan diprFvd hxself
t giv hx frend H pleZx v dAndaliN H lital EnJal—Az SI
kYld hx nefV—n plEiN wiH him.
<p>
nC H Yltx v H cxc At /bYld /hilz HX woz a cApal Ovx H
tMm v H lital prinsas, n in His cApal woz a mRbal monVmant
brYt from /itali, reprizentiN an EnJal wiH Qtspred wiNz redi t
flF apwxdz. H EnJal'z apx lip woz slFtli rEzd Az HO
abQt t smFl, n wans on kamiN Qt v H cApal /prins /AndrM n
/prinsas /mXi admitad t wan anaHx HAt H EnJal'z fEs rimFndad
Hem strEnJli v H lital prinsas. bat wot woz stil strEnJx,
HO v His /prins /AndrM sed naTiN t hiz sistx, woz HAt in H
iäpreSan H skalptx hAd hApand t giv H EnJal'z fEs, /prins
/AndrM red H sEm mFld riprOc hI hAd red on H fEs v hiz ded
wFf: “y, wF hAv V dan His t mI?”
<p>
sMn Aftx /prins /AndrM'z ritxn H Old prins mEd Ovx t him a
lRJ istEt, /bOgMcROvO, abQt twenti-fFv mFlz from /bYld /hilz.
pRtli bikoz v H dipresiN memxiz asOSiEtad wiH /bYld /hilz,
pRtli bikoz /prins /AndrM did not YlwEz fIl Ikwal t bXiN wiH
hiz fyHx'z pikVliAritiz, n pRtli bikoz hI nIdad solitMd,
/prins /AndrM mEd Vs v /bOgMcROvO, bigAn bildiN n spent mOst v
hiz tFm HX.
<p>
Aftx H /Qstxlits kAmpEn /prins /AndrM hAd fxmli rizolvd not
t kantinV hiz militXi sxvis, n wen H wP rIkamenst
n evribodi hAd t sxv, hI tUk a pOst andx hiz fyHx in H
rikrMtmant sO Az t avqd Aktiv sxvis. H Old prins n hiz san
sImd t hAv cEnJd rOlz sins H kAmpEn v 1805. H Old mAn,
rQzd bF Aktiviti, iäpektad H best rizalts from H nM kAmpEn,
wFl /prins /AndrM on H kontrXi, tEkiN nO pRt in H wP n
sIkratli rigretiN His, sY Onli H dRk sFd.
<p>
on febrMXi 26, 1807, H Old prins set of on wan v hiz sxkits.
prins /AndrM rimEnd At /bYld /hilz Az VZMal dxiN hiz fyHx'z
Absans. lital /nikalas hAd bin anwel f fP dEz. H kOcman hM
hAd drivan H Old prins t tQn ritxnd briNiN pEpxz n letxz
f /prins /AndrM.
<p>
not fFndiN H jaN prins in hiz stadi H vAlE went wiH H
letxz t /prinsas /mXi'z apRtmants, bat did not fFnd him HX. hI
woz tOld HAt H prins hAd gon t H nxsxi.
<p>
“if V plIz, jP eäalansi, /petrMSa hAz brYt sam pEpxz,”
sed wan v H nxsmEdz t /prins /AndrM hM woz sitiN on a
cFld'z lital cX wFl, frQniN n wiH trembaliN hAndz, hI
pPd drops from a medisin botal intM a wFnglAs hAf fUl v wYtx.
<p>
“wot iz it?” hI sed krosli, n, hiz hAnd SEkiN
anintenSanali, hI pPd tM meni drops intM H glAs. hI TrM H
miäcx ontM H flP n Askt f sam mP wYtx. H mEd brYt
it.
<p>
HX wx in H rMm a cFld'z kot, tM boäaz, tM RmcXz, a
tEbal, a cFld'z tEbal, n H lital cX on wic /prins /AndrM
woz sitiN. H kxtanz wx drYn, n a siNgal kAndal woz bxniN on
H tEbal, skrInd bF a bQnd mVzik bUk sO HAt H lFt did not fYl
on H kot.
<p>
“mF dC,” sed /prinsas /mXi, adresiN hx braHx from bisFd
H kot wX SI woz stAndiN, “betx wEt a bit... lEtx...”
<p>
“O, lIv of, V YlwEz tYk nonsens n kIp pUtiN TiNz
of—n His iz wot kamz v it!” sed /prins /AndrM in an
iãAspxEtad wispx, evidentli mIniN t wMnd hiz sistx.
<p>
“mF dC, rWli... it's betx not t wEk him... hI'z aslIp,”
sed H prinsas in a tOn v intrIti.
<p>
prins /AndrM got ap n went on tiptO ap t H lital bed, wFnglAs
in hAnd.
<p>
“pxhAps wI'd rWli betx not wEk him,” hI sed hezitEtiN.
<p>
“Az V plIz... rWli... F TiNk sO... bat Az V plIz,” sed
/prinsas /mXi, evidentli intimidEtad n kanfVzd HAt hx apinjan
hAd privEld. SI drM hx braHx'z atenSan t H mEd hM woz
kYliN him in a wispx.
<p>
it woz H sekand nFt HAt nFHx v Hem hAd slept, wociN H bq
hM woz in a hF fIvx. HIz lAst dEz, mistrastiN HX hQshOld
doktx n iäpektiN anaHx f hMm HE hAd sent t tQn, HE hAd
bin trFiN fxst wan remadi n Hen anaHx. wPn Qt bF slIplasnas
n ANzFati HE TrM HX bxdan v sorO on wan anaHx n
riprOct n dispVtad wiH Ic aHx.
<p>
“/petrMSa hAz kam wiH pEpxz from jP fyHx,” wispxd H
mEd.
<p>
prins /AndrM went Qt.
<p>
“deval tEk Hem!” hI matxd, n Aftx lisaniN t H vxbal
instrakSanz hiz fyHx hAd sent n tEkiN H korispondans n hiz
fyHx'z letx, hI ritxnd t H nxsxi.
<p>
“wel?” hI Askt.
<p>
“stil H sEm. wEt, f hevan'z sEk. kRl /ivynic YlwEz sez
HAt slIp iz mP impPtant HAn eniTiN,” wispxd /prinsas /mXi
wiH a sF.
<p>
prins /AndrM went ap t H cFld n felt him. hI woz bxniN hot.
<p>
“kanfQnd V n jP /kRl /ivynic!” hI tUk H glAs wiH H
drops n agen went ap t H kot.
<p>
“AndrM, dOnt!” sed /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
bat hI skQld At hx ANgrili HO YlsO wiH safxiN in hiz Fz,
n stMpt glAs in hAnd Ovx H infant.
<p>
“bat F wiS it,” hI sed. “F beg V—giv it him!”
<p>
prinsas /mXi Sragd hx SOldxz bat tUk H glAs sabmisivli
n kYliN H nxs bigAn giviN H medisin. H cFld skrImd
hPsli. prins /AndrM winst n, klaciN hiz hed, went Qt n sAt
dQn on a sOfa in H neät rMm.
<p>
hI stil hAd Yl H letxz in hiz hAnd. OpaniN Hem mikAnikli hI
bigAn rIdiN. H Old prins, nQ n Hen VziN abrIviESanz, rOt
in hiz lRJ IloNgEtad hAnd on blM pEpx Az folOz:
<p>
hAv Jast His mOment risIvd bF speSal mesinJx veri Jqfal
nMz—if it's not fYls. benigsan sImz t hAv abtEnd a kamplIt
viktxi Ovx /bMOnapRte At /ElQ. in /pItxzbxg evriwan iz riJqsiN,
n H riwPdz sent t H Rmi R inMmxabal. HO hI iz a
/Jxman—F kangrAcalEt him! F kAnt mEk Qt wot H kamAndx At
/kPcevO—a sxtan /âyndrikOf—iz ap t; til nQ H adiSanal
men n praviZanz hAv not xFvd. gAlap of t him At wans n
sE F'l hAv hiz hed of if evriTiN iz not hC in a wIk.
hAv risIvd anaHx letx abQt H /prqsiS-/ElQ bAtal
from /petenka—hI tUk pRt in it—n it's Yl trM. wen
miscif-mEkxz dOnt medal Ivan a /Jxman bIts /bMOnapRte. hI iz
sed t bI flIiN in grEt disPdx. mFnd V gAlap of t /kPcevO
wiHQt dilE n kAri Qt instrakSanz!
<p>
prins /AndrM sFd n brOk H sIl v anaHx envalOp. it woz
a klOsli ritan letx v tM SIts from /bilibin. hI fOldad it ap
wiHQt rIdiN it n rIred hiz fyHx'z letx, endiN wiH H
wxdz: “gAlap of t /kPcevO n kAri Qt instrakSanz!”
<p>
“nO, pRdan mI, F wOnt gO nQ til H cFld iz betx,” TYt
hI, gOiN t H dP n lUkiN intM H nxsxi.
<p>
prinsas /mXi woz stil stAndiN bF H kot, Jentli rokiN H bEbi.
<p>
“y jes, n wot els did hI sE HAt's anplezant?” TYt
/prins /AndrM, rikYliN hiz fyHx'z letx. “jes, wI hAv gEnd
a viktxi Ovx /bOnapRt, Jast wen F'm not sxviN. jes, jes, hI'z
YlwEz pOkiN fan At mI.... y, wel! let him!” n hI bigAn rIdiN
/bilibin'z letx wic woz ritan in /frenc. hI red wiHQt
andxstAndiN hAf v it, red Onli t fxget, if bat f a mOment, wot
hI hAd tM loN bin TiNkiN v sO pEnfali t H iäklMZan v Yl
els.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
/bilibin woz nQ At Rmi hedkwPtxz in a diplamAtik kapAsiti, n
HO hI rOt in /frenc n Vzd /frenc Jests n /frenc idWmz,
hI diskrFbd H hOl kAmpEn wiH a fClas self-senSx n
self-diriZan JenVinli /raSan. /bilibin rOt HAt H obligESan v
diplamAtik diskreSan tPmentad him, n hI woz hApi t hAv in /prins
/AndrM a rilFabal korispondant t hMm hI kUd pP Qt H bFl hI
hAd akVmVlEtad At H sFt v Yl HAt woz bIiN dan in H Rmi.
H letx woz Old, hAviN bin ritan bifP H bAtal At
/prqsiS-/ElQ.
<p>
“sins H dE v Qx brilWnt saäes At /Qstxlits,” rOt
/bilibin, “Az V nO, mF dC prins, F nevx lIv hedkwPtxz. F
hAv sxtanli akwFxd a tEst f wP, n it iz Jast Az wel f mI;
wot F hAv sIn dxiN HIz lAst TrI manTs iz inkredabal.
<p>
“F bigin Ab OvO. 'H enami v H hVman rEs,' Az V nO,
atAä H /praSanz. H /praSanz R Qx fETfal AlFz hM hAv
Onli bitrEd as TrI tFmz in TrI jCz. wI tEk ap HX kYz, bat
it txnz Qt HAt 'H enami v H hVman rEs' pEz nO hId t
Qx fFn spIcaz n in hiz rMd n sAviJ wE TrOz himself on H
/praSanz wiHQt giviN Hem tFm t finiS H pxEd HE hAd bigan,
n in tM twists v H hAnd hI brEä Hem t smiHxInz n instYlz
himself in H pAlas At /potsdAm.
<p>
“'F mOst Rdantli dizFx,' rFts H /kiN v /praSa t
/bOnapRt, 'HAt jP /mAJasti SUd bI risIvd n trItad in mF
pAlas in a mAnx agrIabal t jPself, n in sO fR Az sxkamstAnsaz
alQd, F hAv hEsand t tEk Yl steps t HAt end. mE F hAv
saäIdad!' H /praSan Jenxalz prFd Hemselvz on bIiN palFt t
H /frenc n lE dQn HX Rmz At H fxst dimAnd.
<p>
“H hed v H gArisan At /glOgQ, wiH ten TQzand men, Asä H
/kiN v /praSa wot hI iz t dM if hI iz samand t sxendx.... Yl
His iz AbsalMtli trM.
<p>
“in SPt, hOpiN t setal mAtxz bF tEkiN ap a wPlFk AtitMd,
it txnz Qt HAt wI hAv lAndad Qxselvz in wP, n wot iz mP,
in wP on Qx On frantCz, wiH n f H /kiN v /praSa. wI hAv
evriTiN in pxfikt Pdx, Onli wan lital TiN iz lAkiN, nEmli,
a kamAndx in cIf. Az it woz kansidxd HAt H /Qstxlits saäes
mFt hAv bin mP disFsiv hAd H kamAndx in cIf not bin sO
jaN, Yl Qx oktaJinXWnz wx rivVd, n v /prOzPOvski
n /kymenski H lAtx woz prifxd. H Jenxal kamz t as,
/sMvPOf-lFk, in a kFbitka, n iz risIvd wiH AklamESanz v Jq
n trFamf.
<p>
“on H 4T, H fxst kUrC xFvz from /pItxzbxg. H mElz
R tEkan t H fIld mRSal'z rMm, f hI lFä t dM evriTiN
himself. F Am kYld in t help sPt H letxz n tEk HOz ment
f as. H fIld mRSal lUä on n wEts f letxz adrest
t him. wI sxc, bat nan R t bI fQnd. H fIld mRSal grOz
impESant n sets t wxk himself n fFndz letxz from H /empxx
t /kQnt T., prins V., n aHxz. Hen hI bxsts intM wan v hiz wFld
fjUxiz n rEJaz At evriwan n evriTiN, sIzaz H letxz, Opanz
Hem, n rIdz HOz from H /empxx adrest t aHxz. 'y! sO
HAt's H wE HE trIt mI! nO konfidans in mI! y, Pdxd t kIp
an F on mI! veri wel Hen! get aloN wiH V!' sO hI rFts H
fEmas Pdx v H dE t /Jenxal /benigsan:
<p>
“'F Am wMndad n kAnot rFd n konsikwantli kAnot kamAnd H
Rmi. V hAv brYt jP Rmi kP t /pMltMsk, rQtad: hC it iz
iäpOzd, n wiHQt fVal P fPiJ, sO samTiN mast bI dan, n, Az
V jPself ripPtad t /kQnt /bMähxvden jestxdE, V mast TiNk v
ritrItiN t Qx frantC—wic dM tadE.'
<p>
“'from Yl mF rFdiN,' hI rFts t H /empxx, 'F hAv got a
sAdal sP wic, kamiN Aftx Yl mF prIvWs Jxniz, kwFt privents
mF rFdiN n kamAndiN sO vAst an Rmi, sO F hAv pAst on H
kamAnd t H Jenxal neät in sIniPiti, /kQnt /bMähxvden, hAviN sent
him mF hOl stAf n Yl HAt biloNz t it, advFziN him if HX iz
a lAk v bred, t mMv fRHx intM H intCC v /praSa, f Onli
wan dE'z rASan v bred rimEnz, n in sam reJimants nan At Yl,
Az ripPtad bF H diviZan kamAndxz, /ostCman n /sedmPetski, n
Yl HAt H pezants hAd hAz bin Itan ap. F mFself wil rimEn in
hospital At /ostrOlenka til F rikavx. in rigRd t wic F hambli
sabmit mF ripPt, wiH H infxmESan HAt if H Rmi rimEnz in its
prezant bivUAk anaHx fPtnFt HX wil not bI a helTi mAn left
in it bF spriN.
<p>
“'grAnt lIv t ritFx t hiz kantri sIt t an Old mAn hM iz
Ylredi in eni kEs disonxd bF bIiN anEbal t fUlfil H grEt n
glPWs tAsk f wic hI woz cOzan. F SAl awEt jP mOst grESas
pxmiSan hC in hospital, HAt F mE not hAf t plE H pRt v a
sekratXi rAHx HAn kamAndx in H Rmi. mF rimMval from H Rmi
daz not pradMs H slFtast stx—a blFnd mAn hAz left it. HX R
TQzandz sac Az F in /raSa.'
<p>
“H fIld mRSal iz ANgri wiH H /empxx n hI paniSaz as Yl,
izant it loJikal?
<p>
“His iz H fxst Akt. HOz HAt folO R nAcxali inkrIsiNli
intxastiN n entxtEniN. Aftx H fIld mRSal'z dipRcx
it apCz HAt wI R wiHin sFt v H enami n mast giv bAtal.
/bMähxvden iz kamAndx in cIf bF sIniPiti, bat /Jenxal /benigsan
daz not kwFt sI it; mP pxtikVlxli Az it iz hI n hiz kP hM
R wiHin sFt v H enami n hI wiSaz t profit bF H opxtMniti
t fFt a bAtal 'on hiz On hAnd' Az H /Jxmanz sE. hI daz sO.
His iz H bAtal v /pMltMsk, wic iz kansidxd a grEt viktxi bat
in mF apinjan woz naTiN v H kFnd. wI sivilWnz, Az V nO, hAv
a veri bAd wE v disFdiN weHx a bAtal woz wan P lost. HOz hM
ritrIt Aftx a bAtal hAv lost it iz wot wI sE; n akPdiN t
HAt it iz wI hM lost H bAtal v /pMltMsk. in SPt, wI ritrIt
Aftx H bAtal bat send a kUrC t /pItxzbxg wiH nMz v a
viktxi, n /Jenxal /benigsan, hOpiN t risIv from /pItxzbxg H
pOst v kamAndx in cIf Az a riwPd f hiz viktxi, daz not giv ap
H kamAnd v H Rmi t /Jenxal /bMähxvden. dxiN His intxregnam
wI bigin a veri xiJinal n intxastiN sCIz v manMvxz. Qx Em iz
nO loNgx, Az it SUd bI, t avqd P atAk H enami, bat sOli t
avqd /Jenxal /bMähxvden hM bF rFt v sIniPiti SUd bI Qx cIf.
sO enxJetikli dM wI pxsM His Em HAt Aftx krosiN an anfPdabal
rivx wI bxn H briJaz t sepxEt Qxselvz from Qx enami, hM At
H mOment iz not /bOnapRt bat /bMähxvden. Jenxal /bMähxvden woz Yl
bat atAkt n kApcxd bF a sMpCC enami fPs Az a rizalt v wan
v HIz manMvxz HAt inEbald as t iskEp him. /bMähxvden pxsMz
as—wI skatal. hI hRdli krosaz H rivx t Qx sFd bifP wI
rIkros t H aHx. At lAst Qx enami, /bMähxvden, kAcaz as n
atAä. bOT Jenxalz R ANgri, n H rizalt iz a cAlanJ on
/bMähxvden'z pRt n an epileptik fit on /benigsan'z. bat At H
kritikal mOment H kUrC hM kArid H nMz v Qx viktxi At
/pMltMsk t /pItxzbxg ritxnz briNiN Qx apqntmant Az kamAndx in
cIf, n Qx fxst fO, /bMähxvden, iz vANkwiSt; wI kAn nQ txn
Qx TYts t H sekand, /bOnapRt. bat Az it txnz Qt, Jast At
HAt mOment a Txd enami rFzaz bifP as—nEmli H /PTadoä /raSan
sOlJxz, lQdli dimAndiN bred, mIt, biskits, fodx, n wotnot!
H stPz R empti, H rOdz impAsabal. H /PTadoä bigin lMtiN,
n in a wE v wic Qx lAst kAmpEn kAn giv V nO FdW. hAf H
reJimants fPm bAndz n skQx H kantrisFd n pUt evriTiN
t fFx n sPd. H inhAbitants R tOtali rMind, H hospitalz
OvxflO wiH sik, n fAmin iz evriwX. twFs H mxYdxz Ivan
atAk Qx hedkwPtxz, n H kamAndx in cIf hAs t Ask f a
batAlWn t dispxs Hem. dxiN wan v HIz atAä HE kArid of
mF empti pPtmAntO n mF dresiN gQn. H /empxx prapOzaz t giv
Yl kamAndxz v diviZanz H rFt t SMt mxYdxz, bat F mac
fC His wil ablFJ wan hAf H Rmi t SMt H aHx.”
<p>
At fxst /prins /AndrM red wiH hiz Fz Onli, bat Aftx a wFl,
in spFt v himself (YlHO hI nM hQ fR it woz sEf t trast
/bilibin), wot hI hAd red bigAn t intxast him mP n mP. wen hI
hAd red Has fR, hI krampald H letx ap n TrM it awE. it woz
not wot hI hAd red HAt veät him, bat H fAkt HAt H lFf Qt
HX in wic hI hAd nQ nO pRt kUd pxtxb him. hI Sat hiz Fz,
rabd hiz fPhed Az if t rid himself v Yl intxast in wot hI
hAd red, n lisand t wot woz pAsiN in H nxsxi. sadanli hI
TYt hI hxd a strEnJ nqz TrM H dP. hI woz sIzd wiH
alRm lest samTiN SUd hAv hApand t H cFld wFl hI woz
rIdiN H letx. hI went on tiptO t H nxsxi dP n Opand it.
<p>
Jast Az hI went in hI sY HAt H nxs woz hFdiN samTiN from him
wiH a skXd lUk n HAt /prinsas /mXi woz nO loNgx bF H kot.
<p>
“mF dC,” hI hxd wot sImd t him hx dispXiN wispx bihFnd
him.
<p>
Az oftan hApanz Aftx loN slIplasnas n loN ANzFati, hI woz
sIzd bF an anrIzaniN pAnik—it akxd t him HAt H cFld woz
ded. Yl HAt hI sY n hxd sImd t kanfxm His terx.
<p>
“Yl iz Ovx,” hI TYt, n a kOld swet brOk Qt on hiz
fPhed. hI went t H kot in kanfVZan, SUx HAt hI wUd fFnd it
empti n HAt H nxs hAd bin hFdiN H ded bEbi. hI drM H
kxtan asFd n f sam tFm hiz frFtand, restlas Fz kUd not
fFnd H bEbi. At lAst hI sY him: H rOzi bq hAd tost abQt til hI
lE akros H bed wiH hiz hed lOx HAn H pilO, n woz smAkiN
hiz lips in hiz slIp n brIHiN Ivanli.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz Az glAd t fFnd H bq lFk HAt, Az if hI hAd
Ylredi lost him. hI bent Ovx him n, Az hiz sistx hAd tYt him,
trFd wiH hiz lips weHx H cFld woz stil fIvxiS. H soft
fPhed woz mqst. prins /AndrM tact H hed wiH hiz hAnd; Ivan
H hX woz wet, sO prafVsli hAd H cFld pxspFxd. hI woz not ded,
bat evidentli H krFsis woz Ovx n hI woz konvalesant. prins /AndrM
loNd t snAc ap, t skwIz, t hOld t hiz hRt, His helplas
lital krIcx, bat dXd not dM sO. hI stUd Ovx him, gEziN At hiz
hed n At H lital Rmz n leã wic SOd andx H blANkat. hI
hxd a rasal bihFnd him n a SAdO apCd andx H kxtan v
H kot. hI did not lUk rQnd, bat stil gEziN At H infant's fEs
lisand t hiz regVlx brIHiN. H dRk SAdO woz /prinsas /mXi,
hM hAd kam ap t H kot wiH nqzlas steps, liftad H kxtan,
n dropt it agen bihFnd hx. prins /AndrM rekagnFzd hx wiHQt
lUkiN n held Qt hiz hAnd t hx. SI prest it.
<p>
“hI hAz pxspFxd,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“F woz kamiN t tel V sO.”
<p>
H cFld mMvd slFtli in hiz slIp, smFld, n rabd hiz fPhed
agenst H pilO.
<p>
prins /AndrM lUkt At hiz sistx. in H dim SAdO v H kxtan hx
lMminas Fz SOn mP brFtli HAn VZMal from H tCz v Jq HAt
wx in Hem. SI lInd Ovx t hx braHx n kist him, slFtli
kAciN H kxtan v H kot. Ic mEd H aHx a wPniN Jescx
n stUd stil in H dim lFt binIT H kxtan Az if not wiSiN
t lIv HAt siklMZan wX HE TrI wx Sat of from Yl H
wxld. prins /AndrM woz H fxst t mMv awE, rafaliN hiz hX
agenst H mazlin v H kxtan.
<p>
“jes, His iz H wan TiN left mI nQ,” hI sed wiH a sF.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/sMn Aftx hiz admiSan t H /masonik /braHxhUd, /piX went t H
/kIev provins, wX hI hAd H grEtast nambx v sxfs, tEkiN wiH
him fUl direkSanz wic hI hAd ritan dQn f hiz On gFdans Az t
wot hI SUd dM on hiz istEts.
<p>
wen hI rIct /kIev hI sent f Yl hiz stMxdz t H hed ofis
n iäplEnd t Hem hiz intenSanz n wiSaz. hI tOld Hem HAt steps
wUd bI tEkan imIdWtli t frI hiz sxfs—n HAt til Hen HE
wx not t bI Ovxbxdand wiH lEbx, wimin wFl nxsiN HX bEbiz
wx not t bI sent t wxk, asistans woz t bI givan t H sxfs,
paniSmants wx t bI AdmonitPi n not kPpxal, n hospitalz,
asFlamz, n skMlz wx t bI istAbliSt on Yl H istEts. sam v
H stMxdz (HX wx semilitxat fPmen amaN Hem) lisand wiH
alRm, sapOziN HIz wxdz t mIn HAt H jaN kQnt woz displIzd
wiH HX mAniJmant n imbezalmant v mani, sam Aftx HX fxst
frFt wx amVzd bF /piX'z lisp n H nM wxdz HE hAd not
hxd bifP, aHxz simpli inJqd hCiN hQ H mAstx tYkt, wFl
H klevxast amaN Hem, inklMdiN H cIf stMxd, andxstUd from
His spIc hQ HE kUd best hAndal H mAstx f HX On endz.
<p>
H cIf stMxd iäprest grEt simpaTi wiH /piX'z intenSanz,
bat rimRkt HAt bisFdz HIz cEnJaz it wUd bI nesisXi t gO intM
H Jenxal stEt v afXz wic woz fR from sAtisfAktxi.
<p>
dispFt /kQnt /bezMâOf's inPmas welT, sins hI hAd kam intM an
inkam wic woz sed t amQnt t fFv handrad TQzand rMbalz a jC,
/piX felt himself fR pUxx HAn wen hiz fyHx hAd mEd him
an alQans v ten TQzand rMbalz. hI hAd a dim pxsepSan v H
folOiN baJat:
<p>
abQt 80,000 went in pEmants on Yl H istEts t H /lAnd /bANk, abQt
30,000 went f H apkIp v H istEt nC /moskQ, H tQn hQs,
n H alQans t H TrI prinsasaz; abQt 15,000 woz givan in
penSanz n H sEm amQnt f asFlamz; 150,000 AlimOni woz sent t
H kQntas; abQt 70,000 went f intxast on dets. H bildiN v a
nM cxc, prIvWsli bigan, hAd kost abQt 10,000 in Ic v H lAst
tM jCz, n hI did not nO hQ H rest, abQt 100,000 rMbalz, woz
spent, n YlmOst evri jC hI woz ablFJd t borO. bisFdz His H
cIf stMxd rOt evri jC teliN him v fFxz n bAd hRvists,
P v H nisesiti v rIbildiN fAktxiz n wxkSops. sO H fxst
tAsk /piX hAd t fEs woz wan f wic hI hAd veri lital AptitMd P
inklinESan—prAktikal biznas.
<p>
hI diskast istEt afXz evri dE wiH hiz cIf stMxd. bat
hI felt HAt His did not fPwxd mAtxz At Yl. hI felt HAt HIz
konsaltESanz wx ditAct from rWl afXz n did not liNk ap wiH
Hem P mEk Hem mMv. on H wan hAnd, H cIf stMxd pUt H stEt
v TiNz t him in H veri wxst lFt, pqntiN Qt H nisesiti v
pEiN of H dets n andxtEkiN nM Aktivitiz wiH sxf lEbx,
t wic /piX did not agrI. on H aHx hAnd, /piX dimAndad HAt
steps SUd bI tEkan t libxEt H sxfs, wic H stMxd met bF
SOiN H nisesiti v fxst pEiN of H lOnz from H /lAnd /bANk,
n H konsikwant imposabiliti v a spIdi imAnsipESan.
<p>
H stMxd did not sE it woz kwFt imposabal, bat saJestad seliN
H fPists in H provins v /kOstrOmy, H lAnd lOx dQn H rivx,
n H /krFmWn istEt, in Pdx t mEk it posabal: Yl v wic
opxESanz akPdiN t him wx kanektad wiH sac komplikEtad
meZxz—H rimMval v inJaNkSanz, patiSanz, pxmits, n sO
on—HAt /piX bikEm kwFt biwildxd n Onli riplFd:
<p>
“jes, jes, dM sO.”
<p>
/piX hAd nan v H prAktikal pxsistans HAt wUd hAv inEbald him
t atend t H biznas himself n sO hI dislFkt it n Onli trFd
t pritend t H stMxd HAt hI woz atendiN t it. H stMxd
f hiz pRt trFd t pritend t H kQnt HAt hI kansidxd HIz
konsaltESanz veri vAlVabal f H praprFatx n trabalsam t
himself.
<p>
in /kIev /piX fQnd sam pIpal hI nM, n strEnJxz hEsand t mEk
hiz akwEntans n Jqfali welkamd H ric nMkamx, H
lRJast lAndOnx v H provins. temptESanz t /piX'z grEtast
wIknas—H wan t wic hI hAd kanfest wen admitad t H
/loJ—wx sO stroN HAt hI kUd not rizist Hem. agen hOl dEz,
wIä, n manTs v hiz lFf pAst in Az grEt a raS n wx Az mac
okVpFd wiH IvniN pRtiz, dinxz, lancaz, n bYlz, giviN him
nO tFm f riflekSan, Az in /pItxzbxg. insted v H nM lFf hI hAd
hOpt t lId hI stil livd H Old lFf, Onli in nM sxQndiNz.
<p>
v H TrI prIsepts v /frImEsanri /piX rWlFzd HAt hI did not
fUlfil H wan wic inJqnd evri /mEsan t set an iãAmpal v mPal
lFf, n HAt v H sevan vxcMz hI lAkt tM—mPAliti n H
lav v deT. hI kansOld himself wiH H TYt HAt hI fUlfild
anaHx v H prIsepts—HAt v rifPmiN H hVman rEs—n hAd
aHx vxcMz—lav v hiz nEbx, n ispeSali Jenxositi.
<p>
in H spriN v 1807 hI disFdad t ritxn t /pItxzbxg. on H wE hI
intendad t vizit Yl hiz istEts n sI f himself hQ fR hiz Pdxz
hAd bin kArid Qt n in wot stEt wx H sxfs hMm /god hAd
intrastad t hiz kX n hMm hI intendad t benifit.
<p>
H cIf stMxd, hM kansidxd H jaN kQnt's atempts YlmOst
insEn—anprofitabal t himself, t H kQnt, n t H sxfs—mEd
sam kanseSanz. kantinViN t reprizent H libxESan v H sxfs
Az imprAktikabal, hI xEnJd f H irekSan v lRJ
bildiNz—skMlz, hospitalz, n asFlamz—on Yl H istEts
bifP H mAstx xFvd. evriwX prepxESanz wx mEd not f
serimOnWs welkamz (wic hI nM /piX wUd not lFk), bat f Jast
sac grEtfali riliJas wanz, wiH ofxiNz v Fkonz n H bred
n sYlt v hospitAliti, Az, akPdiN t hiz andxstAndiN v hiz
mAstx, wUd tac n dilMd him.
<p>
H saHxn spriN, H kamfxtabal rApid trAvaliN in a /viena
kAriJ, n H solitMd v H rOd, Yl hAd a glAdaniN ifekt on
/piX. H istEts hI hAd not bifP vizitad wx Ic mP pikcxesk
HAn H aHx; H sxfs evriwX sImd TrFviN n taciNli
grEtfal f H benifits kanfxd on Hem. evriwX wx risepSanz,
wic HO HE imbArast /piX awEkand a Jqfal fIliN in H
depT v hiz hRt. in wan plEs H pezants prizentad him wiH bred
n sYlt n an Fkon v /sEnt /pItx n /sEnt /pYl, AskiN pxmiSan,
Az a mRk v HX grAtitMd f H benifits hI hAd kanfxd on Hem,
t bild a nM cAntri t H cxc At HX On iäpens in onx
v /pItx n /pYl, hiz pEtran sEnts. in anaHx plEs H wimin wiH
infants in Rmz met him t TANk him f rilIsiN Hem from hRd
wxk. on a Txd istEt H prIst, bXiN a kros, kEm t mIt
him sxQndad bF cildran hMm, bF H kQnt's Jenxositi, hI woz
instraktiN in rIdiN, rFtiN, n riliJan. on Yl hiz istEts /piX
sY wiH hiz On Fz brik bildiNz irektad P in kPs v irekSan,
Yl on wan plAn, f hospitalz, skMlz, n ymzhQzaz, wic wx sMn
t bI Opand. evriwX hI sY H stMxdz' akQnts, akPdiN t
wic H sxfs' manPWl lEbx hAd bin diminiSt, n hxd H
taciN TANä v depVtESanz v sxfs in HX fUl-skxtad blM
kOts.
<p>
wot /piX did not nO woz HAt H plEs wX HE prizentad him
wiH bred n sYlt n wiSt t bild a cAntri in onx v /pItx n
/pYl woz a mRkat viliJ wX a fX woz held on /st /pItx'z dE,
n HAt H ricast pezants (hM fPmd H depVtESan) hAd bigan
H cAntri loN bifP, bat HAt nFn tenTs v H pezants in HAt
viliJaz wx in a stEt v H grEtast povxti. hI did not nO HAt
sins H nxsiN maHxz wx nO loNgx sent t wxk on hiz lAnd, HE
did stil hRdx wxk on HX On lAnd. hI did not nO HAt H prIst
hM met him wiH H kros aprest H pezants bF hiz iãAkSanz, n
HAt H pVpalz' pXants wept At hAviN t let him tEk HX cildran
n sikjUxd HX rilIs bF hevi pEmants. hI did not nO HAt H
brik bildiNz, bilt t plAn, wx bIiN bilt bF sxfs hMz manPWl
lEbx woz Has inkrIst, HO lesand on pEpx. hI did not nO
HAt wX H stMxd hAd SOn him in H akQnts HAt H sxfs'
pEmants hAd bin diminiSt bF a Txd, HX obligatPi manPWl wxk
hAd bin inkrIst bF a hAf. n sO /piX woz dilFtad wiH hiz vizit
t hiz istEts n kwFt rikavxd H filAnTropik mMd in wic
hI hAd left /pItxzbxg, n rOt inTVziAstik letxz t hiz
“braHx-instraktx” Az hI kYld H /grAnd /mAstx.
<p>
“hQ Izi it iz, hQ lital efxt it nIdz, t dM sO mac gUd,”
TYt /piX, “n hQ lital atenSan wI pE t it!”
<p>
hI woz plIzd At H grAtitMd hI risIvd, bat felt abASt At
risIviN it. His grAtitMd rimFndad him v hQ mac mP hI mFt dM
f HIz simpal, kFndli pIpal.
<p>
H cIf stMxd, a veri stMpid bat kaniN mAn hM sY pxfiktli
TrM H nFIv n inteliJant kQnt n plEd wiH him Az wiH
a tq, sIiN H ifekt HIz prIxEnJd risepSanz hAd on /piX,
prest him stil hRdx wiH prMfs v H imposabiliti n abav Yl
H Vslasnas v frIiN H sxfs, hM wx kwFt hApi Az it woz.
<p>
/piX in hiz sIkrat sOl agrId wiH H stMxd HAt it wUd bI
difikalt t imAJin hApC pIpal, n HAt /god Onli nM wot wUd
hApan t Hem wen HE wx frI, bat hI insistad, HO rilaktantli,
on wot hI TYt rFt. H stMxd promist t dM Yl in hiz pQx t
kAri Qt H kQnt's wiSaz, sIiN klCli HAt not Onli wUd H
kQnt nevx bI Ebal t fFnd Qt weHx Yl meZxz hAd bin tEkan f
H sEl v H lAnd n fPists n t rilIs Hem from H /lAnd /bANk,
bat wUd probabli nevx Ivan inkwFx n wUd nevx nO HAt H
nMli irektad bildiNz wx stAndiN empti n HAt H sxfs kantinVd
t giv in mani n wxk Yl HAt aHx pIpal'z sxfs gEv—HAt iz
t sE, Yl HAt kUd bI got Qt v Hem.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/ritxniN from hiz Jxni TrM /sQT /raSa in H hApWst stEt
v mFnd, /piX kArid Qt an intenSan hI hAd loN hAd v vizitiN hiz
frend /bOlkOnski, hMm hI hAd not sIn f tM jCz.
<p>
/bOgMcROvO lE in a flAt anintxastiN pRt v H kantri amaN
fIldz n fPists v fx n bxc, wic wx pRtli kat dQn. H
hQs lE bihFnd a nMli dag pond fild wiH wYtx t H briNk n
wiH bANä stil bX v grAs. it woz At H end v a viliJ HAt
strect aloN H hFrOd in H midst v a jaN kops in wic wx
a fV fx trIz.
<p>
H hOmsted kansistad v a TreSiN flP, QthQzaz, stEbalz, a
bAThQs, a loJ, n a lRJ brik hQs wiH semisxkVlx fasyd
stil in kPs v kanstrakSan. rQnd H hQs woz a gRdan nMli lEd
Qt. H fensaz n gEts wx nM n solid; tM fFx pamps n a
wYtx kRt, pEntad grIn, stUd in a Sed; H pAHz wx strEt,
H briJaz wx stroN n hAd hAndrElz. evriTiN bP an impres v
tFdinas n gUd mAniJmant. sam damestik sxfs /piX met, in riplF
t inkwFxiz Az t wX H prins livd, pqntad Qt a smYl nMli
bilt loJ klOs t H pond. /Antan, a mAn hM hAd lUkt Aftx /prins
/AndrM in hiz bqhUd, helpt /piX Qt v hiz kAriJ, sed HAt H
prins woz At hOm, n SOd him intM a klIn lital AntirMm.
<p>
/piX woz strak bF H modasti v H smYl HO klIn hQs Aftx
H brilWnt sxQndiNz in wic hI hAd lAst met hiz frend in
/pItxzbxg.
<p>
hI kwikli entxd H smYl risepSan rMm wiH its stil-anplAstxd
wUdan wYlz redalant v pFn, n wUd hAv gon fRHx, bat /Antan
rAn ahed on tiptO n nokt At a dP.
<p>
“wel, wot iz it?” kEm a SRp, anplezant vqs.
<p>
“a vizitx,” Ansxd /Antan.
<p>
“Ask him t wEt,” n H sQnd woz hxd v a cX bIiN pUSt
bAk.
<p>
/piX went wiH rApid steps t H dP n sadanli kEm fEs t
fEs wiH /prins /AndrM, hM kEm Qt frQniN n lUkiN Old. /piX
imbrEst him n liftiN hiz spektakalz kist hiz frend on H cIk
n lUkt At him klOsli.
<p>
“wel, F did not iäpekt V, F Am veri glAd,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
/piX sed naTiN; hI lUkt fiäadli At hiz frend wiH sxprFz. hI
woz strak bF H cEnJ in him. hiz wxdz wx kFndli n HX woz a
smFl on hiz lips n fEs, bat hiz Fz wx dal n lFflas n in
spFt v hiz evidant wiS t dM sO hI kUd not giv Hem a Jqas
n glAd spRkal. prins /AndrM hAd grOn Tinx, pElx, n mP
mAnli-lUkiN, bat wot amEzd n istrEnJd /piX til hI got Vst
t it wx hiz inxSa n a riNkal on hiz brQ indikEtiN prOloNd
konsantrESan on sam wan TYt.
<p>
Az iz VZMali H kEs wiH pIpal mItiN Aftx a prOloNd sepxESan,
it woz loN bifP HX konvxsESan kUd setal on eniTiN. HE
pUt kwescanz n gEv brIf riplFz abQt TiNz HE nM Yt t
bI tYkt Ovx At leNT. At lAst H konvxsESan grAJMali setald on
sam v H topiä At fxst lFtli tact on: HX pAst lFf, plAnz
f H fVcx, /piX'z Jxniz n okVpESanz, H wP, n sO
on. H prIokVpESan n dispondansi wic /piX hAd nOtist in hiz
frend'z lUk woz nQ stil mP klCli iäprest in H smFl
wiH wic hI lisand t /piX, ispeSali wen hI spOk wiH Jqfal
AnimESan v H pAst P H fVcx. it woz Az if /prins /AndrM wUd
hAv lFkt t simpaTFz wiH wot /piX woz sEiN, bat kUd not.
H lAtx bigAn t fIl HAt it woz in bAd tEst t spIk v hiz
inTVziAzamz, drImz, n hOps v hApinas P gUdnas, in /prins
/AndrM'z prezans. hI woz aSEmd t iäpres hiz nM /masonik vVz,
wic hAd bin pxtikVlxli rivFvd n streNTand bF hiz lEt tUx.
hI cekt himself, fCiN t sIm nFIv, jet hI felt an irizistabal
dizFx t SO hiz frend Az sMn Az posabal HAt hI woz nQ a kwFt
difxant, n betx, /piX HAn hI hAd bin in /pItxzbxg.
<p>
“F kAnt tel V hQ mac F hAv livd TrM sins Hen. F hRdli
nO mFself agen.”
<p>
“jes, wI hAv Yltxd mac, veri mac, sins Hen,” sed /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
“wel, n V? wot R jP plAnz?”
<p>
“plAnz!” ripItad /prins /AndrM Fronikli. “mF plAnz?” hI sed,
Az if astoniSt At H wxd. “wel, V sI, F'm bildiN. F mIn
t setal hC YltageHx neät jC....”
<p>
/piX lUkt sFlantli n sxciNli intM /prins /AndrM'z fEs,
wic hAd grOn mac Oldx.
<p>
“nO, F ment t Ask...” /piX bigAn, bat /prins /AndrM intxaptad
him.
<p>
“bat wF tYk v mI?... tYk t mI, jes, tel mI abQt jP trAvalz
n Yl V hAv bin dMiN on jP istEts.”
<p>
/piX bigAn diskrFbiN wot hI hAd dan on hiz istEts, trFiN Az fR
Az posabal t kansIl hiz On pRt in H imprMvmants HAt hAd bin
mEd. prins /AndrM sevxal tFmz promptad /piX'z stPi v wot hI
hAd bin dMiN, Az HO it wx Yl an Old-tFm stPi, n hI lisand
not Onli wiHQt intxast bat Ivan Az if aSEmd v wot /piX woz
teliN him.
<p>
/piX felt ankamfxtabal n Ivan diprest in hiz frend'z kampani
n At lAst bikEm sFlant.
<p>
“F'l tel V wot, mF dC felO,” sed /prins /AndrM, hM
evidentli YlsO felt diprest n kanstrEnd wiH hiz vizitx, “F Am
Onli bivUAkiN hC n hAv Jast kam t lUk rQnd. F Am gOiN bAk
t mF sistx tadE. F wil intradMs V t hx. bat v kPs V nO
hx Ylredi,” hI sed, evidentli trFiN t entxtEn a vizitx wiH
hMm hI nQ fQnd naTiN in koman. “wI wil gO Aftx dinx. n
wUd V nQ lFk t lUk rQnd mF plEs?”
<p>
HE went Qt n wYkt abQt til dinxtFm, tYkiN v H politikal
nMz n koman akwEntansaz lFk pIpal hM dM not nO Ic aHx
intimatli. prins /AndrM spOk wiH sam AnimESan n intxast Onli v
H nM hOmsted hI woz kanstraktiN n its bildiNz, bat Ivan hC,
wFl on H skAfaldiN, in H midst v a tYk iäplEniN H fVcx
xEnJmants v H hQs, hI intxaptad himself:
<p>
“hQevx, His iz not At Yl intxastiN. let as hAv dinx, n Hen
wI'l set of.”
<p>
At dinx, konvxsESan txnd on /piX'z mAriJ.
<p>
“F woz veri mac sxprFzd wen F hxd v it,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
/piX blaSt, Az hI YlwEz did wen it woz menSand, n sed
haridli: “F wil tel V sam tFm hQ it Yl hApand. bat V
nO it iz Yl Ovx, n fxevx.”
<p>
“fxevx?” sed /prins /AndrM. “naTiN'z fxevx.”
<p>
“bat V nO hQ it Yl endad, dOnt V? V hxd v H dMal?”
<p>
“n sO V hAd t gO TrM HAt tM!”
<p>
“wan TiN F TANk /god f iz HAt F did not kil HAt mAn,” sed
/piX.
<p>
“wF sO?” Askt /prins /AndrM. “t kil a viSas dog iz a veri
gUd TiN rWli.”
<p>
“nO, t kil a mAn iz bAd—roN.”
<p>
“wF iz it roN?” xJd /prins /AndrM. “it iz not givan t mAn
t nO wot iz rFt n wot iz roN. men YlwEz did n YlwEz wil
er, n in naTiN mP HAn in wot HE kansidx rFt n roN.”
<p>
“wot daz hRm t anaHx iz roN,” sed /piX, fIliN wiH
pleZx HAt f H fxst tFm sins hiz xFval /prins /AndrM woz
rQzd, hAd bigan t tYk, n wontad t iäpres wot hAd brYt him t
hiz prezant stEt.
<p>
“n hM hAz tOld V wot iz bAd f anaHx mAn?” hI Askt.
<p>
“bAd! bAd!” iäklEmd /piX. “wI Yl nO wot iz bAd f
Qxselvz.”
<p>
“jes, wI nO HAt, bat H hRm F Am konSas v in mFself iz
samTiN F kAnot inflikt on aHxz,” sed /prins /AndrM, grOiN
mP n mP AnimEtad n evidentli wiSiN t iäpres hiz nM QtlUk
t /piX. hI spOk in /frenc. “F Onli nO tM veri rWl Ivalz in
lFf: rimPs n ilnas. H Onli gUd iz H Absans v HOz Ivalz.
t liv f mFself avqdiN HOz tM Ivalz iz mF hOl filosafi
nQ.”
<p>
“n lav v wan'z nEbx, n self-sAkrifFs?” bigAn /piX.
“nO, F kAnt agrI wiH V! t liv Onli sO Az not t dM Ival n
not t hAf t ripent iz not inaf. F livd lFk HAt, F livd f
mFself n rMind mF lFf. n Onli nQ wen F Am liviN, P At lIst
trFiN” (/piX'z modasti mEd him kxekt himself) “t liv f
aHxz, Onli nQ hAv F andxstUd Yl H hApinas v lFf. nO, F
SAl not agrI wiH V, n V dM not rWli bilIv wot V R
sEiN.” prins /AndrM lUkt sFlantli At /piX wiH an Fronik smFl.
<p>
“wen V sI mF sistx, /prinsas /mXi, V'l get on wiH hx,”
hI sed. “pxhAps V R rFt f jPself,” hI Adad Aftx
a SPt pYz, “bat evriwan livz in hiz On wE. V livd f
jPself n sE V nCli rMind jP lFf n Onli fQnd hApinas
wen V bigAn liviN f aHxz. F iäpCWnst Jast H rivxs. F
livd f glPi.—n Aftx Yl wot iz glPi? H sEm lav v aHxz,
a dizFx t dM samTiN f Hem, a dizFx f HX aprMval.—sO F
livd f aHxz, n not YlmOst, bat kwFt, rMind mF lFf. n F hAv
bikam kymx sins F bigAn t liv Onli f mFself.”
<p>
“bat wot dM V mIn bF liviN Onli f jPself?” Askt /piX,
grOiN iäFtad. “wot abQt jP san, jP sistx, n jP
fyHx?”
<p>
“bat HAt's Jast H sEm Az mFself—HE R not aHxz,”
iäplEnd /prins /AndrM. “H aHxz, wan'z nEbxz, lU prOSEn,
Az V n /prinsas /mXi kYl it, R H cIf sPs v Yl erx n
Ival. lU prOSEn—jP /kIev pezants t hMm V wont t dM gUd.”
<p>
n hI lUkt At /piX wiH a mokiN, cAlanJiN iäpreSan. hI
evidentli wiSt t drY him on.
<p>
“V R JOkiN,” riplFd /piX, grOiN mP n mP iäFtad.
“wot erx P Ival kAn HX bI in mF wiSiN t dM gUd, n Ivan
dMiN a lital—HO F did veri lital n did it veri bAdli? wot
Ival kAn HX bI in it if anfPcanat pIpal, Qx sxfs, pIpal lFk
Qxselvz, wx grOiN ap n dFiN wiH nO FdW v /god n trMT
bijond serimOniz n mIniNlas prExz n R nQ instraktad in
a kamfxtiN bilIf in fVcx lFf, retribVSan, rekampens, n
konsalESan? wot Ival n erx R HX in it, if pIpal wx dFiN
v dizIz wiHQt help wFl matCWl asistans kUd sO Izili bI
rendxd, n F saplFd Hem wiH a doktx, a hospital, n an asFlam
f H EJd? n iz it not a pAlpabal, ankwescanabal gUd if a
pezant, P a wUman wiH a bEbi, hAz nO rest dE P nFt n F giv
Hem rest n lIZx?” sed /piX, hariiN n lispiN. “n
F hAv dan HAt HO bAdli n t a smYl iätent; bat F hAv dan
samTiN tPd it n V kAnot pxswEd mI HAt it woz not a gUd
AkSan, n mP HAn HAt, V kAnt mEk mI bilIv HAt V dM not
TiNk sO jPself. n H mEn TiN iz,” hI kantinVd, “HAt F
nO, n nO f sxtan, HAt H inJqmant v dMiN His gUd iz H
Onli SUx hApinas in lFf.”
<p>
“jes, if V pUt it lFk HAt it's kwFt a difxant mAtx,” sed
/prins /AndrM. “F bild a hQs n lE Qt a gRdan, n V bild
hospitalz. H wan n H aHx mE sxv Az a pAstFm. bat wot's
rFt n wot's gUd mast bI JaJd bF wan hM nOz Yl, bat not bF
as. wel, V wont an RgVmant,” hI Adad, “kam on Hen.”
<p>
HE rOz from H tEbal n sAt dQn in H entrans pPc wic sxvd
Az a vxAnda.
<p>
“kam, let's RgV Hen,” sed /prins /AndrM, “V tYk v
skMlz,” hI went on, krUkiN a fiNgx, “eJakESan n sO fPT;
HAt iz, V wont t rEz him” (pqntiN t a pezant hM pAst bF
Hem tEkiN of hiz kAp) “from hiz Animal kandiSan n awEkan in him
spiricMal nIdz, wFl it sImz t mI HAt Animal hApinas iz H Onli
hApinas posabal, n HAt iz Jast wot V wont t diprFv him v.
F envi him, bat V wont t mEk him wot F Am, wiHQt giviN him mF
mInz. Hen V sE, 'lFtan hiz tql.' bat Az F sI it, fizikal
lEbx iz Az isenSal t him, Az mac a kandiSan v hiz iãistans, Az
mental Aktiviti iz t V P mI. V kAnt help TiNkiN. F gO t bed
Aftx tM in H mPniN, TYts kam n F kAnt slIp bat tos
abQt til dYn, bikoz F TiNk n kAnt help TiNkiN, Jast Az
hI kAnt help plQiN n mOiN; if hI didant, hI wUd gO t H
driNk Sop P fYl il. Jast Az F kUd not stAnd hiz teribal fizikal
lEbx bat SUd dF v it in a wIk, sO hI kUd not stAnd mF fizikal
Fdalnas, bat wUd grO fAt n dF. H Txd TiN—wot els woz
it V tYkt abQt?” n /prins /AndrM krUkt a Txd fiNgx. “y,
jes, hospitalz, medisin. hI hAz a fit, hI iz dFiN, n V kam n
blId him n pAc him ap. hI wil drAg abQt Az a kripal, a bxdan t
evribodi, f anaHx ten jCz. it wUd bI fR IzC n simpalx f
him t dF. aHxz R bIiN bPn n HX R plenti v Hem Az it iz.
it wUd bI difxant if V graJd lMziN a lEbxx—HAt's hQ F
rigRd him—bat V wont t kjUx him from lav v him. n hI daz not
wont HAt. n bisFdz, wot a nOSan HAt medisin evx kjUxd eniwan!
kild Hem, jes!” sed hI, frQniN ANgrili n txniN awE from
/piX.
<p>
prins /AndrM iäprest hiz FdWz sO klCli n distiNktli HAt it woz
evidant hI hAd riflektad on His sabJekt mP HAn wans, n hI spOk
redili n rApidli lFk a mAn hM hAz not tYkt f a loN tFm. hiz
glAns bikEm mP AnimEtad Az hiz kanklMZanz bikEm mP hOplas.
<p>
“O, HAt iz dredfal, dredfal!” sed /piX. “F dOnt
andxstAnd hQ wan kAn liv wiH sac FdWz. F hAd sac mOments
mFself not loN agO, in /moskQ n wen trAvaliN, bat At sac tFmz F
kalApst sO HAt F dOnt liv At Yl—evriTiN sImz hEtfal t
mI... mFself mOst v Yl. Hen F dOnt It, dOnt woS... n hQ iz
it wiH V?...”
<p>
“wF not woS? HAt iz not klInli,” sed /prins /AndrM; “on H
kontrXi wan mast trF t mEk wan'z lFf Az plezant Az posabal.
F'm alFv, HAt iz not mF fYlt, sO F mast liv Qt mF lFf Az best F
kAn wiHQt hxtiN aHxz.”
<p>
“bat wiH sac FdWz wot mOtiv hAv V f liviN? wan wUd sit
wiHQt mMviN, andxtEkiN naTiN....”
<p>
“lFf Az it iz lIvz wan nO pIs. F SUd bI TANkfal t dM
naTiN, bat hC on H wan hAnd H lOkal nObiliti hAv dan mI H
onx t cMz mI t bI HX mRSal; it woz Yl F kUd dM t get
Qt v it. HE kUd not andxstAnd HAt F hAv not H nesisXi
kwolifikESanz f it—H kFnd v gUd-nEcxd, fasi SAlOnas
nesisXi f H paziSan. Hen HX'z His hQs, wic mast bI
bilt in Pdx t hAv a nUk v wan'z On in wic t bI kwFat. n
nQ HX'z His rikrMtiN.”
<p>
“wF Rnt V sxviN in H Rmi?”
<p>
“Aftx /Qstxlits!” sed /prins /AndrM glMmili. “nO, TANk V
veri mac! F hAv promist mFself not t sxv agen in H Aktiv
/raSan Rmi. n F wOnt—not Ivan if /bOnapRt wx hC At
/smOlensk TretaniN /bYld /hilz—Ivan Hen F wUdant sxv in H
/raSan Rmi! wel, Az F woz sEiN,” hI kantinVd, rikavxiN hiz
kampOZx, “nQ HX'z His rikrMtiN. mF fyHx iz cIf in
kamAnd v H /Txd /distrikt, n mF Onli wE v avqdiN Aktiv
sxvis iz t sxv andx him.”
<p>
“Hen V R sxviN?”
<p>
“F Am.”
<p>
hI pYzd a lital wFl.
<p>
“n wF dM V sxv?”
<p>
“wF, f His rIzan! mF fyHx iz wan v H mOst rimRkabal men v
hiz tFm. bat hI iz grOiN Old, n HO not iãAktli krMal hI hAz tM
enxJetik a kAraktx. hI iz sO akastamd t anlimitad pQx HAt hI iz
teribal, n nQ hI hAz His YToriti v a kamAndx in cIf v
H rikrMtiN, grAntad bF H /empxx. if F hAd bin tM Qxz lEt
a fPtnFt agO hI wUd hAv hAd a pEmAstx'z klxk At /VânOvna
hANd,” sed /prins /AndrM wiH a smFl. “sO F Am sxviN bikoz
F alOn hAv eni inflMans wiH mF fyHx, n nQ n Hen kAn sEv him
from AkSanz wic wUd tPment him Aftxwxdz.”
<p>
“wel, HX V sI!”
<p>
“jes, bat it iz not Az V imAJin,” prins /AndrM kantinVd. “F
did not, n dM not, in H lIst kX abQt HAt skQndral v a klxk
hM hAd stOlan sam bMts from H rikrMts; F SUd Ivan hAv bin
veri glAd t sI him hANd, bat F woz sori f mF fyHx—HAt agen
iz f mFself.”
<p>
prins /AndrM grM mP n mP AnimEtad. hiz Fz glitxd fIvxiSli
wFl hI trFd t prMv t /piX HAt in hiz AkSanz HX woz nO
dizFx t dM gUd t hiz nEbx.
<p>
“HX nQ, V wiS t libxEt jP sxfs,” hI kantinVd; “HAt
iz a veri gUd TiN, bat not f V—F dOnt sapOz V evx hAd
eniwan flogd P sent t /sFbCW—n stil les f jP sxfs. if
HE R bItan, flogd, P sent t /sFbCW, F dOnt sapOz HE R
eni H wxs of. in /sFbCW HE lId H sEm Animal lFf, n H
strFps on HX bodiz hIl, n HE R hApi Az bifP. bat it iz
a gUd TiN f praprFatxz hM periS mPali, briN rimPs apon
Hemselvz, stFfal His rimPs n grO kAlas, Az a rizalt v bIiN
Ebal t inflikt paniSmants Jastli n anJastli. it iz HOz pIpal F
piti, n f HX sEk F SUd lFk t libxEt H sxfs. V
mE not hAv sIn, bat F hAv sIn, hQ gUd men brYt ap in HOz
tradiSanz v anlimitad pQx, in tFm wen HE grO mP iritabal,
bikam krMal n hRS, R konSas v it, bat kAnot ristrEn
Hemselvz n grO mP n mP mizxabal.”
<p>
prins /AndrM spOk sO xnastli HAt /piX kUd not help TiNkiN
HAt HIz TYts hAd bin saJestad t /prins /AndrM bF hiz
fyHx'z kEs.
<p>
hI did not riplF.
<p>
“sO HAt's wot F'm sori f—hVman digniti, pIs v mFnd,
pjUxiti, n not H sxfs' bAä n fPhedz, wic, bIt n SEv
Az V mE, YlwEz rimEn H sEm bAä n fPhedz.”
<p>
“nO, nO! a TQzand tFmz nO! F SAl nevx agrI wiH V,” sed
/piX.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
in H IvniN /AndrM n /piX got intM H Opan kAriJ n drOv t
/bYld /hilz. prins /AndrM, glAnsiN At /piX, brOk H sFlans nQ n
Hen wiH rimRä wic SOd HAt hI woz in a gUd tempx.
<p>
pqntiN t H fIldz, hI spOk v H imprMvmants hI woz mEkiN in
hiz hazbandri.
<p>
/piX rimEnd glMmili sFlant, AnsxiN in monasilabalz n
apArantli imxst in hiz On TYts.
<p>
hI woz TiNkiN HAt /prins /AndrM woz anhApi, hAd gon astrE, did not
sI H trM lFt, n HAt hI, /piX, Yt t Ed, inlFtan, n
rEz him. bat Az sMn Az hI TYt v wot hI SUd sE, hI felt HAt
/prins /AndrM wiH wan wxd, wan RgVmant, wUd apset Yl hiz tIciN,
n hI SrANk from biginiN, afrEd v iäpOziN t posabal ridikVl
wot t him woz preSas n sEkrad.
<p>
“nO, bat wF dM V TiNk sO?” /piX sadanli bigAn, lOxiN hiz
hed n lUkiN lFk a bUl abQt t cRJ, “wF dM V TiNk sO?
V SUd not TiNk sO.”
<p>
“TiNk? wot abQt?” Askt /prins /AndrM wiH sxprFz.
<p>
“abQt lFf, abQt mAn'z destini. it kAnt bI sO. F mFself TYt
lFk HAt, n dM V nO wot sEvd mI? frImEsanri! nO, dOnt
smFl. frImEsanri iz not a riliJas serimOnWl sekt, Az F TYt
it woz: frImEsanri iz H best iäpreSan v H best, H itxnal,
Aspekts v hVmAniti.”
<p>
n hI bigAn t iäplEn /frImEsanri Az hI andxstUd it t /prins
/AndrM. hI sed HAt /frImEsanri iz H tIciN v /kristiAniti frId
from H bondz v /stEt n /cxc, a tIciN v ikwoliti, braHxhUd,
n lav.
<p>
“Onli Qx hOli braHxhUd hAz H rWl mIniN v lFf, Yl H rest
iz a drIm,” sed /piX. “andxstAnd, mF dC felO, HAt QtsFd
His VnWn Yl iz fild wiH disIt n fYlshUd n F agrI wiH V
HAt naTiN iz left f an inteliJant n gUd mAn bat t liv Qt
hiz lFf, lFk V, mCli trFiN not t hRm aHxz. bat mEk Qx
fandamental kanvikSanz jP On, Jqn Qx braHxhUd, giv jPself ap
t as, let jPself bI gFdad, n V wil At wans fIl jPself, Az F
hAv felt mFself, a pRt v HAt vAst invizabal cEn H biginiN v
wic iz hidan in hevan,” sed /piX.
<p>
prins /AndrM, lUkiN strEt in frant v him, lisand in sFlans t
/piX'z wxdz. mP HAn wans, wen H nqz v H wIlz priventad
hiz kAciN wot /piX sed, hI Askt him t ripIt it, n bF H
pikVlC glO HAt kEm intM /prins /AndrM'z Fz n bF hiz sFlans,
/piX sY HAt hiz wxdz wx not in vEn n HAt /prins /AndrM wUd
not intxapt him P lAf At wot hI sed.
<p>
HE rIct a rivx HAt hAd OvxflOd its bANä n wic HE hAd t
kros bF feri. wFl H kAriJ n hPsaz wx bIiN plEst on it,
HE YlsO stept on H rAft.
<p>
prins /AndrM, lIniN hiz Rmz on H rAft rEliN, gEzd sFlantli At
H fladiN wYtxz glitxiN in H setiN san.
<p>
“wel, wot dM V TiNk abQt it?” /piX Askt. “wF R V
sFlant?”
<p>
“wot dM F TiNk abQt it? F Am lisaniN t V. it's Yl veri
wel.... V sE: Jqn Qx braHxhUd n wI wil SO V H Em v
lFf, H destini v mAn, n H lYz wic gavxn H wxld. bat hM
R wI? men. hQ iz it V nO evriTiN? wF dM F alOn not sI wot
V sI? V sI a rEn v gUdnas n trMT on xT, bat F dOnt
sI it.”
<p>
/piX intxaptad him.
<p>
“dM V bilIv in a fVcx lFf?” hI Askt.
<p>
“a fVcx lFf?” prins /AndrM ripItad, bat /piX, giviN him nO
tFm t riplF, tUk H repitiSan f a dinFal, H mP redili Az hI
nM /prins /AndrM'z fPmx ETiistik kanvikSanz.
<p>
“V sE V kAnt sI a rEn v gUdnas n trMT on xT. nP
kUd F, n it kAnot bI sIn if wan lUä on Qx lFf hC Az H end
v evriTiN. on xT, hC on His xT” (/piX pqntad t
H fIldz), “HX iz nO trMT, Yl iz fYls n Ival; bat in H
Vnivxs, in H hOl Vnivxs HX iz a kiNdam v trMT, n wI hM
R nQ H cildran v xT R—itxnali—cildran v H
hOl Vnivxs. dOnt F fIl in mF sOl HAt F Am pRt v His vAst
hRmOnWs hOl? dOnt F fIl HAt F fPm wan liNk, wan step, bitwIn
H lOx n hFx bIiNz, in His vAst hRmOnWs maltitMd v
bIiNz in hMm H /dIiti—H /sMprIm /pQx if V prifx H txm—iz
mAnifest? if F sI, klCli sI, HAt lAdx lIdiN from plAnt t mAn,
wF SUd F sapOz it brEä of At mI n daz not gO fRHx n
fRHx? F fIl HAt F kAnot vAniS, sins naTiN vAniSaz in His
wxld, bat HAt F SAl YlwEz iãist n YlwEz hAv iãistad. F fIl
HAt bijond mI n abav mI HX R spirits, n HAt in His wxld
HX iz trMT.”
<p>
“jes, HAt iz /hxdx'z TCi,” sed /prins /AndrM, “bat it iz
not HAt wic kAn kanvins mI, dC frend—lFf n deT R wot
kanvins. wot kanvinsaz iz wen wan sIz a bIiN dC t wan, bQnd
ap wiH wan'z On lFf, bifP hMm wan woz t blEm n hAd hOpt t
mEk it rFt” (prins /AndrM'z vqs trembald n hI txnd awE),
“n sadanli HAt bIiN iz sIzd wiH pEn, safxz, n sIsaz t
iãist.... wF? it kAnot bI HAt HX iz nO Ansx. n F bilIv HX
iz.... HAt's wot kanvinsaz, HAt iz wot hAz kanvinst mI,” sed
/prins /AndrM.
<p>
“jes, jes, v kPs,” sed /piX, “izant HAt wot F'm
sEiN?”
<p>
“nO. Yl F sE iz HAt it iz not RgVmant HAt kanvinsaz mI v H
nisesiti v a fVcx lFf, bat His: wen V gO hAnd in hAnd wiH
samwan n Yl At wans HAt pxsan vAniSaz HX, intM nOwX, n
V jPself R left fEsiN HAt abis, n lUk in. n F hAv lUkt
in....”
<p>
“wel, HAt's it Hen! V nO HAt HX iz a HX n HX iz a
/samwan? HX iz H fVcx lFf. H /samwan iz—/god.”
<p>
prins /AndrM did not riplF. H kAriJ n hPsaz hAd loN sins bin
tEkan of, ontM H fRHx bANk, n rIhRnast. H san hAd saNk hAf
bilO H hxFzan n an IvniN frost woz stRiN H padalz nC
H feri, bat /piX n /AndrM, t H astoniSmant v H fUtmen,
kOcmen, n ferimen, stil stUd on H rAft n tYkt.
<p>
“if HX iz a /god n fVcx lFf, HX iz trMT n gUd, n
mAn'z hFast hApinas kansists in strFviN t atEn Hem. wI mast
liv, wI mast lav, n wI mast bilIv HAt wI liv not Onli tadE on
His skrAp v xT, bat hAv livd n SAl liv fxevx, HX, in
H /hOl,” sed /piX, n hI pqntad t H skF.
<p>
prins /AndrM stUd lIniN on H rEliN v H rAft lisaniN t
/piX, n hI gEzd wiH hiz Fz fiät on H red riflekSan v H
san glImiN on H blM wYtxz. HX woz pxfikt stilnas. /piX
bikEm sFlant. H rAft hAd loN sins stopt n Onli H wEvz v H
karant bIt softli agenst it bilO. prins /AndrM felt Az if H sQnd
v H wEvz kept ap a rifrEn t /piX'z wxdz, wispxiN:
<p>
“it iz trM, bilIv it.”
<p>
hI sFd, n glAnst wiH a rEdWnt, cFldlFk, tendx lUk At
/piX'z fEs, flaSt n rApcxas, bat jet SF bifP hiz sMpCC
frend.
<p>
“jes, if it Onli wx sO!” sed /prins /AndrM. “hQevx, it iz
tFm t get on,” hI Adad, n, stepiN of H rAft, hI lUkt ap
At H skF t wic /piX hAd pqntad, n f H fxst tFm sins
/Qstxlits sY HAt hF, evxlAstiN skF hI hAd sIn wFl lFiN on
HAt bAtalfIld; n samTiN HAt hAd loN bin slambxiN, samTiN
HAt woz best wiHin him, sadanli awOk, Jqfal n VTfal, in hiz
sOl. it vAniSt Az sMn Az hI ritxnd t H kastamXi kandiSanz
v hiz lFf, bat hI nM HAt His fIliN wic hI did not nO hQ t
divelap iãistad wiHin him. hiz mItiN wiH /piX fPmd an epak in
/prins /AndrM'z lFf. HO Qtwxdli hI kantinVd t liv in H
sEm Old wE, inwxdli hI bigAn a nM lFf.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
it woz getiN dask wen /prins /AndrM n /piX drOv ap t H frant
entrans v H hQs At /bYld /hilz. Az HE aprOct H hQs,
/prins /AndrM wiH a smFl drM /piX'z atenSan t a kamOSan
gOiN on At H bAk pPc. a wUman, bent wiH EJ, wiH a wolat on hx
bAk, n a SPt, loN-hXd, jaN mAn in a blAk gRmant hAd raSt
bAk t H gEt on sIiN H kAriJ drFviN ap. tM wimin rAn Qt
Aftx Hem, n Yl fP, lUkiN rQnd At H kAriJ, rAn in dismE
ap H steps v H bAk pPc.
<p>
“HOz R /mXi'z '/god'z fOk,'” sed /prins /AndrM. “HE
hAv mistEkan as f mF fyHx. His iz H wan mAtx in wic SI
disObEz him. hI Pdxz HIz pilgrimz t bI drivan awE, bat SI
risIvz Hem.”
<p>
“bat wot R '/god'z fOk'?” Askt /piX.
<p>
prins /AndrM hAd nO tFm t Ansx. H sxvants kEm Qt t mIt Hem,
n hI Askt wX H Old prins woz n weHx hI woz iäpektad bAk
sMn.
<p>
H Old prins hAd gon t H tQn n woz iäpektad bAk eni minit.
<p>
prins /AndrM led /piX t hiz On apRtmants, wic wx YlwEz kept
in pxfikt Pdx n redinas f him in hiz fyHx'z hQs; hI
himself went t H nxsxi.
<p>
“let as gO n sI mF sistx,” hI sed t /piX wen hI ritxnd.
“F hAv not fQnd hx jet, SI iz hFdiN nQ, sitiN wiH hx
'/god'z fOk.' it wil sxv hx rFt, SI wil bI kanfVzd, bat
V wil sI hx '/god'z fOk.' it's rWli veri kjUxWs.”
<p>
“wot R '/god'z fOk'?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“kam, n V'l sI f jPself.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi rWli woz diskansxtad n red pAcaz kEm on hx fEs
wen HE went in. in hx snag rMm, wiH lAmps bxniN bifP H Fkon
stAnd, a jaN lAd wiH a loN nOz n loN hX, wXiN a maNk's
kAsak, sAt on H sOfa bisFd hx, bihFnd a sAmavR. nC Hem, in an
RmcX, sAt a Tin, Srivald, Old wUman, wiH a mIk iäpreSan on
hx cFldlFk fEs.
<p>
“AndrM, wF didant V wPn mI?” sed H prinsas, wiH mFld
riprOc, Az SI stUd bifP hx pilgrimz lFk a hen bifP hx
cikinz.
<p>
“cRmI de vM vwR. Ze swI tres contente de vM vwR,” * SI
sed t /piX Az hI kist hx hAnd. SI hAd nOn him Az a cFld, n
nQ hiz frendSip wiH /AndrM, hiz misfPcMn wiH hiz wFf, n abav
Yl hiz kFndli, simpal fEs dispOzd hx fEvxabli tPd him. SI
lUkt At him wiH hx bVtifal rEdWnt Fz n sImd t sE, “F
lFk V veri mac, bat plIz dOnt lAf At mF pIpal.” Aftx
iäcEnJiN H fxst grItiNz, HE sAt dQn.
<p>
    * “dilFtad t sI V. F Am veri glAd t sI V.”
<p>
<p>
“y, n /ivynMSka iz hC tM!” sed /prins /AndrM, glAnsiN wiH
a smFl At H jaN pilgrim.
<p>
“AndrM!” sed /prinsas /mXi, implPiNli. “il fO kE vM
/sAkiz kE sE Un fem,” * sed /prins /AndrM t /piX.
<p>
“AndrM, O nom de /dV!” *(2) prinsas /mXi ripItad.
<p>
     * “V mast nO HAt His iz a wUman.”
<p>
     * (2) “f hevan'z sEk.”
<p>
<p>
it woz evidant HAt /prins /AndrM'z Fronikal tOn tPd H pilgrimz
n /prinsas /mXi'z helplas atempts t pratekt Hem wx HX
kastamXi loN-istAbliSt rilESanz on H mAtx.
<p>
“/mFz, my /bona /Emi,” sed /prins /AndrM, “vM devriz O
kontrX m'etra reconnaissante de se kE j'explique a /piX
vOtr intimFt yvek se ZUn Om.” *
<p>
     * “bat, mF dC, V Yt on H kontrXi t bI grEtfal t
     mI f iäplEniN t /piX jP intimasi wiH His jaN
     mAn.”
<p>
<p>
“rWli?” sed /piX, gEziN Ovx hiz spektakalz wiH kjUxiositi n
sCWsnas (f wic /prinsas /mXi woz speSali grEtfal t him) intM
/ivynMSka'z fEs, hM, sIiN HAt SI woz bIiN spOkan abQt, lUkt
rQnd At Hem Yl wiH krAfti Fz.
<p>
prinsas /mXi'z imbArasmant on hx pIpal'z akQnt woz kwFt
annesisXi. HE wx not in H lIst abASt. H Old wUman, lOxiN
hx Fz bat kAstiN sFd glAnsaz At H nMkamxz, hAd txnd hx kap
apsFd dQn n plEst a nibald bit v SUgx bisFd it, n sAt
kwFatli in hx RmcX, HO hOpiN t bI ofxd anaHx kap v tI.
/ivynMSka, sipiN Qt v hx sYsx, lUkt wiH slF wUmaniS Fz
from andx hx brQz At H jaN men.
<p>
“wX hAv V bin? t /kIev?” prins /AndrM Askt H Old wUman.
<p>
“F hAv, gUd sx,” SI Ansxd gAralasli. “Jast At
/krismastFm F woz dImd wxHi t pRtEk v H hOli n hevanli
sAkramant At H SrFn v H sEnt. n nQ F'm from /kOljyzin,
mAstx, wX a grEt n wandxfal blesiN hAz bin rivIld.”
<p>
“n woz /ivynMSka wiH V?”
<p>
“F gO bF mFself, benifAktx,” sed /ivynMSka, trFiN t spIk in a
bEs vqs. “F Onli kEm akros /pelagEa in /VânOvO....”
<p>
/pelagEa intxaptad hx kampAnjan; SI evidentli wiSt t tel wot
SI hAd sIn.
<p>
“in /kOljyzin, mAstx, a wandxfal blesiN hAz bin rivIld.”
<p>
“wot iz it? sam nM reliä?” Askt /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“AndrM, dM lIv of,” sed /prinsas /mXi. “dOnt tel him,
/pelagEa.”
<p>
“nO... wF not, mF dC, wF SUdant F? F lFk him. hI iz kFnd,
hI iz wan v /god'z cOzan, hI'z a benifAktx, hI wans gEv mI ten
rMbalz, F rimembx. wen F woz in /kIev, /krEzi /siral sez t mI (hI'z
wan v /god'z On n gOz bXfUt samx n wintx), hI sez,
'wF R V not gOiN t H rFt plEs? gO t /kOljyzin wX a
wandx-wxkiN Fkon v H /hOli /maHx v /god hAz bin rivIld.' on
hCiN HOz wxdz F sed gUd-bF t H hOli fOk n went.”
<p>
Yl wx sFlant, Onli H pilgrim wUman went on in meZxd tOnz,
drYiN in hx breT.
<p>
“sO F kam, mAstx, n H pIpal sE t mI: 'a grEt blesiN hAz
bin rivIld, hOli ql trikalz from H cIä v Qx blest /maHx,
H /hOli /vxJin /maHx v /god.'...”
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt, V kAn tel as Aftxwxdz,” sed /prinsas
/mXi, flaSiN.
<p>
“let mI Ask hx,” sed /piX. “did V sI it jPselvz?” hI
inkwFxd.
<p>
“O, jes, mAstx, F woz fQnd wxHi. sac a brFtnas on H fEs
lFk H lFt v hevan, n from H blest /maHx'z cIk it drops
n drops....”
<p>
“bat, dC mI, HAt mast bI a frYd!” sed /piX, nFIvli, hM hAd
lisand atentivli t H pilgrim.
<p>
“O, mAstx, wot R V sEiN?” iäklEmd H horifFd
/pelagEa, txniN t /prinsas /mXi f sapPt.
<p>
“HE impOz on H pIpal,” hI ripItad.
<p>
“lPd /JIzas /krFst!” iäklEmd H pilgrim wUman, krosiN hxself.
“O, dOnt spIk sO, mAstx! HX woz a Jenxal hM did not
bilIv, n sed, 'H maNä cIt,' n Az sMn Az hI'd sed it
hI went blFnd. n hI drImd HAt H /hOli /vxJin /maHx v H /kIev
kAtakOmz kEm t him n sed, '/bilIv in mI n F wil mEk V
hOl.' sO hI begd: 'tEk mI t hx, tEk mI t hx.' it's H
rWl trMT F'm teliN V, F sY it mFself. sO hI woz brYt, kwFt
blFnd, strEt t hx, n hI gOz ap t hx n fYlz dQn n sez,
'mEk mI hOl,' sez hI, 'n F'l giv HI wot H /tsR
bistOd on mI.' F sY it mFself, mAstx, H stR iz fiät intM H
Fkon. wel, n wot dM V TiNk? hI risIvd hiz sFt! it's a sin
t spIk sO. god wil paniS V,” SI sed AdmoniSiNli, txniN t
/piX.
<p>
“hQ did H stR get intM H Fkon?” /piX Askt.
<p>
“n woz H /hOli /maHx pramOtad t H rANk v Jenxal?” sed
/prins /AndrM, wiH a smFl.
<p>
/pelagEa sadanli grM kwFt pEl n klAspt hx hAndz.
<p>
“O, mAstx, mAstx, wot a sin! n V hM hAv a san!” SI bigAn,
hx pAlx sadanli txniN t a vivid red. “mAstx, wot hAv V
sed? god fxgiv V!” n SI krost hxself. “lPd fxgiv him!
mF dC, wot daz it mIn?...” SI Askt, txniN t /prinsas
/mXi. SI got ap n, YlmOst krFiN, bigAn t xEnJ hx wolat. SI
evidentli felt frFtand n aSEmd t hAv aäeptad cAriti in a
hQs wX sac TiNz kUd bI sed, n woz At H sEm tFm sori t
hAv nQ t fPgO H cAriti v His hQs.
<p>
“nQ, wF nId V dM it?” sed /prinsas /mXi. “wF did V kam
t mI?...”
<p>
“kam, /pelagEa, F woz JOkiN,” sed /piX. “/prynses, my
pxOl, Ze n'ai py /vOlM l'afensx. * F did not mIn eniTiN,
F woz Onli JOkiN,” hI sed, smFliN SFli n trFiN t ifEs hiz
afens. “it woz Yl mF fYlt, n /AndrM woz Onli JOkiN.”
<p>
    * “prinsas, on mF wxd, F did not wiS t afend hx.”
<p>
<p>
/pelagEa stopt dQtfali, bat in /piX'z fEs HX woz sac a
lUk v sinsC penitans, n /prins /AndrM glAnst sO mIkli nQ At
hx n nQ At /piX, HAt SI woz grAJMali rIaSUxd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
H pilgrim wUman woz apIzd n, bIiN inkariJd t tYk, gEv a
loN akQnt v /fyHx /Amfilokas, hM led sO hOli a lFf HAt hiz
hAndz smeld v insens, n hQ on hx lAst vizit t /kIev sam maNä
SI nM let hx hAv H kIz v H kAtakOmz, n hQ SI, tEkiN
sam drFd bred wiH hx, hAd spent tM dEz in H kAtakOmz wiH
H sEnts. “F'd prE awFl t wan, pondx awFl, Hen gO on t
anaHx. F'd slIp a bit n Hen agen gO n kis H reliä, n
HX woz sac pIs Yl xQnd, sac blesadnas, HAt wan dOnt wont
t kam Qt, Ivan intM H lFt v hevan agen.”
<p>
/piX lisand t hx atentivli n sCWsli. prins /AndrM went Qt
v H rMm, n Hen, lIviN “god'z fOk” t finiS HX tI,
/prinsas /mXi tUk /piX intM H drYiN rMm.
<p>
“V R veri kFnd,” SI sed t him.
<p>
“O, F rWli did not mIn t hxt hx fIliNz. F andxstAnd Hem sO
wel n hAv H grEtast rispekt f Hem.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi lUkt At him sFlantli n smFld afekSanatli.
<p>
“F hAv nOn V a loN tFm, V sI, n Am Az fond v V Az v a
braHx,” SI sed. “hQ dM V fFnd /AndrM?” SI Adad haridli,
not giviN him tFm t riplF t hx afekSanat wxdz. “F Am veri
ANkSas abQt him. hiz helT woz betx in H wintx, bat lAst spriN
hiz wMnd rIOpand n H doktx sed hI Yt t gO awE f a
kjUx. n F Am YlsO veri mac afrEd f him spiricMali. hI hAz not a
kAraktx lFk as wimin hM, wen wI safx, kAn wIp awE Qx sorOz.
hI kIps it Yl wiHin him. tadE hI iz cCfal n in gUd spirits,
bat HAt iz H ifekt v jP vizit—hI iz not oftan lFk HAt. if
V kUd pxswEd him t gO abrYd. hI nIdz Aktiviti, n His kwFat
regVlx lFf iz veri bAd f him. aHxz dOnt nOtis it, bat F sI
it.”
<p>
tPd ten O'klok H men sxvants raSt t H frant dP, hCiN
H belz v H Old prins'az kAriJ aprOciN. prins /AndrM n
/piX YlsO went Qt intM H pPc.
<p>
“hM'z HAt?” Askt H Old prins, nOtisiN /piX Az hI got Qt
v H kAriJ.
<p>
“y! veri glAd! kis mI,” hI sed, hAviN lxnd hM H jaN
strEnJx woz.
<p>
H Old prins woz in a gUd tempx n veri grESas t /piX.
<p>
bifP sapx, /prins /AndrM, kamiN bAk t hiz fyHx'z stadi, fQnd
him dispVtiN hotli wiH hiz vizitx. /piX woz mEntEniN HAt a tFm
wUd kam wen HX wUd bI nO mP wPz. H Old prins dispVtad it
cAfiNli, bat wiHQt getiN ANgri.
<p>
“drEn H blad from men'z vEnz n pUt in wYtx insted, Hen
HX wil bI nO mP wP! Old wimin'z nonsens—Old wimin'z
nonsens!” hI ripItad, bat stil hI pAtad /piX afekSanatli
on H SOldx, n Hen went ap t H tEbal wX /prins /AndrM,
evidentli not wiSiN t Jqn in H konvxsESan, woz lUkiN Ovx H
pEpxz hiz fyHx hAd brYt from tQn. H Old prins went ap t him
n bigAn t tYk biznas.
<p>
“H mRSal, a /kQnt /rOstOf, hAzant sent hAf hiz kantinJant. hI
kEm t tQn n wontad t invFt mI t dinx—F gEv him a priti
dinx!... n HX, lUk At His.... wel, mF bq,” H Old prins
went on, adresiN hiz san n pAtiN /piX on H SOldx. “a
fFn felO—jP frend—F lFk him! hI stxz mI ap. anaHx sez
klevx TiNz n wan dazant kX t lisan, bat His wan tYä
rabiS jet stxz an Old felO ap. wel, gO! get aloN! pxhAps F'l
kam n sit wiH V At sapx. wI'l hAv anaHx dispVt. mEk
frendz wiH mF lital fMl, /prinsas /mXi,” hI SQtad Aftx /piX,
TrM H dP.
<p>
Onli nQ, on hiz vizit t /bYld /hilz, did /piX fUli rWlFz H
streNT n cRm v hiz frendSip wiH /prins /AndrM. HAt cRm woz
not iäprest sO mac in hiz rilESanz wiH him Az wiH Yl hiz fAmli
n wiH H hQshOld. wiH H stxn Old prins n H Jental, timid
/prinsas /mXi, HO hI hAd skXsli nOn Hem, /piX At wans felt
lFk an Old frend. HE wx Yl fond v him Ylredi. not Onli /prinsas
/mXi, hM hAd bin wan bF hiz Jentalnas wiH H pilgrimz, gEv him hx
mOst rEdWnt lUä, bat Ivan H wan-jC-Old “prins /nikalas” (Az
hiz grAndfyHx kYld him) smFld At /piX n let himself bI tEkan
in hiz Rmz, n /mFkal /ivynOvic n /mAdamwazel /bMrien lUkt At
him wiH plezant smFlz wen hI tYkt t H Old prins.
<p>
H Old prins kEm in t sapx; His woz evidentli on /piX'z
akQnt. n dxiN H tM dEz v H jaN mAn'z vizit hI woz
iätrImli kFnd t him n tOld him t vizit Hem agen.
<p>
wen /piX hAd gon n H membxz v H hQshOld met tageHx, HE
bigAn t iäpres HX apinjanz v him Az pIpal YlwEz dM Aftx a nM
akwEntans hAz left, bat Az seldam hApanz, nO wan sed eniTiN bat
wot woz gUd v him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
wen ritxniN from hiz lIv, /rOstOf felt, f H fxst tFm, hQ
klOs woz H bond HAt VnFtad him t /denisOf n H hOl reJimant.
<p>
on aprOciN it, /rOstOf felt Az hI hAd dan wen aprOciN hiz hOm
in /moskQ. wen hI sY H fxst hMsR wiH H anbatand VnifPm
v hiz reJimant, wen hI rekagnFzd red-hXd /dimentjef n sY H
pikat rOps v H rOn hPsaz, wen /lyvrMSka glIfali SQtad t
hiz mAstx, “H kQnt hAz kam!” n /denisOf, hM hAd bin aslIp
on hiz bed, rAn Yl diSevald Qt v H mad hat t imbrEs him,
n H ofisxz kalektad rQnd t grIt H nM xFval, /rOstOf
iäpCWnst H sEm fIliN Az wen hiz maHx, hiz fyHx, n hiz
sistx hAd imbrEst him, n tCz v Jq cOkt him sO HAt hI kUd
not spIk. H reJimant woz YlsO a hOm, n Az anYltxabli dC n
preSas Az hiz pXants' hQs.
<p>
wen hI hAd ripPtad himself t H kamAndx v H reJimant n hAd
bin rIasFnd t hiz fPmx skwodran, hAd bin on dMti n hAd gon
Qt fPiJiN, wen hI hAd agen entxd intM Yl H lital intxasts
v H reJimant n felt himself diprFvd v libxti n bQnd in wan
nArO, ancEnJiN frEm, hI iäpCWnst H sEm sens v pIs, v
mPal sapPt, n H sEm sens v bIiN At hOm hC in hiz On
plEs, Az hI hAd felt andx H pxental rMf. bat hC woz nan v
Yl HAt txmql v H wxld At lRJ, wX hI did not nO hiz rFt
plEs n tUk mistEkan disiZanz; hC woz nO /sonja wiH hMm hI
Yt, P Yt not, t hAv an eäplanESan; hC woz nO posabiliti v
gOiN HX P not gOiN HX; hC HX wx not twenti-fP Qxz
in H dE wic kUd bI spent in sac a vxFati v wEz; HX woz not
HAt inMmxabal krQd v pIpal v hMm not wan woz nCx t him P
fRHx from him HAn anaHx; HX wx nan v HOz ansxtan n
andifFnd mani rilESanz wiH hiz fyHx, n naTiN t rikYl HAt
teribal los t /dOlOâOf. hC, in H reJimant, Yl woz klC n
simpal. H hOl wxld woz divFdad intM tM anIkwal pRts: wan, Qx
/pyvlOgryd reJimant; H aHx, Yl H rest. n H rest woz nO
kansxn v hiz. in H reJimant, evriTiN woz definit: hM woz
lMtenant, hM kAptin, hM woz a gUd felO, hM a bAd wan, n mOst
v Yl, hM woz a komrAd. H kAntInkIpx gEv wan kredit, wan'z
pE kEm evri fP manTs, HX woz naTiN t TiNk Qt P disFd,
V hAd Onli t dM naTiN HAt woz kansidxd bAd in H /pyvlOgryd
reJimant n, wen givan an Pdx, t dM wot woz klCli, distiNktli,
n definitli Pdxd—n Yl wUd bI wel.
<p>
hAviN wans mP entxd intM H definit kandiSanz v His reJimental
lFf, /rOstOf felt H Jq n rilIf a tFxd mAn fIlz on lFiN dQn t
rest. lFf in H reJimant, dxiN His kAmpEn, woz Yl H plezantx
f him, bikoz, Aftx hiz los t /dOlOâOf (f wic, in spFt
v Yl hiz fAmli'z efxts t kansOl him, hI kUd not fxgiv
himself), hI hAd mEd ap hiz mFnd t atOn f hiz fYlt bF sxviN,
not Az hI hAd dan bifP, bat rWli wel, n bF bIiN a pxfiktli
fxst-rEt komrAd n ofisx—in a wxd, a splendid mAn YltageHx, a
TiN wic sImd sO difikalt Qt in H wxld, bat sO posabal in H
reJimant.
<p>
Aftx hiz losaz, hI hAd ditxmind t pE bAk hiz det t hiz pXants
in fFv jCz. hI risIvd ten TQzand rMbalz a jC, bat nQ rizolvd
t tEk Onli tM TQzand n lIv H rest t rIpE H det t hiz
pXants.
<p>
Qx Rmi, Aftx ripItad ritrIts n advAnsaz n bAtalz At /pMltMsk
n /prqsiS-/ElQ, woz konsantrEtad nC /bRtanstFn. it woz awEtiN
H /empxx'z xFval n H biginiN v a nM kAmpEn.
<p>
H /pyvlOgryd reJimant, biloNiN t HAt pRt v H Rmi wic hAd
sxvd in H 1805 kAmpEn, hAd bin rikrMtiN ap t streNT in
/raSa, n xFvd tM lEt t tEk pRt in H fxst AkSanz v H
kAmpEn. it hAd bin nFHx At /pMltMsk nP At /prqsiS-/ElQ n,
wen it Jqnd H Rmi in H fIld in H sekand hAf v H kAmpEn,
woz atAct t /plytOf's diviZan.
<p>
/plytOf's diviZan woz AktiN indipendantli v H mEn Rmi. sevxal
tFmz pRts v H /pyvlOgryd reJimant hAd iäcEnJd Sots wiH
H enami, hAd tEkan prizanxz, n wans hAd Ivan kApcxd /mRSal
/MdinO'z kAriJaz. in Epral H /pyvlOgrydz wx stESand imMvabli
f sam wIä nC a tOtali rMind n dizxtad /Jxman viliJ.
<p>
a TY hAd set in, it woz madi n kOld, H Fs on H rivx brOk,
n H rOdz bikEm impAsabal. f dEz nFHx praviZanz f H
men nP fodx f H hPsaz hAd bin iSVd. Az nO trAnspPts kUd
xFv, H men dispxst abQt H abAndand n dizxtad viliJaz,
sxciN f patEtOz, bat fQnd fV Ivan v HIz.
<p>
evriTiN hAd bin Itan ap n H inhAbitants hAd Yl fled—if eni
rimEnd, HE wx wxs HAn begxz n naTiN mP kUd bI tEkan
from Hem; Ivan H sOlJxz, VZMali pitilas inaf, insted v tEkiN
eniTiN from Hem, oftan gEv Hem H lAst v HX rASanz.
<p>
H /pyvlOgryd reJimant hAd hAd Onli tM men wMndad in AkSan, bat hAd
lost nCli hAf its men from haNgx n siknas. in H hospitalz,
deT woz sO sxtan HAt sOlJxz safxiN from fIvx, P H sweliN
HAt kEm from bAd fMd, prifxd t rimEn on dMti, n hRdli Ebal
t drAg HX leã went t H frant rAHx HAn t H hospitalz.
wen spriN kEm on, H sOlJxz fQnd a plAnt Jast SOiN Qt v H
grQnd HAt lUkt lFk aspAragas, wic, f sam rIzan, HE kYld
“/mySka'z swIt rMt.” it woz veri bitx, bat HE wondxd
abQt H fIldz sIkiN it n dag it Qt wiH HX sEbxz n Et it,
HO HE wx Pdxd not t dM sO, Az it woz a nokSas plAnt. HAt
spriN a nM dizIz brOk Qt amaN H sOlJxz, a sweliN v H
Rmz, leã, n fEs, wic H doktxz atribVtad t ItiN His rMt.
bat in spFt v Yl His, H sOlJxz v /denisOf's skwodran fed
cIfli on “/mySka'z swIt rMt,” bikoz it woz H sekand wIk
HAt H lAst v H biskits wx bIiN dOld Qt At H rEt v hAf a
pQnd a mAn n H lAst patEtOz risIvd hAd sprQtad n frOzan.
<p>
H hPsaz YlsO hAd bin fed f a fPtnFt on strY from H TAct
rMfs n hAd bikam teribli Tin, HO stil kavxd wiH tafts v
felti wintx hX.
<p>
dispFt His destitMSan, H sOlJxz n ofisxz went on liviN Jast
Az VZMal. dispFt HX pEl swOlan fEsaz n tAtxd VnifPmz, H
hMsRz fPmd lFn f rOl kYl, kept TiNz in Pdx, grMmd HX
hPsaz, poliSt HX Rmz, brYt in strY from H TAct rMfs in
plEs v fodx, n sAt dQn t dFn rQnd H kYldranz from wic
HE rOz ap haNgri, JOkiN abQt HX nAsti fMd n HX haNgx. Az
VZMal, in HX spX tFm, HE lit bonfFxz, stImd Hemselvz bifP
Hem nEkad; smOkt, pikt Qt n bEkt sprQtiN rotan patEtOz, tOld
n lisand t stPiz v /pOtemkin'z n /sMvPOf's kAmpEnz, P
t leJandz v /yleSa H /slF, P H prIst's lEbxx /mikOlka.
<p>
H ofisxz, Az VZMal, livd in tMz n TrIz in H rMflas,
hAf-rMind hQzaz. H sInCz trFd t kalekt strY n patEtOz n,
in Jenxal, fMd f H men. H jaNgx wanz okVpFd Hemselvz Az
bifP, sam plEiN kRdz (HX woz plenti v mani, HO HX woz
nO fMd), sam wiH mP inasant gEmz, sac Az kqts n skitalz.
H Jenxal trend v H kAmpEn woz rXli spOkan v, pRtli bikoz
naTiN sxtan woz nOn abQt it, pRtli bikoz HX woz a vEg
fIliN HAt in H mEn it woz gOiN bAdli.
<p>
/rOstOf livd, Az bifP, wiH /denisOf, n sins HX fxlO HE
hAd bikam mP frendli HAn evx. /denisOf nevx spOk v /rOstOf's
fAmli, bat bF H tendx frendSip hiz kamAndx SOd him, /rOstOf
felt HAt H eldx hMsR'z laklas lav f /nytySa plEd a pRt
in streNTaniN HX frendSip. /denisOf evidentli trFd t iäpOz
/rOstOf t dEnJx Az seldam Az posabal, n Aftx an AkSan grItad hiz
sEf ritxn wiH evidant Jq. on wan v hiz fPiJiN eäpidiSanz, in
a dizxtad n rMind viliJ t wic hI hAd kam in sxc v
praviZanz, /rOstOf fQnd a fAmli kansistiN v an Old /pOl n hiz
dYtx wiH an infant in Rmz. HE wx hAf klAd, haNgri, tM wIk
t get awE on fUt n hAd nO mInz v abtEniN a kanvEans. /rOstOf
brYt Hem t hiz kwPtxz, plEst Hem in hiz On loJiN, n
kept Hem f sam wIä wFl H Old mAn woz rikavxiN. wan v hiz
komrAdz, tYkiN v wimin, bigAn cAfiN /rOstOf, sEiN HAt hI woz
mP wFli HAn eni v Hem n HAt it wUd not bI a bAd TiN if hI
intradMst t Hem H priti /pOliS gxl hI hAd sEvd. /rOstOf tUk
H JOk Az an insalt, flXd ap, n sed sac anplezant TiNz t H
ofisx HAt it woz Yl /denisOf kUd dM t privent a dMal. wen
H ofisx hAd gon awE, /denisOf, hM did not himself nO wot
/rOstOf's rilESanz wiH H /pOliS gxl mFt bI, bigAn t apbrEd
him f hiz kwiknas v tempx, n /rOstOf riplFd:
<p>
“sE wot V lFk.... SI iz lFk a sistx t mI, n F kAnt tel
V hQ it afendad mI... bikoz... wel, f HAt rIzan....”
<p>
/denisOf pAtad him on H SOldx n bigAn rApidli pEsiN H rMm
wiHQt lUkiN At /rOstOf, Az woz hiz wE At mOments v dIp fIliN.
<p>
“y, wot a mAd bwId V /wostOfs R!” hI matxd, n /rOstOf
nOtist tCz in hiz Fz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
in Epral H trMps wx inlFvand bF nMz v H /empxx'z xFval,
bat /rOstOf hAd nO cAns v bIiN prezant At H rivV hI held At
/bRtanstFn, Az H /pyvlOgrydz wx At H QtpOsts fR bijond HAt
plEs.
<p>
HE wx bivUAkiN. /denisOf n /rOstOf wx liviN in an xT hat,
dag Qt f Hem bF H sOlJxz n rMft wiH brAncaz n txf. H
hat woz mEd in H folOiN mAnx, wic hAd Hen kam intM vOg. a
trenc woz dag TrI n a hAf fIt wFd, fP fIt Et incaz dIp,
n Et fIt loN. At wan end v H trenc, steps wx kat Qt n
HIz fPmd H entrans n vestibVl. H trenc itself woz H rMm,
in wic H laki wanz, sac Az H skwodran kamAndx, hAd a bPd,
lFiN on pFlz At H end opazit H entrans, t sxv Az a tEbal. on
Ic sFd v H trenc, H xT woz kat Qt t a bredT v abQt tM
n a hAf fIt, n His did dMti f bedstedz n kQcaz. H rMf
woz sO kanstraktad HAt wan kUd stAnd ap in H midal v H trenc
n kUd Ivan sit ap on H bedz if wan drM klOs t H tEbal.
/denisOf, hM woz liviN lagZUxWsli bikoz H sOlJxz v hiz
skwodran lFkt him, hAd YlsO a bPd in H rMf At H fRHx end,
wiH a pIs v (brOkan bat mendad) glAs in it f a windO. wen it
woz veri kOld, embxz from H sOlJxz' kAmpfFx wx plEst on
a bent SIt v Fxn on H steps in H “risepSan rMm”—Az
/denisOf kYld HAt pRt v H hat—n it woz Hen sO wPm HAt H
ofisxz, v hMm HX wx YlwEz sam wiH /denisOf n /rOstOf, sAt
in HX Sxt slIvz.
<p>
in Epral, /rOstOf woz on Pdxli dMti. wan mPniN, bitwIn sevan n
Et, ritxniN Aftx a slIplas nFt, hI sent f embxz, cEnJd
hiz rEn-sOkt andxklOHz, sed hiz prExz, drANk tI, got wPm,
Hen tFdid ap H TiNz on H tEbal n in hiz On kPnx, n,
hiz fEs glOiN from iäpOZx t H wind n wiH naTiN on bat hiz
Sxt, lE dQn on hiz bAk, pUtiN hiz Rmz andx hiz hed. hI woz
plezantli kansidxiN H probabiliti v bIiN pramOtad in a fV dEz
f hiz lAst rIkanqtxiN eäpidiSan, n woz awEtiN /denisOf, hM
hAd gon Qt samwX n wiH hMm hI wontad a tYk.
<p>
sadanli hI hxd /denisOf SQtiN in a vFbrEtiN vqs bihFnd H hat,
evidentli mac iäFtad. /rOstOf mMvd t H windO t sI hMm hI woz
spIkiN t, n sY H kwPtxmAstx, /tOpcEenkO.
<p>
“F Pdxd V not t let Hem It HAt /mySka /wMt staf!”
/denisOf woz SQtiN. “n F sY wiH mF On Fz hQ /lyzRcMk
bwYt sam fwom H fIldz.”
<p>
“F hAv givan H Pdx agen n agen, jP onx, bat HE dOnt
ObE,” Ansxd H kwPtxmAstx.
<p>
/rOstOf lE dQn agen on hiz bed n TYt kamplEsantli: “let
him fas n basal nQ, mF Job'z dan n F'm lFiN
dQn—kApitali!” hI kUd hC HAt /lyvrMSka—HAt slF, bOld
Pdxli v /denisOf's—woz tYkiN, Az wel Az H kwPtxmAstx.
/lyvrMSka woz sEiN samTiN abQt lOdad wAganz, biskits, n oäan
hI hAd sIn wen hI hAd gon Qt f praviZanz.
<p>
Hen /denisOf's vqs woz hxd SQtiN fRHx n fRHx awE.
“sAdal! sekand plAtMn!”
<p>
“wX R HE of t nQ?” TYt /rOstOf.
<p>
fFv minits lEtx, /denisOf kEm intM H hat, klFmd wiH madi bMts
on H bed, lit hiz pFp, fjUxWsli skAtxd hiz TiNz abQt, tUk
hiz ledad wip, bakald on hiz sEbx, n went Qt agen. in Ansx t
/rOstOf's inkwFxi wX hI woz gOiN, hI Ansxd vEgli n krosli
HAt hI hAd sam biznas.
<p>
“let /god n Qx /gwIt monRk JaJ mI Aftxwxdz!” sed /denisOf
gOiN Qt, n /rOstOf hxd H hUfs v sevxal hPsaz splASiN
TrM H mad. hI did not Ivan trabal t fFnd Qt wX /denisOf hAd
gon. hAviN got wPm in hiz kPnx, hI fel aslIp n did not lIv
H hat til tPd IvniN. /denisOf hAd not jet ritxnd. H weHx
hAd klCd ap, n nC H neät hat tM ofisxz n a kadet wx
plEiN svFka, lAfiN Az HE TrM HX misalz wic berid
Hemselvz in H soft mad. /rOstOf Jqnd Hem. in H midal v H
gEm, H ofisxz sY sam wAganz aprOciN wiH fiftIn hMsRz on
HX skini hPsaz bihFnd Hem. H wAganz iskPtad bF H hMsRz drM
ap t H pikat rOps n a krQd v hMsRz sxQndad Hem.
<p>
“HX nQ, /denisOf hAz bin wariiN,” sed /rOstOf, “n hC
R H praviZanz.”
<p>
“sO HE R!” sed H ofisxz. “wOnt H sOlJxz bI
glAd!”
<p>
a lital bihFnd H hMsRz kEm /denisOf, akampanid bF tM infantri
ofisxz wiH hMm hI woz tYkiN.
<p>
/rOstOf went t mIt Hem.
<p>
“F wPn V, /kAptin,” wan v H ofisxz, a SPt Tin mAn,
evidentli veri ANgri, woz sEiN.
<p>
“hAvant F tOld V F wOnt giv Hem ap?” riplFd /denisOf.
<p>
“V wil Ansx f it, /kAptin. it iz mVtini—sIziN H trAnspPt
v wan'z On Rmi. Qx men hAv hAd naTiN t It f tM dEz.”
<p>
“n mFn hAv hAd naTiN f tM wIä,” sed /denisOf.
<p>
“it iz robxi! V'l Ansx f it, sx!” sed H infantri
ofisx, rEziN hiz vqs.
<p>
“nQ, wot R V pestMiN mI f?” krFd /denisOf, sadanli
lMziN hiz tempx. “F SAl Ansx f it n not V, n V'd
betx not baz abQt hC til V get hxt. bI of! gO!” hI SQtad
At H ofisxz.
<p>
“veri wel, Hen!” SQtad H lital ofisx, andYntad n not
rFdiN awE. “if V R ditxmind t rob, F'l...”
<p>
“gO t H deval! kwik ma'ch, wFl V'x sEf n sQnd!” n
/denisOf txnd hiz hPs on H ofisx.
<p>
“veri wel, veri wel!” matxd H ofisx, TretaniNli, n
txniN hiz hPs hI trotad awE, JOltiN in hiz sAdal.
<p>
“a dog AstwFd a fens! a wIl dog AstwFd a fens!” SQtad
/denisOf Aftx him (H mOst insaltiN iäpreSan a kAvalriman kAn
adres t a mQntad infantriman) n rFdiN ap t /rOstOf, hI bxst Qt
lAfiN.
<p>
“F'v tEkan twanzpPts from H infAntwF bF fPs!” hI sed.
“Aftx Yl, kAnt let Qx men stRv.”
<p>
H wAganz HAt hAd rIct H hMsRz hAd bin kansFnd t an
infantri reJimant, bat lxniN from /lyvrMSka HAt H trAnspPt
woz aniskPtad, /denisOf wiH hiz hMsRz hAd sIzd it bF fPs. H
sOlJxz hAd biskits delt Qt t Hem frIli, n HE Ivan SXd
Hem wiH H aHx skwodranz.
<p>
H neät dE H reJimental kamAndx sent f /denisOf, n hOldiN hiz
fiNgxz spred Qt bifP hiz Fz sed:
<p>
“His iz hQ F lUk At His afX: F nO naTiN abQt it n
wOnt bigin prOsIdiNz, bat F advFz V t rFd Ovx t H stAf
n setal H biznas HX in H komisXWt dipRtmant n if
posabal sFn a risIt f sac n sac stPz risIvd. if not, Az
H dimAnd woz bUkt agenst an infantri reJimant, HX wil bI a rO
n H afX mE end bAdli.”
<p>
from H reJimental kamAndx'z, /denisOf rOd strEt t H stAf
wiH a sinsC dizFx t Akt on His advFs. in H IvniN hI kEm
bAk t hiz dagQt in a stEt sac Az /rOstOf hAd nevx jet sIn him in.
/denisOf kUd not spIk n gAspt f breT. wen /rOstOf Askt wot
woz H mAtx, hI Onli atxd sam inkOhCant OHz n Trets in a
hPs, fIbal vqs.
<p>
alRmd At /denisOf's kandiSan, /rOstOf saJestad HAt hI SUd
andres, driNk sam wYtx, n send f H doktx.
<p>
“twF mI f wobawi... O! sam mP wYtx... let Hem twF mI, bat
F'l YlwEz TwoS skQndwalz... n F'l tel H /empawO'...
Fs...” hI matxd.
<p>
H reJimental doktx, wen hI kEm, sed it woz AbsalMtli nesisXi
t blId /denisOf. a dIp sYsx v blAk blad woz tEkan from hiz hXi
Rm n Onli Hen woz hI Ebal t rilEt wot hAd hApand t him.
<p>
“F get HX,” bigAn /denisOf. “'nQ Hen, wX'z jP
cIf's kwPtxz?' HE wx pqntad Qt. 'plIz t wEt.'
'F'v widan twenti mFlz n hAv dMtiz t atend t n nO tFm
t wEt. anQns mI.' vewi wel, sO Qt kamz HX hed
cIf—YlsO tUk it intM hiz hed t lekcx mI: 'it's
wobawi!'—'wobawi,' F sE, 'iz not dan bF mAn hM sIzaz
pwaviZanz t fId hiz sOlJxz, bat bF him hM tEä Hem t fil hiz
On pokats!' 'wil V plIz bI sFlant?' 'vewi gUd!' Hen
hI sez: 'gO n giv a wisIt t H kamiSanx, bat jP afX
wil bI pAst on t hedkwPtxz.' F gO t H kamiSanx. F entx,
n At H tEbal... hM dM V TiNk? nO, bat wEt a bit!... hM iz it
HAt's stRviN as?” SQtad /denisOf, hitiN H tEbal wiH H
fist v hiz nMli bled Rm sO vFalantli HAt H tEbal nCli brOk dQn
n H tambalxz on it Jampt abQt. “/teljynin! 'wot? sO it's
V hM'z stRviN as t deT! iz it? tEk His n His!' n F
hit him sO pAt, stwEt on hiz snQt... 'y, wot a... wot a...!'
n F sta'ted fwASiN him... wel, F'v hAd a bit v fan F kAn tel
V!” krFd /denisOf, glIfal n jet ANgri, hiz wFt tIT SOiN
andx hiz blAk mastAS. “F'd hAv kild him if HE hAdant
tEkan him awE!”
<p>
“bat wot R V SQtiN f? kym jPself,” sed /rOstOf.
“V'v set jP Rm blIdiN afreS. wEt, wI mast tF it ap
agen.”
<p>
/denisOf woz bAndiJd ap agen n pUt t bed. neät dE hI wOk kym n
cCfal.
<p>
bat At nMn H AJUtant v H reJimant kEm intM /rOstOf's n
/denisOf's dagQt wiH a grEv n sCWs fEs n rigretfali SOd
Hem a pEpx adrest t /mEJx /denisOf from H reJimental kamAndx
in wic inkwFxiz wx mEd abQt jestxdE'z akxans. H
AJUtant tOld Hem HAt H afX woz lFkli t tEk a veri bAd
txn: HAt a kPt-mRSal hAd bin apqntad, n HAt in vV v H
siveriti wiH wic mxYdiN n insabPdinESan wx nQ rigRdad,
degradESan t H rANä wUd bI H best HAt kUd bI hOpt f.
<p>
H kEs, Az reprizentad bF H afendad pRtiz, woz HAt, Aftx
sIziN H trAnspPts, /mEJx /denisOf, bIiN draNk, went t H cIf
kwPtxmAstx n wiHQt eni provakESan kYld him a TIf, Tretand
t strFk him, n on bIiN led Qt hAd raSt intM H ofis n givan
tM afiSalz a TrASiN, n dislOkEtad H Rm v wan v Hem.
<p>
in Ansx t /rOstOf's rinMd kwescanz, /denisOf sed, lAfiN,
HAt hI TYt hI rimembxd HAt sam aHx felO hAd got miät ap
in it, bat HAt it woz Yl nonsens n rabiS, n hI did not in H
lIst fC eni kFnd v trFal, n HAt if HOz skQndralz dXd atAk
him hI wUd giv Hem an Ansx HAt HE wUd not Izili fxget.
<p>
/denisOf spOk kantempcMasli v H hOl mAtx, bat /rOstOf nM him
tM wel not t ditekt HAt (wFl hFdiN it from aHxz) At hRt
hI fCd a kPt-mRSal n woz warid Ovx H afX, wic woz
evidentli tEkiN a bAd txn. evri dE, letxz v inkwFxi n nOtisaz
from H kPt xFvd, n on H fxst v mE, /denisOf woz Pdxd
t hAnd H skwodran Ovx t H neät in sIniPiti n apC bifP
H stAf v hiz diviZan t iäplEn hiz vFalans At H komisXWt
ofis. on H prIvWs dE /plytOf rIkanqtxd wiH tM /kosAk
reJimants n tM skwodranz v hMsRz. /denisOf, Az woz hiz wont, rOd
Qt in frant v H QtpOsts, pxEdiN hiz kariJ. a bUlat fFxd bF
a /frenc SRpSMtx hit him in H fleSi pRt v hiz leg. pxhAps At
anaHx tFm /denisOf wUd not hAv left H reJimant f sO slFt a
wMnd, bat nQ hI tUk advAntiJ v it t iäkVz himself from apCiN
At H stAf n went intM hospital.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
in JMn H bAtal v /frIdlynd woz fYt, in wic H /pyvlOgrydz did
not tEk pRt, n Aftx HAt an Rmistis woz prOklEmd. /rOstOf, hM
felt hiz frend'z Absans veri mac, hAviN nO nMz v him sins hI
left n fIliN veri ANkSas abQt hiz wMnd n H progres v hiz
afXz, tUk advAntiJ v H Rmistis t get lIv t vizit /denisOf
in hospital.
<p>
H hospital woz in a smYl /praSan tQn HAt hAd bin twFs devastEtad
bF /raSan n /frenc trMps. bikoz it woz samx, wen it iz sO
bVtifal Qt in H fIldz, H lital tQn prizentad a pxtikVlxli
dizmal apCans wiH its brOkan rMfs n fensaz, its fQl strIts,
tAtxd inhAbitants, n H sik n draNkan sOlJxz wondxiN abQt.
<p>
H hospital woz in a brik bildiN wiH sam v H windO frEmz n
pEnz brOkan n a kPtjRd sxQndad bF H rimEnz v a wUdan fens
HAt hAd bin pUld t pIsaz. sevxal bAndiJd sOlJxz, wiH pEl
swOlan fEsaz, wx sitiN P wYkiN abQt in H sanSFn in H
jRd.
<p>
direktli /rOstOf entxd H dP hI woz invelapt bF a smel v
pVtrifAkSan n hospital X. on H stXz hI met a /raSan Rmi
doktx smOkiN a sigR. H doktx woz folOd bF a /raSan asistant.
<p>
“F kAnt tX mFself t pIsaz,” H doktx woz sEiN. “kam t
/mykR /yleäEevic in H IvniN. F SAl bI HX.”
<p>
H asistant Askt sam fxHx kwescanz.
<p>
“O, dM H best V kAn! izant it Yl H sEm?” H doktx
nOtist /rOstOf kamiN apstXz.
<p>
“wot dM V wont, sx?” sed H doktx. “wot dM V wont?
H bUlats hAviN spXd V, dM V wont t trF tFfas? His iz a
pesthQs, sx.”
<p>
“hQ sO?” Askt /rOstOf.
<p>
“tFfas, sx. it's deT t gO in. Onli wI tM, /mEkEef n F” (hI
pqntad t H asistant), “kIp on hC. sam fFv v as doktxz hAv
dFd in His plEs.... wen a nM wan kamz hI iz dan f in a wIk,”
sed H doktx wiH evidant sAtisfAkSan. “/praSan doktxz hAv bin
invFtad hC, bat Qx AlFz dOnt lFk it At Yl.”
<p>
/rOstOf iäplEnd HAt hI wontad t sI /mEJx /denisOf v H hMsRz,
hM woz wMndad.
<p>
“F dOnt nO. F kAnt tel V, sx. Onli TiNk! F Am alOn in
cRJ v TrI hospitalz wiH mP HAn fP handrad pESants! it's
wel HAt H cAritabal /praSan lEdiz send as tM pQndz v kofi
n sam lint Ic manT P wI SUd bI lost!” hI lAft. “fP
handrad, sx, n HE'x YlwEz sendiN mI freS wanz. HX R fP
handrad? E?” hI Askt, txniN t H asistant.
<p>
H asistant lUkt fAgd Qt. hI woz evidentli veät n impESant
f H tYkativ doktx t gO.
<p>
“mEJx /denisOf,” /rOstOf sed agen. “hI woz wMndad At
/mOliten.”
<p>
“ded, F fAnsi. E, /mEkEef?” kwCid H doktx, in a tOn v
indifxans.
<p>
H asistant, hQevx, did not kanfxm H doktx'z wxdz.
<p>
“iz hI tYl n wiH rediS hX?” Askt H doktx.
<p>
/rOstOf diskrFbd /denisOf's apCans.
<p>
“HX woz wan lFk HAt,” sed H doktx, Az if plIzd. “HAt
wan iz ded, F fAnsi. hQevx, F'l lUk ap Qx list. wI hAd a list.
hAv V got it, /mEkEef?”
<p>
“/mykR /yleäEevic hAz H list,” Ansxd H asistant. “bat if
V'l step intM H ofisxz' wPdz V'l sI f jPself,”
hI Adad, txniN t /rOstOf.
<p>
“y, V'd betx not gO, sx,” sed H doktx, “P V mE
hAf t stE hC jPself.”
<p>
bat /rOstOf bQd himself awE from H doktx n Askt H asistant
t SO him H wE.
<p>
“Onli dOnt blEm mI!” H doktx SQtad ap Aftx him.
<p>
/rOstOf n H asistant went intM H dRk koridP. H smel woz sO
stroN HX HAt /rOstOf held hiz nOz n hAd t pYz n kalekt
hiz streNT bifP hI kUd gO on. a dP Opand t H rFt, n an
imESiEtad sAlO mAn on kracaz, bXfUt n in andxklOHiN, limpt
Qt n, lIniN agenst H dPpOst, lUkt wiH glitxiN envWs
Fz At HOz hM wx pAsiN. glAnsiN in At H dP, /rOstOf
sY HAt H sik n wMndad wx lFiN on H flP on strY n
OvxkOts.
<p>
“mE F gO in n lUk?”
<p>
“wot iz HX t sI?” sed H asistant.
<p>
bat, Jast bikoz H asistant evidentli did not wont him t gO in,
/rOstOf entxd H sOlJxz' wPd. H fQl X, t wic hI hAd
Ylredi bigan t get Vzd in H koridP, woz stil stroNgx hC. it
woz a lital difxant, mP panJant, n wan felt HAt His woz wX
it xiJinEtad.
<p>
in H loN rMm, brFtli lit ap bF H san TrM H lRJ windOz,
H sik n wMndad lE in tM rOz wiH HX hedz t H wYlz, n
lIviN a pAsiJ in H midal. mOst v Hem wx ankonSas n
pEd nO atenSan t H nMkamxz. HOz hM wx konSas rEzd
Hemselvz P liftad HX Tin jelO fEsaz, n Yl lUkt intentli At
/rOstOf wiH H sEm iäpreSan v hOp, v rilIf, riprOc, n
envi v anaHx'z helT. /rOstOf went t H midal v H rMm n
lUkiN TrM H Opan dPz intM H tM aJqniN rMmz sY H sEm
TiN HX. hI stUd stil, lUkiN sFlantli xQnd. hI hAd not At Yl
iäpektad sac a sFt. Jast bifP him, YlmOst akros H midal v H
pAsiJ on H bX flP, lE a sik mAn, probabli a /kosAk t JaJ
bF H kat v hiz hX. H mAn lE on hiz bAk, hiz hVJ Rmz n leã
Qtstrect. hiz fEs woz pxpal, hiz Fz wx rOld bAk sO HAt
Onli H wFts wx sIn, n on hiz bX leã n Rmz wic wx
stil red, H vEnz stUd Qt lFk kPdz. hI woz nokiN H bAk v
hiz hed agenst H flP, hPsli atxiN sam wxd wic hI kept
ripItiN. /rOstOf lisand n mEd Qt H wxd. it woz “driNk,
driNk, a driNk!” /rOstOf glAnst rQnd, lUkiN f samwan hM wUd
pUt His mAn bAk in hiz plEs n briN him wYtx.
<p>
“hM lUä Aftx H sik hC?” hI Askt H asistant.
<p>
Jast Hen a komisXWt sOlJx, a hospital Pdxli, kEm in from H
neät rMm, mRciN stifli, n drM ap in frant v /rOstOf.
<p>
“gUd dE, jP onx!” hI SQtad, rOliN hiz Fz At /rOstOf n
evidentli mistEkiN him f wan v H hospital YToritiz.
<p>
“get him t hiz plEs n giv him sam wYtx,” sed /rOstOf,
pqntiN t H /kosAk.
<p>
“jes, jP onx,” H sOlJx riplFd kamplEsantli, n rOliN
hiz Fz mP HAn evx hI drM himself ap stil strEtx, bat did not
mMv.
<p>
“nO, it's imposabal t dM eniTiN hC,” TYt /rOstOf,
lOxiN hiz Fz, n hI woz gOiN Qt, bat bikEm awX v an intens
lUk fiät on him on hiz rFt, n hI txnd. klOs t H kPnx, on
an OvxkOt, sAt an Old, anSEvan, grE-bCdad sOlJx Az Tin Az a
skelatan, wiH a stxn sAlO fEs n Fz intentli fiät on /rOstOf.
H mAn'z nEbx on wan sFd wispxd samTiN t him, pqntiN
At /rOstOf, hM nOtist HAt H Old mAn wontad t spIk t him. hI drM
nCx n sY HAt H Old mAn hAd Onli wan leg bent andx him, H
aHx hAd bin AmpVtEtad abav H nI. hiz nEbx on H aHx sFd,
hM lE mOSanlas sam distans from him wiH hiz hed TrOn bAk, woz
a jaN sOlJx wiH a snab nOz. hiz pEl wAäan fEs woz stil frekald
n hiz Fz wx rOld bAk. /rOstOf lUkt At H jaN sOlJx n a
kOld cil rAn dQn hiz bAk.
<p>
“wF, His wan sImz...” hI bigAn, txniN t H asistant.
<p>
“n hQ wI'v bin begiN, jP onx,” sed H Old sOlJx,
hiz JY kwivxiN. “hI'z bin ded sins mPniN. Aftx Yl wI'x
men, not doã.”
<p>
“F'l send samwan At wans. hI SAl bI tEkan awE—tEkan awE At
wans,” sed H asistant haridli. “let as gO, jP onx.”
<p>
“jes, jes, let as gO,” sed /rOstOf hEstili, n lOxiN hiz
Fz n SriNkiN, hI trFd t pAs annOtist bitwIn H rOz v
riprOcfal envWs Fz HAt wx fiät apon him, n went Qt v H
rMm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
/gOiN aloN H koridP, H asistant led /rOstOf t H ofisxz'
wPdz, kansistiN v TrI rMmz, H dPz v wic stUd Opan. HX
wx bedz in HIz rMmz n H sik n wMndad ofisxz wx lFiN P
sitiN on Hem. sam wx wYkiN abQt H rMmz in hospital dresiN
gQnz. H fxst pxsan /rOstOf met in H ofisxz' wPd woz a Tin
lital mAn wiH wan Rm, hM woz wYkiN abQt H fxst rMm in a
nFtkAp n hospital dresiN gQn, wiH a pFp bitwIn hiz tIT.
/rOstOf lUkt At him, trFiN t rimembx wX hI hAd sIn him bifP.
<p>
“sI wX wI'v met agen!” sed H lital mAn. “/tMSin,
/tMSin, dOnt V rimembx, hM gEv V a lift At /Sxn /grAbxn?
n F'v hAd a bit kat of, V sI...” hI went on wiH a smFl,
pqntiN t H empti slIv v hiz dresiN gQn. “lUkiN f
/vysili /dmItric /denisOf? mF nEbx,” hI Adad, wen hI hxd
hM /rOstOf wontad. “hC, hC,” n /tMSin led him intM H neät
rMm, from wens kEm sQndz v sevxal lAfiN vqsaz.
<p>
“hQ kAn HE lAf, P Ivan liv At Yl hC?” TYt /rOstOf,
stil awX v HAt smel v dIkampOziN fleS HAt hAd bin sO stroN
in H sOlJxz' wPd, n stil sImiN t sI fiät on him HOz
envWs lUä wic hAd folOd him Qt from bOT sFdz, n H fEs
v HAt jaN sOlJx wiH Fz rOld bAk.
<p>
/denisOf lE aslIp on hiz bed wiH hiz hed andx H blANkat, HO
it woz nCli nMn.
<p>
“y, /wostOf? hQ R V, hQ R V?” hI kYld Qt, stil in H
sEm vqs Az in H reJimant, bat /rOstOf nOtist sAdli HAt andx His
habicMal Iz n AnimESan sam nM, sinistx, hidan fIliN SOd
itself in H iäpreSan v /denisOf's fEs n H intanESanz v hiz
vqs.
<p>
hiz wMnd, HO a slFt wan, hAd not jet hIld Ivan nQ, siä wIä
Aftx hI hAd bin hit. hiz fEs hAd H sEm swOlan pAlx Az H fEsaz
v H aHx hospital pESants, bat it woz not His HAt strak /rOstOf.
wot strak him woz HAt /denisOf did not sIm glAd t sI him, n
smFld At him annAcxali. hI did not Ask abQt H reJimant, nP abQt
H Jenxal stEt v afXz, n wen /rOstOf spOk v HIz mAtxz
did not lisan.
<p>
/rOstOf Ivan nOtist HAt /denisOf did not lFk t bI rimFndad v H
reJimant, P in Jenxal v HAt aHx frI lFf wic woz gOiN on
QtsFd H hospital. hI sImd t trF t fxget HAt Old lFf n
woz Onli intxastad in H afX wiH H komisXWt ofisxz. on
/rOstOf's inkwFxi Az t hQ H mAtx stUd, hI At wans prOdMst from
andx hiz pilO a pEpx hI hAd risIvd from H kamiSan n H
raf drAft v hiz Ansx t it. hI bikEm AnimEtad wen hI bigAn
rIdiN hiz pEpx n speSali drM /rOstOf's atenSan t H
stiNiN riJqndxz hI mEd t hiz enamiz. hiz hospital kampAnjanz,
hM hAd gAHxd rQnd /rOstOf—a freS xFval from H wxld
QtsFd—grAJMali bigAn t dispxs Az sMn Az /denisOf bigAn rIdiN
hiz Ansx. /rOstOf nOtist bF HX fEsaz HAt Yl HOz Jentalmen hAd
Ylredi hxd HAt stPi mP HAn wans n wx tFxd v it. Onli H
mAn hM hAd H neät bed, a stQt /Mlyn, kantinVd t sit on hiz bed,
glMmili frQniN n smOkiN a pFp, n lital wan-Rmd /tMSin stil
lisand, SEkiN hiz hed disaprMviNli. in H midal v H rIdiN,
H /Mlyn intxaptad /denisOf.
<p>
“bat wot F sE iz,” hI sed, txniN t /rOstOf, “it wUd bI
best simpli t patiSan H /empxx f pRdan. HE sE grEt riwPdz
wil nQ bI distribVtad, n SUxli a pRdan wUd bI grAntad....”
<p>
“mI patiSan H /empawO'!” iäklEmd /denisOf, in a vqs t wic
hI trFd hRd t giv H Old enxJi n fFx, bat wic sQndad lFk
an iäpreSan v iritabal impatans. “wot f? if F wx a wobx F
wUd Ask mxsi, bat F'm bIiN kPt-mRSald f bwiNiN wobxz
t bUk. let Hem twF mI, F'm not afwaid v eniwan. F'v sxvd
H /tsR n mF kOantwF hOnOabli n hAv not stOlan! n Am F t bI
/dIgwEdad?... lisan, F'm w'iting t Hem stwEt. His iz wot F
sE: 'if F hAd wobd H /tweZUwi...'”
<p>
“it's sxtanli wel ritan,” sed /tMSin, “bat HAt's not
H pqnt, /vysili /dmItric,” n hI YlsO txnd t /rOstOf. “wan
hAs t sabmit, n /vysili /dmItric dazant wont t. V nO H
Yditx tOld V it woz a bAd biznas.”
<p>
“wel, let it bI bAd,” sed /denisOf.
<p>
“H Yditx rOt Qt a patiSan f V,” kantinVd /tMSin,
“n V Yt t sFn it n Ask His Jentalman t tEk it. nO dQt
hI” (indikEtiN /rOstOf) “hAz kanekSanz on H stAf. V wOnt
fFnd a betx opxtMniti.”
<p>
“hAvant F sed F'm not gOiN t /gwOvl?” /denisOf intxaptad
him, went on rIdiN hiz pEpx.
<p>
/rOstOf hAd not H kariJ t pxswEd /denisOf, HO hI
instiNktivli felt HAt H wE advFzd bF /tMSin n H aHx
ofisxz woz H sEfast, n HO hI wUd hAv bin glAd t bI v
sxvis t /denisOf. hI nM hiz stabxn wil n strEtfPwxd hEsti
tempx.
<p>
wen H rIdiN v /denisOf's viralant riplF, wic tUk mP HAn an
Qx, woz Ovx, /rOstOf sed naTiN, n hI spent H rest v H dE
in a mOst diJektad stEt v mFnd amid /denisOf's hospital komrAdz,
hM hAd gAHxd rQnd him, teliN Hem wot hI nM n lisaniN t
HX stPiz. /denisOf woz mMdili sFlant Yl H IvniN.
<p>
lEt in H IvniN, wen /rOstOf woz abQt t lIv, hI Askt /denisOf
weHx hI hAd nO kamiSan f him.
<p>
“jes, wEt a bit,” sed /denisOf, glAnsiN rQnd At H ofisxz,
n tEkiN hiz pEpxz from andx hiz pilO hI went t H windO, wX
hI hAd an iNkpot, n sAt dQn t rFt.
<p>
“it sImz it's nO Vs nokiN wan'z hed agenst a wYl!” hI
sed, kamiN from H windO n giviN /rOstOf a lRJ envalOp. in
it woz H patiSan t H /empxx drYn ap bF H Yditx, in
wic /denisOf, wiHQt alMdiN t H afensaz v H komisXWt
afiSalz, simpli Askt f pRdan.
<p>
“hAnd it in. it sImz...”
<p>
hI did not finiS, bat gEv a pEnfali annAcxal smFl.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
/hAviN ritxnd t H reJimant n tOld H kamAndx H stEt v
/denisOf's afXz, /rOstOf rOd t /tilzit wiH H letx t H
/empxx.
<p>
on H TxtInT v JMn H /frenc n /raSan /empxxz xFvd in
/tilzit. bPis /drMbetskq hAd Askt H impPtant pxsaniJ on hMm hI
woz in atendans, t inklMd him in H swIt apqntad f H stE At
/tilzit.
<p>
“F SUd lFk t sI H grEt mAn,” hI sed, alMdiN t /napOlWn,
hMm hiHxtM hI, lFk evriwan els, hAd YlwEz kYld /bMOnapRte.
<p>
“V R spIkiN v /bMOnapRte?” Askt H Jenxal, smFliN.
<p>
bPis lUkt At hiz Jenxal inkwFxiNli n imIdWtli sY HAt hI woz
bIiN testad.
<p>
“F Am spIkiN, /prins, v H /empxx /napOlWn,” hI riplFd. H
Jenxal pAtad him on H SOldx, wiH a smFl.
<p>
“V wil gO fR,” hI sed, n tUk him t /tilzit wiH him.
<p>
bPis woz amaN H fV prezant At H /nImen on H dE H tM
/empxxz met. hI sY H rAft, dekxEtad wiH monagrAmz, sY /napOlWn
pAs bifP H /frenc /gRdz on H fRHx bANk v H rivx, sY H
pensiv fEs v H /empxx /AliãAndx Az hI sAt in sFlans in a tAvxn
on H bANk v H /nImen awEtiN /napOlWn'z xFval, sY bOT
/empxxz get intM bOts, n sY hQ /napOlWn—rIciN H rAft
fxst—stept kwikli fPwxd t mIt /AliãAndx n held Qt hiz hAnd
t him, n hQ HE bOT ritFxd intM H pavilWn. sins hI hAd bigan
t mMv in H hFast sxkalz /bPis hAd mEd it hiz hAbit t woc
atentivli Yl HAt went on xQnd him n t nOt it dQn. At H tFm
v H mItiN At /tilzit hI Askt H nEmz v HOz hM hAd kam wiH
/napOlWn n abQt H VnifPmz HE wP, n lisand atentivli t
wxdz spOkan bF impPtant pxsaniJaz. At H mOment H /empxxz went
intM H pavilWn hI lUkt At hiz woc, n did not fxget t lUk At
it agen wen /AliãAndx kEm Qt. H intxvV hAd lAstad an Qx n
fifti-TrI minits. hI nOtad His dQn HAt sEm IvniN, amaN aHx
fAkts hI felt t bI v histPik impPtans. Az H /empxx'z swIt
woz a veri smYl wan, it woz a mAtx v grEt impPtans, f a mAn hM
vAlVd hiz saäes in H sxvis, t bI At /tilzit on H akEZan v
His intxvV bitwIn H tM /empxxz, n hAviN saäIdad in His,
/bPis felt HAt hensfPT hiz paziSan woz fUli aSUxd. hI hAd not
Onli bikam nOn, bat pIpal hAd grOn akastamd t him n aäeptad
him. twFs hI hAd eäikVtad kamiSanz t H /empxx himself, sO
HAt H lAtx nM hiz fEs, n Yl HOz At kPt, fR from
kOld-SOldxiN him Az At fxst wen HE kansidxd him a nMkamx,
wUd nQ hAv bin sxprFzd hAd hI bin Absant.
<p>
bPis loJd wiH anaHx AJUtant, H /pOliS /kQnt /Zilinski.
/Zilinski, a /pOl brYt ap in /pAris, woz ric, n pASanatli
fond v H /frenc, n YlmOst evri dE v H stE At /tilzit, /frenc
ofisxz v H /gRd n from /frenc hedkwPtxz wx dFniN n
lanciN wiH him n /bPis.
<p>
on H IvniN v H twenti-fPT v JMn, /kQnt /Zilinski xEnJd a
sapx f hiz /frenc frendz. H gest v onx woz an Ed-dI-kAmp v
/napOlWn'z, HX wx YlsO sevxal /frenc ofisxz v H /gRd,
n a pEJ v /napOlWn'z, a jaN lAd v an Old AristakrAtik /frenc
fAmli. HAt sEm dE, /rOstOf, profitiN bF H dRknas t avqd bIiN
rekagnFzd in sivilWn dres, kEm t /tilzit n went t H loJiN
okVpFd bF /bPis n /Zilinski.
<p>
/rOstOf, in koman wiH H hOl Rmi from wic hI kEm, woz fR
from hAviN iäpCWnst H cEnJ v fIliN tPd /napOlWn n H
/frenc—hM from bIiN fOz hAd sadanli bikam frendz—HAt hAd
tEkan plEs At hedkwPtxz n in /bPis. in H Rmi, /bOnapRt n
H /frenc wx stil rigRdad wiH miNgald fIliNz v ANgx, kantempt,
n fC. Onli rIsantli, tYkiN wiH wan v /plytOf's /kosAk
ofisxz, /rOstOf hAd RgVd HAt if /napOlWn wx tEkan prizanx hI
wUd bI trItad not Az a sovran, bat Az a kriminal. kwFt lEtli,
hApaniN t mIt a wMndad /frenc kxnal on H rOd, /rOstOf hAd
mEntEnd wiH hIt HAt pIs woz imposabal bitwIn a liJitimat
sovran n H kriminal /bOnapRt. /rOstOf woz HXfP anplezantli
strak bF H prezans v /frenc ofisxz in /bPis' loJiN, drest
in VnifPmz hI hAd bin akastamd t sI from kwFt a difxant pqnt
v vV from H QtpOsts v H flANk. Az sMn Az hI nOtist a /frenc
ofisx, hM Trast hiz hed Qt v H dP, HAt wPlFk fIliN v
hostiliti wic hI YlwEz iäpCWnst At H sFt v H enami sadanli
sIzd him. hI stopt At H TreShOld n Askt in /raSan weHx
/drMbetskq livd HX. bPis, hCiN a strEnJ vqs in H
AntirMm, kEm Qt t mIt him. an iäpreSan v anqans SOd itself
f a mOment on hiz fEs on fxst rekagnFziN /rOstOf.
<p>
“y, it's V? veri glAd, veri glAd t sI V,” hI sed, hQevx,
kamiN tPd him wiH a smFl. bat /rOstOf hAd nOtist hiz fxst
impals.
<p>
“F'v kam At a bAd tFm F TiNk. F SUd not hAv kam, bat F hAv
biznas,” hI sed kOldli.
<p>
“nO, F Onli wandx hQ V mAniJd t get awE from jP reJimant.
dAnz an mOment Ze swI a vM,” * hI sed, AnsxiN samwan hM
kYld him.
<p>
    * “in a minit F SAl bI At jP dispOzal.”
<p>
<p>
“F sI F'm intrMdiN,” /rOstOf ripItad.
<p>
H lUk v anqans hAd Ylredi disapCd from /bPis' fEs:
hAviN evidentli riflektad n disFdad hQ t Akt, hI veri kwFatli tUk
bOT /rOstOf's hAndz n led him intM H neät rMm. hiz Fz, lUkiN
sxInli n stedili At /rOstOf, sImd t bI vEld bF samTiN,
Az if skrInd bF blM spektakalz v kanvenSanAliti. sO it sImd t
/rOstOf.
<p>
“O, kam nQ! Az if V kUd kam At a roN tFm!” sed /bPis,
n hI led him intM H rMm wX H sapx tEbal woz lEd n
intradMst him t hiz gests, iäplEniN HAt hI woz not a sivilWn, bat
an hMsR ofisx, n an Old frend v hiz.
<p>
“kQnt /Zilinski—lU /kOmtE /n. n.—lU /kypitena /z. z.,” sed hI,
nEmiN hiz gests. /rOstOf lUkt frQniNli At H /frencmen, bQd
rilaktantli, n rimEnd sFlant.
<p>
/Zilinski evidentli did not risIv His nM /raSan pxsan veri
wiliNli intM hiz sxkal n did not spIk t /rOstOf. bPis did not
apC t nOtis H kanstrEnt H nMkamx prOdMst n, wiH H sEm
plezant kampOZx n H sEm vEld lUk in hiz Fz wiH wic
hI hAd met /rOstOf, trFd t inlFvan H konvxsESan. wan v H
/frencmen, wiH H palFtnas kAraktxistik v hiz kantrimen,
adrest H obstinatli tAsitxn /rOstOf, sEiN HAt H lAtx hAd
probabli kam t /tilzit t sI H /empxx.
<p>
“nO, F kEm on biznas,” riplFd /rOstOf, brIfli.
<p>
/rOstOf hAd bin Qt v hVmx from H mOment hI nOtist H lUk v
dissAtisfAkSan on /bPis' fEs, n Az YlwEz hApanz t HOz in a
bAd hVmx, it sImd t him HAt evriwan rigRdad him wiH avxZan
n HAt hI woz in evribodi'z wE. hI rWli woz in HX wE, f hI
alOn tUk nO pRt in H konvxsESan wic agen bikEm Jenxal. H
lUä H vizitxz kAst on him sImd t sE: “n wot iz hI sitiN
hC f?” hI rOz n went ap t /bPis.
<p>
“enihQ, F'm in jP wE,” hI sed in a lO tOn. “kam n tYk
Ovx mF biznas n F'l gO awE.”
<p>
“O, nO, not At Yl,” sed /bPis. “bat if V R tFxd, kam n
lF dQn in mF rMm n hAv a rest.”
<p>
“jes, rWli...”
<p>
HE went intM H lital rMm wX /bPis slept. /rOstOf, wiHQt
sitiN dQn, bigAn At wans, iritabli (Az if /bPis wx t blEm in
sam wE) teliN him abQt /denisOf's afX, AskiN him weHx,
TrM hiz Jenxal, hI kUd n wUd intxsId wiH H /empxx on
/denisOf's bihAf n get /denisOf's patiSan hAndad in. wen hI
n /bPis wx alOn, /rOstOf felt f H fxst tFm HAt hI kUd not
lUk /bPis in H fEs wiHQt a sens v Ykwxdnas. bPis, wiH wan
leg krost Ovx H aHx n strOkiN hiz left hAnd wiH H slendx
fiNgxz v hiz rFt, lisand t /rOstOf Az a Jenxal lisanz t H
ripPt v a sabPdinat, nQ lUkiN asFd n nQ gEziN strEt intM
/rOstOf's Fz wiH H sEm vEld lUk. Ic tFm His hApand
/rOstOf felt ankamfxtabal n kAst dQn hiz Fz.
<p>
“F hAv hxd v sac kEsaz n nO HAt /hiz /mAJasti iz veri sivC
in sac afXz. F TiNk it wUd bI best not t briN it bifP H
/empxx, bat t aplF t H kamAndx v H kP.... bat in Jenxal,
F TiNk...”
<p>
“sO V dOnt wont t dM eniTiN? wel Hen, sE sO!” /rOstOf
YlmOst SQtad, not lUkiN /bPis in H fEs.
<p>
bPis smFld.
<p>
“on H kontrXi, F wil dM wot F kAn. Onli F TYt...”
<p>
At HAt mOment /Zilinski'z vqs woz hxd kYliN /bPis.
<p>
“wel Hen, gO, gO, gO...” sed /rOstOf, n rifVziN sapx n
rimEniN alOn in H lital rMm, hI wYkt ap n dQn f a loN
tFm, hCiN H lFthRtad /frenc konvxsESan from H neät rMm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
/rOstOf hAd kam t /tilzit H dE lIst sMtabal f a patiSan
on /denisOf's bihAf. hI kUd not himself gO t H Jenxal in
atendans Az hI woz in mafti n hAd kam t /tilzit wiHQt pxmiSan
t dM sO, n /bPis, Ivan hAd hI wiSt t, kUd not hAv dan sO on
H folOiN dE. on HAt dE, JMn 27, H priliminXiz v pIs wx
sFnd. H /empxxz iäcEnJd dekxESanz: /AliãAndx risIvd H /kros
v H /lIJan v /onx n /napOlWn H /Pdx v /st /AndrM v H
/fxst /digrI, n a dinx hAd bin xEnJd f H IvniN, givan bF
a batAlWn v H /frenc /gRdz t H /preObryZensk batAlWn. H
/empxxz wx t bI prezant At HAt bANkwat.
<p>
/rOstOf felt sO il At Iz n ankamfxtabal wiH /bPis HAt, wen H
lAtx lUkt in Aftx sapx, hI pritendad t bI aslIp, n xli neät
mPniN went awE, avqdiN /bPis. in hiz sivilWn klOHz n a
rQnd hAt, hI wondxd abQt H tQn, stXiN At H /frenc n HX
VnifPmz n At H strIts n hQzaz wX H /raSan n /frenc
/empxxz wx stEiN. in a skwX hI sY tEbalz bIiN set ap n
prepxESanz mEd f H dinx; hI sY H /raSan n /frenc kalxz
drEpt from sFd t sFd v H strIts, wiH hVJ monagrAmz a n /n. in
H windOz v H hQzaz YlsO flAã n bantiN wx displEd.
<p>
“bPis dazant wont t help mI n F dOnt wont t Ask him.
HAt's setald,” TYt /nikalas. “Yl iz Ovx bitwIn as, bat
F wOnt lIv hC wiHQt hAviN dan Yl F kAn f /denisOf n
sxtanli not wiHQt getiN hiz letx t H /empxx. H /empxx!...
hI iz hC!” TYt /rOstOf, hM hAd ankonSasli ritxnd t H
hQs wX /AliãAndx loJd.
<p>
sAdald hPsaz wx stAndiN bifP H hQs n H swIt wx
asembaliN, evidentli pripXiN f H /empxx t kam Qt.
<p>
“F mE sI him At eni mOment,” TYt /rOstOf. “if Onli F wx
t hAnd H letx direkt t him n tel him Yl... kUd HE rWli
xest mI f mF sivilWn klOHz? SUxli not! hI wUd andxstAnd on
hMz sFd Jastis lFz. hI andxstAndz evriTiN, nOz evriTiN.
hM kAn bI mP Jast, mP mAgnAnimas HAn hI? n Ivan if HE did
xest mI f bIiN hC, wot wUd it mAtx?” TYt hI, lUkiN
At an ofisx hM woz entxiN H hQs H /empxx okVpFd. “Aftx
Yl, pIpal dM gO in.... it's Yl nonsens! F'l gO in n hAnd
H letx t H /empxx mFself sO mac H wxs f /drMbetskq hM
drFvz mI t it!” n sadanli wiH a ditxminESan hI himself did not
iäpekt, /rOstOf felt f H letx in hiz pokat n went strEt t
H hQs.
<p>
“nO, F wOnt mis mF opxtMniti nQ, Az F did Aftx /Qstxlits,”
hI TYt, iäpektiN evri mOment t mIt H monRk, n konSas v
H blad HAt raSt t hiz hRt At H TYt. “F wil fYl At
hiz fIt n bisIc him. hI wil lift mI ap, wil lisan, n wil Ivan
TANk mI. 'F Am hApi wen F kAn dM gUd, bat t remadi inJastis iz
H grEtast hApinas,'” /rOstOf fAnsid H sovran sEiN. n
pAsiN pIpal hM lUkt Aftx him wiH kjUxiositi, hI entxd H pPc
v H /empxx'z hQs.
<p>
a brYd stXkEs led strEt ap from H entri, n t H rFt hI
sY a klOzd dP. bilO, andx H stXkEs, woz a dP lIdiN t H
lOx flP.
<p>
“hMm dM V wont?” samwan inkwFxd.
<p>
“t hAnd in a letx, a patiSan, t /hiz /mAJasti,” sed /nikalas,
wiH a tremx in hiz vqs.
<p>
“a patiSan? His wE, t H ofisx on dMti” (hI woz SOn H
dP lIdiN dQnstXz), “Onli it wOnt bI aäeptad.”
<p>
on hCiN His indifxant vqs, /rOstOf grM frFtand At wot
hI woz dMiN; H TYt v mItiN H /empxx At eni mOment woz sO
fAsinEtiN n konsikwantli sO alRmiN HAt hI woz redi t ran awE,
bat H afiSal hM hAd kwescand him Opand H dP, n /rOstOf
entxd.
<p>
a SPt stQt mAn v abQt Txti, in wFt brIcaz n hF bMts n
a batIst Sxt HAt hI hAd evidentli Onli Jast pUt on, stAndiN in HAt
rMm, n hiz vAlE woz bataniN on t H bAk v hiz brIcaz a
nM pX v hAndsam silk-imbrqdxd brEsaz HAt, f sam rIzan,
atrAktad /rOstOf's atenSan. His mAn woz spIkiN t samwan in H
aJqniN rMm.
<p>
“a gUd figjx n in hx fxst blMm,” hI woz sEiN, bat on sIiN
/rOstOf, hI stopt SPt n frQnd.
<p>
“wot iz it? a patiSan?”
<p>
“wot iz it?” Askt H pxsan in H aHx rMm.
<p>
“anaHx patiSanx,” Ansxd H mAn wiH H brEsaz.
<p>
“tel him t kam lEtx. hI'l bI kamiN Qt direktli, wI mast
gO.”
<p>
“lEtx... lEtx! tamorO. it's tM lEt...”
<p>
/rOstOf txnd n woz abQt t gO, bat H mAn in H brEsaz stopt
him.
<p>
“hMm hAv V kam from? hM R V?”
<p>
“F kam from /mEJx /denisOf,” Ansxd /rOstOf.
<p>
“R V an ofisx?”
<p>
“lMtenant /kQnt /rOstOf.”
<p>
“wot YdAsiti! hAnd it in TrM jP kamAndx. n gO aloN wiH
V... gO,” n hI kantinVd t pUt on H VnifPm H vAlE hAndad
him.
<p>
/rOstOf went bAk intM H hYl n nOtist HAt in H pPc HX wx
meni ofisxz n Jenxalz in fUl pxEd VnifPm, hMm hI hAd t pAs.
<p>
kxsiN hiz timeriti, hiz hRt siNkiN At H TYt v fFndiN
himself At eni mOment fEs t fEs wiH H /empxx n bIiN pUt t
SEm n xestad in hiz prezans, fUli alFv nQ t H impraprFati
v hiz kondakt n ripentiN v it, /rOstOf, wiH dQnkAst Fz, woz
mEkiN hiz wE Qt v H hQs TrM H brilWnt swIt wen a
familC vqs kYld him n a hAnd ditEnd him.
<p>
“wot R V dMiN hC, sx, in sivilWn dres?” Askt a dIp
vqs.
<p>
it woz a kAvalri Jenxal hM hAd abtEnd H /empxx'z speSal fEvx
dxiN His kAmpEn, n hM hAd fPmxli kamAndad H diviZan in
wic /rOstOf woz sxviN.
<p>
/rOstOf, in dismE, bigAn JastifFiN himself, bat sIiN H kFndli,
JokVlx fEs v H Jenxal, hI tUk him asFd n in an iäFtad vqs
tOld him H hOl afX, AskiN him t intxsId f /denisOf, hMm
H Jenxal nM. hAviN hxd /rOstOf t H end, H Jenxal SUk hiz
hed grEvli.
<p>
“F'm sori, sori f HAt fFn felO. giv mI H letx.”
<p>
hRdli hAd /rOstOf hAndad him H letx n finiSt iäplEniN
/denisOf's kEs, wen hEsti steps n H JiNgaliN v spxz wx hxd
on H stXz, n H Jenxal, lIviN him, went t H pPc. H
Jentalmen v H /empxx'z swIt rAn dQn H stXz n went t HX
hPsaz. /hEn, H sEm grMm hM hAd bin At /Qstxlits, led ap H
/empxx'z hPs, n H fEnt krIk v a fUtstep /rOstOf nM At
wans woz hxd on H stXz. fxgetiN H dEnJx v bIiN rekagnFzd,
/rOstOf went klOs t H pPc, tageHx wiH sam inkwizitiv
sivilWnz, n agen, Aftx tM jCz, sY HOz fIcxz hI adPd:
HAt sEm fEs n sEm lUk n step, n H sEm VnWn v mAJasti n
mFldnas.... n H fIliN v inTVziAzam n lav f hiz sovran
rOz agen in /rOstOf's sOl in Yl its Old fPs. in H VnifPm v
H /preObryZensk reJimant—wFt SAmwy-leHx brIcaz n hF
bMts—n wXiN a stR /rOstOf did not nO (it woz HAt v H
/lIJan d'Onx), H monRk kEm Qt intM H pPc, pUtiN on
hiz glavz n kAriiN hiz hAt andx hiz Rm. hI stopt n lUkt
abQt him, brFtaniN evriTiN xQnd bF hiz glAns. hI spOk a fV
wxdz t sam v H Jenxalz, n, rekagnFziN H fPmx kamAndx v
/rOstOf's diviZan, smFld n bekand t him.
<p>
Yl H swIt drM bAk n /rOstOf sY H Jenxal tYkiN f sam
tFm t H /empxx.
<p>
H /empxx sed a fV wxdz t him n tUk a step tPd hiz hPs.
agen H krQd v membxz v H swIt n strIt gEzxz (amaN hMm
woz /rOstOf) mMvd nCx t H /empxx. stopiN bisFd hiz hPs,
wiH hiz hAnd on H sAdal, H /empxx txnd t H kAvalri Jenxal
n sed in a lQd vqs, evidentli wiSiN t bI hxd bF Yl:
<p>
“F kAnot dM it, /Jenxal. F kAnot, bikoz H lY iz stroNgx HAn
F,” n hI rEzd hiz fUt t H stxap.
<p>
H Jenxal bQd hiz hed rispektfali, n H monRk mQntad n
rOd dQn H strIt At a gAlap. bisFd himself wiH inTVziAzam,
/rOstOf rAn Aftx him wiH H krQd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXI
<p>
H /empxx rOd t H skwX wX, fEsiN wan anaHx, a batAlWn
v H /preObryZensk reJimant stUd on H rFt n a batAlWn v H
/frenc /gRdz in HX bXskin kAps on H left.
<p>
Az H /tsR rOd ap t wan flANk v H batAlWnz, wic prizentad
Rmz, anaHx grMp v hPsmen gAlapt ap t H opazit flANk, n
At H hed v Hem /rOstOf rekagnFzd /napOlWn. it kUd bI nO wan
els. hI kEm At a gAlap, wXiN a smYl hAt, a blM VnifPm Opan Ovx
a wFt vest, n H /st /AndrM riban Ovx hiz SOldx. hI woz rFdiN
a veri fFn TarObred grE /Arab hPs wiH a krimzan gOld-imbrqdxd
sAdalkloT. on aprOciN /AliãAndx hI rEzd hiz hAt, n Az hI did
sO, /rOstOf, wiH hiz kAvalriman'z F, kUd not help nOtisiN
HAt /napOlWn did not sit wel P fxmli in H sAdal. H batAlWnz
SQtad “hxy!” n “vIv /l'empxx!” /napOlWn sed
samTiN t /AliãAndx, n bOT /empxxz dismQntad n tUk Ic
aHx'z hAndz. /napOlWn'z fEs wP an anplezant n RtifiSal
smFl. /AliãAndx woz sEiN samTiN Afabal t him.
<p>
in spFt v H trAmpaliN v H /frenc ZondRmz' hPsaz, wic
wx pUSiN bAk H krQd, /rOstOf kept hiz Fz on evri mMvmant
v /AliãAndx n /bOnapRt. it strak him Az a sxprFz HAt /AliãAndx
trItad /bOnapRt Az an Ikwal n HAt H lAtx woz kwFt At Iz wiH
H /tsR, Az if sac rilESanz wiH an /empxx wx an evridE mAtx
t him.
<p>
/AliãAndx n /napOlWn, wiH H loN trEn v HX swIts, aprOct
H rFt flANk v H /preObryZensk batAlWn n kEm strEt ap t
H krQd stAndiN HX. H krQd aniäpektadli fQnd itself sO klOs
t H /empxxz HAt /rOstOf, stAndiN in H frant rO, woz afrEd hI
mFt bI rekagnFzd.
<p>
“sFx, F Ask jP pxmiSan t prizent H /lIJan v /onx t H
brEvast v jP sOlJxz,” sed a SRp, prisFs vqs, RtikVlEtiN
evri letx.
<p>
His woz sed bF H andxsFzd /napOlWn, lUkiN ap strEt intM
/AliãAndx'z Fz. /AliãAndx lisand atentivli t wot woz sed t
him n, bendiN hiz hed, smFld plezantli.
<p>
“t him hM hAz bPn himself mOst brEvli in His lAst wP,” Adad
/napOlWn, aäencMEtiN Ic silabal, Az wiH a kampOZx n aSUxans
iãAspxEtiN t /rOstOf, hI rAn hiz Fz Ovx H /raSan rANä drYn
ap bifP him, hM Yl prizentad Rmz wiH HX Fz fiät on HX
/empxx.
<p>
“wil jP /mAJasti alQ mI t kansalt H kxnal?” sed /AliãAndx
n tUk a fV hEsti steps tPd /prins /kOzlOfski, H kamAndx v
H batAlWn.
<p>
/bOnapRt mInwFl bigAn tEkiN H glav of hiz smYl wFt hAnd,
tP it in dMiN sO, n TrM it awE. an Ed-dI-kAmp bihFnd him
raSt fPwxd n pikt it ap.
<p>
“t hMm SAl it bI givan?” H /empxx /AliãAndx Askt /kOzlOfski,
in /raSan in a lO vqs.
<p>
“t hMmevx jP /mAJasti kamAndz.”
<p>
H /empxx nit hiz brQz wiH dissAtisfAkSan n, glAnsiN bAk,
rimRkt:
<p>
“bat wI mast giv him an Ansx.”
<p>
kOzlOfski skAnd H rANä rezalMtli n inklMdad /rOstOf in hiz
skrMtini.
<p>
“kAn it bI mI?” TYt /rOstOf.
<p>
“/lyzRef!” H kxnal kYld, wiH a frQn, n /lyzRef, H
fxst sOlJx in H rANk, stept briskli fPwxd.
<p>
“wX R V of t? stop hC!” vqsaz wispxd t /lyzRef hM
did not nO wX t gO. /lyzRef stopt, kAstiN a sFdloN lUk At
hiz kxnal in alRm. hiz fEs twict, Az oftan hApanz t sOlJxz
kYld bifP H rANä.
<p>
/napOlWn slFtli txnd hiz hed, n pUt hiz plamp lital hAnd Qt
bihFnd him Az if t tEk samTiN. H membxz v hiz swIt, gesiN
At wans wot hI wontad, mMvd abQt n wispxd Az HE pAst
samTiN from wan t anaHx, n a pEJ—H sEm wan /rOstOf
hAd sIn H prIvWs IvniN At /bPis'—rAn fPwxd n, bQiN
rispektfali Ovx H Qtstrect hAnd n not kIpiN it wEtiN a
mOment, lEd in it an /Pdx on a red riban. /napOlWn, wiHQt lUkiN,
prest tM fiNgxz tageHx n H bAJ woz bitwIn Hem. Hen hI
aprOct /lyzRef (hM rOld hiz Fz n pxsistantli gEzd At hiz
On monRk), lUkt rQnd At H /empxx /AliãAndx t implF HAt wot
hI woz nQ dMiN woz dan f H sEk v hiz AlF, n H smYl wFt
hAnd hOldiN H /Pdx tact wan v /lyzRef's batanz. it woz Az if
/napOlWn nM HAt it woz Onli nesisXi f hiz hAnd t dEn t tac
HAt sOlJx'z brest f H sOlJx t bI fxevx hApi, riwPdad,
n distiNgwiSt from evriwan els in H wxld. /napOlWn mCli lEd
H kros on /lyzRef's brest n, dropiN hiz hAnd, txnd tPd
/AliãAndx Az HO SUx HAt H kros wUd AdhC HX. n it
rWli did.
<p>
afiSas hAndz, /raSan n /frenc, imIdWtli sIzd H kros n
fAsand it t H VnifPm. /lyzRef glAnst mxOsli At H lital
mAn wiH wFt hAndz hM woz dMiN samTiN t him n, stil stAndiN
mOSanlas prizentiN Rmz, lUkt agen strEt intM /AliãAndx'z
Fz, Az if AskiN weHx hI SUd stAnd HX, P gO awE, P dM
samTiN els. bat risIviN nO Pdxz, hI rimEnd f sam tFm in
HAt riJid paziSan.
<p>
H /empxxz rImQntad n rOd awE. H /preObryZensk batAlWn,
brEkiN rANk, miNgald wiH H /frenc /gRdz n sAt dQn At H tEbalz
pripXd f Hem.
<p>
/lyzRef sAt in H plEs v onx. /raSan n /frenc ofisxz imbrEst
him, kangrAcalEtad him, n prest hiz hAndz. krQdz v ofisxz n
sivilWnz drM nC mCli t sI him. a rambal v /raSan n /frenc
vqsaz n lAftx fild H X rQnd H tEbalz in H skwX.
tM ofisxz wiH flaSt fEsaz, lUkiN cCfal n hApi, pAst bF
/rOstOf.
<p>
“wot d'V TiNk v H trIt? Yl on silvx plEt,” wan v Hem
woz sEiN. “hAv V sIn /lyzRef?”
<p>
“F hAv.”
<p>
“tamorO, F hC, H /preObryZenskiz wil giv Hem a dinx.”
<p>
“jes, bat wot lak f /lyzRef! twelv handrad frANä' penSan f
lFf.”
<p>
“hC'z a kAp, lAdz!” SQtad a /preObryZensk sOlJx, doniN a
SAgi /frenc kAp.
<p>
“it's a fFn TiN! fxst-rEt!”
<p>
“hAv V hxd H pAswxd?” Askt wan /gRdz' ofisx v
anaHx. “H dE bifP jestxdE it woz '/napOlWn, /fryns,
bravoure'; jestxdE, '/yleäyndra, /rMsi, grAnJx.' wan dE Qx
/empxx givz it n neät dE /napOlWn. tamorO Qx /empxx wil send
a /st /JPJ'az /kros t H brEvast v H /frenc /gRdz. it hAs t bI
dan. hI mast rispond in kFnd.”
<p>
bPis, tM, wiH hiz frend /Zilinski, kEm t sI H /preObryZensk
bANkwat. on hiz wE bAk, hI nOtist /rOstOf stAndiN bF H kPnx v a
hQs.
<p>
“/rOstOf! hQ d'V dM? wI mist wan anaHx,” hI sed, n kUd
not rifrEn from AskiN wot woz H mAtx, sO strEnJli dizmal n
trabald woz /rOstOf's fEs.
<p>
“naTiN, naTiN,” riplFd /rOstOf.
<p>
“V'l kYl rQnd?”
<p>
“jes, F wil.”
<p>
/rOstOf stUd At HAt kPnx f a loN tFm, wociN H fIst from a
distans. in hiz mFnd, a pEnfal proses woz gOiN on wic hI kUd
not briN t a kanklMZan. teribal dQts rOz in hiz sOl. nQ hI
rimembxd /denisOf wiH hiz cEnJd iäpreSan, hiz sabmiSan, n H
hOl hospital, wiH Rmz n leã tPn of n its dxt n dizIz. sO
vividli did hI rikYl HAt hospital stenc v ded fleS HAt hI
lUkt rQnd t sI wX H smel kEm from. neät hI TYt v HAt
self-sAtisfFd /bOnapRt, wiH hiz smYl wFt hAnd, hM woz nQ an
/empxx, lFkt n rispektad bF /AliãAndx. Hen wF HOz sevxd
Rmz n leã n HOz ded men?... Hen agen hI TYt v /lyzRef
riwPdad n /denisOf paniSt n anpRdand. hI kYt himself
hRbxiN sac strEnJ TYts HAt hI woz frFtand.
<p>
H smel v H fMd H /preObryZenskiz wx ItiN n a sens v
haNgx rikYld him from HIz riflekSanz; hI hAd t get samTiN t
It bifP gOiN awE. hI went t a hOtel hI hAd nOtist HAt mPniN.
HX hI fQnd sO meni pIpal, amaN Hem ofisxz hM, lFk himself,
hAd kam in sivilWn klOHz, HAt hI hAd difikalti in getiN a
dinx. tM ofisxz v hiz On diviZan Jqnd him. H konvxsESan
nAcxali txnd on H pIs. H ofisxz, hiz komrAdz, lFk mOst v
H Rmi, wx dissAtisfFd wiH H pIs kanklMdad Aftx H bAtal v
/frIdlynd. HE sed HAt hAd wI held Qt a lital loNgx /napOlWn wUd
hAv bin dan f, Az hiz trMps hAd nFHx praviZanz nP AmVniSan.
/nikalas Et n drANk (cIfli H lAtx) in sFlans. hI finiSt a
kapal v botalz v wFn bF himself. H proses in hiz mFnd went on
tPmentiN him wiHQt rIciN a kanklMZan. hI fCd t giv wE t
hiz TYts, jet kUd not get rid v Hem. sadanli, on wan v H
ofisxz' sEiN HAt it woz hVmiliEtiN t lUk At H /frenc,
/rOstOf bigAn SQtiN wiH ankYld-f rAT, n HXfP mac t
H sxprFz v H ofisxz:
<p>
“hQ kAn V JaJ wot's best?” hI krFd, H blad sadanli
raSiN t hiz fEs. “hQ kAn V JaJ H /empxx'z AkSanz? wot
rFt hAv wI t RgV? wI kAnot komprihend FHx H /empxx'z Emz
P hiz AkSanz!”
<p>
“bat F nevx sed a wxd abQt H /empxx!” sed H ofisx,
JastifFiN himself, n anEbal t andxstAnd /rOstOf's Qtbxst,
iäept on H sapaziSan HAt hI woz draNk.
<p>
bat /rOstOf did not lisan t him.
<p>
“wI R not diplamAtik afiSalz, wI R sOlJxz n naTiN mP,”
hI went on. “if wI R Pdxd t dF, wI mast dF. if wI'x
paniSt, it mInz HAt wI hAv dizxvd it, it's not f as t JaJ.
if H /empxx plIzaz t rekagnFz /bOnapRt Az /empxx n t kanklMd
an alFans wiH him, it mInz HAt HAt iz H rFt TiN t dM. if
wans wI bigin JaJiN n RgViN abQt evriTiN, naTiN sEkrad
wil bI left! HAt wE wI SAl bI sEiN HX iz nO /god—naTiN!”
SQtad /nikalas, bANiN H tEbal—veri lital t H pqnt Az it
sImd t hiz lisanxz, bat kwFt relavantli t H kPs v hiz On
TYts.
<p>
“Qx biznas iz t dM Qx dMti, t fFt n not t TiNk! HAt's
Yl....” sed hI.
<p>
“n t driNk,” sed wan v H ofisxz, not wiSiN t kworal.
<p>
“jes, n t driNk,” asentad /nikalas. “halO HX! anaHx
botal!” hI SQtad.
<p>
in 1808 H /empxx /AliãAndx went t /Xfxt f a freS intxvV wiH
H /empxx /napOlWn, n in H apx sxkalz v /pItxzbxg HX woz
mac tYk v H grAnJx v His impPtant mItiN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXII
<p>
in 1809 H intimasi bitwIn “H wxld'z tM Rbitxz,” Az
/napOlWn n /AliãAndx wx kYld, woz sac HAt wen /napOlWn diklXd
wP on /ostrW a /raSan kP krost H frantC t kO-opxEt wiH
Qx Old enami /bOnapRt agenst Qx Old AlF H /empxx v /ostrW, n
in kPt sxkalz H posabiliti v mAriJ bitwIn /napOlWn n wan
v /AliãAndx'z sistxz woz spOkan v. bat bisFdz kansidxESanz v
forin polasi, H atenSan v /raSan sasFati woz At HAt tFm kInli
direktad on H intxnal cEnJaz HAt wx bIiN andxtEkan in Yl H
dipRtmants v gavxnmant.
<p>
lFf mInwFl—rWl lFf, wiH its isenSal intxasts v helT n
siknas, tql n rest, n its intalekcMal intxasts in TYt,
sFans, pOatri, mVzik, lav, frendSip, hEtrad, n pASanz—went on
Az VZMal, indipendantli v n apRt from politikal frendSip P enmiti
wiH /napOlWn /bOnapRt n from Yl H skImz v rIkanstrakSan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /siä: 1808 - 10
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/prins /AndrM hAd spent tM jCz kantinVasli in H kantri.
<p>
Yl H plAnz /piX hAd atemptad on hiz istEts—n konstantli
cEnJiN from wan TiN t anaHx hAd nevx akompliSt—wx kArid
Qt bF /prins /AndrM wiHQt displE n wiHQt pxseptabal difikalti.
<p>
hI hAd in H hFast digrI a prAktikal tinAsiti wic /piX lAkt,
n wiHQt fas P strEn on hiz pRt His set TiNz gOiN.
<p>
on wan v hiz istEts H TrI handrad sxfs wx libxEtad n bikEm
frI Agrikalcxal lEbxxz—His bIiN wan v H fxst iãAmpalz v
H kFnd in /raSa. on aHx istEts H sxfs' kampalsxi lEbx woz
kamVtad f a kwitrant. a trEnd midwFf woz ingEJd f /bOgMcROvO
At hiz iäpens, n a prIst woz pEd t tIc rIdiN n rFtiN t
H cildran v H pezants n hQshOld sxfs.
<p>
prins /AndrM spent hAf hiz tFm At /bYld /hilz wiH hiz fyHx n hiz
san, hM woz stil in H kX v nxsaz. H aHx hAf hI spent in
“/bOgMcROvO /klqstx,” Az hiz fyHx kYld /prins /AndrM'z
istEt. dispFt H indifxans t H afXz v H wxld hI hAd
iäprest t /piX, hI diliJantli folOd Yl HAt went on, risIvd
meni bUä, n t hiz sxprFz nOtist HAt wen hI P hiz fyHx hAd
vizitxz from /pItxzbxg, H veri vPteä v lFf, HIz pIpal lAgd
bihFnd himself—hM nevx left H kantri—in noliJ v wot woz
hApaniN in hOm n forin afXz.
<p>
bisFdz bIiN okVpFd wiH hiz istEts n rIdiN a grEt vxFati v
bUä, /prins /AndrM woz At His tFm bizi wiH a kritikal sxvE v
Qx lAst tM anfPcanat kAmpEnz, n wiH drYiN ap a prapOzal f a
rifPm v H Rmi rMlz n regVlESanz.
<p>
in H spriN v 1809 hI went t vizit H /rjyzyn istEts wic hAd
bin inheritad bF hiz san, hMz gRdWn hI woz.
<p>
wPmd bF H spriN sanSFn hI sAt in H kyleS lUkiN At H nM
grAs, H fxst lIvz on H bxcaz, n H fxst pafs v wFt
spriN klQdz flOtiN akros H klC blM skF. hI woz not TiNkiN v
eniTiN, bat lUkt Absant-mFndadli n cCfali from sFd t sFd.
<p>
HE krost H feri wX hI hAd tYkt wiH /piX H jC bifP.
HE went TrM H madi viliJ, pAst TreSiN flPz n grIn
fIldz v wintx rF, dQnhil wX snO stil loJd nC H briJ,
aphil wX H klE hAd bin likwifFd bF H rEn, pAst strips v
stabal lAnd n bUSaz tact wiH grIn hC n HX, n intM a
bxc fPist grOiN on bOT sFdz v H rOd. in H fPist it woz
YlmOst hot, nO wind kUd bI felt. H bxcaz wiH HX stiki grIn
lIvz wx mOSanlas, n lFlAk-kalxd flQxz n H fxst blEdz
v grIn grAs wx pUSiN ap n liftiN lAst jC'z lIvz. H
kPs evxgrIn kalx v H smYl fx trIz skAtxd hC n HX
amaN H bxcaz woz an anplezant rimFndx v wintx. on entxiN H
fPist H hPsaz bigAn t snPt n swetad vizabli.
<p>
pItx H fUtman mEd sam rimRk t H kOcman; H lAtx asentad.
bat apArantli H kOcman'z simpaTi woz not inaf f /pItx, n
hI txnd on H boä tPd hiz mAstx.
<p>
“hQ plezant it iz, jP eäalansi!” hI sed wiH a rispektfal
smFl.
<p>
“wot?”
<p>
“it's plezant, jP eäalansi!”
<p>
“wot iz hI tYkiN abQt?” TYt /prins /AndrM. “O, H
spriN, F sapOz,” hI TYt Az hI txnd rQnd. “jes, rWli
evriTiN iz grIn Ylredi.... hQ xli! H bxcaz n ceri n
Yldxz tM R kamiN Qt.... bat H Oä SO nO sFn jet. y, hC iz
wan Ok!”
<p>
At H eJ v H rOd stUd an Ok. probabli ten tFmz H EJ v H
bxcaz HAt fPmd H fPist, it woz ten tFmz Az Tik n twFs Az
tYl Az HE. it woz an inPmas trI, its gxT twFs Az grEt Az a
mAn kUd imbrEs, n evidentli loN agO sam v its brAncaz hAd bin
brOkan of n its bRk skRd. wiH its hVJ angEnli limz sprYliN
ansimetrikli, n its nRld hAndz n fiNgxz, it stUd an EJd,
stxn, n skPnfal monstx amaN H smFliN bxc trIz. Onli H
ded-lUkiN evxgrIn fxz dotad abQt in H fPist, n His Ok,
rifVzd t jIld t H cRm v spriN P nOtis FHx H spriN P
H sanSFn.
<p>
“spriN, lav, hApinas!” His Ok sImd t sE. “R V not
wCi v HAt stMpid, mIniNlas, konstantli ripItad frYd? YlwEz H
sEm n YlwEz a frYd? HX iz nO spriN, nO san, nO hApinas! lUk
At HOz krAmpt ded fxz, evx H sEm, n At mI tM, stikiN Qt
mF brOkan n bRkt fiNgxz Jast wX HE hAv grOn, weHx from mF
bAk P mF sFdz: Az HE hAv grOn sO F stAnd, n F dM not bilIv in
jP hOps n jP lFz.”
<p>
Az hI pAst TrM H fPist /prins /AndrM txnd sevxal tFmz t
lUk At HAt Ok, Az if iäpektiN samTiN from it. andx H Ok,
tM, wx flQxz n grAs, bat it stUd amaN Hem skQliN, riJid,
misSEpan, n grim Az evx.
<p>
“jes, H Ok iz rFt, a TQzand tFmz rFt,” TYt /prins
/AndrM. “let aHxz—H jaN—jIld afreS t HAt frYd, bat wI
nO lFf, Qx lFf iz finiSt!”
<p>
a hOl sIkwans v nM TYts, hOplas bat mPnfali plezant, rOz
in hiz sOl in kanekSan wiH HAt trI. dxiN His Jxni hI, Az
it wx, kansidxd hiz lFf afreS n xFvd At hiz Old kanklMZan,
restfal in its hOplasnas: HAt it woz not f him t bigin eniTiN
anM—bat HAt hI mast liv Qt hiz lFf, kantent t dM nO hRm, n
not distxbiN himself P dizFxiN eniTiN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
/prins /AndrM hAd t sI H /mRSal v H /nObiliti f H distrikt
in kanekSan wiH H afXz v H /rjyzyn istEt v wic hI woz
trastI. His /mRSal woz /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf, n in H midal v mE
/prins /AndrM went t vizit him.
<p>
it woz nQ hot spriN weHx. H hOl fPist woz Ylredi klOHd in
grIn. it woz dasti n sO hot HAt on pAsiN nC wYtx wan loNd t
bEH.
<p>
prins /AndrM, diprest n prIokVpFd wiH H biznas abQt wic
hI hAd t spIk t H /mRSal, woz drFviN ap H AvanM in H grQndz
v H /rOstOfs' hQs At /Otrydnqe. hI hxd meri gxliS krFz
bihFnd sam trIz on H rFt n sY a grMp v gxlz raniN t kros
H pAT v hiz kyleS. ahed v H rest n nCx t him rAn a
dRk-hXd, rimRkabli slim, priti gxl in a jelO cints dres, wiH
a wFt hANkxcif on hx hed from andx wic lMs loä v hX
iskEpt. H gxl woz SQtiN samTiN bat, sIiN HAt hI woz a
strEnJx, rAn bAk lAfiN wiHQt lUkiN At him.
<p>
sadanli, hI did not nO wF, hI felt a pAN. H dE woz sO bVtifal,
H san sO brFt, evriTiN xQnd sO gE, bat HAt slim priti gxl
did not nO, P wiS t nO, v hiz iãistans n woz kantentad n
cCfal in hx On sepxat—probabli fMliS—bat brFt n hApi
lFf. “wot iz SI sO glAd abQt? wot iz SI TiNkiN v? not v
H militXi regVlESanz P v H xEnJmant v H /rjyzyn sxfs'
kwitrants. v wot iz SI TiNkiN? wF iz SI sO hApi?” prins
/AndrM Askt himself wiH instiNktiv kjUxiositi.
<p>
in 1809 /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf woz liviN At /Otrydnqe Jast Az hI hAd dan
in fPmx jCz, HAt iz, entxtEniN YlmOst H hOl provins wiH
hants, TiAtrikalz, dinxz, n mVzik. hI woz glAd t sI /prins
/AndrM, Az hI woz t sI eni nM vizitx, n insistad on hiz stEiN
H nFt.
<p>
dxiN H dal dE, in H kPs v wic hI woz entxtEnd bF
hiz eldxli hOsts n bF H mP impPtant v H vizitxz (H Old
kQnt's hQs woz krQdad on akQnt v an aprOciN nEm dE),
/prins /AndrM ripItadli glAnst At /nytySa, gE n lAfiN amaN H
jaNgx membxz v H kampani, n Askt himself Ic tFm, “wot iz
SI TiNkiN abQt? wF iz SI sO glAd?”
<p>
HAt nFt, alOn in nM sxQndiNz, hI woz loN anEbal t slIp. hI
red awFl n Hen pUt Qt hiz kAndal, bat rIlit it. it woz hot in H
rMm, H insFd Satxz v wic wx klOzd. hI woz kros wiH H
stMpid Old mAn (Az hI kYld /rOstOf), hM hAd mEd him stE bF aSUxiN
him HAt sam nesisXi dokVments hAd not jet xFvd from tQn, n hI
woz veät wiH himself f hAviN stEd.
<p>
hI got ap n went t H windO t Opan it. Az sMn Az hI Opand H
Satxz H mMnlFt, Az if it hAd loN bin wociN f His, bxst
intM H rMm. hI Opand H kEsmant. H nFt woz freS, brFt, n
veri stil. Jast bifP H windO woz a rO v polxd trIz, lUkiN
blAk on wan sFd n wiH a silvxi lFt on H aHx. binIT H
trIz grM sam kFnd v laS, wet, bUSi veJatESan wiH silvx-lit
lIvz n stemz hC n HX. fRHx bAk bijond H dRk trIz a
rMf glitxd wiH dM, t H rFt woz a lIfi trI wiH brilWntli
wFt traNk n brAncaz, n abav it SOn H mMn, nCli At its
fUl, in a pEl, YlmOst stRlas, spriN skF. prins /AndrM lInd hiz
elbOz on H windO leJ n hiz Fz restad on HAt skF.
<p>
hiz rMm woz on H fxst flP. HOz in H rMmz abav wx YlsO
awEk. hI hxd fImEl vqsaz Ovxhed.
<p>
“Jast wans mP,” sed a gxliS vqs abav him wic /prins /AndrM
rekagnFzd At wans.
<p>
“bat wen R V kamiN t bed?” riplFd anaHx vqs.
<p>
“F wOnt, F kAnt slIp, wot's H Vs? kam nQ f H lAst
tFm.”
<p>
tM gxliS vqsaz sAN a mVzikal pAsiJ—H end v sam soN.
<p>
“O, hQ lavli! nQ gO t slIp, n HX'z an end v it.”
<p>
“V gO t slIp, bat F kAnt,” sed H fxst vqs, kamiN
nCx t H windO. SI woz evidentli lIniN rFt Qt, f H
rasal v hx dres n Ivan hx brIHiN kUd bI hxd. evriTiN
woz stOn-stil, lFk H mMn n its lFt n H SAdOz. prins
/AndrM, tM, dXd not stx, f fC v bitrEiN hiz anintenSanal
prezans.
<p>
“/sonja! /sonja!” hI agen hxd H fxst spIkx. “O, hQ kAn
V slIp? Onli lUk hQ glPWs it iz! y, hQ glPWs! dM wEk ap,
/sonja!” SI sed YlmOst wiH tCz in hx vqs. “HX nevx,
nevx woz sac a lavli nFt bifP!”
<p>
/sonja mEd sam rilaktant riplF.
<p>
“dM Jast kam n sI wot a mMn!... O, hQ lavli! kam hC....
dRliN, swIthRt, kam hC! HX, V sI? F fIl lFk sitiN dQn
on mF hIlz, pUtiN mF Rmz rQnd mF nIz lFk His, strEniN tFt,
Az tFt Az posabal, n flFiN awE! lFk His....”
<p>
“tEk kX, V'l fYl Qt.”
<p>
hI hxd H sQnd v a skafal n /sonja'z disaprMviN vqs:
“it's pAst wan O'klok.”
<p>
“O, V Onli spql TiNz f mI. Yl rFt, gO, gO!”
<p>
agen Yl woz sFlant, bat /prins /AndrM nM SI woz stil sitiN
HX. from tFm t tFm hI hxd a soft rasal n At tFmz a sF.
<p>
“O /god, /O /god! wot daz it mIn?” SI sadanli iäklEmd. “t bed
Hen, if it mast bI!” n SI slAmd H kEsmant.
<p>
“f hx F mFt Az wel not iãist!” TYt /prins /AndrM wFl hI
lisand t hx vqs, f sam rIzan iäpektiN jet fCiN HAt SI
mFt sE samTiN abQt him. “HX SI iz agen! Az if it wx on
pxpas,” TYt hI.
<p>
in hiz sOl HX sadanli xOz sac an aniäpektad txmql v VTfal
TYts n hOps, kontrXi t H hOl tenx v hiz lFf, HAt anEbal
t iäplEn hiz kandiSan t himself hI lE dQn n fel aslIp At wans.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
/neät mPniN, hAviN tEkan lIv v nO wan bat H kQnt, n not
wEtiN f H lEdiz t apC, /prins /AndrM set of f hOm.
<p>
it woz Ylredi H biginiN v JMn wen on hiz ritxn Jxni hI drOv
intM H bxc fPist wX H nRld Old Ok hAd mEd sO strEnJ n
memxabal an impreSan on him. in H fPist H hRnas belz sQndad
jet mP mafald HAn HE hAd dan siä wIä bifP, f nQ Yl woz
Tik, SEdi, n dens, n H jaN fxz dotad abQt in H fPist
did not JR on H Jenxal bVti bat, lendiN Hemselvz t H mMd
xQnd, wx delikatli grIn wiH flafi jaN SMts.
<p>
H hOl dE hAd bin hot. samwX a stPm woz gAHxiN, bat Onli
a smYl klQd hAd skAtxd sam rEndrops lFtli, spriNkaliN H rOd
n H sApi lIvz. H left sFd v H fPist woz dRk in H SEd,
H rFt sFd glitxd in H sanlFt, wet n SFni n skXsli
swEd bF H brIz. evriTiN woz in blosam, H nFtingElz
trild, n HX vqsaz rivxbxEtad nQ nC, nQ fR awE.
<p>
“jes, hC in His fPist woz HAt Ok wiH wic F agrId,” TYt
/prins /AndrM. “bat wX iz it?” hI agen wandxd, gEziN At
H left sFd v H rOd, n wiHQt rekagnFziN it hI lUkt wiH
AdmxESan At H veri Ok hI sYt. H Old Ok, kwFt trAnsfigjxd,
sprediN Qt a kAnapi v sApi dRk-grIn fOliiJ, stUd rApt n
slFtli trembaliN in H rEz v H IvniN san. nFHx nRld
fiNgxz nP Old skRz nP Old dQts n sorOz wx eni v Hem in
evidans nQ. TrM H hRd sencxi-Old bRk, Ivan wX HX wx
nO twiã, lIvz hAd sprQtad sac Az wan kUd hRdli bilIv H Old
vetxan kUd hAv prOdMst.
<p>
“jes, it iz H sEm Ok,” TYt /prins /AndrM, n Yl At wans hI
woz sIzd bF an anrIzaniN spriNtFm fIliN v Jq n rinMal. Yl
H best mOments v hiz lFf sadanli rOz t hiz memxi. /Qstxlits
wiH H lofti hevanz, hiz wFf's ded riprOcfal fEs, /piX At
H feri, HAt gxl Trild bF H bVti v H nFt, n HAt nFt
itself n H mMn, n... Yl His raSt sadanli t hiz mFnd.
<p>
“nO, lFf iz not Ovx At Txti-wan!” prins /AndrM sadanli disFdad
fFnali n disFsivli. “it iz not inaf f mI t nO wot F hAv
in mI—evriwan mast nO it: /piX, n HAt jaN gxl hM wontad t
flF awE intM H skF, evriwan mast nO mI, sO HAt mF lFf mE not bI
livd f mFself alOn wFl aHxz liv sO apRt from it, bat sO HAt
it mE bI riflektad in Hem Yl, n HE n F mE liv in hRmani!”
<p>
<p>
on rIciN hOm /prins /AndrM disFdad t gO t /pItxzbxg HAt Ytam
n fQnd Yl sPts v rIzanz f His disiZan. a hOl sCIz v
sensabal n loJikal kansidxESanz SOiN it t bI isenSal f him
t gO t /pItxzbxg, n Ivan t rI-entx H sxvis, kept spriNiN
ap in hiz mFnd. hI kUd not nQ andxstAnd hQ hI kUd evx Ivan hAv
dQtad H nisesiti v tEkiN an Aktiv SX in lFf, Jast Az a manT
bifP hI hAd not andxstUd hQ H FdW v lIviN H kwFat kantri
kUd evx entx hiz hed. it nQ sImd klC t him HAt Yl hiz
iäpCWns v lFf mast bI senslasli wEstad anles hI aplFd it t
sam kFnd v wxk n agen plEd an Aktiv pRt in lFf. hI did not
Ivan rimembx hQ fPmxli, on H streNT v similx recad loJikal
RgVmants, it hAd sImd obvWs HAt hI wUd bI digrEdiN himself if
hI nQ, Aftx H lesanz hI hAd hAd in lFf, alQd himself t bilIv
in H posabiliti v bIiN Vsfal n in H posabiliti v hApinas
P lav. nQ rIzan saJestad kwFt H opazit. Aftx HAt Jxni
t /rjyzyn hI fQnd H kantri dal; hiz fPmx pxsMts nO loNgx
intxastad him, n oftan wen sitiN alOn in hiz stadi hI got ap,
went t H mirx, n gEzd a loN tFm At hiz On fEs. Hen hI wUd
txn awE t H pPtrEt v hiz ded /lIz, hM wiH hX kxld a ly
grecque lUkt tendxli n gEli At him Qt v H gilt frEm. SI
did not nQ sE HOz fPmx teribal wxdz t him, bat lUkt simpli,
merili, n inkwizitivli At him. n /prins /AndrM, krosiN hiz
Rmz bihFnd him, loN pEst H rMm, nQ frQniN, nQ smFliN, Az
hI riflektad on HOz irASanal, iniäpresabal TYts, sIkrat Az a
krFm, wic Yltxd hiz hOl lFf n wx kanektad wiH /piX, wiH
fEm, wiH H gxl At H windO, H Ok, n wUman'z bVti
n lav. n if eniwan kEm intM hiz rMm At sac mOments hI woz
pxtikVlxli kOld, stxn, n abav Yl anplezantli loJikal.
<p>
“mF dC,” prinsas /mXi entxiN At sac a mOment wUd sE,
“lital /nikalas kAnt gO Qt tadE, it's veri kOld.”
<p>
“if it wx hot,” prins /AndrM wUd riplF At sac tFmz veri drFli
t hiz sistx, “hI kUd gO Qt in hiz smok, bat Az it iz kOld hI
mast wX wPm klOHz, wic wx dizFnd f HAt pxpas. HAt iz
wot folOz from H fAkt HAt it iz kOld; n not HAt a cFld hM
nIdz freS X SUd rimEn At hOm,” hI wUd Ad wiH iätrIm
loJik, Az if paniSiN samwan f HOz sIkrat iloJikal imOSanz HAt
stxd wiHin him.
<p>
At sac mOments /prinsas /mXi wUd TiNk hQ intalekcMal wxk drFz
men ap.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
/prins /AndrM xFvd in /pItxzbxg in Ygast, 1809. it woz H tFm
wen H VTfal /sperynski woz At H zIniT v hiz fEm n hiz
rifPmz wx bIiN pUSt fPwxd wiH H grEtast enxJi. HAt sEm
Ygast H /empxx woz TrOn from hiz kyleS, inJxd hiz leg, n
rimEnd TrI wIä At /pItxhof, risIviN /sperynski evri dE n nO
wan els. At HAt tFm H tM fEmas dikrIz wx bIiN pripXd
HAt sO AJitEtad sasFati—aboliSiN kPt rANä n intradMsiN
iãAminESanz t kwolifF f H grEdz v /kalIJWt /asesx n
/stEt /kQnsalx—n not mCli HIz bat a hOl stEt konstitMSan,
intendad t cEnJ H iãistiN Pdx v gavxnmant in /raSa: lIgal,
administrativ, n fFnAnSal, from H /kQnsal v /stEt dQn t H
distrikt trFbVnalz. nQ HOz vEg libxal drImz wiH wic H
/empxx /AliãAndx hAd asendad H TrOn, n wic hI hAd trFd t pUt
intM ifekt wiH H Ed v hiz asOSWts, /cRtPiski, /nOvOsiltsef,
/kOcMbE, n /strOganOf—hMm hI himself in Jest hAd kYld hiz
/kOmite de sAlVt pablik—wx tEkiN SEp n bIiN rWlFzd.
<p>
nQ Yl HIz men wx riplEst bF /sperynski on H sivil sFd, n
/RykcEef on H militXi. sMn Aftx hiz xFval /prins /AndrM, Az a
Jentalman v H cEmbx, prizentad himself At kPt n At a levi. H
/empxx, HO hI met him twFs, did not fEvx him wiH a siNgal wxd.
it hAd YlwEz sImd t /prins /AndrM bifP HAt hI woz AntipaTetik
t H /empxx n HAt H lAtx dislFkt hiz fEs n pxsanAliti
Jenxali, n in H kOld, ripelant glAns H /empxx gEv him, hI
nQ fQnd fxHx konfxmESan v His sxmFz. H kPtCz iäplEnd
H /empxx'z niglekt v him bF /hiz /mAJasti'z displeZx At
/bOlkOnski'z not hAviN sxvd sins 1805.
<p>
“F nO mFself HAt wan kAnot help wan'z simpaTiz n
AntipaTiz,” TYt /prins /AndrM, “sO it wil not dM t prizent
mF prapOzal f H rifPm v H Rmi regVlESanz t H /empxx
pxsanali, bat H proJekt wil spIk f itself.”
<p>
hI menSand wot hI hAd ritan t an Old fIld mRSal, a frend
v hiz fyHx'z. H fIld mRSal mEd an apqntmant t sI him,
risIvd him grESasli, n promist t infPm H /empxx. a fV
dEz lEtx /prins /AndrM risIvd nOtis HAt hI woz t gO t sI H
/ministx v /wP, /kQnt /RykcEef.
<p>
<p>
on H apqntad dE /prins /AndrM entxd /kQnt /RykcEef's wEtiN
rMm At nFn in H mPniN.
<p>
hI did not nO /RykcEef pxsanali, hAd nevx sIn him, n Yl hI
hAd hxd v him inspFxd him wiH bat lital rispekt f H mAn.
<p>
“hI iz /ministx v /wP, a mAn trastad bF H /empxx, n F nId not
kansxn mFself abQt hiz pxsanal kwolitiz: hI hAz bin kamiSand t
kansidx mF proJekt, sO hI alOn kAn get it adoptad,” TYt /prins
/AndrM Az hI wEtad amaN a nambx v impPtant n animpPtant pIpal
in /kQnt /RykcEef's wEtiN rMm.
<p>
dxiN hiz sxvis, cIfli Az an AJUtant, /prins /AndrM hAd sIn H
AntirMmz v meni impPtant men, n H difxant tFps v sac rMmz
wx wel nOn t him. kQnt /RykcEef's AntirMm hAd kwFt a
speSal kAraktx. H fEsaz v H animpPtant pIpal awEtiN HX
txn f an YdWns SOd imbArasmant n sxviliti; H fEsaz v
HOz v hFx rANk iäprest a koman fIliN v Ykwxdnas, kavxd
bF a mAsk v ankansxn n ridikVl v Hemselvz, HX sicMESan, n
H pxsan f hMm HE wx wEtiN. sam wYkt TYtfali ap n
dQn, aHxz wispxd n lAft. prins /AndrM hxd H niknEm
“/sila /yndrEevic” n H wxdz, “aNkal wil giv it t as
hot,” in refxans t /kQnt /RykcEef. wan Jenxal (an impPtant
pxsaniJ), evidentli fIliN afendad At hAviN t wEt sO loN, sAt
krosiN n ankrosiN hiz leã n smFliN kantempcMasli t himself.
<p>
bat H mOment H dP Opand wan fIliN alOn apCd on Yl
fEsaz—HAt v fC. prins /AndrM f H sekand tFm Askt H
AJUtant on dMti t tEk in hiz nEm, bat risIvd an Fronikal lUk n
woz tOld HAt hiz txn wUd kam in dM kPs. Aftx sam aHxz hAd
bin SOn in n Qt v H ministx'z rMm bF H AJUtant on dMti,
an ofisx hM strak /prins /AndrM bF hiz hVmiliEtad n frFtand X
woz admitad At HAt teribal dP. His ofisx'z YdWns lAstad a
loN tFm. Hen sadanli H grEtiN sQnd v a hRS vqs woz hxd
from H aHx sFd v H dP, n H ofisx—wiH pEl fEs n
trembaliN lips—kEm Qt n pAst TrM H wEtiN rMm, klaciN
hiz hed.
<p>
Aftx His /prins /AndrM woz kondaktad t H dP n H ofisx on
dMti sed in a wispx, “t H rFt, At H windO.”
<p>
prins /AndrM entxd a plEn tFdi rMm n sY At H tEbal a mAn v
fPti wiH a loN wEst, a loN klOsli kropt hed, dIp riNkalz,
skQliN brQz abav dal grIniS-hEzal Fz n an OvxhANiN red
nOz. /RykcEef txnd hiz hed tPd him wiHQt lUkiN At him.
<p>
“wot iz jP patiSan?” Askt /RykcEef.
<p>
“F Am not patiSaniN, jP eäalansi,” ritxnd /prins /AndrM
kwFatli.
<p>
/RykcEef's Fz txnd tPd him.
<p>
“sit dQn,” sed hI. “prins /bOlkOnski?”
<p>
“F Am not patiSaniN abQt eniTiN. hiz /mAJasti H /empxx hAz
dEnd t send jP eäalansi a proJekt sabmitad bF mI...”
<p>
“V sI, mF dC sx, F hAv red jP proJekt,” intxaptad
/RykcEef, atxiN Onli H fxst wxdz EmWbli n Hen—agen
wiHQt lUkiN At /prins /AndrM—rilApsiN grAJMali intM a tOn v
grambaliN kantempt. “V R prapOziN nM militXi lYz? HX R
meni lYz bat nO wan t kAri Qt H Old wanz. nQadEz evribodi
dizFnz lYz, it iz IzC rFtiN HAn dMiN.”
<p>
“F kEm At /hiz /mAJasti H /empxx'z wiS t lxn from jP
eäalansi hQ V prapOz t dIl wiH H memxAndam F hAv
prizentad,” sed /prins /AndrM palFtli.
<p>
“F hAv indPst a rezalMSan on jP memxAndam n sent it t H
kamiti. F dM not aprMv v it,” sed /RykcEef, rFziN n tEkiN
a pEpx from hiz rFtiN tEbal. “hC!” n hI hAndad it t /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
akros H pEpx woz skrYld in pensil, wiHQt kApital letxz,
misspeld, n wiHQt paNkcMESan: “ansQndli kanstraktad bikoz
rizembalz an imitESan v H /frenc militXi kOd n from H /Rtikalz
v /wP nIdlasli dIviEtiN.”
<p>
“t wot kamiti hAz H memxAndam bin rifxd?” inkwFxd
/prins /AndrM.
<p>
“t H /kamiti on /Rmi /regVlESanz, n F hAv rekamendad HAt
jP onx SUd bI apqntad a membx, bat wiHQt a sAlxi.”
<p>
prins /AndrM smFld.
<p>
“F dOnt wont wan.”
<p>
“a membx wiHQt sAlxi,” ripItad /RykcEef. “F hAv H
onx... E! kYl H neät wan! hM els iz HX?” hI SQtad, bQiN
t /prins /AndrM.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
/wFl wEtiN f H anQnsmant v hiz apqntmant t H kamiti
/prins /AndrM lUkt ap hiz fPmx akwEntansaz, pxtikVlxli HOz hI
nM t bI in pQx n hMz Ed hI mFt nId. in /pItxzbxg hI nQ
iäpCWnst H sEm fIliN hI hAd hAd on H Iv v a bAtal, wen
trabald bF ANkSas kjUxiositi n irizistabli atrAktad t H rMliN
sxkalz wX H fVcx, on wic H fEt v milWnz dipendad, woz
bIiN SEpt. from H iritESan v H Oldx men, H kjUxiositi v H
aniniSiEtad, H rizxv v H iniSiEtad, H hari n prIokVpESan
v evriwan, n H inMmxabal kamitiz n kamiSanz v hMz
iãistans hI lxnd evri dE, hI felt HAt nQ, in 1809, hC in
/pItxzbxg a vAst sivil konflikt woz in prepxESan, H kamAndx in
cIf v wic woz a mistCWs pxsan hI did not nO, bat hM woz
sapOst t bI a mAn v JInWs—/sperynski. n His mMvmant v
rIkanstrakSan v wic /prins /AndrM hAd a vEg FdW, n /sperynski
its cIf pramOtx, bigAn t intxast him sO kInli HAt H kwescan
v H Rmi regVlESanz kwikli risIdad t a sekandXi plEs in hiz
konSasnas.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz mOst fEvxabli plEst t sikjUx gUd risepSan in H
hFast n mOst dFvxs /pItxzbxg sxkalz v H dE. H rifPmiN
pRti kPJali welkamd n kPtad him, in H fxst plEs bikoz
hI woz ripVtad t bI klevx n veri wel red, n sekandli bikoz bF
libxEtiN hiz sxfs hI hAd abtEnd H repVtESan v bIiN a libxal.
H pRti v H Old n dissAtisfFd, hM senSxd H inavESanz,
txnd t him iäpektiN hiz simpaTi in HX disaprMval v H
rifPmz, simpli bikoz hI woz H san v hiz fyHx. H feminin
sasFati wxld welkamd him glAdli, bikoz hI woz ric, distiNgwiSt, a
gUd mAc, n YlmOst a nMkamx, wiH a hElO v rOmAns on akQnt
v hiz sapOzd deT n H trAJik los v hiz wFf. bisFdz His
H Jenxal apinjan v Yl hM hAd nOn him prIvWsli woz HAt hI hAd
grEtli imprMvd dxiN HIz lAst fFv jCz, hAviN sofand n grOn
mP mAnli, lost hiz fPmx AfektESan, prFd, n kantempcMas Frani,
n akwFxd H sxeniti HAt kamz wiH jCz. pIpal tYkt abQt
him, wx intxastad in him, n wontad t mIt him.
<p>
H dE Aftx hiz intxvV wiH /kQnt /RykcEef, /prins /AndrM spent
H IvniN At /kQnt /kOcMbE'z. hI tOld H kQnt v hiz intxvV
wiH /sila /yndrEevic (/kOcMbE spOk v /RykcEef bF HAt niknEm
wiH H sEm vEg Frani /prins /AndrM hAd nOtist in H /ministx v
/wP'z AntirMm).
<p>
“man /Ser, Ivan in His kEs V kAnt dM wiHQt /mFkal
/miâFlOvic /sperynski. hI mAniJaz evriTiN. F'l spIk t him. hI
hAz promist t kam His IvniN.”
<p>
“wot hAz /sperynski t dM wiH H Rmi regVlESanz?” Askt /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
/kOcMbE SUk hiz hed smFliNli, Az if sxprFzd At /bOlkOnski'z
simplisiti.
<p>
“wI wx tYkiN t him abQt V a fV dEz agO,” /kOcMbE
kantinVd, “n abQt jP frId plQmen.”
<p>
“O, iz it V, /prins, hM hAv frId jP sxfs?” sed an Old mAn
v /kATxin'z dE, txniN kantempcMasli tPd /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“it woz a smYl istEt HAt brYt in nO profit,” riplFd /prins
/AndrM, trFiN t iätenVEt hiz AkSan sO Az not t iritEt H Old mAn
Vslasli.
<p>
“afrEd v bIiN lEt...” sed H Old mAn, lUkiN At /kOcMbE.
<p>
“HX'z wan TiN F dOnt andxstAnd,” hI kantinVd. “hM
wil plQ H lAnd if HE R set frI? it iz Izi t rFt lYz, bat
difikalt t rMl.... Jast H sEm Az nQ—F Ask V, /kQnt—hM wil
bI hedz v H dipRtmants wen evribodi hAs t pAs iãAminESanz?”
<p>
“HOz hM pAs H iãAminESanz, F sapOz,” riplFd /kOcMbE,
krosiN hiz leã n glAnsiN rQnd.
<p>
“wel, F hAv /prjynicnikOf sxviN andx mI, a splendid mAn, a
prFslas mAn, bat hI'z siäti. iz hI t gO ap f iãAminESan?”
<p>
“jes, HAt's a difikalti, Az eJakESan iz not At Yl Jenxal,
bat...”
<p>
kQnt /kOcMbE did not finiS. hI rOz, tUk /prins /AndrM bF H Rm,
n went t mIt a tYl, bYld, fX mAn v abQt fPti wiH a lRJ Opan
fPhed n a loN fEs v anVZMal n pikVlC wFtnas, hM woz
Jast entxiN. H nMkamx wP a blM swolO-tEl kOt wiH a
kros saspendad from hiz nek n a stR on hiz left brest. it woz
/sperynski. prins /AndrM rekagnFzd him At wans, n felt a Trob
wiHin him, Az hApanz At kritikal mOments v lFf. weHx it woz from
rispekt, envi, P AntisipESan, hI did not nO. /sperynski'z hOl
figjx woz v a pikVlC tFp HAt mEd him Izili rekagnFzabal. in
H sasFati in wic /prins /AndrM livd hI hAd nevx sIn eniwan hM
tageHx wiH Ykwxd n klamzi Jescxz pazest sac kymnas n
self-aSUxans; hI hAd nevx sIn sO rezalMt jet Jental an iäpreSan
Az HAt in HOz hAf-klOzd, rAHx hVmid Fz, P sO fxm a smFl HAt
iäprest naTiN; nP hAd hI hxd sac a rifFnd, smMH, soft
vqs; abav Yl hI hAd nevx sIn sac delikat wFtnas v fEs P
hAndz—hAndz wic wx brYd, bat veri plamp, soft, n wFt. sac
wFtnas n softnas /prins /AndrM hAd Onli sIn on H fEsaz v
sOlJxz hM hAd bin loN in hospital. His woz /sperynski, /sekratXi
v /stEt, ripPtx t H /empxx n hiz kampAnjan At /Xfxt, wX hI
hAd mP HAn wans met n tYkt wiH /napOlWn.
<p>
/sperynski did not Sift hiz Fz from wan fEs t anaHx Az pIpal
involantXili dM on entxiN a lRJ kampani n woz in nO hari t
spIk. hI spOk slOli, wiH aSUxans HAt hI wUd bI lisand t, n
hI lUkt Onli At H pxsan wiH hMm hI woz kanvxsiN.
<p>
prins /AndrM folOd /sperynski'z evri wxd n mMvmant wiH
pxtikVlx atenSan. Az hApanz t sam pIpal, ispeSali t men
hM JaJ HOz nC t Hem sivCli, hI YlwEz on mItiN
eniwan nM—ispeSali eniwan hMm, lFk /sperynski, hI nM bF
repVtESan—iäpektad t diskavx in him H pxfekSan v hVman
kwolitiz.
<p>
/sperynski tOld /kOcMbE hI woz sori hI hAd bin anEbal t kam sMnx
Az hI hAd bin ditEnd At H pAlas. hI did not sE HAt H /empxx
hAd kept him, n /prins /AndrM nOtist His AfektESan v modasti.
wen /kOcMbE intradMst /prins /AndrM, /sperynski slOli txnd
hiz Fz t /bOlkOnski wiH hiz kastamXi smFl n lUkt At him in
sFlans.
<p>
“F Am veri glAd t mEk jP akwEntans. F hAd hxd v V, Az
evriwan hAz,” hI sed Aftx a pYz.
<p>
/kOcMbE sed a fV wxdz abQt H risepSan /RykcEef hAd givan
/bOlkOnski. /sperynski smFld mP mRkadli.
<p>
“H cXman v H /kamiti on /Rmi /regVlESanz iz mF gUd frend
/masjx /mygnitski,” hI sed, fUli RtikVlEtiN evri wxd n
silabal, “n if V lFk F kAn pUt V in tac wiH him.” hI
pYzd At H fUl stop. “F hOp V wil fFnd him simpaTetik n
redi t kO-opxEt in pramOtiN Yl HAt iz rIzanabal.”
<p>
a sxkal sMn fPmd rQnd /sperynski, n H Old mAn hM hAd tYkt
abQt hiz sabPdinat /prjynicnikOf adrest a kwescan t him.
<p>
prins /AndrM wiHQt JqniN in H konvxsESan woct evri mMvmant
v /sperynski'z: His mAn, not loN sins an insignifikant diviniti
stMdant, hM nQ, /bOlkOnski TYt, held in hiz hAndz—HOz plamp
wFt hAndz—H fEt v /raSa. prins /AndrM woz strak bF H
iätrPdinXili disdEnfal kampOZx wiH wic /sperynski Ansxd
H Old mAn. hI apCd t adres kondisendiN wxdz t him from
an imeZxabal hFt. wen H Old mAn bigAn t spIk tM lQd,
/sperynski smFld n sed hI kUd not JaJ v H advAntiJ P
disadvAntiJ v wot plIzd H sovran.
<p>
hAviN tYkt f a lital wFl in H Jenxal sxkal, /sperynski rOz
n kamiN ap t /prins /AndrM tUk him aloN t H aHx end v H
rMm. it woz klC HAt hI TYt it nesisXi t intxast himself in
/bOlkOnski.
<p>
“F hAd nO cAns t tYk wiH V, /prins, dxiN H AnimEtad
konvxsESan in wic HAt venxabal Jentalman involvd mI,” hI sed
wiH a mFldli kantempcMas smFl, Az if intimEtiN bF HAt smFl HAt hI
n /prins /AndrM andxstUd H insignifikans v H pIpal wiH hMm
hI hAd Jast bin tYkiN. His flAtxd /prins /AndrM. “F hAv nOn
v V f a loN tFm: fxst from jP AkSan wiH rigRd t jP
sxfs, a fxst iãAmpal, v wic it iz veri dizFxabal HAt HX SUd
bI mP imitEtxz; n sekandli bikoz V R wan v HOz Jentalmen
v H cEmbx hM hAv not kansidxd Hemselvz afendad bF H nM
dikrI kansxniN H rANä alotad t kPtCz, wic iz kYziN sO
mac gosip n tital-tAtal.”
<p>
“nO,” sed /prins /AndrM, “mF fyHx did not wiS mI t tEk
advAntiJ v H privaliJ. F bigAn H sxvis from H lOx grEd.”
<p>
“jP fyHx, a mAn v H lAst sencxi, evidentli stAndz abav Qx
kantempxXiz hM sO kandem His meZx wic mCli rI-istAbliSaz
nAcxal Jastis.”
<p>
“F TiNk, hQevx, HAt HIz kondemnESanz hAv sam grQnd,”
ritxnd /prins /AndrM, trFiN t rizist /sperynski'z inflMans, v
wic hI bigAn t bI konSas. hI did not lFk t agrI wiH him in
evriTiN n felt a wiS t kontradikt. HO hI VZMali spOk Izili
n wel, hI felt a difikalti in iäpresiN himself nQ wFl tYkiN
wiH /sperynski. hI woz tM mac absPbd in abzxviN H fEmas
mAn'z pxsanAliti.
<p>
“grQndz v pxsanal AmbiSan mEbI,” /sperynski pUt in kwFatli.
<p>
“n v stEt intxast t sam iätent,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“wot dM V mIn?” Askt /sperynski kwFatli, lOxiN hiz Fz.
<p>
“F Am an admFxx v /monteskV,” riplFd /prins /AndrM, “n
hiz FdW HAt lU /prinsipE /de monRkiz est l'Onx mI pArait
inkantestabal. sxtanz /drqts et privaliJaz de ly nObles mI
pAraisant etra /de /mqanz de soutenir se sentimant.” *
<p>
     * “H prinsapal v monRkiz iz onx sImz t mI
     inkantestabal. sxtan rFts n privaliJaz f H
     Aristokrasi apC t mI a mInz v mEntEniN HAt
     sentimant.”
<p>
<p>
H smFl vAniSt from /sperynski'z wFt fEs, wic woz mac
imprMvd bF H cEnJ. probabli /prins /AndrM'z TYt intxastad
him.
<p>
“sI vM inviziJaz ly kwescan sMz se pqnt de vV,” * hI bigAn,
pranQnsiN /frenc wiH evidant difikalti, n spIkiN Ivan slOx
HAn in /raSan bat kwFt kymli.
<p>
    * “if V rigRd H kwescan from HAt pqnt v vV.”
<p>
<p>
/sperynski went on t sE HAt onx, l'Onx, kAnot bI apheld bF
privaliJaz hRmfal t H sxvis; HAt onx, l'Onx, iz FHx a
negativ konsept v not dMiN wot iz blEmwxHi P it iz a sPs v
emVlESan in pxsMt v komendESan n riwPdz, wic rekagnFz it.
hiz RgVmants wx kansFs, simpal, n klC.
<p>
“an institMSan aphOldiN onx, H sPs v emVlESan, iz wan
similx t H /lIJan d'Onx v H grEt /empxx /napOlWn, not
hRmfal bat helpfal t H saäes v H sxvis, bat not a klAs P
kPt privaliJ.”
<p>
“F dM not dispVt HAt, bat it kAnot bI dinFd HAt kPt privaliJaz
hAv atEnd H sEm end,” ritxnd /prins /AndrM. “evri kPtC
kansidxz himself bQnd t mEntEn hiz paziSan wxHili.”
<p>
“jet V dM not kX t avEl jPself v H privaliJ, /prins,”
sed /sperynski, indikEtiN bF a smFl HAt hI wiSt t finiS EmWbli
an RgVmant wic woz imbArasiN f hiz kampAnjan. “if V wil
dM mI H onx v kYliN on mI on wenzdE,” hI Adad, “F wil,
Aftx tYkiN wiH /mygnitski, let V nO wot mE intxast V, n
SAl YlsO hAv H pleZx v a mP dItEld cAt wiH V.”
<p>
klOziN hiz Fz, hI bQd a ly frANkaFz, wiHQt tEkiN lIv, n
trFiN t atrAkt Az lital atenSan Az posabal, hI left H rMm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/dxiN H fxst wIä v hiz stE in /pItxzbxg /prins /AndrM felt H
hOl trend v TYt hI hAd fPmd dxiN hiz lFf v siklMZan kwFt
OvxSAdOd bF H trFfaliN kXz HAt ingrOst him in HAt siti.
<p>
on ritxniN hOm in H IvniN hI wUd Jot dQn in hiz nOtbUk fP
P fFv nesisXi kYlz P apqntmants f sxtan Qxz. H mekanizam
v lFf, H xEnJmant v H dE sO Az t bI in tFm evriwX,
absPbd H grEtx pRt v hiz vFtal enxJi. hI did naTiN, did
not Ivan TiNk P fFnd tFm t TiNk, bat Onli tYkt, n tYkt
saäesfali, v wot hI hAd TYt wFl in H kantri.
<p>
hI samtFmz nOtist wiH dissAtisfAkSan HAt hI ripItad H sEm
rimRk on H sEm dE in difxant sxkalz. bat hI woz sO bizi f
hOl dEz tageHx HAt hI hAd nO tFm t nOtis HAt hI woz TiNkiN
v naTiN.
<p>
Az hI hAd dan on HX fxst mItiN At /kOcMbE'z, /sperynski
prOdMst a stroN impreSan on /prins /AndrM on H wenzdE, wen hI
risIvd him tEt-a-tEt At hiz On hQs n tYkt t him loN n
konfidenSali.
<p>
t /bOlkOnski sO meni pIpal apCd kantemptabal n insignifikant
krIcxz, n hI sO loNd t fFnd in samwan H liviN FdWl v HAt
pxfekSan tPd wic hI strOv, HAt hI redili bilIvd HAt in
/sperynski hI hAd fQnd His FdWl v a pxfiktli rASanal n vxcMas
mAn. hAd /sperynski spraN from H sEm klAs Az himself n pazest
H sEm brIdiN n tradiSanz, /bOlkOnski wUd sMn hAv diskavxd
hiz wIk, hVman, anhirOik sFdz; bat Az it woz, /sperynski'z strEnJ
n loJikal txn v mFnd inspFxd him wiH rispekt Yl H mP bikoz
hI did not kwFt andxstAnd him. mPOvx, /sperynski, FHx bikoz hI
aprISiEtad H aHx'z kapAsiti P bikoz hI kansidxd it nesisXi
t win him t hiz sFd, SOd of hiz dispASanat kym rIzanabalnas
bifP /prins /AndrM n flAtxd him wiH HAt satal flAtxi wic
gOz hAnd in hAnd wiH self-aSUxans n kansists in a tAsit asampSan
HAt wan'z kampAnjan iz H Onli mAn bisFdz wanself kEpabal v
andxstAndiN H foli v H rest v mAnkFnd n H rIzanabalnas
n prafanditi v wan'z On FdWz.
<p>
dxiN HX loN konvxsESan on wenzdE IvniN, /sperynski mP
HAn wans rimRkt: “wI rigRd evriTiN HAt iz abav H koman
leval v rMtad kastam...” P, wiH a smFl: “bat wI wont H wUlvz
t bI fed n H SIp t bI sEf...” P: “HE kAnot andxstAnd
His...” n Yl in a wE HAt sImd t sE: “wI, V n F,
andxstAnd wot HE R n hM wI R.”
<p>
His fxst loN konvxsESan wiH /sperynski Onli streNTand in /prins
/AndrM H fIliN hI hAd iäpCWnst tPd him At HX fxst mItiN.
hI sY in him a rimRkabal, klC-TiNkiN mAn v vAst intalekt hM bF
hiz enxJi n pxsistans hAd atEnd pQx, wic hI woz VziN sOli
f H welfX v /raSa. in /prins /AndrM'z Fz /sperynski woz H
mAn hI wUd himself hAv wiSt t bI—wan hM iäplEnd Yl H fAkts
v lFf rIzanabli, kansidxd impPtant Onli wot woz rASanal, n
woz kEpabal v aplFiN H stAndxd v rIzan t evriTiN. evriTiN
sImd sO simpal n klC in /sperynski'z eäpaziSan HAt /prins
/AndrM involantXili agrId wiH him abQt evriTiN. if hI riplFd n
RgVd, it woz Onli bikoz hI wiSt t mEntEn hiz indipendans n
not sabmit t /sperynski'z apinjanz intFxli. evriTiN woz rFt
n evriTiN woz Az it SUd bI: Onli wan TiN diskansxtad /prins
/AndrM. His woz /sperynski'z kOld, mirxlFk lUk, wic did not
alQ wan t penitrEt t hiz sOl, n hiz delikat wFt hAndz, wic
/prins /AndrM involantXili woct Az wan daz woc H hAndz v
HOz hM pazes pQx. His mirxlFk gEz n HOz delikat hAndz
iritEtad /prins /AndrM, hI nM not wF. hI woz anplezantli
strak, tM, bF H iäesiv kantempt f aHxz HAt hI abzxvd in
/sperynski, n bF H dFvxsiti v lFnz v RgVmant hI Vst t
sapPt hiz apinjanz. hI mEd Vs v evri kFnd v mental divFs, iäept
anAlaJi, n pAst tM bOldli, it sImd t /prins /AndrM, from wan
t anaHx. nQ hI wUd tEk ap H paziSan v a prAktikal mAn n
kandem drImxz; nQ HAt v a sAtxist, n lAf Fronikli At hiz
apOnants; nQ grO sivCli loJikal, P sadanli rFz t H relm v
metafiziä. (His lAst rIsPs woz wan hI veri frIkwantli implqd.)
hI wUd trAnsfx a kwescan t metafizikal hFts, pAs on t
definiSanz v spEs, tFm, n TYt, n, hAviN didMst H
refVtESan hI nIdad, wUd agen disend t H leval v H xiJinal
diskaSan.
<p>
in Jenxal H trEt v /sperynski'z mentAliti wic strak /prins
/AndrM mOst woz hiz AbsalMt n anSEkabal bilIf in H pQx n
YToriti v rIzan. it woz evidant HAt H TYt kUd nevx akx
t him wic t /prins /AndrM sImd sO nAcxal, nEmli, HAt it iz
Aftx Yl imposabal t iäpres Yl wan TiNä; n HAt hI hAd nevx
felt H dQt, “iz not Yl F TiNk n bilIv nonsens?” n
it woz Jast His pikVliAriti v /sperynski'z mFnd HAt pxtikVlxli
atrAktad /prins /AndrM.
<p>
dxiN H fxst pCWd v HX akwEntans /bOlkOnski felt a
pASanat AdmxESan f him similx t HAt wic hI hAd wans felt f
/bOnapRt. H fAkt HAt /sperynski woz H san v a viliJ prIst,
n HAt stMpid pIpal mFt mInli dispFz him on akQnt v hiz
hambal PiJin (Az in fAkt meni did), kYzd /prins /AndrM t ceriS hiz
sentimant f him H mP, n ankonSasli t streNTan it.
<p>
on HAt fxst IvniN /bOlkOnski spent wiH him, hAviN menSand H
/kamiSan f H /riviZan v H /kOd v /lYz, /sperynski tOld him
sRkAstikli HAt H /kamiSan hAd iãistad f a handrad n fifti
jCz, hAd kost milWnz, n hAd dan naTiN iäept HAt /rOzankympf
hAd stak lEbalz on H korispondiN pAragrAfs v H difxant kOdz.
<p>
“n HAt iz Yl H stEt hAz f H milWnz it hAz spent,” sed
hI. “wI wont t giv H /senat nM JUxidikal pQxz, bat wI hAv nO
lYz. HAt iz wF it iz a sin f men lFk V, /prins, not t sxv in
HIz tFmz!”
<p>
prins /AndrM sed HAt f HAt wxk an eJakESan in JUxisprMdans woz
nIdad wic hI did not pazes.
<p>
“bat nObodi pazesaz it, sO wot wUd V hAv? it iz a viSas
sxkal from wic wI mast brEk a wE Qt.”
<p>
a wIk lEtx /prins /AndrM woz a membx v H /kamiti on /Rmi
/regVlESanz n—wot hI hAd not At Yl iäpektad—woz cXman v a
sekSan v H kamiti f H riviZan v H lYz. At /sperynski'z
rikwest hI tUk H fxst pRt v H /sivil /kOd HAt woz bIiN drYn ap
n, wiH H Ed v H /kOd /napOlWn n H /institMts v /JastinWn,
hI wxkt At fPmVlEtiN H sekSan on /pxsanal /rFts.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/nCli tM jCz bifP His, in 1808, /piX on ritxniN t /pItxzbxg
Aftx vizitiN hiz istEts hAd involantXili fQnd himself in a lIdiN
paziSan amaN H /pItxzbxg /frImEsanz. hI xEnJd dFniN n fVnxal
loJ mItiNz, inrOld nM membxz, n bizid himself VnFtiN vXWs
loJaz n akwFxiN YTentik cRtxz. hI gEv mani f H irekSan
v tempalz n saplimantad Az fR Az hI kUd H kalekSan v ymz,
in rigRd t wic H maJPiti v membxz wx stinJi n iregVlx.
hI sapPtad YlmOst siNgalhAndad a pUxhQs H Pdx hAd fQndad in
/pItxzbxg.
<p>
hiz lFf mInwFl kantinVd Az bifP, wiH H sEm infAcMESanz n
disipESanz. hI lFkt t dFn n driNk wel, n HO hI kansidxd
it imPal n hVmiliEtiN kUd not rizist H temptESanz v H
bAcalx sxkalz in wic hI mMvd.
<p>
amid H txmql v hiz Aktivitiz n distrAkSanz, hQevx, /piX At
H end v a jC bigAn t fIl HAt H mP fxmli hI trFd t rest
apon it, H mP /masonik grQnd on wic hI stUd gEv wE andx him.
At H sEm tFm hI felt HAt H dIpx H grQnd sANk andx him H
klOsx bQnd hI involantXili bikEm t H Pdx. wen hI hAd Jqnd
H /frImEsanz hI hAd iäpCWnst H fIliN v wan hM konfidantli
steps ontM H smMH sxfis v a bog. wen hI pUt hiz fUt dQn it
sANk in. t mEk kwFt SUx v H fxmnas v H grQnd, hI pUt
hiz aHx fUt dQn n sANk dIpx stil, bikEm stak in it, n
involantXili wEdad nI-dIp in H bog.
<p>
/JOzif /yleäEevic woz not in /pItxzbxg—hI hAd v lEt stUd asFd
from H afXz v H /pItxzbxg loJaz, n livd YlmOst intFxli in
/moskQ. Yl H membxz v H loJaz wx men /piX nM in PdinXi
lFf, n it woz difikalt f him t rigRd Hem mCli Az /braHxz in
/frImEsanri n not Az /prins B P /ivyn /vysilevic D, hMm hI nM
in sasFati mOstli Az wIk n insignifikant men. andx H /masonik
Epranz n insignW hI sY H VnifPmz n dekxESanz At wic HE
Emd in PdinXi lFf. oftan Aftx kalektiN ymz, n rekaniN ap
twenti t Txti rMbalz risIvd f H mOst pRt in promisaz from a
dazan membxz, v hMm hAf wx Az wel Ebal t pE Az himself, /piX
rimembxd H /masonik vQ in wic Ic /braHx promist t divOt
Yl hiz biloNiNz t hiz nEbx, n dQts on wic hI trFd not t
dwel xOz in hiz sOl.
<p>
hI divFdad H /braHxz hI nM intM fP kAtagPiz. in H fxst hI
pUt HOz hM did not tEk an Aktiv pRt in H afXz v H loJaz
P in hVman afXz, bat wx iäklMsivli okVpFd wiH H mistikal
sFans v H Pdx: wiH kwescanz v H TrIfOld dezignESan v
/god, H TrI prFmPdWl elimants—salfx, mxkjxi, n sYlt—P
H mIniN v H skwX n Yl H vXWs figjxz v H tempal v
/solaman. /piX rispektad His klAs v /braHxz t wic H eldx wanz
cIfli biloNd, inklMdiN, /piX TYt, /JOzif /yleäEevic himself,
bat hI did not SX HX intxasts. hiz hRt woz not in H mistikal
Aspekt v /frImEsanri.
<p>
in H sekand kAtagPi /piX rekand himself n aHxz lFk him,
sIkiN n vAsilEtiN, hM hAd not jet fQnd in /frImEsanri a strEt
n komprihensabal pAT, bat hOpt t dM sO.
<p>
in H Txd kAtagPi hI inklMdad HOz /braHxz (H maJPiti) hM sY
naTiN in /frImEsanri bat H eätxnal fPmz n serimOniz, n prFzd
H strikt pxfPmans v HIz fPmz wiHQt trabaliN abQt HX
pxpPt P signifikans. sac wx /vilRski n Ivan H /grAnd /mAstx
v H prinsipal loJ.
<p>
fFnali, t H fPT kAtagPi YlsO a grEt meni /braHxz biloNd,
pxtikVlxli HOz hM hAd lEtli Jqnd. HIz akPdiN t /piX'z
obzxvESanz wx men hM hAd nO bilIf in eniTiN, nP dizFx f
eniTiN, bat Jqnd H /frImEsanz mCli t asOSiEt wiH H welTi
jaN /braHxz hM wx inflMenSal TrM HX kanekSanz P rANk,
n v hMm HX wx veri meni in H loJ.
<p>
/piX bigAn t fIl dissAtisfFd wiH wot hI woz dMiN. frImEsanri,
At eni rEt Az hI sY it hC, samtFmz sImd t him bEst mCli
on eätxnalz. hI did not TiNk v dQtiN /frImEsanri itself, bat
saspektad HAt /raSan /mEsanri hAd tEkan a roN pAT n dIviEtad
from its xiJinal prinsapalz. n sO tPd H end v H jC hI went
abrYd t bI iniSiEtad intM H hFx sIkrats v H Pdx.
<p>
in H samx v 1809 /piX ritxnd t /pItxzbxg. Qx /frImEsanz nM
from korispondans wiH HOz abrYd HAt /bezMâOf hAd abtEnd H
konfidans v meni hFli plEst pxsanz, hAd bin iniSiEtad intM meni
mistxiz, hAd bin rEzd t a hFx grEd, n woz briNiN bAk wiH
him mac HAt mFt kandMs t H advAntiJ v H /masonik kYz
in /raSa. H /pItxzbxg /frImEsanz Yl kEm t sI him, trFd t
ingrESiEt Hemselvz wiH him, n it sImd t Hem Yl HAt hI woz
pripXiN samTiN f Hem n kansIliN it.
<p>
a solam mItiN v H loJ v H sekand digrI woz kanvInd, At
wic /piX promist t kamVnikEt t H /pItxzbxg /braHxz wot
hI hAd t dilivx t Hem from H hFast lIdxz v HX Pdx. H
mItiN woz a fUl wan. Aftx H VZMal serimOniz /piX rOz n bigAn
hiz adres.
<p>
“dC /braHxz,” hI bigAn, blaSiN n stAmxiN, wiH a ritan
spIc in hiz hAnd, “it iz not safiSant t abzxv Qx mistxiz in
H siklMZan v Qx loJ—wI mast Akt—Akt! wI R drQziN, bat wI
mast Akt.” /piX rEzd hiz nOtbUk n bigAn t rId.
<p>
“f H diseminESan v pjUx trMT n t sikjUx H trFamf v
vxcM,” hI rId, “wI mast klenz men from preJadis, difVz
prinsapalz in hRmani wiH H spirit v H tFmz, andxtEk H
eJakESan v H jaN, VnFt Qxselvz in indisolVbal bondz wiH H
wFzast men, bOldli jet prMdantli Ovxkam sMpxstiSanz, infideliti, n
foli, n fPm v HOz divOtad t as a bodi liNkt tageHx bF Vniti
v pxpas n pazest v YToriti n pQx.
<p>
“t atEn His end wI mast sikjUx a pripondxans v vxcM Ovx vFs
n mast indevx t sikjUx HAt H onast mAn mE, Ivan in His wxld,
risIv a lAstiN riwPd f hiz vxcM. bat in HIz grEt indevxz wI
R grEvli hAmpxd bF H politikal institMSanz v tadE. wot iz
t bI dan in HIz sxkamstAnsaz? t fEvx revalMSanz, OvxTrO
evriTiN, ripel fPs bF fPs?... nO! wI R veri fR from HAt.
evri vFalant rifPm dizxvz senSx, f it kwFt fElz t remadi
Ival wFl men rimEn wot HE R, n YlsO bikoz wizdam nIdz nO
vFalans.
<p>
“H hOl plAn v Qx Pdx SUd bI bEst on H FdW v
pripXiN men v fxmnas n vxcM bQnd tageHx bF Vniti v
kanvikSan—EmiN At H paniSmant v vFs n foli, n pEtranFziN
tAlant n vxcM: rEziN wxHi men from H dast n atAciN
Hem t Qx /braHxhUd. Onli Hen wil Qx Pdx hAv H pQx
anabtrMsivli t bFnd H hAndz v H pratektxz v disPdx n t
kantrOl Hem wiHQt HX bIiN awX v it. in a wxd, wI mast fQnd a
fPm v gavxnmant hOldiN Vnivxsal swE, wic SUd bI difVzd Ovx
H hOl wxld wiHQt distrqiN H bondz v sitizanSip, n bisFd
wic Yl aHx gavxnmants kAn kantinV in HX kastamXi kPs n
dM evriTiN iäept wot impIdz H grEt Em v Qx Pdx, wic
iz t abtEn f vxcM H viktxi Ovx vFs. His Em woz HAt v
/kristiAniti itself. it tYt men t bI wFz n gUd n f HX
On benifit t folO H iãAmpal n instrakSan v H best n wFzast
men.
<p>
“At HAt tFm, wen evriTiN woz planJd in dRknas, prIciN
alOn woz v kPs safiSant. H novalti v /trMT indQd hx wiH
speSal streNT, bat nQ wI nId mac mP pQxfal meTadz. it iz
nQ nesisXi HAt mAn, gavxnd bF hiz sensaz, SUd fFnd in vxcM
a cRm pAlpabal t HOz sensaz. it iz imposabal t irAdikEt H
pASanz; bat wI mast strFv t direkt Hem t a nObal Em, n it iz
HXfP nesisXi HAt evriwan SUd bI Ebal t sAtisfF hiz pASanz
wiHin H limits v vxcM. Qx Pdx SUd pravFd mInz t HAt end.
<p>
“Az sMn Az wI hAv a sxtan nambx v wxHi men in evri stEt,
Ic v Hem agen trEniN tM aHxz n Yl bIiN klOsli VnFtad,
evriTiN wil bI posabal f Qx Pdx, wic hAz Ylredi in sIkrat
akompliSt mac f H welfX v mAnkFnd.”
<p>
His spIc not Onli mEd a stroN impreSan, bat kriEtad iäFtmant in
H loJ. H maJPiti v H /braHxz, sIiN in it dEnJxas dizFnz
v /ilMminizam, * met it wiH a kOldnas HAt sxprFzd /piX. H /grAnd
/mAstx bigAn AnsxiN him, n /piX bigAn divelapiN hiz vVz wiH
mP n mP wPmT. it woz loN sins HX hAd bin sO stPmi a
mItiN. pRtiz wx fPmd, sam akVziN /piX v /ilMminizam, aHxz
sapPtiN him. At HAt mItiN hI woz strak f H fxst tFm bF
H endlas vxFati v men'z mFndz, wic privents a trMT from evx
prizentiN itself Fdentikli t tM pxsanz. Ivan HOz membxz
hM sImd t bI on hiz sFd andxstUd him in HX On wE wiH
limitESanz n YltxESanz hI kUd not agrI t, Az wot hI YlwEz
wontad mOst woz t kanvE hiz TYt t aHxz Jast Az hI himself
andxstUd it.
<p>
     * H /ilMminyti sYt t sabstitMt ripablikan f
     monRkikal institMSanz.
<p>
At H end v H mItiN H /grAnd /mAstx wiH Frani n il-wil
riprMvd /bezMâOf f hiz vWmans n sed it woz not lav v vxcM
alOn, bat YlsO a lav v strFf HAt hAd mMvd him in H dispVt.
/piX did not Ansx him n Askt brIfli weHx hiz prapOzal wUd
bI aäeptad. hI woz tOld HAt it wUd not, n wiHQt wEtiN f H
VZMal fPmAlitiz hI left H loJ n went hOm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/agen /piX woz OvxtEkan bF H dipreSan hI sO dredad. f TrI
dEz Aftx H dilivxi v hiz spIc At H loJ hI lE on a sOfa At
hOm risIviN nO wan n gOiN nOwX.
<p>
it woz Jast Hen HAt hI risIvd a letx from hiz wFf, hM implPd
him t sI hx, teliN him hQ grIvd SI woz abQt him n hQ SI
wiSt t divOt hx hOl lFf t him.
<p>
At H end v H letx SI infPmd him HAt in a fV dEz SI wUd
ritxn t /pItxzbxg from abrYd.
<p>
folOiN His letx wan v H /masonik /braHxz hMm /piX rispektad
les HAn H aHxz fPst hiz wE in t sI him n, txniN H
konvxsESan apon /piX'z mAtrimOnWl afXz, bF wE v fratxnal
advFs iäprest H apinjan HAt hiz siveriti t hiz wFf woz roN
n HAt hI woz niglektiN wan v H fxst rMlz v /frImEsanri bF not
fxgiviN H penitant.
<p>
At H sEm tFm hiz maHx-in-lY, /prins /vysili'z wFf, sent t
him implPiN him t kam if Onli f a fV minits t diskas a mOst
impPtant mAtx. /piX sY HAt HX woz a kanspirasi agenst him n
HAt HE wontad t rIVnFt him wiH hiz wFf, n in H mMd hI Hen
woz, His woz not Ivan anplezant t him. naTiN mAtxd t him.
naTiN in lFf sImd t him v mac impPtans, n andx H
inflMans v H dipreSan HAt pazest him hI vAlVd nFHx hiz
libxti nP hiz rezalMSan t paniS hiz wFf.
<p>
“nO wan iz rFt n nO wan iz t blEm; sO SI tM iz not t
blEm,” hI TYt.
<p>
if hI did not At wans giv hiz kansent t a rIVnWn wiH hiz wFf, it
woz Onli bikoz in hiz stEt v dipreSan hI did not fIl Ebal t tEk
eni step. hAd hiz wFf kam t him, hI wUd not hAv txnd hx awE.
kampXd t wot prIokVpFd him, woz it not a mAtx v indifxans
weHx hI livd wiH hiz wFf P not?
<p>
wiHQt riplFiN FHx t hiz wFf P hiz maHx-in-lY, /piX lEt
wan nFt pripXd f a Jxni n stRtad f /moskQ t sI /JOzif
/yleäEevic. His iz wot hI nOtad in hiz dFxi:
<p>
/moskQ, 17T nOvembx
<p>
F hAv Jast ritxnd from mF benifAktx, n hEsan t rFt dQn wot F
hAv iäpCWnst. /JOzif /yleäEevic iz liviN pUxli n hAz f TrI
jCz bin safxiN from a pEnfal dizIz v H blAdx. nO wan hAz
evx hxd him atx a grOn P a wxd v kamplEnt. from mPniN til
lEt At nFt, iäept wen hI Its hiz veri plEn fMd, hI iz wxkiN
At sFans. hI risIvd mI grESasli n mEd mI sit dQn on H bed
on wic hI lE. F mEd H sFn v H /nFts v H /Ist n v
/JxMsalem, n hI rispondad in H sEm mAnx, AskiN mI wiH a mFld
smFl wot F hAd lxnd n gEnd in H /praSan n /skotiS loJaz.
F tOld him evriTiN Az best F kUd, n tOld him wot F hAd prapOzd
t Qx /pItxzbxg loJ, v H bAd risepSan F hAd inkQntxd, n v
mF rapcx wiH H /braHxz. /JOzif /yleäEevic, hAviN rimEnd sFlant
n TYtfal f a gUd wFl, tOld mI hiz vV v H mAtx, wic
At wans lit ap f mI mF hOl pAst n H fVcx pAT F SUd folO.
hI sxprFzd mI bF AskiN weHx F rimembxd H TrIfOld Em v
H Pdx: (1) H prezxvESan n stadi v H mistxi. (2) H
pjUxifikESan n refxmESan v wanself f its risepSan, n (3) H
imprMvmant v H hVman rEs bF strFviN f sac pjUxifikESan. wic
iz H prinsipal Em v HIz TrI? sxtanli self-refxmESan n
self-pjUxifikESan. Onli t His Em kAn wI YlwEz strFv indipendantli
v sxkamstAnsaz. bat At H sEm tFm Jast His Em dimAndz H
grEtast efxts v as; n sO, led astrE bF prFd, lMziN sFt v
His Em, wI okVpF Qxselvz FHx wiH H mistxi wic in Qx
impjUxiti wI R anwxHi t risIv, P sIk H refxmESan v
H hVman rEs wFl Qxselvz setiN an iãAmpal v bEsnas n
profligasi. ilMminizam iz not a pjUx doktrin, Jast bikoz it iz
atrAktad bF sOSal Aktiviti n paft ap bF prFd. on His grQnd
/JOzif /yleäEevic kandemd mF spIc n mF hOl Aktiviti, n in H
depT v mF sOl F agrId wiH him. tYkiN v mF fAmli afXz hI sed
t mI, “H cIf dMti v a trM /mEsan, Az F hAv tOld V, lFz in
pxfektiN himself. wI oftan TiNk HAt bF rimMviN Yl H difikaltiz
v Qx lFf wI SAl mP kwikli rIc Qx Em, bat on H kontrXi,
mF dC sx, it iz Onli in H midst v wxldli kXz HAt wI kAn atEn
Qx TrI cIf Emz: (1) self-noliJ—f mAn kAn Onli nO himself
bF kampArisan, (2) /self-pxfektiN, wic kAn Onli bI atEnd bF
konflikt, n (3) H atEnmant v H cIf vxcM—lav v deT.
Onli H visisitMdz v lFf kAn SO as its vAniti n divelap Qx
inEt lav v deT P v rIbxT t a nM lFf.” HIz wxdz R Yl
H mP rimRkabal bikoz, in spFt v hiz grEt fizikal safxiNz,
/JOzif /yleäEevic iz nevx wCi v lFf HO hI lavz deT, f
wic—in spFt v H pjUxiti n loftinas v hiz inx mAn—hI daz
not jet fIl himself safiSantli pripXd. mF benifAktx Hen iäplEnd
t mI fUli H mIniN v H /grEt /skwX v kriESan n pqntad Qt
t mI HAt H nambxz TrI n sevan R H bEsis v evriTiN. hI
advFzd mI not t avqd intxkPs wiH H /pItxzbxg /braHxz, bat
t tEk ap Onli sekand-grEd pOsts in H loJ, t trF, wFl
dFvxtiN H /braHxz from prFd, t txn Hem tPd H trM pAT
self-noliJ n self-pxfektiN. bisFdz His hI advFzd mI f
mFself pxsanali abav Yl t kIp a woc Ovx mFself, n t HAt end
hI gEv mI a nOtbUk, H wan F Am nQ rFtiN in n in wic F wil
in fVcx nOt dQn Yl mF AkSanz.
<p>
pItxzbxg, 23d nOvembx
<p>
F Am agen liviN wiH mF wFf. mF maHx-in-lY kEm t mI in tCz n
sed HAt /helIn woz hC n HAt SI implPd mI t hC hx; HAt
SI woz inasant n anhApi At mF dizxSan, n mac mP. F nM
HAt if F wans let mFself sI hx F SUd not hAv streNT t gO on
rifVziN wot SI wontad. in mF pxpleäiti F did not nO hMz Ed n
advFs t sIk. hAd mF benifAktx bin hC hI wUd hAv tOld mI wot
t dM. F went t mF rMm n rIred /JOzif /yleäEevic'az letxz n
rikYld mF konvxsESanz wiH him, n didMst from it Yl HAt F
Yt not t rifVz a saplikant, n Yt t rIc a helpiN hAnd t
evriwan—ispeSali t wan sO klOsli bQnd t mI—n HAt F mast
bX mF kros. bat if F fxgiv hx f H sEk v dMiN rFt, Hen
let VnWn wiH hx hAv Onli a spiricMal Em. HAt iz wot F disFdad,
n wot F rOt t /JOzif /yleäEevic. F tOld mF wFf HAt F begd hx
t fxget H pAst, t fxgiv mI wotevx roN F mE hAv dan hx,
n HAt F hAd naTiN t fxgiv. it gEv mI Jq t tel hx His. SI
nId not nO hQ hRd it woz f mI t sI hx agen. F hAv setald on
H apx flP v His big hQs n Am iäpCWnsiN a hApi fIliN v
riJenxESan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
At HAt tFm, Az YlwEz hApanz, H hFast sasFati HAt met At kPt
n At H grAnd bYlz woz divFdad intM sevxal sxkalz, Ic wiH its
On pxtikVlx tOn. H lRJast v HIz woz H /frenc sxkal v H
/napOlionik alFans, H sxkal v /kQnt /rMmjyntsef n /kOlynkUx.
in His grMp /helIn, Az sMn Az SI hAd setald in /pItxzbxg wiH
hx hazband, tUk a veri prominant plEs. SI woz vizitad bF H membxz
v H /frenc embasi n bF meni biloNiN t HAt sxkal n nOtad f
HX intalekt n poliSt mAnxz.
<p>
/helIn hAd bin At /Xfxt dxiN H fEmas mItiN v H /empxxz
n hAd brYt from HX HIz kanekSanz wiH H /napOlionik
nOtabilitiz. At /Xfxt hx saäes hAd bin brilWnt. /napOlWn himself
hAd nOtist hx in H TWtx n sed v hx: “/sE an sMpxbI
Animal.” * hx saäes Az a bVtifal n eligant wUman did not
sxprFz /piX, f SI hAd bikam Ivan hAndsamx HAn bifP. wot did
sxprFz him woz HAt dxiN HIz lAst tM jCz hiz wFf hAd saäIdad
in gEniN H repVtESan “d' Un fem SRmOnt, Osi spiricMel
kE bel.” *(2) H distiNgwiSt /prins de /linja rOt hx
Et-pEJ letxz. /bilibin sEvd ap hiz epigrAmz t pradMs Hem
in /kQntas /bezMâOva'z prezans. t bI risIvd in H /kQntas
/bezMâOva'z salon woz rigRdad Az a diplOma v intalekt. jaN men
rId bUä bifP atendiN /helIn'z IvniNz, t hAv samTiN t
sE in hx salon, n sekratXiz v H embasi, n Ivan AmbAsadxz,
kanfFdad diplamAtik sIkrats t hx, sO HAt in a wE /helIn woz a
pQx. /piX, hM nM SI woz veri stMpid, samtFmz atendad, wiH a
strEnJ fIliN v pxpleäiti n fC, hx IvniNz n dinx pRtiz,
wX politiä, pOatri, n filosafi wx diskast. At HIz pRtiz
hiz fIliNz wx lFk HOz v a konJxx hM YlwEz iäpekts hiz trik
t bI fQnd Qt At eni mOment. bat weHx bikoz stMpiditi woz Jast
wot woz nIdad t ran sac a salon, P bikoz HOz hM wx disIvd
fQnd pleZx in H disepSan, At eni rEt it rimEnd aniäpOzd n
/helIn /bezMâOva'z repVtESan Az a lavli n klevx wUman bikEm
sO fxmli istAbliSt HAt SI kUd sE H emptWst n stMpidast
TiNz n evribodi wUd gO intM rApcxz Ovx evri wxd v hxz
n lUk f a prafQnd mIniN in it v wic SI hxself hAd nO
kansepSan.
<p>
     * “HAt's a sMpxb Animal.”
<p>
     * (2) “v a cRmiN wUman, Az witi Az SI iz lavli.”
<p>
<p>
/piX woz Jast H hazband nIdad f a brilWnt sasFati wUman. hI woz
HAt Absant-mFndad krANk, a grAnd sinjUx hazband hM woz in nO wan'z
wE, n fR from spqliN H hF tOn n Jenxal impreSan v H
drYiN rMm, hI sxvd, bF H kontrAst hI prizentad t hx, Az an
AdvantEJas bAkgrQnd t hiz eligant n tAktfal wFf. /piX dxiN
H lAst tM jCz, Az a rizalt v hiz kantinVal absPpSan in AbstrAkt
intxasts n hiz sinsC kantempt f Yl els, hAd akwFxd in hiz
wFf's sxkal, wic did not intxast him, HAt X v ankansxn,
indifxans, n binevalans tPd Yl, wic kAnot bI akwFxd
RtifiSali n HXfP inspFxz involantXi rispekt. hI entxd
hiz wFf's drYiN rMm Az wan entxz a TWtx, woz akwEntad wiH
evribodi, Ikwali plIzd t sI evriwan, n Ikwali indifxant t
Hem Yl. samtFmz hI Jqnd in a konvxsESan wic intxastad him
n, rigRdlas v weHx eni “Jentalmen v H embasi” wx
prezant P not, lispiNli iäprest hiz vVz, wic wx samtFmz not
At Yl in akPd wiH H aäeptad tOn v H mOment. bat H Jenxal
apinjan kansxniN H kwC hazband v “H mOst distiNgwiSt wUman
in /pItxzbxg” woz sO wel istAbliSt HAt nO wan tUk hiz frIä
sCWsli.
<p>
amaN H meni jaN men hM frIkwantad hx hQs evri dE, /bPis
/drMbetskq, hM hAd Ylredi acIvd grEt saäes in H sxvis, woz
H mOst intimat frend v H /bezMâOf hQshOld sins /helIn'z
ritxn from /Xfxt. /helIn spOk v him Az “man pEJ” n trItad
him lFk a cFld. hx smFl f him woz H sEm Az f evribodi,
bat samtFmz HAt smFl mEd /piX ankamfxtabal. tPd him /bPis
bihEvd wiH a pxtikVlxli dignifFd n sAd defxans. His SEd
v defxans YlsO distxbd /piX. hI hAd safxd sO pEnfali TrI
jCz bifP from H mPtifikESan t wic hiz wFf hAd sabJektad him
HAt hI nQ pratektad himself from H dEnJx v its repitiSan, fxst
bF not bIiN a hazband t hiz wFf, n sekandli bF not alQiN himself
t saspekt.
<p>
“nO, nQ HAt SI hAz bikam a blMstokiN SI hAz fFnali rinQnst
hx fPmx infAcMESanz,” hI tOld himself. “HX hAz nevx bin
an instans v a blMstokiN bIiN kArid awE bF afXz v H
hRt”—a stEtmant wic, HO gAHxd from an annOn sPs,
hI bilIvd implisitli. jet strEnJ t sE /bPis' prezans in hiz
wFf's drYiN rMm (n hI woz YlmOst YlwEz HX) hAd a fizikal
ifekt apon /piX; it kanstriktad hiz limz n distrqd H
ankonSasnas n frIdam v hiz mMvmants.
<p>
“wot a strEnJ AntipaTi,” TYt /piX, “jet F Vst t lFk
him veri mac.”
<p>
in H Fz v H wxld /piX woz a grEt Jentalman, H rAHx blFnd
n absxd hazband v a distiNgwiSt wFf, a klevx krANk hM did
naTiN bat hRmd nObodi n woz a fxst-rEt, gUd-nEcxd felO. bat
a kompleä n difikalt proses v intxnal divelapmant woz tEkiN plEs
Yl His tFm in /piX'z sOl, rivIliN mac t him n kYziN him
meni spiricMal dQts n Jqz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/piX went on wiH hiz dFxi, n His iz wot hI rOt in it dxiN
HAt tFm:
<p>
<p>
24T nOvembx
<p>
/got ap At Et, red H /skripcxz, Hen went t mF dMtiz. (bF /JOzif
/yleäEevic'az advFs /piX hAd entxd H sxvis v H stEt n
sxvd on wan v H kamitiz.) ritxnd hOm f dinx n dFnd
alOn—H kQntas hAd meni vizitxz F dM not lFk. F Et n drANk
modxatli n Aftx dinx kopid Qt sam pAsiJaz f H /braHxz.
in H IvniN F went dQn t H kQntas n tOld a fani stPi abQt
B, n Onli rimembxd HAt F Yt not t hAv dan sO wen evribodi
lAft lQdli At it.
<p>
F Am gOiN t bed wiH a hApi n trANkwil mFnd. grEt /god, help mI t
wYk in /HF pAHz, (1) t koNkx ANgx bF kymnas n dilibxESan,
(2) t vANkwiS last bF self-ristrEnt n ripalSan, (3) t wiHdrY
from wxldlinas, bat not avqd (a) H sxvis v H stEt, (b) fAmli
dMtiz, (c) rilESanz wiH mF frendz, n H mAniJmant v mF afXz.
<p>
<p>
27T nOvembx
<p>
F got ap lEt. on wEkiN F lE loN in bed jIldiN t sloT. O /god,
help n streNTan mI HAt F mE wYk in /HF wEz! rId H /skripcxz,
bat wiHQt propx fIliN. braHx /MrMsOf kEm n wI tYkt abQt
wxldli vAnitiz. hI tOld mI v H /empxx'z nM proJekts. F bigAn
t kritisFz Hem, bat rimembxd mF rMlz n mF benifAktx'z
wxdz—HAt a trM /frImEsan SUd bI a zelas wxkx f H stEt
wen hiz Ed iz rikwFxd n a kwFat onlUkx wen not kYld on t
asist. mF taN iz mF enami. braHxz G. V. n /O. vizitad mI n wI
hAd a priliminXi tYk abQt H risepSan v a nM /braHx. HE lEd
on mI H dMti v /retx. F fIl mFself wIk n anwxHi. Hen Qx
tYk txnd t H intxpratESan v H sevan pilxz n steps v H
/tempal, H sevan sFansaz, H sevan vxcMz, H sevan vFsaz, n H
sevan gifts v H /hOli /spirit. braHx /O. woz veri elakwant. in H
IvniN H admiSan tUk plEs. H nM dekxESan v H /premisaz
kantribVtad mac t H mAgnifisans v H spektakal. it woz /bPis
/drMbetskq hM woz admitad. F nominEtad him n woz H /retx. a
strEnJ fIliN AJitEtad mI Yl H tFm F woz alOn wiH him in H
dRk cEmbx. F kYt mFself hRbxiN a fIliN v hEtrad tPd him
wic F vEnli trFd t Ovxkam. HAt iz wF F SUd rWli lFk
t sEv him from Ival n lId him intM H pAT v trMT, bat Ival
TYts v him did not lIv mI. it sImd t mI HAt hiz obJekt in
entxiN H /braHxhUd woz mCli t bI intimat n in fEvx wiH
membxz v Qx loJ. apRt from H fAkt HAt hI hAd Askt mI sevxal
tFmz weHx /n. n /z. wx membxz v Qx loJ (a kwescan t wic F
kUd not riplF) n HAt akPdiN t mF obzxvESan hI iz inkEpabal v
fIliN rispekt f Qx hOli Pdx n iz tM prIokVpFd n sAtisfFd
wiH H Qtx mAn t dizFx spiricMal imprMvmant, F hAd nO kYz t
dQt him, bat hI sImd t mI insinsC, n Yl H tFm F stUd
alOn wiH him in H dRk tempal it sImd t mI HAt hI woz smFliN
kantempcMasli At mF wxdz, n F wiSt rWli t stAb hiz bX brest
wiH H sPd F held t it. F kUd not bI elakwant, nP kUd F
frANkli menSan mF dQts t H /braHxz n t H /grAnd /mAstx. grEt
/Rkitekt v /nEcx, help mI t fFnd H trM pAT Qt v H lAbxinT
v lFz!
<p>
<p>
Aftx His, TrI pEJaz wx left blANk in H dFxi, n Hen H
folOiN woz ritan:
<p>
<p>
F hAv hAd a loN n instraktiv tYk alOn wiH /braHx V., hM
advFzd mI t hOld fAst bF /braHx a. HO F Am anwxHi, mac woz
rivIld t mI. /AdanF iz H nEm v H kriEtx v H wxld. /elOhim
iz H nEm v H rMlx v Yl. H Txd nEm iz H nEm anatxabal
wic mInz H Yl. tYä wiH /braHx V. streNTan, rifreS, n
sapPt mI in H pAT v vxcM. in hiz prezans dQt hAz nO plEs.
H distiNkSan bitwIn H pUx tIciNz v mandEn sFans n Qx
sEkrad Yl-imbrEsiN tIciN iz klC t mI. hVman sFansaz dFsekt
evriTiN t komprihend it, n kil evriTiN t iãAmin it. in H
hOli sFans v Qx Pdx Yl iz wan, Yl iz nOn in its intFxiti n
lFf. H /triniti—H TrI elimants v mAtx—R salfx, mxkjxi,
n sYlt. salfx iz v an qli n fFxi nEcx; in kombinESan wiH
sYlt bF its fFxi nEcx it xQzaz a dizFx in H lAtx bF mInz
v wic it atrAkts mxkjxi, sIzaz it, hOldz it, n in kombinESan
prOdMsaz aHx bodiz. mxkjxi iz a flMid, volatFl, spiricMal esans.
/krFst, H /hOli /spirit, /him!...
<p>
<p>
3d disembx
<p>
/awOk lEt, red H /skripcxz bat woz ApaTetik. Aftxwxdz went n
pEst ap n dQn H lRJ hYl. F wiSt t meditEt, bat insted mF
imAJinESan pikcxd an akxans v fP jCz agO, wen /dOlOâOf,
mItiN mI in /moskQ Aftx Qx dMal, sed hI hOpt F woz inJqiN
pxfikt pIs v mFnd in spFt v mF wFf's Absans. At H tFm F
gEv him nO Ansx. nQ F rikYld evri dItEl v HAt mItiN n in
mF mFnd gEv him H mOst malevalant n bitx riplFz. F rekalektad
mFself n drOv awE HAt TYt Onli wen F fQnd mFself glOiN wiH
ANgx, bat F did not safiSantli ripent. Aftxwxdz /bPis /drMbetskq
kEm n bigAn rilEtiN vXWs advencxz. hiz kamiN veät mI from H
fxst, n F sed samTiN disagrIabal t him. hI riplFd. F flXd
ap n sed mac HAt woz anplezant n Ivan rMd t him. hI bikEm
sFlant, n F rekalektad mFself Onli wen it woz tM lEt. mF /god, F
kAnot get on wiH him At Yl. H kYz v His iz mF IgOtizam. F set
mFself abav him n sO bikam mac wxs HAn hI, f hI iz lInWnt
t mF rMdnas wFl F on H kontrXi nariS kantempt f him. O /god,
grAnt HAt in hiz prezans F mE rAHx sI mF On vFlnas, n bihEv
sO HAt hI tM mE benifit. Aftx dinx F fel aslIp n Az F woz
drQziN of F klCli hxd a vqs sEiN in mF left C, “HF
dE!”
<p>
F drImd HAt F woz wYkiN in H dRk n woz sadanli sxQndad bF
doã, bat F went on andismEd. sadanli a smYliS dog sIzd mF left
TF wiH its tIT n wUd not let gO. F bigAn t Trotal it wiH
mF hAndz. skXsli hAd F tPn it of bifP anaHx, a bigx wan, bigAn
bFtiN mI. F liftad it ap, bat H hFx F liftad it H bigx n
hevC it grM. n sadanli /braHx a. kEm n, tEkiN mF Rm, led
mI t a bildiN t entx wic wI hAd t pAs aloN a nArO plANk.
F stept on it, bat it bent n gEv wE n F bigAn t klAmbx ap a
fens wic F kUd skXsli rIc wiH mF hAndz. Aftx mac efxt F
drAgd mFself ap, sO HAt mF leg haN dQn on wan sFd n mF bodi on
H aHx. F lUkt rQnd n sY /braHx a. stAndiN on H fens n
pqntiN mI t a brYd AvanM n gRdan, n in H gRdan woz a lRJ
n bVtifal bildiN. F wOk ap. O /lPd, grEt /Rkitekt v /nEcx,
help mI t tX from mFself HIz doã—mF pASanz ispeSali H
lAst, wic VnFts in itself H streNT v Yl H fPmx wanz, n
Ed mI t entx HAt tempal v vxcM t a viZan v wic F atEnd in
mF drIm.
<p>
<p>
7T disembx
<p>
F drImd HAt /JOzif /yleäEevic woz sitiN in mF hQs, n HAt F
woz veri glAd n wiSt t entxtEn him. it sImd Az if F cAtxd
insesantli wiH aHx pIpal n sadanli rimembxd HAt His kUd
not plIz him, n F wiSt t kam klOs t him n imbrEs him. bat
Az sMn Az F drM nC F sY HAt hiz fEs hAd cEnJd n grOn jaN,
n hI woz kwFatli teliN mI samTiN abQt H tIciN v Qx Pdx,
bat sO softli HAt F kUd not hC it. Hen it sImd HAt wI Yl left
H rMm n samTiN strEnJ hApand. wI wx sitiN P lFiN on
H flP. hI woz teliN mI samTiN, n F wiSt t SO him mF
sensabiliti, n not lisaniN t wot hI woz sEiN F bigAn pikcxiN
t mFself H kandiSan v mF inx mAn n H grEs v /god sANktifFiN
mI. n tCz kEm intM mF Fz, n F woz glAd hI nOtist His. bat hI
lUkt At mI wiH veäESan n Jampt ap, brEkiN of hiz rimRä. F
felt abASt n Askt weHx wot hI hAd bin sEiN did not kansxn
mI; bat hI did not riplF, gEv mI a kFnd lUk, n Hen wI sadanli
fQnd Qxselvz in mF bedrMm wX HX iz a dabal bed. hI lE dQn
on H eJ v it n F bxnd wiH loNiN t kxes him n lF dQn
tM. n hI sed, “tel mI frANkli wot iz jP cIf temptESan? dM
V nO it? F TiNk V nO it Ylredi.” abASt bF His kwescan,
F riplFd HAt sloT woz mF cIf temptESan. hI SUk hiz hed
inkreJMlasli; n Ivan mP abASt, F sed HAt HO F woz liviN
wiH mF wFf Az hI advFzd, F woz not liviN wiH hx Az hx hazband. t
His hI riplFd HAt wan SUd not diprFv a wFf v wan'z imbrEsaz
n gEv mI t andxstAnd HAt HAt woz mF dMti. bat F riplFd HAt
F SUd bI aSEmd t dM it, n sadanli evriTiN vAniSt. n F
awOk n fQnd in mF mFnd H teät from H /gospal: “H lFf woz
H lFt v men. n H lFt SFnaT in dRknas; n H dRknas
komprihendad it not.” /JOzif /yleäEevic'az fEs hAd lUkt jaN
n brFt. HAt dE F risIvd a letx from mF benifAktx in wic hI
rOt abQt “konJagal dMtiz.”
<p>
<p>
9T disembx
<p>
F hAd a drIm from wic F awOk wiH a TrobiN hRt. F sY HAt
F woz in /moskQ in mF hQs, in H big sitiN rMm, n /JOzif
/yleäEevic kEm in from H drYiN rMm. F sImd t nO At wans HAt
H proses v riJenxESan hAd Ylredi tEkan plEs in him, n F raSt
t mIt him. F imbrEst him n kist hiz hAndz, n hI sed, “hAst
HQ nOtist HAt mF fEs iz difxant?” F lUkt At him, stil
hOldiN him in mF Rmz, n sY HAt hiz fEs woz jaN, bat HAt hI
hAd nO hX on hiz hed n hiz fIcxz wx kwFt cEnJd. n F sed,
“F SUd hAv nOn V hAd F met V bF cAns,” n F TYt t
mFself, “Am F teliN H trMT?” n sadanli F sY him lFiN lFk
a ded bodi; Hen hI grAJMali rikavxd n went wiH mI intM mF stadi
kAriiN a lRJ bUk v SIts v drYiN pEpx; F sed, “F drM
HAt,” n hI Ansxd bF bQiN hiz hed. F Opand H bUk, n on
Yl H pEJaz HX wx eäalant drYiNz. n in mF drIm F nM
HAt HIz drYiNz reprizentad H lav advencxz v H sOl wiH its
bilavad. n on its pEJaz F sY a bVtifal reprizentESan v a mEdan
in trAnspArant gRmants n wiH a trAnspArant bodi, flFiN ap t H
klQdz. n F sImd t nO HAt His mEdan woz naTiN els HAn a
reprizentESan v H /soN v /soNz. n lUkiN At HOz drYiNz F
drImd F felt HAt F woz dMiN roN, bat kUd not tX mFself awE
from Hem. lPd, help mI! mF /god, if /HF fxsEkiN mI iz /HF dMiN, /HF
wil bI dan; bat if F Am mFself H kYz, tIc mI wot F SUd dM! F
SAl periS v mF dibYcxi if /HQ atxli dezxtast mI!
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
H /rOstOfs' manitXi afXz hAd not imprMvd dxiN H tM jCz
HE hAd spent in H kantri.
<p>
HO /nikalas /rOstOf hAd kept fxmli t hiz rezalMSan n woz stil
sxviN modastli in an abskjUx reJimant, spendiN kampArativli lital,
H wE v lFf At /Otrydnqe—/mitenka'z mAniJmant v afXz, in
pxtikVlx—woz sac HAt H dets inevitabli inkrIst evri jC.
H Onli rIsPs obvWsli prizentiN itself t H Old kQnt woz t
aplF f an afiSal pOst, sO hI hAd kam t /pItxzbxg t lUk f wan
n YlsO, Az hI sed, t let H lAsiz inJq Hemselvz f H lAst
tFm.
<p>
sMn Aftx HX xFval in /pItxzbxg /bxg prapOzd t /vCa n woz
aäeptad.
<p>
HO in /moskQ H /rOstOfs biloNd t H best sasFati wiHQt
Hemselvz giviN it a TYt, jet in /pItxzbxg HX sxkal v
akwEntansaz woz a miät n indefinit wan. in /pItxzbxg HE wx
pravinSalz, n H veri pIpal HE hAd entxtEnd in /moskQ wiHQt
inkwFxiN t wot set HE biloNd, hC lUkt dQn on Hem.
<p>
H /rOstOfs livd in H sEm hospitabal wE in /pItxzbxg Az in
/moskQ, n H mOst dFvxs pIpal met At HX sapxz. kantri
nEbxz from /Otrydnqe, impovxiSt Old skwFxz n HX dYtxz,
/perOnskFa a mEd v onx, /piX /bezMâOf, n H san v HX
distrikt pOstmAstx hM hAd abtEnd a pOst in /pItxzbxg. amaN H
men hM veri sMn bikEm frIkwant vizitxz At H /rOstOfs' hQs in
/pItxzbxg wx /bPis, /piX hMm H kQnt hAd met in H strIt n
drAgd hOm wiH him, n /bxg hM spent hOl dEz At H /rOstOfs'
n pEd H eldast dYtx, /kQntas /vCa, H atenSanz a jaN mAn
pEz wen hI intendz t prapOz.
<p>
not in vEn hAd /bxg SOn evribodi hiz rFt hAnd wMndad At
/Qstxlits n held a pxfiktli annesisXi sPd in hiz left. hI
nArEtad HAt episOd sO pxsistantli n wiH sO impPtant an X HAt
evriwan bilIvd in H merit n Vsfalnas v hiz dId, n hI hAd
abtEnd tM dekxESanz f /Qstxlits.
<p>
in H /finiS wP hI YlsO mAniJd t distiNgwiS himself. hI hAd pikt
ap H skrAp v a granEd HAt hAd kild an Ed-dI-kAmp stAndiN nC
H kamAndx in cIf n hAd tEkan it t hiz kamAndx. Jast Az hI hAd
dan Aftx /Qstxlits, hI rilEtad His akxans At sac leNT n
sO insistantli HAt evriwan agen bilIvd it hAd bin nesisXi t dM
His, n hI risIvd tM dekxESanz f H /finiS wP YlsO. in
1809 hI woz a kAptin in H /gRdz, wP medalz, n held sam speSal
lMkrativ pOsts in /pItxzbxg.
<p>
HO sam skeptiä smFld wen tOld v /bxg'z merits, it kUd not
bI dinFd HAt hI woz a pEnztEkiN n brEv ofisx, on eäalant
txmz wiH hiz sMpCCz, n a mPal jaN mAn wiH a brilWnt kxC
bifP him n an aSUxd paziSan in sasFati.
<p>
fP jCz bifP, mItiN a /Jxman komrAd in H stYlz v a /moskQ
TWtx, /bxg hAd pqntad Qt /vCa /rOstOva t him n hAd sed in
/Jxman, “dys sol mFn Weib /verdan,” * n from HAt mOment hAd
mEd ap hiz mFnd t mAri hx. nQ in /pItxzbxg, hAviN kansidxd H
/rOstOfs' paziSan n hiz On, hI disFdad HAt H tFm hAd kam t
prapOz.
<p>
    * “HAt gxl SAl bI mF wFf.”
<p>
<p>
bxg'z prapOzal woz At fxst risIvd wiH a pxpleäiti HAt woz not
flAtxiN t him. At fxst it sImd strEnJ HAt H san v an abskjUx
/livOnWn Jentalman SUd prapOz mAriJ t a /kQntas /rOstOva; bat
/bxg'z cIf kAraktxistik woz sac a nFIv n gUd nEcxd IgOtizam
HAt H /rOstOfs involantXili kEm t TiNk it wUd bI a gUd TiN,
sins hI himself woz sO fxmli kanvinst HAt it woz gUd, indId
eäalant. mPOvx, H /rOstOfs' afXz wx sCWsli imbArast,
Az H sMtx kUd not bat nO; n abav Yl, /vCa woz twenti-fP,
hAd bin tEkan Qt evriwX, n HO SI woz sxtanli gUd-lUkiN
n sensabal, nO wan ap t nQ hAd prapOzd t hx. sO HE gEv HX
kansent.
<p>
“V sI,” sed /bxg t hiz komrAd, hMm hI kYld “frend”
Onli bikoz hI nM HAt evriwan hAz frendz, “V sI, F hAv
kansidxd it Yl, n SUd not mAri if F hAd not TYt it Yl Qt
P if it wx in eni wE ansMtabal. bat on H kontrXi, mF pypy n
mymy R nQ pravFdad f—F hAv xEnJd HAt rent f Hem in H
/bYltik /provinsaz—n F kAn liv in /pItxzbxg on mF pE, n wiH
hx fPcMn n mF gUd mAniJmant wI kAn get aloN nFsli. F Am not
mAriiN f mani—F kansidx HAt disonxabal—bat a wFf SUd
briN hx SX n a hazband hiz. F hAv mF paziSan in H sxvis,
SI hAz kanekSanz n sam mInz. in Qx tFmz HAt iz wxT
samTiN, izant it? bat abav Yl, SI iz a hAndsam, estimabal gxl,
n SI lavz mI....”
<p>
bxg blaSt n smFld.
<p>
“n F lav hx, bikoz hx kAraktx iz sensabal n veri gUd.
nQ H aHx sistx, HO HE R H sEm fAmli, iz kwFt
difxant—an anplezant kAraktx n hAz not H sEm inteliJans.
SI iz sO... V nO?... anplezant... bat mF fionsE!... wel, V
wil bI kamiN,” hI woz gOiN t sE, “t dFn,” bat cEnJd hiz
mFnd n sed “t tEk tI wiH as,” n kwikli dabaliN ap hiz
taN hI blM a smYl rQnd riN v tabAkO smOk, pxfiktli imbodiiN
hiz drIm v hApinas.
<p>
Aftx H fxst fIliN v pxpleäiti xQzd in H pXants bF /bxg'z
prapOzal, H holidE tOn v Jqasnas VZMal At sac tFmz tUk
pazeSan v H fAmli, bat H riJqsiN woz eätxnal n insinsC.
in H fAmli'z fIliN tPd His wediN a sxtan Ykwxdnas
n kanstrEnt woz evidant, Az if HE wx aSEmd v not hAviN lavd
/vCa safiSantli n v bIiN sO redi t get hx of HX hAndz. H
Old kQnt felt His mOst. hI wUd probabli hAv bin anEbal t stEt
H kYz v hiz imbArasmant, bat it rizaltad from H stEt v hiz
afXz. hI did not nO At Yl hQ mac hI hAd, wot hiz dets amQntad
t, P wot dQxi hI kUd giv /vCa. wen hiz dYtxz wx bPn
hI hAd asFnd t Ic v Hem, f hx dQxi, an istEt wiH TrI
handrad sxfs; bat wan v HIz istEts hAd Ylredi bin sOld, n H
aHx woz mPgiJd n H intxast sO mac in xCz HAt it wUd
hAf t bI sOld, sO HAt it woz imposabal t giv it t /vCa. nP hAd
hI eni mani.
<p>
bxg hAd Ylredi bin ingEJd a manT, n Onli a wIk rimEnd bifP
H wediN, bat H kQnt hAd not jet disFdad in hiz On mFnd H
kwescan v H dQxi, nP spOkan t hiz wFf abQt it. At wan tFm H
kQnt TYt v giviN hx H /rjyzyn istEt P v seliN a fPist,
At anaHx tFm v borOiN mani on a nOt v hAnd. a fV dEz bifP
H wediN /bxg entxd H kQnt's stadi xli wan mPniN n, wiH
a plezant smFl, rispektfali Askt hiz fVcx fyHx-in-lY t let
him nO wot /vCa'z dQxi wUd bI. H kQnt woz sO diskansxtad bF
His loN-fPsIn inkwFxi HAt wiHQt kansidxESan hI gEv H fxst
riplF HAt kEm intM hiz hed. “F lFk jP bIiN biznaslFk abQt
it.... F lFk it. V SAl bI sAtisfFd....”
<p>
n pAtiN /bxg on H SOldx hI got ap, wiSiN t end H
konvxsESan. bat /bxg, smFliN plezantli, iäplEnd HAt if hI did not
nO f sxtan hQ mac /vCa wUd hAv n did not risIv At lIst
pRt v H dQxi in advAns, hI wUd hAf t brEk mAtxz of.
<p>
“bikoz, kansidx, /kQnt—if F alQd mFself t mAri nQ
wiHQt hAviN definit mInz t mEntEn mF wFf, F SUd bI AktiN
bAdli....”
<p>
H konvxsESan endad bF H kQnt, hM wiSt t bI Jenxas n t
avqd fxHx impxtMniti, sEiN HAt hI wUd giv a nOt v hAnd
f Eti TQzand rMbalz. bxg smFld mIkli, kist H kQnt on H
SOldx, n sed HAt hI woz veri grEtfal, bat HAt it woz imposabal
f him t xEnJ hiz nM lFf wiHQt risIviN Txti TQzand in
redi mani. “P At lIst twenti TQzand, /kQnt,” hI Adad, “n
Hen a nOt v hAnd f Onli siäti TQzand.”
<p>
“jes, jes, Yl rFt!” sed H kQnt haridli. “Onli iäkVz mI,
mF dC felO, F'l giv V twenti TQzand n a nOt v hAnd f
Eti TQzand Az wel. jes, jes! kis mI.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
/nytySa woz siätIn n it woz H jC 1809, H veri jC t wic
SI hAd kQntad on hx fiNgxz wiH /bPis Aftx HE hAd kist fP
jCz agO. sins Hen SI hAd not sIn him. bifP /sonja n hx
maHx, if /bPis hApand t bI menSand, SI spOk kwFt frIli v
HAt episOd Az v sam cFldiS, loN-fxgotan mAtx HAt woz not
wxT menSaniN. bat in H sIkrat depTs v hx sOl H kwescan
weHx hx ingEJmant t /bPis woz a Jest P an impPtant, bFndiN
promis tPmentad hx.
<p>
sins /bPis left /moskQ in 1805 t Jqn H Rmi hI hAd not sIn H
/rOstOfs. hI hAd bin in /moskQ sevxal tFmz, n hAd pAst nC
/Otrydnqe, bat hAd nevx bin t sI Hem.
<p>
samtFmz it akxd t /nytySa HAt hI did not wiS t sI hx, n
His kanJekcx woz kanfxmd bF H sAd tOn in wic hx eldxz spOk
v him.
<p>
“nQadEz Old frendz R not rimembxd,” H kQntas wUd sE
wen /bPis woz menSand.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna YlsO hAd v lEt vizitad Hem les frIkwantli, sImd
t hOld hxself wiH pxtikVlx digniti, n YlwEz spOk rApcxasli
n grEtfali v H merits v hx san n H brilWnt kxC on
wic hI hAd entxd. wen H /rOstOfs kEm t /pItxzbxg /bPis kYld
on Hem.
<p>
hI drOv t HX hQs in sam AJitESan. H memxi v /nytySa woz
hiz mOst pOetik rekalekSan. bat hI went wiH H fxm intenSan v
letiN hx n hx pXants fIl HAt H cFldiS rilESanz bitwIn
himself n /nytySa kUd not bI bFndiN FHx on hx P on him. hI
hAd a brilWnt paziSan in sasFati TANä t hiz intimasi wiH /kQntas
/bezMâOva, a brilWnt paziSan in H sxvis TANä t H pEtraniJ
v an impPtant pxsaniJ hMz kamplIt konfidans hI inJqd, n hI
woz biginiN t mEk plAnz f mAriiN wan v H ricast Xasaz in
/pItxzbxg, plAnz wic mFt veri Izili bI rWlFzd. wen hI entxd
H /rOstOfs' drYiN rMm /nytySa woz in hx On rMm. wen SI
hxd v hiz xFval SI YlmOst rAn intM H drYiN rMm, flaSt n
bImiN wiH a mP HAn kPJal smFl.
<p>
bPis rimembxd /nytySa in a SPt dres, wiH dRk Fz SFniN from
andx hx kxlz n bqstxas, cFldiS lAftx, Az hI hAd nOn hx
fP jCz bifP; n sO hI woz tEkan abAk wen kwFt a difxant
/nytySa entxd, n hiz fEs iäprest rApcxas astoniSmant. His
iäpreSan on hiz fEs plIzd /nytySa.
<p>
“wel, dM V rekagnFz jP lital mAdkAp plEmEt?” Askt H
kQntas.
<p>
bPis kist /nytySa'z hAnd n sed HAt hI woz astoniSt At H
cEnJ in hx.
<p>
“hQ hAndsam V hAv grOn!”
<p>
“F SUd TiNk sO!” riplFd /nytySa'z lAfiN Fz.
<p>
“n iz /pypy Oldx?” SI Askt.
<p>
/nytySa sAt dQn n, wiHQt JqniN in /bPis' konvxsESan wiH
H kQntas, sFlantli n mFnMtli stadid hx cFldhUd'z sMtx. hI
felt H wEt v HAt rezalMt n afekSanat skrMtini n glAnst
At hx akEZanali.
<p>
bPis' VnifPm, spxz, tF, n H wE hiz hX woz braSt wx Yl
/kOmdm il fO n in H lEtast fASan. His /nytySa nOtist At wans.
hI sAt rAHx sFdwEz in H RmcX neät t H kQntas, xEnJiN
wiH hiz rFt hAnd H klInast v glavz HAt fitad hiz left hAnd
lFk a skin, n hI spOk wiH a pxtikVlxli rifFnd kampreSan v hiz
lips abQt H amVzmants v H hFast /pItxzbxg sasFati, rikYliN
wiH mFld Frani Old tFmz in /moskQ n /moskQ akwEntansaz. it woz
not Aäidentali, /nytySa felt, HAt hI alMdad, wen spIkiN v H
hFast Aristokrasi, t an AmbAsadx'z bYl hI hAd atendad, n t
invitESanz hI hAd risIvd from N.N. n S.S.
<p>
Yl His tFm /nytySa sAt sFlant, glAnsiN ap At him from andx hx
brQz. His gEz distxbd n kanfVzd /bPis mP n mP. hI lUkt
rQnd mP frIkwantli tPd hx, n brOk of in wot hI woz sEiN.
hI did not stE mP HAn ten minits, Hen rOz n tUk hiz lIv. H
sEm inkwizitiv, cAlanJiN, n rAHx mokiN Fz stil lUkt
At him. Aftx hiz fxst vizit /bPis sed t himself HAt /nytySa
atrAktad him Jast Az mac Az evx, bat HAt hI mast not jIld t HAt
fIliN, bikoz t mAri hx, a gxl YlmOst wiHQt fPcMn, wUd
mIn rMin t hiz kxC, wFl t rinM HX fPmx rilESanz wiHQt
intendiN t mAri hx wUd bI disonxabal. bPis mEd ap hiz mFnd
t avqd mItiN /nytySa, bat dispFt HAt rezalMSan hI kYld agen
a fV dEz lEtx n bigAn kYliN oftan n spendiN hOl dEz At H
/rOstOfs'. it sImd t him HAt hI Yt t hAv an eäplanESan wiH
/nytySa n tel hx HAt H Old tFmz mast bI fxgotan, HAt in
spFt v evriTiN... SI kUd not bI hiz wFf, HAt hI hAd nO mInz,
n HE wUd nevx let hx mAri him. bat hI fEld t dM sO n felt
Ykwxd abQt entxiN on sac an eäplanESan. from dE t dE hI
bikEm mP n mP intANgald. it sImd t hx maHx n /sonja HAt
/nytySa woz in lav wiH /bPis Az v Old. SI sAN him hiz fEvxit
soNz, SOd him hx Albam, mEkiN him rFt in it, did not alQ him
t alMd t H pAst, letiN it bI andxstUd hQ dilFtfal woz H
prezant; n evri dE hI went awE in a fog, wiHQt hAviN sed wot
hI ment t, n not nOiN wot hI woz dMiN P wF hI kEm, P hQ
it wUd Yl end. hI left of vizitiN /helIn n risIvd riprOcfal
nOts from hx evri dE, n jet hI kantinVd t spend hOl dEz wiH
H /rOstOfs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
/wan nFt wen H Old kQntas, in nFtkAp n dresiN JAkat,
wiHQt hx fYls kxlz, n wiH hx pUx lital nob v hX SOiN
andx hx wFt kotan kAp, nelt sFiN n grOniN on a rag n
bQiN t H grQnd in prEx, hx dP krIkt n /nytySa, YlsO in
a dresiN JAkat wiH slipxz on hx bX fIt n hx hX in
kxlpEpxz, rAn in. H kQntas—hx prExfal mMd dispeld—lUkt
rQnd n frQnd. SI woz finiSiN hx lAst prEx: “kAn it bI HAt
His kQc wil bI mF grEv?” /nytySa, flaSt n Igx, sIiN
hx maHx in prEx, sadanli cekt hx raS, hAf sAt dQn, n
ankonSasli pUt Qt hx taN Az if cFdiN hxself. sIiN HAt
hx maHx woz stil prEiN SI rAn on tiptO t H bed n, rApidli
slipiN wan lital fUt agenst H aHx, pUSt of hx slipxz n
Jampt ontM H bed H kQntas hAd fCd mFt bikam hx grEv. His
kQc woz hF, wiH a feHx bed n fFv pilOz Ic smYlx HAn
H wan bilO. /nytySa Jampt on it, sANk intM H feHx bed, rOld
Ovx t H wYl, n bigAn snagaliN ap H bedklOHz Az SI setald
dQn, rEziN hx nIz t hx cin, kikiN Qt n lAfiN YlmOst
inYdabli, nQ kavxiN hxself ap hed n Yl, n nQ pIpiN At hx
maHx. H kQntas finiSt hx prExz n kEm t H bed wiH a
stxn fEs, bat sIiN HAt /nytySa'z hed woz kavxd, SI smFld
in hx kFnd, wIk wE.
<p>
“nQ Hen, nQ Hen!” sed SI.
<p>
“mymy, kAn wI hAv a tYk? jes?” sed /nytySa. “nQ, Jast wan on
jP TrOt n anaHx... HAt'l dM!” n sIziN hx maHx rQnd
H nek, SI kist hx on H TrOt. in hx bihEvjx t hx maHx
/nytySa sImd raf, bat SI woz sO sensitiv n tAktfal HAt hQevx
SI klAspt hx maHx SI YlwEz mAniJd t dM it wiHQt hxtiN hx
P mEkiN hx fIl ankamfxtabal P displIzd.
<p>
“wel, wot iz it tanFt?” sed H maHx, hAviN xEnJd hx
pilOz n wEtad antil /nytySa, Aftx txniN Ovx a kapal v tFmz,
hAd setald dQn bisFd hx andx H kwilt, spred Qt hx Rmz, n
asMmd a sCWs iäpreSan.
<p>
HIz vizits v /nytySa'z At nFt bifP H kQnt ritxnd from hiz
klab wx wan v H grEtast pleZxz v bOT maHx, n dYtx.
<p>
“wot iz it tanFt?—bat F hAf t tel V...”
<p>
/nytySa pUt hx hAnd on hx maHx'z mQT.
<p>
“abQt /bPis... F nO,” SI sed sCWsli; “HAt's wot F
hAv kam abQt. dOnt sE it—F nO. nO, dM tel mI!” n SI
rimMvd hx hAnd. “tel mI, /mymy! hI'z nFs?”
<p>
“/nytySa, V R siätIn. At jP EJ F woz mArid. V sE /bPis
iz nFs. hI iz veri nFs, n F lav him lFk a san. bat wot Hen?...
wot R V TiNkiN abQt? V hAv kwFt txnd hiz hed, F kAn sI
HAt....”
<p>
Az SI sed His H kQntas lUkt rQnd At hx dYtx. /nytySa
woz lFiN lUkiN stedili strEt bifP hx At wan v H mahogani
sfiNäaz kRvd on H kPnxz v H bedsted, sO HAt H kQntas
Onli sY hx dYtx'z fEs in prOfFl. HAt fEs strak hx bF its
pikVlCli sCWs n konsantrEtad iäpreSan.
<p>
/nytySa woz lisaniN n kansidxiN.
<p>
“wel, wot Hen?” sed SI.
<p>
“V hAv kwFt txnd hiz hed, n wF? wot dM V wont v him? V
nO V kAnt mAri him.”
<p>
“wF not?” sed /nytySa, wiHQt cEnJiN hx paziSan.
<p>
“bikoz hI iz jaN, bikoz hI iz pUx, bikoz hI iz a rilESan...
n bikoz V jPself dOnt lav him.”
<p>
“hQ dM V nO?”
<p>
“F nO. it iz not rFt, dRliN!”
<p>
“bat if F wont t...” sed /nytySa.
<p>
“lIv of tYkiN nonsens,” sed H kQntas.
<p>
“bat if F wont t...”
<p>
“/nytySa, F Am in xnast...”
<p>
/nytySa did not let hx finiS. SI drM H kQntas' lRJ hAnd t
hx, kist it on H bAk n Hen on H pym, Hen agen txnd it
Ovx n bigAn kisiN fxst wan nakal, Hen H spEs bitwIn H
nakalz, Hen H neät nakal, wispxiN, “JAnVXi, febrMXi,
mRc, Epral, mE. spIk, /mymy, wF dOnt V sE eniTiN? spIk!”
sed SI, txniN t hx maHx, hM woz tendxli gEziN At hx dYtx
n in HAt kontamplESan sImd t hAv fxgotan Yl SI hAd wiSt t
sE.
<p>
“it wOnt dM, mF lav! not evriwan wil andxstAnd His frendSip
dEtiN from jP cFldiS dEz, n t sI him sO intimat wiH V mE
inJx V in H Fz v aHx jaN men hM vizit as, n abav Yl
it tPments him f naTiN. hI mE Ylredi hAv fQnd a sMtabal n
welTi mAc, n nQ hI'z hAf krEzi.”
<p>
“krEzi?” ripItad /nytySa.
<p>
“F'l tel V sam TiNz abQt mFself. F hAd a kazan...”
<p>
“F nO! /siral /mytvEic... bat hI iz Old.”
<p>
“hI woz not YlwEz Old. bat His iz wot F'l dM, /nytySa, F'l
hAv a tYk wiH /bPis. hI nId not kam sO oftan....”
<p>
“wF not, if hI lFä t?”
<p>
“bikoz F nO it wil end in naTiN....”
<p>
“hQ kAn V nO? nO, /mymy, dOnt spIk t him! wot nonsens!”
sed /nytySa in H tOn v wan bIiN diprFvd v hx propxti.
“wel, F wOnt mAri, bat let him kam if hI inJqz it n F inJq
it.” /nytySa smFld n lUkt At hx maHx. “not t mAri, bat
Jast sO,” SI Adad.
<p>
“hQ sO, mF pet?”
<p>
“Jast sO. HX'z nO nId f mI t mAri him. bat... Jast sO.”
<p>
“Jast sO, Jast sO,” ripItad H kQntas, n SEkiN Yl Ovx, SI
went of intM a gUd hVmxd, aniäpektad, eldxli lAf.
<p>
“dOnt lAf, stop!” krFd /nytySa. “V'x SEkiN H hOl
bed! V'x Yfali lFk mI, Jast sac anaHx gigalx.... wEt...”
n SI sIzd H kQntas' hAndz n kist a nakal v H lital
fiNgx, sEiN, “JMn,” n kantinVd, kisiN, “JalF, Ygast,”
on H aHx hAnd. “bat, /mymy, iz hI veri mac in lav? wot dM V
TiNk? woz enibodi evx sO mac in lav wiH V? n hI'z veri nFs,
veri, veri nFs. Onli not kwFt mF tEst—hI iz sO nArO, lFk H
dFniN-rMm klok.... dOnt V andxstAnd? nArO, V nO—grE,
lFt grE...”
<p>
“wot rabiS V'x tYkiN!” sed H kQntas.
<p>
/nytySa kantinVd: “dOnt V rWli andxstAnd? /nikalas wUd
andxstAnd.... /bezMâOf, nQ, iz blM, dRk-blM n red, n hI iz
skwX.”
<p>
“V flxt wiH him tM,” sed H kQntas, lAfiN.
<p>
“nO, hI iz a /frImEsan, F hAv fQnd Qt. hI iz fFn, dRk-blM n
red.... hQ kAn F iäplEn it t V?”
<p>
“lital kQntas!” H kQnt's vqs kYld from bihFnd H dP.
“V'x not aslIp?” /nytySa Jampt ap, snAct ap hx slipxz,
n rAn bXfUt t hx On rMm.
<p>
it woz a loN tFm bifP SI kUd slIp. SI kept TiNkiN HAt nO wan
kUd andxstAnd Yl HAt SI andxstUd n Yl HX woz in hx.
<p>
“/sonja?” SI TYt, glAnsiN At HAt kxld-ap, slIpiN lital
kitan wiH hx inPmas plEt v hX. “nO, hQ kUd SI? SI'z
vxcMas. SI fel in lav wiH /nikalas n daz not wiS t nO
eniTiN mP. Ivan /mymy daz not andxstAnd. it iz wandxfal hQ
klevx F Am n hQ... cRmiN SI iz,” SI went on, spIkiN
v hxself in H Txd pxsan, n imAJiniN it woz sam veri wFz
mAn—H wFzast n best v men—hM woz sEiN it v hx. “HX
iz evriTiN, evriTiN in hx,” kantinVd His mAn. “SI iz
anVZMali inteliJant, cRmiN... n Hen SI iz priti, ankomanli
priti, n AJFl—SI swimz n rFdz splendidli... n hx vqs! wan
kAn rWli sE it's a wandxfal vqs!”
<p>
SI hamd a skrAp from hx fEvxit opxa bF /cerabini, TrM hxself
on hx bed, lAft At H plezant TYt HAt SI wUd imIdWtli
fYl aslIp, kYld /dMnjySa H mEd t pUt Qt H kAndal, n bifP
/dMnjySa hAd left H rMm hAd Ylredi pAst intM jet anaHx hApC
wxld v drImz, wX evriTiN woz Az lFt n bVtifal Az in
riAliti, n Ivan mP sO bikoz it woz difxant.
<p>
neät dE H kQntas kYld /bPis asFd n hAd a tYk wiH him, Aftx
wic hI sIst kamiN t H /rOstOfs'.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
on H Txti-fxst v disembx, /nM /jC'z /Iv, 1809 - 10 an Old
grAndI v /kATxin'z dE woz giviN a bYl n midnFt sapx. H
diplamAtik kP n H /empxx himself wx t bI prezant.
<p>
H grAndI'z wel-nOn mAnSan on H /iNgliS /kE glitxd wiH
inMmxabal lFts. palIs wx stESand At H brFtli lit entrans
wic woz kRpatad wiH red bEz, n not Onli ZondRmz bat dazanz v
palIs ofisxz n Ivan H palIs mAstx himself stUd At H pPc.
kAriJaz kept drFviN awE n freS wanz xFviN, wiH red-livxid
fUtmen n fUtmen in plMmd hAts. from H kAriJaz imxJd men
wXiN VnifPmz, stRz, n ribanz, wFl lEdiz in sAtin n xmin
kYSasli disendad H kAriJ steps wic wx let dQn f Hem
wiH a klAtx, n Hen wYkt haridli n nqzlasli Ovx H bEz
At H entrans.
<p>
YlmOst evri tFm a nM kAriJ drOv ap a wispx rAn TrM H
krQd n kAps wx doft.
<p>
“H /empxx?... nO, a ministx... prins... AmbAsadx. dOnt V
sI H plMmz?...” woz wispxd amaN H krQd.
<p>
wan pxsan, betx drest HAn H rest, sImd t nO evriwan n
menSand bF nEm H grEtast dignitXiz v H dE.
<p>
a Txd v H vizitxz hAd Ylredi xFvd, bat H /rOstOfs, hM wx
t bI prezant, wx stil hariiN t get drest.
<p>
HX hAd bin meni diskaSanz n prepxESanz f His bYl in H
/rOstOf fAmli, meni fCz HAt H invitESan wUd not xFv, HAt
H dresaz wUd not bI redi, P HAt samTiN wUd not bI xEnJd
Az it SUd bI.
<p>
/mRja /ignytevna /perOnskFa, a Tin n SAlO mEd v onx At
H kPt v H /dQaJx /empres, hM woz a frend n rilESan v H
kQntas n pFlatad H pravinSal /rOstOfs in /pItxzbxg hF sasFati,
woz t akampani Hem t H bYl.
<p>
HE wx t kYl f hx At hx hQs in H /tPIda /gRdanz At ten
O'klok, bat it woz Ylredi fFv minits t ten, n H gxlz wx
not jet drest.
<p>
/nytySa woz gOiN t hx fxst grAnd bYl. SI hAd got ap At Et HAt
mPniN n hAd bin in a fIvx v iäFtmant n Aktiviti Yl dE. Yl
hx pQxz sins mPniN hAd bin konsantrEtad on inSUxiN HAt HE
Yl—SI hxself, /mymy, n /sonja—SUd bI Az wel drest Az
posabal. /sonja n hx maHx pUt Hemselvz intFxli in hx hAndz.
H kQntas woz t wX a klArat-kalxd velvat dres, n H tM
gxlz wFt gYz Ovx piNk silk slips, wiH rOzaz on HX bodisaz n
HX hX drest a ly grecque.
<p>
evriTiN isenSal hAd Ylredi bin dan; fIt, hAndz, neä, n
Cz woSt, pxfVmd, n pQdxd, Az bifits a bYl; H Opanwxk
silk stokiNz n wFt sAtin SMz wiH ribanz wx Ylredi on; H
hXdresiN woz YlmOst dan. /sonja woz finiSiN dresiN n sO woz
H kQntas, bat /nytySa, hM hAd basald abQt helpiN Hem Yl, woz
bihFndhAnd. SI woz stil sitiN bifP a lUkiN-glAs wiH a dresiN
JAkat TrOn Ovx hx slendx SOldxz. /sonja stUd redi drest in
H midal v H rMm n, presiN H hed v a pin til it hxt hx
dEnti fiNgx, woz fiäiN on a lAst riban HAt skwIkt Az H pin went
TrM it.
<p>
“HAt's not H wE, HAt's not H wE, /sonja!” krFd /nytySa
txniN hx hed n klaciN wiH bOT hAndz At hx hX wic H
mEd hM woz dresiN it hAd not tFm t rilIs. “HAt bO iz not
rFt. kam hC!”
<p>
/sonja sAt dQn n /nytySa pind H riban on difxantli.
<p>
“alQ mI, /mis! F kAnt dM it lFk HAt,” sed H mEd hM woz
hOldiN /nytySa'z hX.
<p>
“O, dC! wel Hen, wEt. HAt's rFt, /sonja.”
<p>
“Rnt V redi? it iz nCli ten,” kEm H kQntas' vqs.
<p>
“direktli! direktli! n V, /mymy?”
<p>
“F hAv Onli mF kAp t pin on.”
<p>
“dOnt dM it wiHQt mI!” kYld /nytySa. “V wOnt dM it
rFt.”
<p>
“bat it's Ylredi ten.”
<p>
HE hAd disFdad t bI At H bYl bF hAf-pAst ten, n /nytySa hAd
stil t get drest n HE hAd t kYl At H /tPIda /gRdanz.
<p>
wen hx hX woz dan, /nytySa, in hx SPt petikOt from andx
wic hx dAnsiN SMz SOd, n in hx maHx'z dresiN JAkat,
rAn ap t /sonja, skrMtinFzd hx, n Hen rAn t hx maHx. txniN
hx maHx'z hed His wE n HAt, SI fAsand on H kAp n,
haridli kisiN hx grE hX, rAn bAk t H mEdz hM wx txniN
ap H hem v hx skxt.
<p>
H kYz v H dilE woz /nytySa'z skxt, wic woz tM loN.
tM mEdz wx txniN ap H hem n haridli bFtiN of H endz v
Tred. a Txd wiH pinz in hx mQT woz raniN abQt bitwIn H
kQntas n /sonja, n a fPT held H hOl v H gosamx gRmant
ap hF on wan apliftad hAnd.
<p>
“/myvra, kwikx, dRliN!”
<p>
“giv mI mF Timbal, /mis, from HX...”
<p>
“wenevx wil V bI redi?” Askt H kQnt kamiN t H dP.
“hC iz sam sent. /perOnskFa mast bI tFxd v wEtiN.”
<p>
“it's redi, /mis,” sed H mEd, hOldiN ap H SPtand gYz
dres wiH tM fiNgxz, n blOiN n SEkiN samTiN of it, Az if
bF His t iäpres a konSasnas v H Xinas n pjUxiti v wot
SI held.
<p>
/nytySa bigAn pUtiN on H dres.
<p>
“in a minit! in a minit! dOnt kam in, /pypy!” SI krFd t hx
fyHx Az hI Opand H dP—spIkiN from andx H filmi skxt wic
stil kavxd hx hOl fEs.
<p>
/sonja slAmd H dP t. a minit lEtx HE let H kQnt in. hI woz
wXiN a blM swolO-tEl kOt, SMz n stokiNz, n woz pxfVmd
n hiz hX pamydad.
<p>
“O, /pypy! hQ nFs V lUk! cRmiN!” krFd /nytySa, Az SI
stUd in H midal v H rMm smMHiN Qt H fOldz v H gYz.
<p>
“if V plIz, /mis! alQ mI,” sed H mEd, hM on hx nIz woz
pUliN H skxt strEt n SiftiN H pinz from wan sFd v hx
mQT t H aHx wiH hx taN.
<p>
“sE wot V lFk,” iäklEmd /sonja, in a dispXiN vqs Az SI
lUkt At /nytySa, “sE wot V lFk, it's stil tM loN.”
<p>
/nytySa stept bAk t lUk At hxself in H pC glAs. H dres
woz tM loN.
<p>
“rWli, mAdam, it iz not At Yl tM loN,” sed /myvra, krYliN on
hx nIz Aftx hx jaN lEdi.
<p>
“wel, if it's tM loN wI'l tAk it ap... wI'l tAk it ap
in wan minit,” sed H rezalMt /dMnjySa tEkiN a nIdal HAt woz
stak on H frant v hx lital SYl n, stil nIliN on H flP,
set t wxk wans mP.
<p>
At HAt mOment, wiH soft steps, H kQntas kEm in SFli, in hx kAp
n velvat gQn.
<p>
“M-M, mF bVti!” iäklEmd H kQnt, “SI lUä betx HAn
eni v V!”
<p>
hI wUd hAv imbrEst hx bat, blaSiN, SI stept asFd fCiN t
bI rampald.
<p>
“mymy, jP kAp, mP t His sFd,” sed /nytySa. “F'l
xEnJ it,” n SI raSt fPwxd sO HAt H mEdz hM wx tAkiN
ap hx skxt kUd not mMv fAst inaf n a pIs v gYz woz tPn
of.
<p>
“O gUdnas! wot hAz hApand? rWli it woz not mF fYlt!”
<p>
“nevx mFnd, F'l ran it ap, it wOnt SO,” sed /dMnjySa.
<p>
“wot a bVti—a veri kwIn!” sed H nxs Az SI kEm t H
dP. “n /sonja! HE R lavli!”
<p>
At a kwPtx pAst ten HE At lAst got intM HX kAriJaz n stRtad.
bat HE hAd stil t kYl At H /tPIda /gRdanz.
<p>
/perOnskFa woz kwFt redi. in spFt v hx EJ n plEnnas SI
hAd gon TrM H sEm proses Az H /rOstOfs, bat wiH les
flari—f t hx it woz a mAtx v rMtIn. hx agli Old bodi woz
woSt, pxfVmd, n pQdxd in Jast H sEm wE. SI hAd woSt
bihFnd hx Cz Jast Az kXfali, n wen SI entxd hx drYiN
rMm in hx jelO dres, wXiN hx bAJ Az mEd v onx, hx Old
lEdi'z mEd woz Az fUl v rApcxas AdmxESan Az H /rOstOfs'
sxvants hAd bin.
<p>
SI prEzd H /rOstOfs' tqlats. HE prEzd hx tEst n tqlat,
n At ilevan O'klok, kXfal v HX kwyfjUxz n dresaz, HE
setald Hemselvz in HX kAriJaz n drOv of.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
/nytySa hAd not hAd a mOment frI sins xli mPniN n hAd not wans
hAd tFm t TiNk v wot lE bifP hx.
<p>
in H dAmp cil X n krQdad klOsnas v H swEiN kAriJ, SI
f H fxst tFm vividli imAJind wot woz in stP f hx HX At
H bYl, in HOz brFtli lFtad rMmz—wiH mVzik, flQxz, dAnsaz,
H /empxx, n Yl H brilWnt jaN pIpal v /pItxzbxg. H
prospekt woz sO splendid HAt SI hRdli bilIvd it wUd kam trM,
sO Qt v kIpiN woz it wiH H cil dRknas n klOsnas v H
kAriJ. SI andxstUd Yl HAt awEtad hx Onli wen, Aftx stepiN
Ovx H red bEz At H entrans, SI entxd H hYl, tUk of hx
fx klOk, n, bisFd /sonja n in frant v hx maHx, mQntad H
brFtli ilMminEtad stXz bitwIn H flQxz. Onli Hen did SI
rimembx hQ SI mast bihEv At a bYl, n trFd t asMm H maJestik
X SI kansidxd indispensabal f a gxl on sac an akEZan. bat,
fPcanatli f hx, SI felt hx Fz grOiN misti, SI sY naTiN
klCli, hx pals bIt a handrad t H minit, n H blad Trobd
At hx hRt. SI kUd not asMm HAt pOz, wic wUd hAv mEd hx
ridikVlas, n SI mMvd on YlmOst fEntiN from iäFtmant n trFiN
wiH Yl hx mFt t kansIl it. n His woz H veri AtitMd HAt
bikEm hx best. bifP n bihFnd Hem aHx vizitxz wx entxiN,
YlsO tYkiN in lO tOnz n wXiN bYl dresaz. H mirxz on H
lAndiN riflektad lEdiz in wFt, pEl-blM, n piNk dresaz, wiH
dFmandz n pxlz on HX bX neä n Rmz.
<p>
/nytySa lUkt in H mirxz n kUd not distiNgwiS hx riflekSan
from H aHxz. Yl woz blendad intM wan brilWnt praseSan.
on entxiN H bYlrMm H regVlx ham v vqsaz, fUtsteps, n
grItiNz defand /nytySa, n H lFt n glitx dAzald hx stil
mP. H hOst n hOstas, hM hAd Ylredi bin stAndiN At H dP
f hAf an Qx ripItiN H sEm wxdz t H vXWs xFvalz,
“SRm de vM vwR,” * grItad H /rOstOfs n /perOnskFa in
H sEm mAnx.
<p>
    * “dilFtad t sI V.”
<p>
<p>
H tM gxlz in HX wFt dresaz, Ic wiH a rOz in hx
blAk hX, bOT kxtsid in H sEm wE, bat H hOstas' F
involantXili restad loNgx on H slim /nytySa. SI lUkt At hx
n gEv hx alOn a speSal smFl in adiSan t hx VZMal smFl Az
hOstas. lUkiN At hx SI mE hAv rikYld H gOldan, irikavxabal
dEz v hx On gxlhUd n hx On fxst bYl. H hOst YlsO folOd
/nytySa wiH hiz Fz n Askt H kQnt wic woz hiz dYtx.
<p>
“cRmiN!” sed hI, kisiN H tips v hiz fiNgxz.
<p>
in H bYlrMm gests stUd krQdiN At H entrans dPz awEtiN
H /empxx. H kQntas tUk ap a paziSan in wan v H frant rOz
v HAt krQd. /nytySa hxd n felt HAt sevxal pIpal wx AskiN
abQt hx n lUkiN At hx. SI rWlFzd HAt HOz nOtisiN hx lFkt
hx, n His obzxvESan helpt t kym hx.
<p>
“HX R sam lFk Qxselvz n sam wxs,” SI TYt.
<p>
/perOnskFa woz pqntiN Qt t H kQntas H mOst impPtant pIpal
At H bYl.
<p>
“HAt iz H /dac AmbAsadx, dM V sI? HAt grE-hXd mAn,”
SI sed, indikEtiN an Old mAn wiH a prafVZan v silvx-grE kxli
hX, hM woz sxQndad bF lEdiz lAfiN At samTiN hI sed.
<p>
“y, hC SI iz, H /kwIn v /pItxzbxg, /kQntas /bezMâOva,”
sed /perOnskFa, indikEtiN /helIn hM hAd Jast entxd. “hQ
lavli! SI iz kwFt Ikwal t /mRja /yntOnOvna. sI hQ H men, jaN
n Old, pE kPt t hx. bVtifal n klevx... HE sE /prins
—— iz kwFt mAd abQt hx. bat sI, HOz tM, HO not
gUd-lUkiN, R Ivan mP ran Aftx.”
<p>
SI pqntad t a lEdi hM woz krosiN H rMm folOd bF a veri plEn
dYtx.
<p>
“SI iz a splendid mAc, a milWnXas,” sed /perOnskFa. “n
lUk, hC kam hx sMtxz.”
<p>
“HAt iz /bezMâOva'z braHx, /ynatOl /kMrygin,” SI sed,
indikEtiN a hAndsam ofisx v H /hPs /gRdz hM pAst bF Hem
wiH hed irekt, lUkiN At samTiN Ovx H hedz v H lEdiz.
“hI'z hAndsam, izant hI? F hC HE wil mAri him t HAt ric
gxl. bat jP kazan, /drMbetskq, iz YlsO veri atentiv t hx. HE
sE SI hAz milWnz. O jes, HAt's H /frenc AmbAsadx himself!”
SI riplFd t H kQntas' inkwFxi abQt /kOlynkUx. “lUä Az
if hI wx a kiN! Yl H sEm, H /frenc R cRmiN, veri cRmiN.
nO wan mP cRmiN in sasFati. y, hC SI iz! jes, SI iz stil H
mOst bVtifal v Hem Yl, Qx /mRja /yntOnOvna! n hQ simpli SI
iz drest! lavli! n HAt stQt wan in spektakalz iz H Vnivxsal
/frImEsan,” SI went on, indikEtiN /piX. “pUt him bisFd hiz wFf
n hI lUä a regVlx bafMn!”
<p>
/piX, swEiN hiz stQt bodi, advAnst, mEkiN wE TrM H krQd
n nodiN t rFt n left Az kAZMali n gUd-nEcxdli Az if hI
wx pAsiN TrM a krQd At a fX. hI pUSt TrM, evidentli
lUkiN f samwan.
<p>
/nytySa lUkt Jqfali At H familC fEs v /piX, “H
bafMn,” Az /perOnskFa hAd kYld him, n nM hI woz lUkiN f
Hem, n f hx in pxtikVlx. hI hAd promist t bI At H bYl n
intradMs pRtnxz t hx.
<p>
bat bifP hI rIct Hem /piX stopt bisFd a veri hAndsam, dRk
mAn v midal hFt, n in a wFt VnifPm, hM stUd bF a windO
tYkiN t a tYl mAn wXiN stRz n a riban. /nytySa At wans
rekagnFzd H SPtx n jaNgx mAn in H wFt VnifPm: it woz
/bOlkOnski, hM sImd t hx t hAv grOn mac jaNgx, hApC, n
betx-lUkiN.
<p>
“HX'z samwan els wI nO—/bOlkOnski, dM V sI, /mymy?”
sed /nytySa, pqntiN Qt /prins /AndrM. “V rimembx, hI stEd a
nFt wiH as At /Otrydnqe.”
<p>
“O, V nO him?” sed /perOnskFa. “F kAnt bX him. il fet
a prezant ly plMi et lU bO temps. * hI'z tM prQd f eniTiN.
tEä Aftx hiz fyHx. n hI'z hAnd in glav wiH /sperynski,
rFtiN sam proJekt P aHx. Jast lUk hQ hI trIts H lEdiz!
HX'z wan tYkiN t him n hI hAz txnd awE,” SI sed,
pqntiN At him. “F'd giv it t him if hI trItad mI Az hI daz
HOz lEdiz.”
<p>
    * “hI iz Yl H rEJ Jast nQ.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
/sadanli evribodi stxd, bigAn tYkiN, n prest fPwxd n Hen
bAk, n bitwIn H tM rOz, wic sepxEtad, H /empxx entxd t
H sQndz v mVzik HAt hAd imIdWtli strak ap. bihFnd him wYkt
hiz hOst n hOstas. hI wYkt in rApidli, bQiN t rFt n left
Az if ANkSas t get H fxst mOments v H risepSan Ovx. H bAnd
plEd H polanEz in vOg At HAt tFm on akQnt v H wxdz HAt
hAd bin set t it, biginiN: “/AliãAndx, /elisaveta, Yl Qx hRts
V rAviS kwFt...” H /empxx pAst on t H drYiN rMm, H
krQd mEd a raS f H dPz, n sevxal pxsanz wiH iäFtad fEsaz
harid HX n bAk agen. Hen H krQd hEstili ritFxd from
H drYiN rMm dP, At wic H /empxx rIapCd tYkiN t H
hOstas. a jaN mAn, lUkiN distrYt, pQnst dQn on H lEdiz,
AskiN Hem t mMv asFd. sam lEdiz, wiH fEsaz bitrEiN kamplIt
fxgetfalnas v Yl H rMlz v dikPam, pUSt fPwxd t H
detrimant v HX tqlats. H men bigAn t cMz pRtnxz n tEk
HX plEsaz f H polanEz.
<p>
evriwan mMvd bAk, n H /empxx kEm smFliN Qt v H drYiN
rMm lIdiN hiz hOstas bF H hAnd bat not kIpiN tFm t H
mVzik. H hOst folOd wiH /mRja /yntOnOvna /nRiSkIna; Hen
kEm AmbAsadxz, ministxz, n vXWs Jenxalz, hMm /perOnskFa
diliJantli nEmd. mP HAn hAf H lEdiz Ylredi hAd pRtnxz
n wx tEkiN ap, P pripXiN t tEk ap, HX paziSanz f H
polanEz. /nytySa felt HAt SI wUd bI left wiH hx maHx n
/sonja amaN a mFnPiti v wimin hM krQdad nC H wYl, not hAviN
bin invFtad t dAns. SI stUd wiH hx slendx Rmz hANiN dQn,
hx skXsli difFnd bUzam rFziN n fYliN regVlxli, n wiH
bEtad breT n glitxiN, frFtand Fz gEzd strEt bifP
hx, evidentli pripXd f H hFt v Jq P mizxi. SI woz
not kansxnd abQt H /empxx P eni v HOz grEt pIpal hMm
/perOnskFa woz pqntiN Qt—SI hAd bat wan TYt: “iz it
posabal nO wan wil Ask mI, HAt F SAl not bI amaN H fxst t
dAns? iz it posabal HAt not wan v Yl HIz men wil nOtis mI?
HE dM not Ivan sIm t sI mI, P if HE dM HE lUk Az if HE
wx sEiN, '/y, SI'z not H wan F'm Aftx, sO it's not wxT
lUkiN At hx!' nO, it's imposabal,” SI TYt. “HE mast
nO hQ F loN t dAns, hQ splendidli F dAns, n hQ HE wUd
inJq dAnsiN wiH mI.”
<p>
H strEnz v H polanEz, wic hAd kantinVd f a kansidxabal
tFm, hAd bigan t sQnd lFk a sAd reminisans t /nytySa'z Cz.
SI wontad t krF. /perOnskFa hAd left Hem. H kQnt woz At H
aHx end v H rMm. SI n H kQntas n /sonja wx stAndiN bF
Hemselvz Az in H depTs v a fPist amid HAt krQd v strEnJxz,
wiH nO wan intxastad in Hem n not wontad bF eniwan. prins /AndrM
wiH a lEdi pAst bF, evidentli not rekagnFziN Hem. H hAndsam
/ynatOl woz smFliNli tYkiN t a pRtnx on hiz Rm n lUkt At
/nytySa Az wan lUä At a wYl. bPis pAst Hem twFs n Ic tFm
txnd awE. bxg n hiz wFf, hM wx not dAnsiN, kEm ap t Hem.
<p>
His fAmli gAHxiN sImd hVmiliEtiN t /nytySa—Az if HX wx
nOwX els f H fAmli t tYk bat hC At H bYl. SI did not
lisan t P lUk At /vCa, hM woz teliN hx samTiN abQt hx On
grIn dres.
<p>
At lAst H /empxx stopt bisFd hiz lAst pRtnx (hI hAd dAnst
wiH TrI) n H mVzik sIst. a warid Ed-dI-kAmp rAn ap t H
/rOstOfs rikwestiN Hem t stAnd fRHx bAk, HO Az it woz HE
wx Ylredi klOs t H wYl, n from H gAlxi rizQndad H
distiNkt, prisFs, intFsiNli riHmikal strEnz v a wYlts. H /empxx
lUkt smFliNli dQn H rMm. a minit pAst bat nO wan hAd jet bigan
dAnsiN. an Ed-dI-kAmp, H /mAstx v /serimOniz, went ap t /kQntas
/bezMâOva n Askt hx t dAns. SI smFliNli rEzd hx hAnd n
lEd it on hiz SOldx wiHQt lUkiN At him. H Ed-dI-kAmp, an
adept in hiz Rt, grAspiN hiz pRtnx fxmli rQnd hx wEst, wiH
konfidant dilibxESan stRtad smMHli, glFdiN fxst rQnd H eJ v
H sxkal, Hen At H kPnx v H rMm hI kYt /helIn'z
left hAnd n txnd hx, H Onli sQnd Ydabal, apRt from H
evx-kwikaniN mVzik, bIiN H riHmik klik v H spxz on hiz
rApid, AJFl fIt, wFl At evri Txd bIt hiz pRtnx'z velvat
dres spred Qt n sImd t flAS Az SI wxld rQnd. /nytySa
gEzd At Hem n woz redi t krF bikoz it woz not SI hM woz
dAnsiN HAt fxst txn v H wYlts.
<p>
prins /AndrM, in H wFt VnifPm v a kAvalri kxnal, wXiN
stokiNz n dAnsiN SMz, stUd lUkiN AnimEtad n brFt in H
frant rO v H sxkal not fR from H /rOstOfs. bAran /fxhof woz
tYkiN t him abQt H fxst sitiN v H /kQnsal v /stEt t bI
held neät dE. prins /AndrM, Az wan klOsli kanektad wiH /sperynski
n pRtisipEtiN in H wxk v H leJislEtiv kamiSan, kUd giv
rilFabal infxmESan abQt HAt sitiN, kansxniN wic vXWs rMmxz
wx karant. bat not lisaniN t wot /fxhof woz sEiN, hI woz
gEziN nQ At H sovran n nQ At H men intendiN t dAns hM
hAd not jet gAHxd kariJ t entx H sxkal.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz wociN HIz men abASt bF H /empxx'z
prezans, n H wimin hM wx breTlasli loNiN t bI Askt t
dAns.
<p>
/piX kEm ap t him n kYt him bF H Rm.
<p>
“V YlwEz dAns. F hAv a prOtiZE, H jaN /rOstOva, hC. Ask
hx,” hI sed.
<p>
“wX iz SI?” Askt /bOlkOnski. “iäkVz mI!” hI Adad, txniN
t H bAran, “wI wil finiS His konvxsESan elswX—At a bYl
wan mast dAns.” hI stept fPwxd in H direkSan /piX indikEtad.
H dispXiN, diJektad iäpreSan v /nytySa'z fEs kYt hiz F.
hI rekagnFzd hx, gest hx fIliNz, sY HAt it woz hx dEbV,
rimembxd hx konvxsESan At H windO, n wiH an iäpreSan v
pleZx on hiz fEs aprOct /kQntas /rOstOva.
<p>
“alQ mI t intradMs V t mF dYtx,” sed H kQntas, wiH
hFtand kalx.
<p>
“F hAv H pleZx v bIiN Ylredi akwEntad, if H kQntas
rimembxz mI,” sed /prins /AndrM wiH a lO n kxtWs bQ kwFt
bilFiN /perOnskFa'z rimRä abQt hiz rMdnas, n aprOciN
/nytySa hI held Qt hiz Rm t grAsp hx wEst bifP hI hAd kamplItad
hiz invitESan. hI Askt hx t wYlts. HAt tremVlas iäpreSan on
/nytySa'z fEs, pripXd FHx f dispX P rApcx, sadanli
brFtand intM a hApi, grEtfal, cFldlFk smFl.
<p>
“F hAv loN bin wEtiN f V,” HAt frFtand hApi lital
gxl sImd t sE bF H smFl HAt riplEst H Tretand tCz, Az
SI rEzd hx hAnd t /prins /AndrM'z SOldx. HE wx H sekand
kapal t entx H sxkal. prins /AndrM woz wan v H best dAnsxz v
hiz dE n /nytySa dAnst iäkwizitli. hx lital fIt in HX wFt
sAtin dAnsiN SMz did HX wxk swiftli, lFtli, n indipendantli
v hxself, wFl hx fEs bImd wiH iätAtik hApinas. hx slendx
bX Rmz n nek wx not bVtifal—kampXd t /helIn'z hx
SOldxz lUkt Tin n hx bUzam andivelapt. bat /helIn sImd, Az
it wx, hRdand bF a vRniS left bF H TQzandz v lUä HAt hAd
skAnd hx pxsan, wFl /nytySa woz lFk a gxl iäpOzd f H fxst
tFm, hM wUd hAv felt veri mac aSEmd hAd SI not bin aSUxd
HAt His woz AbsalMtli nesisXi.
<p>
prins /AndrM lFkt dAnsiN, n wiSiN t iskEp Az kwikli Az
posabal from H politikal n klevx tYk wic evriwan adrest
t him, wiSiN YlsO t brEk ap H sxkal v ristrEnt hI dislFkt,
kYzd bF H /empxx'z prezans, hI dAnst, n hAd cOzan /nytySa
bikoz /piX pqntad hx Qt t him n bikoz SI woz H fxst
priti gxl hM kYt hiz F; bat skXsli hAd hI imbrEst HAt
slendx sapal figjx n felt hx stxiN sO klOs t him n smFliN
sO nC him HAn H wFn v hx cRm rOz t hiz hed, n hI
felt himself rivFvd n riJMvanEtad wen Aftx lIviN hx hI stUd
brIHiN dIpli n wociN H aHx dAnsxz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/Aftx /prins /AndrM, /bPis kEm ap t Ask /nytySa f a dAns, n
Hen H Ed-dI-kAmp hM hAd Opand H bYl, n sevxal aHx jaN
men, sO HAt, flaSt n hApi, n pAsiN on hx sMpxflMas pRtnxz
t /sonja, SI did not sIs dAnsiN Yl H IvniN. SI nOtist n
sY naTiN v wot okVpFd evriwan els. not Onli did SI fEl t
nOtis HAt H /empxx tYkt a loN tFm wiH H /frenc AmbAsadx,
n hQ pxtikVlxli grESas hI woz t a sxtan lEdi, P HAt /prins
sO-n-sO n sO-n-sO did n sed His n HAt, n HAt /helIn
hAd grEt saäes n woz onxd bF H speSal atenSan v sO-n-sO,
bat SI did not Ivan sI H /empxx, n Onli nOtist HAt hI hAd gon
bikoz H bYl bikEm lFvlC Aftx hiz dipRcx. f wan v H
meri katilWnz bifP sapx /prins /AndrM woz agen hx pRtnx. hI
rimFndad hx v HX fxst inkQntx in H /Otrydnqe AvanM, n hQ
SI hAd bin anEbal t slIp HAt mMnlFt nFt, n tOld hx hQ hI
hAd involantXili Ovxhxd hx. /nytySa blaSt At HAt rekalekSan
n trFd t iäkVz hxself, Az if HX hAd bin samTiN t bI
aSEmd v in wot /prins /AndrM hAd Ovxhxd.
<p>
lFk Yl men hM hAv grOn ap in sasFati, /prins /AndrM lFkt mItiN
samwan HX not v H kanvenSanal sasFati stAmp. n sac woz
/nytySa, wiH hx sxprFz, hx dilFt, hx SFnas, n Ivan hx
mistEä in spIkiN /frenc. wiH hx hI bihEvd wiH speSal kX n
tendxnas, sitiN bisFd hx n tYkiN v H simpalast n mOst
animpPtant mAtxz; hI admFxd hx SF grEs. in H midal v H
katilWn, hAviN kamplItad wan v H figjxz, /nytySa, stil Qt v
breT, woz ritxniN t hx sIt wen anaHx dAnsx cOz hx. SI woz
tFxd n pAntiN n evidentli TYt v diklFniN, bat imIdWtli
pUt hx hAnd gEli on H mAn'z SOldx, smFliN At /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“F'd bI glAd t sit bisFd V n rest: F'm tFxd; bat V sI
hQ HE kIp AskiN mI, n F'm glAd v it, F'm hApi n F lav
evribodi, n V n F andxstAnd it Yl,” n mac, mac mP woz
sed in hx smFl. wen hx pRtnx left hx /nytySa rAn akros H
rMm t cMz tM lEdiz f H figjx.
<p>
“if SI gOz t hx kazan fxst n Hen t anaHx lEdi, SI wil bI
mF wFf,” sed /prins /AndrM t himself kwFt t hiz On sxprFz, Az
hI woct hx. SI did gO fxst t hx kazan.
<p>
“wot rabiS samtFmz entxz wan'z hed!” TYt /prins /AndrM,
“bat wot iz sxtan iz HAt HAt gxl iz sO cRmiN, sO xiJinal,
HAt SI wOnt bI dAnsiN hC a manT bifP SI wil bI mArid....
sac Az SI R rX hC,” hI TYt, Az /nytySa, rIaJastiN a
rOz HAt woz slipiN on hx bodis, setald hxself bisFd him.
<p>
wen H katilWn woz Ovx H Old kQnt in hiz blM kOt kEm ap t
H dAnsxz. hI invFtad /prins /AndrM t kam n sI Hem, n Askt
hiz dYtx weHx SI woz inJqiN hxself. /nytySa did not Ansx
At wans bat Onli lUkt ap wiH a smFl HAt sed riprOcfali: “hQ
kAn V Ask sac a kwescan?”
<p>
“F hAv nevx inJqd mFself sO mac bifP!” SI sed, n /prins
/AndrM nOtist hQ hx Tin Rmz rOz kwikli Az if t imbrEs hx
fyHx n instantli dropt agen. /nytySa woz hApC HAn SI hAd
evx bin in hx lFf. SI woz At HAt hFt v blis wen wan bikamz
kamplItli kFnd n gUd n daz not bilIv in H posabiliti v
Ival, anhApinas, P sorO.
<p>
At HAt bYl /piX f H fxst tFm felt hVmiliEtad bF H paziSan
hiz wFf okVpFd in kPt sxkalz. hI woz glMmi n Absant-mFndad. a
dIp farO rAn akros hiz fPhed, n stAndiN bF a windO hI stXd
Ovx hiz spektakalz sIiN nO wan.
<p>
on hx wE t sapx /nytySa pAst him.
<p>
/piX'z glMmi, anhApi lUk strak hx. SI stopt in frant v him.
SI wiSt t help him, t bistO on him H sMpxabandans v hx On
hApinas.
<p>
“hQ dilFtfal it iz, /kQnt!” sed SI. “izant it?”
<p>
/piX smFld Absant-mFndadli, evidentli not grAspiN wot SI sed.
<p>
“jes, F Am veri glAd,” hI sed.
<p>
“hQ kAn pIpal bI dissAtisfFd wiH eniTiN?” TYt /nytySa.
“ispeSali sac a kApital felO Az /bezMâOf!” in /nytySa'z
Fz Yl H pIpal At H bYl alFk wx gUd, kFnd, n splendid
pIpal, laviN wan anaHx; nan v Hem kEpabal v inJxiN
anaHx—n sO HE Yt Yl t bI hApi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
/neät dE /prins /AndrM TYt v H bYl, bat hiz mFnd did not dwel
on it loN. “jes, it woz a veri brilWnt bYl,” n Hen... “jes,
HAt lital /rOstOva iz veri cRmiN. HX'z samTiN freS,
xiJinal, an-/pItxzbxg-lFk abQt hx HAt distiNgwiSaz hx.” HAt
woz Yl hI TYt abQt jestxdE'z bYl, n Aftx hiz mPniN tI
hI set t wxk.
<p>
bat FHx from fatIg P wont v slIp hI woz il-dispOzd f wxk
n kUd get naTiN dan. hI kept kritisFziN hiz On wxk, Az hI
oftan did, n woz glAd wen hI hxd samwan kamiN.
<p>
H vizitx woz /bitski, hM sxvd on vXWs kamitiz, frIkwantad
Yl H sasFatiz in /pItxzbxg, n woz a pASanat divOtI v H nM
FdWz n v /sperynski, n a diliJant /pItxzbxg nMzmoNgx—wan v
HOz men hM cMz HX apinjanz lFk HX klOHz akPdiN t
H fASan, bat hM f HAt veri rIzan apC t bI H wPmast
pRtizAnz. hRdli hAd hI got rid v hiz hAt bifP hI rAn intM /prins
/AndrM'z rMm wiH a prIokVpFd X n At wans bigAn tYkiN. hI
hAd Jast hxd pxtikVlxz v HAt mPniN'z sitiN v H /kQnsal
v /stEt Opand bF H /empxx, n hI spOk v it inTVziAstikli. H
/empxx'z spIc hAd bin iätrPdinXi. it hAd bin a spIc sac Az
Onli konstitMSanal monRä dilivx. “H /sovran plEnli sed
HAt H /kQnsal n /senat R istEts v H relm, hI sed HAt H
gavxnmant mast rest not on YToriti bat on sikjUx bEsaz. H /empxx
sed HAt H fiskal sistam mast bI rIPganFzd n H akQnts
pabliSt,” rikQntad /bitski, emfasFziN sxtan wxdz n OpaniN
hiz Fz signifikantli.
<p>
“y, jes! tadE'z ivents mRk an epak, H grEtast epak in Qx
histxi,” hI kanklMdad.
<p>
prins /AndrM lisand t H akQnt v H OpaniN v H /kQnsal v
/stEt, wic hI hAd sO impESantli awEtad n t wic hI hAd atAct
sac impPtans, n woz sxprFzd HAt His ivent, nQ HAt it hAd
tEkan plEs, did not afekt him, n Ivan sImd kwFt insignifikant. hI
lisand wiH kwFat Frani t /bitski'z inTVziAstik akQnt v it. a
veri simpal TYt akxd t him: “wot daz it mAtx t mI P t
/bitski wot H /empxx woz plIzd t sE At H /kQnsal? kAn Yl HAt
mEk mI eni hApC P betx?”
<p>
n His simpal riflekSan sadanli distrqd Yl H intxast /prins
/AndrM hAd felt in H impendiN rifPmz. hI woz gOiN t dFn HAt
IvniN At /sperynski'z, “wiH Onli a fV frendz,” Az H hOst
hAd sed wen invFtiN him. H prospekt v HAt dinx in H intimat
hOm sxkal v H mAn hI sO admFxd hAd grEtli intxastad /prins
/AndrM, ispeSali Az hI hAd not jet sIn /sperynski in hiz damestik
sxQndiNz, bat nQ hI felt disinklFnd t gO t it.
<p>
At H apqntad Qx, hQevx, hI entxd H modast hQs /sperynski
Ond in H /tPIda /gRdanz. in H pRkEd dFniN rMm v His smYl
hQs, rimRkabal f its iätrIm klenlinas (saJestiN HAt v a
monasteri), /prins /AndrM, hM woz rAHx lEt, fQnd H frendli
gAHxiN v /sperynski'z intimat akwEntansaz Ylredi asembald
At fFv O'klok. HX wx nO lEdiz prezant iäept /sperynski'z
lital dYtx (loN-fEst lFk hx fyHx) n hx gavxnas. H
aHx gests wx /JxvEz, /mygnitski, n /stOlipin. wFl stil in
H AntirMm /prins /AndrM hxd lQd vqsaz n a riNiN stakytO
lAf—a lAf sac Az wan hCz on H stEJ. samwan—it sQndad
lFk /sperynski—woz distiNktli iJAkVlEtiN hy-hy-hy. prins /AndrM
hAd nevx bifP hxd /sperynski'z fEmas lAf, n His riNiN,
hF-pict lAftx from a stEtsman mEd a strEnJ impreSan on him.
<p>
hI entxd H dFniN rMm. H hOl kampani wx stAndiN bitwIn tM
windOz At a smYl tEbal lEd wiH P-d'xvraz. /sperynski, wXiN
a grE swolO-tEl kOt wiH a stR on H brest, n evidentli stil
H sEm wEstkOt n hF wFt stok hI hAd wPn At H mItiN v
H /kQnsal v /stEt, stUd At H tEbal wiH a bImiN kQntanans. hiz
gests sxQndad him. /mygnitski, adresiN himself t /sperynski,
woz rilEtiN an AnikdOt, n /sperynski woz lAfiN in advAns At
wot /mygnitski woz gOiN t sE. wen /prins /AndrM entxd H rMm
/mygnitski'z wxdz wx agen krQnd bF lAftx. stOlipin gEv
a dIp bEs gafY Az hI manct a pIs v bred n cIz. /JxvEz
lAft softli wiH a hisiN cakal, n /sperynski in a hF-pict
stakytO mAnx.
<p>
stil lAfiN, /sperynski held Qt hiz soft wFt hAnd t /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
“veri plIzd t sI V, /prins,” hI sed. “wan mOment...” hI
went on, txniN t /mygnitski n intxaptiN hiz stPi. “wI hAv
agrId HAt His iz a dinx f rekriESan, wiH not a wxd abQt
biznas!” n txniN agen t H nArEtx hI bigAn t lAf afreS.
<p>
prins /AndrM lUkt At H lAfiN /sperynski wiH astoniSmant,
rigret, n disilMZanmant. it sImd t him HAt His woz not
/sperynski bat samwan els. evriTiN HAt hAd fPmxli apCd
mistCWs n fAsinEtiN in /sperynski sadanli bikEm plEn n
anatrAktiv.
<p>
At dinx H konvxsESan did not sIs f a mOment n sImd t
kansist v H kontents v a bUk v fani AnikdOts. bifP /mygnitski
hAd finiSt hiz stPi samwan els woz ANkSas t rilEt samTiN
stil fanC. mOst v H AnikdOts, if not rilEtiN t H stEt
sxvis, rilEtad t pIpal in H sxvis. it sImd HAt in His
kampani H insignifikans v HOz pIpal woz sO definitli aäeptad
HAt H Onli posabal AtitMd tPd Hem woz wan v gUd hVmxd
ridikVl. /sperynski rilEtad hQ At H /kQnsal HAt mPniN a def
dignitXi, wen Askt hiz apinjan, riplFd HAt hI TYt sO tM.
/JxvEz gEv a loN akQnt v an afiSal riviZan, rimRkabal f H
stMpiditi v evribodi kansxnd. stOlipin, statxiN, brOk intM
H konvxsESan n bigAn iäFtadli tYkiN v H abVsaz HAt iãistad
andx H fPmx Pdx v TiNz—TretaniN t giv a sCWs txn
t H konvxsESan. /mygnitski stRtiN kwiziN /stOlipin abQt hiz
vWmans. /JxvEz intxvInd wiH a JOk, n H tYk rivxtad t its
fPmx lFvli tOn.
<p>
evidentli /sperynski lFkt t rest Aftx hiz lEbxz n fFnd amVzmant
in a sxkal v frendz, n hiz gests, andxstAndiN hiz wiS, trFd
t inlFvan him n amVz Hemselvz. bat HX gEiti sImd t /prins
/AndrM mxTlas n tFxsam. /sperynski'z hF-pict vqs strak
him anplezantli, n H insesant lAftx grEtad on him lFk a fYls
nOt. prins /AndrM did not lAf n fCd HAt hI wUd bI a dAmpx
on H spirits v H kampani, bat nO wan tUk eni nOtis v hiz bIiN
Qt v hRmani wiH H Jenxal mMd. HE Yl sImd veri gE.
<p>
hI trFd sevxal tFmz t Jqn in H konvxsESan, bat hiz rimRä wx
tost asFd Ic tFm lFk a kPk TrOn Qt v H wYtx, n hI kUd
not Jest wiH Hem.
<p>
HX woz naTiN roN P ansImli in wot HE sed, it woz witi n
mFt hAv bin fani, bat it lAkt Jast HAt samTiN wic iz H
sYlt v mxT, n HE wx not Ivan awX HAt sac a TiN iãistad.
<p>
Aftx dinx /sperynski'z dYtx n hx gavxnas rOz. hI pAtad
H lital gxl wiH hiz wFt hAnd n kist hx. n HAt Jescx,
tM, sImd annAcxal t /prins /AndrM.
<p>
H men rimEnd At tEbal Ovx HX pPt—/iNgliS fASan. in H
midst v a konvxsESan HAt woz stRtad abQt /napOlWn'z /spAniS
afXz, wic HE Yl agrId in aprMviN, /prins /AndrM bigAn t
iäpres a kontrXi apinjan. /sperynski smFld n, wiH an evidant wiS
t privent H konvxsESan from tEkiN an anplezant kPs, tOld a
stPi HAt hAd nO kanekSan wiH H prIvWs konvxsESan. f a fV
mOments Yl wx sFlant.
<p>
hAviN sAt sam tFm At tEbal, /sperynski kPkt a botal v wFn n,
rimRkiN, “nQadEz gUd wFn rFdz in a kAriJ n pX,” pAst
it t H sxvant n got ap. Yl rOz n kantinViN t tYk lQdli
went intM H drYiN rMm. tM letxz brYt bF a kUrC wx hAndad
t /sperynski n hI tUk Hem t hiz stadi. Az sMn Az hI hAd left
H rMm H Jenxal merimant stopt n H gests bigAn t kanvxs
sensabli n kwFatli wiH wan anaHx.
<p>
“nQ f H resitESan!” sed /sperynski on ritxniN from
hiz stadi. “a wandxfal tAlant!” hI sed t /prins /AndrM, n
/mygnitski imIdWtli asMmd a pOz n bigAn risFtiN sam hVmxas
vxsaz in /frenc wic hI hAd kampOzd abQt vXWs wel-nOn
/pItxzbxg pIpal. hI woz intxaptad sevxal tFmz bF aplYz. wen
H vxsaz wx finiSt /prins /AndrM went ap t /sperynski n tUk
hiz lIv.
<p>
“wX R V of t sO xli?” Askt /sperynski.
<p>
“F promist t gO t a risepSan.”
<p>
HE sed nO mP. prins /AndrM lUkt klOsli intM HOz mirxlFk,
impenitrabal Fz, n felt HAt it hAd bin ridikVlas v him t hAv
iäpektad eniTiN from /sperynski n from eni v hiz On Aktivitiz
kanektad wiH him, P evx t hAv atribVtad impPtans t wot
/sperynski woz dMiN. HAt prisFs, mxTlas lAftx rAN in /prins
/AndrM'z Cz loN Aftx hI hAd left H hQs.
<p>
wen hI rIct hOm /prins /AndrM bigAn TiNkiN v hiz lFf in
/pItxzbxg dxiN HOz lAst fP manTs Az if it wx samTiN nM. hI
rikYld hiz iãxSanz n salisitESanz, n H histxi v hiz proJekt
v Rmi rifPm, wic hAd bin aäeptad f kansidxESan n wic HE
wx trFiN t pAs Ovx in sFlans simpli bikoz anaHx, a veri pUx
wan, hAd Ylredi bin pripXd n sabmitad t H /empxx. hI TYt
v H mItiNz v a kamiti v wic /bxg woz a membx. hI rimembxd
hQ kXfali n At wot leNT evriTiN rilEtiN t fPm n
prOsIJx woz diskast At HOz mItiNz, n hQ sedVlasli n
promptli Yl HAt rilEtad t H Jist v H biznas woz ivEdad. hI
rikYld hiz lEbxz on H /lIgal /kOd, n hQ pEnztEkiNli hI hAd
trAnzlEtad H Rtikalz v H /rOman n /frenc kOdz intM /raSan,
n hI felt aSEmd v himself. Hen hI vividli pikcxd t himself
/bOgMcROvO, hiz okVpESanz in H kantri, hiz Jxni t /rjyzyn;
hI rimembxd H pezants n /dron H viliJ eldx, n mentali
aplFiN t Hem H /pxsanal /rFts hI hAd divFdad intM pAragrAfs, hI
felt astoniSt HAt hI kUd hAv spent sO mac tFm on sac Vslas
wxk.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
/neät dE /prins /AndrM kYld At a fV hQzaz hI hAd not vizitad bifP,
n amaN Hem At H /rOstOfs' wiH hMm hI hAd rinMd akwEntans
At H bYl. apRt from kansidxESanz v palFtnas wic dimAndad H
kYl, hI wontad t sI HAt xiJinal, Igx gxl hM hAd left sac a
plezant impreSan on hiz mFnd, in hx On hOm.
<p>
/nytySa woz wan v H fxst t mIt him. SI woz wXiN a dRk-blM
hQs dres in wic /prins /AndrM TYt hx Ivan pritC HAn in
hx bYl dres. SI n Yl H /rOstOf fAmli welkamd him Az an Old
frend, simpli n kPJali. H hOl fAmli, hMm hI hAd fPmxli
JaJd sivCli, nQ sImd t him t kansist v eäalant, simpal,
n kFndli pIpal. H Old kQnt's hospitAliti n gUd nEcx, wic
strak wan ispeSali in /pItxzbxg Az a plezant sxprFz, wx sac
HAt /prins /AndrM kUd not rifVz t stE t dinx. “jes,”
hI TYt, “HE R kApital pIpal, hM v kPs hAv not H
slFtast FdW wot a treZx HE pazes in /nytySa; bat HE R
kFndli fOk n fPm H best posabal setiN f His strFkiNli
pOetik, cRmiN gxl, OvxflOiN wiH lFf!”
<p>
in /nytySa /prins /AndrM woz konSas v a strEnJ wxld kamplItli
ElWn t him n brimfUl v Jqz annOn t him, a difxant wxld,
HAt in H /Otrydnqe AvanM n At H windO HAt mMnlFt nFt
hAd Ylredi bigan t diskansxt him. nQ His wxld diskansxtad him nO
loNgx n woz nO loNgx ElWn t him, bat hI himself hAviN entxd it
fQnd in it a nM inJqmant.
<p>
Aftx dinx /nytySa, At /prins /AndrM'z rikwest, went t H
klAvikPd n bigAn siNiN. prins /AndrM stUd bF a windO tYkiN
t H lEdiz n lisand t hx. in H midst v a frEz hI sIst
spIkiN n sadanli felt tCz cOkiN him, a TiN hI hAd TYt
imposabal f him. hI lUkt At /nytySa Az SI sAN, n samTiN nM
n Jqfal stxd in hiz sOl. hI felt hApi n At H sEm tFm sAd.
hI hAd AbsalMtli naTiN t wIp abQt jet hI woz redi t wIp. wot
abQt? hiz fPmx lav? H lital prinsas? hiz disilMZanmants?...
hiz hOps f H fVcx?... jes n nO. H cIf rIzan woz a sadan,
vivid sens v H teribal kontrAst bitwIn samTiN infinitli grEt
n ilimitabal wiHin him n HAt limitad n matCWl samTiN HAt
hI, n Ivan SI, woz. His kontrAst wEd on n jet cCd him
wFl SI sAN.
<p>
Az sMn Az /nytySa hAd finiSt SI went ap t him n Askt hQ hI
lFkt hx vqs. SI Askt His n Hen bikEm kanfVzd, fIliN HAt
SI Yt not t hAv Askt it. hI smFld, lUkiN At hx, n sed hI
lFkt hx siNiN Az hI lFkt evriTiN SI did.
<p>
prins /AndrM left H /rOstOfs' lEt in H IvniN. hI went t bed
from hAbit, bat sMn rWlFzd HAt hI kUd not slIp. hAviN lit hiz
kAndal hI sAt ap in bed, Hen got ap, Hen lE dQn agen not At Yl
trabald bF hiz slIplasnas: hiz sOl woz Az freS n Jqfal Az if hI
hAd stept Qt v a stafi rMm intM /god'z On freS X. it did not
entx hiz hed HAt hI woz in lav wiH /nytySa; hI woz not TiNkiN
abQt hx, bat Onli pikcxiN hx t himself, n in konsikwans Yl
lFf apCd in a nM lFt. “wF dM F strFv, wF dM F tql in His
nArO, kanfFnd frEm, wen lFf, Yl lFf wiH Yl its Jqz, iz Opan
t mI?” sed hI t himself. n f H fxst tFm f a veri loN
wFl hI bigAn mEkiN hApi plAnz f H fVcx. hI disFdad HAt hI
mast atend t hiz san'z eJakESan bF fFndiN a tMtx n pUtiN
H bq in hiz cRJ, Hen hI Yt t ritFx from H sxvis n gO
abrYd, n sI /iNgland, /switsxland n /itali. “F mast Vz mF frIdam
wFl F fIl sO mac streNT n VT in mI,” hI sed t himself.
“/piX woz rFt wen hI sed wan mast bilIv in H posabiliti v
hApinas in Pdx t bI hApi, n nQ F dM bilIv in it. let H ded
beri HX ded, bat wFl wan hAz lFf wan mast liv n bI hApi!”
TYt hI.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
/wan mPniN /kxnal /bxg, hMm /piX nM Az hI nM evribodi in
/moskQ n /pItxzbxg, kEm t sI him. bxg xFvd in an imAkVlat
brAnd-nM VnifPm, wiH hiz hX pamydad n braSt fPwxd Ovx hiz
tempalz Az H /empxx /AliãAndx wP hiz hX.
<p>
“F hAv Jast bin t sI H kQntas, jP wFf. anfPcanatli SI
kUd not grAnt mF rikwest, bat F hOp, /kQnt, F SAl bI mP fPcanat
wiH V,” hI sed wiH a smFl.
<p>
“wot iz it V wiS, /kxnal? F Am At jP sxvis.”
<p>
“F hAv nQ kwFt setald in mF nM rMmz, /kQnt” (bxg sed
His wiH pxfikt kanvikSan HAt His infxmESan kUd not bat bI
agrIabal), “n sO F wiS t xEnJ Jast a smYl pRti f mF On
n mF wFf's frendz.” (hI smFld stil mP plezantli.) “F
wiSt t Ask H kQntas n V t dM mI H onx v kamiN t tI
n t sapx.”
<p>
Onli /kQntas /helIn, kansidxiN H sasFati v sac pIpal Az H
/bxã binIT hx, kUd bI krMal inaf t rifVz sac an invitESan.
bxg iäplEnd sO klCli wF hI wontad t kalekt At hiz hQs a smYl
bat silekt kampani, n wF His wUd giv him pleZx, n wF HO
hI graJd spendiN mani on kRdz P eniTiN hRmfal, hI woz pripXd
t ran intM sam iäpens f H sEk v gUd sasFati—HAt /piX
kUd not rifVz, n promist t kam.
<p>
“bat dOnt bI lEt, /kQnt, if F mE vencx t Ask; abQt ten
minits t Et, plIz. wI SAl mEk ap a rabx. Qx Jenxal iz
kamiN. hI iz veri gUd t mI. wI SAl hAv sapx, /kQnt. sO V wil
dM mI H fEvx.”
<p>
kontrXi t hiz hAbit v bIiN lEt, /piX on HAt dE xFvd At H
/bxã' hQs, not At ten bat At fiftIn minits t Et.
<p>
hAviN pripXd evriTiN nesisXi f H pRti, H /bxã wx redi
f HX gests' xFval.
<p>
in HX nM, klIn, n lFt stadi wiH its smYl basts n pikcxz
n nM fxnicx sAt /bxg n hiz wFf. bxg, klOsli batand ap in
hiz nM VnifPm, sAt bisFd hiz wFf iäplEniN t hx HAt wan YlwEz
kUd n SUd bI akwEntad wiH pIpal abav wan, bikoz Onli Hen
daz wan get sAtisfAkSan from akwEntansaz.
<p>
“V kAn get t nO samTiN, V kAn Ask f samTiN. sI hQ F
mAniJd from mF fxst pramOSan.” (bxg meZxd hiz lFf not bF jCz
bat bF pramOSanz.) “mF komrAdz R stil nObodiz, wFl F Am Onli
wEtiN f a vEkansi t kamAnd a reJimant, n hAv H hApinas t
bI jP hazband.” (hI rOz n kist /vCa'z hAnd, n on H wE
t hx strEtand Qt a txnd-ap kPnx v H kRpat.) “n
hQ hAv F abtEnd Yl His? cIfli bF nOiN hQ t cMz mF
EkwEntansaz. it gOz wiHQt sEiN HAt wan mast bI konSienSas n
miTodikal.”
<p>
bxg smFld wiH a sens v hiz sMpCiPiti Ovx a wIk wUman, n
pYzd, riflektiN HAt His dC wFf v hiz woz Aftx Yl bat a wIk
wUman hM kUd not andxstAnd Yl HAt konstitMts a mAn'z digniti,
wot it woz Fn /mAn tsM /sFn. * /vCa At H sEm tFm smFliN wiH a
sens v sMpCiPiti Ovx hx gUd, konSienSas hazband, hM Yl H
sEm andxstUd lFf roNli, Az akPdiN t /vCa Yl men did. bxg,
JaJiN bF hiz wFf, TYt Yl wimin wIk n fMliS. /vCa, JaJiN
Onli bF hx hazband n JenxalFziN from HAt obzxvESan, sapOzd
HAt Yl men, HO HE andxstAnd naTiN n R kansItad n
selfiS, askrFb koman sens t Hemselvz alOn.
<p>
    * t bI a mAn.
<p>
bxg rOz n imbrEst hiz wFf kXfali, sO Az not t kraS hx lEs
fISM f wic hI hAd pEd a gUd prFs, kisiN hx strEt on H
lips.
<p>
“H Onli TiN iz, wI masant hAv cildran tM sMn,” hI
kantinVd, folOiN an ankonSas sIkwans v FdWz.
<p>
“jes,” Ansxd /vCa, “F dOnt At Yl wont HAt. wI mast liv
f sasFati.”
<p>
“prinsas /VsMpOva wP wan iãAktli lFk His,” sed /bxg, pqntiN
t H fISM wiH a hApi n kFndli smFl.
<p>
Jast Hen /kQnt /bezMâOf woz anQnst. hazband n wFf glAnst At wan
anaHx, bOT smFliN wiH self-sAtisfAkSan, n Ic mentali klEmiN
H onx v His vizit.
<p>
“His iz wot kamz v nOiN hQ t mEk akwEntansaz,” TYt
/bxg. “His iz wot kamz v nOiN hQ t kandakt wanself.”
<p>
“bat plIz dOnt intxapt mI wen F Am entxtEniN H gests,”
sed /vCa, “bikoz F nO wot intxasts Ic v Hem n wot t
sE t difxant pIpal.”
<p>
bxg smFld agen.
<p>
“it kAnt bI helpt: men mast samtFmz hAv mAskVlin
konvxsESan,” sed hI.
<p>
HE risIvd /piX in HX smYl, nM drYiN rMm, wX it woz
imposabal t sit dQn eniwX wiHQt distxbiN its simitri,
nItnas, n Pdx; sO it woz kwFt komprihensabal n not strEnJ HAt
/bxg, hAviN Jenxasli ofxd t distxb H simitri v an RmcX
P v H sOfa f hiz dC gest, bat bIiN apArantli pEnfali
andisFdad on H mAtx himself, ivencMali left H vizitx t setal
H kwescan v silekSan. /piX distxbd H simitri bF mMviN a
cX f himself, n /bxg n /vCa imIdWtli bigAn HX IvniN
pRti, intxaptiN Ic aHx in HX efxts t entxtEn HX
gest.
<p>
/vCa, hAviN disFdad in hx On mFnd HAt /piX Yt t bI
entxtEnd wiH konvxsESan abQt H /frenc embasi, At wans bigAn
akPdiNli. bxg, hAviN disFdad HAt mAskVlin konvxsESan woz
rikwFxd, intxaptad hiz wFf's rimRä n tact on H kwescan
v H wP wiH /ostrW, n ankonSasli Jampt from H Jenxal
sabJekt t pxsanal kansidxESanz Az t H prapOzalz mEd him t tEk
pRt in H /ostrWn kAmpEn n H rIzanz wF hI hAd diklFnd Hem.
HO H konvxsESan woz veri inkOhCant n /vCa woz ANgri At H
intrMZan v H mAskVlin elimant, bOT hazband n wFf felt wiH
sAtisfAkSan HAt, Ivan if Onli wan gest woz prezant, HX IvniN hAd
bigan veri wel n woz Az lFk Az tM pIz t evri aHx IvniN pRti
wiH its tYk, tI, n lFtad kAndalz.
<p>
bifP loN /bPis, /bxg'z Old komrAd, xFvd. HX woz a SEd v
kondisenSan n pEtraniJ in hiz trItmant v /bxg n /vCa. Aftx
/bPis kEm a lEdi wiH H kxnal, Hen H Jenxal himself, Hen H
/rOstOfs, n H pRti bikEm ankwescanabli iãAktli lFk Yl aHx
IvniN pRtiz. bxg n /vCa kUd not ripres HX smFlz v
sAtisfAkSan At H sFt v Yl His mMvmant in HX drYiN rMm,
At H sQnd v H diskanektad tYk, H rasaliN v dresaz, n H
bQiN n skrEpiN. evriTiN woz Jast Az evribodi YlwEz hAz it,
ispeSali sO H Jenxal, hM admFxd H apRtmant, pAtad /bxg on H
SOldx, n wiH pxental YToriti sMpxintendad H setiN Qt v
H tEbal f /bostan. H Jenxal sAt dQn bF /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf, hM
woz neät t himself H mOst impPtant gest. H Old pIpal sAt wiH
H Old, H jaN wiH H jaN, n H hOstas At H tI tEbal, on
wic stUd iãAktli H sEm kFnd v kEä in a silvx kEk bAskat Az
H /pyninz hAd At HX pRti. evriTiN woz Jast Az it woz evriwX
els.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXI
<p>
/piX, Az wan v H prinsipal gests, hAd t sit dQn t /bostan
wiH /kQnt /rOstOf, H Jenxal, n H kxnal. At H kRd tEbal hI
hApand t bI direktli fEsiN /nytySa, n woz strak bF a kjUxWs
cEnJ HAt hAd kam Ovx hx sins H bYl. SI woz sFlant, n not
Onli les priti HAn At H bYl, bat Onli ridImd from plEnnas bF
hx lUk v Jental indifxans t evriTiN xQnd.
<p>
“wot's H mAtx wiH hx?” TYt /piX, glAnsiN At hx.
SI woz sitiN bF hx sistx At H tI tEbal, n rilaktantli, wiHQt
lUkiN At him, mEd sam riplF t /bPis hM sAt dQn bisFd hx. Aftx
plEiN Qt a hOl sMt n t hiz pRtnx'z dilFt tEkiN fFv
triä, /piX, hCiN grItiNz n H steps v samwan hM hAd
entxd H rMm wFl hI woz pikiN ap hiz triä, glAnst agen At
/nytySa.
<p>
“wot hAz hApand t hx?” hI Askt himself wiH stil grEtx
sxprFz.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz stAndiN bifP hx, sEiN samTiN t hx wiH a
lUk v tendx salisitMd. SI, hAviN rEzd hx hed, woz lUkiN ap
At him, flaSt n evidentli trFiN t mAstx hx rApid brIHiN. n
H brFt glO v sam inx fFx HAt hAd bin saprest woz agen
alFt in hx. SI woz kamplItli trAnsfPmd n from a plEn gxl hAd
agen bikam wot SI hAd bin At H bYl.
<p>
prins /AndrM went ap t /piX, n H lAtx nOtist a nM n
VTfal iäpreSan in hiz frend'z fEs.
<p>
/piX cEnJd plEsaz sevxal tFmz dxiN H gEm, sitiN nQ wiH
hiz bAk t /nytySa n nQ fEsiN hx, bat dxiN H hOl v H siä
rabxz hI woct hx n hiz frend.
<p>
“samTiN veri impPtant iz hApaniN bitwIn Hem,” TYt
/piX, n a fIliN HAt woz bOT Jqfal n pEnfal AJitEtad him n
mEd him niglekt H gEm.
<p>
Aftx siä rabxz H Jenxal got ap, sEiN HAt it woz nO Vs plEiN
lFk HAt, n /piX woz rilIst. /nytySa on wan sFd woz tYkiN
wiH /sonja n /bPis, n /vCa wiH a satal smFl woz sEiN
samTiN t /prins /AndrM. /piX went ap t hiz frend n, AskiN
weHx HE wx tYkiN sIkrats, sAt dQn bisFd Hem. /vCa, hAviN
nOtist /prins /AndrM'z atenSanz t /nytySa, disFdad HAt At a
pRti, a rWl IvniN pRti, satal alMZanz t H tendx pASan wx
AbsalMtli nesisXi n, sIziN a mOment wen /prins /AndrM woz alOn,
bigAn a konvxsESan wiH him abQt fIliNz in Jenxal n abQt hx
sistx. wiH sO intalekcMal a gest Az SI kansidxd /prins /AndrM t
bI, SI felt HAt SI hAd t implq hx diplamAtik tAkt.
<p>
wen /piX went ap t Hem hI nOtist HAt /vCa woz bIiN kArid awE
bF hx self-sAtisfFd tYk, bat HAt /prins /AndrM sImd imbArast, a
TiN HAt rXli hApand wiH him.
<p>
“wot dM V TiNk?” /vCa woz sEiN wiH an Rc smFl. “V R
sO disxniN, /prins, n andxstAnd pIpal'z kAraktxz sO wel At
a glAns. wot dM V TiNk v /nAtali? kUd SI bI konstant in hx
atAcmants? kUd SI, lFk aHx wimin” (/vCa ment hxself),
“lav a mAn wans f Yl n rimEn trM t him fxevx? HAt iz wot
F kansidx trM lav. wot dM V TiNk, /prins?”
<p>
“F nO jP sistx tM lital,” riplFd /prins /AndrM, wiH a
sRkAstik smFl andx wic hI wiSt t hFd hiz imbArasmant, “t
bI Ebal t solv sO delikat a kwescan, n Hen F hAv nOtist HAt
H les atrAktiv a wUman iz H mP konstant SI iz lFkli t bI,”
hI Adad, n lUkt ap At /piX hM woz Jast aprOciN Hem.
<p>
“jes, HAt iz trM, /prins. in Qx dEz,” kantinVd
/vCa—menSaniN “Qx dEz” Az pIpal v limitad inteliJans R
fond v dMiN, imAJiniN HAt HE hAv diskavxd n aprEzd H
pikVliAritiz v “Qx dEz” n HAt hVman kAraktxistiä cEnJ
wiH H tFmz—“in Qx dEz a gxl hAz sO mac frIdam HAt H
pleZx v bIiN kPtad oftan stFfalz rWl fIliN in hx. n it mast
bI kanfest HAt /nAtali iz veri saseptabal.” His ritxn t
H sabJekt v /nAtali kYzd /prins /AndrM t nit hiz brQz wiH
diskamfxt: hI woz abQt t rFz, bat /vCa kantinVd wiH a stil mP
satal smFl:
<p>
“F TiNk nO wan hAz bin mP kPtad HAn SI,” SI went on, “bat
til kwFt lEtli SI nevx kXd sCWsli f eniwan. nQ V nO,
/kQnt,” SI sed t /piX, “Ivan Qx dC kazan /bPis, hM,
bitwIn Qxselvz, woz veri fR gon in H lAnd v tendxnas...”
(alMdiN t a mAp v lav mac in vOg At HAt tFm).
<p>
prins /AndrM frQnd n rimEnd sFlant.
<p>
“V R frendli wiH /bPis, Rnt V?” Askt /vCa.
<p>
“jes, F nO him....”
<p>
“F iäpekt hI hAz tOld V v hiz cFldiS lav f /nytySa?”
<p>
“O, HX woz cFldiS lav?” sadanli Askt /prins /AndrM,
blaSiN aniäpektadli.
<p>
“jes, V nO bitwIn kazanz intimasi oftan lIdz t lav. lU
kazaniJ est an dangereux /vOFziniJ. * dOnt V TiNk sO?”
<p>
    * “kazanhUd iz a dEnJxas nEbxhUd.”
<p>
<p>
“O, andQtadli!” sed /prins /AndrM, n wiH sadan n annAcxal
lFvlinas hI bigAn cAfiN /piX abQt H nId t bI veri kXfal
wiH hiz fifti-jC-Old /moskQ kazanz, n in H midst v HIz
JestiN rimRä hI rOz, tEkiN /piX bF H Rm, n drM him asFd.
<p>
“wel?” Askt /piX, sIiN hiz frend'z strEnJ AnimESan wiH
sxprFz, n nOtisiN H glAns hI txnd on /nytySa Az hI rOz.
<p>
“F mast... F mast hAv a tYk wiH V,” sed /prins /AndrM. “V
nO HAt pX v wimin'z glavz?” (hI rifxd t H /masonik
glavz givan t a nMli iniSiEtad /braHx t prizent t H wUman hI
lavd.) “F... bat nO, F wil tYk t V lEtx on,” n wiH a
strEnJ lFt in hiz Fz n restlasnas in hiz mMvmants, /prins
/AndrM aprOct /nytySa n sAt dQn bisFd hx. /piX sY hQ
/prins /AndrM Askt hx samTiN n hQ SI flaSt Az SI riplFd.
<p>
bat At HAt mOment /bxg kEm t /piX n bigAn insistiN HAt hI
SUd tEk pRt in an RgVmant bitwIn H Jenxal n H kxnal on
H afXz in /spEn.
<p>
bxg woz sAtisfFd n hApi. H smFl v pleZx nevx left hiz fEs.
H pRti woz veri saäesfal n kwFt lFk aHx pRtiz hI hAd
sIn. evriTiN woz similx: H lEdiz' satal tYk, H kRdz, H
Jenxal rEziN hiz vqs At H kRd tEbal, n H sAmavR n H tI
kEä; Onli wan TiN woz lAkiN HAt hI hAd YlwEz sIn At H IvniN
pRtiz hI wiSt t imitEt. HE hAd not jet hAd a lQd konvxsESan
amaN H men n a dispVt abQt samTiN impPtant n klevx. nQ
H Jenxal hAd bigan sac a diskaSan n sO /bxg drM /piX t it.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXII
<p>
/neät dE, hAviN bin invFtad bF H kQnt, /prins /AndrM dFnd wiH H
/rOstOfs n spent H rest v H dE HX.
<p>
evriwan in H hQs rWlFzd f hMz sEk /prins /AndrM kEm, n
wiHQt kansIliN it hI trFd t bI wiH /nytySa Yl dE. not Onli in
H sOl v H frFtand jet hApi n inrApcxd /nytySa, bat in H
hOl hQs, HX woz a fIliN v Y At samTiN impPtant HAt woz
bQnd t hApan. H kQntas lUkt wiH sAd n stxnli sCWs Fz
At /prins /AndrM wen hI tYkt t /nytySa n timidli stRtad sam
RtifiSal konvxsESan abQt trFfalz Az sMn Az hI lUkt hx wE.
/sonja woz afrEd t lIv /nytySa n afrEd v bIiN in H wE wen
SI woz wiH Hem. /nytySa grM pEl, in a pAnik v eäpektESan, wen
SI rimEnd alOn wiH him f a mOment. prins /AndrM sxprFzd hx bF
hiz timiditi. SI felt HAt hI wontad t sE samTiN t hx bat kUd
not briN himself t dM sO.
<p>
in H IvniN, wen /prins /AndrM hAd left, H kQntas went ap t
/nytySa n wispxd: “wel, wot?”
<p>
“mymy! f hevan'z sEk dOnt Ask mI eniTiN nQ! wan kAnt
tYk abQt HAt,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
bat Yl H sEm HAt nFt /nytySa, nQ AJitEtad n nQ frFtand,
lE a loN tFm in hx maHx'z bed gEziN strEt bifP hx. SI
tOld hx hQ hI hAd komplimentad hx, hQ hI tOld hx hI woz gOiN
abrYd, Askt hx wX HE wx gOiN t spend H samx, n Hen
hQ hI hAd Askt hx abQt /bPis.
<p>
“bat sac a... sac a... nevx hApand t mI bifP!” SI sed.
“Onli F fIl afrEd in hiz prezans. F Am YlwEz afrEd wen F'm
wiH him. wot daz HAt mIn? daz it mIn HAt it's H rWl TiN?
jes? mymy, R V aslIp?”
<p>
“nO, mF lav; F Am frFtand mFself,” Ansxd hx maHx. “nQ
gO!”
<p>
“Yl H sEm F SAnt slIp. wot silinas, t slIp! mami!
mami! sac a TiN nevx hApand t mI bifP,” SI sed, sxprFzd
n alRmd At H fIliN SI woz awX v in hxself. “n kUd wI
evx hAv TYt!...”
<p>
it sImd t /nytySa HAt Ivan At H tFm SI fxst sY /prins /AndrM
At /Otrydnqe SI hAd fYlan in lav wiH him. it woz Az if SI fCd
His strEnJ, aniäpektad hApinas v mItiN agen H veri mAn SI hAd
Hen cOzan (SI woz fxmli kanvinst SI hAd dan sO) n v fFndiN
him, Az it sImd, not indifxant t hx.
<p>
“n it hAd t hApan HAt hI SUd kam speSali t /pItxzbxg
wFl wI R hC. n it hAd t hApan HAt wI SUd mIt At HAt
bYl. it iz fEt. klCli it iz fEt HAt evriTiN led ap t His!
Ylredi Hen, direktli F sY him F felt samTiN pikVlC.”
<p>
“wot els did hI sE t V? wot R HOz vxsaz? rId Hem...”
sed hx maHx, TYtfali, rifxiN t sam vxsaz /prins /AndrM
hAd ritan in /nytySa'z Albam.
<p>
“mymy, wan nId not bI aSEmd v hiz bIiN a widOx?”
<p>
“dOnt, /nytySa! prE t /god. 'mAriJaz R mEd in
hevan,'” sed hx maHx.
<p>
“dRliN /mami, hQ F lav V! hQ hApi F Am!” krFd /nytySa,
SediN tCz v Jq n iäFtmant n imbrEsiN hx maHx.
<p>
At HAt veri tFm /prins /AndrM woz sitiN wiH /piX n teliN him
v hiz lav f /nytySa n hiz fxm rizolv t mEk hx hiz wFf.
<p>
HAt dE /kQntas /helIn hAd a risepSan At hx hQs. H /frenc
AmbAsadx woz HX, n a forin prins v H blad hM hAd v
lEt bikam a frIkwant vizitx v hxz, n meni brilWnt lEdiz n
Jentalmen. /piX, hM hAd kam dQnstXz, wYkt TrM H rMmz n
strak evriwan bF hiz prIokVpFd, Absant-mFndad, n mxOs X.
<p>
sins H bYl hI hAd felt H aprOc v a fit v nxvas dipreSan
n hAd mEd despxat efxts t kambAt it. sins H intimasi v
hiz wFf wiH H rqal prins, /piX hAd aniäpektadli bin mEd a
Jentalman v H bedcEmbx, n from HAt tFm hI hAd bigan t fIl
aprest n aSEmd in kPt sasFati, n dRk TYts v H vAniti
v Yl TiNz hVman kEm t him oftanx HAn bifP. At H sEm tFm
H fIliN hI hAd nOtist bitwIn hiz prOtiZE /nytySa n /prins
/AndrM aäencMEtad hiz glMm bF H kontrAst bitwIn hiz On paziSan
n hiz frend'z. hI trFd Ikwali t avqd TiNkiN abQt hiz wFf,
n abQt /nytySa n /prins /AndrM; n agen evriTiN sImd t him
insignifikant in kampArisan wiH itxniti; agen H kwescan: f wot?
prizentad itself; n hI fPst himself t wxk dE n nFt At /masonik
lEbxz, hOpiN t drFv awE H Ival spirit HAt Tretand him. tPd
midnFt, Aftx hI hAd left H kQntas' apRtmants, hI woz sitiN
apstXz in a SAbi dresiN gQn, kopiiN Qt H xiJinal trAnzAkSan
v H /skotiS loJ v /frImEsanz At a tEbal in hiz lO rMm klQdi
wiH tabAkO smOk, wen samwan kEm in. it woz /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“y, it's V!” sed /piX wiH a prIokVpFd, dissAtisfFd X.
“n F, V sI, Am hRd At it.” hI pqntad t hiz mAnVskript bUk
wiH HAt X v iskEpiN from H ilz v lFf wiH wic anhApi
pIpal lUk At HX wxk.
<p>
prins /AndrM, wiH a bImiN, iätAtik iäpreSan v rinMd lFf on
hiz fEs, pYzd in frant v /piX n, not nOtisiN hiz sAd lUk,
smFld At him wiH H IgOtizam v Jq.
<p>
“wel, dC hRt,” sed hI, “F wontad t tel V abQt it
jestxdE n F hAv kam t dM sO tadE. F nevx iäpCWnst eniTiN
lFk it bifP. F Am in lav, mF frend!”
<p>
sadanli /piX hIvd a dIp sF n dampt hiz hevi pxsan dQn on
H sOfa bisFd /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“wiH /nytySa /rOstOva, jes?” sed hI.
<p>
“jes, jes! hM els SUd it bI? F SUd nevx hAv bilIvd it,
bat H fIliN iz stroNgx HAn F. jestxdE F tPmentad mFself n
safxd, bat F wUd not iäcEnJ Ivan HAt tPment f eniTiN in
H wxld, F hAv not livd til nQ. At lAst F liv, bat F kAnt
liv wiHQt hx! bat kAn SI lav mI?... F Am tM Old f hx.... wF
dOnt V spIk?”
<p>
“F? F? wot did F tel V?” sed /piX sadanli, rFziN n
biginiN t pEs ap n dQn H rMm. “F YlwEz TYt it.... HAt
gxl iz sac a treZx... SI iz a rX gxl.... mF dC frend,
F intrIt V, dOnt filosafFz, dOnt dQt, mAri, mAri,
mAri.... n F Am SUx HX wil not bI a hApC mAn HAn V.”
<p>
“bat wot v hx?”
<p>
“SI lavz V.”
<p>
“dOnt tYk rabiS...” sed /prins /AndrM, smFliN n lUkiN
intM /piX'z Fz.
<p>
“SI daz, F nO,” /piX krFd fCsli.
<p>
“bat dM lisan,” ritxnd /prins /AndrM, hOldiN him bF H
Rm. “dM V nO H kandiSan F Am in? F mast tYk abQt it t
samwan.”
<p>
“wel, gO on, gO on. F Am veri glAd,” sed /piX, n hiz fEs
rWli cEnJd, hiz brQ bikEm smMH, n hI lisand glAdli t /prins
/AndrM. prins /AndrM sImd, n rWli woz, kwFt a difxant, kwFt
a nM mAn. wX woz hiz splIn, hiz kantempt f lFf, hiz
disilMZanmant? /piX woz H Onli pxsan t hMm hI mEd ap hiz mFnd
t spIk Opanli; n t him hI tOld Yl HAt woz in hiz sOl. nQ hI
bOldli n lFtli mEd plAnz f an iätendad fVcx, sed hI kUd not
sAkrifFs hiz On hApinas t hiz fyHx'z kaprIs, n spOk v hQ
hI wUd FHx mEk hiz fyHx kansent t His mAriJ n lav hx,
P wUd dM wiHQt hiz kansent; Hen hI mRvald At H fIliN HAt
hAd mAstxd him Az At samTiN strEnJ, apRt from n indipendant v
himself.
<p>
“F SUd not hAv bilIvd eniwan hM tOld mI HAt F woz kEpabal v
sac lav,” sed /prins /AndrM. “it iz not At Yl H sEm fIliN
HAt F nM in H pAst. H hOl wxld iz nQ f mI divFdad intM tM
hAvz: wan hAf iz SI, n HX Yl iz Jq, hOp, lFt: H
aHx hAf iz evriTiN wX SI iz not, n HX iz Yl glMm n
dRknas....”
<p>
“dRknas n glMm,” rIitxEtad /piX: “jes, jes, F andxstAnd
HAt.”
<p>
“F kAnot help laviN H lFt, it iz not mF fYlt. n F Am veri
hApi! V andxstAnd mI? F nO V R glAd f mF sEk.”
<p>
“jes, jes,” /piX asentad, lUkiN At hiz frend wiH a tact
n sAd iäpreSan in hiz Fz. H brFtx /prins /AndrM'z lot
apCd t him, H glMmC sImd hiz On.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIII
<p>
/prins /AndrM nIdad hiz fyHx'z kansent t hiz mAriJ, n t
abtEn His hI stRtad f H kantri neät dE.
<p>
hiz fyHx risIvd hiz san'z kamVnikESan wiH eätxnal kampOZx,
bat inwxd rAT. hI kUd not komprihend hQ eniwan kUd wiS t
Yltx hiz lFf P intradMs eniTiN nM intM it, wen hiz On lFf
woz Ylredi endiN. “if Onli HE wUd let mI end mF dEz Az F wont
t,” TYt H Old mAn, “Hen HE mFt dM Az HE plIz.”
wiH hiz san, hQevx, hI implqd H diplOmasi hI rizxvd f
impPtant akEZanz n, adoptiN a kwFat tOn, diskast H hOl
mAtx.
<p>
in H fxst plEs H mAriJ woz not a brilWnt wan Az rigRdz
bxT, welT, P rANk. sekandli, /prins /AndrM woz nO loNgx Az jaN
Az hI hAd bin n hiz helT woz pUx (H Old mAn lEd speSal stres
on His), wFl SI woz veri jaN. Txdli, hI hAd a san hMm it wUd
bI a piti t intrast t a cit v a gxl. “fPTli n fFnali,”
H fyHx sed, lUkiN Fronikli At hiz san, “F beg V t pUt it
of f a jC: gO abrYd, tEk a kjUx, lUk Qt Az V wontad t f
a /Jxman tMtx f /prins /nikalas. Hen if jP lav P pASan P
obstinasi—Az V plIz—iz stil Az grEt, mAri! n HAt's mF
lAst wxd on it. mFnd, H lAst...” kanklMdad H prins, in a tOn
wic SOd HAt naTiN wUd mEk him Yltx hiz disiZan.
<p>
prins /AndrM sY klCli HAt H Old mAn hOpt HAt hiz fIliNz, P
hiz fionsE'z, wUd not stAnd a jC'z test, P HAt hI (H Old
prins himself) wUd dF bifP Hen, n hI disFdad t kanfPm t hiz
fyHx'z wiS—t prapOz, n pOstpOn H wediN f a jC.
<p>
TrI wIä Aftx H lAst IvniN hI hAd spent wiH H /rOstOfs,
/prins /AndrM ritxnd t /pItxzbxg.
<p>
<p>
neät dE Aftx hx tYk wiH hx maHx /nytySa iäpektad /bOlkOnski Yl
dE, bat hI did not kam. on H sekand n Txd dE it woz H sEm.
/piX did not kam FHx n /nytySa, not nOiN HAt /prins /AndrM
hAd gon t sI hiz fyHx, kUd not iäplEn hiz Absans t hxself.
<p>
TrI wIä pAst in His wE. /nytySa hAd nO dizFx t gO Qt
eniwX n wondxd from rMm t rMm lFk a SAdO, Fdal n
listlas; SI wept sIkratli At nFt n did not gO t hx maHx in H
IvniNz. SI blaSt kantinVali n woz iritabal. it sImd t hx
HAt evribodi nM abQt hx disapqntmant n woz lAfiN At hx n
pitiiN hx. stroN Az woz hx inwxd grIf, His wMnd t hx vAniti
intensifFd hx mizxi.
<p>
wans SI kEm t hx maHx, trFd t sE samTiN, n sadanli bigAn
t krF. hx tCz wx HOz v an afendad cFld hM daz not nO wF
it iz bIiN paniSt.
<p>
H kQntas bigAn t sMH /nytySa, hM Aftx fxst lisaniN t hx
maHx'z wxdz, sadanli intxaptad hx:
<p>
“lIv of, /mymy! F dOnt TiNk, n dOnt wont t TiNk abQt
it! hI Jast kEm n Hen left of, left of....”
<p>
hx vqs trembald, n SI agen nCli krFd, bat rikavxd n went
on kwFatli:
<p>
“n F dOnt At Yl wont t get mArid. n F Am afrEd v him; F
hAv nQ bikam kwFt kym, kwFt kym.”
<p>
H dE Aftx His konvxsESan /nytySa pUt on H Old dres wic
SI nM hAd H pikVlC propxti v kandMsiN t cCfalnas in H
mPniNz, n HAt dE SI ritxnd t H Old wE v lFf wic SI hAd
abAndand sins H bYl. hAviN finiSt hx mPniN tI SI went t
H bYlrMm, wic SI pxtikVlxli lFkt f its lQd rezanans, n
bigAn siNiN hx sOlfegiO. wen SI hAd finiSt hx fxst eäxsFz
SI stUd stil in H midal v H rMm n sAN a mVzikal frEz HAt
pxtikVlxli plIzd hx. SI lisand Jqfali (Az HO SI hAd not
iäpektad it) t H cRm v H nOts rivxbxEtiN, filiN H
hOl empti bYlrMm, n slOli dFiN awE; n Yl At wans SI felt
cCfal. “wot's H gUd v mEkiN sO mac v it? TiNz R nFs
Az it iz,” SI sed t hxself, n SI bigAn wYkiN ap n dQn H
rMm, not stepiN simpli on H rizQndiN pRkE bat trediN wiH
Ic step from H hIl t H tO (SI hAd on a nM n fEvxit pX
v SMz) n lisaniN t H regVlx tAp v H hIl n krIk v
H tO Az glAdli Az SI hAd t H sQndz v hx On vqs. pAsiN a
mirx SI glAnst intM it. “HX, HAt's mI!” H iäpreSan v
hx fEs sImd t sE Az SI kYt sFt v hxself. “wel, n veri
nFs tM! F nId nObodi.”
<p>
a fUtman wontad t kam in t klC awE samTiN in H rMm bat SI
wUd not let him, n hAviN klOzd H dP bihFnd him kantinVd hx
wYk. HAt mPniN SI hAd ritxnd t hx fEvxit mMd—lav v,
n dilFt in, hxself. “hQ cRmiN HAt /nytySa iz!” SI sed
agen, spIkiN Az sam Txd, kalektiv, mEl pxsan. “priti,
a gUd vqs, jaN, n in nObodi'z wE if Onli HE lIv hx in
pIs.” bat hQevx mac HE left hx in pIs SI kUd not nQ bI
At pIs, n imIdWtli felt His.
<p>
in H hYl H pPc dP Opand, n samwan Askt, “At hOm?” n
Hen fUtsteps wx hxd. /nytySa woz lUkiN At H mirx, bat did
not sI hxself. SI lisand t H sQndz in H hYl. wen SI sY
hxself, hx fEs woz pEl. it woz hI. SI nM His f sxtan, HO
SI hRdli hxd hiz vqs TrM H klOzd dPz.
<p>
pEl n AJitEtad, /nytySa rAn intM H drYiN rMm.
<p>
“mymy! /bOlkOnski hAz kam!” SI sed. “mymy, it iz Yfal, it iz
anbXabal! F dOnt wont... t bI tPmentad? wot Am F t dM?...”
<p>
bifP H kQntas kUd Ansx, /prins /AndrM entxd H rMm wiH
an AJitEtad n sCWs fEs. Az sMn Az hI sY /nytySa hiz fEs
brFtand. hI kist H kQntas' hAnd n /nytySa'z, n sAt
dQn bisFd H sOfa.
<p>
“it iz loN sins wI hAd H pleZx...” bigAn H kQntas,
bat /prins /AndrM intxaptad hx bF AnsxiN hx intendad kwescan,
obvWsli in hEst t sE wot hI hAd t.
<p>
“F hAv not bin t sI V Yl His tFm bikoz F hAv bin At mF
fyHx'z. F hAd t tYk Ovx a veri impPtant mAtx wiH him. F Onli
got bAk lAst nFt,” hI sed glAnsiN At /nytySa; “F wont t hAv
a tYk wiH V, /kQntas,” hI Adad Aftx a mOment's pYz.
<p>
H kQntas lOxd hx Fz, sFiN dIpli.
<p>
“F Am At jP dispOzal,” SI mxmxd.
<p>
/nytySa nM HAt SI Yt t gO awE, bat woz anEbal t dM sO:
samTiN gript hx TrOt, n rigRdlas v mAnxz SI stXd
strEt At /prins /AndrM wiH wFd-Opan Fz.
<p>
“At wans? His instant!... nO, it kAnt bI!” SI TYt.
<p>
agen hI glAnst At hx, n HAt glAns kanvinst hx HAt SI woz not
mistEkan. jes, At wans, HAt veri instant, hx fEt wUd bI disFdad.
<p>
“gO, /nytySa! F wil kYl V,” sed H kQntas in a wispx.
<p>
/nytySa glAnst wiH frFtand implPiN Fz At /prins /AndrM n At
hx maHx n went Qt.
<p>
“F hAv kam, /kQntas, t Ask f jP dYtx'z hAnd,” sed
/prins /AndrM.
<p>
H kQntas' fEs flaSt hotli, bat SI sed naTiN.
<p>
“jP ofx...” SI bigAn At lAst sidEtli. hI rimEnd sFlant,
lUkiN intM hx Fz. “jP ofx...” (SI grM kanfVzd) “iz
agrIabal t as, n F aäept jP ofx. F Am glAd. n mF hazband... F
hOp... bat it wil dipend on hx....”
<p>
“F wil spIk t hx wen F hAv jP kansent.... dM V giv it t
mI?” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“jes,” riplFd H kQntas. SI held Qt hx hAnd t him, n wiH
a miät fIliN v istrEnJmant n tendxnas prest hx lips t hiz
fPhed Az hI stMpt t kis hx hAnd. SI wiSt t lav him Az a
san, bat felt HAt t hx hI woz a strEnJx n a terifFiN mAn. “F
Am SUx mF hazband wil kansent,” sed H kQntas, “bat jP
fyHx...”
<p>
“mF fyHx, t hMm F hAv tOld mF plAnz, hAz mEd it an iäpres
kandiSan v hiz kansent HAt H wediN iz not t tEk plEs f a
jC. n F wiSt t tel V v HAt,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“it iz trM HAt /nytySa iz stil jaN, bat—sO loN Az HAt?...”
<p>
“it iz anavqdabal,” sed /prins /AndrM wiH a sF.
<p>
“F wil send hx t V,” sed H kQntas, n left H rMm.
<p>
“lPd hAv mxsi apon as!” SI ripItad wFl sIkiN hx dYtx.
<p>
/sonja sed HAt /nytySa woz in hx bedrMm. /nytySa woz sitiN on
H bed, pEl n drF-Fd, n woz gEziN At H Fkonz n wispxiN
samTiN Az SI rApidli krost hxself. sIiN hx maHx SI Jampt
ap n flM t hx.
<p>
“wel, /mymy?... wel?...”
<p>
“gO, gO t him. hI iz AskiN f jP hAnd,” sed H kQntas,
kOldli it sImd t /nytySa. “gO... gO,” sed H maHx, sAdli n
riprOcfali, wiH a dIp sF, Az hx dYtx rAn awE.
<p>
/nytySa nevx rimembxd hQ SI entxd H drYiN rMm. wen SI
kEm in n sY him SI pYzd. “iz it posabal HAt His strEnJx
hAz nQ bikam evriTiN t mI?” SI Askt hxself, n imIdWtli
Ansxd, “jes, evriTiN! hI alOn iz nQ dCx t mI HAn
evriTiN in H wxld.” prins /AndrM kEm ap t hx wiH dQnkAst
Fz.
<p>
“F hAv lavd V from H veri fxst mOment F sY V. mE F hOp?”
<p>
hI lUkt At hx n woz strak bF H sCWs impASand iäpreSan v
hx fEs. hx fEs sed: “wF Ask? wF dQt wot V kAnot bat nO?
wF spIk, wen wxdz kAnot iäpres wot wan fIlz?”
<p>
SI drM nC t him n stopt. hI tUk hx hAnd n kist it.
<p>
“dM V lav mI?”
<p>
“jes, jes!” /nytySa mxmxd Az if in veäESan. Hen SI sFd
lQdli n, kAciN hx breT mP n mP kwikli, bigAn t sob.
<p>
“wot iz it? wot's H mAtx?”
<p>
“O, F Am sO hApi!” SI riplFd, smFld TrM hx tCz, bent
Ovx klOsx t him, pYzd f an instant Az if AskiN hxself weHx
SI mFt, n Hen kist him.
<p>
prins /AndrM held hx hAndz, lUkt intM hx Fz, n did not fFnd
in hiz hRt hiz fPmx lav f hx. samTiN in him hAd sadanli
cEnJd; HX woz nO loNgx H fPmx pOetik n mistik cRm v
dizFx, bat HX woz piti f hx feminin n cFldiS wIknas, fC
At hx divOSan n trastfalnas, n an apresiv jet Jqfal sens v
H dMti HAt nQ bQnd him t hx fxevx. H prezant fIliN, HO
not sO brFt n pOetik Az H fPmx, woz stroNgx n mP sCWs.
<p>
“did jP maHx tel V HAt it kAnot bI f a jC?” Askt
/prins /AndrM, stil lUkiN intM hx Fz.
<p>
“iz it posabal HAt F—H 'cit v a gxl,' Az evribodi kYld
mI,” TYt /nytySa—“iz it posabal HAt F Am nQ t bI H
wFf n H Ikwal v His strEnJ, dC, klevx mAn hMm Ivan mF fyHx
lUä ap t? kAn it bI trM? kAn it bI trM HAt HX kAn bI nO
mP plEiN wiH lFf, HAt nQ F Am grOn ap, HAt on mI nQ lFz
a risponsabiliti f mF evri wxd n dId? jes, bat wot did hI Ask
mI?”
<p>
“nO,” SI riplFd, bat SI hAd not andxstUd hiz kwescan.
<p>
“fxgiv mI!” hI sed. “bat V R sO jaN, n F hAv Ylredi
bin TrM sO mac in lFf. F Am afrEd f V, V dM not jet nO
jPself.”
<p>
/nytySa lisand wiH konsantrEtad atenSan, trFiN bat fEliN t
tEk in H mIniN v hiz wxdz.
<p>
“hRd Az His jC wic dilEz mF hApinas wil bI,” kantinVd
/prins /AndrM, “it wil giv V tFm t bI SUx v jPself. F Ask
V t mEk mI hApi in a jC, bat V R frI: Qx ingEJmant SAl
rimEn a sIkrat, n SUd V fFnd HAt V dM not lav mI, P SUd
V kam t lav...” sed /prins /AndrM wiH an annAcxal smFl.
<p>
“wF dM V sE HAt?” /nytySa intxaptad him. “V nO HAt
from H veri dE V fxst kEm t /Otrydnqe F hAv lavd V,” SI
krFd, kwFt kanvinst HAt SI spOk H trMT.
<p>
“in a jC V wil lxn t nO jPself....”
<p>
“a hOl jC!” /nytySa ripItad sadanli, Onli nQ rWlFziN HAt
H mAriJ woz t bI pOstpOnd f a jC. “bat wF a jC? wF a
jC?...”
<p>
prins /AndrM bigAn t iäplEn t hx H rIzanz f His dilE.
/nytySa did not hC him.
<p>
“n kAnt it bI helpt?” SI Askt. prins /AndrM did not riplF,
bat hiz fEs iäprest H imposabiliti v YltxiN HAt disiZan.
<p>
“it's Yfal! O, it's Yfal! Yfal!” /nytySa sadanli krFd,
n agen bxst intM sobz. “F SAl dF, wEtiN a jC: it's
imposabal, it's Yfal!” SI lUkt intM hx lavx'z fEs n sY
in it a lUk v kamizxESan n pxpleäiti.
<p>
“nO, nO! F'l dM eniTiN!” SI sed, sadanli cekiN hx tCz.
“F Am sO hApi.”
<p>
H fyHx n maHx kEm intM H rMm n gEv H bitrOHd kapal
HX blesiN.
<p>
from HAt dE /prins /AndrM bigAn t frIkwant H /rOstOfs' Az
/nytySa'z afFanst lavx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIV
<p>
nO bitrOHal serimOni tUk plEs n /nytySa'z ingEJmant t
/bOlkOnski woz not anQnst; /prins /AndrM insistad on HAt. hI sed
HAt Az hI woz risponsabal f H dilE hI Yt t bX H hOl
bxdan v it; HAt hI hAd givan hiz wxd n bQnd himself fxevx, bat
HAt hI did not wiS t bFnd /nytySa n gEv hx pxfikt frIdam. if
Aftx siä manTs SI felt HAt SI did not lav him SI wUd hAv fUl
rFt t riJekt him. nAcxali nFHx /nytySa nP hx pXants wiSt
t hC v His, bat /prins /AndrM woz fxm. hI kEm evri dE t H
/rOstOfs', bat did not bihEv t /nytySa Az an afFanst lavx: hI
did not Vz H familC HQ, bat sed V t hx, n kist Onli hx
hAnd. Aftx HX ingEJmant, kwFt difxant, intimat, n nAcxal
rilESanz sprAN ap bitwIn Hem. it woz Az if HE hAd not nOn Ic
aHx til nQ. bOT lFkt t rikYl hQ HE hAd rigRdad Ic aHx
wen Az jet HE wx naTiN t wan anaHx; HE felt Hemselvz
nQ kwFt difxant bIiNz: Hen HE wx RtifiSal, nQ nAcxal n
sinsC. At fxst H fAmli felt sam kanstrEnt in intxkPs wiH
/prins /AndrM; hI sImd a mAn from anaHx wxld, n f a loN tFm
/nytySa trEnd H fAmli t get Vst t him, prQdli aSUxiN Hem
Yl HAt hI Onli apCd t bI difxant, bat woz rWli Jast lFk Yl
v Hem, n HAt SI woz not afrEd v him n nO wan els Yt t bI.
Aftx a fV dEz HE grM akastamd t him, n wiHQt ristrEnt in
hiz prezans pxsMd HX VZMal wE v lFf, in wic hI tUk hiz pRt.
hI kUd tYk abQt rUxal ikonami wiH H kQnt, fASanz wiH H
kQntas n /nytySa, n abQt Albamz n fAnsiwxk wiH /sonja.
samtFmz H hQshOld bOT amaN Hemselvz n in hiz prezans
iäprest HX wandx At hQ it hAd Yl hApand, n At H evidant
Omanz HX hAd bin v it: prins /AndrM'z kamiN t /Otrydnqe n
HX kamiN t /pItxzbxg, n H lFknas bitwIn /nytySa n /prins
/AndrM wic hx nxs hAd nOtist on hiz fxst vizit, n /AndrM'z
inkQntx wiH /nikalas in 1805, n meni aHx insidants bitOkaniN
HAt it hAd t bI.
<p>
in H hQs HAt pOetik dalnas n kwFat rEnd wic YlwEz
akampaniz H prezans v a bitrOHd kapal. oftan wen Yl sitiN
tageHx evriwan kept sFlant. samtFmz H aHxz wUd get ap n
gO awE n H kapal, left alOn, stil rimEnd sFlant. HE rXli
spOk v HX fVcx lFf. prins /AndrM woz afrEd n aSEmd t
spIk v it. /nytySa SXd His Az SI did Yl hiz fIliNz, wic SI
konstantli divFnd. wans SI bigAn kwescaniN him abQt hiz san. prins
/AndrM blaSt, Az hI oftan did nQ—/nytySa pxtikVlxli lFkt it in
him—n sed HAt hiz san wUd not liv wiH Hem.
<p>
“wF not?” Askt /nytySa in a frFtand tOn.
<p>
“F kAnot tEk him awE from hiz grAndfyHx, n bisFdz...”
<p>
“hQ F SUd hAv lavd him!” sed /nytySa, imIdWtli gesiN
hiz TYt; “bat F nO V wiS t avqd eni prIteät f fFndiN
fYlt wiH as.”
<p>
samtFmz H Old kQnt wUd kam ap, kis /prins /AndrM, n Ask
hiz advFs abQt /petja'z eJakESan P /nikalas' sxvis. H
Old kQntas sFd Az SI lUkt At Hem; /sonja woz YlwEz getiN
frFtand lest SI SUd bI in H wE n trFd t fFnd iäkVsaz f
lIviN Hem alOn, Ivan wen HE did not wiS it. wen /prins /AndrM
spOk (hI kUd tel a stPi veri wel), /nytySa lisand t him
wiH prFd; wen SI spOk SI nOtist wiH fC n Jq HAt hI gEzd
atentivli n skrMtinFziNli At hx. SI Askt hxself in pxpleäiti:
“wot daz hI lUk f in mI? hI iz trFiN t diskavx samTiN bF
lUkiN At mI! wot if wot hI sIä in mI iz not HX?” samtFmz
SI fel intM wan v H mAd, meri mMdz kAraktxistik v hx, n
Hen SI pxtikVlxli lavd t hC n sI hQ /prins /AndrM lAft.
hI seldam lAft, bat wen hI did hI abAndand himself intFxli t hiz
lAftx, n Aftx sac a lAf SI YlwEz felt nCx t him. /nytySa
wUd hAv bin kamplItli hApi if H TYt v H sepxESan
awEtiN hx n drYiN nC hAd not terifFd hx, Jast Az H mC
TYt v it mEd him txn pEl n kOld.
<p>
on H Iv v hiz dipRcx from /pItxzbxg /prins /AndrM brYt wiH
him /piX, hM hAd not bin t H /rOstOfs' wans sins H bYl.
/piX sImd diskansxtad n imbArast. hI woz tYkiN t H
kQntas, n /nytySa sAt dQn bisFd a lital ces tEbal wiH /sonja,
HXbF invFtiN /prins /AndrM t kam tM. hI did sO.
<p>
“V hAv nOn /bezMâOf a loN tFm?” hI Askt. “dM V lFk
him?”
<p>
“jes, hI'z a dC, bat veri absxd.”
<p>
n Az VZMal wen spIkiN v /piX, SI bigAn t tel AnikdOts v hiz
Absant-mFndadnas, sam v wic hAd Ivan bin inventad abQt him.
<p>
“dM V nO F hAv intrastad him wiH Qx sIkrat? F hAv nOn him
from cFldhUd. hI hAz a hRt v gOld. F beg V, /nAtali,” prins
/AndrM sed wiH sadan sCWsnas—“F Am gOiN awE n hevan
nOz wot mE hApan. V mE sIs t... Yl rFt, F nO F Am not
t sE HAt. Onli His, Hen: wotevx mE hApan t V wen F Am not
hC...”
<p>
“wot kAn hApan?”
<p>
“wotevx trabal mE kam,” prins /AndrM kantinVd, “F beg
V, /mAdamwazel /sOfi, wotevx mE hApan, t txn t him alOn f
advFs n help! hI iz a mOst Absant-mFndad n absxd felO, bat hI
hAz a hRt v gOld.”
<p>
nFHx hx fyHx, nP hx maHx, nP /sonja, nP /prins /AndrM
himself kUd hAv fPsIn hQ H sepxESan from hx lavx wUd Akt
on /nytySa. flaSt n AJitEtad SI went abQt H hQs Yl HAt dE,
drF-Fd, okVpFd wiH mOst trivWl mAtxz Az if not andxstAndiN
wot awEtad hx. SI did not Ivan krF wen, on tEkiN lIv, hI kist
hx hAnd f H lAst tFm. “dOnt gO!” SI sed in a tOn
HAt mEd him wandx weHx hI rWli Yt not t stE n wic hI
rimembxd loN Aftxwxdz. nP did SI krF wen hI woz gon; bat
f sevxal dEz SI sAt in hx rMm drF-Fd, tEkiN nO intxast in
eniTiN n Onli sEiN nQ n Hen, “O, wF did hI gO awE?”
<p>
bat a fPtnFt Aftx hiz dipRcx, t H sxprFz v HOz xQnd
hx, SI rikavxd from hx mental siknas Jast Az sadanli n bikEm
hx Old self agen, bat wiH a cEnJ in hx mPal fizionami, Az a
cFld gets ap Aftx a loN ilnas wiH a cEnJd iäpreSan v fEs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXV
<p>
/dxiN HAt jC Aftx hiz san'z dipRcx, /prins /nikalas
/bOlkOnski'z helT n tempx bikEm mac wxs. hI grM stil mP
iritabal, n it woz /prinsas /mXi hM Jenxali bP H brant v hiz
frIkwant fits v anpravOkt ANgx. hI sImd kXfali t sIk Qt
hx tendx spots sO Az t tPcx hx mentali Az hRSli Az posabal.
prinsas /mXi hAd tM pASanz n konsikwantli tM Jqz—hx nefV,
lital /nikalas, n riliJan—n HIz wx H fEvxit sabJekts
v H prins'az atAä n ridikVl. wotevx woz spOkan v hI wUd
briN rQnd t H sMpxstiSasnas v Old mEdz, P H petiN
n spqliN v cildran. “V wont t mEk him”—lital
/nikalas—“intM an Old mEd lFk jPself! a piti! prins /AndrM
wonts a san n not an Old mEd,” hI wUd sE. P, txniN t
/mAdamwazel /bMrien, hI wUd Ask hx in /prinsas /mXi'z prezans
hQ SI lFkt Qx viliJ prIsts n Fkonz n wUd JOk abQt Hem.
<p>
hI kantinVali hxt /prinsas /mXi'z fIliNz n tPmentad hx, bat it
kost hx nO efxt t fxgiv him. kUd hI bI t blEm tPd hx, P
kUd hx fyHx, hMm SI nM lavd hx in spFt v it Yl, bI anJast?
n wot iz Jastis? H prinsas nevx TYt v HAt prQd wxd
“Jastis.” Yl H kompleä lYz v mAn sentxd f hx in wan klC
n simpal lY—H lY v lav n self-sAkrifFs tYt as bF /him hM
laviNli safxd f mAnkFnd HO /hI /himself woz /god. wot hAd SI t
dM wiH H Jastis P inJastis v aHx pIpal? SI hAd t indx n
lav, n HAt SI did.
<p>
dxiN H wintx /prins /AndrM hAd kam t /bYld /hilz n hAd bin gE,
Jental, n mP afekSanat HAn /prinsas /mXi hAd nOn him f a
loN tFm pAst. SI felt HAt samTiN hAd hApand t him, bat hI sed
naTiN t hx abQt hiz lav. bifP hI left hI hAd a loN tYk wiH
hiz fyHx abQt samTiN, n /prinsas /mXi nOtist HAt bifP hiz
dipRcx HE wx dissAtisfFd wiH wan anaHx.
<p>
sMn Aftx /prins /AndrM hAd gon, /prinsas /mXi rOt t hx frend
/JMli /kRygIna in /pItxzbxg, hMm SI hAd drImd (Az Yl gxlz drIm)
v mAriiN t hx braHx, n hM woz At HAt tFm in mPniN f hx
On braHx, kild in /txki.
<p>
sorO, it sImz, iz Qx koman lot, mF dC, tendx frend /JMli.
<p>
jP los iz sO teribal HAt F kAn Onli iäplEn it t mFself Az a
speSal providans v /god hM, laviN V, wiSaz t trF V n jP
eäalant maHx. O, mF frend! riliJan, n riliJan alOn, kAn—F
wil not sE kamfxt as—bat sEv as from dispX. riliJan alOn kAn
iäplEn t as wot wiHQt its help mAn kAnot komprihend: wF, f wot
kYz, kFnd n nObal bIiNz Ebal t fFnd hApinas in lFf—not mCli
hRmiN nO wan bat nesisXi t H hApinas v aHxz—R kYld
awE t /god, wFl krMal, Vslas, hRmfal pxsanz, P sac Az R a
bxdan t Hemselvz n t aHxz, R left liviN. H fxst deT F
sY, n wan F SAl nevx fxget—HAt v mF dC sistx-in-lY—left
HAt impreSan on mI. Jast Az V Ask destini wF jP splendid braHx
hAd t dF, sO F Askt wF HAt EnJal /lIz, hM not Onli nevx roNd
eniwan, bat in hMz sOl HX wx nevx eni ankFnd TYts, hAd t
dF. n wot dM V TiNk, dC frend? fFv jCz hAv pAst sins
Hen, n Ylredi F, wiH mF peti andxstAndiN, bigin t sI klCli
wF SI hAd t dF, n in wot wE HAt deT woz bat an iäpreSan
v H infinit gUdnas v H /kriEtx, hMz evri AkSan, HO
Jenxali inkomprihensabal t as, iz bat a mAnifestESan v /hiz infinit
lav f /hiz krIcxz. pxhAps, F oftan TiNk, SI woz tM AnJelikli
inasant t hAv H streNT t pxfPm Yl a maHx'z dMtiz. Az a
jaN wFf SI woz iriprOcabal; pxhAps SI kUd not hAv bin sO
Az a maHx. Az it iz, not Onli hAz SI left as, n pxtikVlxli /prins
/AndrM, wiH H pjUxast rigrets n memxiz, bat probabli SI wil
HX risIv a plEs F dX not hOp f mFself. bat not t spIk v
hx alOn, HAt xli n teribal deT hAz hAd H mOst binefisant
inflMans on mI n on mF braHx in spFt v Yl Qx grIf. Hen, At
H mOment v Qx los, HIz TYts kUd not akx t mI; F SUd
Hen hAv dismist Hem wiH horx, bat nQ HE R veri klC n
sxtan. F rFt Yl His t V, dC frend, Onli t kanvins V
v H /gospal trMT wic hAz bikam f mI a prinsapal v lFf: not
a siNgal hX v Qx hedz wil fYl wiHQt /hiz wil. n /hiz wil iz
gavxnd Onli bF infinit lav f as, n sO wotevx bifYlz as iz f
Qx gUd.
<p>
V Ask weHx wI SAl spend neät wintx in /moskQ. in spFt v mF
wiS t sI V, F dM not TiNk sO n dM not wont t dM sO. V wil
bI sxprFzd t hC HAt H rIzan f His iz /bMOnapRte! H kEs iz
His: mF fyHx'z helT iz grOiN nOtisabli wxs, hI kAnot stAnd
eni kontradikSan n iz bikamiN iritabal. His iritabiliti iz, Az
V nO, cIfli direktad t politikal kwescanz. hI kAnot indx
H nOSan HAt /bMOnapRte iz nigOSiEtiN on Ikwal txmz wiH Yl H
sovranz v /jUxap n pxtikVlxli wiH Qx On, H grAndsan v H
/grEt /kATxin! Az V nO, F Am kwFt indifxant t politiä, bat
from mF fyHx'z rimRä n hiz tYä wiH /mFkal /ivynOvic F nO
Yl HAt gOz on in H wxld n ispeSali abQt H onxz kanfxd
on /bMOnapRte, hM Onli At /bYld /hilz in H hOl wxld, it sImz, iz
not aäeptad Az a grEt mAn, stil les Az /empxx v /fryns. n mF
fyHx kAnot stAnd His. it sImz t mI HAt it iz cIfli bikoz v
hiz politikal vVz HAt mF fyHx iz rilaktant t spIk v gOiN t
/moskQ; f hI fPsIz H inkQntxz HAt wUd rizalt from hiz wE
v iäpresiN hiz vVz rigRdlas v enibodi. Yl H benifit hI mFt
dirFv from a kPs v trItmant hI wUd lMz Az a rizalt v H
dispVts abQt /bMOnapRte wic wUd bI inevitabal. in eni kEs it wil
bI disFdad veri SPtli.
<p>
Qx fAmli lFf gOz on in H Old wE iäept f mF braHx /AndrM'z
Absans. hI, Az F rOt V bifP, hAz cEnJd veri mac v lEt. Aftx
hiz sorO hI Onli His jC kwFt rikavxd hiz spirits. hI hAz agen
bikam Az F Vst t nO him wen a cFld: kFnd, afekSanat, wiH HAt
hRt v gOld t wic F nO nO Ikwal. hI hAz rWlFzd, it sImz t mI,
HAt lFf iz not Ovx f him. bat tageHx wiH His mental cEnJ
hI hAz grOn fizikli mac wIkx. hI hAz bikam Tinx n mP
nxvas. F Am ANkSas abQt him n glAd hI iz tEkiN His trip abrYd
wic H doktxz rekamendad loN agO. F hOp it wil kjUx him. V
rFt HAt in /pItxzbxg hI iz spOkan v Az wan v H mOst Aktiv,
kaltivEtad, n kEpabal v H jaN men. fxgiv mF vAniti Az a
rilESan, bat F nevx dQtad it. H gUd hI hAz dan t evribodi
hC, from hiz pezants ap t H Jentri, iz inkAlkVlabal. on hiz
xFval in /pItxzbxg hI risIvd Onli hiz dM. F YlwEz wandx At H
wE rMmxz flF from /pItxzbxg t /moskQ, ispeSali sac fYls wanz Az
HAt V rFt abQt—F mIn H ripPt v mF braHx'z bitrOHal t
H lital /rOstOva. F dM not TiNk mF braHx wil evx mAri agen,
n sxtanli not hx; n His iz wF: fxst, F nO HAt HO hI
rXli spIä abQt H wFf hI hAz lost, H grIf v HAt los
hAz gon tM dIp in hiz hRt f him evx t disFd t giv hx a
saäesx n Qx lital EnJal a stepmaHx. sekandli bikoz, Az fR
Az F nO, HAt gxl iz not H kFnd v gxl hM kUd plIz /prins
/AndrM. F dM not TiNk hI wUd cMz hx f a wFf, n frANkli F dM
not wiS it. bat F Am raniN on tM loN n Am At H end v mF sekand
SIt. gUd-bF, mF dC frend. mE /god kIp V in /hiz hOli n mFti
kX. mF dC frend, /mAdamwazel /bMrien, sendz V kisaz.
<p>
/mXi
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVI
<p>
in H midal v H samx /prinsas /mXi risIvd an aniäpektad letx
from /prins /AndrM in /switsxland in wic hI gEv hx strEnJ n
sxprFziN nMz. hI infPmd hx v hiz ingEJmant t /nytySa /rOstOva.
H hOl letx brIHd laviN rApcx f hiz bitrOHd n tendx
n kanfFdiN afekSan f hiz sistx. hI rOt HAt hI hAd nevx lavd
Az hI did nQ n HAt Onli nQ did hI andxstAnd n nO wot lFf
woz. hI Askt hiz sistx t fxgiv him f not hAviN tOld hx v hiz
rizolv wen hI hAd lAst vizitad /bYld /hilz, HO hI hAd spOkan v it
t hiz fyHx. hI hAd not dan sO f fC /prinsas /mXi SUd Ask hx
fyHx t giv hiz kansent, iritEtiN him n hAviN t bX H brant
v hiz displeZx wiHQt atEniN hx obJekt. “bisFdz,” hI
rOt, “H mAtx woz not Hen sO definitli setald Az it iz nQ.
mF fyHx Hen insistad on a dilE v a jC n nQ Ylredi siä manTs,
hAf v HAt pCWd, hAv pAst, n mF rezalMSan iz fxmx HAn evx.
if H doktxz did not kIp mI hC At H spyz F SUd bI bAk in
/raSa, bat Az it iz F hAf t pOstpOn mF ritxn f TrI manTs. V
nO mI n mF rilESanz wiH /fyHx. F wont naTiN from him. F hAv
bin n YlwEz SAl bI indipendant; bat t gO agenst hiz wil n
xQz hiz ANgx, nQ HAt hI mE pxhAps rimEn wiH as sac a SPt
tFm, wUd distrq hAf mF hApinas. F Am nQ rFtiN t him abQt
H sEm kwescan, n beg V t cMz a gUd mOment t hAnd him H
letx n t let mI nO hQ hI lUä At H hOl mAtx n weHx
HX iz hOp HAt hI mE kansent t ridMs H txm bF fP manTs.”
<p>
Aftx loN hezitESanz, dQts, n prExz, /prinsas /mXi gEv H
letx t hx fyHx. H neät dE H Old prins sed t hx kwFatli:
<p>
“rFt n tel jP braHx t wEt til F Am ded.... it wOnt bI
loN—F SAl sMn set him frI.”
<p>
H prinsas woz abQt t riplF, bat hx fyHx wUd not let hx spIk
n, rEziN hiz vqs mP n mP, krFd:
<p>
“mAri, mAri, mF bq!... a gUd fAmli!... klevx pIpal, E? ric,
E? jes, a nFs stepmaHx lital /nikalas wil hAv! rFt n tel him
HAt hI mE mAri tamorO if hI lFä. SI wil bI lital /nikalas'
stepmaHx n F'l mAri /bMrien!... hy, hy, hy! hI masant bI
wiHQt a stepmaHx FHx! Onli wan TiN, nO mP wimin R wontad
in mF hQs—let him mAri n liv bF himself. pxhAps V wil gO
n liv wiH him tM?” hI Adad, txniN t /prinsas /mXi. “gO in
hevan'z nEm! gO Qt intM H frost... H frost... H frost!”
<p>
Aftx His Qtbxst H prins did not spIk eni mP abQt H mAtx.
bat riprest veäESan At hiz san'z pUx-spiritad bihEvjx fQnd
iäpreSan in hiz trItmant v hiz dYtx. t hiz fPmx prIteäts
f Frani a freS wan woz nQ Adad—alMZanz t stepmaHxz n
EmWbilitiz t /mAdamwazel /bMrien.
<p>
“wF SUdant F mAri hx?” hI Askt hiz dYtx. “SI'l
mEk a splendid prinsas!”
<p>
n lAtxli, t hx sxprFz n biwildxmant, /prinsas /mXi
nOtist HAt hx fyHx woz rWli asOSiEtiN mP n mP wiH H
/frencwUman. SI rOt t /prins /AndrM abQt H risepSan v hiz
letx, bat kamfxtad him wiH hOps v rekansFliN HX fyHx t H
FdW.
<p>
lital /nikalas n hiz eJakESan, hx braHx /AndrM, n riliJan
wx /prinsas /mXi'z Jqz n konsalESanz; bat bisFdz HAt, sins
evriwan mast hAv pxsanal hOps, /prinsas /mXi in H prafQndast
depTs v hx hRt hAd a hidan drIm n hOp HAt saplFd H cIf
konsalESan v hx lFf. His kamfxtiN drIm n hOp wx givan hx
bF /god'z fOk—H hAf-witad n aHx pilgrimz hM vizitad
hx wiHQt H prins'az noliJ. H loNgx SI livd, H mP
iäpCWns n obzxvESan SI hAd v lFf, H grEtx woz hx wandx
At H SPt-sFtadnas v men hM sIk inJqmant n hApinas hC
on xT: tqliN, safxiN, stragaliN, n hRmiN wan anaHx, t
abtEn HAt imposabal, viZanXi, sinfal hApinas. prins /AndrM hAd
lavd hiz wFf, SI dFd, bat HAt woz not inaf: hI wontad t bFnd
hiz hApinas t anaHx wUman. hx fyHx abJektad t His bikoz hI
wontad a mP distiNgwiSt n welTC mAc f /AndrM. n HE
Yl stragald n safxd n tPmentad wan anaHx n inJxd HX
sOlz, HX itxnal sOlz, f H atEnmant v benifits wic indx
bat f an instant. not Onli dM wI nO His Qxselvz, bat /krFst, H
/san v /god, kEm dQn t xT n tOld as HAt His lFf iz bat f
a mOment n iz a prObESan; jet wI kliN t it n TiNk t fFnd
hApinas in it. “hQ iz it HAt nO wan rWlFzaz His?” TYt
/prinsas /mXi. “nO wan iäept HIz dispFzd /god'z fOk hM, wolat
on bAk, kam t mI bF H bAk dP, afrEd v bIiN sIn bF H
prins, not f fC v il-VsiJ bF him bat f fC v kYziN him
t sin. t lIv fAmli, hOm, n Yl H kXz v wxldli welfX, in
Pdx wiHQt kliNiN t eniTiN t wondx in hempan rAã from plEs
t plEs andx an asMmd nEm, dMiN nO wan eni hRm bat prEiN f
Yl—f HOz hM drFv wan awE Az wel Az f HOz hM pratekt wan:
hFx HAn HAt lFf n trMT HX iz nO lFf P trMT!”
<p>
HX woz wan pilgrim, a kwFat pokmRkt lital wUman v fifti kYld
/TiOdOZa, hM f Ovx Txti jCz hAd gon abQt bXfUt n wPn
hevi cEnz. prinsas /mXi woz pxtikVlxli fond v hx. wans, wen in
a rMm wiH a lAmp dimli lit bifP H Fkon /TiOdOZa woz tYkiN v
hx lFf, H TYt HAt /TiOdOZa alOn hAd fQnd H trM pAT v
lFf sadanli kEm t /prinsas /mXi wiH sac fPs HAt SI rizolvd t
bikam a pilgrim hxself. wen /TiOdOZa hAd gon t slIp /prinsas /mXi
TYt abQt His f a loN tFm, n At lAst mEd ap hx mFnd HAt,
strEnJ Az it mFt sIm, SI mast gO on a pilgrimiJ. SI disklOzd
His TYt t nO wan bat t hx kanfesx, /fyHx /ykinfi, H maNk,
n hI aprMvd v hx intenSan. andx gFz v a prezant f H
pilgrimz, /prinsas /mXi pripXd a pilgrim'z kamplIt kostMm f
hxself: a kPs smok, /bAst SMz, a raf kOt, n a blAk kxcif.
oftan, aprOciN H cest v drYxz kantEniN His sIkrat treZx,
/prinsas /mXi pYzd, ansxtan weHx H tFm hAd not Ylredi kam t
pUt hx proJekt intM eäikVSan.
<p>
oftan, lisaniN t H pilgrimz' tElz, SI woz sO stimVlEtad bF
HX simpal spIc, mikAnikal t Hem bat t hx sO fUl v dIp
mIniN, HAt sevxal tFmz SI woz on H pqnt v abAndaniN
evriTiN n raniN awE from hOm. in imAJinESan SI Ylredi
pikcxd hxself bF /TiOdOZa'z sFd, drest in kPs rAã, wYkiN
wiH a stAf, a wolat on hx bAk, aloN H dasti rOd, direktiN hx
wondxiNz from wan sEnt's SrFn t anaHx, frI from envi, xTli
lav, P dizFx, n rIciN At lAst H plEs wX HX iz nO mP
sorO P sFiN, bat itxnal Jq n blis.
<p>
“F SAl kam t a plEs n prE HX, n bifP hAviN tFm t get
Vst t it P getiN t lav it, F SAl gO fRHx. F wil gO on til
mF leã fEl, n F'l lF dQn n dF samwX, n SAl At lAst
rIc HAt itxnal, kwFat hEvan, wX HX iz nFHx sorO nP
sFiN...” TYt /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
bat Aftxwxdz, wen SI sY hx fyHx n ispeSali lital /kOkO
(/nikalas), hx rizolv wIkand. SI wept kwFatli, n felt HAt SI
woz a sinx hM lavd hx fyHx n lital nefV mP HAn /god.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /sevan: 1810 - 11
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
H /bFbal leJand telz as HAt H Absans v lEbx—Fdalnas—woz a
kandiSan v H fxst mAn'z blesadnas bifP H /fYl. fYlan mAn
hAz ritEnd a lav v Fdalnas, bat H kxs wEz on H rEs not
Onli bikoz wI hAf t sIk Qx bred in H swet v Qx brQz, bat
bikoz Qx mPal nEcx iz sac HAt wI kAnot bI bOT Fdal n At
Iz. an inx vqs telz as wI R in H roN if wI R Fdal. if mAn
kUd fFnd a stEt in wic hI felt HAt HO Fdal hI woz fUlfiliN
hiz dMti, hI wUd hAv fQnd wan v H kandiSanz v mAn'z primitiv
blesadnas. n sac a stEt v obligatPi n iriprOcabal Fdalnas
iz H lot v a hOl klAs—H militXi. H cIf atrAkSan v
militXi sxvis hAz kansistad n wil kansist in His kampalsxi n
iriprOcabal Fdalnas.
<p>
/nikalas /rOstOf iäpCWnst His blisfal kandiSan t H fUl wen,
Aftx 1807, hI kantinVd t sxv in H /pyvlOgryd reJimant, in wic
hI Ylredi kamAndad H skwodran hI hAd tEkan Ovx from /denisOf.
<p>
/rOstOf hAd bikam a blaf, gUd-nEcxd felO, hMm hiz /moskQ
akwEntansaz wUd hAv kansidxd rAHx bAd fPm, bat hM woz lFkt
n rispektad bF hiz komrAdz, sabPdinats, n sMpCCz, n woz wel
kantentad wiH hiz lFf. v lEt, in 1809, hI fQnd in letxz from hOm
mP frIkwant kamplEnts from hiz maHx HAt HX afXz wx fYliN
intM grEtx n grEtx disPdx, n HAt it woz tFm f him t kam
bAk t glAdan n kamfxt hiz Old pXants.
<p>
rIdiN HIz letxz, /nikalas felt a dred v HX wontiN t
tEk him awE from sxQndiNz in wic, pratektad from Yl H
intANgalmants v lFf, hI woz liviN sO kymli n kwFatli. hI felt HAt
sMnx P lEtx hI wUd hAf t rI-entx HAt wxlpMl v lFf, wiH
its imbArasmants n afXz t bI strEtand Qt, its akQnts
wiH stMxdz, kworalz, n intrIã, its tFz, sasFati, n wiH
/sonja'z lav n hiz promis t hx. it woz Yl dredfali difikalt
n komplikEtad; n hI riplFd t hiz maHx in kOld, fPmal letxz
in /frenc, biginiN: “mF dC /mymy,” n endiN: “jP ObIdWnt
san,” wic sed naTiN v wen hI wUd ritxn. in 1810 hI risIvd
letxz from hiz pXants, in wic HE tOld him v /nytySa'z
ingEJmant t /bOlkOnski, n HAt H wediN wUd bI in a jC'z
tFm bikoz H Old prins mEd difikaltiz. His letx grIvd n
mPtifFd /nikalas. in H fxst plEs hI woz sori HAt /nytySa, f
hMm hI kXd mP HAn f eniwan els in H fAmli, SUd bI lost t
H hOm; n sekandli, from hiz hMsR pqnt v vV, hI rigretad not
t hAv bin HX t SO HAt felO /bOlkOnski HAt kanekSan wiH
him woz nO sac grEt onx Aftx Yl, n HAt if hI lavd /nytySa hI
mFt dispens wiH pxmiSan from hiz dOtxd fyHx. f a mOment hI
hezitEtad weHx hI SUd not aplF f lIv in Pdx t sI /nytySa
bifP SI woz mArid, bat Hen kEm H manMvxz, n kansidxESanz
abQt /sonja n abQt H kanfVZan v HX afXz, n /nikalas
agen pUt it of. bat in H spriN v HAt jC, hI risIvd a letx
from hiz maHx, ritan wiHQt hiz fyHx'z noliJ, n HAt
letx pxswEdad him t ritxn. SI rOt HAt if hI did not kam n
tEk mAtxz in hAnd, HX hOl propxti wUd bI sOld bF YkSan n
HE wUd Yl hAf t gO begiN. H kQnt woz sO wIk, n trastad
/mitenka sO mac, n woz sO gUd-nEcxd, HAt evribodi tUk advAntiJ
v him n TiNz wx gOiN from bAd t wxs. “f /god'z sEk, F
implP V, kam At wans if V dM not wiS t mEk mI n H hOl
fAmli recad,” rOt H kQntas.
<p>
His letx tact /nikalas. hI hAd HAt koman sens v a
mAtx-v-fAkt mAn wic SOd him wot hI Yt t dM.
<p>
H rFt TiN nQ woz, if not t ritFx from H sxvis, At eni rEt
t gO hOm on lIv. wF hI hAd t gO hI did not nO; bat Aftx hiz
Aftx-dinx nAp hI gEv Pdxz t sAdal /mRz, an iätrImli viSas
grE stAlWn HAt hAd not bin ridan f a loN tFm, n wen
hI ritxnd wiH H hPs Yl in a lAHx, hI infPmd /lyvrMSka
(/denisOf's sxvant hM hAd rimEnd wiH him) n hiz komrAdz hM
txnd ap in H IvniN HAt hI woz aplFiN f lIv n woz gOiN
hOm. difikalt n strEnJ Az it woz f him t riflekt HAt hI wUd
gO awE wiHQt hAviN hxd from H stAf—n His intxastad him
iätrImli—weHx hI woz pramOtad t a kAptinsi P wUd risIv H
/Pdx v /st /An f H lAst manMvxz; strEnJ Az it woz t TiNk
HAt hI wUd gO awE wiHQt hAviN sOld hiz TrI rOnz t H /pOliS
/kQnt /gOlMâOfski, hM woz bRginiN f H hPsaz /rOstOf hAd betad
hI wUd sel f tM TQzand rMbalz; inkomprihensabal Az it
sImd HAt H bYl H hMsRz wx giviN in onx v H /pOliS
/mAdamwazel /pSaZdjetska (Qt v rFvalri t H /Mlynz hM hAd givan
wan in onx v HX /pOliS /mAdamwazel /bPzOzofska) wUd tEk plEs
wiHQt him—hI nM hI mast gO awE from His gUd, brFt wxld t
samwX wX evriTiN woz stMpid n kanfVzd. a wIk lEtx hI
abtEnd hiz lIv. hiz hMsR komrAdz—not Onli HOz v hiz On
reJimant, bat H hOl brigEd—gEv /rOstOf a dinx t wic H
sabskripSan woz fiftIn rMbalz a hed, n At wic HX wx tM
bAndz n tM kwFxz v siNxz. /rOstOf dAnst H /trepyk wiH /mEJx
/bysOf; H tipsi ofisxz tost, imbrEst, n dropt /rOstOf; H
sOlJxz v H Txd skwodran tost him tM, n SQtad “hxy!”
n Hen HE pUt him in hiz slE n iskPtad him Az fR Az H fxst
pOst stESan.
<p>
dxiN H fxst hAf v H Jxni—from /kremencMg t /kIev—Yl
/rOstOf's TYts, Az iz VZMal in sac kEsaz, wx bihFnd him, wiH
H skwodran; bat wen hI hAd gon mP HAn hAfwE hI bigAn t fxget
hiz TrI rOnz n /dOZqvEkO, hiz kwPtxmAstx, n t wandx
ANkSasli hQ TiNz wUd bI At /Otrydnqe n wot hI wUd fFnd
HX. TYts v hOm grM stroNgx H nCx hI aprOct it—fR
stroNgx, Az HO His fIliN v hiz woz sabJekt t H lY bF wic
H fPs v atrAkSan iz in invxs prapPSan t H skwX v H
distans. At H lAst pOst stESan bifP /Otrydnqe hI gEv H drFvx a
TrI-rMbal tip, n on xFviN hI rAn breTlasli, lFk a bq, ap H
steps v hiz hOm.
<p>
Aftx H rApcx v mItiN, n Aftx HAt od fIliN v ansAtisfFd
eäpektESan—H fIliN HAt “evriTiN iz Jast H sEm, sO wF
did F hari?”—/nikalas bigAn t setal dQn in hiz Old hOm wxld.
hiz fyHx n maHx wx mac H sEm, Onli a lital Oldx. wot woz
nM in Hem woz a sxtan anIzinas n akEZanal diskPd, wic HX
Vzd not t bI, n wic, Az /nikalas sMn fQnd Qt, woz dM t H
bAd stEt v HX afXz. /sonja woz nCli twenti; SI hAd stopt
grOiN pritC n promist naTiN mP HAn SI woz Ylredi, bat
HAt woz inaf. SI eähEld hApinas n lav from H tFm /nikalas
ritxnd, n H fETfal, anYltxabal lav v His gxl hAd a
glAdaniN ifekt on him. /petja n /nytySa sxprFzd /nikalas
mOst. /petja woz a big hAndsam bq v TxtIn, meri, witi, n
miscivas, wiH a vqs HAt woz Ylredi brEkiN. Az f /nytySa,
f a loN wFl /nikalas wandxd n lAft wenevx hI lUkt At
hx.
<p>
“V'x not H sEm At Yl,” hI sed.
<p>
“hQ? Am F aglC?”
<p>
“on H kontrXi, bat wot digniti? a prinsas!” hI wispxd t
hx.
<p>
“jes, jes, jes!” krFd /nytySa, Jqfali.
<p>
SI tOld him abQt hx rOmAns wiH /prins /AndrM n v hiz vizit t
/Otrydnqe n SOd him hiz lAst letx.
<p>
“wel, R V glAd?” /nytySa Askt. “F Am sO trANkwil n hApi
nQ.”
<p>
“veri glAd,” Ansxd /nikalas. “hI iz an eäalant felO.... n
R V veri mac in lav?”
<p>
“hQ SAl F pUt it?” riplFd /nytySa. “F woz in lav wiH
/bPis, wiH mF tIcx, n wiH /denisOf, bat His iz kwFt difxant.
F fIl At pIs n setald. F nO HAt nO betx mAn HAn hI iãists,
n F Am kym n kantentad nQ. not At Yl Az bifP.”
<p>
/nikalas iäprest hiz disaprMval v H pOstpOnmant v H mAriJ
f a jC; bat /nytySa atAkt hx braHx wiH iãAspxESan, prMviN
t him HAt it kUd not bI aHxwFz, n HAt it wUd bI a bAd TiN
t entx a fAmli agenst H fyHx'z wil, n HAt SI hxself
wiSt it sO.
<p>
“V dOnt At Yl andxstAnd,” SI sed.
<p>
/nikalas woz sFlant n agrId wiH hx.
<p>
hx braHx oftan wandxd Az hI lUkt At hx. SI did not sIm At
Yl lFk a gxl in lav n pRtad from hx afFanst hazband. SI woz
Ivan-tempxd n kym n kwFt Az cCfal Az v Old. His amEzd
/nikalas n Ivan mEd him rigRd /bOlkOnski'z kPtSip skeptikli.
hI kUd not bilIv HAt hx fEt woz sIld, ispeSali Az hI hAd
not sIn hx wiH /prins /AndrM. it YlwEz sImd t him HAt HX woz
samTiN not kwFt rFt abQt His intendad mAriJ.
<p>
“wF His dilE? wF nO bitrOHal?” hI TYt. wans, wen hI hAd
tact on His topik wiH hiz maHx, hI diskavxd, t hiz sxprFz
n samwot t hiz sAtisfAkSan, HAt in H depT v hx sOl SI tM
hAd dQts abQt His mAriJ.
<p>
“V sI hI rFts,” sed SI, SOiN hx san a letx v /prins
/AndrM'z, wiH HAt lEtant graJ a maHx YlwEz hAz in rigRd t a
dYtx'z fVcx mArid hApinas, “hI rFts HAt hI wOnt kam
bifP disembx. wot kAn bI kIpiN him? ilnas, probabli! hiz helT
iz veri delikat. dOnt tel /nytySa. n dOnt atAc impPtans
t hx bIiN sO brFt: HAt's bikoz SI'z liviN TrM H lAst
dEz v hx gxlhUd, bat F nO wot SI iz lFk evri tFm wI risIv
a letx from him! hQevx, /god grAnt HAt evriTiN txnz Qt wel!”
(SI YlwEz endad wiH HIz wxdz.) “hI iz an eäalant mAn!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
/Aftx rIciN hOm /nikalas woz At fxst sCWs n Ivan dal. hI woz
warid bF H impendiN nisesiti v intxfCiN in H stMpid biznas
mAtxz f wic hiz maHx hAd kYld him hOm. t TrO of His
bxdan Az kwikli Az posabal, on H Txd dE Aftx hiz xFval hI
went, ANgri n skQliN n wiHQt AnsxiN kwescanz Az t wX hI
woz gOiN, t /mitenka'z loJ n dimAndad an akQnt v evriTiN.
bat wot an akQnt v evriTiN mFt bI /nikalas nM Ivan les
HAn H frFtand n biwildxd /mitenka. H konvxsESan n H
iãAminESan v H akQnts wiH /mitenka did not lAst loN. H viliJ
eldx, a pezant deligat, n H viliJ klxk, hM wx wEtiN in
H pAsiJ, hxd wiH fC n dilFt fxst H jaN kQnt's vqs
rPiN n snApiN n rFziN lQdx n lQdx, n Hen wxdz v
abVs, dredfal wxdz, iJAkVlEtad wan Aftx H aHx.
<p>
“robx!... angrEtfal rec!... F'l hAk H dog t pIsaz! F'm
not mF fyHx!... robiN as!...” n sO on.
<p>
Hen wiH nO les fC n dilFt HE sY hQ H jaN kQnt, red in
H fEs n wiH bladSot Fz, drAgd /mitenka Qt bF H skraf v
H nek n aplFd hiz fUt n nI t hiz bihFnd wiH grEt aJiliti
At kanvInWnt mOments bitwIn H wxdz, SQtiN, “bI of! nevx let
mI sI jP fEs hC agen, V vilan!”
<p>
/mitenka flM hedloN dQn H siä steps n rAn awE intM H
Srabxi. (His Srabxi woz a wel-nOn hEvan v refVJ f kalprits
At /Otrydnqe. /mitenka himself, ritxniN tipsi from H tQn, Vst
t hFd HX, n meni v H rezidants At /Otrydnqe, hFdiN from
/mitenka, nM v its pratektiv kwolitiz.)
<p>
/mitenka'z wFf n sistxz-in-lY Trast HX hedz n frFtand
fEsaz Qt v H dP v a rMm wX a brFt sAmavR woz bqliN n
wX H stMxd'z hF bedsted stUd wiH its pAcwxk kwilt.
<p>
H jaN kQnt pEd nO hId t Hem, bat, brIHiN hRd, pAst bF
wiH rezalMt strFdz n went intM H hQs.
<p>
H kQntas, hM hxd At wans from H mEdz wot hAd hApand At H
loJ, woz kymd bF H TYt HAt nQ HX afXz wUd sxtanli
imprMv, bat on H aHx hAnd felt ANkSas Az t H ifekt His
iäFtmant mFt hAv on hx san. SI went sevxal tFmz t hiz dP on
tiptO n lisand, Az hI lFtad wan pFp Aftx anaHx.
<p>
neät dE H Old kQnt kYld hiz san asFd n, wiH an imbArast
smFl, sed t him:
<p>
“bat V nO, mF dC bq, it's a piti V got iäFtad! /mitenka
hAz tOld mI Yl abQt it.”
<p>
“F nM,” TYt /nikalas, “HAt F SUd nevx andxstAnd
eniTiN in His krEzi wxld.”
<p>
“V wx ANgri HAt hI hAd not entxd HOz 700 rMbalz. bat HE
wx kArid fPwxd—n V did not lUk At H aHx pEJ.”
<p>
“pypy, hI iz a blAgRd n a TIf! F nO hI iz! n wot F hAv
dan, F hAv dan; bat, if V lFk, F wOnt spIk t him agen.”
<p>
“nO, mF dC bq” (H kQnt, tM, felt imbArast. hI nM hI hAd
mismAniJd hiz wFf's propxti n woz t blEm tPd hiz cildran,
bat hI did not nO hQ t remadi it). “nO, F beg V t atend t H
biznas. F Am Old. F...”
<p>
“nO, /pypy. fxgiv mI if F hAv kYzd V anplezantnas. F
andxstAnd it Yl les HAn V dM.”
<p>
“deval tEk Yl HIz pezants, n mani mAtxz, n kAriiNz
fPwxd from pEJ t pEJ,” hI TYt. “F Vst t andxstAnd wot
a 'kPnx' n H stEä At kRdz ment, bat kAriiN fPwxd t
anaHx pEJ F dOnt andxstAnd At Yl,” sed hI t himself, n
Aftx HAt hI did not medal in biznas afXz. bat wans H kQntas
kYld hx san n infPmd him HAt SI hAd a promisPi nOt from /Ana
/miâFlOvna f tM TQzand rMbalz, n Askt him wot hI TYt v
dMiN wiH it.
<p>
“His,” Ansxd /nikalas. “V sE it rests wiH mI. wel, F
dOnt lFk /Ana /miâFlOvna n F dOnt lFk /bPis, bat HE wx
Qx frendz n pUx. wel Hen, His!” n hI tP ap H nOt, n
bF sO dMiN kYzd H Old kQntas t wIp tCz v Jq. Aftx HAt,
jaN /rOstOf tUk nO fxHx pRt in eni biznas afXz, bat
divOtad himself wiH pASanat inTVziAzam t wot woz t him a nM
pxsMt—H cEs—f wic hiz fyHx kept a lRJ istAbliSmant.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
H weHx woz Ylredi grOiN wintri n mPniN frosts kanJIld
an xT sAcxEtad bF Ytam rEnz. H vxJx hAd Tikand n its
brFt grIn stUd Qt SRpli agenst H brQniS strips v wintx rF
trodan dQn bF H kAtal, n agenst H pEl-jelO stabal v H
spriN bakwIt. H wUdad ravInz n H kopsaz, wic At H end v
Ygast hAd stil bin grIn Flandz amid blAk fIldz n stabal, hAd
bikam gOldan n brFt-red Flandz amid H grIn wintx rF. H
hXz hAd Ylredi hAf cEnJd HX samx kOts, H foä kabz wx
biginiN t skAtx, n H jaN wUlvz wx bigx HAn doã. it woz
H best tFm v H jC f H cEs. H hQndz v HAt Rdant jaN
spPtsman /rOstOf hAd not mCli rIct hRd wintx kandiSan, bat wx
sO JEdad HAt At a mItiN v H hantsmen it woz disFdad t giv Hem
a TrI dEz' rest n Hen, on H siätInT v septembx, t gO on
a distant eäpidiSan, stRtiN from H Ok grOv wX HX woz an
andistxbd litx v wUlf kabz.
<p>
Yl HAt dE H hQndz rimEnd At hOm. it woz frosti n H X woz
SRp, bat tPd IvniN H skF bikEm OvxkAst n it bigAn t TY.
on H fiftInT, wen jaN /rOstOf, in hiz dresiN gQn, lUkt Qt
v H windO, hI sY it woz an ansxpAsabal mPniN f hantiN: it
woz Az if H skF wx meltiN n siNkiN t H xT wiHQt eni
wind. H Onli mOSan in H X woz HAt v H dripiN, mFkraskopik
pRtikalz v drizaliN mist. H bX twiã in H gRdan wx haN wiH
trAnspArant drops wic fel on H freSli fYlan lIvz. H xT in
H kicin gRdan lUkt wet n blAk n glisand lFk popi sId
n At a SPt distans mxJd intM H dal, mqst vEl v mist.
/nikalas went Qt intM H wet n madi pPc. HX woz a smel v
dikEiN lIvz n v dog. milka, a blAk-spotad, brYd-hYnct
bic wiH prominant blAk Fz, got ap on sIiN hx mAstx, strect
hx hFnd leã, lE dQn lFk a hX, n Hen sadanli Jampt ap n
likt him rFt on hiz nOz n mastAS. anaHx bPzq, a dog,
kAciN sFt v hiz mAstx from H gRdan pAT, Rct hiz bAk
n, raSiN hedloN tPd H pPc wiH liftad tEl, bigAn rabiN
himself agenst hiz leã.
<p>
“O-hq!” kEm At HAt mOment, HAt inimitabal hantsman'z kYl
wic VnFts H dIpast bEs wiH H Srilast tenx, n rQnd
H kPnx kEm /dAnWl H hed hantsman n hed kenalman, a grE,
riNkald Old mAn wiH hX kat strEt Ovx hiz fPhed, /VkrEnWn
fASan, a loN bent wip in hiz hAnd, n HAt lUk v indipendans
n skPn v evriTiN HAt iz Onli sIn in hantsmen. hI doft hiz
/sxkASan kAp t hiz mAstx n lUkt At him skPnfali. His skPn
woz not afensiv t hiz mAstx. /nikalas nM HAt His /dAnWl,
disdEnfal v evribodi n hM kansidxd himself abav Hem, woz Yl
H sEm hiz sxf n hantsman.
<p>
“/dAnWl!” /nikalas sed timidli, konSas At H sFt v H
weHx, H hQndz, n H hantsman HAt hI woz bIiN kArid awE
bF HAt irizistabal pASan f spPt wic mEä a mAn fxget Yl
hiz prIvWs rezalMSanz, Az a lavx fxgets in H prezans v hiz
mistras.
<p>
“wot Pdxz, jP eäalansi?” sed H hantsman in hiz dIp bEs,
dIp Az a prOtO-dIkan'z n hPs wiH halMiN—n tM flASiN
blAk Fz gEzd from andx hiz brQz At hiz mAstx, hM woz sFlant.
“kAn V rizist it?” HOz Fz sImd t bI AskiN.
<p>
“it's a gUd dE, E? f a hant n a gAlap, E?” Askt
/nikalas, skrAciN /milka bihFnd H Cz.
<p>
/dAnWl did not Ansx, bat wiNkt insted.
<p>
“F sent /MvRka At dYn t lisan,” hiz bEs bMmd Qt Aftx a
minit's pYz. “hI sez SI'z mMvd Hem intM H /Otrydnqe
inklOZx. HE wx hQliN HX.” (His ment HAt H SI-wUlf,
abQt hMm HE bOT nM, hAd mMvd wiH hx kabz t H /Otrydnqe
kops, a smYl plEs a mFl n a hAf from H hQs.)
<p>
“wI Yt t gO, dOnt V TiNk sO?” sed /nikalas. “kam t mI
wiH /MvRka.”
<p>
“Az V plIz.”
<p>
“Hen pUt of fIdiN Hem.”
<p>
“jes, sx.”
<p>
fFv minits lEtx /dAnWl n /MvRka wx stAndiN in /nikalas' big
stadi. HO /dAnWl woz not a big mAn, t sI him in a rMm woz
lFk sIiN a hPs P a bX on H flP amaN H fxnicx n
sxQndiNz v hVman lFf. /dAnWl himself felt His, n Az VZMal stUd
Jast insFd H dP, trFiN t spIk softli n not mMv, f fC v
brEkiN samTiN in H mAstx'z apRtmant, n hI hEsand t sE
Yl HAt woz nesisXi sO Az t get from andx HAt sIliN, Qt intM
H Opan andx H skF wans mP.
<p>
hAviN finiSt hiz inkwFxiz n iätPtad from /dAnWl an apinjan HAt
H hQndz wx fit (/dAnWl himself wiSt t gO hantiN), /nikalas
Pdxd H hPsaz t bI sAdald. bat Jast Az /dAnWl woz abQt t
gO /nytySa kEm in wiH rApid steps, not hAviN dan ap hx hX P
finiSt dresiN n wiH hx Old nxs'az big SYl rApt rQnd
hx. /petja rAn in At H sEm tFm.
<p>
“V R gOiN?” Askt /nytySa. “F nM V wUd! /sonja sed
V wUdant gO, bat F nM HAt tadE iz H sPt v dE wen V
kUdant help gOiN.”
<p>
“jes, wI R gOiN,” riplFd /nikalas rilaktantli, f tadE, Az hI
intendad t hant sCWsli, hI did not wont t tEk /nytySa n /petja.
“wI R gOiN, bat Onli wUlf hantiN: it wUd bI dal f V.”
<p>
“V nO it iz mF grEtast pleZx,” sed /nytySa. “it's not
fX; V R gOiN bF jPself, R hAviN H hPsaz sAdald n sed
naTiN t as abQt it.”
<p>
“'nO bArC bRz a /raSan'z pAT'—wI'l gO!” SQtad
/petja.
<p>
“bat V kAnt. mymy sed V masant,” sed /nikalas t
/nytySa.
<p>
“jes, F'l gO. F SAl sxtanli gO,” sed /nytySa disFsivli.
“/dAnWl, tel Hem t sAdal f as, n /mFkal mast kam wiH mF
doã,” SI Adad t H hantsman.
<p>
it sImd t /dAnWl xäam n impropx t bI in a rMm At Yl, bat t
hAv eniTiN t dM wiH a jaN lEdi sImd t him imposabal. hI
kAst dQn hiz Fz n harid Qt Az if it wx nan v hiz biznas,
kXfal Az hI went not t inflikt eni Aäidental inJxi on H jaN
lEdi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
H Old kQnt, hM hAd YlwEz kept ap an inPmas hantiN istAbliSmant
bat hAd nQ hAndad it Yl kamplItli Ovx t hiz san'z kX, bIiN
in veri gUd spirits on His fiftInT v septembx, pripXd t gO Qt
wiH H aHxz.
<p>
in an Qx'z tFm H hOl hantiN pRti woz At H pPc. /nikalas,
wiH a stxn n sCWs X wic SOd HAt nQ woz nO tFm f
atendiN t trFfalz, went pAst /nytySa n /petja hM wx trFiN t
tel him samTiN. hI hAd a lUk At Yl H dItElz v H hant, sent
a pAk v hQndz n hantsmen on ahed t fFnd H kwori, mQntad hiz
cestnat /dOnjets, n wisaliN t hiz On lIS v bPzqz, set of
akros H TreSiN grQnd t a fIld lIdiN t H /Otrydnqe wUd.
H Old kQnt's hPs, a soral geldiN kYld /vifljynka, woz led bF
H grMm in atendans on him, wFl H kQnt himself woz t drFv in
a smYl trAp strEt t a spot rizxvd f him.
<p>
HE wx tEkiN fifti-fP hQndz, wiH siä hant atendants n
wipxz-in. bisFdz H fAmli, HX wx Et bPzq kenalmen
n mP HAn fPti bPzqz, sO HAt, wiH H bPzqz on H lIS
biloNiN t membxz v H fAmli, HX wx abQt a handrad n
Txti doã n twenti hPsmen.
<p>
Ic dog nM its mAstx n its kYl. Ic mAn in H hant nM hiz
biznas, hiz plEs, wot hI hAd t dM. Az sMn Az HE hAd pAst H
fens HE Yl spred Qt Ivanli n kwFatli, wiHQt nqz P tYk,
aloN H rOd n fIld lIdiN t H /Otrydnqe kOvxt.
<p>
H hPsaz stept Ovx H fIld Az Ovx a Tik kRpat, nQ n Hen
splASiN intM padalz Az HE krost a rOd. H misti skF stil
sImd t disend Ivanli n impxseptabli tPd H xT, H X
woz stil, wPm, n sFlant. akEZanali H wisal v a hantsman,
H snPt v a hPs, H krAk v a wip, P H wFn v a strAgaliN
hQnd kUd bI hxd.
<p>
wen HE hAd gon a lital les HAn a mFl, fFv mP rFdxz wiH
doã apCd Qt v H mist, aprOciN H /rOstOfs. in frant rOd a
freS-lUkiN, hAndsam Old mAn wiH a lRJ grE mastAS.
<p>
“gUd mPniN, /aNkal!” sed /nikalas, wen H Old mAn drM nC.
<p>
“HAt's it. kam on!... F woz SUx v it,” bigAn “aNkal.” (hI
woz a distant relativ v H /rOstOfs', a mAn v smYl mInz, n
HX nEbx.) “F nM V wUdant bI Ebal t rizist it n
it's a gUd TiN V'x gOiN. HAt's it! kam on!” (His woz
“aNkal'z” fEvxit iäpreSan.) “tEk H kOvxt At wans, f mF
/gxcik sez H /ilyginz R At /kPniki wiH HX hQndz. HAt's
it. kam on!... HE'l tEk H kabz from andx jP veri nOz.”
<p>
“HAt's wX F'm gOiN. SAl wI Jqn ap Qx pAä?” Askt
/nikalas.
<p>
H hQndz wx Jqnd intM wan pAk, n “aNkal” n /nikalas rOd
on sFd bF sFd. /nytySa, mafald ap in SYlz wic did not hFd hx
Igx fEs n SFniN Fz, gAlapt ap t Hem. SI woz folOd bF
/petja hM YlwEz kept klOs t hx, bF /mFkal, a hantsman, n bF a
grMm apqntad t lUk Aftx hx. /petja, hM woz lAfiN, wipt n
pUld At hiz hPs. /nytySa sAt Izili n konfidantli on hx blAk
/Rybcik n rEnd him in wiHQt efxt wiH a fxm hAnd.
<p>
“aNkal” lUkt rQnd disaprMviNli At /petja n /nytySa. hI did
not lFk t kambFn frivoliti wiH H sCWs biznas v hantiN.
<p>
“gUd mPniN, /aNkal! wI R gOiN tM!” SQtad /petja.
<p>
“gUd mPniN, gUd mPniN! bat dOnt gO OvxrFdiN H hQndz,”
sed “aNkal” stxnli.
<p>
“/nikalas, wot a fFn dog /trMnila iz! hI nM mI,” sed /nytySa,
rifxiN t hx fEvxit hQnd.
<p>
“in H fxst plEs, /trMnila iz not a 'dog,' bat a hArC,”
TYt /nikalas, n lUkt stxnli At hiz sistx, trFiN t mEk hx
fIl H distans HAt Yt t sepxEt Hem At HAt mOment. /nytySa
andxstUd it.
<p>
“V masant TiNk wI'l bI in eniwan'z wE, /aNkal,” SI sed.
“wI'l gO t Qx plEsaz n wOnt baJ.”
<p>
“a gUd TiN tM, lital kQntas,” sed “aNkal,” “Onli mFnd
V dOnt fYl of jP hPs,” hI Adad, “bikoz—HAt's it,
kam on!—V'v naTiN t hOld on t.”
<p>
H OEsis v H /Otrydnqe kOvxt kEm in sFt a fV handrad jRdz of,
H hantsmen wx Ylredi nCiN it. /rOstOf, hAviN fFnali setald
wiH “aNkal” wX HE SUd set on H hQndz, n hAviN SOn
/nytySa wX SI woz t stAnd—a spot wX naTiN kUd posabli
ran Qt—went rQnd abav H ravIn.
<p>
“wel, nefV, V'x gOiN f a big wUlf,” sed “aNkal.”
“mFnd n dOnt let hx slip!”
<p>
“HAt's Az mE hApan,” Ansxd /rOstOf. “/kRF, hC!” hI
SQtad, AnsxiN “aNkal'z” rimRk bF His kYl t hiz bPzq.
/kRF woz a SAgi Old dog wiH a hANiN JQl, fEmas f hAviN
tAkald a big wUlf anEdad. HE Yl tUk ap HX plEsaz.
<p>
H Old kQnt, nOiN hiz san'z Rdx in H hant, harid sO Az not
t bI lEt, n H hantsmen hAd not jet rIct HX plEsaz wen /kQnt
/ilja /rOstOf, cCfal, flaSt, n wiH kwivxiN cIä, drOv ap
wiH hiz blAk hPsaz Ovx H wintx rF t H plEs rizxvd f him,
wX a wUlf mFt kam Qt. hAviN strEtand hiz kOt n fAsand
on hiz hantiN nFvz n hPn, hI mQntad hiz gUd, slIk, wel-fed,
n kamfxtabal hPs, /vifljynka, wic woz txniN grE, lFk himself.
hiz hPsaz n trAp wx sent hOm. kQnt /ilja /rOstOf, HO not At
hRt a kIn spPtsman, nM H rMlz v H hant wel, n rOd t
H bUSi eJ v H rOd wX hI woz t stAnd, xEnJd hiz rEnz,
setald himself in H sAdal, n, fIliN HAt hI woz redi, lUkt
abQt wiH a smFl.
<p>
bisFd him woz /sFman /cekmR, hiz pxsanal atendant, an Old hPsman
nQ samwot stif in H sAdal. /cekmR held in lIS TrI
fPmidabal wUlfhQndz, hM hAd, hQevx, grOn fAt lFk HX mAstx
n hiz hPs. tM wFz Old doã lE dQn anlISt. sam handrad pEsaz
fRHx aloN H eJ v H wUd stUd /mitka, H kQnt's aHx
grMm, a dXiN hPsman n kIn rFdx t hQndz. bifP H hant, bF
Old kastam, H kQnt hAd draNk a silvx kapfUl v mald brAndi, tEkan
a snAk, n woSt it dQn wiH hAf a botal v hiz fEvxit /bPdO.
<p>
hI woz samwot flaSt wiH H wFn n H drFv. hiz Fz wx
rAHx mqst n glitxd mP HAn VZMal, n Az hI sAt in hiz sAdal,
rApt ap in hiz fx kOt, hI lUkt lFk a cFld tEkan Qt f an
QtiN.
<p>
H Tin, holO-cIkt /cekmR, hAviN got evriTiN redi, kept
glAnsiN At hiz mAstx wiH hMm hI hAd livd on H best v txmz f
Txti jCz, n andxstAndiN H mMd hI woz in iäpektad a plezant
cAt. a Txd pxsan rOd ap sxkamspektli TrM H wUd (it woz
plEn HAt hI hAd hAd a lesan) n stopt bihFnd H kQnt. His
pxsan woz a grE-bCdad Old mAn in a wUman'z klOk, wiH a tYl
pIkt kAp on hiz hed. hI woz H bafMn, hM went bF a wUman'z
nEm, /nystysja /ivynOvna.
<p>
“wel, /nystysja /ivynOvna!” wispxd H kQnt, wiNkiN At him.
“if V skX awE H bIst, /dAnWl'l giv it V!”
<p>
“F nO a TiN P tM mFself!” sed /nystysja /ivynOvna.
<p>
“haS!” wispxd H kQnt n txnd t /sFman. “hAv V sIn
H jaN kQntas?” hI Askt. “wX iz SI?”
<p>
“wiH jaN /kQnt /pItx, bF H /ZROf rANk grAs,” Ansxd /sFman,
smFliN. “HO SI'z a lEdi, SI'z veri fond v hantiN.”
<p>
“n V'x sxprFzd At H wE SI rFdz, /sFman, E?” sed H
kQnt. “SI'z Az gUd Az meni a mAn!”
<p>
“v kPs! it's mRvalas. sO bOld, sO Izi!”
<p>
“n /nikalas? wX iz hI? bF H /ljydOf apland, izant hI?”
<p>
“jes, sx. hI nOz wX t stAnd. hI andxstAndz H mAtx sO wel
HAt /dAnWl n F R oftan kwFt astQndad,” sed /sFman, wel nOiN
wot wUd plIz hiz mAstx.
<p>
“rFdz wel, E? n hQ wel hI lUä on hiz hPs, E?”
<p>
“a pxfikt pikcx! hQ hI cEst a foä Qt v H rANk grAs bF H
/zyvRzinsk Tikat H aHx dE! lIpt a fCfal plEs; wot a sFt
wen HE raSt from H kOvxt... H hPs wxT a TQzand rMbalz
n H rFdx bijond Yl prFs! jes, wan wUd hAf t sxc fR t
fFnd anaHx Az smRt.”
<p>
“t sxc fR...” ripItad H kQnt, evidentli sori /sFman hAd not
sed mP. “t sxc fR,” hI sed, txniN bAk H skxt v hiz
kOt t get At hiz snafboä.
<p>
“H aHx dE wen hI kEm Qt from /mAs in fUl VnifPm, /mFkal
/sidPic...” sFman did not finiS, f on H stil X hI hAd
distiNktli kYt H mVzik v H hant wiH Onli tM P TrI hQndz
giviN taN. hI bent dQn hiz hed n lisand, SEkiN a wPniN
fiNgx At hiz mAstx. “HE R on H sent v H kabz...” hI
wispxd, “strEt t H /ljydOf aplandz.”
<p>
H kQnt, fxgetiN t smMH Qt H smFl on hiz fEs, lUkt intM
H distans strEt bifP him, dQn H nArO Opan spEs, hOldiN
H snafboä in hiz hAnd bat not tEkiN eni. Aftx H krF v H hQndz
kEm H dIp tOnz v H wUlf kYl from /dAnWl'z hantiN hPn; H
pAk Jqnd H fxst TrI hQndz n HE kUd bI hxd in fUl krF,
wiH HAt pikVlC lift in H nOt HAt indikEts HAt HE R Aftx
a wUlf. H wipxz-in nO loNgx set on H hQndz, bat cEnJd t H
krF v /VlVliM, n abav H aHxz rOz /dAnWl'z vqs, nQ a dIp
bEs, nQ pCsiNli Sril. hiz vqs sImd t fil H hOl wUd n
kArid fR bijond Qt intM H Opan fIld.
<p>
Aftx lisaniN a fV mOments in sFlans, H kQnt n hiz atendant
kanvinst Hemselvz HAt H hQndz hAd sepxEtad intM tM pAä: H
sQnd v H lRJx pAk, Igxli giviN taN, bigAn t dF awE in
H distans, H aHx pAk raSt bF H wUd pAst H kQnt, n
it woz wiH His HAt /dAnWl'z vqs woz hxd kYliN /VlVliM.
H sQndz v bOT pAä miNgald n brOk apRt agen, bat bOT wx
bikamiN mP distant.
<p>
sFman sFd n stMpt t strEtan H lIS a jaN bPzq hAd
intANgald; H kQnt tM sFd n, nOtisiN H snafboä in hiz hAnd,
Opand it n tUk a pinc. “bAk!” krFd /sFman t a bPzq HAt
woz pUSiN fPwxd Qt v H wUd. H kQnt stRtad n dropt H
snafboä. /nystysja /ivynOvna dismQntad t pik it ap. H kQnt n
/sFman wx lUkiN At him.
<p>
Hen, aniäpektadli, Az oftan hApanz, H sQnd v H hant sadanli
aprOct, Az if H hQndz in fUl krF n /dAnWl /VlVliMiN wx Jast
in frant v Hem.
<p>
H kQnt txnd n sY on hiz rFt /mitka stXiN At him wiH Fz
stRtiN Qt v hiz hed, rEziN hiz kAp n pqntiN bifP him t H
aHx sFd.
<p>
“lUk Qt!” hI SQtad, in a vqs plEnli SOiN HAt hI hAd loN
fretad t atx HAt wxd, n letiN H bPzqz slip hI gAlapt
tPd H kQnt.
<p>
H kQnt n /sFman gAlapt Qt v H wUd n sY on HX left a
wUlf wic, softli swEiN from sFd t sFd, woz kamiN At a kwFat
lOp fRHx t H left t H veri plEs wX HE wx stAndiN.
H ANgri bPzqz wFnd n getiN frI v H lIS raSt pAst H
hPsaz' fIt At H wUlf.
<p>
H wUlf pYzd, txnd its hevi fPhed tPd H doã Ykwxdli,
lFk a mAn safxiN from H kwinzi, n, stil slFtli swEiN
from sFd t sFd, gEv a kapal v lIps n wiH a swiS v its tEl
disapCd intM H skxt v H wUd. At H sEm instant, wiH a krF
lFk a wEl, fxst wan hQnd, Hen anaHx, n Hen anaHx, sprAN
heltx-skeltx from H wUd opazit n H hOl pAk raSt akros
H fIld tPd H veri spot wX H wUlf hAd disapCd. H hEzal
bUSaz pRtad bihFnd H hQndz n /dAnWl'z cestnat hPs apCd,
dRk wiH swet. on its loN bAk sAt /dAnWl, hanct fPwxd, kAplas,
hiz diSevald grE hX hANiN Ovx hiz flaSt, pxspFxiN fEs.
<p>
“/VlVliMliM! /VlVliM!...” hI krFd. wen hI kYt sFt v H
kQnt hiz Fz flASt lFtniN.
<p>
“blAst V!” hI SQtad, hOldiN ap hiz wip TretaniNli At H
kQnt.
<p>
“V'v let H wUlf gO!... wot spPtsmen!” n Az if skPniN t
sE mP t H frFtand n SEmfEst kQnt, hI lASt H hIviN
flANä v hiz swetiN cestnat geldiN wiH Yl H ANgx H kQnt
hAd xQzd n flM of Aftx H hQndz. H kQnt, lFk a paniSt
skMlbq, lUkt rQnd, trFiN bF a smFl t win /sFman'z simpaTi f
hiz plFt. bat /sFman woz nO loNgx HX. hI woz gAlapiN rQnd bF H
bUSaz wFl H fIld woz kamiN ap on bOT sFdz, Yl trFiN t hed
H wUlf, bat it vAniSt intM H wUd bifP HE kUd dM sO.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
/nikalas /rOstOf mInwFl rimEnd At hiz pOst, wEtiN f H wUlf.
bF H wE H hant aprOct n risIdad, bF H krFz v H doã
hMz nOts wx familC t him, bF H wE H vqsaz v H hantsmen
aprOct, risIdad, n rOz, hI rWlFzd wot woz hApaniN At H
kops. hI nM HAt jaN n Old wUlvz wx HX, HAt H hQndz hAd
sepxEtad intM tM pAä, HAt samwX a wUlf woz bIiN cEst, n
HAt samTiN hAd gon roN. hI iäpektad H wUlf t kam hiz wE eni
mOment. hI mEd TQzandz v difxant kanJekcxz Az t wX n
from wot sFd H bIst wUd kam n hQ hI wUd set apon it. hOp
YltxnEtad wiH dispX. sevxal tFmz hI adrest a prEx t /god
HAt H wUlf SUd kam hiz wE. hI prEd wiH HAt pASanat n
SEmfEst fIliN wiH wic men prE At mOments v grEt iäFtmant
xFziN from trivWl kYzaz. “wot wUd it bI t /HI t dM His f
mI?” hI sed t /god. “F nO /HQ Rt grEt, n HAt it iz a sin t
Ask His v /HI, bat f /god'z sEk dM let H Old wUlf kam mF wE
n let /kRF spriN At it—in sFt v '/aNkal' hM iz wociN
from Ovx HX—n sIz it bF H TrOt in a deT grip!” a
TQzand tFmz dxiN HAt hAf-Qx /rOstOf kAst Igx n restlas
glAnsaz Ovx H eJ v H wUd, wiH H tM skrAgi Oä rFziN
abav H Aspan andxgrOT n H gali wiH its wYtx-wPn sFd n
“aNkal'z” kAp Jast vizabal abav H bUS on hiz rFt.
<p>
“nO, F SAnt hAv sac lak,” TYt /rOstOf, “jet wot
wUdant it bI wxT! it iz not t bI! evriwX, At kRdz n in
wP, F Am YlwEz anlaki.” memxiz v /Qstxlits n v /dOlOâOf
flASt rApidli n klCli TrM hiz mFnd. “Onli wans in mF lFf
t get an Old wUlf, F wont Onli HAt!” TYt hI, strEniN Fz n
Cz n lUkiN t H left n Hen t H rFt n lisaniN t H
slFtast vXiESan v nOt in H krFz v H doã.
<p>
agen hI lUkt t H rFt n sY samTiN raniN tPd him akros
H dizxtad fIld. “nO, it kAnt bI!” TYt /rOstOf, tEkiN a
dIp breT, Az a mAn daz At H kamiN v samTiN loN hOpt f.
H hFt v hApinas woz rIct—n sO simpli, wiHQt wPniN, P
nqz, P displE, HAt /rOstOf kUd not bilIv hiz Fz n rimEnd
in dQt f Ovx a sekand. H wUlf rAn fPwxd n Jampt hevili Ovx
a gali HAt lE in hx pAT. SI woz an Old Animal wiH a grE bAk n
big rediS beli. SI rAn wiHQt hari, evidentli fIliN SUx HAt nO
wan sY hx. /rOstOf, hOldiN hiz breT, lUkt rQnd At H bPzqz.
HE stUd P lE not sIiN H wUlf P andxstAndiN H sicMESan.
Old /kRF hAd txnd hiz hed n woz ANgrili sxciN f flIz,
bXiN hiz jelO tIT n snApiN At hiz hFnd leã.
<p>
“/VlVliMliM!” wispxd /rOstOf, pQtiN hiz lips. H bPzqz
Jampt ap, JxkiN H riNz v H lISaz n prikiN HX Cz.
/kRF finiSt skrAciN hiz hFndkwPtxz n, kokiN hiz Cz, got
ap wiH kwivxiN tEl from wic tafts v mAtad hX haN dQn.
<p>
“SAl F lMs Hem P not?” /nikalas Askt himself Az H wUlf
aprOct him kamiN from H kops. sadanli H wUlf's hOl
fizionami cEnJd: SI Sadxd, sIiN wot SI hAd probabli nevx
sIn bifP—hVman Fz fiät apon hx—n txniN hx hed a lital
tPd /rOstOf, SI pYzd.
<p>
“bAk P fPwxd? E, nO mAtx, fPwxd...” H wUlf sImd t sE
t hxself, n SI mMvd fPwxd wiHQt agen lUkiN rQnd n wiH a
kwFat, loN, Izi jet rezalMt lOp.
<p>
“/VlVliM!” krFd /nikalas, in a vqs not hiz On, n v its On
akPd hiz gUd hPs dRtad hedloN dQnhil, lIpiN Ovx galiz
t hed of H wUlf, n H bPzqz pAst it, raniN fAstx stil.
/nikalas did not hC hiz On krF nP fIl HAt hI woz gAlapiN, nP
sI H bPzqz, nP H grQnd Ovx wic hI went: hI sY Onli H
wUlf, hM, inkrIsiN hx spId, bQndad on in H sEm direkSan aloN
H holO. H fxst t kam intM vV woz /milka, wiH hx blAk
mRkiNz n pQxfal kwPtxz, gEniN apon H wUlf. nCx n
nCx... nQ SI woz ahed v it; bat H wUlf txnd its hed t fEs
hx, n insted v pUtiN on spId Az SI VZMali did /milka sadanli
rEzd hx tEl n stifand hx fPleã.
<p>
“/VlVliMliMliM!” SQtad /nikalas.
<p>
H rediS /lVbim raSt fPwxd from bihFnd /milka, sprAN
impecMasli At H wUlf, n sIzd it bF its hFndkwPtxz, bat
imIdWtli Jampt asFd in terx. H wUlf krQct, nASt hx
tIT, n agen rOz n bQndad fPwxd, folOd At H distans v a
kapal v fIt bF Yl H bPzqz, hM did not get eni klOsx t hx.
<p>
“SI'l get awE! nO, it's imposabal!” TYt /nikalas, stil
SQtiN wiH a hPs vqs.
<p>
“/kRF, /VlVliM!...” hI SQtad, lUkiN rQnd f H Old bPzq
hM woz nQ hiz Onli hOp. /kRF, wiH Yl H streNT EJ hAd left
him, strect himself t H atmOst n, wociN H wUlf, gAlapt
hevili asFd t intxsept it. bat H kwiknas v H wUlf's
lOp n H bPzq'z slOx pEs mEd it plEn HAt /kRF hAd
miskAlkVlEtad. /nikalas kUd Ylredi sI not fR in frant v him H
wUd wX H wUlf wUd sxtanli iskEp SUd SI rIc it. bat,
kamiN tPd him, hI sY hQndz n a hantsman gAlapiN YlmOst
strEt At H wUlf. HX woz stil hOp. a loN, jelOiS
jaN bPzq, wan /nikalas did not nO, from anaHx lIS, raSt
impecMasli At H wUlf from in frant n YlmOst nokt hx Ovx. bat
H wUlf Jampt ap mP kwikli HAn eniwan kUd hAv iäpektad n,
nASiN hx tIT, flM At H jelOiS bPzq, wic, wiH a pCsiN
jelp, fel wiH its hed on H grQnd, blIdiN from a gAS in its
sFd.
<p>
“/kRF? Old felO!...” wEld /nikalas.
<p>
TANä t H dilE kYzd bF His krosiN v H wUlf's pAT, H
Old dog wiH its feltad hX hANiN from its TF woz wiHin fFv
pEsaz v it. Az if awX v hx dEnJx, H wUlf txnd hx Fz on
/kRF, takt hx tEl jet fxHx bitwIn hx leã, n inkrIst
hx spId. bat hC /nikalas Onli sY HAt samTiN hApand t
/kRF—H bPzq woz sadanli on H wUlf, n HE rOld tageHx
dQn intM a gali Jast in frant v Hem.
<p>
HAt instant, wen /nikalas sY H wUlf stragaliN in H gali
wiH H doã, wFl from andx Hem kUd bI sIn hx grE hX n
Qtstrect hFnd leg n hx frFtand cOkiN hed, wiH hx Cz
lEd bAk (/kRF woz piniN hx bF H TrOt), woz H hApWst
mOment v hiz lFf. wiH hiz hAnd on hiz sAdalbO, hI woz redi t
dismQnt n stAb H wUlf, wen SI sadanli Trast hx hed ap from
amaN HAt mAs v doã, n Hen hx fPpYz wx on H eJ v H
gali. SI klikt hx tIT (/kRF nO loNgx hAd hx bF H TrOt),
lIpt wiH a mMvmant v hx hFnd leã Qt v H gali, n hAviN
disingEJd hxself from H doã, wiH tEl takt in agen, went
fPwxd. /kRF, hiz hX brisaliN, n probabli brMzd P wMndad,
klFmd wiH difikalti Qt v H gali.
<p>
“O mF /god! wF?” /nikalas krFd in dispX.
<p>
“aNkal'z” hantsman woz gAlapiN from H aHx sFd akros H
wUlf's pAT n hiz bPzqz wans mP stopt H Animal'z advAns.
SI woz agen hemd in.
<p>
/nikalas n hiz atendant, wiH “aNkal” n hiz hantsman, wx Yl
rFdiN rQnd H wUlf, krFiN “/VlVliM!” SQtiN n pripXiN t
dismQnt Ic mOment HAt H wUlf krQct bAk, n stRtiN fPwxd
agen evri tFm SI SUk hxself n mMvd tPd H wUd wX SI
wUd bI sEf.
<p>
Ylredi, At H biginiN v His cEs, /dAnWl, hCiN H /VlVliMiN,
hAd raSt Qt from H wUd. hI sY /kRF sIz H wUlf, n cekt
hiz hPs, sapOziN H afX t bI Ovx. bat wen hI sY HAt H
hPsmen did not dismQnt n HAt H wUlf SUk hxself n rAn f
sEfti, /dAnWl set hiz cestnat gAlapiN, not At H wUlf bat strEt
tPd H wUd, Jast Az /kRF hAd ran t kat H Animal of. Az
a rizalt v His, hI gAlapt ap t H wUlf Jast wen SI hAd bin
stopt a sekand tFm bF “aNkal'z” bPzqz.
<p>
/dAnWl gAlapt ap sFlantli, hOldiN a nEkad dAgx in hiz left hAnd n
TrASiN H lEbxiN sFdz v hiz cestnat hPs wiH hiz wip Az if
it wx a flEl.
<p>
/nikalas nFHx sY nP hxd /dAnWl antil H cestnat, brIHiN
hevili, pAntad pAst him, n hI hxd H fYl v a bodi n sY /dAnWl
lFiN on H wUlf's bAk amaN H doã, trFiN t sIz hx bF H
Cz. it woz evidant t H doã, H hantxz, n t H wUlf hxself
HAt Yl woz nQ Ovx. H terifFd wUlf prest bAk hx Cz n
trFd t rFz, bat H bPzqz stak t hx. /dAnWl rOz a lital, tUk
a step, n wiH hiz hOl wEt, Az if lFiN dQn t rest, fel on
H wUlf, sIziN hx bF H Cz. /nikalas woz abQt t stAb hx, bat
/dAnWl wispxd, “dOnt! wI'l gAg hx!” n, cEnJiN hiz
paziSan, set hiz fUt on H wUlf's nek. a stik woz Trast bitwIn
hx JYz n SI woz fAsand wiH a lIS, Az if brFdald, hx leã wx
bQnd tageHx, n /dAnWl rOld hx Ovx wans P twFs from sFd t
sFd.
<p>
wiH hApi, iãYstad fEsaz, HE lEd H Old wUlf, alFv, on a SFiN
n snPtiN hPs n, akampanid bF H doã jelpiN At hx, tUk hx
t H plEs wX HE wx Yl t mIt. H hQndz hAd kild tM v
H kabz n H bPzqz TrI. H hantsmen asembald wiH HX bMti
n HX stPiz, n Yl kEm t lUk At H wUlf, wic, wiH hx
brYd-brQd hed hANiN dQn n H bitan stik bitwIn hx JYz,
gEzd wiH grEt glAsi Fz At His krQd v doã n men sxQndiN
hx. wen SI woz tact, SI Jxkt hx bQnd leã n lUkt wFldli
jet simpli At evribodi. Old /kQnt /rOstOf YlsO rOd ap n tact H
wUlf.
<p>
“O, wot a fPmidabal wan!” sed hI. “a fPmidabal wan, E?” hI
Askt /dAnWl, hM woz stAndiN nC.
<p>
“jes, jP eäalansi,” Ansxd /dAnWl, kwikli dofiN hiz kAp.
<p>
H kQnt rimembxd H wUlf hI hAd let slip n hiz inkQntx wiH
/dAnWl.
<p>
“y, bat V R a krasti felO, frend!” sed H kQnt.
<p>
f sOl riplF /dAnWl gEv him a SF, cFldlFk, mIk, n EmWbal
smFl.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
H Old kQnt went hOm, n /nytySa n /petja promist t ritxn veri
sMn, bat Az it woz stil xli H hant went fRHx. At middE
HE pUt H hQndz intM a ravIn Tikli OvxgrOn wiH jaN trIz.
/nikalas stAndiN in a fAlO fIld kUd sI Yl hiz wips.
<p>
fEsiN him lE a fIld v wintx rF, HX hiz On hantsman stUd alOn
in a holO bihFnd a hEzal bUS. H hQndz hAd skXsli bin lMst
bifP /nikalas hxd wan hI nM, /vOltPn, giviN taN At intxvalz;
aHx hQndz Jqnd in, nQ pYziN n nQ agen giviN taN. a
mOment lEtx hI hxd a krF from H wUdad ravIn HAt a foä hAd bin
fQnd, n H hOl pAk, JqniN tageHx, raSt aloN H ravIn
tPd H rFfIld n awE from /nikalas.
<p>
hI sY H wips in HX red kAps gAlapiN aloN H eJ v H
ravIn, hI Ivan sY H hQndz, n woz iäpektiN a foä t SO itself
At eni mOment on H rFfIld opazit.
<p>
H hantsman stAndiN in H holO mMvd n lMst hiz bPzqz, n
/nikalas sY a kwC, SPt-legad red foä wiH a fFn braS gOiN hRd
akros H fIld. H bPzqz bP dQn on it.... nQ HE drM klOs
t H foä wic bigAn t doJ bitwIn H fIld in SRpx n SRpx
kxvz, trEliN its braS, wen sadanli a strEnJ wFt bPzq dASt
in folOd bF a blAk wan, n evriTiN woz in kanfVZan; H bPzqz
fPmd a stR-SEpt figjx, skXsli swEiN HX bodiz n wiH
tElz txnd awE from H sentx v H grMp. tM hantsmen gAlapt ap
t H doã; wan in a red kAp, H aHx, a strEnJx, in a grIn kOt.
<p>
“wot's His?” TYt /nikalas. “wX'z HAt hantsman from?
hI iz not '/aNkal'z' mAn.”
<p>
H hantsmen got H foä, bat stEd HX a loN tFm wiHQt strApiN
it t H sAdal. HX hPsaz, brFdald n wiH hF sAdalz, stUd
nC Hem n HX tM H doã wx lFiN. H hantsmen wEvd HX
Rmz n did samTiN t H foä. Hen from HAt spot kEm H sQnd v
a hPn, wiH H signal agrId on in kEs v a fFt.
<p>
“HAt's /ilygin'z hantsman hAviN a rO wiH Qx /ivyn,” sed
/nikalas' grMm.
<p>
/nikalas sent H mAn t kYl /nytySa n /petja t him, n rOd At a
fUtpEs t H plEs wX H wips wx getiN H hQndz tageHx.
sevxal v H fIld gAlapt t H spot wX H fFt woz gOiN on.
<p>
/nikalas dismQntad, n wiH /nytySa n /petja, hM hAd ridan ap,
stopt nC H hQndz, wEtiN t sI hQ H mAtx wUd end. Qt v
H bUSaz kEm H hantsman hM hAd bin fFtiN n rOd tPd
hiz jaN mAstx, wiH H foä tFd t hiz krapx. wFl stil At a
distans hI tUk of hiz kAp n trFd t spIk rispektfali, bat hI woz
pEl n breTlas n hiz fEs woz ANgri. wan v hiz Fz woz blAk,
bat hI probabli woz not Ivan awX v it.
<p>
“wot hAz hApand?” Askt /nikalas.
<p>
“a lFkli TiN, kiliN a foä Qx doã hAd hantad! n it woz mF grE
bic HAt kYt it! gO t lY, indId!... hI snAcaz At H foä! F
gEv him wan wiH H foä. hC it iz on mF sAdal! dM V wont a tEst
v His?...” sed H hantsman, pqntiN t hiz dAgx n probabli
imAJiniN himself stil spIkiN t hiz fO.
<p>
/nikalas, not stopiN t tYk t H mAn, Askt hiz sistx n /petja
t wEt f him n rOd t H spot wX H enami'z, /ilygin'z,
hantiN pRti woz.
<p>
H viktPWs hantsman rOd of t Jqn H fIld, n HX,
sxQndad bF inkwFxiN simpaTFzxz, rikQntad hiz eäplqts.
<p>
H fAkts wx HAt /ilygin, wiH hMm H /rOstOfs hAd a kworal n
wx At lY, hantad Ovx plEsaz HAt biloNd bF kastam t H /rOstOfs,
n hAd nQ, Az if pxpasli, sent hiz men t H veri wUdz H
/rOstOfs wx hantiN n let hiz mAn snAc a foä HX doã hAd
cEst.
<p>
/nikalas, HO hI hAd nevx sIn /ilygin, wiH hiz VZMal Absans
v modxESan in JaJmant, hEtad him kPJali from ripPts v hiz
RbitrXinas n vFalans, n rigRdad him Az hiz bitxast fO. hI
rOd in ANgri AJitESan tPd him, fxmli grAspiN hiz wip n fUli
pripXd t tEk H mOst rezalMt n despxat steps t paniS hiz
enami.
<p>
hRdli hAd hI pAst an ANgal v H wUd bifP a stQt Jentalman in
a bIvx kAp kEm rFdiN tPd him on a hAndsam rEvan-blAk hPs,
akampanid bF tM hant sxvants.
<p>
insted v an enami, /nikalas fQnd in /ilygin a stEtli n kxtWs
Jentalman hM woz pxtikVlxli ANkSas t mEk H jaN kQnt's
akwEntans. hAviN ridan ap t /nikalas, /ilygin rEzd hiz bIvx
kAp n sed hI mac rigretad wot hAd akxd n wUd hAv H
mAn paniSt hM hAd alQd himself t sIz a foä hantad bF samwan
els'az bPzqz. hI hOpt t bikam betx akwEntad wiH H kQnt
n invFtad him t drY hiz kOvxt.
<p>
/nytySa, afrEd HAt hx braHx wUd dM samTiN dredfal, hAd
folOd him in sam iäFtmant. sIiN H enamiz iäcEnJiN frendli
grItiNz, SI rOd ap t Hem. /ilygin liftad hiz bIvx kAp stil
hFx t /nytySa n sed, wiH a plezant smFl, HAt H jaN
kQntas rizembald /dFAna in hx pASan f H cEs Az wel Az in hx
bVti, v wic hI hAd hxd mac.
<p>
t eäpiEt hiz hantsman'z afens, /ilygin prest H /rOstOfs t
kam t an apland v hiz abQt a mFl awE wic hI VZMali kept f
himself n wic, hI sed, swPmd wiH hXz. /nikalas agrId, n H
hant, nQ dabald, mMvd on.
<p>
H wE t /iligin'z apland woz akros H fIldz. H hant sxvants
fel intM lFn. H mAstxz rOd tageHx. “aNkal,” /rOstOf, n
/ilygin kept stelTili glAnsiN At wan anaHx'z doã, trFiN not
t bI abzxvd bF HX kampAnjanz n sxciN anIzili f rFvalz t
HX On bPzqz.
<p>
/rOstOf woz pxtikVlxli strak bF H bVti v a smYl, pjUx-bred,
red-spotad bic on /ilygin'z lIS, slendx bat wiH masalz lFk
stIl, a delikat mazal, n prominant blAk Fz. hI hAd hxd v
H swiftnas v /ilygin'z bPzqz, n in HAt bVtifal bic sY a
rFval t hiz On /milka.
<p>
in H midal v a sObx konvxsESan bigan bF /ilygin abQt H
jC'z hRvist, /nikalas pqntad t H red-spotad bic.
<p>
“a fFn lital bic, HAt!” sed hI in a kXlas tOn. “iz SI
swift?”
<p>
“HAt wan? jes, SI'z a gUd dog, gets wot SI'z Aftx,”
Ansxd /ilygin indifxantli, v H red-spotad bic /xza, f
wic, a jC bifP, hI hAd givan a nEbx TrI fAmliz v hQs
sxfs. “sO in jP pRts, tM, H hRvist iz naTiN t bOst v,
/kQnt?” hI went on, kantinViN H konvxsESan HE hAd bigan. n
kansidxiN it palFt t ritxn H jaN kQnt's kompliment, /ilygin
lUkt At hiz bPzqz n pikt Qt /milka hM atrAktad hiz atenSan
bF hx bredT. “HAt blAk-spotad wan v jPz iz fFn—wel
SEpt!” sed hI.
<p>
“jes, SI'z fAst inaf,” riplFd /nikalas, n TYt: “if
Onli a fUl-grOn hX wUd kros H fIld nQ F'd SO V wot
sPt v bPzq SI iz,” n txniN t hiz grMm, hI sed hI wUd
giv a rMbal t eniwan hM fQnd a hX.
<p>
“F dOnt andxstAnd,” kantinVd /ilygin, “hQ sam spPtsmen kAn
bI sO Jelas abQt gEm n doã. f mFself, F kAn tel V, /kQnt,
F inJq rFdiN in kampani sac Az His... wot kUd bI betx?” (hI
agen rEzd hiz kAp t /nytySa) “bat Az f kQntiN skinz n wot
wan tEä, F dOnt kX abQt HAt.”
<p>
“v kPs not!”
<p>
“P bIiN apset bikoz samwan els'az bPzq n not mFn kAcaz
samTiN. Yl F kX abQt iz t inJq sIiN H cEs, iz it not sO,
/kQnt? f F kansidx HAt...”
<p>
“a-tM!” kEm H loN-drYn krF v wan v H bPzq wipxz-in,
hM hAd hYltad. hI stUd on a nOl in H stabal, hOldiN hiz wip
aloft, n agen ripItad hiz loN-drYn krF, “a-tM!” (His kYl n
H apliftad wip ment HAt hI sY a sitiN hX.)
<p>
“y, hI hAz fQnd wan, F TiNk,” sed /ilygin kXlasli. “jes, wI
mast rFd ap.... SAl wI bOT kPs it?” Ansxd /nikalas, sIiN
in /xza n “aNkal'z” red /rMgF tM rFvalz hI hAd nevx jet hAd
a cAns v pitiN agenst hiz On bPzqz. “n sapOz HE QtdM
mF /milka At wans!” hI TYt Az hI rOd wiH “aNkal” n /ilygin
tPd H hX.
<p>
“a fUl-grOn wan?” Askt /ilygin Az hI aprOct H wip hM
hAd sFtad H hX—n not wiHQt AJitESan hI lUkt rQnd n
wisald t /xza.
<p>
“n V, /mFkal /nikynPOvic?” hI sed, adresiN “aNkal.”
<p>
H lAtx woz rFdiN wiH a salan iäpreSan on hiz fEs.
<p>
“hQ kAn F Jqn in? wF, V'v givan a viliJ f Ic v jP
bPzqz! HAt's it, kam on! jPz R wxT TQzandz. trF jPz
agenst wan anaHx, V tM, n F'l lUk on!”
<p>
“/rMgF, hE, hE!” hI SQtad. “/rMgFMSka!” hI Adad,
involantXili bF His diminVtiv iäpresiN hiz afekSan n H hOps
hI plEst on His red bPzq. /nytySa sY n felt H AJitESan H
tM eldxli men n hx braHx wx trFiN t kansIl, n woz hxself
iäFtad bF it.
<p>
H hantsman stUd hAfwE ap H nOl hOldiN ap hiz wip n H
JentalfOk rOd ap t him At a fUtpEs; H hQndz HAt wx fR of
on H hxFzan txnd awE from H hX, n H wips, bat not H
JentalfOk, YlsO mMvd awE. Yl wx mMviN slOli n sidEtli.
<p>
“hQ iz it pqntiN?” Askt /nikalas, rFdiN a handrad pEsaz tPd
H wip hM hAd sFtad H hX.
<p>
bat bifP H wip kUd riplF, H hX, sentiN H frost kamiN
neät mPniN, woz anEbal t rest n lIpt ap. H pAk on lIS raSt
dQnhil in fUl krF Aftx H hX, n from Yl sFdz H bPzqz HAt
wx not on lIS dRtad Aftx H hQndz n H hX. Yl H hant,
hM hAd bin mMviN slOli, SQtad, “stop!” kYliN in H hQndz,
wFl H bPzq wips, wiH a krF v “a-tM!” gAlapt akros H
fIld setiN H bPzqz on H hX. H trANkwil /ilygin, /nikalas,
/nytySa, n “aNkal” flM, reklas v wX n hQ HE went,
sIiN Onli H bPzqz n H hX n fCiN Onli t lMz sFt Ivan
f an instant v H cEs. H hX HE hAd stRtad woz a stroN n
swift wan. wen hI Jampt ap hI did not ran At wans, bat prikt hiz
Cz lisaniN t H SQtiN n trAmpaliN HAt rizQndad from Yl
sFdz At wans. hI tUk a dazan bQndz, not veri kwikli, letiN H
bPzqz gEn on him, n, fFnali hAviN cOzan hiz direkSan n
rWlFzd hiz dEnJx, lEd bAk hiz Cz n raSt of hedloN. hI hAd
bin lFiN in H stabal, bat in frant v him woz H Ytam sOiN
wX H grQnd woz soft. H tM bPzqz v H hantsman hM hAd
sFtad him, hAviN bin H nCast, wx H fxst t sI n pxsM
him, bat HE hAd not gon fR bifP /ilygin'z red-spotad /xza
pAst Hem, got wiHin a leNT, flM At H hX wiH teribal
swiftnas EmiN At hiz skat, n, TiNkiN SI hAd sIzd him, rOld
Ovx lFk a bYl. H hX Rct hiz bAk n bQndad of jet mP
swiftli. from bihFnd /xza raSt H brYd-hYnct, blAk-spotad
/milka n bigAn rApidli gEniN on H hX.
<p>
“/milySka, dC!” rOz /nikalas' trFamfant krF. it lUkt Az if
/milka wUd imIdWtli pQns on H hX, bat SI OvxtUk him n
flM pAst. H hX hAd skwotad. agen H bVtifal /xza rIct him,
bat wen klOs t H hX'z skat pYzd Az if meZxiN H distans,
sO Az not t mEk a mistEk His tFm bat sIz hiz hFnd leg.
<p>
“/xza, dRliN!” /ilygin wEld in a vqs anlFk hiz On. /xza
did not hRkan t hiz apIl. At H veri mOment wen SI wUd hAv
sIzd hx prE, H hX mMvd n dRtad aloN H bYk bitwIn H
wintx rF n H stabal. agen /xza n /milka wx abrest, raniN
lFk a pX v kAriJ hPsaz, n bigAn t OvxtEk H hX, bat
it woz IzC f H hX t ran on H bYk n H bPzqz did not
OvxtEk him sO kwikli.
<p>
“/rMgF, /rMgFMSka! HAt's it, kam on!” kEm a Txd vqs Jast
Hen, n “aNkal'z” red bPzq, strEniN n kxviN its bAk,
kYt ap wiH H tM fPmOst bPzqz, pUSt ahed v Hem rigRdlas
v H teribal strEn, pUt on spId klOs t H hX, nokt it of
H bYk ontM H rFfIld, agen pUt on spId stil mP viSasli,
siNkiN t hiz nIz in H madi fIld, n Yl wan kUd sI woz
hQ, madiiN hiz bAk, hI rOld Ovx wiH H hX. a riN v bPzqz
sxQndad him. a mOment lEtx evriwan hAd drYn ap rQnd H krQd
v doã. Onli H dilFtad “aNkal” dismQntad, n kat of a pAd,
SEkiN H hX f H blad t drip of, n ANkSasli glAnsiN rQnd
wiH restlas Fz wFl hiz Rmz n leã twict. hI spOk wiHQt
himself nOiN hMm t P wot abQt. “HAt's it, kam on! HAt's
a dog!... HX, it hAz bItan Hem Yl, H TQzand-rMbal Az wel Az
H wan-rMbal bPzqz. HAt's it, kam on!” sed hI, pAntiN n
lUkiN rATfali xQnd Az if hI wx abVziN samwan, Az if HE
wx Yl hiz enamiz n hAd insaltad him, n Onli nQ hAd hI At
lAst saäIdad in JastifFiN himself. “HX R jP TQzand-rMbal
wanz.... HAt's it, kam on!...”
<p>
“/rMgF, hC'z a pAd f V!” hI sed, TrOiN dQn H
hX'z madi pAd. “V'v dizxvd it, HAt's it, kam on!”
<p>
“SI'd tFxd hxself Qt, SI'd ran it dQn TrI tFmz bF
hxself,” sed /nikalas, YlsO not lisaniN t eniwan n rigRdlas
v weHx hI wx hxd P not.
<p>
“bat wot iz HX in raniN akros it lFk HAt?” sed /ilygin'z
grMm.
<p>
“wans SI hAd mist it n txnd it awE, eni moNgral kUd tEk
it,” /ilygin woz sEiN At H sEm tFm, breTlas from hiz gAlap
n hiz iäFtmant. At H sEm mOment /nytySa, wiHQt drYiN
breT, skrImd Jqasli, iätAtikli, n sO pCsiNli HAt it set
evriwan'z C tiNgaliN. bF HAt SrIk SI iäprest wot H aHxz
iäprest bF Yl tYkiN At wans, n it woz sO strEnJ HAt SI mast
hxself hAv bin aSEmd v sO wFld a krF n evriwan els wUd hAv
bin amEzd At it At eni aHx tFm. “aNkal” himself twistad ap H
hX, TrM it nItli n smRtli akros hiz hPs'az bAk Az if bF
HAt Jescx hI ment t ribVk evribodi, n, wiH an X v not
wiSiN t spIk t eniwan, mQntad hiz bE n rOd of. H aHxz Yl
folOd, dispiritad n SEmfEst, n Onli mac lEtx wx HE Ebal
t rigEn HX fPmx AfektESan v indifxans. f a loN tFm HE
kantinVd t lUk At red /rMgF hM, hiz Rct bAk spAtxd wiH
mad n klANkiN H riN v hiz lIS, wYkt aloN Jast bihFnd
“aNkal'z” hPs wiH H sxIn X v a koNkxx.
<p>
“wel, F Am lFk eni aHx dog Az loN Az it's not a kwescan v
kPsiN. bat wen it iz, Hen lUk Qt!” hiz apCans sImd t
/nikalas t bI sEiN.
<p>
wen, mac lEtx, “aNkal” rOd ap t /nikalas n bigAn tYkiN
t him, hI felt flAtxd HAt, Aftx wot hAd hApand, “aNkal”
dEnd t spIk t him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/tPd IvniN /ilygin tUk lIv v /nikalas, hM fQnd HAt HE wx
sO fR from hOm HAt hI aäeptad “aNkal'z” ofx HAt H hantiN
pRti SUd spend H nFt in hiz lital viliJ v /miâFlOvna.
<p>
“n if V pUt ap At mF hQs HAt wil bI betx stil. HAt's it,
kam on!” sed “aNkal.” “V sI it's dAmp weHx, n V
kUd rest, n H lital kQntas kUd bI drivan hOm in a trAp.”
<p>
“aNkal'z” ofx woz aäeptad. a hantsman woz sent t /Otrydnqe f
a trAp, wFl /nikalas rOd wiH /nytySa n /petja t “aNkal'z”
hQs.
<p>
sam fFv mEl damestik sxfs, big n lital, raSt Qt t H frant
pPc t mIt HX mAstx. a skP v wimin sxfs, Old n jaN, Az
wel Az cildran, popt Qt from H bAk entrans t hAv a lUk At
H hantxz hM wx xFviN. H prezans v /nytySa—a wUman, a
lEdi, n on hPsbAk—rEzd H kjUxiositi v H sxfs t sac a
digrI HAt meni v Hem kEm ap t hx, stXd hx in H fEs, n
anabASt bF hx prezans mEd rimRä abQt hx Az HO SI wx sam
prodiJi on SO n not a hVman bIiN Ebal t hC P andxstAnd wot
woz sed abQt hx.
<p>
“/RiNka! lUk, SI sits sFdwEz! HX SI sits n hx skxt
dANgalz.... sI, SI'z got a lital hantiN hPn!”
<p>
“gUdnas grESas! sI hx nFf?...”
<p>
“izant SI a /tRtx!”
<p>
“hQ iz it V didant gO hed Ovx hIlz?” Askt H bOldast v
Yl, adresiN /nytySa direktli.
<p>
“aNkal” dismQntad At H pPc v hiz lital wUdan hQs wic
stUd in H midst v an OvxgrOn gRdan n, Aftx a glAns At hiz
ritEnxz, SQtad YToritativli HAt H sMpxflMas wanz SUd tEk
Hemselvz of n HAt Yl nesisXi prepxESanz SUd bI mEd t
risIv H gests n H vizitxz.
<p>
H sxfs Yl dispxst. “aNkal” liftad /nytySa of hx hPs n
tEkiN hx hAnd led hx ap H rikati wUdan steps v H pPc. H
hQs, wiH its bX, anplAstxd log wYlz, woz not OvxklIn—it
did not sIm HAt HOz liviN in it Emd At kIpiN it spotlas—bat
nFHx woz it nOtisabli niglektad. in H entri HX woz a smel v
freS Apalz, n wUlf n foä skinz haN abQt.
<p>
“aNkal” led H vizitxz TrM H AntirMm intM a smYl hYl wiH
a fOldiN tEbal n red cXz, Hen intM H drYiN rMm wiH a rQnd
bxcwUd tEbal n a sOfa, n fFnali intM hiz prFvat rMm wX
HX woz a tAtxd sOfa, a wPn kRpat, n pPtrEts v /sMvPOf, v
H hOst's fyHx n maHx, n v himself in militXi VnifPm. H
stadi smelt stroNli v tabAkO n doã. “aNkal” Askt hiz vizitxz
t sit dQn n mEk Hemselvz At hOm, n Hen went Qt v H rMm.
/rMgF, hiz bAk stil madi, kEm intM H rMm n lE dQn on H
sOfa, klIniN himself wiH hiz taN n tIT. lIdiN from H stadi
woz a pAsiJ in wic a pRtiSan wiH rAgad kxtanz kUd bI
sIn. from bihFnd His kEm wimin'z lAftx n wispxz. /nytySa,
/nikalas, n /petja tUk of HX rAps n sAt dQn on H sOfa.
/petja, lIniN on hiz elbO, fel aslIp At wans. /nytySa n /nikalas
wx sFlant. HX fEsaz glOd, HE wx haNgri n veri cCfal.
HE lUkt At wan anaHx (nQ HAt H hant woz Ovx n HE wx in
H hQs, /nikalas nO loNgx kansidxd it nesisXi t SO hiz mAnli
sMpCiPiti Ovx hiz sistx), /nytySa gEv him a wiNk, n nFHx
rifrEnd loN from bxstiN intM a pIl v riNiN lAftx Ivan bifP
HE hAd a prIteät redi t akQnt f it.
<p>
Aftx a wFl “aNkal” kEm in, in a /kosAk kOt, blM trQzxz, n
smYl top bMts. n /nytySa felt HAt His kostMm, H veri wan SI
hAd rigRdad wiH sxprFz n amVzmant At /Otrydnqe, woz Jast H
rFt TiN n not At Yl wxs HAn a swolO-tEl P frok kOt.
“aNkal” tM woz in hF spirits n fR from bIiN afendad bF H
braHx'z n sistx'z lAftx (it kUd nevx entx hiz hed HAt
HE mFt bI lAfiN At hiz wE v lFf) hI himself Jqnd in H
merimant.
<p>
“HAt's rFt, jaN kQntas, HAt's it, kam on! F nevx sY
eniwan lFk hx!” sed hI, ofxiN /nikalas a pFp wiH a loN stem
n, wiH a prAktist mOSan v TrI fiNgxz, tEkiN dQn anaHx HAt
hAd bin kat SPt. “SI'z ridan Yl dE lFk a mAn, n iz Az
freS Az evx!”
<p>
sMn Aftx “aNkal'z” rIapCans H dP woz Opand, evidentli
from H sQnd bF a bXfUtad gxl, n a stQt, rOzi, gUd-lUkiN
wUman v abQt fPti, wiH a dabal cin n fUl red lips, entxd
kAriiN a lRJ lOdad trE. wiH hospitabal digniti n kPJiAliti in
hx glAns n in evri mOSan, SI lUkt At H vizitxz n, wiH
a plezant smFl, bQd rispektfali. in spFt v hx iäepSanal
stQtnas, wic kYzd hx t prOtrMd hx cest n stamak n TrO
bAk hx hed, His wUman (hM woz “aNkal'z” hQskIpx) trod
veri lFtli. SI went t H tEbal, set dQn H trE, n wiH hx
plamp wFt hAndz deftli tUk from it H botalz n vXWs P
d'xvraz n diSaz n xEnJd Hem on H tEbal. wen SI hAd
finiSt, SI stept asFd n stopt At H dP wiH a smFl on hx
fEs. “hC F Am. F Am SI! nQ dM V andxstAnd '/aNkal'?” hx
iäpreSan sed t /rOstOf. hQ kUd wan help andxstAndiN? not Onli
/nikalas, bat Ivan /nytySa andxstUd H mIniN v hiz pakxd brQ
n H hApi kamplEsant smFl HAt slFtli pakxd hiz lips wen
/ynisja /fjOdPOvna entxd. on H trE woz a botal v xb wFn,
difxant kFndz v vodka, pikald maSrMmz, rF kEä mEd wiH
batxmilk, hani in H kOm, stil mId n spRkaliN mId, Apalz,
nats (rY n rOstad), n nat-n-hani swIts. Aftxwxdz SI brYt
a freSli rOstad cikin, hAm, prizxvz mEd wiH hani, n prizxvz
mEd wiH SUgx.
<p>
Yl His woz H frMt v /ynisja /fjOdPOvna'z hQskIpiN, gAHxd
n pripXd bF hx. H smel n tEst v it Yl hAd a smAk
v /ynisja /fjOdPOvna hxself: a sEvx v JMsinas, klenlinas,
wFtnas, n plezant smFlz.
<p>
“tEk His, lital /lEdi-/kQntas!” SI kept sEiN, Az SI ofxd
/nytySa fxst wan TiN n Hen anaHx.
<p>
/nytySa Et v evriTiN n TYt SI hAd nevx sIn P Itan sac
batxmilk kEä, sac AramAtik JAm, sac hani-n-nat swIts, P sac
a cikin eniwX. /ynisja /fjOdPOvna left H rMm.
<p>
Aftx sapx, Ovx HX ceri brAndi, /rOstOf n “aNkal” tYkt
v pAst n fVcx hants, v /rMgF n /ilygin'z doã, wFl /nytySa
sAt aprFt on H sOfa n lisand wiH spRkaliN Fz. SI trFd
sevxal tFmz t wEk /petja HAt hI mFt It samTiN, bat hI
Onli matxd inkOhCant wxdz wiHQt wEkiN ap. /nytySa felt sO
lFthRtad n hApi in HIz noval sxQndiNz HAt SI Onli fCd
H trAp wUd kam f hx tM sMn. Aftx a kAZMal pYz, sac Az
oftan akxz wen risIviN frendz f H fxst tFm in wan'z On
hQs, “aNkal,” AnsxiN a TYt HAt woz in hiz vizitxz'
mFndz, sed:
<p>
“His, V sI, iz hQ F Am finiSiN mF dEz... deT wil kam.
HAt's it, kam on! naTiN wil rimEn. Hen wF hRm eniwan?”
<p>
“aNkal'z” fEs woz veri signifikant n Ivan hAndsam Az hI sed
His. involantXili /rOstOf rikYld Yl H gUd hI hAd hxd abQt
him from hiz fyHx n H nEbxz. TrMQt H hOl provins
“aNkal” hAd H repVtESan v bIiN H mOst onxabal n
disintxastad v krANä. HE kYld him in t disFd fAmli dispVts,
cOz him Az iãekVtx, kanfFdad sIkrats t him, ilektad him t bI a
Jastis n t aHx pOsts; bat hI YlwEz pxsistantli rifVzd pablik
apqntmants, pAsiN H Ytam n spriN in H fIldz on hiz bE
geldiN, sitiN At hOm in wintx, n lFiN in hiz OvxgrOn gRdan in
samx.
<p>
“wF dOnt V entx H sxvis, /aNkal?”
<p>
“F did wans, bat gEv it ap. F Am not fit f it. HAt's it, kam
on! F kAnt mEk hed P tEl v it. HAt's f V—F hAvant
brEnz inaf. nQ, hantiN iz anaHx mAtx—HAt's it, kam on!
Opan H dP, HX!” hI SQtad. “wF hAv V Sat it?”
<p>
H dP At H end v H pAsiJ led t H hantsmen'z rMm, Az HE
kYld H rMm f H hant sxvants.
<p>
HX woz a rApid pAtx v bX fIt, n an ansIn hAnd Opand H
dP intM H hantsmen'z rMm, from wic kEm H klC sQndz v a
bElalEka on wic samwan, hM woz evidentli a mAstx v H Rt, woz
plEiN. /nytySa hAd bin lisaniN t HOz strEnz f sam tFm n
nQ went Qt intM H pAsiJ t hC betx.
<p>
“HAt's /mitka, mF kOcman.... F hAv got him a gUd bElalEka.
F'm fond v it,” sed “aNkal.”
<p>
it woz H kastam f /mitka t plE H bElalEka in H hantsmen'z
rMm wen “aNkal” ritxnd from H cEs. “aNkal” woz fond v
sac mVzik.
<p>
“hQ gUd! rWli veri gUd!” sed /nikalas wiH sam anintenSanal
sMpxsilWsnas, Az if aSEmd t kanfes HAt H sQndz plIzd him
veri mac.
<p>
“veri gUd?” sed /nytySa riprOcfali, nOtisiN hx braHx'z
tOn. “not 'veri gUd'--it's simpli diliSas!”
<p>
Jast Az “aNkal'z” pikald maSrMmz, hani, n ceri brAndi hAd
sImd t hx H best in H wxld, sO YlsO HAt soN, At HAt mOment,
sImd t hx H Akmi v mVzikal dilFt.
<p>
“mP, plIz, mP!” krFd /nytySa At H dP Az sMn Az H
bElalEka sIst. mitka tMnd ap afreS, n rIkamenst TramiN
H bElalEka t H X v mF /lEdi, wiH trilz n vXiESanz.
“aNkal” sAt lisaniN, slFtli smFliN, wiH hiz hed on wan sFd.
H X woz ripItad a handrad tFmz. H bElalEka woz rItMnd sevxal
tFmz n H sEm nOts wx Tramd agen, bat H lisanxz did
not grO wCi v it n wiSt t hC it agen n agen. /ynisja
/fjOdPOvna kEm in n lInd hx pPtli pxsan agenst H dPpOst.
<p>
“V lFk lisaniN?” SI sed t /nytySa, wiH a smFl iätrImli
lFk “aNkal'z.” “HAt's a gUd plEx v Qxz,” SI Adad.
<p>
“hI dazant plE HAt pRt rFt!” sed “aNkal” sadanli, wiH
an enxJetik Jescx. “hC hI Yt t bxst Qt—HAt's it, kam
on!—Yt t bxst Qt.”
<p>
“dM V plE Hen?” Askt /nytySa.
<p>
“aNkal” did not Ansx, bat smFld.
<p>
“/ynisja, gO n sI if H striNz v mF gitR R Yl rFt. F
hAvant tact it f a loN tFm. HAt's it—kam on! F'v
givan it ap.”
<p>
/ynisja /fjOdPOvna, wiH hx lFt step, wiliNli went t fUlfil hx
erand n brYt bAk H gitR.
<p>
wiHQt lUkiN At eniwan, “aNkal” blM H dast of it n, tApiN
H kEs wiH hiz bOni fiNgxz, tMnd H gitR n setald himself in
hiz RmcX. hI tUk H gitR a lital abav H fiNgxbPd, RciN
hiz left elbO wiH a samwot TiAtrikal Jescx, n, wiH a wiNk At
/ynisja /fjOdPOvna, strak a siNgal kPd, pjUx n sanPas, n Hen
kwFatli, smMHli, n konfidantli bigAn plEiN in veri slO tFm, not
mF /lEdi, bat H wel-nOn soN: kEm a mEdan dQn H strIt. H
tMn, plEd wiH prisiZan n in iãAkt tFm, bigAn t Tril in H
hRts v /nikalas n /nytySa, xQziN in Hem H sEm kFnd v
sObx mxT Az rEdiEtad from /ynisja /fjOdPOvna'z hOl bIiN. /ynisja
/fjOdPOvna flaSt, n drYiN hx kxcif Ovx hx fEs went lAfiN
Qt v H rMm. “aNkal” kantinVd t plE kxektli, kXfali,
wiH enxJetik fxmnas, lUkiN wiH a cEnJd n inspFxd iäpreSan
At H spot wX /ynisja /fjOdPOvna hAd Jast stUd. samTiN sImd t
bI lAfiN a lital on wan sFd v hiz fEs andx hiz grE mastASaz,
ispeSali Az H soN grM briskx n H tFm kwikx n wen, hC
n HX, Az hI rAn hiz fiNgxz Ovx H striNz, samTiN sImd t
snAp.
<p>
“lavli, lavli! gO on, /aNkal, gO on!” SQtad /nytySa Az sMn Az
hI hAd finiSt. SI Jampt ap n hagd n kist him. “/nikalas,
/nikalas!” SI sed, txniN t hx braHx, Az if AskiN him: “wot
iz it mMvz mI sO?”
<p>
/nikalas tM woz grEtli plIzd bF “aNkal'z” plEiN, n
“aNkal” plEd H pIs Ovx agen. /ynisja /fjOdPOvna'z smFliN
fEs rIapCd in H dPwE n bihFnd hxz aHx fEsaz...
<p>
    feciN wYtx klC n swIt,
    /stop, dC mEdan, F intrIt—
<p>
plEd “aNkal” wans mP, raniN hiz fiNgxz skilfali Ovx H
striNz, n Hen hI stopt SPt n Jxkt hiz SOldxz.
<p>
“gO on, /aNkal dC,” /nytySa wEld in an implPiN tOn Az if hx
lFf dipendad on it.
<p>
“aNkal” rOz, n it woz Az if HX wx tM men in him: wan v
Hem smFld sCWsli At H meri felO, wFl H meri felO strak
a nFIv n prisFs AtitMd pripAratPi t a fOk dAns.
<p>
“nQ Hen, nIs!” hI iäklEmd, wEviN t /nytySa H hAnd HAt
hAd Jast strak a kPd.
<p>
/nytySa TrM of H SYl from hx SOldxz, rAn fPwxd t fEs
“aNkal,” n setiN hx Rmz akimbO YlsO mEd a mOSan wiH hx
SOldxz n strak an AtitMd.
<p>
wX, hQ, n wen hAd His jaN kQntas, eJakEtad bF an emigrEI
/frenc gavxnas, imbFbd from H /raSan X SI brIHd HAt spirit
n abtEnd HAt mAnx wic H py de chale * wUd, wan wUd hAv
sapOzd, loN agO hAv ifEst? bat H spirit n H mMvmants wx
HOz inimitabal n antIcabal /raSan wanz HAt “aNkal” hAd
iäpektad v hx. Az sMn Az SI hAd strak hx pOz, n smFld
trFamfantli, prQdli, n wiH slF merimant, H fC HAt hAd At
fxst sIzd /nikalas n H aHxz HAt SI mFt not dM H rFt
TiN woz At an end, n HE wx Ylredi admFxiN hx.
<p>
    * H /frenc SYl dAns.
<p>
SI did H rFt TiN wiH sac prisiZan, sac kamplIt prisiZan,
HAt /ynisja /fjOdPOvna, hM hAd At wans hAndad hx H hANkxcif SI
nIdad f H dAns, hAd tCz in hx Fz, HO SI lAft Az SI
woct His slim, grEsfal kQntas, rCd in silä n velvats n sO
difxant from hxself, hM jet woz Ebal t andxstAnd Yl HAt woz
in /ynisja n in /ynisja'z fyHx n maHx n ynt, n in evri
/raSan mAn n wUman.
<p>
“wel, lital kQntas; HAt's it—kam on!” krFd “aNkal,”
wiH a Jqas lAf, hAviN finiSt H dAns. “wel dan, nIs! nQ
a fFn jaN felO mast bI fQnd Az hazband f V. HAt's it—kam
on!”
<p>
“hI'z cOzan Ylredi,” sed /nikalas smFliN.
<p>
“O?” sed “aNkal” in sxprFz, lUkiN inkwFxiNli At /nytySa,
hM nodad hx hed wiH a hApi smFl.
<p>
“n sac a wan!” SI sed. bat Az sMn Az SI hAd sed it a nM
trEn v TYts n fIliNz xOz in hx. “wot did /nikalas'
smFl mIn wen hI sed 'cOzan Ylredi'? iz hI glAd v it P not?
it iz Az if hI TYt mF /bOlkOnski wUd not aprMv v P andxstAnd
Qx gEiti. bat hI wUd andxstAnd it Yl. wX iz hI nQ?” SI
TYt, n hx fEs sadanli bikEm sCWs. bat His lAstad Onli a
sekand. “dOnt dX t TiNk abQt it,” SI sed t hxself,
n sAt dQn agen smFliNli bisFd “aNkal,” begiN him t plE
samTiN mP.
<p>
“aNkal” plEd anaHx soN n a vYls; Hen Aftx a pYz hI
klCd hiz TrOt n sAN hiz fEvxit hantiN soN:
<p>
    Az 'twoz grOiN dRk lAst nFt
    /fel H snO sO soft n lFt...
<p>
“aNkal” sAN Az pezants siN, wiH fUl n nFIv kanvikSan HAt
H hOl mIniN v a soN lFz in H wxdz n HAt H tMn kamz
v itself, n HAt apRt from H wxdz HX iz nO tMn, wic iãists
Onli t giv meZx t H wxdz. Az a rizalt v His H ankansidxd
tMn, lFk H soN v a bxd, woz iätrPdinXili gUd. /nytySa woz in
eätasiz Ovx “aNkal'z” siNiN. SI rizolvd t giv ap lxniN
H hRp n t plE Onli H gitR. SI Askt “aNkal” f hiz
gitR n At wans fQnd H kPdz v H soN.
<p>
Aftx nFn O'klok tM trAps n TrI mQntad men, hM hAd bin sent
t lUk f Hem, xFvd t fec /nytySa n /petja. H kQnt n
kQntas did not nO wX HE wx n wx veri ANkSas, sed wan v
H men.
<p>
/petja woz kArid Qt lFk a log n lEd in H lRJx v H tM
trAps. /nytySa n /nikalas got intM H aHx. “aNkal” rApt
/nytySa ap wPmli n tUk lIv v hx wiH kwFt a nM tendxnas. hI
akampanid Hem on fUt Az fR Az H briJ HAt kUd not bI krost,
sO HAt HE hAd t gO rQnd bF H fPd, n hI sent hantsmen t rFd
in frant wiH lAntxnz.
<p>
“gUd-bF, dC nIs,” hiz vqs kYld Qt v H dRknas—not
H vqs /nytySa hAd nOn prIvWsli, bat H wan HAt hAd saN Az
'twoz grOiN dRk lAst nFt.
<p>
in H viliJ TrM wic HE pAst HX wx red lFts n a
cCfal smel v smOk.
<p>
“wot a dRliN /aNkal iz!” sed /nytySa, wen HE hAd kam Qt
ontM H hFrOd.
<p>
“jes,” ritxnd /nikalas. “V'x not kOld?”
<p>
“nO. F'm kwFt, kwFt Yl rFt. F fIl sO kamfxtabal!” Ansxd
/nytySa, YlmOst pxpleät bF hx fIliNz. HE rimEnd sFlant a loN
wFl. H nFt woz dRk n dAmp. HE kUd not sI H hPsaz, bat
Onli hxd Hem splASiN TrM H ansIn mad.
<p>
wot woz pAsiN in HAt riseptiv cFldlFk sOl HAt sO Igxli kYt
n asimalEtad Yl H dFvxs impreSanz v lFf? hQ did HE Yl
fFnd plEs in hx? bat SI woz veri hApi. Az HE wx nCiN hOm SI
sadanli strak ap H X v Az 'twoz grOiN dRk lAst nFt—H
tMn v wic SI hAd Yl H wE bin trFiN t get n hAd At lAst
kYt.
<p>
“got it?” sed /nikalas.
<p>
“wot wx V TiNkiN abQt Jast nQ, /nikalas?” inkwFxd
/nytySa.
<p>
HE wx fond v AskiN wan anaHx HAt kwescan.
<p>
“F?” sed /nikalas, trFiN t rimembx. “wel, V sI, fxst F
TYt HAt /rMgF, H red hQnd, woz lFk /aNkal, n HAt if hI wx
a mAn hI wUd YlwEz kIp /aNkal nC him, if not f hiz rFdiN, Hen
f hiz mAnx. wot a gUd felO /aNkal iz! dOnt V TiNk sO?...
wel, n V?”
<p>
“F? wEt a bit, wEt.... jes, fxst F TYt HAt wI R drFviN
aloN n imAJiniN HAt wI R gOiN hOm, bat HAt hevan nOz
wX wI R rWli gOiN in H dRknas, n HAt wI SAl xFv n
sadanli fFnd HAt wI R not in /Otrydnqe, bat in /fXilAnd. n Hen F
TYt... nO, naTiN els.”
<p>
“F nO, F iäpekt V TYt v him,” sed /nikalas, smFliN Az
/nytySa nM bF H sQnd v hiz vqs.
<p>
“nO,” sed /nytySa, HO SI hAd in riAliti bin TiNkiN abQt
/prins /AndrM At H sEm tFm Az v H rest, n v hQ hI wUd
hAv lFkt “aNkal.” “n Hen F woz sEiN t mFself Yl H wE,
'hQ wel /ynisja kArid hxself, hQ wel!'” n /nikalas hxd
hx spontEnWs, hApi, riNiN lAftx. “n dM V nO,” SI
sadanli sed, “F nO HAt F SAl nevx agen bI Az hApi n
trANkwil Az F Am nQ.”
<p>
“rabiS, nonsens, hambag!” iäklEmd /nikalas, n hI TYt:
“hQ cRmiN His /nytySa v mFn iz! F hAv nO aHx frend lFk
hx n nevx SAl hAv. wF SUd SI mAri? wI mFt YlwEz drFv
abQt tageHx!”
<p>
“wot a dRliN His /nikalas v mFn iz!” TYt /nytySa.
<p>
“y, HX R stil lFts in H drYiN rMm!” SI sed, pqntiN
t H windOz v H hQs HAt glImd invFtiNli in H mqst velvati
dRknas v H nFt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/kQnt /ilja /rOstOf hAd rizFnd H paziSan v /mRSal v H /nObiliti
bikoz it involvd him in tM mac iäpens, bat stil hiz afXz
did not imprMv. /nytySa n /nikalas oftan nOtist HX pXants
kanfxiN tageHx ANkSasli n prFvatli n hxd saJescanz v
seliN H fFn Ansestral /rOstOf hQs n istEt nC /moskQ. it woz
not nesisXi t entxtEn sO frIli Az wen H kQnt hAd bin /mRSal,
n lFf At /Otrydnqe woz kwFatx HAn in fPmx jCz, bat stil H
inPmas hQs n its loJaz wx fUl v pIpal n mP HAn twenti
sAt dQn t tEbal evri dE. HIz wx Yl HX On pIpal hM hAd
setald dQn in H hQs YlmOst Az membxz v H fAmli, P pxsanz
hM wx, it sImd, ablFJd t liv in H kQnt's hQs. sac wx
/dimlx H mVziSan n hiz wFf, /vOgal H dAnsiN mAstx n hiz
fAmli, /bjelOva, an Old mEdan lEdi, an inmEt v H hQs, n meni
aHxz sac Az /petja'z tMtxz, H gxlz' fPmx gavxnas, n
aHx pIpal hM simpli fQnd it prefxabal n mP AdvantEJas t
liv in H kQnt's hQs HAn At hOm. HE hAd not Az meni vizitxz
Az bifP, bat H Old hAbits v lFf wiHQt wic H kQnt n
kQntas kUd not kansIv v iãistans rimEnd ancEnJd. HX woz
stil H hantiN istAbliSmant wic /nikalas hAd Ivan inlRJd, H
sEm fifti hPsaz n fiftIn grMmz in H stEbalz, H sEm iäpensiv
prezants n dinx pRtiz t H hOl distrikt on nEm dEz; HX
wx stil H kQnt's gEmz v wist n /bostan, At wic—sprediN
Qt hiz kRdz sO HAt evribodi kUd sI Hem—hI let himself bI
plandxd v handradz v rMbalz evri dE bF hiz nEbxz, hM lUkt
apon an opxtMniti t plE a rabx wiH /kQnt /rOstOf Az a mOst
profitabal sPs v inkam.
<p>
H kQnt mMvd in hiz afXz Az in a hVJ net, trFiN not t bilIv
HAt hI woz intANgald bat bikamiN mP n mP sO At evri step, n
fIliN tM fIbal t brEk H meSaz P t set t wxk kXfali n
pESantli t disintANgal Hem. H kQntas, wiH hx laviN hRt, felt
HAt hx cildran wx bIiN rMind, HAt it woz not H kQnt's fYlt
f hI kUd not help bIiN wot hI woz—HAt (HO hI trFd t
hFd it) hI himself safxd from H konSasnas v hiz On n
hiz cildran'z rMin, n SI trFd t fFnd mInz v remadiiN H
paziSan. from hx feminin pqnt v vV SI kUd sI Onli wan
salMSan, nEmli, f /nikalas t mAri a ric Xas. SI felt His t
bI HX lAst hOp n HAt if /nikalas rifVzd H mAc SI hAd fQnd
f him, SI wUd hAf t abAndan H hOp v evx getiN mAtxz
rFt. His mAc woz wiH /JMli /kRygIna, H dYtx v eäalant
n vxcMas pXants, a gxl H /rOstOfs hAd nOn from cFldhUd, n
hM hAd nQ bikam a welTi Xas TrM H deT v H lAst v
hx braHxz.
<p>
H kQntas hAd ritan direkt t /JMli'z maHx in /moskQ saJestiN
a mAriJ bitwIn HX cildran n hAd risIvd a fEvxabal Ansx
from hx. /kRygIna hAd riplFd HAt f hx pRt SI woz agrIabal, n
evriTiN dipend on hx dYtx'z inklinESan. SI invFtad /nikalas
t kam t /moskQ.
<p>
sevxal tFmz H kQntas, wiH tCz in hx Fz, tOld hx san HAt
nQ bOT hx dYtxz wx setald, hx Onli wiS woz t sI him
mArid. SI sed SI kUd lF dQn in hx grEv pIsfali if HAt
wx akompliSt. Hen SI tOld him HAt SI nM v a splendid gxl
n trFd t diskavx wot hI TYt abQt mAriJ.
<p>
At aHx tFmz SI prEzd /JMli t him n advFzd him t gO t
/moskQ dxiN H holidEz t amVz himself. /nikalas gest wot hiz
maHx'z rimRä wx lIdiN t n dxiN wan v HIz konvxsESanz
indMst hx t spIk kwFt frANkli. SI tOld him HAt hx Onli hOp
v getiN HX afXz disintANgald nQ lE in hiz mAriiN /JMli
/kRygIna.
<p>
“bat, /mymy, sapOz F lavd a gxl hM hAz nO fPcMn, wUd
V iäpekt mI t sAkrifFs mF fIliNz n mF onx f H sEk v
mani?” hI Askt hiz maHx, not rWlFziN H krMalti v hiz kwescan
n Onli wiSiN t SO hiz nObal-mFndadnas.
<p>
“nO, V hAv not andxstUd mI,” sed hiz maHx, not nOiN hQ
t JastifF hxself. “V hAv not andxstUd mI, /nikOlenka. it iz
jP hApinas F wiS f,” SI Adad, fIliN HAt SI woz teliN an
antrMT n woz bikamiN intANgald. SI bigAn t krF.
<p>
“mymy, dOnt krF! Onli tel mI HAt V wiS it, n V nO F
wil giv mF lFf, eniTiN, t pUt V At Iz,” sed /nikalas. “F
wUd sAkrifFs eniTiN f V—Ivan mF fIliNz.”
<p>
bat H kQntas did not wont H kwescan pUt lFk HAt: SI did not
wont a sAkrifFs from hx san, SI hxself wiSt t mEk a sAkrifFs
f him.
<p>
“nO, V hAv not andxstUd mI, dOnt let as tYk abQt it,” SI
riplFd, wFpiN awE hx tCz.
<p>
“mEbI F dM lav a pUx gxl,” sed /nikalas t himself. “Am F t
sAkrifFs mF fIliNz n mF onx f mani? F wandx hQ /mymy kUd
spIk sO t mI. bikoz /sonja iz pUx F mast not lav hx,” hI
TYt, “mast not rispond t hx fETfal, divOtad lav? jet F SUd
sxtanli bI hApC wiH hx HAn wiH sam dol-lFk /JMli. F kAn
YlwEz sAkrifFs mF fIliNz f mF fAmli'z welfX,” hI sed t
himself, “bat F kAnt kOxs mF fIliNz. if F lav /sonja, HAt
fIliN iz f mI stroNgx n hFx HAn Yl els.”
<p>
/nikalas did not gO t /moskQ, n H kQntas did not rinM H
konvxsESan wiH him abQt mAriJ. SI sY wiH sorO, n samtFmz
wiH iãAspxESan, simptamz v a grOiN atAcmant bitwIn hx san n
H pPSanlas /sonja. HO SI blEmd hxself f it, SI kUd
not rifrEn from grambaliN At n wariiN /sonja, oftan pUliN hx ap
wiHQt rIzan, adresiN hx stifli Az “mF dC,” n VziN H
fPmal “V” insted v H intimat “HQ” in spIkiN t hx.
H kFndhRtad kQntas woz H mP veät wiH /sonja bikoz HAt
pUx, dRk-Fd nIs v hxz woz sO mIk, sO kFnd, sO divOtadli
grEtfal t hx benifAktxz, n sO fETfali, ancEnJiNli, n
anselfiSli in lav wiH /nikalas, HAt HX wx nO grQndz f
fFndiN fYlt wiH hx.
<p>
/nikalas woz spendiN H lAst v hiz lIv At hOm. a fPT letx hAd
kam from /prins /AndrM, from /rOm, in wic hI rOt HAt hI wUd hAv
bin on hiz wE bAk t /raSa loN agO hAd not hiz wMnd aniäpektadli
rIOpand in H wPm klFmat, wic ablFJd him t difx hiz ritxn til
H biginiN v H nM jC. /nytySa woz stil Az mac in lav wiH
hx bitrOHd, fQnd H sEm kamfxt in HAt lav, n woz stil Az
redi t TrO hxself intM Yl H pleZxz v lFf Az bifP; bat At
H end v H fPT manT v HX sepxESan SI bigAn t hAv fits
v dipreSan wic SI kUd not mAstx. SI felt sori f hxself:
sori HAt SI woz bIiN wEstad Yl His tFm n v nO Vs t
eniwan—wFl SI felt hxself sO kEpabal v laviN n bIiN lavd.
<p>
TiNz wx not cCfal in H /rOstOfs' hOm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
/krismas kEm n iäept f H serimOnWl /mAs, H solam n
wCisam /krismas kangrAcalESanz from nEbxz n sxvants, n H
nM dresaz evriwan pUt on, HX wx nO speSal festivitiz, HO
H kym frost v twenti digrIz /reamUx, H dAzaliN sanSFn bF dE,
n H stRlFt v H wintx nFts sImd t kYl f sam speSal
selabrESan v H sIzan.
<p>
on H Txd dE v /krismas wIk, Aftx H middE dinx, Yl H
inmEts v H hQs dispxst t vXWs rMmz. it woz H dalast tFm
v H dE. /nikalas, hM hAd bin vizitiN sam nEbxz HAt mPniN,
woz aslIp on H sitiN-rMm sOfa. H Old kQnt woz restiN in hiz
stadi. /sonja sAt in H drYiN rMm At H rQnd tEbal, kopiiN a
dizFn f imbrqdxi. H kQntas woz plEiN pESans. /nystysja
/ivynOvna H bafMn sAt wiH a sAd fEs At H windO wiH tM Old
lEdiz. /nytySa kEm intM H rMm, went ap t /sonja, glAnst At
wot SI woz dMiN, n Hen went ap t hx maHx n stUd wiHQt
spIkiN.
<p>
“wF R V wondxiN abQt lFk an QtkAst?” Askt hx maHx.
“wot dM V wont?”
<p>
“him... F wont him... nQ, His minit! F wont him!” sed /nytySa,
wiH glitxiN Fz n nO sFn v a smFl.
<p>
H kQntas liftad hx hed n lUkt atentivli At hx dYtx.
<p>
“dOnt lUk At mI, /mymy! dOnt lUk; F SAl krF direktli.”
<p>
“sit dQn wiH mI a lital,” sed H kQntas.
<p>
“mymy, F wont him. wF SUd F bI wEstad lFk His, /mymy?”
<p>
hx vqs brOk, tCz gaSt from hx Fz, n SI txnd kwikli t
hFd Hem n left H rMm.
<p>
SI pAst intM H sitiN rMm, stUd HX TiNkiN awFl, n Hen
went intM H mEdz' rMm. HX an Old mEdsxvant woz grambaliN At
a jaN gxl hM stUd pAntiN, hAviN Jast ran in TrM H kOld from
H sxfs' kwPtxz.
<p>
“stop plEiN—HX'z a tFm f evriTiN,” sed H Old
wUman.
<p>
“let hx alOn, /kOndrytevna,” sed /nytySa. “gO, /myvrMSka,
gO.”
<p>
hAviN rilIst /myvrMSka, /nytySa krost H dAnsiN hYl n went
t H vestibVl. HX an Old fUtman n tM jaN wanz wx plEiN
kRdz. HE brOk of n rOz Az SI entxd.
<p>
“wot kAn F dM wiH Hem?” TYt /nytySa.
<p>
“O, /nikita, plIz gO... wX kAn F send him?... jes, gO t H
jRd n fec a fQl, plIz, a kok, n V, /miSa, briN mI sam
Ots.”
<p>
“Jast a fV Ots?” sed /miSa, cCfali n redili.
<p>
“gO, gO kwikli,” H Old mAn xJd him.
<p>
“n V, /TWdP, get mI a pIs v cYk.”
<p>
on hx wE pAst H batlx'z pAntri SI tOld Hem t set a sAmavR,
HO it woz not At Yl H tFm f tI.
<p>
/fOka, H batlx, woz H mOst il-tempxd pxsan in H hQs.
/nytySa lFkt t test hx pQx Ovx him. hI distrastad H Pdx n
Askt weHx H sAmavR woz rWli wontad.
<p>
“O dC, wot a jaN lEdi!” sed /fOka, pritendiN t frQn At
/nytySa.
<p>
nO wan in H hQs sent pIpal abQt P gEv Hem Az mac trabal Az
/nytySa did. SI kUd not sI pIpal ankansxnadli, bat hAd t send
Hem on sam erand. SI sImd t bI trFiN weHx eni v Hem wUd
get ANgri P salki wiH hx; bat H sxfs fUlfild nO wan'z Pdxz
sO redili Az HE did hxz. “wot kAn F dM, wX kAn F gO?”
TYt SI, Az SI went slOli aloN H pAsiJ.
<p>
“/nystysja /ivynOvna, wot sPt v cildran SAl F hAv?” SI Askt
H bafMn, hM woz kamiN tPd hx in a wUman'z JAkat.
<p>
“wF, flIz, krikats, grAshopxz,” Ansxd H bafMn.
<p>
“O /lPd, /O /lPd, it's YlwEz H sEm! O, wX Am F t gO? wot
Am F t dM wiH mFself?” n tApiN wiH hx hIlz, SI rAn kwikli
apstXz t sI /vOgal n hiz wFf hM livd on H apx stPi.
<p>
tM gavxnasaz wx sitiN wiH H /vOgalz At a tEbal, on wic wx
plEts v rEzinz, wYlnats, n ylmandz. H gavxnasaz wx diskasiN
weHx it woz cIpx t liv in /moskQ P /Odesa. /nytySa sAt dQn,
lisand t HX tYk wiH a sCWs n TYtfal X, n Hen got
ap agen.
<p>
“H Fland v /mAdagAskR,” SI sed, “my-dy-gAs-kR,” SI
ripItad, RtikVlEtiN Ic silabal distiNktli, n, not riplFiN t
/madym /Sos hM Askt hx wot SI woz sEiN, SI went Qt v H
rMm.
<p>
hx braHx /petja woz apstXz tM; wiH H mAn in atendans on him
hI woz pripXiN fFxwxä t let of HAt nFt.
<p>
“/petja! /petja!” SI kYld t him. “kAri mI dQnstXz.”
<p>
/petja rAn ap n ofxd hx hiz bAk. SI Jampt on it, pUtiN hx
Rmz rQnd hiz nek, n hI prAnst aloN wiH hx.
<p>
“nO, dOnt... H Fland v /mAdagAskR!” SI sed, n JampiN of
hiz bAk SI went dQnstXz.
<p>
hAviN Az it wx rivVd hx kiNdam, testad hx pQx, n mEd
SUx HAt evriwan woz sabmisiv, bat HAt Yl H sEm it woz dal,
/nytySa bitUk hxself t H bYlrMm, pikt ap hx gitR, sAt dQn
in a dRk kPnx bihFnd a bUkkEs, n bigAn t ran hx fiNgxz Ovx
H striNz in H bEs, pikiN Qt a pAsiJ SI rikYld from an
opxa SI hAd hxd in /pItxzbxg wiH /prins /AndrM. wot SI drM from
H gitR wUd hAv hAd nO mIniN f aHx lisanxz, bat in hx
imAJinESan a hOl sCIz v reminisansaz xOz from HOz sQndz.
SI sAt bihFnd H bUkkEs wiH hx Fz fiät on a strIk v lFt
iskEpiN from H pAntri dP n lisand t hxself n pondxd. SI
woz in a mMd f brMdiN on H pAst.
<p>
/sonja pAst t H pAntri wiH a glAs in hx hAnd. /nytySa glAnst
At hx n At H krAk in H pAntri dP, n it sImd t hx HAt
SI rimembxd H lFt fYliN TrM HAt krAk wans bifP n
/sonja pAsiN wiH a glAs in hx hAnd. “jes it woz iãAktli H
sEm,” TYt /nytySa.
<p>
“/sonja, wot iz His?” SI krFd, twANiN a Tik striN.
<p>
“O, V R HX!” sed /sonja wiH a stRt, n kEm nC n
lisand. “F dOnt nO. a stPm?” SI vencxd timidli, afrEd v
bIiN roN.
<p>
“HX! HAt's Jast hQ SI stRtad n Jast hQ SI kEm ap smFliN
timidli wen Yl His hApand bifP,” TYt /nytySa, “n in
Jast H sEm wE F TYt HX woz samTiN lAkiN in hx.”
<p>
“nO, it's H kPas from H /wYtx-/kArC, lisan!” n /nytySa
sAN H X v H kPas sO HAt /sonja SUd kAc it. “wX wx
V gOiN?” SI Askt.
<p>
“t cEnJ H wYtx in His glAs. F Am Jast finiSiN H dizFn.”
<p>
“V YlwEz fFnd samTiN t dM, bat F kAnt,” sed /nytySa.
“n wX'z /nikalas?”
<p>
“aslIp, F TiNk.”
<p>
“/sonja, gO n wEk him,” sed /nytySa. “tel him F wont him t
kam n siN.”
<p>
SI sAt awFl, wandxiN wot H mIniN v it Yl hAviN hApand
bifP kUd bI, n wiHQt solviN His problam, P At Yl rigretiN
not hAviN dan sO, SI agen pAst in fAnsi t H tFm wen SI woz
wiH him n hI woz lUkiN At hx wiH a lavx'z Fz.
<p>
“O, if Onli hI wUd kam kwikx! F Am sO afrEd it wil nevx bI!
n, wxst v Yl, F Am grOiN Old—HAt's H TiN! HX wOnt
Hen bI in mI wot HX iz nQ. bat pxhAps hI'l kam tadE, wil
kam imIdWtli. pxhAps hI hAz kam n iz sitiN in H drYiN
rMm. pxhAps hI kEm jestxdE n F hAv fxgotan it.” SI rOz,
pUt dQn H gitR, n went t H drYiN rMm.
<p>
Yl H damestik sxkal, tMtxz, gavxnasaz, n gests, wx Ylredi
At H tI tEbal. H sxvants stUd rQnd H tEbal—bat /prins /AndrM
woz not HX n lFf woz gOiN on Az bifP.
<p>
“y, hC SI iz!” sed H Old kQnt, wen hI sY /nytySa entx.
“wel, sit dQn bF mI.” bat /nytySa stEd bF hx maHx n
glAnst rQnd Az if lUkiN f samTiN.
<p>
“mymy!” SI matxd, “giv him t mI, giv him, /mymy, kwikli,
kwikli!” n SI agen hAd difikalti in ripresiN hx sobz.
<p>
SI sAt dQn At H tEbal n lisand t H konvxsESan bitwIn H
eldxz n /nikalas, hM hAd YlsO kam t H tEbal. “mF /god, mF /god!
H sEm fEsaz, H sEm tYk, /pypy hOldiN hiz kap n blOiN in H
sEm wE!” TYt /nytySa, fIliN wiH horx a sens v ripalSan
rFziN ap in hx f H hOl hQshOld, bikoz HE wx YlwEz H
sEm.
<p>
Aftx tI, /nikalas, /sonja, n /nytySa went t H sitiN rMm, t
HX fEvxit kPnx wX HX mOst intimat tYä YlwEz bigAn.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
“daz it evx hApan t V,” sed /nytySa t hx braHx, wen
HE setald dQn in H sitiN rMm, “daz it evx hApan t V t
fIl Az if HX wx naTiN mP t kam—naTiN; HAt evriTiN
gUd iz pAst? n t fIl not iãAktli dal, bat sAd?”
<p>
“F SUd TiNk sO!” hI riplFd. “F hAv felt lFk HAt wen
evriTiN woz Yl rFt n evriwan woz cCfal. H TYt hAz kam
intM mF mFnd HAt F woz Ylredi tFxd v it Yl, n HAt wI mast Yl
dF. wans in H reJimant F hAd not gon t sam merimEkiN wX HX
woz mVzik... n sadanli F felt sO diprest...”
<p>
“O jes, F nO, F nO, F nO!” /nytySa intxaptad him. “wen
F woz kwFt lital HAt Vst t bI sO wiH mI. dM V rimembx wen
F woz paniSt wans abQt sam plamz? V wx Yl dAnsiN, n F sAt
sobiN in H skMlrMm? F SAl nevx fxget it: F felt sAd n sori
f evriwan, f mFself, n f evriwan. n F woz inasant—HAt
woz H cIf TiN,” sed /nytySa. “dM V rimembx?”
<p>
“F rimembx,” Ansxd /nikalas. “F rimembx HAt F kEm t V
Aftxwxdz n wontad t kamfxt V, bat dM V nO, F felt aSEmd
t. wI wx teribli absxd. F hAd a fani dol Hen n wontad t giv
it t V. dM V rimembx?”
<p>
“n dM V rimembx,” /nytySa Askt wiH a pensiv smFl, “hQ
wans, loN, loN agO, wen wI wx kwFt lital, /aNkal kYld as intM
H stadi—HAt woz in H Old hQs—n it woz dRk—wI went in n
sadanli HX stUd...”
<p>
“a /nIgrO,” cFmd in /nikalas wiH a smFl v dilFt. “v kPs
F rimembx. Ivan nQ F dOnt nO weHx HX rWli woz a /nIgrO, P
if wI Onli drImd it P wx tOld abQt him.”
<p>
“hI woz grE, V rimembx, n hAd wFt tIT, n stUd n lUkt
At as....”
<p>
“/sonja, dM V rimembx?” Askt /nikalas.
<p>
“jes, jes, F dM rimembx samTiN tM,” /sonja Ansxd timidli.
<p>
“V nO F hAv Askt /pypy n /mymy abQt HAt /nIgrO,” sed
/nytySa, “n HE sE HX woz nO /nIgrO At Yl. bat V sI, V
rimembx!”
<p>
“v kPs F dM, F rimembx hiz tIT Az if F hAd Jast sIn Hem.”
<p>
“hQ strEnJ it iz! it's Az if it wx a drIm! F lFk HAt.”
<p>
“n dM V rimembx hQ wI rOld hRd-bqld eã in H bYlrMm,
n sadanli tM Old wimin bigAn spiniN rQnd on H kRpat? woz HAt
rWl P not? dM V rimembx wot fan it woz?”
<p>
“jes, n V rimembx hQ /pypy in hiz blM OvxkOt fFxd a gan in
H pPc?”
<p>
sO HE went TrM HX memxiz, smFliN wiH pleZx: not H sAd
memxiz v Old EJ, bat pOetik, VTfal wanz—HOz impreSanz v
wan'z mOst distant pAst in wic drImz n riAlitiz blend—n HE
lAft wiH kwFat inJqmant.
<p>
/sonja, Az YlwEz, did not kwFt kIp pEs wiH Hem, HO HE SXd
H sEm reminisansaz.
<p>
mac HAt HE rimembxd hAd slipt from hx mFnd, n wot SI
rikYld did not xQz H sEm pOetik fIliN Az HE iäpCWnst. SI
simpli inJqd HX pleZx n trFd t fit in wiH it.
<p>
SI Onli rWli tUk pRt wen HE rikYld /sonja'z fxst xFval.
SI tOld Hem hQ afrEd SI hAd bin v /nikalas bikoz hI hAd on a
kPdad JAkat n hx nxs hAd tOld hx HAt SI, tM, wUd bI sOn ap
wiH kPdz.
<p>
“n F rimembx HX teliN mI HAt V hAd bin bPn andx a
kAbiJ,” sed /nytySa, “n F rimembx HAt F dXd not disbilIv
it Hen, bat nM HAt it woz not trM, n F felt sO ankamfxtabal.”
<p>
wFl HE wx tYkiN a mEd Trast hx hed in At H aHx dP v
H sitiN rMm.
<p>
“HE hAv brYt H kok, /mis,” SI sed in a wispx.
<p>
“it izant wontad, /pOlja. tel Hem t tEk it awE,” riplFd
/nytySa.
<p>
in H midal v HX tYk in H sitiN rMm, /dimlx kEm in n
went ap t H hRp HAt stUd HX in a kPnx. hI tUk of its kloT
kavxiN, n H hRp gEv Qt a JRiN sQnd.
<p>
“/mx /dimlx, plIz plE mF fEvxit noktxn bF /fIld,” kEm H
Old kQntas' vqs from H drYiN rMm.
<p>
dimlx strak a kPd n, txniN t /nytySa, /nikalas, n /sonja,
rimRkt: “hQ kwFat V jaN pIpal R!”
<p>
“jes, wI'x filosafFziN,” sed /nytySa, glAnsiN rQnd f a
mOment n Hen kantinViN H konvxsESan. HE wx nQ diskasiN
drImz.
<p>
dimlx bigAn t plE; /nytySa went on tiptO nqzlasli t H tEbal,
tUk ap a kAndal, kArid it Qt, n ritxnd, sItiN hxself kwFatli
in hx fPmx plEs. it woz dRk in H rMm ispeSali wX HE wx
sitiN on H sOfa, bat TrM H big windOz H silvxi lFt v
H fUl mMn fel on H flP. dimlx hAd finiSt H pIs bat
stil sAt softli raniN hiz fiNgxz Ovx H striNz, evidentli
ansxtan weHx t stop P t plE samTiN els.
<p>
“dM V nO,” sed /nytySa in a wispx, mMviN klOsx t /nikalas
n /sonja, “HAt wen wan gOz on n on rikYliN memxiz, wan At
lAst biginz t rimembx wot hApand bifP wan woz in H wxld....”
<p>
“HAt iz metamsFkOsis,” sed /sonja, hM hAd YlwEz lxnd wel,
n rimembxd evriTiN. “H /iJipSanz bilIvd HAt Qx sOlz hAv
livd in Animalz, n wil gO bAk intM Animalz agen.”
<p>
“nO, F dOnt bilIv wI evx wx in Animalz,” sed /nytySa,
stil in a wispx HO H mVzik hAd sIst. “bat F Am sxtan HAt
wI wx EnJalz samwX HX, n hAv bin hC, n HAt iz wF wI
rimembx....”
<p>
“mE F Jqn V?” sed /dimlx hM hAd kam ap kwFatli, n hI sAt
dQn bF Hem.
<p>
“if wI hAv bin EnJalz, wF hAv wI fYlan lOx?” sed /nikalas.
“nO, HAt kAnt bI!”
<p>
“not lOx, hM sed wI wx lOx?... hQ dM F nO wot F
woz bifP?” /nytySa rIJqnd wiH kanvikSan. “H sOl iz
imPtal—wel Hen, if F SAl YlwEz liv F mast hAv livd bifP,
livd f a hOl itxniti.”
<p>
“jes, bat it iz hRd f as t imAJin itxniti,” rimRkt /dimlx,
hM hAd Jqnd H jaN fOk wiH a mFldli kondisendiN smFl bat nQ
spOk Az kwFatli n sCWsli Az HE.
<p>
“wF iz it hRd t imAJin itxniti?” sed /nytySa. “it iz nQ
tadE, n it wil bI tamorO, n YlwEz; n HX woz jestxdE, n
H dE bifP....”
<p>
“/nytySa! nQ it's jP txn. siN mI samTiN,” HE hxd H
kQntas sE. “wF R V sitiN HX lFk kanspiratxz?”
<p>
“mymy, F dOnt At Yl wont t,” riplFd /nytySa, bat Yl H
sEm SI rOz.
<p>
nan v Hem, not Ivan H midal-EJd /dimlx, wontad t brEk of
HX konvxsESan n kwit HAt kPnx in H sitiN rMm, bat
/nytySa got ap n /nikalas sAt dQn At H klAvikPd. stAndiN
Az VZMal in H midal v H hYl n cMziN H plEs wX H
rezanans woz best, /nytySa bigAn t siN hx maHx'z fEvxit soN.
<p>
SI hAd sed SI did not wont t siN, bat it woz loN sins SI hAd
saN, n loN bifP SI agen sAN, Az SI did HAt IvniN. H
kQnt, from hiz stadi wX hI woz tYkiN t /mitenka, hxd hx n,
lFk a skMlbq in a hari t ran Qt t plE, blandxd in hiz tYk
wFl giviN Pdxz t H stMxd, n At lAst stopt, wFl /mitenka
stUd in frant v him YlsO lisaniN n smFliN. /nikalas did not tEk
hiz Fz of hiz sistx n drM breT in tFm wiH hx. /sonja, Az SI
lisand, TYt v H imens difxans HX woz bitwIn hxself
n hx frend, n hQ imposabal it woz f hx t bI eniTiN lFk Az
biwiciN Az hx kazan. H Old kQntas sAt wiH a blisfal jet sAd
smFl n wiH tCz in hx Fz, akEZanali SEkiN hx hed. SI
TYt v /nytySa n v hx On VT, n v hQ HX woz samTiN
annAcxal n dredfal in His impendiN mAriJ v /nytySa n /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
dimlx, hM hAd sItad himself bisFd H kQntas, lisand wiH
klOzd Fz.
<p>
“y, /kQntas,” hI sed At lAst, “HAt's a /jUxapWn tAlant, SI
hAz naTiN t lxn—wot softnas, tendxnas, n streNT....”
<p>
“y, hQ afrEd F Am f hx, hQ afrEd F Am!” sed H kQntas,
not rWlFziN t hMm SI woz spIkiN. hx matxnal instiNkt tOld hx
HAt /nytySa hAd tM mac v samTiN, n HAt bikoz v His
SI wUd not bI hApi. bifP /nytySa hAd finiSt siNiN,
fPtIn-jC-Old /petja raSt in dilFtadli, t sE HAt sam mamxz
hAd xFvd.
<p>
/nytySa stopt abraptli.
<p>
“idWt!” SI skrImd At hx braHx n, raniN t a cX, TrM
hxself on it, sobiN sO vFalantli HAt SI kUd not stop f a loN
tFm.
<p>
“it's naTiN, /mymy, rWli it's naTiN; Onli /petja stRtald
mI,” SI sed, trFiN t smFl, bat hx tCz stil flOd n sobz
stil cOkt hx.
<p>
H mamxz (sam v H hQs sxfs) drest ap Az bXz, /txä,
inkIpxz, n lEdiz—frFtaniN n fani—briNiN in wiH
Hem H kOld from QtsFd n a fIliN v gEiti, krQdad, At fxst
timidli, intM H AntirMm, Hen hFdiN bihFnd wan anaHx HE pUSt
intM H bYlrMm wX, SFli At fxst n Hen mP n mP merili
n hRtili, HE stRtad siNiN, dAnsiN, n plEiN /krismas
gEmz. H kQntas, wen SI hAd FdentifFd Hem n lAft At HX
kostMmz, went intM H drYiN rMm. H kQnt sAt in H bYlrMm,
smFliN rEdWntli n aplYdiN H plExz. H jaN pIpal hAd
disapCd.
<p>
hAf an Qx lEtx HX apCd amaN H aHx mamxz in H
bYlrMm an Old lEdi in a hMpt skxt—His woz /nikalas. a /txkiS
gxl woz /petja. a klQn woz /dimlx. an hMsR woz /nytySa, n a
/sxkASan woz /sonja wiH bxnt-kPk mastAS n FbrQz.
<p>
Aftx H kondisendiN sxprFz, nonrekagniSan, n prEz, from HOz
hM wx not Hemselvz drest ap, H jaN pIpal disFdad HAt HX
kostMmz wx sO gUd HAt HE Yt t bI SOn elswX.
<p>
/nikalas, hM, Az H rOdz wx in splendid kandiSan, wontad t tEk
Hem Yl f a drFv in hiz trqka, prapOzd t tEk wiH Hem abQt a
dazan v H sxf mamxz n drFv t “aNkal'z.”
<p>
“nO, wF distxb H Old felO?” sed H kQntas. “bisFdz,
V wUdant hAv rMm t txn rQnd HX. if V mast gO, gO t H
/melVkOfs'.”
<p>
melVkOva woz a widO, hM, wiH hx fAmli n HX tMtxz n
gavxnasaz, livd TrI mFlz from H /rOstOfs.
<p>
“HAt's rFt, mF dC,” cFmd in H Old kQnt, TarOli
xQzd. “F'l dres ap At wans n gO wiH Hem. F'l mEk
/pySet Opan hx Fz.”
<p>
bat H kQntas wUd not agrI t hiz gOiN; hI hAd hAd a bAd leg Yl
HIz lAst dEz. it woz disFdad HAt H kQnt mast not gO, bat HAt if
/lMIza /ivynOvna (/madym /Sos) wUd gO wiH Hem, H jaN lEdiz
mFt gO t H /melVkOfs', /sonja, Jenxali sO timid n SF, mP
xJantli HAn eniwan begiN /lMIza /ivynOvna not t rifVz.
<p>
/sonja'z kostMm woz H best v Yl. hx mastAS n FbrQz wx
iätrPdinXili bikamiN. evriwan tOld hx SI lUkt veri hAndsam,
n SI woz in a spiritad n enxJetik mMd anVZMal wiH hx. sam
inx vqs tOld hx HAt nQ P nevx hx fEt wUd bI disFdad, n
in hx mEl atFx SI sImd kwFt a difxant pxsan. /lMIza /ivynOvna
kansentad t gO, n in hAf an Qx fP trqka slEz wiH lRJ n
smYl belz, HX ranxz skwIkiN n wisaliN Ovx H frOzan snO,
drOv ap t H pPc.
<p>
/nytySa woz fPmOst in setiN a meri holidE tOn, wic, pAsiN
from wan t anaHx, grM stroNgx n rIct its klFmAä wen HE Yl
kEm Qt intM H frost n got intM H slEz, tYkiN, kYliN t
wan anaHx, lAfiN, n SQtiN.
<p>
tM v H trqkaz wx H VZMal hQshOld slEz, H Txd woz H
Old kQnt's wiH a trotx from H /PlOf stad Az SAft hPs,
H fPT woz /nikalas' On wiH a SPt SAgi blAk SAft hPs.
/nikalas, in hiz Old lEdi'z dres Ovx wic hI hAd beltad hiz hMsR
OvxkOt, stUd in H midal v H slE, rEnz in hAnd.
<p>
it woz sO lFt HAt hI kUd sI H mMnlFt riflektad from H metal
hRnas disä n from H Fz v H hPsaz, hM lUkt rQnd in alRm
At H nqzi pRti andx H SAdO v H pPc rMf.
<p>
/nytySa, /sonja, /madym /Sos, n tM mEdz got intM /nikalas'
slE; /dimlx, hiz wFf, n /petja, intM H Old kQnt's, n H
rest v H mamxz sItad Hemselvz in H aHx tM slEz.
<p>
“V gO ahed, /zyâR!” SQtad /nikalas t hiz fyHx'z
kOcman, wiSiN f a cAns t rEs pAst him.
<p>
H Old kQnt's trqka, wiH /dimlx n hiz pRti, stRtad fPwxd,
skwIkiN on its ranxz Az HO frIziN t H snO, its dIp-tOnd
bel klANiN. H sFd hPsaz, presiN agenst H SAfts v H
midal hPs, sANk in H snO, wic woz drF n glitxd lFk SUgx,
n TrM it ap.
<p>
/nikalas set of, folOiN H fxst slE; bihFnd him H aHxz
mMvd nqzili, HX ranxz skwIkiN. At fxst HE drOv At a stedi
trot aloN H nArO rOd. wFl HE drOv pAst H gRdan H SAdOz
v H bX trIz oftan fel akros H rOd n hid H brilWnt
mMnlFt, bat Az sMn Az HE wx pAst H fens, H snOi plEn
bEHd in mMnlFt n mOSanlas spred Qt bifP Hem glitxiN
lFk dFmandz n dApald wiH blMiS SAdOz. bAN, bAN! went H
fxst slE Ovx a krEdal hOl in H snO v H rOd, n Ic v
H aHx slEz JOltad in H sEm wE, n rMdli brEkiN H
frost-bQnd stilnas, H trqkaz bigAn t spId aloN H rOd, wan
Aftx H aHx.
<p>
“a hX'z trAk, a lot v trAä!” rAN Qt /nytySa'z vqs
TrM H frost-bQnd X.
<p>
“hQ lFt it iz, /nikalas!” kEm /sonja'z vqs.
<p>
/nikalas glAnst rQnd At /sonja, n bent dQn t sI hx fEs klOsx.
kwFt a nM, swIt fEs wiH blAk FbrQz n mastASaz pIpt ap
At him from hx sEbal fxz—sO klOs n jet sO distant—in H
mMnlFt.
<p>
“HAt Vst t bI /sonja,” TYt hI, n lUkt At hx klOsx n
smFld.
<p>
“wot iz it, /nikalas?”
<p>
“naTiN,” sed hI n txnd agen t H hPsaz.
<p>
wen HE kEm Qt ontM H bItan hFrOd—poliSt bF slE ranxz
n kat ap bF raf-Sod hUfs, H mRä v wic wx vizabal in H
mMnlFt—H hPsaz bigAn t tag At H rEnz v HX On akPd n
inkrIst HX pEs. H nC sFd hPs, RciN hiz hed n brEkiN
intM a SPt kAntx, tagd At hiz trEsaz. H SAft hPs swEd from
sFd t sFd, mMviN hiz Cz Az if AskiN: “izant it tFm t bigin
nQ?” in frant, Ylredi fR ahed H dIp bel v H slE riNiN
fRHx n fRHx of, H blAk hPsaz drivan bF /zyâR kUd bI
klCli sIn agenst H wFt snO. from HAt slE wan kUd hC H
SQts, lAftx, n vqsaz v H mamxz.
<p>
“JI ap, mF dRliNz!” SQtad /nikalas, pUliN H rEnz t wan
sFd n flariSiN H wip.
<p>
it woz Onli bF H kInx wind HAt met Hem n H Jxä givan bF H
sFd hPsaz hM pUld hRdx—evx inkrIsiN HX gAlap—HAt
wan nOtist hQ fAst H trqka woz flFiN. /nikalas lUkt bAk. wiH
skrImz, skwIlz, n wEviN v wips HAt kYzd Ivan H SAft hPsaz
t gAlap—H aHx slEz folOd. H SAft hPs swaN stedili
binIT H bQ Ovx its hed, wiH nO TYt v slAkaniN pEs n
redi t pUt on spId wen rikwFxd.
<p>
/nikalas OvxtUk H fxst slE. HE wx drFviN dQnhil n
kamiN Qt apon a brYd trodan trAk akros a medO, nC a rivx.
<p>
“wX R wI?” TYt hI. “it's H /kOsq medO, F sapOz.
bat nO—His iz samTiN nM F'v nevx sIn bifP. His izant
H /kOsq medO nP H /demkin hil, n hevan Onli nOz wot it
iz! it iz samTiN nM n incAntad. wel, wotevx it mE bI...”
n SQtiN t hiz hPsaz, hI bigAn t pAs H fxst slE.
<p>
/zyâR held bAk hiz hPsaz n txnd hiz fEs, wic woz Ylredi
kavxd wiH hPfrost t hiz FbrQz.
<p>
/nikalas gEv H hPsaz H rEn, n /zyâR, streciN Qt hiz Rmz,
klakt hiz taN n let hiz hPsaz gO.
<p>
“nQ, lUk Qt, mAstx!” hI krFd.
<p>
fAstx stil H tM trqkaz flM sFd bF sFd, n fAstx mMvd
H fIt v H gAlapiN sFd hPsaz. /nikalas bigAn t drY ahed.
/zyâR, wFl stil kIpiN hiz Rmz iätendad, rEzd wan hAnd wiH H
rEnz.
<p>
“nO V wOnt, mAstx!” hI SQtad.
<p>
/nikalas pUt Yl hiz hPsaz t a gAlap n pAst /zyâR. H hPsaz
SQxd H fFn drF snO on H fEsaz v HOz in H slE—bisFd
Hem sQndad kwik riNiN belz n HE kYt kanfVzd glimpsaz v
swiftli mMviN leã n H SAdOz v H trqka HE wx pAsiN.
H wisaliN sQnd v H ranxz on H snO n H vqsaz v gxlz
SrIkiN wx hxd from difxant sFdz.
<p>
agen cekiN hiz hPsaz, /nikalas lUkt xQnd him. HE wx stil
sxQndad bF H mAJik plEn bEHd in mMnlFt n spANgald wiH
stRz.
<p>
“/zyâR iz SQtiN HAt F SUd txn t H left, bat wF t H
left?” TYt /nikalas. “R wI getiN t H /melVkOfs'? iz
His /melVkOfka? hevan Onli nOz wX wI R gOiN, n hevan nOz
wot iz hApaniN t as—bat it iz veri strEnJ n plezant wotevx
it iz.” n hI lUkt rQnd in H slE.
<p>
“lUk, hiz mastAS n FlASaz R Yl wFt!” sed wan v H
strEnJ, priti, anfamilC pIpal—H wan wiH fFn FbrQz n
mastAS.
<p>
“F TiNk His Vst t bI /nytySa,” TYt /nikalas, “n HAt
woz /madym /Sos, bat pxhAps it's not, n His /sxkASan wiH H
mastAS F dOnt nO, bat F lav hx.”
<p>
“Rnt V kOld?” hI Askt.
<p>
HE did not Ansx bat bigAn t lAf. dimlx from H slE bihFnd
SQtad samTiN—probabli samTiN fani—bat HE kUd not mEk
Qt wot hI sed.
<p>
“jes, jes!” sam vqsaz Ansxd, lAfiN.
<p>
“bat hC woz a fXi fPist wiH blAk mMviN SAdOz, n a glitx
v dFmandz n a flFt v mRbal steps n H silvx rMfs v fXi
bildiNz n H Sril jelz v sam Animalz. n if His iz rWli
/melVkOfka, it iz stil strEnJx HAt wI drOv hevan nOz wX n
hAv kam t /melVkOfka,” TYt /nikalas.
<p>
it rWli woz /melVkOfka, n mEdz n fUtmen wiH meri fEsaz kEm
raniN, Qt t H pPc kAriiN kAndalz.
<p>
“hM iz it?” Askt samwan in H pPc.
<p>
“H mamxz from H kQnt's. F nO bF H hPsaz,” riplFd sam
vqsaz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/pelagEa /dynilOvna /melVkOva, a brYdli bilt, enxJetik wUman
wXiN spektakalz, sAt in H drYiN rMm in a lMs dres, sxQndad
bF hx dYtxz hMm SI woz trFiN t kIp from fIliN dal. HE
wx kwFatli dropiN meltad wAä intM snO n lUkiN At H SAdOz
H wAä figjxz wUd TrO on H wYl, wen HE hxd H steps n
vqsaz v nM xFvalz in H vestibVl.
<p>
hMsRz, lEdiz, wicaz, klQnz, n bXz, Aftx klCiN HX
TrOts n wFpiN H hPfrost from HX fEsaz in H vestibVl,
kEm intM H bYlrMm wX kAndalz wx haridli lFtad. H
klQn—/dimlx—n H lEdi—/nikalas—stRtad a dAns. sxQndad
bF H skrImiN cildran H mamxz, kavxiN HX fEsaz n
disgFziN HX vqsaz, bQd t HX hOstas n xEnJd Hemselvz
abQt H rMm.
<p>
“dC mI! HX'z nO rekagnFziN Hem! n /nytySa! sI hMm
SI lUä lFk! SI rWli rimFndz mI v sambodi. bat /her
/dimlx—izant hI gUd! F didant nO him! n hQ hI dAnsaz. dC
mI, HX'z a /sxkASan. rWli, hQ bikamiN it iz t dC /sonja.
n hM iz HAt? wel, V hAv cCd as ap! /nikita n /vynja—klC
awE H tEbalz! n wI wx sitiN sO kwFatli. hy, hy, hy!... H
hMsR, H hMsR! Jast lFk a bq! n H leã!... F kAnt lUk At
him...” difxant vqsaz wx sEiN.
<p>
/nytySa, H jaN /melVkOfs' fEvxit, disapCd wiH Hem intM
H bAk rMmz wX a kPk n vXWs dresiN gQnz n mEl gRmants
wx kYld f n risIvd from H fUtman bF bX gxliS Rmz from
bihFnd H dP. ten minits lEtx, Yl H jaN /melVkOfs Jqnd H
mamxz.
<p>
/pelagEa /dynilOvna, hAviN givan Pdxz t klC H rMmz f H
vizitxz n xEnJd abQt rifreSmants f H Jentri n H sxfs,
went abQt amaN H mamxz wiHQt rimMviN hx spektakalz, pCiN
intM HX fEsaz wiH a saprest smFl n fEliN t rekagnFz eni
v Hem. it woz not mCli /dimlx n H /rOstOfs SI fEld t
rekagnFz, SI did not Ivan rekagnFz hx On dYtxz, P hx lEt
hazband'z, dresiN gQnz n VnifPmz, wic HE hAd pUt on.
<p>
“n hM iz His?” SI Askt hx gavxnas, pCiN intM H fEs v
hx On dYtx drest ap Az a /kyzyn-/tRtx. “F sapOz it iz wan
v H /rOstOfs! wel, /mx /hMsR, n wot reJimant dM V sxv in?”
SI Askt /nytySa. “hC, hAnd sam frMt Jeli t H /txk!”
SI Pdxd H batlx hM woz hAndiN TiNz rQnd. “HAt's not
fxbidan bF hiz lY.”
<p>
samtFmz, Az SI lUkt At H strEnJ bat amVziN kEpxz kat bF H
dAnsxz, hM—hAviN disFdad wans f Yl HAt bIiN disgFzd, nO wan
wUd rekagnFz Hem—wx not At Yl SF, /pelagEa /dynilOvna hid
hx fEs in hx hANkxcif, n hx hOl stQt bodi SUk wiH
iripresabal, kFndli, eldxli lAftx.
<p>
“mF lital /sySa! lUk At /sySa!” SI sed.
<p>
Aftx /raSan kantri dAnsaz n kPas dAnsaz, /pelagEa /dynilOvna
mEd H sxfs n Jentri Jqn in wan lRJ sxkal: a riN, a striN,
n a silvx rMbal wx fect n HE Yl plEd gEmz tageHx.
<p>
in an Qx, Yl H kostMmz wx krampald n disPdxd. H kPkt
FbrQz n mastASaz wx smCd Ovx H pxspFxiN, flaSt,
n meri fEsaz. /pelagEa /dynilOvna bigAn t rekagnFz H mamxz,
admFxd HX klevxli kantrFvd kostMmz, n pxtikVlxli hQ HE
sMtad H jaN lEdiz, n SI TANkt Hem Yl f hAviN entxtEnd
hx sO wel. H vizitxz wx invFtad t sapx in H drYiN rMm,
n H sxfs hAd samTiN sxvd t Hem in H bYlrMm.
<p>
“nQ t tel wan'z fPcMn in H empti bAThQs iz frFtaniN!”
sed an Old mEd hM livd wiH H /melVkOfs, dxiN sapx.
<p>
“wF?” sed H eldast /melVkOf gxl.
<p>
“V wUdant gO, it tEä kariJ....”
<p>
“F'l gO,” sed /sonja.
<p>
“tel wot hApand t H jaN lEdi!” sed H sekand /melVkOf
gxl.
<p>
“wel,” bigAn H Old mEd, “a jaN lEdi wans went Qt, tUk a
kok, lEd H tEbal f tM, Yl propxli, n sAt dQn. Aftx sitiN
a wFl, SI sadanli hCz samwan kamiN... a slE drFvz ap wiH
hRnas belz; SI hCz him kamiN! hI kamz in, Jast in H SEp v a
mAn, lFk an ofisx—kamz in n sits dQn t tEbal wiH hx.”
<p>
“y! y!” skrImd /nytySa, rOliN hx Fz wiH horx.
<p>
“jes? n hQ... did hI spIk?”
<p>
“jes, lFk a mAn. evriTiN kwFt Yl rFt, n hI bigAn pxswEdiN
hx; n SI SUd hAv kept him tYkiN til kokkrO, bat SI got
frFtand, Jast got frFtand n hid hx fEs in hx hAndz. Hen hI
kYt hx ap. it woz laki H mEdz rAn in Jast Hen....”
<p>
“nQ, wF frFtan Hem?” sed /pelagEa /dynilOvna.
<p>
“mymy, V Vst t trF jP fEt jPself...” sed hx dYtx.
<p>
“n hQ daz wan dM it in a bRn?” inkwFxd /sonja.
<p>
“wel, sE V went t H bRn nQ, n lisand. it dipendz on wot
V hC; hAmxiN n nokiN—HAt's bAd; bat a sQnd v SiftiN
grEn iz gUd n wan samtFmz hCz HAt, tM.”
<p>
“mymy, tel as wot hApand t V in H bRn.”
<p>
/pelagEa /dynilOvna smFld.
<p>
“O, F'v fxgotan...” SI riplFd. “bat nan v V wUd
gO?”
<p>
“jes, F wil; /pelagEa /dynilOvna, let mI! F'l gO,” sed /sonja.
<p>
“wel, wF not, if V'x not afrEd?”
<p>
“/lMIza /ivynOvna, mE F?” Askt /sonja.
<p>
weHx HE wx plEiN H riN n striN gEm P H rMbal gEm P
tYkiN Az nQ, /nikalas did not lIv /sonja'z sFd, n gEzd At hx
wiH kwFt nM Fz. it sImd t him HAt it woz Onli tadE, TANä
t HAt bxnt-kPk mastAS, HAt hI hAd fUli lxnd t nO hx. n
rWli, HAt IvniN, /sonja woz brFtx, mP AnimEtad, n pritC
HAn /nikalas hAd evx sIn hx bifP.
<p>
“sO HAt's wot SI iz lFk; wot a fMl F hAv bin!” hI TYt
gEziN At hx spRkaliN Fz, n andx H mastAS a hApi rApcxas
smFl dimpald hx cIä, a smFl hI hAd nevx sIn bifP.
<p>
“F'm not afrEd v eniTiN,” sed /sonja. “mE F gO At wans?”
SI got ap.
<p>
HE tOld hx wX H bRn woz n hQ SI SUd stAnd n lisan,
n HE hAndad hx a fx klOk. SI TrM His Ovx hx hed n
SOldxz n glAnst At /nikalas.
<p>
“wot a dRliN HAt gxl iz!” TYt hI. “n wot hAv F bin
TiNkiN v til nQ?”
<p>
/sonja went Qt intM H pAsiJ t gO t H bRn. /nikalas went
hEstili t H frant pPc, sEiN hI felt tM hot. H krQd v pIpal
rWli hAd mEd H hQs stafi.
<p>
QtsFd, HX woz H sEm kOld stilnas n H sEm mMn, bat Ivan
brFtx HAn bifP. H lFt woz sO stroN n H snO spRkald wiH
sO meni stRz HAt wan did not wiS t lUk ap At H skF n H rWl
stRz wx annOtist. H skF woz blAk n drCi, wFl H xT woz
gE.
<p>
“F Am a fMl, a fMl! wot hAv F bin wEtiN f?” TYt
/nikalas, n raniN Qt from H pPc hI went rQnd H kPnx v
H hQs n aloN H pAT HAt led t H bAk pPc. hI nM /sonja
wUd pAs HAt wE. hAfwE lE sam snO-kavxd pFlz v fFxwUd n
akros n aloN Hem a netwxk v SAdOz from H bX Old lFm trIz
fel on H snO n on H pAT. His pAT led t H bRn. H log
wYlz v H bRn n its snO-kavxd rMf, HAt lUkt Az if hVn Qt
v sam preSas stOn, spRkald in H mMnlFt. a trI in H gRdan
snApt wiH H frost, n Hen Yl woz agen pxfiktli sFlant. hiz
bUzam sImd t inhEl not X bat H streNT v itxnal VT n
glAdnas.
<p>
from H bAk pPc kEm H sQnd v fIt disendiN H steps, H
botam step apon wic snO hAd fYlan gEv a riNiN krIk n hI hxd
H vqs v an Old mEdsxvant sEiN, “strEt, strEt, aloN H
pAT, /mis. Onli, dOnt lUk bAk.”
<p>
“F Am not afrEd,” Ansxd /sonja'z vqs, n aloN H pAT
tPd /nikalas kEm H kranciN, wisaliN sQnd v /sonja'z fIt
in hx Tin SMz.
<p>
/sonja kEm aloN, rApt in hx klOk. SI woz Onli a kapal v pEsaz
awE wen SI sY him, n t hx tM hI woz not H /nikalas SI hAd
nOn n YlwEz slFtli fCd. hI woz in a wUman'z dres, wiH
tQzald hX n a hApi smFl nM t /sonja. SI rAn rApidli tPd
him.
<p>
“kwFt difxant n jet H sEm,” TYt /nikalas, lUkiN At hx
fEs Yl lit ap bF H mMnlFt. hI slipt hiz Rmz andx H klOk
HAt kavxd hx hed, imbrEst hx, prest hx t him, n kist hx
on H lips HAt wP a mastAS n hAd a smel v bxnt kPk. /sonja
kist him fUl on H lips, n disingEJiN hx lital hAndz prest
Hem t hiz cIä.
<p>
“/sonja!... /nikalas!”... woz Yl HE sed. HE rAn t H bRn
n Hen bAk agen, rI-entxiN, hI bF H frant n SI bF H bAk
pPc.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
wen HE Yl drOv bAk from /pelagEa /dynilOvna'z, /nytySa, hM
YlwEz sY n nOtist evriTiN, xEnJd HAt SI n /madym /Sos
SUd gO bAk in H slE wiH /dimlx, n /sonja wiH /nikalas n
H mEdz.
<p>
on H wE bAk /nikalas drOv At a stedi pEs insted v rEsiN n
kept pCiN bF HAt fAntAstik Yl-trAnsfPmiN lFt intM /sonja'z
fEs n sxciN binIT H FbrQz n mastAS f hiz fPmx n
hiz prezant /sonja from hMm hI hAd rizolvd nevx t bI pRtad agen.
hI lUkt n rekagnFziN in hx bOT H Old n H nM /sonja, n
bIiN rimFndad bF H smel v bxnt kPk v H sensESan v hx kis,
inhEld H frosti X wiH a fUl brest n, lUkiN At H grQnd
flFiN binIT him n At H spRkaliN skF, felt himself agen in
fXilAnd.
<p>
“/sonja, iz it wel wiH HI?” hI Askt from tFm t tFm.
<p>
“jes!” SI riplFd. “n wiH HI?”
<p>
wen hAfwE hOm /nikalas hAndad H rEnz t H kOcman n rAn f
a mOment t /nytySa'z slE n stUd on its wiN.
<p>
“/nytySa!” hI wispxd in /frenc, “dM V nO F hAv mEd ap mF
mFnd abQt /sonja?”
<p>
“hAv V tOld hx?” Askt /nytySa, sadanli bImiN Yl Ovx wiH
Jq.
<p>
“O, hQ strEnJ V R wiH HAt mastAS n HOz FbrQz!...
/nytySa—R V glAd?”
<p>
“F Am sO glAd, sO glAd! F woz biginiN t bI veät wiH V. F did
not tel V, bat V hAv bin trItiN hx bAdli. wot a hRt SI
hAz, /nikalas! F Am horid samtFmz, bat F woz aSEmd t bI hApi
wFl /sonja woz not,” kantinVd /nytySa. “nQ F Am sO glAd! wel,
ran bAk t hx.”
<p>
“nO, wEt a bit.... O, hQ fani V lUk!” krFd /nikalas, pCiN
intM hx fEs n fFndiN in hiz sistx tM samTiN nM, anVZMal, n
biwiciNli tendx HAt hI hAd not sIn in hx bifP. “/nytySa,
it's mAJikal, izant it?”
<p>
“jes,” SI riplFd. “V hAv dan splendidli.”
<p>
“hAd F sIn hx bifP Az SI iz nQ,” TYt /nikalas, “F SUd
loN agO hAv Askt hx wot t dM n hAv dan wotevx SI tOld mI,
n Yl wUd hAv bin wel.”
<p>
“sO V R glAd n F hAv dan rFt?”
<p>
“O, kwFt rFt! F hAd a kworal wiH /mymy sam tFm agO abQt it.
mymy sed SI woz ANgaliN f V. hQ kUd SI sE sac a TiN! F
nCli stPmd At /mymy. F wil nevx let eniwan sE eniTiN bAd v
/sonja, f HX iz naTiN bat gUd in hx.”
<p>
“Hen it's Yl rFt?” sed /nikalas, agen skrMtinFziN H
iäpreSan v hiz sistx'z fEs t sI if SI woz in xnast. Hen hI
Jampt dQn n, hiz bMts skranciN H snO, rAn bAk t hiz slE.
H sEm hApi, smFliN /sxkASan, wiH mastAS n bImiN Fz
lUkiN ap from andx a sEbal hUd, woz stil sitiN HX, n HAt
/sxkASan woz /sonja, n HAt /sonja woz sxtanli hiz fVcx hApi
n laviN wFf.
<p>
wen HE rIct hOm n hAd tOld HX maHx hQ HE hAd spent H
IvniN At H /melVkOfs', H gxlz went t HX bedrMm. wen HE
hAd andrest, bat wiHQt woSiN of H kPk mastASaz, HE sAt a
loN tFm tYkiN v HX hApinas. HE tYkt v hQ HE wUd liv
wen HE wx mArid, hQ HX hazbandz wUd bI frendz, n hQ
hApi HE wUd bI. on /nytySa'z tEbal stUd tM lUkiN glAsaz
wic /dMnjySa hAd pripXd bifPhAnd.
<p>
“Onli wen wil Yl HAt bI? F Am afrEd nevx.... it wUd bI tM
gUd!” sed /nytySa, rFziN n gOiN t H lUkiN glAsaz.
<p>
“sit dQn, /nytySa; pxhAps V'l sI him,” sed /sonja.
<p>
/nytySa lit H kAndalz, wan on Ic sFd v wan v H lUkiN
glAsaz, n sAt dQn.
<p>
“F sI samwan wiH a mastAS,” sed /nytySa, sIiN hx On fEs.
<p>
“V masant lAf, /mis,” sed /dMnjySa.
<p>
wiH /sonja'z help n H mEd'z, /nytySa got H glAs SI held
intM H rFt paziSan opazit H aHx; hx fEs asMmd a sCWs
iäpreSan n SI sAt sFlant. SI sAt a loN tFm lUkiN At H
risIdiN lFn v kAndalz riflektad in H glAsaz n iäpektiN (from
tElz SI hAd hxd) t sI a kofin, P him, /prins /AndrM, in HAt
lAst dim, indistiNktli QtlFnd skwX. bat redi Az SI woz t tEk H
smYlast spek f H imiJ v a mAn P v a kofin, SI sY naTiN.
SI bigAn bliNkiN rApidli n mMvd awE from H lUkiN glAsaz.
<p>
“wF iz it aHxz sI TiNz n F dOnt?” SI sed. “V sit
dQn nQ, /sonja. V AbsalMtli mast, tanFt! dM it f mI.... tadE F
fIl sO frFtand!”
<p>
/sonja sAt dQn bifP H glAsaz, got H rFt paziSan, n bigAn
lUkiN.
<p>
“nQ, /mis /sonja iz SUx t sI samTiN,” wispxd /dMnjySa;
“wFl V dM naTiN bat lAf.”
<p>
/sonja hxd His n /nytySa'z wispx:
<p>
“F nO SI wil. SI sY samTiN lAst jC.”
<p>
f abQt TrI minits Yl wx sFlant.
<p>
“v kPs SI wil!” wispxd /nytySa, bat did not finiS...
sadanli /sonja pUSt awE H glAs SI woz hOldiN n kavxd hx
Fz wiH hx hAnd.
<p>
“O, /nytySa!” SI krFd.
<p>
“did V sI? did V? wot woz it?” iäklEmd /nytySa, hOldiN ap
H lUkiN glAs.
<p>
/sonja hAd not sIn eniTiN, SI woz Jast wontiN t bliNk n t get
ap wen SI hxd /nytySa sE, “v kPs SI wil!” SI did not
wiS t disapqnt FHx /dMnjySa P /nytySa, bat it woz hRd t sit
stil. SI did not hxself nO hQ P wF H eäklamESan iskEpt hx
wen SI kavxd hx Fz.
<p>
“V sY him?” xJd /nytySa, sIziN hx hAnd.
<p>
“jes. wEt a bit... F... sY him,” /sonja kUd not help sEiN, not
jet nOiN hMm /nytySa ment bF him, /nikalas P /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“bat wF SUdant F sE F sY samTiN? aHxz dM sI! bisFdz hM
kAn tel weHx F sY eniTiN P not?” flASt TrM /sonja'z
mFnd.
<p>
“jes, F sY him,” SI sed.
<p>
“hQ? stAndiN P lFiN?”
<p>
“nO, F sY... At fxst HX woz naTiN, Hen F sY him lFiN
dQn.”
<p>
“AndrM lFiN? iz hI il?” Askt /nytySa, hx frFtand Fz fiät
on hx frend.
<p>
“nO, on H kontrXi, on H kontrXi! hiz fEs woz cCfal, n hI
txnd t mI.” n wen sEiN His SI hxself fAnsid SI hAd rWli
sIn wot SI diskrFbd.
<p>
“wel, n Hen, /sonja?...”
<p>
“Aftx HAt, F kUd not mEk Qt wot HX woz; samTiN blM n
red....”
<p>
“/sonja! wen wil hI kam bAk? wen SAl F sI him! O, /god, hQ
afrEd F Am f him n f mFself n abQt evriTiN!...” /nytySa
bigAn, n wiHQt riplFiN t /sonja'z wxdz v kamfxt SI got intM
bed, n loN Aftx hx kAndal woz Qt lE Opan-Fd n mOSanlas,
gEziN At H mMnlFt TrM H frosti windOpEnz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
/sMn Aftx H /krismas holidEz /nikalas tOld hiz maHx v hiz lav
f /sonja n v hiz fxm rizolv t mAri hx. H kQntas, hM
hAd loN nOtist wot woz gOiN on bitwIn Hem n woz iäpektiN His
deklxESan, lisand t him in sFlans n Hen tOld hx san HAt hI
mFt mAri hMm hI plIzd, bat HAt nFHx SI nP hiz fyHx wUd
giv HX blesiN t sac a mAriJ. /nikalas, f H fxst tFm,
felt HAt hiz maHx woz displIzd wiH him n HAt, dispFt hx lav
f him, SI wUd not giv wE. kOldli, wiHQt lUkiN At hx san,
SI sent f hx hazband n, wen hI kEm, trFd brIfli n kOldli t
infPm him v H fAkts, in hx san'z prezans, bat anEbal t ristrEn
hxself SI bxst intM tCz v veäESan n left H rMm. H Old
kQnt bigAn irezalMtli t AdmoniS /nikalas n beg him t abAndan hiz
pxpas. /nikalas riplFd HAt hI kUd not gO bAk on hiz wxd, n hiz
fyHx, sFiN n evidentli diskansxtad, veri sMn bikEm sFlant n
went in t H kQntas. in Yl hiz inkQntxz wiH hiz san, H kQnt
woz YlwEz konSas v hiz On gilt tPd him f hAviN wEstad H
fAmli fPcMn, n sO hI kUd not bI ANgri wiH him f rifVziN t
mAri an Xas n cMziN H dQxlas /sonja. on His akEZan, hI
woz Onli mP vividli konSas v H fAkt HAt if hiz afXz hAd not
bin in disPdx, nO betx wFf f /nikalas HAn /sonja kUd hAv
bin wiSt f, n HAt nO wan bat himself wiH hiz /mitenka n
hiz ankamfxtabal hAbits woz t blEm f H kandiSan v H fAmli
fFnAnsaz.
<p>
H fyHx n maHx did not spIk v H mAtx t HX san agen,
bat a fV dEz lEtx H kQntas sent f /sonja n, wiH a krMalti
nFHx v Hem iäpektad, riprOct hx nIs f trFiN t kAc
/nikalas n f ingrAtitMd. /sonja lisand sFlantli wiH dQnkAst
Fz t H kQntas' krMal wxdz, wiHQt andxstAndiN wot
woz rikwFxd v hx. SI woz redi t sAkrifFs evriTiN f hx
benifAktxz. self-sAkrifFs woz hx mOst ceriSt FdW bat in His kEs
SI kUd not sI wot SI Yt t sAkrifFs, P f hMm. SI kUd
not help laviN H kQntas n H hOl /rOstOf fAmli, bat nFHx
kUd SI help laviN /nikalas n nOiN HAt hiz hApinas dipendad
on HAt lav. SI woz sFlant n sAd n did not riplF. /nikalas felt
H sicMESan t bI intolxabal n went t hAv an eäplanESan wiH hiz
maHx. hI fxst implPd hx t fxgiv him n /sonja n kansent t
HX mAriJ, Hen hI Tretand HAt if SI malestad /sonja hI wUd
At wans mAri hx sIkratli.
<p>
H kQntas, wiH a kOldnas hx san hAd nevx sIn in hx bifP,
riplFd HAt hI woz v EJ, HAt /prins /AndrM woz mAriiN wiHQt hiz
fyHx'z kansent, n hI kUd dM H sEm, bat HAt SI wUd nevx
risIv HAt intrIgx Az hx dYtx.
<p>
iäplOdiN At H wxd intrIgx, /nikalas, rEziN hiz vqs, tOld
hiz maHx hI hAd nevx iäpektad hx t trF t fPs him t sel hiz
fIliNz, bat if HAt wx sO, hI wUd sE f H lAst tFm.... bat hI
hAd nO tFm t atx H disFsiv wxd wic H iäpreSan v hiz fEs
kYzd hiz maHx t awEt wiH terx, n wic wUd pxhAps hAv
fxevx rimEnd a krMal memxi t Hem bOT. hI hAd not tFm t sE it,
f /nytySa, wiH a pEl n set fEs, entxd H rMm from H dP
At wic SI hAd bin lisaniN.
<p>
“/nikalas, V R tYkiN nonsens! bI kwFat, bI kwFat, bI kwFat, F
tel V!...” SI YlmOst skrImd, sO Az t drQn hiz vqs.
<p>
“mymy dRliN, it's not At Yl sO... mF pUx, swIt dRliN,” SI
sed t hx maHx, hM konSas HAt HE hAd bin on H briNk v
a rapcx gEzd At hx san wiH terx, bat in H obstinasi n
iäFtmant v H konflikt kUd not n wUd not giv wE.
<p>
“/nikalas, F'l iäplEn t V. gO awE! lisan, /mymy dRliN,”
sed /nytySa.
<p>
hx wxdz wx inkOhCant, bat HE atEnd H pxpas At wic SI
woz EmiN.
<p>
H kQntas, sobiN hevili, hid hx fEs on hx dYtx'z brest,
wFl /nikalas rOz, klaciN hiz hed, n left H rMm.
<p>
/nytySa set t wxk t ifekt a rekansiliESan, n sO fR saäIdad
HAt /nikalas risIvd a promis from hiz maHx HAt /sonja SUd not
bI trabald, wFl hI on hiz sFd promist not t andxtEk eniTiN
wiHQt hiz pXants' noliJ.
<p>
fxmli rizolvd, Aftx pUtiN hiz afXz in Pdx in H reJimant,
t ritFx from H Rmi n ritxn n mAri /sonja, /nikalas, sCWs,
sorOfal, n At vXWns wiH hiz pXants, bat, Az it sImd t him,
pASanatli in lav, left At H biginiN v JAnVXi t rIJqn hiz
reJimant.
<p>
Aftx /nikalas hAd gon TiNz in H /rOstOf hQshOld wx mP
dipresiN HAn evx, n H kQntas fel il from mental AJitESan.
<p>
/sonja woz anhApi At H sepxESan from /nikalas n stil mP sO on
akQnt v H hostFl tOn H kQntas kUd not help adoptiN tPd
hx. H kQnt woz mP pxtxbd HAn evx bF H kandiSan v hiz
afXz, wic kYld f sam disFsiv AkSan. HX tQn hQs n
istEt nC /moskQ hAd inevitabli t bI sOld, n f His HE hAd t
gO t /moskQ. bat H kQntas' helT ablFJd Hem t dilE HX
dipRcx from dE t dE.
<p>
/nytySa, hM hAd bPn H fxst pCWd v sepxESan from hx
bitrOHd lFtli n Ivan cCfali, nQ grM mP AJitEtad n
impESant evri dE. H TYt HAt hx best dEz, wic SI wUd
hAv implqd in laviN him, wx bIiN vEnli wEstad, wiH nO advAntiJ
t eniwan, tPmentad hx insesantli. hiz letxz f H mOst pRt
iritEtad hx. it hxt hx t TiNk HAt wFl SI livd Onli in H
TYt v him, hI woz liviN a rWl lFf, sIiN nM plEsaz n nM
pIpal HAt intxastad him. H mP intxastiN hiz letxz wx
H mP veät SI felt. hx letxz t him, fR from giviN hx eni
kamfxt, sImd t hx a wCisam n RtifiSal obligESan. SI kUd
not rFt, bikoz SI kUd not kansIv H posabiliti v iäpresiN
sinsCli in a letx Ivan a TQzandT pRt v wot SI iäprest bF
vqs, smFl, n glAns. SI rOt t him fPmal, manotanas, n drF
letxz, t wic SI atAct nO impPtans hxself, n in H raf
kopiz v wic H kQntas kxektad hx mistEä in speliN.
<p>
HX woz stil nO imprMvmant in H kQntas' helT, bat it woz
imposabal t difx H Jxni t /moskQ eni loNgx. /nytySa'z
trMsO hAd t bI Pdxd n H hQs sOld. mPOvx, /prins /AndrM
woz iäpektad in /moskQ, wX Old /prins /bOlkOnski woz spendiN H
wintx, n /nytySa felt SUx hI hAd Ylredi xFvd.
<p>
sO H kQntas rimEnd in H kantri, n H kQnt, tEkiN /sonja
n /nytySa wiH him, went t /moskQ At H end v JAnVXi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /Et: 1811 - 12
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/Aftx /prins /AndrM'z ingEJmant t /nytySa, /piX wiHQt eni
apArant kYz sadanli felt it imposabal t gO on liviN Az bifP.
fxmli kanvinst Az hI woz v H trMHz rivIld t him bF hiz
benifAktx, n hApi Az hI hAd bin in pxfektiN hiz inx mAn, t
wic hI hAd divOtad himself wiH sac Rdx—Yl H zest v sac a
lFf vAniSt Aftx H ingEJmant v /AndrM n /nytySa n H deT
v /JOzif /yleäEevic, H nMz v wic rIct him YlmOst At H sEm
tFm. Onli H skelatan v lFf rimEnd: hiz hQs, a brilWnt wFf
hM nQ inJqd H fEvxz v a veri impPtant pxsaniJ, akwEntans
wiH Yl /pItxzbxg, n hiz kPt sxvis wiH its dal fPmAlitiz.
n His lFf sadanli sImd t /piX aniäpektadli lOTsam. hI
sIst kIpiN a dFxi, avqdad H kampani v H /braHxz, bigAn gOiN
t H klab agen, drANk a grEt dIl, n kEm wans mP in tac
wiH H bAcalx sets, lIdiN sac a lFf HAt H /kQntas /helIn
TYt it nesisXi t spIk sivCli t him abQt it. /piX felt HAt
SI woz rFt, n t avqd kompramFziN hx went awE t /moskQ.
<p>
in /moskQ Az sMn Az hI entxd hiz hVJ hQs in wic H fEdad n
fEdiN prinsasaz stil livd, wiH its inPmas retinM; Az sMn Az,
drFviN TrM H tQn, hI sY H /FbCWn SrFn wiH inMmxabal
tEpxz bxniN bifP H gOldan kavxz v H Fkonz, H /kremlin
/skwX wiH its snO andistxbd bF vIikalz, H slE drFvxz n
hovalz v H /sivtsef /vryZOk, HOz Old /moskOvFts hM dizFxd
naTiN, harid nOwX, n wx endiN HX dEz lIZxli; wen hI
sY HOz Old /moskQ lEdiz, H /moskQ bYlz, n H /iNgliS /klab, hI
felt himself At hOm in a kwFat hEvan. in /moskQ hI felt At pIs, At
hOm, wPm n dxti Az in an Old dresiN gQn.
<p>
/moskQ sasFati, from H Old wimin dQn t H cildran, risIvd /piX
lFk a loN-iäpektad gest hMz plEs woz YlwEz redi awEtiN him.
f /moskQ sasFati /piX woz H nFsast, kFndast, mOst intalekcMal,
merWst, n mOst mAgnAnimas v krANä, a hIdlas, JInWl nObalman v
H Old /raSan tFp. hiz pxs woz YlwEz empti bikoz it woz Opan t
evriwan.
<p>
benifit pxfPmansaz, pUx pikcxz, stAcVz, binevalant sasFatiz,
Jipsi kwFxz, skMlz, sabskripSan dinxz, sprIz, /frImEsanz,
cxcaz, n bUä—nO wan n naTiN met wiH a rifVzal from him,
n hAd it not bin f tM frendz hM hAd borOd lRJ samz from
him n tEkan him andx HX pratekSan, hI wUd hAv givan evriTiN
awE. HX woz nevx a dinx P swRE At H klab wiHQt him. Az
sMn Az hI sANk intM hiz plEs on H sOfa Aftx tM botalz v /mRgO
hI woz sxQndad, n tYkiN, dispVtiN, n JOkiN bigAn. wen HX
wx kworalz, hiz kFndli smFl n wel-tFmd Jests rekansFld H
AntAganists. H /masonik dinxz wx dal n drCi wen hI woz not
HX.
<p>
wen Aftx a bAcalx sapx hI rOz wiH hiz EmWbal n kFndli smFl,
jIldiN t H intrItiz v H festiv kampani t drFv of samwX
wiH Hem, SQts v dilFt n trFamf xOz amaN H jaN men.
At bYlz hI dAnst if a pRtnx woz nIdad. jaN lEdiz, mArid n
anmArid, lFkt him bikoz wiHQt mEkiN lav t eni v Hem, hI woz
Ikwali EmWbal t Yl, ispeSali Aftx sapx. “il est cRmant; il
n'a py de sexe,” * HE sed v him.
<p>
    * “hI iz cRmiN; hI hAz nO seä.”
<p>
<p>
/piX woz wan v HOz ritFxd Jentalmen-in-wEtiN v hMm HX wx
handradz gUd-hVmxadli endiN HX dEz in /moskQ.
<p>
hQ horifFd hI wUd hAv bin sevan jCz bifP, wen hI fxst
xFvd from abrYd, hAd hI bin tOld HAt HX woz nO nId f him
t sIk P plAn eniTiN, HAt hiz rat hAd loN bin SEpt, itxnali
prIditxmind, n HAt rigal Az hI mFt, hI wUd bI wot Yl in
hiz paziSan wx. hI kUd not hAv bilIvd it! hAd hI not At wan
tFm loNd wiH Yl hiz hRt t istAbliS a ripablik in /raSa;
Hen himself t bI a /napOlWn; Hen t bI a filosafx; n Hen
a strAtiJist n H koNkxx v /napOlWn? hAd hI not sIn H
posabiliti v, n pASanatli dizFxd, H riJenxESan v H sinfal
hVman rEs, n hiz On progres t H hFast digrI v pxfekSan?
hAd hI not istAbliSt skMlz n hospitalz n libxEtad hiz sxfs?
<p>
bat insted v Yl HAt—hC hI woz, H welTi hazband v an
anfETfal wFf, a ritFxd Jentalman-in-wEtiN, fond v ItiN n
driNkiN n, Az hI anbatand hiz wEstkOt, v abVziN H gavxnmant
a bit, a membx v H /moskQ /iNgliS /klab, n a Vnivxsal fEvxit in
/moskQ sasFati. f a loN tFm hI kUd not rekansFl himself t H
FdW HAt hI woz wan v HOz sEm ritFxd /moskQ Jentalmen-in-wEtiN
hI hAd sO dispFzd sevan jCz bifP.
<p>
samtFmz hI kansOld himself wiH H TYt HAt hI woz Onli liviN
His lFf tempxXili; bat Hen hI woz Sokt bF H TYt v hQ
meni, lFk himself, hAd entxd HAt lFf n HAt klab tempxXili,
wiH Yl HX tIT n hX, n hAd Onli left it wen not a siNgal
tMT P hX rimEnd.
<p>
in mOments v prFd, wen hI TYt v hiz paziSan it sImd t
him HAt hI woz kwFt difxant n distiNkt from HOz aHx ritFxd
Jentalmen-in-wEtiN hI hAd fPmxli dispFzd: HE wx empti, stMpid,
kantentad felOz, sAtisfFd wiH HX paziSan, “wFl F Am stil
diskantentad n wont t dM samTiN f mAnkFnd. bat pxhAps Yl HIz
komrAdz v mFn stragald Jast lFk mI n sYt samTiN nM, a
pAT in lFf v HX On, n lFk mI wx brYt bF fPs v
sxkamstAnsaz, sasFati, n rEs—bF HAt elimental fPs agenst wic
mAn iz pQxlas—t H kandiSan F Am in,” sed hI t himself in
mOments v hVmiliti; n Aftx liviN sam tFm in /moskQ hI nO loNgx
dispFzd, bat bigAn t grO fond v, t rispekt, n t piti hiz
komrAdz in destini, Az hI pitid himself.
<p>
/piX nO loNgx safxd mOments v dispX, hFpOkondrW, n disgast
wiH lFf, bat H mAladi HAt hAd fPmxli fQnd iäpreSan in sac
akVt atAä woz drivan inwxdz n nevx left him f a mOment.
“wot f? wF? wot iz gOiN on in H wxld?” hI wUd Ask himself
in pxpleäiti sevxal tFmz a dE, involantXili biginiN t riflekt
anM on H mIniN v H finomina v lFf; bat nOiN bF iäpCWns
HAt HX wx nO Ansxz t HIz kwescanz hI mEd hEst t txn awE
from Hem, n tUk ap a bUk, P harid of t H klab P t /ypOlOn
/nikOlFevic'az, t iäcEnJ H gosip v H tQn.
<p>
“/helIn, hM hAz nevx kXd f eniTiN bat hx On bodi n
iz wan v H stMpidast wimin in H wxld,” TYt /piX, “iz
rigRdad bF pIpal Az H Akmi v inteliJans n rifFnmant, n HE
pE homiJ t hx. /napOlWn /bOnapRt woz dispFzd bF Yl Az loN Az hI
woz grEt, bat nQ HAt hI hAz bikam a recad kamIdWn H /empxx
/frAnsis wonts t ofx him hiz dYtx in an ilIgal mAriJ. H
/spAnjxdz, TrM H /kATalik klxJi, ofx prEz t /god f HX
viktxi Ovx H /frenc on H fPtInT v JMn, n H /frenc,
YlsO TrM H /kATalik klxJi, ofx prEz bikoz on HAt sEm
fPtInT v JMn HE difItad H /spAnjxdz. mF braHx /mEsanz swX
bF H blad HAt HE R redi t sAkrifFs evriTiN f HX
nEbx, bat HE dM not giv a rMbal Ic t H kalekSanz f H
pUx, n HE intrIg, H /ystrEa /loJ agenst H /myna /sIkxz,
n fas abQt an YTentik /skoc kRpat n a cRtx HAt nObodi
nIdz, n H mIniN v wic H veri mAn hM rOt it daz not
andxstAnd. wI Yl prafes H /kriscan lY v fxgivnas v inJxiz
n lav v Qx nEbxz, H lY in onx v wic wI hAv bilt in
/moskQ fPti tFmz fPti cxcaz—bat jestxdE a dizxtx woz nQtad
t deT n a ministx v HAt sEm lY v lav n fxgivnas, a
prIst, gEv H sOlJx a kros t kis bifP hiz eäikVSan.” sO
TYt /piX, n H hOl v His Jenxal disepSan wic evriwan
aäepts, akastamd Az hI woz t it, astoniSt him Ic tFm Az if it
wx samTiN nM. “F andxstAnd H disepSan n kanfVZan,” hI
TYt, “bat hQ Am F t tel Hem Yl HAt F sI? F hAv trFd, n
hAv YlwEz fQnd HAt HE tM in H depTs v HX sOlz andxstAnd
it Az F dM, n Onli trF not t sI it. sO it apCz HAt it mast
bI sO! bat F—wot iz t bikam v mI?” TYt hI. hI hAd H
anfPcanat kapAsiti meni men, ispeSali /raSanz, hAv v sIiN n
bilIviN in H posabiliti v gUdnas n trMT, bat v sIiN H
Ival n fYlshUd v lFf tM klCli t bI Ebal t tEk a sCWs pRt
in it. evri sfC v wxk woz kanektad, in hiz Fz, wiH Ival n
disepSan. wotevx hI trFd t bI, wotevx hI ingEJd in, H Ival n
fYlshUd v it ripalst him n blokt evri pAT v Aktiviti. jet hI
hAd t liv n t fFnd okVpESan. it woz tM dredfal t bI andx
H bxdan v HIz insolVbal problamz, sO hI abAndand himself t
eni distrAkSan in Pdx t fxget Hem. hI frIkwantad evri kFnd v
sasFati, drANk mac, bYt pikcxz, ingEJd in bildiN, n abav
Yl—red.
<p>
hI red, n red evriTiN HAt kEm t hAnd. on kamiN hOm, wFl
hiz vAlEz wx stil tEkiN of hiz TiNz, hI pikt ap a bUk n
bigAn t rId. from rIdiN hI pAst t slIpiN, from slIpiN t
gosip in drYiN rMmz v H klab, from gosip t kxQzalz n wimin;
from kxQzalz bAk t gosip, rIdiN, n wFn. driNkiN bikEm mP
n mP a fizikal n YlsO a mPal nisesiti. HO H doktxz
wPnd him HAt wiH hiz kPpVlans wFn woz dEnJxas f him, hI
drANk a grEt dIl. hI woz Onli kwFt At Iz wen hAviN pPd sevxal
glAsaz v wFn mikAnikli intM hiz lRJ mQT hI felt a plezant
wPmT in hiz bodi, an EmWbiliti tPd Yl hiz felOz, n a
redinas t rispond sMpxfiSali t evri FdW wiHQt prObiN it
dIpli. Onli Aftx emptiiN a botal P tM did hI fIl dimli HAt H
teribli tANgald skEn v lFf wic prIvWsli hAd terifFd him woz
not Az dredfal Az hI hAd TYt. hI woz YlwEz konSas v sam
Aspekt v HAt skEn, Az wiH a baziN in hiz hed Aftx dinx P
sapx hI cAtad P lisand t konvxsESan P rId. bat andx H
inflMans v wFn hI sed t himself: “it dazant mAtx. F'l
get it anrAvald. F hAv a salMSan redi, bat hAv nO tFm nQ—F'l
TiNk it Yl Qt lEtx on!” bat H lEtx on nevx kEm.
<p>
in H mPniN, on an empti stamak, Yl H Old kwescanz apCd Az
insolVbal n teribal Az evx, n /piX hEstili pikt ap a bUk, n
if eniwan kEm t sI him hI woz glAd.
<p>
samtFmz hI rimembxd hQ hI hAd hxd HAt sOlJxz in wP wen
intrenct andx H enami'z fFx, if HE hAv naTiN t dM, trF
hRd t fFnd sam okVpESan H mP Izili t bX H dEnJx. t
/piX Yl men sImd lFk HOz sOlJxz, sIkiN refVJ from lFf:
sam in AmbiSan, sam in kRdz, sam in frEmiN lYz, sam in wimin,
sam in tqz, sam in hPsaz, sam in politiä, sam in spPt, sam
in wFn, n sam in gavxnmental afXz. “naTiN iz trivWl, n
naTiN iz impPtant, it's Yl H sEm—Onli t sEv wanself from it
Az best wan kAn,” TYt /piX. “Onli not t sI it, HAt dredfal
it!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
At H biginiN v wintx /prins /nikalas /bOlkOnski n hiz dYtx
mMvd t /moskQ. At HAt tFm inTVziAzam f H /empxx /AliãAndx'z
rEZIm hAd wIkand n a pEtriotik n Anti-/frenc tendansi privEld
HX, n His, tageHx wiH hiz pAst n hiz intalekt n hiz
xiJinAliti, At wans mEd /prins /nikalas /bOlkOnski an obJekt v
pxtikVlx rispekt t H /moskOvFts n H sentx v H /moskQ
opaziSan t H gavxnmant.
<p>
H prins hAd EJd veri mac HAt jC. hI SOd mRkt sFnz v
siniliti bF a tendansi t fYl aslIp, fxgetfalnas v kwFt rIsant
ivents, rimembrans v rimOt wanz, n H cFldiS vAniti wiH wic
hI aäeptad H rOl v hed v H /moskQ opaziSan. in spFt v His
H Old mAn inspFxd in Yl hiz vizitxz alFk a fIliN v rispektfal
venxESan—ispeSali v an IvniN wen hI kEm in t tI in hiz
Old-fASand kOt n pQdxd wig n, xQzd bF eniwan, tOld hiz
abrapt stPiz v H pAst, P atxd jet mP abrapt n skEHiN
kritisizamz v H prezant. f Hem Yl, HAt Old-fASand hQs wiH
its JFgAntik mirxz, prI-/revalMSan fxnicx, pQdxd fUtmen, n
H stxn SrMd Old mAn (himself a relik v H pAst sencxi) wiH hiz
Jental dYtx n H priti /frencwUman hM wx revxantli divOtad
t him prizentad a maJestik n agrIabal spektakal. bat H vizitxz
did not riflekt HAt bisFdz H kapal v Qxz dxiN wic HE sY
HX hOst, HX wx YlsO twenti-tM Qxz in H dE dxiN wic H
prFvat n intimat lFf v H hQs kantinVd.
<p>
lAtxli HAt prFvat lFf hAd bikam veri trFiN f /prinsas /mXi.
HX in /moskQ SI woz diprFvd v hx grEtast pleZxz—tYä wiH
H pilgrimz n H solitMd wic rifreSt hx At /bYld /hilz—n
SI hAd nan v H advAntiJaz n pleZxz v siti lFf. SI did not
gO Qt intM sasFati; evriwan nM HAt hx fyHx wUd not let hx
gO eniwX wiHQt him, n hiz fEliN helT priventad hiz gOiN Qt
himself, sO HAt SI woz not invFtad t dinxz n IvniN pRtiz. SI
hAd kwFt abAndand H hOp v getiN mArid. SI sY H kOldnas
n malevalans wiH wic H Old prins risIvd n dismist H
jaN men, posabal sMtxz, hM samtFmz apCd At HX hQs. SI
hAd nO frendz: dxiN His vizit t /moskQ SI hAd bin disapqntad in
H tM hM hAd bin nCast t hx. /mAdamwazel /bMrien, wiH hMm
SI hAd nevx bin Ebal t bI kwFt frANk, hAd nQ bikam anplezant t
hx, n f vXWs rIzanz /prinsas /mXi avqdad hx. /JMli, wiH hMm
SI hAd korispondad f H lAst fFv jCz, woz in /moskQ, bat prMvd
t bI kwFt ElWn t hx wen HE met. Jast Hen /JMli, hM bF H
deT v hx braHxz hAd bikam wan v H ricast Xasaz in /moskQ,
woz in H fUl wxl v sasFati pleZxz. SI woz sxQndad bF jaN
men hM, SI fAnsid, hAd sadanli lxnd t aprISiEt hx wxT.
/JMli woz At HAt stEJ in H lFf v a sasFati wUman wen SI fIlz
HAt hx lAst cAns v mAriiN hAz kam n HAt hx fEt mast bI
disFdad nQ P nevx. on TxzdEz /prinsas /mXi rimembxd wiH a
mPnfal smFl HAt SI nQ hAd nO wan t rFt t, sins /JMli—hMz
prezans gEv hx nO pleZx woz hC n HE met evri wIk. lFk H
Old emigrE hM diklFnd t mAri H lEdi wiH hMm hI hAd spent hiz
IvniNz f jCz, SI rigretad /JMli'z prezans n hAviN nO wan
t rFt t. in /moskQ /prinsas /mXi hAd nO wan t tYk t, nO wan t
hMm t kanfFd hx sorO, n mac sorO fel t hx lot Jast Hen.
H tFm f /prins /AndrM'z ritxn n mAriJ woz aprOciN, bat
hiz rikwest t hx t pripX hiz fyHx f it hAd not bin kArid
Qt; in fAkt, it sImd Az if mAtxz wx kwFt hOplas, f At evri
menSan v H jaN /kQntas /rOstOva H Old prins (hM apRt from
HAt woz VZMali in a bAd tempx) lost kantrOl v himself. anaHx
lEtli Adad sorO xOz from H lesanz SI gEv hx siä jC-Old
nefV. t hx konstxnESan SI ditektad in hxself in rilESan t
lital /nikalas sam simptamz v hx fyHx'z iritabiliti. hQevx
oftan SI tOld hxself HAt SI mast not get iritabal wen tIciN hx
nefV, YlmOst evri tFm HAt, pqntx in hAnd, SI sAt dQn t SO
him H /frenc Alfabet, SI sO loNd t pP hx On noliJ kwikli
n Izili intM H cFld—hM woz Ylredi afrEd HAt /ynti mFt At
eni mOment get ANgri—HAt At hiz slFtast inatenSan SI trembald,
bikEm flastxd n hItad, rEzd hx vqs, n samtFmz pUld him
bF H Rm n pUt him in H kPnx. hAviN pUt him in H kPnx
SI wUd hxself bigin t krF Ovx hx krMal, Ival nEcx, n lital
/nikalas, folOiN hx iãAmpal, wUd sob, n wiHQt pxmiSan wUd
lIv hiz kPnx, kam t hx, pUl hx wet hAndz from hx fEs, n
kamfxt hx. bat wot distrest H prinsas mOst v Yl woz hx
fyHx'z iritabiliti, wic woz YlwEz direktad agenst hx n hAd
v lEt amQntad t krMalti. hAd hI fPst hx t prostrEt hxself t
H grQnd Yl nFt, hAd hI bItan hx P mEd hx fec wUd P wYtx,
it wUd nevx hAv entxd hx mFnd t TiNk hx paziSan hRd; bat
His laviN despot—H mP krMal bikoz hI lavd hx n f HAt
rIzan tPmentad himself n hx—nM hQ not mCli t hxt n
hVmiliEt hx dilibxatli, bat t SO hx HAt SI woz YlwEz t blEm
f evriTiN. v lEt hI hAd iãibitad a nM trEt HAt tPmentad
/prinsas /mXi mP HAn eniTiN els; His woz hiz evx-inkrIsiN
intimasi wiH /mAdamwazel /bMrien. H FdW HAt At H fxst mOment
v risIviN H nMz v hiz san'z intenSanz hAd akxd t him in
Jest—HAt if /AndrM got mArid hI himself wUd mAri /bMrien—hAd
evidentli plIzd him, n lAtxli hI hAd pxsistantli, n Az it
sImd t /prinsas /mXi mCli t afend hx, SOn speSal indCmants
t H kampAnjan n iäprest hiz dissAtisfAkSan wiH hiz dYtx bF
demanstrESanz v lav v /bMrien.
<p>
wan dE in /moskQ in /prinsas /mXi'z prezans (SI TYt hx fyHx
did it pxpasli wen SI woz HX) H Old prins kist /mAdamwazel
/bMrien'z hAnd n, drYiN hx t him, imbrEst hx afekSanatli.
prinsas /mXi flaSt n rAn Qt v H rMm. a fV minits lEtx
/mAdamwazel /bMrien kEm intM /prinsas /mXi'z rMm smFliN n
mEkiN cCfal rimRä in hx agrIabal vqs. prinsas /mXi hEstili
wFpt awE hx tCz, went rezalMtli ap t /mAdamwazel /bMrien,
n evidentli ankonSas v wot SI woz dMiN bigAn SQtiN in ANgri
hEst At H /frencwUman, hx vqs brEkiN: “it's horibal, vFl,
inhVman, t tEk advAntiJ v H wIknas...” SI did not finiS.
“lIv mF rMm,” SI iäklEmd, n bxst intM sobz.
<p>
neät dE H prins did not sE a wxd t hiz dYtx, bat SI nOtist
HAt At dinx hI gEv Pdxz HAt /mAdamwazel /bMrien SUd bI
sxvd fxst. Aftx dinx, wen H fUtman hAndad kofi n from
hAbit bigAn wiH H prinsas, H prins sadanli grM fjUxWs,
TrM hiz stik At /filip, n instantli gEv instrakSanz t hAv him
kanskriptad f H Rmi.
<p>
“hI dazant ObE... F sed it twFs... n hI dazant ObE! SI
iz H fxst pxsan in His hQs; SI'z mF best frend,” krFd
H prins. “n if V alQ jPself,” hI skrImd in a fjUxi,
adresiN /prinsas /mXi f H fxst tFm, “t fxget jPself agen
bifP hx Az V dXd t dM jestxdE, F wil SO V hM iz mAstx
in His hQs. gO! dOnt let mI set Fz on V; beg hx pRdan!”
<p>
prinsas /mXi Askt /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z pRdan, n YlsO hx
fyHx'z pRdan f hxself n f /filip H fUtman, hM hAd begd
f hx intxvenSan.
<p>
At sac mOments samTiN lFk a prFd v sAkrifFs gAHxd in hx
sOl. n sadanli HAt fyHx hMm SI hAd JaJd wUd lUk f hiz
spektakalz in hx prezans, fambaliN nC Hem n not sIiN Hem, P
wUd fxget samTiN HAt hAd Jast akxd, P tEk a fYls step wiH
hiz fEliN leã n txn t sI if eniwan hAd nOtist hiz fIbalnas,
P, wxst v Yl, At dinx wen HX wx nO vizitxz t iäFt him
wUd sadanli fYl aslIp, letiN hiz nApkin drop n hiz SEkiN
hed siNk Ovx hiz plEt. “hI iz Old n fIbal, n F dX t kandem
him!” SI TYt At sac mOments, wiH a fIliN v rivalSan agenst
hxself.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
in 1811 HX woz liviN in /moskQ a /frenc doktx—/metiviE—hM hAd
rApidli bikam H fASan. hI woz inPmasli tYl, hAndsam, EmWbal
Az /frencmen R, n woz, Az Yl /moskQ sed, an iätrPdinXili klevx
doktx. hI woz risIvd in H best hQzaz not mCli Az a doktx, bat
Az an Ikwal.
<p>
prins /nikalas hAd YlwEz ridikVld medisin, bat lAtxli on
/mAdamwazel /bMrien'z advFs hAd alQd His doktx t vizit him
n hAd grOn akastamd t him. /metiviE kEm t sI H prins abQt
twFs a wIk.
<p>
on disembx 6—/st /nikalas' /dE n H prins'az nEm dE—Yl
/moskQ kEm t H prins'az frant dP bat hI gEv Pdxz t admit nO
wan n t invFt t dinx Onli a smYl nambx, a list v hMm hI gEv
t /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
/metiviE, hM kEm in H mPniN wiH hiz falisitESanz, kansidxd
it propx in hiz kwoliti v doktx de fPsx ly consigne, * Az hI tOld
/prinsas /mXi, n went in t sI H prins. it hApand HAt on HAt
mPniN v hiz nEm dE H prins woz in wan v hiz wxst mMdz. hI hAd
bin gOiN abQt H hQs Yl H mPniN fFndiN fYlt wiH evriwan
n pritendiN not t andxstAnd wot woz sed t him n not t bI
andxstUd himself. prinsas /mXi wel nM His mMd v kwFat absPbd
kweralasnas, wic Jenxali kalminEtad in a bxst v rEJ, n SI
went abQt Yl HAt mPniN Az HO fEsiN a kokt n lOdad gan
n awEtad H inevitabal iäplOZan. antil H doktx'z xFval H
mPniN hAd pAst of sEfli. Aftx admitiN H doktx, /prinsas /mXi
sAt dQn wiH a bUk in H drYiN rMm nC H dP TrM wic SI
kUd hC Yl HAt pAst in H stadi.
<p>
    * t fPs H gRd.
<p>
At fxst SI hxd Onli /metiviE'z vqs, Hen hx fyHx'z, Hen
bOT vqsaz bigAn spIkiN At H sEm tFm, H dP woz flaN Opan,
n on H TreShOld apCd H hAndsam figjx v H terifFd
/metiviE wiH hiz Sok v blAk hX, n H prins in hiz dresiN
gQn n fez, hiz fEs distPtad wiH fjUxi n H pVpalz v hiz Fz
rOld dQnwxdz.
<p>
“V dOnt andxstAnd?” SQtad H prins, “bat F dM! /frenc
spF, slEv v /bMOnapRte, spF, get Qt v mF hQs! bI of, F tel
V...” n hI slAmd H dP.
<p>
/metiviE, SragiN hiz SOldxz, went ap t /mAdamwazel /bMrien
hM At H sQnd v SQtiN hAd ran in from an aJqniN rMm.
<p>
“H prins iz not veri wel: bFl n raS v blad t H hed. kIp
kym, F wil kYl agen tamorO,” sed /metiviE; n pUtiN hiz
fiNgxz t hiz lips hI hEsand awE.
<p>
TrM H stadi dP kEm H sQnd v slipxd fIt n H krF:
“spFz, trEtxz, trEtxz evriwX! not a mOment's pIs in mF
On hQs!”
<p>
Aftx /metiviE'z dipRcx H Old prins kYld hiz dYtx in, n
H hOl wEt v hiz rAT fel on hx. SI woz t blEm HAt a spF
hAd bin admitad. hAd hI not tOld hx, jes, tOld hx t mEk a list,
n not t admit eniwan hM woz not on HAt list? Hen wF woz HAt
skQndral admitad? SI woz H kYz v it Yl. wiH hx, hI sed, hI
kUd not hAv a mOment's pIs n kUd not dF kwFatli.
<p>
“nO, mAm! wI mast pRt, wI mast pRt! andxstAnd HAt, andxstAnd
it! F kAnot indx eni mP,” hI sed, n left H rMm. Hen, Az if
afrEd SI mFt fFnd sam mInz v konsalESan, hI ritxnd n trFiN
t apC kym Adad: “n dOnt imAJin F hAv sed His in a
mOment v ANgx. F Am kym. F hAv TYt it Ovx, n it wil bI
kArid Qt—wI mast pRt; sO fFnd sam plEs f jPself....” bat
hI kUd not ristrEn himself n wiH H viralans v wic Onli wan
hM lavz iz kEpabal, evidentli safxiN himself, hI SUk hiz fists At
hx n skrImd:
<p>
“if Onli sam fMl wUd mAri hx!” Hen hI slAmd H dP, sent
f /mAdamwazel /bMrien, n sabsFdad intM hiz stadi.
<p>
At tM O'klok H siä cOzan gests asembald f dinx.
<p>
HIz gests—H fEmas /kQnt /rOstOpcin, /prins /lOpMâin wiH hiz
nefV, /Jenxal /cytrOf an Old wP komrAd v H prins'az, n
v H jaNgx JenxESan /piX n /bPis /drMbetskq—awEtad H
prins in H drYiN rMm.
<p>
bPis, hM hAd kam t /moskQ on lIv a fV dEz bifP, hAd bin
ANkSas t bI prizentad t /prins /nikalas /bOlkOnski, n hAd kantrFvd
t ingrESiEt himself sO wel HAt H Old prins in hiz kEs mEd an
iäepSan t H rMl v not risIviN bAcalxz in hiz hQs.
<p>
H prins'az hQs did not biloN t wot iz nOn Az fASanabal
sasFati, bat hiz lital sxkal—HO not mac tYkt abQt in
tQn—woz wan it woz mP flAtxiN t bI risIvd in HAn eni aHx.
bPis hAd rWlFzd His H wIk bifP wen H kamAndx in cIf in
hiz prezans invFtad /rOstOpcin t dinx on /st /nikalas' /dE, n
/rOstOpcin hAd riplFd HAt hI kUd not kam:
<p>
“on HAt dE F YlwEz gO t pE mF divOSanz t H reliä v /prins
/nikalas /bOlkOnski.”
<p>
“O, jes, jes!” riplFd H kamAndx in cIf. “hQ iz hI?...”
<p>
H smYl grMp HAt asembald bifP dinx in H lofti Old-fASand
drYiN rMm wiH its Old fxnicx rizembald H solam gAHxiN v
a kPt v Jastis. Yl wx sFlant P tYkt in lO tOnz. prins
/nikalas kEm in sCWs n tAsitxn. prinsas /mXi sImd Ivan kwFatx
n mP difidant HAn VZMal. H gests wx rilaktant t adres
hx, fIliN HAt SI woz in nO mMd f HX konvxsESan. kQnt
/rOstOpcin alOn kept H konvxsESan gOiN, nQ rilEtiN H lEtast
tQn nMz, n nQ H lEtast politikal gosip.
<p>
/lOpMâin n H Old Jenxal akEZanali tUk pRt in H
konvxsESan. prins /bOlkOnski lisand Az a prizFdiN JaJ risIvz a
ripPt, Onli nQ n Hen, sFlantli P bF a brIf wxd, SOiN HAt
hI tUk hId v wot woz bIiN ripPtad t him. H tOn v H
konvxsESan woz sac Az indikEtad HAt nO wan aprMvd v wot woz
bIiN dan in H politikal wxld. insidants wx rilEtad evidentli
kanfxmiN H apinjan HAt evriTiN woz gOiN from bAd t wxs, bat
weHx teliN a stPi P giviN an apinjan H spIkx YlwEz stopt,
P woz stopt, At H pqnt bijond wic hiz kritisizam mFt tac H
sovran himself.
<p>
At dinx H tYk txnd on H lEtast politikal nMz: /napOlWn'z
sIZx v H /dMk v /Oldanbxg'z teritPi, n H /raSan /nOt,
hostFl t /napOlWn, wic hAd bin sent t Yl H /jUxapWn kPts.
<p>
“/bOnapRt trIts /jUxap Az a pFrat daz a kApcxd vesal,” sed
/kQnt /rOstOpcin, ripItiN a frEz hI hAd atxd sevxal tFmz
bifP. “wan Onli wandxz At H loN-safxiN P blFndnas v H
krQnd hedz. nQ H /pOp's txn hAz kam n /bOnapRt dazant
skrMpal t dipOz H hed v H /kATalik /cxc—jet Yl kIp sFlant!
Qx sovran alOn hAz prOtestad agenst H sIZx v H /dMk
v /Oldanbxg'z teritPi, n Ivan...” kQnt /rOstOpcin pYzd,
fIliN HAt hI hAd rIct H limit bijond wic senSx woz
imposabal.
<p>
“aHx teritPiz hAv bin ofxd in iäcEnJ f H /daci v
/Oldanbxg,” sed /prins /bOlkOnski. “hI Sifts H /dMä abQt Az
F mFt mMv mF sxfs from /bYld /hilz t /bOgMcROvO P mF /rjyzyn
istEts.”
<p>
“H /dMk v /Oldanbxg bXz hiz misfPcMnz wiH Admxabal
streNT v kAraktx n rezignESan,” rimRkt /bPis, JqniN in
rispektfali.
<p>
hI sed His bikoz on hiz Jxni from /pItxzbxg hI hAd hAd H onx
v bIiN prizentad t H /dMk. prins /bOlkOnski glAnst At H
jaN mAn Az if abQt t sE samTiN in riplF, bat cEnJd hiz mFnd,
evidentli kansidxiN him tM jaN.
<p>
“F hAv red Qx prOtests abQt H /Oldanbxg afX n woz sxprFzd
hQ bAdli H /nOt woz wxdad,” rimRkt /kQnt /rOstOpcin in H
kAZMal tOn v a mAn dIliN wiH a sabJekt kwFt familC t him.
<p>
/piX lUkt At /rOstOpcin wiH nFIv astoniSmant, not andxstAndiN
wF hI SUd bI distxbd bF H bAd kompaziSan v H /nOt.
<p>
“daz it mAtx, /kQnt, hQ H /nOt iz wxdad,” hI Askt, “sO
loN Az its sabstans iz fPsabal?”
<p>
“mF dC felO, wiH Qx fFv handrad TQzand trMps it SUd bI
Izi t hAv a gUd stFl,” ritxnd /kQnt /rOstOpcin.
<p>
/piX nQ andxstUd H kQnt's dissAtisfAkSan wiH H wxdiN v
H /nOt.
<p>
“wan wUd hAv TYt kwil drFvxz inaf hAd spraN ap,”
rimRkt H Old prins. “HX in /pItxzbxg HE R YlwEz
rFtiN—not nOts Onli bat Ivan nM lYz. mF /AndrM HX hAz ritan
a hOl volVm v lYz f /raSa. nQadEz HE R YlwEz rFtiN!”
n hI lAft annAcxali.
<p>
HX woz a mOmentXi pYz in H konvxsESan; H Old Jenxal klCd
hiz TrOt t drY atenSan.
<p>
“did V hC v H lAst ivent At H rivV in /pItxzbxg? H
figjx kat bF H nM /frenc AmbAsadx.”
<p>
“E? jes, F hxd samTiN: hI sed samTiN Ykwxd in /hiz
/mAJasti'z prezans.”
<p>
“hiz /mAJasti drM atenSan t H /grenadC diviZan n t H mRc
pAst,” kantinVd H Jenxal, “n it sImz H AmbAsadx tUk
nO nOtis n alQd himself t riplF HAt: 'wI in /fryns pE nO
atenSan t sac trFfalz!' H /empxx did not kondisend t riplF.
At H neät rivV, HE sE, H /empxx did not wans dEn t adres
him.”
<p>
Yl wx sFlant. on His fAkt rilEtiN t H /empxx pxsanali, it woz
imposabal t pAs eni JaJmant.
<p>
“impVdant felOz!” sed H prins. “V nO /metiviE? F txnd
him Qt v mF hQs His mPniN. hI woz hC; HE admitad him in
spFt v mF rikwest HAt HE SUd let nO wan in,” hI went on,
glAnsiN ANgrili At hiz dYtx.
<p>
n hI nArEtad hiz hOl konvxsESan wiH H /frenc doktx n
H rIzanz HAt kanvinst him HAt /metiviE woz a spF. HO HIz
rIzanz wx veri insafiSant n abskjUx, nO wan mEd eni riJqndx.
<p>
Aftx H rOst, SAmpEn woz sxvd. H gests rOz t kangrAcalEt
H Old prins. prinsas /mXi, tM, went rQnd t him.
<p>
hI gEv hx a kOld, ANgri lUk n ofxd hx hiz riNkald,
klIn-SEvan cIk t kis. H hOl iäpreSan v hiz fEs tOld
hx HAt hI hAd not fxgotan H mPniN'z tYk, HAt hiz disiZan
rimEnd in fPs, n Onli H prezans v vizitxz hindxd hiz
spIkiN v it t hx nQ.
<p>
wen HE went intM H drYiN rMm wX kofi woz sxvd, H Old
men sAt tageHx.
<p>
prins /nikalas grM mP AnimEtad n iäprest hiz vVz on H
impendiN wP.
<p>
hI sed HAt Qx wPz wiH /bOnapRt wUd bI dizAstras sO loN Az wI
sYt alFansaz wiH H /Jxmanz n Trast Qxselvz intM /jUxapWn
afXz, intM wic wI hAd bin drYn bF H /pIs v /tilzit. “wI
Yt not t fFt FHx f P agenst /ostrW. Qx politikal
intxasts R Yl in H /Ist, n in rigRd t /bOnapRt H Onli TiN
iz t hAv an Rmd frantC n a fxm polasi, n hI wil nevx dX
t kros H /raSan frantC, Az woz H kEs in 1807!”
<p>
“hQ kAn wI fFt H /frenc, /prins?” sed /kQnt /rOstOpcin.
“kAn wI Rm Qxselvz agenst Qx tIcxz n divinitiz? lUk At
Qx VHz, lUk At Qx lEdiz! H /frenc R Qx /godz: /pAris iz Qx
/kiNdam v /hevan.”
<p>
hI bigAn spIkiN lQdx, evidentli t bI hxd bF evriwan.
<p>
“/frenc dresaz, /frenc FdWz, /frenc fIliNz! HX nQ, V txnd
/metiviE Qt bF H skraf v hiz nek bikoz hI iz a /frencman n
a skQndral, bat Qx lEdiz krYl Aftx him on HX nIz. F went t
a pRti lAst nFt, n HX Qt v fFv lEdiz TrI wx /rOman
/kATaliä n hAd H /pOp's indalJans f dMiN wUlwxk on sandEz.
n HE Hemselvz sit HX nCli nEkad, lFk H sFnbPdz At Qx
/pablik /bAHz if F mE sE sO. y, wen wan lUä At Qx jaN pIpal,
/prins, wan wUd lFk t tEk /pItx H /grEt's Old kaJal Qt v H
mVzWm n bilEbx Hem in H /raSan wE til Yl H nonsens Jamps
Qt v Hem.”
<p>
Yl wx sFlant. H Old prins lUkt At /rOstOpcin wiH a smFl n
wAgd hiz hed aprMviNli.
<p>
“wel, gUd-bF, jP eäalansi, kIp wel!” sed /rOstOpcin,
getiN ap wiH kAraktxistik brisknas n hOldiN Qt hiz hAnd t H
prins.
<p>
“gUd-bF, mF dC felO.... hiz wxdz R mVzik, F nevx tFx v
hCiN him!” sed H Old prins, kIpiN hOld v H hAnd n
ofxiN hiz cIk t bI kist.
<p>
folOiN /rOstOpcin'z iãAmpal H aHxz YlsO rOz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
/prinsas /mXi Az SI sAt lisaniN t H Old men'z tYk n
fYltfFndiN, andxstUd naTiN v wot SI hxd; SI Onli wandxd
weHx H gests hAd Yl abzxvd hx fyHx'z hostFl AtitMd
tPd hx. SI did not Ivan nOtis H speSal atenSanz n
EmWbilitiz SOn hx dxiN dinx bF /bPis /drMbetskq, hM woz
vizitiN Hem f H Txd tFm Ylredi.
<p>
prinsas /mXi txnd wiH Absant-mFndad kwescaniN lUk t /piX, hM
hAt in hAnd n wiH a smFl on hiz fEs woz H lAst v H gests t
aprOc hx Aftx H Old prins hAd gon Qt n HE wx left alOn
in H drYiN rMm.
<p>
“mE F stE a lital loNgx?” hI sed, letiN hiz stQt bodi siNk
intM an RmcX bisFd hx.
<p>
“O jes,” SI Ansxd. “V nOtist naTiN?” hx lUk Askt.
<p>
/piX woz in an agrIabal Aftx-dinx mMd. hI lUkt strEt bifP
him n smFld kwFatli.
<p>
“hAv V nOn HAt jaN mAn loN, /prinsas?” hI Askt.
<p>
“hM?”
<p>
“/drMbetskq.”
<p>
“nO, not loN....”
<p>
“dM V lFk him?”
<p>
“jes, hI iz an agrIabal jaN mAn.... wF dM V Ask mI HAt?” sed
/prinsas /mXi, stil TiNkiN v HAt mPniN'z konvxsESan wiH hx
fyHx.
<p>
“bikoz F hAv nOtist HAt wen a jaN mAn kamz on lIv from
/pItxzbxg t /moskQ it iz VZMali wiH H obJekt v mAriiN an
Xas.”
<p>
“V hAv abzxvd HAt?” sed /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“jes,” ritxnd /piX wiH a smFl, “n His jaN mAn nQ
mAniJaz mAtxz sO HAt wX HX iz a welTi Xas HX hI iz
tM. F kAn rId him lFk a bUk. At prezant hI iz hezitEtiN hMm t lE
sIJ t—V P /mAdamwazel /JMli /kRygIna. hI iz veri atentiv t
hx.”
<p>
“hI vizits Hem?”
<p>
“jes, veri oftan. n dM V nO H nM wE v kPtiN?” sed
/piX wiH an amVzd smFl, evidentli in HAt cCfal mMd v gUd
hVmxd rElxi f wic hI sO oftan riprOct himself in hiz dFxi.
<p>
“nO,” riplFd /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“t plIz /moskQ gxlz nQadEz wan hAs t bI melankoli. hI iz veri
melankoli wiH /mAdamwazel /kRygIna,” sed /piX.
<p>
“rWli?” Askt /prinsas /mXi, lUkiN intM /piX'z kFndli
fEs n stil TiNkiN v hx On sorO. “it wUd bI a rilIf,”
TYt SI, “if F vencxd t kanfFd wot F Am fIliN t samwan.
F SUd lFk t tel evriTiN t /piX. hI iz kFnd n Jenxas. it
wUd bI a rilIf. hI wUd giv mI advFs.”
<p>
“wUd V mAri him?”
<p>
“O, mF /god, /kQnt, HX R mOments wen F wUd mAri enibodi!”
SI krFd sadanli t hx On sxprFz n wiH tCz in hx vqs.
“y, hQ bitx it iz t lav samwan nC t V n t fIl
HAt...” SI went on in a trembaliN vqs, “HAt V kAn dM naTiN
f him bat grIv him, n t nO HAt V kAnot Yltx His. Hen
HX iz Onli wan TiN left—t gO awE, bat wX kUd F gO?”
<p>
“wot iz roN? wot iz it, /prinsas?”
<p>
bat wiHQt finiSiN wot SI woz sEiN, /prinsas /mXi bxst intM
tCz.
<p>
“F dOnt nO wot iz H mAtx wiH mI tadE. dOnt tEk eni
nOtis—fxget wot F hAv sed!”
<p>
/piX'z gEiti vAniSt kamplItli. hI ANkSasli kwescand H
prinsas, Askt hx t spIk Qt fUli n kanfFd hx grIf t him; bat
SI Onli ripItad HAt SI begd him t fxget wot SI hAd sed, HAt
SI did not rimembx wot SI hAd sed, n HAt SI hAd nO trabal
iäept H wan hI nM v—HAt /prins /AndrM'z mAriJ Tretand
t kYz a rapcx bitwIn fyHx n san.
<p>
“hAv V eni nMz v H /rOstOfs?” SI Askt, t cEnJ H
sabJekt. “F woz tOld HE R kamiN sMn. F Am YlsO iäpektiN /AndrM
eni dE. F SUd lFk Hem t mIt hC.”
<p>
“n hQ daz hI nQ rigRd H mAtx?” Askt /piX, rifxiN t
H Old prins.
<p>
prinsas /mXi SUk hx hed.
<p>
“wot iz t bI dan? in a fV manTs H jC wil bI ap. H TiN
iz imposabal. F Onli wiS F kUd spX mF braHx H fxst mOments.
F wiS HE wUd kam sMnx. F hOp t bI frendz wiH hx. V hAv
nOn Hem a loN tFm,” sed /prinsas /mXi. “tel mI onastli
H hOl trMT: wot sPt v gxl iz SI, n wot dM V TiNk v
hx?—H rWl trMT, bikoz V nO /AndrM iz riskiN sO mac dMiN
His agenst hiz fyHx'z wil HAt F SUd lFk t nO....”
<p>
an andifFnd instiNkt tOld /piX HAt HIz eäplanESanz, n
ripItad rikwests t bI tOld H hOl trMT, iäprest il-wil on
H prinsas' pRt tPd hx fVcx sistx-in-lY n a wiS HAt
hI SUd disaprMv v /AndrM'z cqs; bat in riplF hI sed wot hI
felt rAHx HAn wot hI TYt.
<p>
“F dOnt nO hQ t Ansx jP kwescan,” hI sed, blaSiN
wiHQt nOiN wF. “F rWli dOnt nO wot sPt v gxl SI iz;
F kAnt AnalFz hx At Yl. SI iz incAntiN, bat wot mEä hx sO F
dOnt nO. HAt iz Yl wan kAn sE abQt hx.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi sFd, n H iäpreSan on hx fEs sed: “jes,
HAt's wot F iäpektad n fCd.”
<p>
“iz SI klevx?” SI Askt.
<p>
/piX kansidxd.
<p>
“F TiNk not,” hI sed, “n jet—jes. SI daz not dEn t bI
klevx.... O nO, SI iz simpli incAntiN, n HAt iz Yl.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi agen SUk hx hed disaprMviNli.
<p>
“y, F sO loN t lFk hx! tel hx sO if V sI hx bifP F dM.”
<p>
“F hC HE R iäpektad veri sMn,” sed /piX.
<p>
prinsas /mXi tOld /piX v hx plAn t bikam intimat wiH hx fVcx
sistx-in-lY Az sMn Az H /rOstOfs xFvd n t trF t akastam H
Old prins t hx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
/bPis hAd not saäIdad in mEkiN a welTi mAc in /pItxzbxg, sO
wiH H sEm obJekt in vV hI kEm t /moskQ. HX hI wEvxd bitwIn
H tM ricast Xasaz, /JMli n /prinsas /mXi. HO /prinsas
/mXi dispFt hx plEnnas sImd t him mP atrAktiv HAn /JMli, hI,
wiHQt nOiN wF, felt Ykwxd abQt pEiN kPt t hx. wen HE
hAd lAst met on H Old prins'az nEm dE, SI hAd Ansxd At rAndam
Yl hiz atempts t tYk sentimentali, evidentli not lisaniN t wot
hI woz sEiN.
<p>
/JMli on H kontrXi aäeptad hiz atenSanz redili, HO in a
mAnx pikVlC t hxself.
<p>
SI woz twenti-sevan. Aftx H deT v hx braHxz SI hAd bikam
veri welTi. SI woz bF nQ disFdadli plEn, bat TYt hxself not
mCli Az gUd-lUkiN Az bifP bat Ivan fR mP atrAktiv. SI
woz kanfxmd in His dilMZan bF H fAkt HAt SI hAd bikam a veri
welTi Xas n YlsO bF H fAkt HAt H Oldx SI grM H les
dEnJxas SI bikEm t men, n H mP frIli HE kUd asOSiEt
wiH hx n avEl Hemselvz v hx sapxz, swREz, n H AnimEtad
kampani HAt asembald At hx hQs, wiHQt inkxiN eni obligESan.
a mAn hM wUd hAv bin afrEd ten jCz bifP v gOiN evri dE
t H hQs wen HX woz a gxl v sevantIn HX, f fC v
kompramFziN hx n kamitiN himself, wUd nQ gO bOldli evri dE
n trIt hx not Az a mAriJabal gxl bat Az a seälas akwEntans.
<p>
HAt wintx H /kRyginz' hQs woz H mOst agrIabal n hospitabal
in /moskQ. in adiSan t H fPmal IvniN n dinx pRtiz, a lRJ
kampani, cIfli v men, gAHxd HX evri dE, sapiN At midnFt
n stEiN til TrI in H mPniN. /JMli nevx mist a bYl, a
promanyd, P a plE. hx dresaz wx YlwEz v H lEtast fASan.
bat in spFt v HAt SI sImd t bI disilMZand abQt evriTiN n
tOld evriwan HAt SI did not bilIv FHx in frendSip P in lav,
P eni v H Jqz v lFf, n iäpektad pIs Onli “jondx.” SI
adoptad H tOn v wan hM hAz safxd a grEt disapqntmant, lFk a
gxl hM hAz FHx lost H mAn SI lavd P bin krMali disIvd bF
him. HO naTiN v H kFnd hAd hApand t hx SI woz rigRdad in
HAt lFt, n hAd Ivan hxself kam t bilIv HAt SI hAd safxd
mac in lFf. His melankoli, wic did not privent hx amVziN
hxself, did not hindx H jaN pIpal hM kEm t hx hQs from
pAsiN H tFm plezantli. evri vizitx hM kEm t H hQs pEd
hiz tribVt t H melankoli mMd v H hOstas, n Hen amVzd
himself wiH sasFati gosip, dAnsiN, intalekcMal gEmz, n bQts
rFmz, wic wx in vOg At H /kRyginz'. Onli a fV v HIz
jaN men, amaN Hem /bPis, entxd mP dIpli intM /JMli'z
melankoli, n wiH HIz SI hAd prOloNd konvxsESanz in prFvat
on H vAniti v Yl wxldli TiNz, n t Hem SI SOd hx Albamz
fild wiH mPnfal skecaz, mAäimz, n vxsaz.
<p>
t /bPis, /JMli woz pxtikVlxli grESas: SI rigretad hiz xli
disilMZanmant wiH lFf, ofxd him sac konsalESan v frendSip
Az SI hM hAd hxself safxd sO mac kUd rendx, n SOd him
hx Albam. bPis skect tM trIz in H Albam n rOt: “rastik
trIz, jP dRk brAncaz Sed glMm n melankoli apon mI.”
<p>
on anaHx pEJ hI drM a tMm, n rOt:
<p>
    ly mPt est sekxabal et ly mPt est tranquille.
    y! /kontra /lez dMMlxz il n'y a py d'autre EsFl. *
<p>
    * deT givz rilIf n deT iz pIsfal.
      y! from safxiN HX iz nO aHx refVJ.
<p>
/JMli sed His woz cRmiN
<p>
“HX iz samTiN sO incAntiN in H smFl v melankoli,” SI
sed t /bPis, ripItiN wxd f wxd a pAsiJ SI hAd kopid from a
bUk. “it iz a rE v lFt in H dRknas, a SEd bitwIn sAdnas
n dispX, SOiN H posabiliti v konsalESan.”
<p>
in riplF /bPis rOt HIz lFnz:
<p>
    ylimant de pqzan d'Un EmI trop sensabal,
    Toi, sAnz kwF lU /bOnx mI seryit imposabal,
    /tondr melankoli, y, /vienz mI konsOlx,
    /vienz kymx /lez tUxmants de my sombx retraFt,
    /et mele Un dMMsx sikrIt
    a ces plUxz kE Ze senz /kOlx. *
<p>
      *pqzanas nariSmant v a tM sensitiv sOl,
     /HQ, wiHQt hMm hApinas wUd f mI bI imposabal,
     /tendx melankoli, y, kam t kansOl mI,
     kam t kym H tPments v mF glMmi ritrIt,
     n miNgal a sIkrat swItnas
     wiH HIz tCz HAt F fIl t bI flOiN.
<p>
f /bPis, /JMli plEd mOst dOlfal noktxnz on hx hRp. bPis
red /pUx /lFza alQd t hx, n mP HAn wans intxaptad H rIdiN
bikoz v H imOSanz HAt cOkt him. mItiN At lRJ gAHxiNz
/JMli n /bPis lUkt on wan anaHx Az H Onli sOlz hM andxstUd
wan anaHx in a wxld v indifxant pIpal.
<p>
Ana /miâFlOvna, hM oftan vizitad H /kRyginz, wFl plEiN kRdz
wiH H maHx mEd kXfal inkwFxiz Az t /JMli'z dQxi (SI woz
t hAv tM istEts in /pjenza n H /niZigPOd fPists). Ana
/miâFlOvna rigRdad H rifFnd sAdnas HAt VnFtad hx san t H
welTi /JMli wiH imOSan, n rezignESan t H /divFn wil.
<p>
“V R YlwEz cRmiN n melankoli, mF dC /JMli,” SI sed t
H dYtx. “bPis sez hiz sOl fFndz ripOz At jP hQs. hI hAz
safxd sO meni disapqntmants n iz sO sensitiv,” sed SI t
H maHx. “y, mF dC, F kAnt tel V hQ fond F hAv grOn
v /JMli lAtxli,” SI sed t hx san. “bat hM kUd help laviN
hx? SI iz an AnJelik bIiN! y, /bPis, /bPis!”—SI pYzd.
“n hQ F piti hx maHx,” SI went on; “tadE SI SOd mI hx
akQnts n letxz from /pjenza (HE hAv inPmas istEts HX), n
SI, pUx TiN, hAz nO wan t help hx, n HE dM cIt hx sO!”
<p>
bPis smFld YlmOst impxseptabli wFl lisaniN t hiz maHx. hI
lAft blAndli At hx nFIv diplOmasi bat lisand t wot SI hAd
t sE, n samtFmz kwescand hx kXfali abQt H /pjenza n
/niZigPOd istEts.
<p>
/JMli hAd loN bin iäpektiN a prapOzal from hx melankoli adPx n
woz redi t aäept it; bat sam sIkrat fIliN v ripalSan f hx,
f hx pASanat dizFx t get mArid, f hx RtifiSiAliti, n
a fIliN v horx At rinQnsiN H posabiliti v rWl lav stil
ristrEnd /bPis. hiz lIv woz iäpFxiN. hI spent evri dE n hOl
dEz At H /kRyginz', n evri dE on TiNkiN H mAtx Ovx
tOld himself HAt hI wUd prapOz tamorO. bat in /JMli'z prezans,
lUkiN At hx red fEs n cin (nCli YlwEz pQdxd), hx mqst
Fz, n hx iäpreSan v kantinVal redinas t pAs At wans from
melankoli t an annAcxal rApcx v mArid blis, /bPis kUd not
atx H disFsiv wxdz, HO in imAJinESan hI hAd loN rigRdad
himself Az H pazesx v HOz /pjenza n /niZigPOd istEts n
hAd apPSand H Vs v H inkam from Hem. /JMli sY /bPis'
indisiZan, n samtFmz H TYt akxd t hx HAt SI woz
ripalsiv t him, bat hx feminin self-disepSan imIdWtli saplFd
hx wiH konsalESan, n SI tOld hxself HAt hI woz Onli SF from
lav. hx melankoli, hQevx, bigAn t txn t iritabiliti, n not
loN bifP /bPis' dipRcx SI fPmd a definit plAn v AkSan.
Jast Az /bPis' lIv v Absans woz iäpFxiN, /ynatOl /kMrygin mEd
hiz apCans in /moskQ, n v kPs in H /kRyginz' drYiN
rMm, n /JMli, sadanli abAndaniN hx melankoli, bikEm cCfal n
veri atentiv t /kMrygin.
<p>
“mF dC,” sed /Ana /miâFlOvna t hx san, “F nO from a
rilFabal sPs HAt /prins /vysili hAz sent hiz san t /moskQ t get
him mArid t /JMli. F Am sO fond v /JMli HAt F SUd bI sori f
hx. wot dM V TiNk v it, mF dC?”
<p>
H FdW v bIiN mEd a fMl v n v hAviN TrOn awE HAt hOl
manT v RJMas melankoli sxvis t /JMli, n v sIiN Yl
H revanM from H /pjenza istEts wic hI hAd Ylredi mentali
apPSand n pUt t propx Vs fYl intM H hAndz v anaHx, n
ispeSali intM H hAndz v HAt idWt /ynatOl, pEnd /bPis. hI drOv
t H /kRyginz' wiH H fxm intenSan v prapOziN. /JMli met
him in a gE, kXlas mAnx, spOk kAZMali v hQ SI hAd inJqd
jestxdE'z bYl, n Askt wen hI woz lIviN. HO /bPis hAd
kam intenSanali t spIk v hiz lav n HXfP ment t bI
tendx, hI bigAn spIkiN iritabli v feminin inkonstansi, v hQ
Izili wimin kAn txn from sAdnas t Jq, n hQ HX mMdz dipend
sOli on hM hApanz t bI pEiN kPt t Hem. /JMli woz afendad n
riplFd HAt it woz trM HAt a wUman nIdz vxFati, n H sEm TiN
Ovx n Ovx agen wUd wCi eniwan.
<p>
“Hen F SUd advFz V...” bPis bigAn, wiSiN t stiN hx;
bat At HAt instant H gYliN TYt akxd t him HAt hI mFt
hAf t lIv /moskQ wiHQt hAviN akompliSt hiz Em, n hAv
vEnli wEstad hiz efxts—wic woz a TiN hI nevx alQd t
hApan.
<p>
hI cekt himself in H midal v H sentans, lOxd hiz Fz t
avqd sIiN hx anplezantli iritEtad n irezalMt fEs, n sed:
<p>
“F did not kam hC At Yl t kworal wiH V. on H kontrXi...”
<p>
hI glAnst At hx t mEk SUx HAt hI mFt gO on. hx iritabiliti hAd
sadanli kwFt vAniSt, n hx ANkSas, implPiN Fz wx fiät on
him wiH grIdi eäpektESan. “F kAn YlwEz xEnJ sO Az not t sI
hx oftan,” TYt /bPis. “H afX hAz bin bigan n mast bI
finiSt!” hI blaSt hotli, rEzd hiz Fz t hxz, n sed:
<p>
“V nO mF fIliNz f V!”
<p>
HX woz nO nId t sE mP: /JMli'z fEs SOn wiH trFamf n
self-sAtisfAkSan; bat SI fPst /bPis t sE Yl HAt iz sed on sac
akEZanz—HAt hI lavd hx n hAd nevx lavd eni aHx wUman mP
HAn hx. SI nM HAt f H /pjenza istEts n /niZigPOd fPists
SI kUd dimAnd His, n SI risIvd wot SI dimAndad.
<p>
H afFanst kapal, nO loNgx alMdiN t trIz HAt Sed glMm n
melankoli apon Hem, plAnd H xEnJmants v a splendid hQs in
/pItxzbxg, pEd kYlz, n pripXd evriTiN f a brilWnt wediN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
At H end v JAnVXi Old /kQnt /rOstOf went t /moskQ wiH /nytySa n
/sonja. H kQntas woz stil anwel n anEbal t trAval bat it woz
imposabal t wEt f hx rikavxi. prins /AndrM woz iäpektad in
/moskQ eni dE, H trMsO hAd t bI Pdxd n H istEt nC
/moskQ hAd t bI sOld, bisFdz wic H opxtMniti v prizentiN hiz
fVcx dYtx-in-lY t Old /prins /bOlkOnski wFl hI woz in /moskQ
kUd not bI mist. H /rOstOfs' /moskQ hQs hAd not bin hItad
HAt wintx n, Az HE hAd kam Onli f a SPt tFm n H kQntas
woz not wiH Hem, H kQnt disFdad t stE wiH /mRja /dmItrievna
/yârOsimOva, hM hAd loN bin presiN hx hospitAliti on Hem.
<p>
lEt wan IvniN H /rOstOfs' fP slEz drOv intM /mRja
/dmItrievna'z kPtjRd in H Old /kOnVSani strIt. /mRja
/dmItrievna livd alOn. SI hAd Ylredi mArid of hx dYtx, n
hx sanz wx Yl in H sxvis.
<p>
SI held hxself Az irekt, tOld evriwan hx apinjan Az kAndidli,
lQdli, n blantli Az evx, n hx hOl bXiN sImd a riprOc
t aHxz f eni wIknas, pASan, P temptESan—H posabiliti v
wic SI did not admit. from xli in H mPniN, wXiN a dresiN
JAkat, SI atendad t hx hQshOld afXz, n Hen SI drOv Qt:
on hOli dEz t cxc n Aftx H sxvis t JElz n prizanz on
afXz v wic SI nevx spOk t eniwan. on PdinXi dEz, Aftx
dresiN, SI risIvd patiSanxz v vXWs klAsaz, v hMm HX
wx YlwEz sam. Hen SI hAd dinx, a sabstAnSal n ApatFziN mIl
At wic HX wx YlwEz TrI P fP gests; Aftx dinx SI plEd
a gEm v /bostan, n At nFt SI hAd H nMzpEpxz P a nM bUk red
t hx wFl SI nitad. SI rXli mEd an iäepSan n went Qt t
pE vizits, n Hen Onli t H mOst impPtant pxsanz in H tQn.
<p>
SI hAd not jet gon t bed wen H /rOstOfs xFvd n H pUli v
H hYl dP skwIkt from H kOld Az it let in H /rOstOfs n HX
sxvants. /mRja /dmItrievna, wiH hx spektakalz hANiN dQn on hx
nOz n hx hed flaN bAk, stUd in H hYl dPwE lUkiN wiH
a stxn, grim fEs At H nM xFvalz. wan mFt hAv TYt SI woz
ANgri wiH H trAvalxz n wUd imIdWtli txn Hem Qt, hAd SI
not At H sEm tFm bin giviN kXfal instrakSanz t H sxvants
f H akomadESan v H vizitxz n HX biloNiNz.
<p>
“H kQnt's TiNz? briN Hem hC,” SI sed, pqntiN t H
pPtmAntOz n not grItiN eniwan. “H jaN lEdiz'? HX
t H left. nQ wot R V dYdaliN f?” SI krFd t H mEdz.
“get H sAmavR redi!... V'v grOn plampx n pritC,” SI
rimRkt, drYiN /nytySa (hMz cIä wx glOiN from H kOld)
t hx bF H hUd. “fM! V R kOld! nQ tEk of jP TiNz,
kwik!” SI SQtad t H kQnt hM woz gOiN t kis hx hAnd.
“V'x hAf frOzan, F'm SUx! briN sam ram f tI!... bonZUx,
/sonja dC!” SI Adad, txniN t /sonja n indikEtiN bF His
/frenc grItiN hx slFtli kantempcMas HO afekSanat AtitMd
tPd hx.
<p>
wen HE kEm in t tI, hAviN tEkan of HX QtdP TiNz n
tFdid Hemselvz ap Aftx HX Jxni, /mRja /dmItrievna kist Hem
Yl in dM Pdx.
<p>
“F'm hRtili glAd V hAv kam n R stEiN wiH mI. it woz
hF tFm,” SI sed, giviN /nytySa a signifikant lUk. “H Old
mAn iz hC n hiz san'z iäpektad eni dE. V'l hAf t mEk hiz
akwEntans. bat wI'l spIk v HAt lEtx on,” SI Adad, glAnsiN
At /sonja wiH a lUk HAt SOd SI did not wont t spIk v it in hx
prezans. “nQ lisan,” SI sed t H kQnt. “wot dM V wont
tamorO? hMm wil V send f? SinSin?” SI krUkt wan v hx
fiNgxz. “H snivaliN /Ana /miâFlOvna? HAt's tM. SI'z hC
wiH hx san. H san iz getiN mArid! Hen /bezMâOf, E? hI iz hC
tM, wiH hiz wFf. hI rAn awE from hx n SI kEm gAlapiN Aftx
him. hI dFnd wiH mI on wenzdE. Az f Hem”—n SI pqntad t
H gxlz—“tamorO F'l tEk Hem fxst t H /FbCWn SrFn
v H /maHx v /god, n Hen wI'l drFv t H /sMpx-/rOg'z.
F sapOz V'l hAv evriTiN nM. dOnt JaJ bF mI: slIvz
nQadEz R His sFz! H aHx dE jaN /prinsas /irIna /vysilevna
kEm t sI mI; SI woz an Yfal sFt—lUkt Az if SI hAd pUt tM
bAralz on hx Rmz. V nO not a dE pAsaz nQ wiHQt sam nM
fASan.... n wot hAv V t dM jPself?” SI Askt H kQnt
stxnli.
<p>
“wan TiN hAz kam on top v anaHx: hx rAã t bF, n nQ a
pxcasx hAz txnd ap f H /moskQ istEt n f H hQs. if V
wil bI sO kFnd, F'l fiä a tFm n gO dQn t H istEt Jast f a
dE, n lIv mF lAsiz wiH V.”
<p>
“Yl rFt. Yl rFt. HE'l bI sEf wiH mI, Az sEf Az in
/cAnsxi! F'l tEk Hem wX HE mast gO, skOld Hem a bit, n
pet Hem a bit,” sed /mRja /dmItrievna, taciN hx goddYtx n
fEvxit, /nytySa, on H cIk wiH hx lRJ hAnd.
<p>
neät mPniN /mRja /dmItrievna tUk H jaN lEdiz t H /FbCWn
SrFn v H /maHx v /god n t /madym /sapxt-/rOgat, hM woz sO
afrEd v /mRja /dmItrievna HAt SI YlwEz let hx hAv kostMmz At
a los mCli t get rid v hx. /mRja /dmItrievna Pdxd YlmOst H
hOl trMsO. wen HE got hOm SI txnd evribodi Qt v H rMm
iäept /nytySa, n Hen kYld hx pet t hx RmcX.
<p>
“wel, nQ wI'l tYk. F kangrAcalEt V on jP bitrOHd.
V'v hUkt a fFn felO! F Am glAd f jP sEk n F'v nOn
him sins hI woz sO hF.” SI held hx hAnd a kapal v fIt from H
grQnd. /nytySa blaSt hApili. “F lFk him n Yl hiz fAmli.
nQ lisan! V nO HAt Old /prins /nikalas mac dislFä hiz san'z
mAriiN. H Old felO'z krocati! v kPs /prins /AndrM iz not
a cFld n kAn Sift wiHQt him, bat it's not nFs t entx a fAmli
agenst a fyHx'z wil. wan wonts t dM it pIsfali n laviNli.
V'x a klevx gxl n V'l nO hQ t mAniJ. bI kFnd, n Vz
jP wits. Hen Yl wil bI wel.”
<p>
/nytySa rimEnd sFlant, from SFnas /mRja /dmItrievna sapOzd, bat
rWli bikoz SI dislFkt eniwan intxfCiN in wot tact hx lav
v /prins /AndrM, wic sImd t hx sO apRt from Yl hVman afXz
HAt nO wan kUd andxstAnd it. SI lavd n nM /prins /AndrM, hI
lavd hx Onli, n woz t kam wan v HIz dEz n tEk hx. SI
wontad naTiN mP.
<p>
“V sI F hAv nOn him a loN tFm n Am YlsO fond v /mXi, jP
fVcx sistx-in-lY. 'hazbandz' sistxz briN ap blistxz,'
bat His wan wUdant hxt a flF. SI hAz Askt mI t briN V tM
tageHx. tamorO V'l gO wiH jP fyHx t sI hx. bI veri
nFs n afekSanat t hx: V'x jaNgx HAn SI. wen hI kamz,
hI'l fFnd V Ylredi nO hiz sistx n fyHx n R lFkt bF
Hem. Am F rFt P not? wOnt HAt bI best?”
<p>
“jes, it wil,” /nytySa Ansxd rilaktantli.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/neät dE, bF /mRja /dmItrievna'z advFs, /kQnt /rOstOf tUk /nytySa
t kYl on /prins /nikalas /bOlkOnski. H kQnt did not set Qt
cCfali on His vizit, At hRt hI felt afrEd. hI wel rimembxd
H lAst intxvV hI hAd hAd wiH H Old prins At H tFm v H
inrOlmant, wen in riplF t an invitESan t dinx hI hAd hAd t
lisan t an ANgri reprimynd f not hAviN pravFdad hiz fUl kwOta v
men. /nytySa, on H aHx hAnd, hAviN pUt on hx best gQn, woz in
H hFast spirits. “HE kAnt help lFkiN mI,” SI TYt.
“evribodi YlwEz hAz lFkt mI, n F Am sO wiliN t dM eniTiN
HE wiS, sO redi t bI fond v him—f bIiN hiz fyHx—n v
hx—f bIiN hiz sistx—HAt HX iz nO rIzan f Hem not t
lFk mI....”
<p>
HE drOv ap t H glMmi Old hQs on H /vOzdviZenka n entxd
H vestibVl.
<p>
“wel, H /lPd hAv mxsi on as!” sed H kQnt, hAf in Jest,
hAf in xnast; bat /nytySa nOtist HAt hx fyHx woz flarid on
entxiN H AntirMm n inkwFxd timidli n softli weHx H prins
n prinsas wx At hOm.
<p>
wen HE hAd bin anQnst a pxtxbESan woz nOtisabal amaN H
sxvants. H fUtman hM hAd gon t anQns Hem woz stopt bF
anaHx in H lRJ hYl n HE wispxd t wan anaHx. Hen a
mEdsxvant rAn intM H hYl n haridli sed samTiN, menSaniN
H prinsas. At lAst an Old, kros lUkiN fUtman kEm n anQnst
t H /rOstOfs HAt H prins woz not risIviN, bat HAt H prinsas
begd Hem t wYk ap. H fxst pxsan hM kEm t mIt H vizitxz
woz /mAdamwazel /bMrien. SI grItad H fyHx n dYtx
wiH speSal palFtnas n SOd Hem t H prinsas' rMm. H
prinsas, lUkiN iäFtad n nxvas, hx fEs flaSt in pAcaz, rAn
in t mIt H vizitxz, trediN hevili, n vEnli trFiN t apC
kPJal n At Iz. from H fxst glAns /prinsas /mXi did not lFk
/nytySa. SI TYt hx tM fASanabli drest, frivalasli gE n
vEn. SI did not At Yl rWlFz HAt bifP hAviN sIn hx fVcx
sistx-in-lY SI woz preJadist agenst hx bF involantXi envi v hx
bVti, VT, n hApinas, Az wel Az bF Jelasi v hx braHx'z
lav f hx. apRt from His insMpxabal AntipaTi t hx, /prinsas
/mXi woz AJitEtad Jast Hen bikoz on H /rOstOfs' bIiN anQnst,
H Old prins hAd SQtad HAt hI did not wiS t sI Hem, HAt
/prinsas /mXi mFt dM sO if SI cOz, bat HE wx not t bI admitad
t him. SI hAd disFdad t risIv Hem, bat fCd lest H prins
mFt At eni mOment indalJ in sam frIk, Az hI sImd mac apset bF
H /rOstOfs' vizit.
<p>
“HX, mF dC prinsas, F'v brYt V mF soNstras,” sed
H kQnt, bQiN n lUkiN rQnd anIzili Az if afrEd H Old prins
mFt apC. “F Am sO glAd V SUd get t nO wan anaHx... veri
sori H prins iz stil EliN,” n Aftx a fV mP komanplEs
rimRä hI rOz. “if V'l alQ mI t lIv mF /nytySa in jP
hAndz f a kwPtx v an Qx, /prinsas, F'l drFv rQnd t sI /Ana
/semjOnOvna, it's kwFt nC in H /doã' /skwX, n Hen F'l
kam bAk f hx.”
<p>
H kQnt hAd divFzd His diplamAtik rMz (Az hI Aftxwxdz tOld hiz
dYtx) t giv H fVcx sistxz-in-lY an opxtMniti t tYk
t wan anaHx frIli, bat anaHx mOtiv woz t avqd H dEnJx v
inkQntxiN H Old prins, v hMm hI woz afrEd. hI did not menSan
His t hiz dYtx, bat /nytySa nOtist hx fyHx'z nxvasnas
n ANzFati n felt mPtifFd bF it. SI blaSt f him, grM stil
ANgrC At hAviN blaSt, n lUkt At H prinsas wiH a bOld n
difFant iäpreSan wic sed HAt SI woz not afrEd v enibodi. H
prinsas tOld H kQnt HAt SI wUd bI dilFtad, n Onli begd him
t stE loNgx At /Ana /semjOnOvna'z, n hI dipRtad.
<p>
dispFt H anIzi glAnsaz TrOn At hx bF /prinsas /mXi—hM wiSt
t hAv a tEt-a-tEt wiH /nytySa—/mAdamwazel /bMrien
rimEnd in H rMm n pxsistantli tYkt abQt /moskQ amVzmants n
TWtxz. /nytySa felt afendad bF H hezitESan SI hAd nOtist in
H AntirMm, bF hx fyHx'z nxvasnas, n bF H annAcxal mAnx
v H prinsas hM—SI TYt—woz mEkiN a fEvx v risIviN hx,
n sO evriTiN displIzd hx. SI did not lFk /prinsas /mXi, hMm
SI TYt veri plEn, afektad, n drF. /nytySa sadanli SrANk
intM hxself n involantXili asMmd an ofhAnd X wic ElWnEtad
/prinsas /mXi stil mP. Aftx fFv minits v xäam, kanstrEnd
konvxsESan, HE hxd H sQnd v slipxd fIt rApidli
aprOciN. prinsas /mXi lUkt frFtand.
<p>
H dP Opand n H Old prins, in a dresiN gQn n a wFt
nFtkAp, kEm in.
<p>
“y, mAdam!” hI bigAn. “mAdam, /kQntas... kQntas /rOstOva, if
F Am not mistEkan... F beg V t iäkVz mI, t iäkVz mI... F did not
nO, mAdam. god iz mF witnas, F did not nO V hAd onxd as wiH
a vizit, n F kEm in sac a kostMm Onli t sI mF dYtx. F beg V
t iäkVz mI... god iz mF witnas, F didant nO—” hI ripItad,
stresiN H wxd “god” sO annAcxali n sO anplezantli HAt
/prinsas /mXi stUd wiH dQnkAst Fz not dXiN t lUk FHx At hx
fyHx P At /nytySa.
<p>
nP did H lAtx, hAviN rizan n kxtsid, nO wot t dM.
/mAdamwazel /bMrien alOn smFld agrIabli.
<p>
“F beg V t iäkVz mI, iäkVz mI! god iz mF witnas, F did not
nO,” matxd H Old mAn, n Aftx lUkiN /nytySa Ovx from hed
t fUt hI went Qt.
<p>
/mAdamwazel /bMrien woz H fxst t rikavx hxself Aftx His
ApxiSan n bigAn spIkiN abQt H prins'az indispaziSan.
/nytySa n /prinsas /mXi lUkt At wan anaHx in sFlans, n H
loNgx HE did sO wiHQt sEiN wot HE wontad t sE, H grEtx
grM HX AntipaTi t wan anaHx.
<p>
wen H kQnt ritxnd, /nytySa woz impalFtli plIzd n hEsand
t get awE: At HAt mOment SI hEtad H stif, eldxli prinsas, hM
kUd plEs hx in sac an imbArasiN paziSan n hAd spent hAf an
Qx wiH hx wiHQt wans menSaniN /prins /AndrM. “F kUdant
bigin tYkiN abQt him in H prezans v HAt /frencwUman,” TYt
/nytySa. H sEm TYt woz mInwFl tPmentiN /prinsas /mXi. SI
nM wot SI Yt t hAv sed t /nytySa, bat SI hAd bin anEbal
t sE it bikoz /mAdamwazel /bMrien woz in H wE, n bikoz,
wiHQt nOiN wF, SI felt it veri difikalt t spIk v H
mAriJ. wen H kQnt woz Ylredi lIviN H rMm, /prinsas /mXi
went ap haridli t /nytySa, tUk hx bF H hAnd, n sed wiH a
dIp sF:
<p>
“wEt, F mast...”
<p>
/nytySa glAnst At hx Fronikli wiHQt nOiN wF.
<p>
“dC /nAtali,” sed /prinsas /mXi, “F wont V t nO HAt F Am
glAd mF braHx hAz fQnd hApinas....”
<p>
SI pYzd, fIliN HAt SI woz not teliN H trMT. /nytySa nOtist
His n gest its rIzan.
<p>
“F TiNk, /prinsas, it iz not kanvInWnt t spIk v HAt nQ,”
SI sed wiH eätxnal digniti n kOldnas, HO SI felt H tCz
cOkiN hx.
<p>
“wot hAv F sed n wot hAv F dan?” TYt SI, Az sMn Az SI
woz Qt v H rMm.
<p>
HE wEtad a loN tFm f /nytySa t kam t dinx HAt dE. SI sAt
in hx rMm krFiN lFk a cFld, blOiN hx nOz n sobiN. /sonja
stUd bisFd hx, kisiN hx hX.
<p>
“/nytySa, wot iz it abQt?” SI Askt. “wot dM HE mAtx t
V? it wil Yl pAs, /nytySa.”
<p>
“bat if V Onli nM hQ afensiv it woz... Az if F...”
<p>
“dOnt tYk abQt it, /nytySa. it wozant jP fYlt sO wF SUd
V mFnd? kis mI,” sed /sonja.
<p>
/nytySa rEzd hx hed n, kisiN hx frend on H lips, prest
hx wet fEs agenst hx.
<p>
“F kAnt tel V, F dOnt nO. nO wan'z t blEm,” sed
/nytySa—“it's mF fYlt. bat it Yl hxts teribli. O, wF
dazant hI kam?...”
<p>
SI kEm in t dinx wiH red Fz. /mRja /dmItrievna, hM nM hQ
H prins hAd risIvd H /rOstOfs, pritendad not t nOtis hQ apset
/nytySa woz n Jestad rezalMtli n lQdli At tEbal wiH H kQnt
n H aHx gests.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
HAt IvniN H /rOstOfs went t H /opxa, f wic /mRja
/dmItrievna hAd tEkan a boä.
<p>
/nytySa did not wont t gO, bat kUd not rifVz /mRja /dmItrievna'z
kFnd ofx wic woz intendad iäpresli f hx. wen SI kEm redi
drest intM H bYlrMm t awEt hx fyHx, n lUkiN in H lRJ
mirx HX sY HAt SI woz priti, veri priti, SI felt Ivan mP
sAd, bat it woz a swIt, tendx sAdnas.
<p>
“O /god, if hI wx hC nQ F wUd not bihEv Az F did Hen, bat
difxantli. F wUd not bI sili n afrEd v TiNz, F wUd simpli
imbrEs him, kliN t him, n mEk him lUk At mI wiH HOz sxciN
inkwFxiN Fz wiH wic hI hAz sO oftan lUkt At mI, n Hen F
wUd mEk him lAf Az hI Vst t lAf. n hiz Fz—hQ F sI HOz
Fz!” TYt /nytySa. “n wot dM hiz fyHx n sistx mAtx
t mI? F lav him alOn, him, him, wiH HAt fEs n HOz Fz, wiH
hiz smFl, mAnli n jet cFldlFk.... nO, F hAd betx not TiNk v
him; not TiNk v him bat fxget him, kwFt fxget him f H prezant.
F kAnt bX His wEtiN n F SAl krF in a minit!” n SI
txnd awE from H glAs, mEkiN an efxt not t krF. “n hQ
kAn /sonja lav /nikalas sO kymli n kwFatli n wEt sO loN n sO
pESantli?” TYt SI, lUkiN At /sonja, hM YlsO kEm in kwFt
redi, wiH a fAn in hx hAnd. “nO, SI'z YltageHx difxant. F
kAnt!”
<p>
/nytySa At HAt mOment felt sO sofand n tendx HAt it woz not
inaf f hx t lav n nO SI woz bilavad, SI wontad nQ, At
wans, t imbrEs H mAn SI lavd, t spIk n hC from him wxdz v
lav sac Az fild hx hRt. wFl SI sAt in H kAriJ bisFd hx
fyHx, pensivli wociN H lFts v H strIt lAmps flikxiN on
H frOzan windO, SI felt stil sAdx n mP in lav, n fxgot
wX SI woz gOiN n wiH hMm. hAviN fYlan intM H lFn v
kAriJaz, H /rOstOfs' kAriJ drOv ap t H TWtx, its wIlz
skwIkiN Ovx H snO. /nytySa n /sonja, hOldiN ap HX dresaz,
Jampt Qt kwikli. H kQnt got Qt helpt bF H fUtmen, n,
pAsiN amaN men n wimin hM wx entxiN n H prOgrAm selxz,
HE Yl TrI went aloN H koridP t H fxst rO v boäaz.
TrM H klOzd dPz H mVzik woz Ylredi Ydabal.
<p>
“/nytySa, jP hX!...” wispxd /sonja.
<p>
an atendant defxenSali n kwikli slipt bifP H lEdiz n
Opand H dP v HX boä. H mVzik sQndad lQdx n TrM H
dP rOz v brFtli lit boäaz in wic lEdiz sAt wiH bX Rmz n
SOldxz, n nqzi stYlz brilWnt wiH VnifPmz, glitxd bifP
HX Fz. a lEdi entxiN H neät boä Sot a glAns v feminin envi
At /nytySa. H kxtan hAd not jet rizan n H Ovxcx woz bIiN
plEd. /nytySa, smMHiN hx gQn, went in wiH /sonja n sAt dQn,
skAniN H brilWnt tCz v boäaz opazit. a sensESan SI hAd not
iäpCWnst f a loN tFm—HAt v handradz v Fz lUkiN At
hx bX Rmz n nek—sadanli afektad hx bOT agrIabli n
disagrIabli n kYld ap a hOl krQd v memxiz, dizFxz n
imOSanz asOSiEtad wiH HAt fIliN.
<p>
H tM rimRkabli priti gxlz, /nytySa n /sonja, wiH /kQnt /rOstOf
hM hAd not bin sIn in /moskQ f a loN tFm, atrAktad Jenxal
atenSan. mPOvx, evribodi nM vEgli v /nytySa'z ingEJmant
t /prins /AndrM, n nM HAt H /rOstOfs hAd livd in H kantri
evx sins, n Yl lUkt wiH kjUxiositi At a fionsE hM woz mEkiN
wan v H best mAcaz in /raSa.
<p>
/nytySa'z lUä, Az evriwan tOld hx, hAd imprMvd in H kantri,
n HAt IvniN TANä t hx AJitESan SI woz pxtikVlxli priti.
SI strak HOz hM sY hx bF hx fUlnas v lFf n bVti,
kambFnd wiH hx indifxans t evriTiN abQt hx. hx blAk Fz
lUkt At H krQd wiHQt sIkiN eniwan, n hx delikat Rm, bX
t abav H elbO, lE on H velvat eJ v H boä, wFl, evidentli
ankonSasli, SI Opand n klOzd hx hAnd in tFm t H mVzik,
krampaliN hx prOgrAm. “lUk, HX'z /ylenIna,” sed /sonja,
“wiH hx maHx, izant it?”
<p>
“dC mI, /mFkal /kCilOvic hAz grOn stil stQtx!” rimRkt H
kQnt.
<p>
“lUk At Qx /Ana /miâFlOvna—wot a heddres SI hAz on!”
<p>
“H /kRyginz, /JMli—n /bPis wiH Hem. wan kAn sI At wans HAt
HE'x ingEJd....”
<p>
“/drMbetskq hAz prapOzd?”
<p>
“O jes, F hxd it tadE,” sed /SinSin, kamiN intM H
/rOstOfs' boä.
<p>
/nytySa lUkt in H direkSan in wic hx fyHx'z Fz wx
txnd n sY /JMli sitiN bisFd hx maHx wiH a hApi lUk on hx
fEs n a striN v pxlz rQnd hx Tik red nek—wic /nytySa
nM woz kavxd wiH pQdx. bihFnd Hem, wXiN a smFl n lIniN
Ovx wiH an C t /JMli'z mQT, woz /bPis' hAndsam smMHli
braSt hed. hI lUkt At H /rOstOfs from andx hiz brQz n sed
samTiN, smFliN, t hiz bitrOHd.
<p>
“HE R tYkiN abQt as, abQt mI n him!” TYt /nytySa.
“n hI nO dQt iz kymiN hx Jelasi v mI. HE nIdant trabal
Hemselvz! if Onli HE nM hQ lital F Am kansxnd abQt eni v
Hem.”
<p>
bihFnd Hem sAt /Ana /miâFlOvna wXiN a grIn heddres n wiH a
hApi lUk v rezignESan t H wil v /god on hx fEs. HX boä woz
pxvEdad bF HAt AtmasfC v an afFanst kapal wic /nytySa nM
sO wel n lFkt sO mac. SI txnd awE n sadanli rimembxd Yl
HAt hAd bin sO hVmiliEtiN in hx mPniN'z vizit.
<p>
“wot rFt hAz hI not t wiS t risIv mI intM hiz fAmli? O,
betx not TiNk v it—not til hI kamz bAk!” SI tOld hxself,
n bigAn lUkiN At H fEsaz, sam strEnJ n sam familC, in
H stYlz. in H frant, in H veri sentx, lIniN bAk agenst
H Pkistra rEl, stUd /dOlOâOf in a /pxZan dres, hiz kxli hX
braSt ap intM a hVJ Sok. hI stUd in fUl vV v H YdWns,
wel awX HAt hI woz atrAktiN evriwan'z atenSan, jet Az mac At
Iz Az HO hI wx in hiz On rMm. xQnd him TroNd /moskQ'z
mOst brilWnt jaN men, hMm hI evidentli dominEtad.
<p>
H kQnt, lAfiN, naJd H blaSiN /sonja n pqntad t hx
fPmx adPx.
<p>
“dM V rekagnFz him?” sed hI. “n wX hAz hI spraN from?”
hI Askt, txniN t /SinSin. “didant hI vAniS samwX?”
<p>
“hI did,” riplFd /SinSin. “hI woz in H /kYkasas n rAn
awE from HX. HE sE hI hAz bin AktiN Az ministx t sam rMliN
prins in /pxZa, wX hI kild H /Sy'z braHx. nQ Yl H
/moskQ lEdiz R mAd abQt him! it's '/dOlOâOf H /pxZan' HAt
daz it! wI nevx hC a wxd bat /dOlOâOf iz menSand. HE swX
bF him, HE ofx him t V Az HE wUd a diS v cqs sterlat.
/dOlOâOf n /ynatOl /kMrygin hAv txnd Yl Qx lEdiz' hedz.”
<p>
a tYl, bVtifal wUman wiH a mAs v plEtad hX n mac iäpOzd
plamp wFt SOldxz n nek, rQnd wic SI wP a dabal striN v
lRJ pxlz, entxd H aJqniN boä rasaliN hx hevi silk dres
n tUk a loN tFm setaliN intM hx plEs.
<p>
/nytySa involantXili gEzd At HAt nek, HOz SOldxz, n pxlz
n kwyfjUx, n admFxd H bVti v H SOldxz n H pxlz.
wFl /nytySa woz fiäiN hx gEz on hx f H sekand tFm H lEdi
lUkt rQnd n, mItiN H kQnt's Fz, nodad t him n smFld.
SI woz H /kQntas /bezMâOva, /piX'z wFf, n H kQnt, hM
nM evriwan in sasFati, lInd Ovx n spOk t hx.
<p>
“hAv V bin hC loN, /kQntas?” hI inkwFxd. “F'l kYl,
F'l kYl t kis jP hAnd. F'm hC on biznas n hAv brYt
mF gxlz wiH mI. HE sE /semjOnOva Akts mRvalasli. kQnt /piX
nevx Vst t fxget as. iz hI hC?”
<p>
“jes, hI ment t lUk in,” Ansxd /helIn, n glAnst
atentivli At /nytySa.
<p>
kQnt /rOstOf rizMmd hiz sIt.
<p>
“hAndsam, izant SI?” hI wispxd t /nytySa.
<p>
“wandxfal!” Ansxd /nytySa. “SI'z a wUman wan kUd Izili
fYl in lav wiH.”
<p>
Jast Hen H lAst kPdz v H Ovxcx wx hxd n H kondaktx
tApt wiH hiz stik. sam lEtkamxz tUk HX sIts in H stYlz,
n H kxtan rOz.
<p>
Az sMn Az it rOz evriwan in H boäaz n stYlz bikEm sFlant, n
Yl H men, Old n jaN, in VnifPm n IvniN dres, n Yl H
wimin wiH Jemz on HX bX fleS, txnd HX hOl atenSan wiH
Igx kjUxiositi t H stEJ. /nytySa tM bigAn t lUk At it.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
H flP v H stEJ kansistad v smMH bPdz, At H sFdz woz
sam pEntad kRdbPd reprizentiN trIz, n At H bAk woz a kloT
strect Ovx bPdz. in H sentx v H stEJ sAt sam gxlz in red
bodisaz n wFt skxts. wan veri fAt gxl in a wFt silk dres sAt
apRt on a lO benc, t H bAk v wic a pIs v grIn kRdbPd
woz glMd. HE Yl sAN samTiN. wen HE hAd finiSt HX soN
H gxl in wFt went ap t H promptx'z boä n a mAn wiH tFt
silk trQzxz Ovx hiz stQt leã, n hOldiN a plMm n a dAgx,
went ap t hx n bigAn siNiN, wEviN hiz Rmz abQt.
<p>
fxst H mAn in H tFt trQzxz sAN alOn, Hen SI sAN, Hen HE
bOT pYzd wFl H Pkistra plEd n H mAn fiNgxd H hAnd
v H gxl in wFt, obvWsli awEtiN H bIt t stRt siNiN wiH
hx. HE sAN tageHx n evriwan in H TWtx bigAn klApiN
n SQtiN, wFl H mAn n wUman on H stEJ—hM reprizentad
lavxz—bigAn smFliN, sprediN Qt HX Rmz, n bQiN.
<p>
Aftx hx lFf in H kantri, n in hx prezant sCWs mMd, Yl His
sImd grOtesk n amEziN t /nytySa. SI kUd not folO H opxa
nP Ivan lisan t H mVzik; SI sY Onli H pEntad kRdbPd n H
kwCli drest men n wimin hM mMvd, spOk, n sAN sO strEnJli in
HAt brilWnt lFt. SI nM wot it woz Yl ment t reprizent, bat
it woz sO pritenSasli fYls n annAcxal HAt SI fxst felt aSEmd
f H Aktxz n Hen amVzd At Hem. SI lUkt At H fEsaz v H
YdWns, sIkiN in Hem H sEm sens v ridikVl n pxpleäiti SI
hxself iäpCWnst, bat HE Yl sImd atentiv t wot woz hApaniN
on H stEJ, n iäprest dilFt wic t /nytySa sImd fEnd.
“F sapOz it hAs t bI lFk His!” SI TYt. SI kept lUkiN
rQnd in txn At H rOz v pamydad hedz in H stYlz n Hen At
H seminMd wimin in H boäaz, ispeSali At /helIn in H neät boä,
hM—apArantli kwFt anklOHd—sAt wiH a kwFat trANkwil smFl, not
tEkiN hx Fz of H stEJ. n fIliN H brFt lFt HAt fladad
H hOl plEs n H wPm X hItad bF H krQd, /nytySa lital
bF lital bigAn t pAs intM a stEt v intoäikESan SI hAd not
iäpCWnst f a loN wFl. SI did not rWlFz hM n wX SI
woz, nP wot woz gOiN on bifP hx. Az SI lUkt n TYt, H
strEnJast fAnsiz aniäpektadli n diskanektadli pAst TrM hx
mFnd: H FdW akxd t hx v JampiN ontM H eJ v H boä n
siNiN H RW H Aktras woz siNiN, Hen SI wiSt t tac wiH
hx fAn an Old Jentalman sitiN not fR from hx, Hen t lIn Ovx t
/helIn n tikal hx.
<p>
At a mOment wen Yl woz kwFat bifP H kamensmant v a soN, a dP
lIdiN t H stYlz on H sFd nCast H /rOstOfs' boä krIkt,
n H steps v a bilEtad xFval wx hxd. “HX'z /kMrygin!”
wispxd /SinSin. kQntas /bezMâOva txnd smFliN t H nMkamx,
n /nytySa, folOiN H direkSan v HAt lUk, sY an iäepSanali
hAndsam AJUtant aprOciN HX boä wiH a self-aSUxd jet
kxtWs bXiN. His woz /ynatOl /kMrygin hMm SI hAd sIn
n nOtist loN agO At H bYl in /pItxzbxg. hI woz nQ in an
AJUtant's VnifPm wiH wan epalet n a SOldx not. hI mMvd wiH
a ristrEnd swAgx wic wUd hAv bin ridikVlas hAd hI not bin
sO gUd-lUkiN n hAd hiz hAndsam fEs not wPn sac an iäpreSan
v gUd-hVmxd kamplEsansi n gEiti. HO H pxfPmans woz
prOsIdiN, hI wYkt dilibxatli dQn H kRpatad gANwE, hiz sPd
n spxz slFtli JiNgaliN n hiz hAndsam pxfVmd hed held hF.
hAviN lUkt At /nytySa hI aprOct hiz sistx, lEd hiz wel glavd
hAnd on H eJ v hx boä, nodad t hx, n lIniN fPwxd Askt a
kwescan, wiH a mOSan tPd /nytySa.
<p>
“/mFz SRmOnt!” sed hI, evidentli rifxiN t /nytySa, hM did
not iãAktli hC hiz wxdz bat andxstUd Hem from H mMvmant v hiz
lips. Hen hI tUk hiz plEs in H fxst rO v H stYlz n sAt dQn
bisFd /dOlOâOf, naJiN wiH hiz elbO in a frendli n ofhAnd wE
HAt /dOlOâOf hMm aHxz trItad sO fYniNli. hI wiNkt At him gEli,
smFld, n restad hiz fUt agenst H Pkistra skrIn.
<p>
“hQ lFk H braHx iz t H sistx,” rimRkt H kQnt. “n
hQ hAndsam HE bOT R!”
<p>
SinSin, lOxiN hiz vqs, bigAn t tel H kQnt v sam intrIg
v /kMrygin'z in /moskQ, n /nytySa trFd t OvxhC it Jast
bikoz hI hAd sed SI woz “SRmOnt.”
<p>
H fxst Akt woz Ovx. in H stYlz evriwan bigAn mMviN abQt, gOiN
Qt n kamiN in.
<p>
bPis kEm t H /rOstOfs' boä, risIvd HX kangrAcalESanz veri
simpli, n rEziN hiz FbrQz wiH an Absant-mFndad smFl kanvEd t
/nytySa n /sonja hiz fionsE'z invitESan t hx wediN, n
went awE. /nytySa wiH a gE, kOketiS smFl tYkt t him, n
kangrAcalEtad on hiz aprOciN wediN HAt sEm /bPis wiH hMm
SI hAd fPmxli bin in lav. in H stEt v intoäikESan SI woz in,
evriTiN sImd simpal n nAcxal.
<p>
H skAntili klAd /helIn smFld At evriwan in H sEm wE, n
/nytySa gEv /bPis a similx smFl.
<p>
/helIn'z boä woz fild n sxQndad from H stYlz bF H mOst
distiNgwiSt n intalekcMal men, hM sImd t vF wiH wan anaHx
in HX wiS t let evriwan sI HAt HE nM hx.
<p>
dxiN H hOl v HAt ontrAkt /kMrygin stUd wiH /dOlOâOf
in frant v H Pkistra pRtiSan, lUkiN At H /rOstOfs' boä.
/nytySa nM hI woz tYkiN abQt hx n His afPdad hx pleZx.
SI Ivan txnd sO HAt hI SUd sI hx prOfFl in wot SI TYt
woz its mOst bikamiN Aspekt. bifP H biginiN v H sekand Akt
/piX apCd in H stYlz. H /rOstOfs hAd not sIn him sins
HX xFval. hiz fEs lUkt sAd, n hI hAd grOn stil stQtx sins
/nytySa lAst sY him. hI pAst ap t H frant rOz, not nOtisiN
eniwan. /ynatOl went ap t him n bigAn spIkiN t him, lUkiN At n
indikEtiN H /rOstOfs' boä. on sIiN /nytySa /piX grM AnimEtad
n, hEstili pAsiN bitwIn H rOz, kEm tPd HX boä. wen hI
got HX hI lInd on hiz elbOz n, smFliN, tYkt t hx f a loN
tFm. wFl kanvxsiN wiH /piX, /nytySa hxd a mAn'z vqs in
/kQntas /bezMâOva'z boä n samTiN tOld hx it woz /kMrygin. SI
txnd n HX Fz met. YlmOst smFliN, hI gEzd strEt intM hx
Fz wiH sac an inrApcxd kxesiN lUk HAt it sImd strEnJ t bI
sO nC him, t lUk At him lFk HAt, t bI sO SUx hI admFxd hx, n
not t bI akwEntad wiH him.
<p>
in H sekand Akt HX woz sInxi reprizentiN tMmstOnz, HX woz a
rQnd hOl in H kAnvas t reprizent H mMn, SEdz wx rEzd Ovx
H fUtlFts, n from hPnz n kontrabEs kEm dIp nOts wFl meni
pIpal apCd from rFt n left wXiN blAk klOä n hOldiN
TiNz lFk dAgxz in HX hAndz. HE bigAn wEviN HX Rmz. Hen
sam aHx pIpal rAn in n bigAn drAgiN awE H mEdan hM hAd bin
in wFt n woz nQ in lFt blM. HE did not drAg hx awE At wans,
bat sAN wiH hx f a loN tFm n Hen At lAst drAgd hx of, n
bihFnd H sInz samTiN mitAlik woz strak TrI tFmz n
evriwan nelt dQn n sAN a prEx. Yl HIz TiNz wx ripItadli
intxaptad bF H inTVziAstik SQts v H YdWns.
<p>
dxiN His Akt evri tFm /nytySa lUkt tPd H stYlz SI sY
/ynatOl /kMrygin wiH an Rm TrOn akros H bAk v hiz cX,
stXiN At hx. SI woz plIzd t sI HAt hI woz kAptivEtad bF hx n
it did not akx t hx HAt HX woz eniTiN roN in it.
<p>
wen H sekand Akt woz Ovx /kQntas /bezMâOva rOz, txnd t H
/rOstOfs' boä—hx hOl bUzam kamplItli iäpOzd—bekand H Old
kQnt wiH a glavd fiNgx, n pEiN nO atenSan t HOz hM hAd
entxd hx boä bigAn tYkiN t him wiH an EmWbal smFl.
<p>
“dM mEk mI akwEntad wiH jP cRmiN dYtxz,” sed SI.
“H hOl tQn iz siNiN HX prEzaz n F dOnt Ivan nO
Hem!”
<p>
/nytySa rOz n kxtsid t H splendid kQntas. SI woz sO plIzd
bF prEz from His brilWnt bVti HAt SI blaSt wiH pleZx.
<p>
“F wont t bikam a /moskOvFt tM, nQ,” sed /helIn. “hQ iz it
V'x not aSEmd t beri sac pxlz in H kantri?”
<p>
kQntas /bezMâOva kwFt dizxvd hx repVtESan v bIiN a fAsinEtiN
wUman. SI kUd sE wot SI did not TiNk—ispeSali wot woz
flAtxiN—kwFt simpli n nAcxali.
<p>
“dC kQnt, V mast let mI lUk Aftx jP dYtxz! HO F Am
not stEiN hC loN His tFm—nP R V—F wil trF t amVz
Hem. F hAv Ylredi hxd mac v V in /pItxzbxg n wontad t get
t nO V,” sed SI t /nytySa wiH hx steriOtFpt n lavli
smFl. “F hAd hxd abQt V from mF pEJ, /drMbetskq. hAv V
hxd hI iz getiN mArid? n YlsO from mF hazband'z frend
/bOlkOnski, /prins /AndrM /bOlkOnski,” SI went on wiH speSal
emfasis, implFiN HAt SI nM v hiz rilESan t /nytySa. t get
betx akwEntad SI Askt HAt wan v H jaN lEdiz SUd kam
intM hx boä f H rest v H pxfPmans, n /nytySa mMvd Ovx t
it.
<p>
H sIn v H Txd Akt reprizentad a pAlas in wic meni kAndalz
wx bxniN n pikcxz v nFts wiH SPt bCdz haN on H
wYlz. in H midal stUd wot wx probabli a kiN n a kwIn. H
kiN wEvd hiz rFt Rm n, evidentli nxvas, sAN samTiN bAdli
n sAt dQn on a krimzan TrOn. H mEdan hM hAd bin fxst in wFt
n Hen in lFt blM, nQ wP Onli a smok, n stUd bisFd H
TrOn wiH hx hX dQn. SI sAN samTiN mPnfali, adresiN H
kwIn, bat H kiN wEvd hiz Rm sivCli, n men n wimin wiH bX
leã kEm in from bOT sFdz n bigAn dAnsiN Yl tageHx. Hen H
vFalinz plEd veri Srili n merili n wan v H wimin wiH Tik
bX leã n Tin Rmz, sepxEtiN from H aHxz, went bihFnd H
wiNz, aJastad hx bodis, ritxnd t H midal v H stEJ, n
bigAn JampiN n strFkiN wan fUt rApidli agenst H aHx. in H
stYlz evriwan klApt n SQtad “bryvO!” Hen wan v H men
went intM a kPnx v H stEJ. H simbalz n hPnz in H Pkistra
strak ap mP lQdli, n His mAn wiH bX leã Jampt veri hF n
wEvd hiz fIt abQt veri rApidli. (hI woz /dMpPt, hM risIvd siäti
TQzand rMbalz a jC f His Rt.) evribodi in H stYlz, boäaz,
n gAlxiz bigAn klApiN n SQtiN wiH Yl HX mFt, n H
mAn stopt n bigAn smFliN n bQiN t Yl sFdz. Hen aHx men
n wimin dAnst wiH bX leã. Hen H kiN agen SQtad t H
sQnd v mVzik, n HE Yl bigAn siNiN. bat sadanli a stPm
kEm on, krOmAtik skElz n diminiSt sevanTs wx hxd in H
Pkistra, evriwan rAn of, agen drAgiN wan v HX nambx awE,
n H kxtan dropt. wans mP HX woz a teribal nqz n
klAtx amaN H YdWns, n wiH rApcxas fEsaz evriwan bigAn
SQtiN: “dMpPt! dMpPt! dMpPt!” /nytySa nO loNgx TYt His
strEnJ. SI lUkt abQt wiH pleZx, smFliN Jqfali.
<p>
“izant /dMpPt dilFtfal?” /helIn Askt hx.
<p>
“O, jes,” riplFd /nytySa.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/dxiN H ontrAkt a wif v kOld X kEm intM /helIn'z boä,
H dP Opand, n /ynatOl entxd, stMpiN n trFiN not t braS
agenst eniwan.
<p>
“let mI intradMs mF braHx t V,” sed /helIn, hx Fz
SiftiN anIzili from /nytySa t /ynatOl.
<p>
/nytySa txnd hx priti lital hed tPd H eligant jaN ofisx
n smFld At him Ovx hx bX SOldx. /ynatOl, hM woz Az hAndsam
At klOs kwPtxz Az At a distans, sAt dQn bisFd hx n tOld hx hI
hAd loN wiSt t hAv His hApinas—evx sins H /nRiSkinz'
bYl in fAkt, At wic hI hAd hAd H wel-rimembxd pleZx v sIiN
hx. /kMrygin woz mac mP sensabal n simpal wiH wimin HAn amaN
men. hI tYkt bOldli n nAcxali, n /nytySa woz strEnJli n
agrIabli strak bF H fAkt HAt HX woz naTiN fPmidabal in His
mAn abQt hMm HX woz sO mac tYk, bat HAt on H kontrXi hiz
smFl woz mOst nFIv, cCfal, n gUd-nEcxd.
<p>
/kMrygin Askt hx apinjan v H pxfPmans n tOld hx hQ At a
prIvWs pxfPmans /semjOnOva hAd fYlan dQn on H stEJ.
<p>
“n dM V nO, /kQntas,” hI sed, sadanli adresiN hx Az an
Old, familC akwEntans, “wI R getiN ap a kostMm tUxnamant;
V Yt t tEk pRt in it! it wil bI grEt fan. wI SAl Yl mIt At
H /kRyginz'! plIz kam! nO! rWli, E?” sed hI.
<p>
wFl sEiN His hI nevx rimMvd hiz smFliN Fz from hx fEs,
hx nek, n hx bX Rmz. /nytySa nM f sxtan HAt hI woz
inrApcxd bF hx. His plIzd hx, jet hiz prezans mEd hx fIl
kanstrEnd n aprest. wen SI woz not lUkiN At him SI felt HAt
hI woz lUkiN At hx SOldxz, n SI involantXili kYt hiz F
sO HAt hI SUd lUk intM hxz rAHx HAn His. bat lUkiN intM hiz
Fz SI woz frFtand, rWlFziN HAt HX woz not HAt bArC v
modasti SI hAd YlwEz felt bitwIn hxself n aHx men. SI did not
nO hQ it woz HAt wiHin fFv minits SI hAd kam t fIl hxself
teribli nC t His mAn. wen SI txnd awE SI fCd hI mFt
sIz hx from bihFnd bF hx bX Rm n kis hx on H nek. HE
spOk v mOst PdinXi TiNz, jet SI felt HAt HE wx klOsx t
wan anaHx HAn SI hAd evx bin t eni mAn. /nytySa kept txniN t
/helIn n t hx fyHx, Az if AskiN wot it Yl ment, bat /helIn
woz ingEJd in konvxsESan wiH a Jenxal n did not Ansx hx
lUk, n hx fyHx'z Fz sed naTiN bat wot HE YlwEz sed:
“hAviN a gUd tFm? wel, F'm glAd v it!”
<p>
dxiN wan v HIz mOments v Ykwxd sFlans wen /ynatOl'z
prominant Fz wx gEziN kymli n fiäadli At hx, /nytySa, t brEk
H sFlans, Askt him hQ hI lFkt /moskQ. SI Askt H kwescan n
blaSt. SI felt Yl H tFm HAt bF tYkiN t him SI woz dMiN
samTiN impropx. /ynatOl smFld Az HO t inkariJ hx.
<p>
“At fxst F did not lFk it mac, bikoz wot mEä a tQn plezant
se sant /lez /JOlIz fem, * izant HAt sO? bat nQ F lFk it veri
mac indId,” hI sed, lUkiN At hx signifikantli. “V'l kam
t H kostMm tUxnamant, /kQntas? dM kam!” n pUtiN Qt hiz
hAnd t hx bMkE n dropiN hiz vqs, hI Adad, “V wil bI H
pritWst HX. dM kam, dC kQntas, n giv mI His flQx Az a
pleJ!”
<p>
    * R H priti wimin.
<p>
/nytySa did not andxstAnd wot hI woz sEiN eni mP HAn hI did
himself, bat SI felt HAt hiz inkomprihensabal wxdz hAd an impropx
intenSan. SI did not nO wot t sE n txnd awE Az if SI hAd
not hxd hiz rimRk. bat Az sMn Az SI hAd txnd awE SI felt HAt
hI woz HX, bihFnd, sO klOs bihFnd hx.
<p>
“hQ iz hI nQ? kanfVzd? ANgri? Yt F t pUt it rFt?” SI
Askt hxself, n SI kUd not rifrEn from txniN rQnd. SI lUkt
strEt intM hiz Fz, n hiz nCnas, self-aSUxans, n H
gUd-nEcxd tendxnas v hiz smFl vANkwiSt hx. SI smFld Jast
Az hI woz dMiN, gEziN strEt intM hiz Fz. n agen SI felt wiH
horx HAt nO bArC lE bitwIn him n hx.
<p>
H kxtan rOz agen. /ynatOl left H boä, sxIn n gE. /nytySa
went bAk t hx fyHx in H aHx boä, nQ kwFt sabmisiv t H
wxld SI fQnd hxself in. Yl HAt woz gOiN on bifP hx nQ sImd
kwFt nAcxal, bat on H aHx hAnd Yl hx prIvWs TYts v hx
bitrOHd, v /prinsas /mXi, P v lFf in H kantri did not wans
rikx t hx mFnd n wx Az if biloNiN t a rimOt pAst.
<p>
in H fPT Akt HX woz sam sPt v deval hM sAN wEviN hiz Rm
abQt, til H bPdz wx wiHdrYn from andx him n hI disapCd
dQn bilO. HAt woz H Onli pRt v H fPT Akt HAt /nytySa sY.
SI felt AJitEtad n tPmentad, n H kYz v His woz /kMrygin hMm
SI kUd not help wociN. Az HE wx lIviN H TWtx /ynatOl
kEm ap t Hem, kYld HX kAriJ, n helpt Hem in. Az hI woz
pUtiN /nytySa in hI prest hx Rm abav H elbO. AJitEtad n
flaSt SI txnd rQnd. hI woz lUkiN At hx wiH glitxiN Fz,
smFliN tendxli.
<p>
<p>
Onli Aftx SI hAd rIct hOm woz /nytySa Ebal klCli t TiNk Ovx
wot hAd hApand t hx, n sadanli rimembxiN /prins /AndrM SI
woz horifFd, n At tI t wic Yl hAd sAt dQn Aftx H opxa, SI
gEv a lQd eäklamESan, flaSt, n rAn Qt v H rMm.
<p>
“O /god! F Am lost!” SI sed t hxself. “hQ kUd F let him?”
SI sAt f a loN tFm hFdiN hx flaSt fEs in hx hAndz trFiN t
rWlFz wot hAd hApand t hx, bat woz anEbal FHx t andxstAnd
wot hAd hApand P wot SI felt. evriTiN sImd dRk, abskjUx,
n teribal. HX in HAt inPmas, ilMminEtad TWtx wX H
bX-legad /dMpPt, in a tinsal-dekxEtad JAkat, Jampt abQt t H
mVzik on wet bPdz, n jaN gxlz n Old men, n H nCli
nEkad /helIn wiH hx prQd, kym smFl, rApcxasli krFd
“bryvO!”—HX in H prezans v HAt /helIn it hAd Yl sImd
klC n simpal; bat nQ, alOn bF hxself, it woz inkomprihensabal.
“wot iz it? wot woz HAt terx F felt v him? wot iz His nYiN
v konSans F Am fIliN nQ?” SI TYt.
<p>
Onli t H Old kQntas At nFt in bed kUd /nytySa hAv tOld Yl
SI woz fIliN. SI nM HAt /sonja wiH hx sivC n simpal vVz
wUd FHx not andxstAnd it At Yl P wUd bI horifFd At sac
a kanfeSan. sO /nytySa trFd t solv wot woz tPcxiN hx bF
hxself.
<p>
“Am F spqld f /AndrM'z lav P not?” SI Askt hxself, n
wiH sMHiN Frani riplFd: “wot a fMl F Am t Ask HAt! wot did
hApan t mI? naTiN! F hAv dan naTiN, F didant lId him on
At Yl. nObodi wil nO n F SAl nevx sI him agen,” SI tOld
hxself. “sO it iz plEn HAt naTiN hAz hApand n HX iz
naTiN t ripent v, n /AndrM kAn lav mI stil. bat wF 'stil?'
O /god, wF izant hI hC?” /nytySa kwFatad hxself f a mOment,
bat agen sam instiNkt tOld hx HAt HO Yl His woz trM, n
HO naTiN hAd hApand, jet H fPmx pjUxiti v hx lav f
/prins /AndrM hAd periSt. n agen in imAJinESan SI went Ovx hx
hOl konvxsESan wiH /kMrygin, n agen sY H fEs, Jescxz, n
tendx smFl v HAt bOld hAndsam mAn wen hI prest hx Rm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/ynatOl /kMrygin woz stEiN in /moskQ bikoz hiz fyHx hAd sent him
awE from /pItxzbxg, wX hI hAd bin spendiN twenti TQzand rMbalz
a jC in kAS, bisFdz raniN ap dets f Az mac mP, wic hiz
kreditxz dimAndad from hiz fyHx.
<p>
hiz fyHx anQnst t him HAt hI wUd nQ pE hAf hiz dets f H
lAst tFm, bat Onli on kandiSan HAt hI went t /moskQ Az AJUtant t
H kamAndx in cIf—a pOst hiz fyHx hAd prakjUxd f him—n
wUd At lAst trF t mEk a gUd mAc HX. hI indikEtad t him
/prinsas /mXi n /JMli /kRygIna.
<p>
/ynatOl kansentad n went t /moskQ, wX hI pUt ap At /piX'z
hQs. /piX risIvd him anwiliNli At fxst, bat got Vst t him
Aftx a wFl, samtFmz Ivan akampanid him on hiz kxQzalz, n gEv
him mani andx H gFz v lOnz.
<p>
Az /SinSin hAd rimRkt, from H tFm v hiz xFval /ynatOl hAd
txnd H hedz v H /moskQ lEdiz, ispeSali bF H fAkt HAt
hI slFtad Hem n plEnli prifxd H Jipsi gxlz n /frenc
Aktrasaz—wiH H cIf v hMm, /mAdamwazel /JPJ, hI woz sed t
bI on intimat rilESanz. hI hAd nevx mist a kxQzal At /dynilOf's
P aHx /moskQ revalxz', drANk hOl nFts TrM, QtvFiN
evriwan els, n woz At Yl H bYlz n pRtiz v H best sasFati.
HX woz tYk v hiz intrIã wiH sam v H lEdiz, n hI flxtad
wiH a fV v Hem At H bYlz. bat hI did not ran Aftx H anmArid
gxlz, ispeSali H ric Xasaz hM wx mOst v Hem plEn.
HX woz a speSal rIzan f His, Az hI hAd got mArid tM jCz
bifP—a fAkt nOn Onli t hiz mOst intimat frendz. At HAt tFm
wFl wiH hiz reJimant in /pOland, a /pOliS lAndOnx v smYl mInz hAd
fPst him t mAri hiz dYtx. /ynatOl hAd veri sMn abAndand hiz
wFf n, f a pEmant wic hI agrId t send t hiz fyHx-in-lY,
hAd xEnJd t bI frI t pAs himself of Az a bAcalx.
<p>
/ynatOl woz YlwEz kantent wiH hiz paziSan, wiH himself, n wiH
aHxz. hI woz instiNktivli n TarOli kanvinst HAt it woz
imposabal f him t liv aHxwFz HAn Az hI did n HAt hI hAd
nevx in hiz lFf dan eniTiN bEs. hI woz inkEpabal v kansidxiN
hQ hiz AkSanz mFt afekt aHxz P wot H konsikwansaz v His P
HAt AkSan v hiz mFt bI. hI woz kanvinst HAt, Az a dak iz sO mEd
HAt it mast liv in wYtx, sO /god hAd mEd him sac HAt hI mast spend
Txti TQzand rMbalz a jC n YlwEz okVpF a prominant paziSan in
sasFati. hI bilIvd His sO fxmli HAt aHxz, lUkiN At him, wx
pxswEdad v it tM n did not rifVz him FHx a lIdiN plEs
in sasFati P mani, wic hI borOd from eniwan n evriwan n
evidentli wUd not rIpE.
<p>
hI woz not a gAmbalx, At eni rEt hI did not kX abQt winiN. hI woz
not vEn. hI did not mFnd wot pIpal TYt v him. stil les kUd
hI bI akVzd v AmbiSan. mP HAn wans hI hAd veät hiz fyHx bF
spqliN hiz On kxC, n hI lAft At distiNkSanz v Yl kFndz. hI
woz not mIn, n did not rifVz eniwan hM Askt v him. Yl hI kXd
abQt woz gEiti n wimin, n Az akPdiN t hiz FdWz HX
woz naTiN disonxabal in HIz tEsts, n hI woz inkEpabal v
kansidxiN wot H grAtifikESan v hiz tEsts intEld f aHxz,
hI onastli kansidxd himself iriprOcabal, sinsCli dispFzd rOã
n bAd pIpal, n wiH a trANkwil konSans kArid hiz hed hF.
<p>
rEä, HOz mEl /mAgdalInz, hAv a sIkrat fIliN v inasans
similx t HAt wic fImEl /mAgdalInz hAv, bEst on H sEm hOp v
fxgivnas. “Yl wil bI fxgivan hx, f SI lavd mac; n Yl
wil bI fxgivan him, f hI inJqd mac.”
<p>
/dOlOâOf, hM hAd rIapCd HAt jC in /moskQ Aftx hiz eäFl n
hiz /pxZan advencxz, n woz lIdiN a lFf v lakSxi, gAmbaliN, n
disipESan, asOSiEtad wiH hiz Old /pItxzbxg komrAd /kMrygin n
mEd Vs v him f hiz On endz.
<p>
/ynatOl woz sinsCli fond v /dOlOâOf f hiz klevxnas n
YdAsiti. /dOlOâOf, hM nIdad /ynatOl /kMrygin'z nEm, paziSan, n
kanekSanz Az a bEt t drY ric jaN men intM hiz gAmbaliN set, mEd
Vs v him n amVzd himself At hiz iäpens wiHQt letiN H aHx
fIl it. apRt from H advAntiJ hI dirFvd from /ynatOl, H veri
proses v dominEtiN anaHx'z wil woz in itself a pleZx, a
hAbit, n a nisesiti t /dOlOâOf.
<p>
/nytySa hAd mEd a stroN impreSan on /kMrygin. At sapx Aftx
H opxa hI diskrFbd t /dOlOâOf wiH H X v a konasx H
atrAkSanz v hx Rmz, SOldxz, fIt, n hX n iäprest hiz
intenSan v mEkiN lav t hx. /ynatOl hAd nO nOSan n woz inkEpabal
v kansidxiN wot mFt kam v sac lav-mEkiN, Az hI nevx hAd eni
nOSan v H Qtkam v eni v hiz AkSanz.
<p>
“SI'z fxst-rEt, mF dC felO, bat not f as,” riplFd
/dOlOâOf.
<p>
“F wil tel mF sistx t Ask hx t dinx,” sed /ynatOl.
“E?”
<p>
“V'd betx wEt til SI'z mArid....”
<p>
“V nO, F adP lital gxlz, HE lMz HX hedz At wans,”
pxsMd /ynatOl.
<p>
“V hAv bin kYt wans Ylredi bF a 'lital gxl,'” sed
/dOlOâOf hM nM v /kMrygin'z mAriJ. “tEk kX!”
<p>
“wel, HAt kAnt hApan twFs! E?” sed /ynatOl, wiH a
gUd-hVmxd lAf.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
H dE Aftx H opxa H /rOstOfs went nOwX n nObodi kEm t sI
Hem. /mRja /dmItrievna tYkt t H kQnt abQt samTiN wic HE
kansIld from /nytySa. /nytySa gest HE wx tYkiN abQt H
Old prins n plAniN samTiN, n His diskwFatad n afendad hx.
SI woz iäpektiN /prins /AndrM eni mOment n twFs HAt dE sent a
mAnsxvant t H /vOzdviZenka t AsxtEn weHx hI hAd kam. hI hAd
not xFvd. SI safxd mP nQ HAn dxiN hx fxst dEz in /moskQ.
t hx impESans n pFniN f him wx nQ Adad H anplezant
rekalekSan v hx intxvV wiH /prinsas /mXi n H Old prins,
n a fC n ANzFati v wic SI did not andxstAnd H kYz. SI
kantinVali fAnsid HAt FHx hI wUd nevx kam P HAt samTiN
wUd hApan t hx bifP hI kEm. SI kUd nO loNgx TiNk v him bF
hxself kymli n kantinVasli Az SI hAd dan bifP. Az sMn Az SI
bigAn t TiNk v him, H rekalekSan v H Old prins, v /prinsas
/mXi, v H TWtx, n v /kMrygin miNgald wiH hx TYts. H
kwescan agen prizentad itself weHx SI woz not gilti, weHx SI
hAd not Ylredi brOkan fET wiH /prins /AndrM, n agen SI fQnd
hxself rikYliN t H mFnMtast dItEl evri wxd, evri Jescx, n
evri SEd in H plE v iäpreSan on H fEs v H mAn hM hAd
bin Ebal t xQz in hx sac an inkomprihensabal n terifFiN
fIliN. t H fAmli /nytySa sImd lFvlC HAn VZMal, bat SI woz
fR les trANkwil n hApi HAn bifP.
<p>
on sandE mPniN /mRja /dmItrievna invFtad hx vizitxz t /mAs At hx
pAriS cxc—H /cxc v H /asampSan bilt Ovx H grEvz v
viktimz v H plEg.
<p>
“F dOnt lFk HOz fASanabal cxcaz,” SI sed, evidentli
prFdiN hxself on hx indipendans v TYt. “god iz H sEm
evriwX. wI hAv an eäalant prIst, hI kondakts H sxvis
dIsantli n wiH digniti, n H dIkan iz H sEm. wot hOlinas iz
HX in giviN konsxts in H kwFx? F dOnt lFk it, it's Jast
self-indalJans!”
<p>
/mRja /dmItrievna lFkt sandEz n nM hQ t kIp Hem. hx hOl
hQs woz skrabd n klInd on sAtxdEz; nFHx SI nP H
sxvants wxkt, n HE Yl wP holidE dres n went t cxc. At
hx tEbal HX wx eätra diSaz At dinx, n H sxvants hAd vodka
n rOst gMs P sakaliN pig. bat in naTiN in H hQs woz H
holidE sO nOtisabal Az in /mRja /dmItrievna'z brYd, stxn fEs,
wic on HAt dE wP an invXWbal lUk v solam festiviti.
<p>
Aftx /mAs, wen HE hAd finiSt HX kofi in H dFniN rMm
wX H lMs kavxz hAd bin rimMvd from H fxnicx, a sxvant
anQnst HAt H kAriJ woz redi, n /mRja /dmItrievna rOz wiH
a stxn X. SI wP hx holidE SYl, in wic SI pEd kYlz, n
anQnst HAt SI woz gOiN t sI /prins /nikalas /bOlkOnski t hAv
an eäplanESan wiH him abQt /nytySa.
<p>
Aftx SI hAd gon, a dresmEkx from /madym /sapxt-/rOgat wEtad on
H /rOstOfs, n /nytySa, veri glAd v His dFvxZan, hAviN Sat
hxself intM a rMm aJqniN H drYiN rMm, okVpFd hxself trFiN
on H nM dresaz. Jast Az SI hAd pUt on a bodis wiHQt slIvz n
Onli tAkt tageHx, n woz txniN hx hed t sI in H glAs hQ
H bAk fitad, SI hxd in H drYiN rMm H AnimEtad sQndz
v hx fyHx'z vqs n anaHx'z—a wUman'z—HAt mEd hx
flaS. it woz /helIn. /nytySa hAd not tFm t tEk of H bodis
bifP H dP Opand n /kQntas /bezMâOva, drest in a pxpal
velvat gQn wiH a hF kolx, kEm intM H rMm bImiN wiH
gUd-hVmxd EmWbal smFlz.
<p>
“O, mF incAntras!” SI krFd t H blaSiN /nytySa.
“cRmiN! nO, His iz rWli bijond eniTiN, mF dC kQnt,” sed
SI t /kQnt /rOstOf hM hAd folOd hx in. “hQ kAn V liv in
/moskQ n gO nOwX? nO, F wOnt let V of! /mAdamwazel /JPJ
wil risFt At mF hQs tanFt n HX'l bI sam pIpal, n if
V dOnt briN jP lavli gxlz—hM R pritC HAn /mAdamwazel
/JPJ—F wOnt nO V! mF hazband iz awE in /tver P F wUd send
him t fec V. V mast kam. V pozitivli mast! bitwIn Et n
nFn.”
<p>
SI nodad t H dresmEkx, hMm SI nM n hM hAd kxtsid
rispektfali t hx, n sItad hxself in an RmcX bisFd H
lUkiN glAs, drEpiN H fOldz v hx velvat dres pikcxeskli. SI
did not sIs cAtxiN gUd-nEcxdli n gEli, kantinVali prEziN
/nytySa'z bVti. SI lUkt At /nytySa'z dresaz n prEzd
Hem, Az wel Az a nM dres v hx On mEd v “mitAlik gYz,”
wic SI hAd risIvd from /pAris, n advFzd /nytySa t hAv wan lFk
it.
<p>
“bat eniTiN sMts V, mF cRmx!” SI rimRkt.
<p>
a smFl v pleZx nevx left /nytySa'z fEs. SI felt hApi n Az
if SI wx blosamiN andx H prEz v His dC /kQntas /bezMâOva
hM hAd fPmxli sImd t hx sO anaprOcabal n impPtant n woz
nQ sO kFnd t hx. /nytySa brFtand ap n felt YlmOst in lav wiH
His wUman, hM woz sO bVtifal n sO kFnd. /helIn f hx pRt woz
sinsCli dilFtad wiH /nytySa n wiSt t giv hx a gUd tFm.
/ynatOl hAd Askt hx t briN him n /nytySa tageHx, n SI woz
kYliN on H /rOstOfs f HAt pxpas. H FdW v TrOiN hx
braHx n /nytySa tageHx amVzd hx.
<p>
HO At wan tFm, in /pItxzbxg, SI hAd bin anqd wiH /nytySa
f drYiN /bPis awE, SI did not TiNk v HAt nQ, n in hx On
wE hRtili wiSt /nytySa wel. Az SI woz lIviN H /rOstOfs SI
kYld hx prOtiZE asFd.
<p>
“mF braHx dFnd wiH mI jestxdE—wI nCli dFd v lAftx—hI
Et naTiN n kept sFiN f V, mF cRmx! hI iz mAdli, kwFt
mAdli, in lav wiH V, mF dC.”
<p>
/nytySa blaSt skRlat wen SI hxd His.
<p>
“hQ SI blaSaz, hQ SI blaSaz, mF priti!” sed /helIn. “V
mast sxtanli kam. if V lav sambodi, mF cRmx, HAt iz not a
rIzan t Sat jPself ap. Ivan if V R ingEJd, F Am SUx jP
fionsE wUd wiS V t gO intM sasFati rAHx HAn bI bPd t
deT.”
<p>
“sO SI nOz F Am ingEJd, n SI n hx hazband /piX—HAt gUd
/piX—hAv tYkt n lAft abQt His. sO it's Yl rFt.” n
agen, andx /helIn'z inflMans, wot hAd sImd teribal nQ sImd
simpal n nAcxal. “n SI iz sac a grynde dEm, sO kFnd, n
evidentli lFä mI sO mac. n wF not inJq mFself?” TYt
/nytySa, gEziN At /helIn wiH wFd-Opan, wandxiN Fz.
<p>
/mRja /dmItrievna kEm bAk t dinx tAsitxn n sCWs, hAviN
evidentli safxd a difIt At H Old prins'az. SI woz stil tM
AJitEtad bF H inkQntx t bI Ebal t tYk v H afX kymli. in
Ansx t H kQnt's inkwFxiz SI riplFd HAt TiNz wx Yl
rFt n HAt SI wUd tel abQt it neät dE. on hCiN v /kQntas
/bezMâOva'z vizit n H invitESan f HAt IvniN, /mRja
/dmItrievna rimRkt:
<p>
“F dOnt kX t hAv eniTiN t dM wiH /bezMâOva n dOnt
advFz V t; hQevx, if V'v promist—gO. it wil dFvxt jP
TYts,” SI Adad, adresiN /nytySa.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
/kQnt /rOstOf tUk H gxlz t /kQntas /bezMâOva'z. HX wx
a gUd meni pIpal HX, bat nCli Yl strEnJxz t /nytySa. kQnt
/rOstOf woz displIzd t sI HAt H kampani kansistad YlmOst intFxli
v men n wimin nOn f H frIdam v HX kondakt. /mAdamwazel
/JPJ woz stAndiN in a kPnx v H drYiN rMm sxQndad bF jaN
men. HX wx sevxal /frencmen prezant, amaN Hem /metiviE hM from
H tFm /helIn rIct /moskQ hAd bin an intimat in hx hQs. H
kQnt disFdad not t sit dQn t kRdz P let hiz gxlz Qt v hiz sFt
n t get awE Az sMn Az /mAdamwazel /JPJ'az pxfPmans woz Ovx.
<p>
/ynatOl woz At H dP, evidentli on H lUkQt f H /rOstOfs.
imIdWtli Aftx grItiN H kQnt hI went ap t /nytySa n folOd
hx. Az sMn Az SI sY him SI woz sIzd bF H sEm fIliN SI hAd
hAd At H opxa—grAtifFd vAniti At hiz AdmxESan v hx n fC At
H Absans v a mPal bArC bitwIn Hem.
<p>
/helIn welkamd /nytySa dilFtadli n woz lQd in AdmxESan v hx
bVti n hx dres. sMn Aftx HX xFval /mAdamwazel /JPJ went
Qt v H rMm t cEnJ hx kostMm. in H drYiN rMm pIpal bigAn
xEnJiN H cXz n tEkiN HX sIts. /ynatOl mMvd a cX f
/nytySa n woz abQt t sit dQn bisFd hx, bat H kQnt, hM nevx
lost sFt v hx, tUk H sIt himself. /ynatOl sAt dQn bihFnd hx.
<p>
/mAdamwazel /JPJ, wiH hx bX, fAt, dimpald Rmz, n a red SYl
drEpt Ovx wan SOldx, kEm intM H spEs left vEkant f hx, n
asMmd an annAcxal pOz. inTVziAstik wispxiN woz Ydabal.
<p>
/mAdamwazel /JPJ lUkt stxnli n glMmili At H YdWns n
bigAn risFtiN sam /frenc vxsaz diskrFbiN hx gilti lav f hx
san. in sam plEsaz SI rEzd hx vqs, in aHxz SI wispxd,
liftiN hx hed trFamfantli; samtFmz SI pYzd n atxd hPs
sQndz, rOliN hx Fz.
<p>
“adPabal! divFn! diliSas!” woz hxd from evri sFd.
<p>
/nytySa lUkt At H fAt Aktras, bat nFHx sY nP hxd nP
andxstUd eniTiN v wot went on bifP hx. SI Onli felt hxself
agen kamplItli bPn awE intM His strEnJ senslas wxld—sO
rimOt from hx Old wxld—a wxld in wic it woz imposabal t nO
wot woz gUd P bAd, rIzanabal P senslas. bihFnd hx sAt /ynatOl,
n konSas v hiz proäimiti SI iäpCWnst a frFtand sens v
iäpektansi.
<p>
Aftx H fxst monalog H hOl kampani rOz n sxQndad
/mAdamwazel /JPJ, iäpresiN HX inTVziAzam.
<p>
“hQ bVtifal SI iz!” /nytySa rimRkt t hx fyHx hM hAd YlsO
rizan n woz mMviN TrM H krQd tPd H Aktras.
<p>
“F dOnt TiNk sO wen F lUk At V!” sed /ynatOl, folOiN
/nytySa. hI sed His At a mOment wen SI alOn kUd hC him. “V
R incAntiN... from H mOment F sY V F hAv nevx sIst...”
<p>
“kam, kam, /nytySa!” sed H kQnt, Az hI txnd bAk f hiz
dYtx. “hQ bVtifal SI iz!” /nytySa wiHQt sEiN eniTiN
stept ap t hx fyHx n lUkt At him wiH sxprFzd inkwFxiN
Fz.
<p>
Aftx giviN sevxal resitESanz, /mAdamwazel /JPJ left, n /kQntas
/bezMâOva Askt hx vizitxz intM H bYlrMm.
<p>
H kQnt wiSt t gO hOm, bat /helIn intrItad him not t spql hx
impravFzd bYl, n H /rOstOfs stEd on. /ynatOl Askt /nytySa f
a vYls n Az HE dAnst hI prest hx wEst n hAnd n tOld hx
SI woz biwiciN n HAt hI lavd hx. dxiN H IkosaFz, wic
SI YlsO dAnst wiH him, /ynatOl sed naTiN wen HE hApand t bI
bF Hemselvz, bat mCli gEzd At hx. /nytySa liftad hx frFtand
Fz t him, bat HX woz sac konfidant tendxnas in hiz afekSanat
lUk n smFl HAt SI kUd not, wFlst lUkiN At him, sE wot SI
hAd t sE. SI lOxd hx Fz.
<p>
“dOnt sE sac TiNz t mI. F Am bitrOHd n lav anaHx,”
SI sed rApidli.... SI glAnst At him.
<p>
/ynatOl woz not apset P pEnd bF wot SI hAd sed.
<p>
“dOnt spIk t mI v HAt! wot kAn F dM?” sed hI. “F tel
V F Am mAdli, mAdli, in lav wiH V! iz it mF fYlt HAt V R
incAntiN?... it's Qx txn t bigin.”
<p>
/nytySa, AnimEtad n iäFtad, lUkt abQt hx wiH wFd-Opan
frFtand Fz n sImd merC HAn VZMal. SI andxstUd hRdli
eniTiN HAt went on HAt IvniN. HE dAnst H IkosaFz n H
/grOsvytx. hx fyHx Askt hx t kam hOm, bat SI begd t rimEn.
wXevx SI went n hMmevx SI woz spIkiN t, SI felt hiz Fz
apon hx. lEtx on SI rikYld hQ SI hAd Askt hx fyHx t let
hx gO t H dresiN rMm t rIxEnJ hx dres, HAt /helIn hAd
folOd hx n spOkan lAfiNli v hx braHx'z lav, n HAt SI
agen met /ynatOl in H lital sitiN rMm. /helIn hAd disapCd
lIviN Hem alOn, n /ynatOl hAd tEkan hx hAnd n sed in a tendx
vqs:
<p>
“F kAnot kam t vizit V bat iz it posabal HAt F SAl nevx sI
V? F lav V mAdli. kAn F nevx...?” n, blokiN hx pAT, hI
brYt hiz fEs klOs t hxz.
<p>
hiz lRJ, glitxiN, mAskVlin Fz wx sO klOs t hxz HAt SI sY
naTiN bat Hem.
<p>
“/nAtali?” hI wispxd inkwFxiNli wFl SI felt hx hAndz bIiN
pEnfali prest. “/nAtali?”
<p>
“F dOnt andxstAnd. F hAv naTiN t sE,” hx Fz riplFd.
<p>
bxniN lips wx prest t hxz, n At H sEm instant SI felt
hxself rilIst, n /helIn'z fUtsteps n H rasal v hx dres
wx hxd in H rMm. /nytySa lUkt rQnd At hx, n Hen, red
n trembaliN, TrM a frFtand lUk v inkwFxi At /ynatOl n mMvd
tPd H dP.
<p>
“wan wxd, Jast wan, f /god'z sEk!” krFd /ynatOl.
<p>
SI pYzd. SI sO wontad a wxd from him HAt wUd iäplEn t hx wot
hAd hApand n t wic SI kUd fFnd nO Ansx.
<p>
“/nAtali, Jast a wxd, Onli wan!” hI kept ripItiN, evidentli not
nOiN wot t sE n hI ripItad it til /helIn kEm ap t Hem.
<p>
/helIn ritxnd wiH /nytySa t H drYiN rMm. H /rOstOfs went
awE wiHQt stEiN f sapx.
<p>
Aftx rIciN hOm /nytySa did not slIp Yl nFt. SI woz tPmentad
bF H insolVbal kwescan weHx SI lavd /ynatOl P /prins /AndrM.
SI lavd /prins /AndrM—SI rimembxd distiNktli hQ dIpli SI lavd
him. bat SI YlsO lavd /ynatOl, v HAt HX woz nO dQt. “els hQ
kUd Yl His hAv hApand?” TYt SI. “if, Aftx HAt, F kUd
ritxn hiz smFl wen sEiN gUd-bF, if F woz Ebal t let it kam t
HAt, it mInz HAt F lavd him from H fxst. it mInz HAt hI iz
kFnd, nObal, n splendid, n F kUd not help laviN him. wot Am F t
dM if F lav him n H aHx wan tM?” SI Askt hxself, anEbal t
fFnd an Ansx t HIz teribal kwescanz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
/mPniN kEm wiH its kXz n basal. evriwan got ap n bigAn
t mMv abQt n tYk, dresmEkxz kEm agen. /mRja /dmItrievna
apCd, n HE wx kYld t brekfast. /nytySa kept lUkiN
anIzili At evribodi wiH wFd-Opan Fz, Az if wiSiN t intxsept
evri glAns direktad tPd hx, n trFd t apC H sEm Az VZMal.
<p>
Aftx brekfast, wic woz hx best tFm, /mRja /dmItrievna sAt dQn in
hx RmcX n kYld /nytySa n H kQnt t hx.
<p>
“wel, frendz, F hAv nQ TYt H hOl mAtx Ovx n His iz
mF advFs,” SI bigAn. “jestxdE, Az V nO, F went t sI /prins
/bOlkOnski. wel, F hAd a tYk wiH him.... hI tUk it intM hiz hed t
bigin SQtiN, bat F Am not wan t bI SQtad dQn. F sed wot F hAd
t sE!”
<p>
“wel, n hI?” Askt H kQnt.
<p>
“hI? hI'z krEzi... hI did not wont t lisan. bat wot's H Vs
v tYkiN? Az it iz wI hAv wPn H pUx gxl Qt,” sed /mRja
/dmItrievna. “mF advFs t V iz finiS jP biznas n gO bAk
hOm t /Otrydnqe... n wEt HX.”
<p>
“O, nO!” iäklEmd /nytySa.
<p>
“jes, gO bAk,” sed /mRja /dmItrievna, “n wEt HX. if jP
bitrOHd kamz hC nQ—HX wil bI nO avqdiN a kworal; bat
alOn wiH H Old mAn hI wil tYk TiNz Ovx n Hen kam on t
V.”
<p>
kQnt /rOstOf aprMvd v His saJescan, aprISiEtiN its
rIzanabalnas. if H Old mAn kEm rQnd it wUd bI Yl H betx t
vizit him in /moskQ P At /bYld /hilz lEtx on; n if not, H wediN,
agenst hiz wiSaz, kUd Onli bI xEnJd At /Otrydnqe.
<p>
“HAt iz pxfiktli trM. n F Am sori F went t sI him n tUk
hx,” sed H Old kQnt.
<p>
“nO, wF bI sori? bIiN hC, V hAd t pE jP rispekts. bat if hI
wOnt—HAt's hiz afX,” sed /mRja /dmItrievna, lUkiN f
samTiN in hx retikVl. “bisFdz, H trMsO iz redi, sO HX
iz naTiN t wEt f; n wot iz not redi F'l send Aftx V.
HO F dOnt lFk letiN V gO, it iz H best wE. sO gO, wiH
/god'z blesiN!”
<p>
hAviN fQnd wot SI woz lUkiN f in H retikVl SI hAndad it t
/nytySa. it woz a letx from /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“SI hAz ritan t V. hQ SI tPments hxself, pUx TiN! SI'z
afrEd V mFt TiNk HAt SI daz not lFk V.”
<p>
“bat SI dazant lFk mI,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
“dOnt tYk nonsens!” krFd /mRja /dmItrievna.
<p>
“F SAnt bilIv eniwan, F nO SI dazant lFk mI,” riplFd
/nytySa bOldli Az SI tUk H letx, n hx fEs iäprest a kOld
n ANgri rezalMSan HAt kYzd /mRja /dmItrievna t lUk At hx mP
intentli n t frQn.
<p>
“dOnt Ansx lFk HAt, mF gUd gxl!” SI sed. “wot F sE iz
trM! rFt an Ansx!”
<p>
/nytySa did not riplF n went t hx On rMm t rId /prinsas
/mXi'z letx.
<p>
prinsas /mXi rOt HAt SI woz in dispX At H misandxstAndiN HAt
hAd akxd bitwIn Hem. wotevx hx fyHx'z fIliNz mFt bI,
SI begd /nytySa t bilIv HAt SI kUd not help laviN hx Az
H wan cOzan bF hx braHx, f hMz hApinas SI woz redi t
sAkrifFs evriTiN.
<p>
“dM not TiNk, hQevx,” SI rOt, “HAt mF fyHx iz
il-dispOzd tPd V. hI iz an invAlid n an Old mAn hM mast bI
fxgivan; bat hI iz gUd n mAgnAnimas n wil lav hx hM mEä hiz
san hApi.” prinsas /mXi went on t Ask /nytySa t fiä a tFm wen
SI kUd sI hx agen.
<p>
Aftx rIdiN H letx /nytySa sAt dQn At H rFtiN tEbal
t Ansx it. “dC /prinsas,” SI rOt in /frenc kwikli n
mikAnikli, n Hen pYzd. wot mP kUd SI rFt Aftx Yl HAt
hAd hApand H IvniN bifP? “jes, jes! Yl HAt hAz hApand, n
nQ Yl iz cEnJd,” SI TYt Az SI sAt wiH H letx SI hAd
bigan bifP hx. “mast F brEk of wiH him? mast F rWli? HAt's
Yfal...” n t iskEp from HIz dredfal TYts SI went t
/sonja n bigAn sPtiN pAtxnz wiH hx.
<p>
Aftx dinx /nytySa went t hx rMm n agen tUk ap /prinsas
/mXi'z letx. “kAn it bI HAt it iz Yl Ovx?” SI TYt.
“kAn it bI HAt Yl His hAz hApand sO kwikli n hAz distrqd Yl
HAt went bifP?” SI rikYld hx lav f /prins /AndrM in Yl its
fPmx streNT, n At H sEm tFm felt HAt SI lavd /kMrygin. SI
vividli pikcxd hxself Az /prins /AndrM'z wFf, n H sInz v
hApinas wiH him SI hAd sO oftan ripItad in hx imAJinESan, n
At H sEm tFm, aglO wiH iäFtmant, rikYld evri dItEl v
jestxdE'z intxvV wiH /ynatOl.
<p>
“wF kUd HAt not bI Az wel?” SI samtFmz Askt hxself in
kamplIt biwildxmant. “Onli sO kUd F bI kamplItli hApi; bat nQ F
hAf t cMz, n F kAnt bI hApi wiHQt FHx v Hem. Onli,”
SI TYt, “t tel /prins /AndrM wot hAz hApand P t hFd
it from him R bOT Ikwali imposabal. bat wiH HAt wan naTiN iz
spqld. bat Am F rWli t abAndan fxevx H Jq v /prins /AndrM'z
lav, in wic F hAv livd sO loN?”
<p>
“plIz, /mis!” wispxd a mEd entxiN H rMm wiH a mistCWs
X. “a mAn tOld mI t giv V His—” n SI hAndad /nytySa a
letx.
<p>
“Onli, f /krFst's sEk...” H gxl went on, Az /nytySa,
wiHQt TiNkiN, mikAnikli brOk H sIl n red a lav letx
from /ynatOl, v wic, wiHQt tEkiN in a wxd, SI andxstUd Onli
HAt it woz a letx from him—from H mAn SI lavd. jes, SI lavd
him, P els hQ kUd HAt hAv hApand wic hAd hApand? n hQ
kUd SI hAv a lav letx from him in hx hAnd?
<p>
wiH trembaliN hAndz /nytySa held HAt pASanat lav letx wic
/dOlOâOf hAd kampOzd f /ynatOl, n Az SI red it SI fQnd in it
an ekO v Yl HAt SI hxself imAJind SI woz fIliN.
<p>
“sins jestxdE IvniN mF fEt hAz bin sIld; t bI lavd bF V
P t dF. HX iz nO aHx wE f mI,” H letx bigAn. Hen hI
went on t sE HAt hI nM hx pXants wUd not giv hx t him—f
His HX wx sIkrat rIzanz hI kUd rivIl Onli t hx—bat HAt if
SI lavd him SI nId Onli sE H wxd jes, n nO hVman pQx kUd
hindx HX blis. lav wUd koNkx Yl. hI wUd stIl hx awE n
kAri hx of t H endz v H xT.
<p>
“jes, jes! F lav him!” TYt /nytySa, rIdiN H letx f H
twentWT tFm n fFndiN sam pikVlCli dIp mIniN in Ic wxd v
it.
<p>
HAt IvniN /mRja /dmItrievna woz gOiN t H /yâROfs' n
prapOzd t tEk H gxlz wiH hx. /nytySa, plIdiN a hedEk,
rimEnd At hOm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
on ritxniN lEt in H IvniN /sonja went t /nytySa'z rMm, n
t hx sxprFz fQnd hx stil drest n aslIp on H sOfa. Opan on
H tEbal, bisFd hx lE /ynatOl'z letx. /sonja pikt it ap n
red it.
<p>
Az SI red SI glAnst At H slIpiN /nytySa, trFiN t fFnd in hx
fEs an eäplanESan v wot SI woz rIdiN, bat did not fFnd it. hx
fEs woz kym, Jental, n hApi. klaciN hx brest t kIp hxself
from cOkiN, /sonja, pEl n trembaliN wiH fC n AJitESan, sAt
dQn in an RmcX n bxst intM tCz.
<p>
“hQ woz it F nOtist naTiN? hQ kUd it gO sO fR? kAn SI hAv
left of laviN /prins /AndrM? n hQ kUd SI let /kMrygin gO t
sac leNTs? hI iz a disIvx n a vilan, HAt's plEn! wot wil
/nikalas, dC nObal /nikalas, dM wen hI hCz v it? sO His iz
H mIniN v hx iäFtad, rezalMt, annAcxal lUk H dE bifP
jestxdE, jestxdE, n tadE,” TYt /sonja. “bat it kAnt bI
HAt SI lavz him! SI probabli Opand H letx wiHQt nOiN hM
it woz from. probabli SI iz afendad bF it. SI kUd not dM sac a
TiN!”
<p>
/sonja wFpt awE hx tCz n went ap t /nytySa, agen skAniN hx
fEs.
<p>
“/nytySa!” SI sed, Jast Ydabli.
<p>
/nytySa awOk n sY /sonja.
<p>
“y, V'x bAk?”
<p>
n wiH H disiZan n tendxnas HAt oftan kam At H mOment v
awEkaniN, SI imbrEst hx frend, bat nOtisiN /sonja'z lUk v
imbArasmant, hx On fEs iäprest kanfVZan n saspiSan.
<p>
“/sonja, V'v red HAt letx?” SI dimAndad.
<p>
“jes,” Ansxd /sonja softli.
<p>
/nytySa smFld rApcxasli.
<p>
“nO, /sonja, F kAnt eni loNgx!” SI sed. “F kAnt hFd it
from V eni loNgx. V nO, wI lav wan anaHx! /sonja, dRliN, hI
rFts... /sonja...”
<p>
/sonja stXd Opan-Fd At /nytySa, anEbal t bilIv hx Cz.
<p>
“n /bOlkOnski?” SI Askt.
<p>
“y, /sonja, if V Onli nM hQ hApi F Am!” krFd /nytySa.
“V dOnt nO wot lav iz....”
<p>
“bat, /nytySa, kAn HAt bI Yl Ovx?”
<p>
/nytySa lUkt At /sonja wiH wFd-Opan Fz Az if SI kUd not grAsp
H kwescan.
<p>
“wel, Hen, R V rifVziN /prins /AndrM?” sed /sonja.
<p>
“O, V dOnt andxstAnd eniTiN! dOnt tYk nonsens, Jast
lisan!” sed /nytySa, wiH mOmentXi veäESan.
<p>
“bat F kAnt bilIv it,” insistad /sonja. “F dOnt
andxstAnd. hQ iz it V hAv lavd a mAn f a hOl jC n
sadanli... wF, V hAv Onli sIn him TrI tFmz! /nytySa, F dOnt
bilIv V, V'x JOkiN! in TrI dEz t fxget evriTiN n
sO...”
<p>
“TrI dEz?” sed /nytySa. “it sImz t mI F'v lavd him a
handrad jCz. it sImz t mI HAt F hAv nevx lavd eniwan bifP. V
kAnt andxstAnd it.... /sonja, wEt a bit, sit hC,” n /nytySa
imbrEst n kist hx.
<p>
“F hAd hxd HAt it hApanz lFk His, n V mast hAv hxd it
tM, bat it's Onli nQ HAt F fIl sac lav. it's not H sEm Az
bifP. Az sMn Az F sY him F felt hI woz mF mAstx n F hiz slEv,
n HAt F kUd not help laviN him. jes, hiz slEv! wotevx hI Pdxz
F SAl dM. V dOnt andxstAnd HAt. wot kAn F dM? wot kAn F dM,
/sonja?” krFd /nytySa wiH a hApi jet frFtand iäpreSan.
<p>
“bat TiNk wot V R dMiN,” krFd /sonja. “F kAnt lIv
it lFk His. His sIkrat korispondans... hQ kUd V let him gO sO
fR?” SI went on, wiH a horx n disgast SI kUd hRdli kansIl.
<p>
“F tOld V HAt F hAv nO wil,” /nytySa riplFd. “wF kAnt
V andxstAnd? F lav him!”
<p>
“Hen F wOnt let it kam t HAt... F SAl tel!” krFd /sonja,
bxstiN intM tCz.
<p>
“wot dM V mIn? f /god'z sEk... if V tel, V R mF
enami!” diklXd /nytySa. “V wont mI t bI mizxabal, V wont as
t bI sepxEtad....”
<p>
wen SI sY /nytySa'z frFt, /sonja Sed tCz v SEm n piti
f hx frend.
<p>
“bat wot hAz hApand bitwIn V?” SI Askt. “wot hAz hI sed
t V? wF dazant hI kam t H hQs?”
<p>
/nytySa did not Ansx hx kwescanz.
<p>
“f /god'z sEk, /sonja, dOnt tel eniwan, dOnt tPcx
mI,” /nytySa intrItad. “rimembx nO wan Yt t intxfC in sac
mAtxz! F hAv kanfFdad in V....”
<p>
“bat wF His sIkrasi? wF dazant hI kam t H hQs?” Askt
/sonja. “wF dazant hI Opanli Ask f jP hAnd? V nO /prins
/AndrM gEv V kamplIt frIdam—if it iz rWli sO; bat F dOnt
bilIv it! /nytySa, hAv V kansidxd wot HIz sIkrat rIzanz kAn
bI?”
<p>
/nytySa lUkt At /sonja wiH astoniSmant. evidentli His kwescan
prizentad itself t hx mFnd f H fxst tFm n SI did not nO hQ
t Ansx it.
<p>
“F dOnt nO wot H rIzanz R. bat HX mast bI rIzanz!”
<p>
/sonja sFd n SUk hx hed inkreJMlasli.
<p>
“if HX wx rIzanz...” SI bigAn.
<p>
bat /nytySa, gesiN hx dQts, intxaptad hx in alRm.
<p>
“/sonja, wan kAnt dQt him! wan kAnt, wan kAnt! dOnt V
andxstAnd?” SI krFd.
<p>
“daz hI lav V?”
<p>
“daz hI lav mI?” /nytySa ripItad wiH a smFl v piti At hx
frend'z lAk v komprihenSan. “wF, V hAv red hiz letx n
V hAv sIn him.”
<p>
“bat if hI iz disonxabal?”
<p>
“hI! disonxabal? if V Onli nM!” iäklEmd /nytySa.
<p>
“if hI iz an onxabal mAn hI SUd FHx diklX hiz intenSanz P
sIs sIiN V; n if V wOnt dM His, F wil. F wil rFt t
him, n F wil tel /pypy!” sed /sonja rezalMtli.
<p>
“bat F kAnt liv wiHQt him!” krFd /nytySa.
<p>
“/nytySa, F dOnt andxstAnd V. n wot R V sEiN! TiNk v
jP fyHx n v /nikalas.”
<p>
“F dOnt wont eniwan, F dOnt lav eniwan bat him. hQ dX V
sE hI iz disonxabal? dOnt V nO HAt F lav him?” skrImd
/nytySa. “gO awE, /sonja! F dOnt wont t kworal wiH V, bat
gO, f /god'z sEk gO! V sI hQ F Am safxiN!” /nytySa krFd
ANgrili, in a vqs v dispX n riprest iritESan. /sonja bxst
intM sobz n rAn from H rMm.
<p>
/nytySa went t H tEbal n wiHQt a mOment's riflekSan rOt
HAt Ansx t /prinsas /mXi wic SI hAd bin anEbal t rFt Yl
H mPniN. in His letx SI sed brIfli HAt Yl HX
misandxstAndiNz wx At an end; HAt avEliN hxself v H
mAgnanimiti v /prins /AndrM hM wen hI went abrYd hAd givan hx hx
frIdam, SI begd /prinsas /mXi t fxget evriTiN n fxgiv hx
if SI hAd bin t blEm tPd hx, bat HAt SI kUd not bI hiz
wFf. At HAt mOment His Yl sImd kwFt Izi, simpal, n klC t
/nytySa.
<p>
<p>
on frFdE H /rOstOfs wx t ritxn t H kantri, bat on wenzdE
H kQnt went wiH H praspektiv pxcasx t hiz istEt nC /moskQ.
<p>
on H dE H kQnt left, /sonja n /nytySa wx invFtad t a big
dinx pRti At H /kRyginz', n /mRja /dmItrievna tUk Hem
HX. At HAt pRti /nytySa agen met /ynatOl, n /sonja nOtist
HAt SI spOk t him, trFiN not t bI Ovxhxd, n HAt Yl TrM
dinx SI woz mP AJitEtad HAn evx. wen HE got hOm /nytySa woz
H fxst t bigin H eäplanESan /sonja iäpektad.
<p>
“HX, /sonja, V wx tYkiN Yl sPts v nonsens abQt him,”
/nytySa bigAn in a mFld vqs sac Az cildran Vz wen HE wiS t bI
prEzd. “wI hAv hAd an eäplanESan tadE.”
<p>
“wel, wot hApand? wot did hI sE? /nytySa, hQ glAd F Am
V'x not ANgri wiH mI! tel mI evriTiN—H hOl trMT. wot
did hI sE?”
<p>
/nytySa bikEm TYtfal.
<p>
“O, /sonja, if V nM him Az F dM! hI sed... hI Askt mI wot F
hAd promist /bOlkOnski. hI woz glAd F woz frI t rifVz him.”
<p>
/sonja sFd sorOfali.
<p>
“bat V hAvant rifVzd /bOlkOnski?” sed SI.
<p>
“pxhAps F hAv. pxhAps Yl iz Ovx bitwIn mI n /bOlkOnski. wF dM
V TiNk sO bAdli v mI?”
<p>
“F dOnt TiNk eniTiN, Onli F dOnt andxstAnd His...”
<p>
“wEt a bit, /sonja, V'l andxstAnd evriTiN. V'l sI wot
a mAn hI iz! nQ dOnt TiNk bAdli v mI P v him. F dOnt TiNk
bAdli v eniwan: F lav n piti evribodi. bat wot Am F t dM?”
<p>
/sonja did not sakam t H tendx tOn /nytySa Vzd tPd hx.
H mP imOSanal n ingrESiEtiN H iäpreSan v /nytySa'z fEs
bikEm, H mP sCWs n stxn grM /sonja'z.
<p>
“/nytySa,” sed SI, “V Askt mI not t spIk t V, n F
hAvant spOkan, bat nQ V jPself hAv bigan. F dOnt trast him,
/nytySa. wF His sIkrasi?”
<p>
“agen, agen!” intxaptad /nytySa.
<p>
“/nytySa, F Am afrEd f V!”
<p>
“afrEd v wot?”
<p>
“F Am afrEd V'x gOiN t jP rMin,” sed /sonja rezalMtli,
n woz hxself horifFd At wot SI hAd sed.
<p>
ANgx agen SOd in /nytySa'z fEs.
<p>
“n F'l gO t mF rMin, F wil, Az sMn Az posabal! it's not
jP biznas! it wOnt bI V, bat F, hM'l safx. lIv mI
alOn, lIv mI alOn! F hEt V!”
<p>
“/nytySa!” mOnd /sonja, agAst.
<p>
“F hEt V, F hEt V! V'x mF enami fxevx!” n /nytySa
rAn Qt v H rMm.
<p>
/nytySa did not spIk t /sonja agen n avqdad hx. wiH H sEm
iäpreSan v AJitEtad sxprFz n gilt SI went abQt H hQs,
tEkiN ap nQ wan okVpESan, nQ anaHx, n At wans abAndaniN Hem.
<p>
hRd Az it woz f /sonja, SI woct hx frend n did not let hx
Qt v hx sFt.
<p>
H dE bifP H kQnt woz t ritxn, /sonja nOtist HAt /nytySa sAt
bF H drYiN rMm windO Yl H mPniN Az if iäpektiN samTiN n
HAt SI mEd a sFn t an ofisx hM drOv pAst, hMm /sonja tUk t
bI /ynatOl.
<p>
/sonja bigAn wociN hx frend stil mP atentivli n nOtist HAt
At dinx n Yl HAt IvniN /nytySa woz in a strEnJ n annAcxal
stEt. SI Ansxd kwescanz At rAndam, bigAn sentansaz SI did not
finiS, n lAft At evriTiN.
<p>
Aftx tI /sonja nOtist a hQsmEd At /nytySa'z dP timidli
wEtiN t let hx pAs. SI let H gxl gO in, n Hen lisaniN At
H dP lxnd HAt anaHx letx hAd bin dilivxd.
<p>
Hen sadanli it bikEm klC t /sonja HAt /nytySa hAd sam dredfal
plAn f HAt IvniN. /sonja nokt At hx dP. /nytySa did not let
hx in.
<p>
“SI wil ran awE wiH him!” TYt /sonja. “SI iz kEpabal v
eniTiN. HX woz samTiN pxtikVlxli paTetik n rezalMt in
hx fEs tadE. SI krFd Az SI sed gUd-bF t /aNkal,” /sonja
rimembxd. “jes, HAt's it, SI mInz t ilOp wiH him, bat
wot Am F t dM?” TYt SI, rikYliN Yl H sFnz HAt klCli
indikEtad HAt /nytySa hAd sam teribal intenSan. “H kQnt iz
awE. wot Am F t dM? rFt t /kMrygin dimAndiN an eäplanESan? bat
wot iz HX t ablFJ him t riplF? rFt t /piX, Az /prins /AndrM
Askt mI t in kEs v sam misfPcMn?... bat pxhAps SI rWli
hAz Ylredi rifVzd /bOlkOnski—SI sent a letx t /prinsas /mXi
jestxdE. n /aNkal iz awE....” t tel /mRja /dmItrievna hM hAd
sac fET in /nytySa sImd t /sonja teribal. “wel, eniwE,”
TYt /sonja Az SI stUd in H dRk pAsiJ, “nQ P nevx F mast
prMv HAt F rimembx H fAmli'z gUdnas t mI n HAt F lav
/nikalas. jes! if F dOnt slIp f TrI nFts F'l not lIv His
pAsiJ n wil hOld hx bAk bF fPs n wil n not let H fAmli
bI disgrEst,” TYt SI.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
/ynatOl hAd lEtli mMvd t /dOlOâOf's. H plAn f /nAtali
/rOstOva'z abdakSan hAd bin xEnJd n H prepxESanz mEd bF
/dOlOâOf a fV dEz bifP, n on H dE HAt /sonja, Aftx lisaniN
At /nytySa'z dP, rizolvd t sEfgRd hx, it woz t hAv bin
pUt intM eäikVSan. /nytySa hAd promist t kam Qt t /kMrygin At H
bAk pPc At ten HAt IvniN. /kMrygin woz t pUt hx intM a trqka
hI wUd hAv redi n t drFv hx fPti mFlz t H viliJ v
/kymenka, wX an anfrokt prIst woz in redinas t pxfPm a
mAriJ serimOni Ovx Hem. At /kymenka a rilE v hPsaz woz t wEt
wic wUd tEk Hem t H /wPsY hFrOd, n from HX HE wUd
hEsan abrYd wiH pOst hPsaz.
<p>
/ynatOl hAd a pAspPt, an Pdx f pOst hPsaz, ten TQzand rMbalz
hI hAd tEkan from hiz sistx n anaHx ten TQzand borOd wiH
/dOlOâOf's help.
<p>
tM witnasaz f H mok mAriJ—/âvOstikOf, a ritFxd peti
afiSal hMm /dOlOâOf mEd Vs v in hiz gAmbaliN trAnzAkSanz, n
/mykRin, a ritFxd hMsR, a kFndli, wIk felO hM hAd an anbQndad
afekSan f /kMrygin—wx sitiN At tI in /dOlOâOf's frant
rMm.
<p>
in hiz lRJ stadi, H wYlz v wic wx haN t H sIliN wiH
/pxZan raã, bXskinz, n wepanz, sAt /dOlOâOf in a trAvaliN klOk
n hF bMts, At an Opan desk on wic lE an Abakas n sam bandalz
v pEpx mani. /ynatOl, wiH VnifPm anbatand, wYkt t n frO from
H rMm wX H witnasaz wx sitiN, TrM H stadi t H rMm
bihFnd, wX hiz /frenc vAlE n aHxz wx pAkiN H lAst v hiz
TiNz. /dOlOâOf woz kQntiN H mani n nOtiN samTiN dQn.
<p>
“wel,” hI sed, “/âvOstikOf mast hAv tM TQzand.”
<p>
“giv it t him, Hen,” sed /ynatOl.
<p>
“/mykRka” (HX nEm f /mykRin) “wil gO TrM fFx n
wYtx f V f naTiN. sO hC R Qx akQnts Yl setald,” sed
/dOlOâOf, SOiN him H memxAndam. “iz HAt rFt?”
<p>
“jes, v kPs,” ritxnd /ynatOl, evidentli not lisaniN t
/dOlOâOf n lUkiN strEt bifP him wiH a smFl HAt did not
lIv hiz fEs.
<p>
/dOlOâOf bANd dQn H lid v hiz desk n txnd t /ynatOl wiH an
Fronik smFl:
<p>
“dM V nO? V'd rWli betx drop it Yl. HX'z stil
tFm!”
<p>
“fMl,” ritPtad /ynatOl. “dOnt tYk nonsens! if V Onli
nM... it's H deval nOz wot!”
<p>
“nO, rWli, giv it ap!” sed /dOlOâOf. “F Am spIkiN
sCWsli. it's nO JOk, His plot V'v hAct.”
<p>
“wot, tIziN agen? gO t H deval! E?” sed /ynatOl, mEkiN a
grimas. “rWli it's nO tFm f jP stMpid JOä,” n hI left
H rMm.
<p>
/dOlOâOf smFld kantempcMasli n kondisendiNli wen /ynatOl hAd
gon Qt.
<p>
“V wEt a bit,” hI kYld Aftx him. “F'm not JOkiN, F'm
tYkiN sens. kam hC, kam hC!”
<p>
/ynatOl ritxnd n lUkt At /dOlOâOf, trFiN t giv him hiz
atenSan n evidentli sabmitiN t him involantXili.
<p>
“nQ lisan t mI. F'm teliN V His f H lAst tFm. wF
SUd F JOk abQt it? did F hindx V? hM xEnJd evriTiN f
V? hM fQnd H prIst n got H pAspPt? hM rEzd H mani? F
did it Yl.”
<p>
“wel, TANk V f it. dM V TiNk F Am not grEtfal?” n
/ynatOl sFd n imbrEst /dOlOâOf.
<p>
“F helpt V, bat Yl H sEm F mast tel V H trMT; it iz a
dEnJxas biznas, n if V TiNk abQt it—a stMpid biznas. wel,
V'l kAri hx of—Yl rFt! wil HE let it stop At HAt? it
wil kam Qt HAt V'x Ylredi mArid. wF, HE'l hAv V in
H kriminal kPt....”
<p>
“O, nonsens, nonsens!” /ynatOl iJAkVlEtad n agen mEd a
grimas. “didant F iäplEn t V? wot?” n /ynatOl, wiH H
pRSiAliti dal-witad pIpal hAv f eni kanklMZan HE hAv rIct
bF HX On rIzaniN, ripItad H RgVmant hI hAd Ylredi pUt t
/dOlOâOf a handrad tFmz. “didant F iäplEn t V HAt F hAv kam
t His kanklMZan: if His mAriJ iz invAlid,” hI went on, krUkiN
wan fiNgx, “Hen F hAv naTiN t Ansx f; bat if it iz vAlid, nO
mAtx! abrYd nO wan wil nO eniTiN abQt it. izant HAt sO? n
dOnt tYk t mI, dOnt, dOnt.”
<p>
“sCWsli, V'd betx drop it! V'l Onli get jPself intM a
mes!”
<p>
“gO t H deval!” krFd /ynatOl n, klaciN hiz hX, left H
rMm, bat ritxnd At wans n dropt intM an RmcX in frant v
/dOlOâOf wiH hiz fIt txnd andx him. “it's H veri deval!
wot? fIl hQ it bIts!” hI tUk /dOlOâOf's hAnd n pUt it on hiz
hRt. “wot a fUt, mF dC felO! wot a glAns! a godas!” hI
Adad in /frenc. “wot?”
<p>
/dOlOâOf wiH a kOld smFl n a glIm in hiz hAndsam insalant Fz
lUkt At him—evidentli wiSiN t get sam mP amVzmant Qt v him.
<p>
“wel n wen H mani'z gon, wot Hen?”
<p>
“wot Hen? E?” ripItad /ynatOl, sinsCli pxpleät bF a TYt
v H fVcx. “wot Hen?... Hen, F dOnt nO.... bat wF tYk
nonsens!” hI glAnst At hiz woc. “it's tFm!”
<p>
/ynatOl went intM H bAk rMm.
<p>
“nQ Hen! nCli redi? V'x dYdaliN!” hI SQtad t H
sxvants.
<p>
/dOlOâOf pUt awE H mani, kYld a fUtman hMm hI Pdxd t briN
samTiN f Hem t It n driNk bifP H Jxni, n went intM
H rMm wX /âvOstikOf n /mykRin wx sitiN.
<p>
/ynatOl lE on H sOfa in H stadi lIniN on hiz elbO n smFliN
pensivli, wFl hiz hAndsam lips matxd tendxli t himself.
<p>
“kam n It samTiN. hAv a driNk!” /dOlOâOf SQtad t him
from H aHx rMm.
<p>
“F dOnt wont t,” Ansxd /ynatOl kantinViN t smFl.
<p>
“kam! /bylagy iz hC.”
<p>
/ynatOl rOz n went intM H dFniN rMm. /bylagy woz a fEmas trqka
drFvx hM hAd nOn /dOlOâOf n /ynatOl sam siä jCz n hAd givan
Hem gUd sxvis wiH hiz trqkaz. mP HAn wans wen /ynatOl'z
reJimant woz stESand At /tver hI hAd tEkan him from /tver in H
IvniN, brYt him t /moskQ bF dEbrEk, n drivan him bAk agen
H neät nFt. mP HAn wans hI hAd inEbald /dOlOâOf t iskEp wen
pxsMd. mP HAn wans hI hAd drivan Hem TrM H tQn wiH Jipsiz
n “lEdikinz” Az hI kYld H kakots. mP HAn wans in HX
sxvis hI hAd ran Ovx pidestrWnz n apset vIikalz in H strIts
v /moskQ n hAd YlwEz bin pratektad from H konsikwansaz bF “mF
Jentalmen” Az hI kYld Hem. hI hAd rMind mP HAn wan hPs in
HX sxvis. mP HAn wans HE hAd bItan him, n mP HAn wans
HE hAd mEd him draNk on SAmpEn n /mydXa, wic hI lavd; n
hI nM mP HAn wan TiN abQt Ic v Hem wic wUd loN agO hAv
sent an PdinXi mAn t /sFbCW. HE oftan kYld /bylagy intM HX
PJiz n mEd him driNk n dAns At H Jipsiz', n mP HAn wan
TQzand rMbalz v HX mani hAd pAst TrM hiz hAndz. in HX
sxvis hI riskt hiz skin n hiz lFf twenti tFmz a jC, n in
HX sxvis hAd lost mP hPsaz HAn H mani hI hAd from Hem wUd
bF. bat hI lFkt Hem; lFkt HAt mAd drFviN At twelv mFlz an Qx,
lFkt apsetiN a drFvx P raniN dQn a pidestrWn, n flFiN At
fUl gAlap TrM H /moskQ strIts. hI lFkt t hC HOz wFld,
tipsi SQts bihFnd him: “get on! get on!” wen it woz imposabal
t gO eni fAstx. hI lFkt giviN a pEnfal lAS on H nek t sam
pezant hM, mP ded HAn alFv, woz Ylredi hariiN Qt v hiz wE.
“rWl Jentalmen!” hI kansidxd Hem.
<p>
/ynatOl n /dOlOâOf lFkt /bylagy tM f hiz mAstxli drFviN n
bikoz hI lFkt H TiNz HE lFkt. wiH aHxz /bylagy bRgind,
cRJiN twenti-fFv rMbalz f a tM Qxz' drFv, n rXli
drOv himself, Jenxali letiN hiz jaN men dM sO. bat wiH “hiz
Jentalmen” hI YlwEz drOv himself n nevx dimAndad eniTiN f
hiz wxk. Onli a kapal v tFmz a jC—wen hI nM from HX vAlEz
HAt HE hAd mani in hAnd—hI wUd txn ap v a mPniN kwFt sObx
n wiH a dIp bQ wUd Ask Hem t help him. H Jentalmen YlwEz
mEd him sit dQn.
<p>
“dM help mI Qt, /TWdP /ivynic, sx,” P “jP eäalansi,”
hI wUd sE. “F Am kwFt Qt v hPsaz. let mI hAv wot V kAn t
gO t H fX.”
<p>
n /ynatOl n /dOlOâOf, wen HE hAd mani, wUd giv him a
TQzand P a kapal v TQzand rMbalz.
<p>
/bylagy woz a fX-hXd, SPt, n snab-nOzd pezant v abQt
twenti-sevan; red-fEst, wiH a pxtikVlxli red Tik nek, glitxiN
lital Fz, n a smYl bCd. hI wP a fFn, dRk-blM, silk-lFnd
kloT kOt Ovx a SIpskin.
<p>
on entxiN H rMm nQ hI krost himself, txniN tPd H frant
kPnx v H rMm, n went ap t /dOlOâOf, hOldiN Qt a smYl, blAk
hAnd.
<p>
“/TWdP /ivynic!” hI sed, bQiN.
<p>
“hQ d'V dM, frend? wel, hC hI iz!”
<p>
“gUd dE, jP eäalansi!” hI sed, agen hOldiN Qt hiz hAnd t
/ynatOl hM hAd Jast kam in.
<p>
“F sE, /bylagy,” sed /ynatOl, pUtiN hiz hAndz on H mAn'z
SOldxz, “dM V kX f mI P not? E? nQ, dM mI a sxvis....
wot hPsaz hAv V kam wiH? E?”
<p>
“Az jP mesinJx Pdxd, jP speSal bIsts,” riplFd /bylagy.
<p>
“wel, lisan, /bylagy! drFv Yl TrI t deT bat get mI HX in
TrI Qxz. E?”
<p>
“wen HE R ded, wot SAl F drFv?” sed /bylagy wiH a wiNk.
<p>
“mFnd, F'l smAS jP fEs in! dOnt mEk JOä!” krFd
/ynatOl, sadanli rOliN hiz Fz.
<p>
“wF JOk?” sed H drFvx, lAfiN. “Az if F'd graJ mF
Jentalmen eniTiN! Az fAst Az evx H hPsaz kAn gAlap, sO fAst
wI'l gO!”
<p>
“y!” sed /ynatOl. “wel, sit dQn.”
<p>
“jes, sit dQn!” sed /dOlOâOf.
<p>
“F'l stAnd, /TWdP /ivynic.”
<p>
“sit dQn; nonsens! hAv a driNk!” sed /ynatOl, n fild a lRJ
glAs v /mydXa f him.
<p>
H drFvx'z Fz spRkald At H sFt v H wFn. Aftx rifVziN
it f mAnxz' sEk, hI drANk it n wFpt hiz mQT wiH a red silk
hANkxcif hI tUk Qt v hiz kAp.
<p>
“n wen R wI t stRt, jP eäalansi?”
<p>
“wel...” /ynatOl lUkt At hiz woc. “wI'l stRt At wans.
mFnd, /bylagy! V'l get HX in tFm? E?”
<p>
“HAt dipendz on Qx lak in stRtiN, els wF SUdant wI bI
HX in tFm?” riplFd /bylagy. “didant wI get V t /tver in
sevan Qxz? F TiNk V rimembx HAt, jP eäalansi?”
<p>
“dM V nO, wan /krismas F drOv from /tver,” sed /ynatOl,
smFliNli At H rekalekSan n txniN t /mykRin hM gEzd
rApcxasli At him wiH wFd-Opan Fz. “wil V bilIv it,
/mykRka, it tUk wan'z breT awE, H rEt wI flM. wI kEm akros
a trEn v lOdad slEz n drOv rFt Ovx tM v Hem. E?”
<p>
“HOz wx hPsaz!” /bylagy kantinVd H tEl. “HAt tFm F'd
hRnast tM jaN sFd hPsaz wiH H bE in H SAfts,” hI went
on, txniN t /dOlOâOf. “wil V bilIv it, /TWdP /ivynic,
HOz Animalz flM fPti mFlz? F kUdant hOld Hem in, mF hAndz grM
nam in H SRp frost sO HAt F TrM dQn H rEnz—'/kAc hOld
jPself, jP eäalansi!' sez F, n F Jast tambald on H botam
v H slE n sprYld HX. it wozant a kEs v xJiN Hem on,
HX woz nO hOldiN Hem in til wI rIct H plEs. H devalz tUk
as HX in TrI Qxz! Onli H nC wan dFd v it.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/ynatOl went Qt v H rMm n ritxnd a fV minits lEtx wXiN
a fx kOt gxt wiH a silvx belt, n a sEbal kAp JYntili set on wan
sFd n veri bikamiN t hiz hAndsam fEs. hAviN lUkt in a mirx,
n stAndiN bifP /dOlOâOf in H sEm pOz hI hAd asMmd bifP it,
hI liftad a glAs v wFn.
<p>
“wel, gUd-bF, /TWdP. TANk V f evriTiN n fXwel!” sed
/ynatOl. “wel, komrAdz n frendz...” hI kansidxd f a mOment “...
v mF VT, fXwel!” hI sed, txniN t /mykRin n H aHxz.
<p>
HO HE wx Yl gOiN wiH him, /ynatOl evidentli wiSt t mEk
samTiN taciN n solam Qt v His adres t hiz komrAdz. hI
spOk slOli in a lQd vqs n TrOiN Qt hiz cest slFtli swEd
wan leg.
<p>
“Yl tEk glAsaz; V tM, /bylagy. wel, komrAdz n frendz v mF
VT, wI'v hAd Qx fliN n livd n revald. E? n nQ, wen
SAl wI mIt agen? F Am gOiN abrYd. wI hAv hAd a gUd tFm—nQ
fXwel, lAdz! t Qx helT! hxy!...” hI krFd, n emptiiN hiz
glAs flaN it on H flP.
<p>
“t jP helT!” sed /bylagy hM YlsO emptid hiz glAs, n wFpt hiz
mQT wiH hiz hANkxcif.
<p>
/mykRin imbrEst /ynatOl wiH tCz in hiz Fz.
<p>
“y, /prins, hQ sori F Am t pRt from V!
<p>
“let's gO. let's gO!” krFd /ynatOl.
<p>
/bylagy woz abQt t lIv H rMm.
<p>
“nO, stop!” sed /ynatOl. “Sat H dP; wI hAv fxst t sit dQn.
HAt's H wE.”
<p>
HE Sat H dP n Yl sAt dQn.
<p>
“nQ, kwik mRc, lAdz!” sed /ynatOl, rFziN.
<p>
/JOzif, hiz vAlE, hAndad him hiz sEbxItEk n sEbx, n HE Yl
went Qt intM H vestibVl.
<p>
“n wX'z H fx klOk?” Askt /dOlOâOf. “hE, /ignytka! gO t
/mytrjOna /mytrevna n Ask hx f H sEbal klOk. F hAv hxd wot
ilOpmants R lFk,” kantinVd /dOlOâOf wiH a wiNk. “wF, SI'l raS
Qt mP ded HAn alFv Jast in H TiNz SI iz wXiN; if V dilE
At Yl HX'l bI tCz n '/pypy' n '/mymy,' n SI'z frOzan in a
minit n mast gO bAk—bat V rAp H fx klOk rQnd hx fxst TiN
n kAri hx t H slE.”
<p>
H vAlE brYt a wUman'z foä-lFnd klOk.
<p>
“fMl, F tOld V H sEbal wan! hE, /mytrjOna, H sEbal!” hI SQtad sO
HAt hiz vqs rAN fR TrM H rMmz.
<p>
a hAndsam, slim, n pEl-fEst Jipsi gxl wiH glitxiN blAk Fz
n kxli blM-blAk hX, wXiN a red SYl, rAn Qt wiH a sEbal
mAntal on hx Rm.
<p>
“hC, F dOnt graJ it—tEk it!” SI sed, evidentli afrEd v hx
mAstx n jet rigretfal v hx klOk.
<p>
/dOlOâOf, wiHQt AnsxiN, tUk H klOk, TrM it Ovx /mytrjOna, n
rApt hx ap in it.
<p>
“HAt's H wE,” sed /dOlOâOf, “n Hen sO!” n hI txnd H kolx
ap rQnd hx hed, lIviN Onli a lital v H fEs ankavxd. “n
Hen sO, dM V sI?” n hI pUSt /ynatOl'z hed fPwxd t mIt H
gAp left bF H kolx, TrM wic /mytrjOna'z brilWnt smFl woz
sIn.
<p>
“wel, gUd-bF, /mytrjOna,” sed /ynatOl, kisiN hx. “y, mF revalz hC
R Ovx. rimembx mI t /steSka. HX, gUd-bF! gUd-bF, /mytrjOna, wiS
mI lak!”
<p>
“wel, /prins, mE /god giv V grEt lak!” sed /mytrjOna in hx Jipsi
Aäent.
<p>
tM trqkaz wx stAndiN bifP H pPc n tM jaN drFvxz wx
hOldiN H hPsaz. /bylagy tUk hiz sIt in H frant wan n hOldiN
hiz elbOz hF xEnJd H rEnz dilibxatli. /ynatOl n /dOlOâOf
got in wiH him. /mykRin, /âvOstikOf, n a vAlE sItad Hemselvz in
H aHx slE.
<p>
“wel, R V redi?” Askt /bylagy.
<p>
“gO!” hI krFd, twistiN H rEnz rQnd hiz hAndz, n H trqka tP
dQn H /nikitski /bMlavRd.
<p>
“/tprM! get Qt v H wE! hF!... /tprM!...” H SQtiN v /bylagy
n v H stxdi jaN felO sItad on H boä woz Yl HAt kUd
bI hxd. on H /Rbyt /skwX H trqka kYt agenst a kAriJ;
samTiN krAkt, SQts wx hxd, n H trqka flM aloN H
/Rbyt /strIt.
<p>
Aftx tEkiN a txn aloN H /pOdnOvinski /bMlavRd, /bylagy bigAn t
rEn in, n txniN bAk drM ap At H krosiN v H Old /kOnVSani
/strIt.
<p>
H jaN felO on H boä Jampt dQn t hOld H hPsaz n /ynatOl
n /dOlOâOf went aloN H pEvmant. wen HE rIct H gEt
/dOlOâOf wisald. H wisal woz Ansxd, n a mEdsxvant rAn Qt.
<p>
“kam intM H kPtjRd P V'l bI sIn; SI'l kam Qt direktli,”
sed SI.
<p>
/dOlOâOf stEd bF H gEt. /ynatOl folOd H mEd intM H
kPtjRd, txnd H kPnx, n rAn ap intM H pPc.
<p>
hI woz met bF /gEbrWl, /mRja /dmItrievna'z JFgAntik fUtman.
<p>
“kam t H mistras, plIz,” sed H fUtman in hiz dIp bEs,
intxseptiN eni ritrIt.
<p>
“t wot /mistras? hM R V?” Askt /ynatOl in a breTlas wispx.
<p>
“kFndli step in, mF Pdxz R t briN V in.”
<p>
“/kMrygin! kam bAk!” SQtad /dOlOâOf. “bitrEd! bAk!”
<p>
/dOlOâOf, Aftx /ynatOl entxd, hAd rimEnd At H wikat gEt n woz
stragaliN wiH H jRd pPtx hM woz trFiN t lok it. wiH a lAst
despxat efxt /dOlOâOf pUSt H pPtx asFd, n wen /ynatOl rAn
bAk sIzd him bF H Rm, pUld him TrM H wikat, n rAn bAk
wiH him t H trqka.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
/mRja /dmItrievna, hAviN fQnd /sonja wIpiN in H koridP, mEd hx
kanfes evriTiN, n intxseptiN H nOt t /nytySa SI red it n
went intM /nytySa'z rMm wiH it in hx hAnd.
<p>
“V SEmlas gUd-f-naTiN!” sed SI. “F wOnt hC a wxd.”
<p>
pUSiN bAk /nytySa hM lUkt At hx wiH astoniSt bat tClas
Fz, SI lokt hx in; n hAviN givan Pdxz t H jRd pPtx t
admit H pxsanz hM wUd bI kamiN HAt IvniN, bat not t let Hem
Qt agen, n hAviN tOld H fUtman t briN Hem ap t hx, SI
sItad hxself in H drYiN rMm t awEt H abdaktxz.
<p>
wen /gEbrWl kEm t infPm hx HAt H men hM hAd kam hAd ran
awE agen, SI rOz frQniN, n klAspiN hx hAndz bihFnd hx pEst
TrM H rMmz a loN tFm kansidxiN wot SI SUd dM. tPd
midnFt SI went t /nytySa'z rMm fiNgxiN H kI in hx pokat.
/sonja woz sitiN sobiN in H koridP. “/mRja /dmItrievna, f /god'z
sEk let mI in t hx!” SI plIdad, bat /mRja /dmItrievna anlokt
H dP n went in wiHQt giviN hx an Ansx.... “disgastiN,
abominabal... in mF hQs... horid gxl, hasi! F'm Onli sori f hx
fyHx!” TYt SI, trFiN t ristrEn hx rAT. “hRd Az it mE
bI, F'l tel Hem Yl t hOld HX taNz n wil hFd it from H
kQnt.” SI entxd H rMm wiH rezalMt steps. /nytySa lFiN on H
sOfa, hx hed hidan in hx hAndz, n SI did not stx. SI woz in
Jast H sEm paziSan in wic /mRja /dmItrievna hAd left hx.
<p>
“a nFs gxl! veri nFs!” sed /mRja /dmItrievna. “xEnJiN mItiNz
wiH lavxz in mF hQs! it's nO Vs pritendiN: V lisan wen F spIk
t V!” n /mRja /dmItrievna tact hx Rm. “lisan wen F spIk!
V'v disgrEst jPself lFk H lOast v hasiz. F'd trIt V
difxantli, bat F'm sori f jP fyHx, sO F wil kansIl it.”
<p>
/nytySa did not cEnJ hx paziSan, bat hx hOl bodi hIvd wiH
nqzlas, kanvalsiv sobz wic cOkt hx. /mRja /dmItrievna glAnst
rQnd At /sonja n sItad hxself on H sOfa bisFd /nytySa.
<p>
“it's laki f him HAt hI iskEpt mI; bat F'l fFnd him!” SI sed in
hx raf vqs. “dM V hC wot F Am sEiN P not?” SI Adad.
<p>
SI pUt hx lRJ hAnd andx /nytySa'z fEs n txnd it tPd hx.
bOT /mRja /dmItrievna n /sonja wx amEzd wen HE sY hQ /nytySa
lUkt. hx Fz wx drF n glisaniN, hx lips kamprest, hx
cIä saNkan.
<p>
“let mI bI!... wot iz it t mI?... F SAl dF!” SI matxd,
renciN hxself from /mRja /dmItrievna'z hAndz wiH a viSas efxt
n siNkiN dQn agen intM hx fPmx paziSan.
<p>
“/nAtali!” sed /mRja /dmItrievna. “F wiS f jP gUd. lF stil,
stE lFk HAt Hen, F wOnt tac V. bat lisan. F wOnt tel V hQ
gilti V R. V nO HAt jPself. bat wen jP fyHx kamz bAk
tamorO wot Am F t tel him? E?”
<p>
agen /nytySa'z bodi SUk wiH sobz.
<p>
“sapOz hI fFndz Qt, n jP braHx, n jP bitrOHd?”
<p>
“F hAv nO bitrOHd: F hAv rifVzd him!” krFd /nytySa.
<p>
“HAt's Yl H sEm,” kantinVd /mRja /dmItrievna. “if HE hC v
His, wil HE let it pAs? hI, jP fyHx, F nO him... if hI
cAlanJaz him t a dMal wil HAt bI Yl rFt? E?”
<p>
“O, let mI bI! wF hAv V intxfCd At Yl? wF? wF? hM Askt
V t?” SQtad /nytySa, rEziN hxself on H sOfa n lUkiN
malignantli At /mRja /dmItrievna.
<p>
“bat wot did V wont?” krFd /mRja /dmItrievna, grOiN ANgri agen.
“wx V kept andx lok n kI? hM hindxd hiz kamiN t H hQs?
wF kAri V of Az if V wx sam Jipsi siNiN gxl?... wel, if hI
hAd kArid V of... dM V TiNk HE wUdant hAv fQnd him?
jP fyHx, P braHx, P jP bitrOHd? n hI'z a skQndral, a
rec—HAt's a fAkt!”
<p>
“hI iz betx HAn eni v V!” iäklEmd /nytySa getiN ap. “if V
hAdant intxfCd... O, mF /god! wot iz it Yl? wot iz it? /sonja,
wF?... gO awE!”
<p>
n SI bxst intM sobz wiH H dispXiN vWmans wiH wic pIpal
biwEl dizAstxz HE fIl HE hAv Hemselvz akEZand. /mRja
/dmItrievna woz t spIk agen bat /nytySa krFd Qt:
<p>
“gO awE! gO awE! V Yl hEt n dispFz mI!” n SI TrM hxself
bAk on H sOfa.
<p>
/mRja /dmItrievna went on AdmoniSiN hx f sam tFm, inJqniN on hx
HAt it mast Yl bI kept from hx fyHx n aSUxiN hx HAt nObodi
wUd nO eniTiN abQt it if Onli /nytySa hxself wUd andxtEk
t fxget it Yl n not let eniwan sI HAt samTiN hAd hApand.
/nytySa did not riplF, nP did SI sob eni loNgx, bat SI grM kOld
n hAd a SivxiN fit. /mRja /dmItrievna pUt a pilO andx hx hed,
kavxd hx wiH tM kwilts, n hxself brYt hx sam lFm-flQx
wYtx, bat /nytySa did not rispond t hx.
<p>
“wel, let hx slIp,” sed /mRja /dmItrievna Az SI went Qt v H rMm
sapOziN /nytySa t bI aslIp.
<p>
bat /nytySa woz not aslIp; wiH pEl fEs n fiät wFd-Opan Fz SI
lUkt strEt bifP hx. Yl HAt nFt SI did not slIp P wIp n
did not spIk t /sonja hM got ap n went t hx sevxal tFmz.
<p>
neät dE /kQnt /rOstOf ritxnd from hiz istEt nC /moskQ in tFm f
lanc Az hI hAd promist. hI woz in veri gUd spirits; H afX wiH
H pxcasx woz gOiN on sAtisfAktxili, n HX woz naTiN t kIp
him eni loNgx in /moskQ, awE from H kQntas hMm hI mist. /mRja
/dmItrievna met him n tOld him HAt /nytySa hAd bin veri anwel H
dE bifP n HAt HE hAd sent f H doktx, bat HAt SI woz
betx nQ. /nytySa hAd not left hx rMm HAt mPniN. wiH kamprest
n pRct lips n drF fiät Fz, SI sAt At H windO, anIzili
wociN H pIpal hM drOv pAst n haridli glAnsiN rQnd At
eniwan hM entxd H rMm. SI woz evidentli iäpektiN nMz v him n
HAt hI wUd kam P wUd rFt t hx.
<p>
wen H kQnt kEm t sI hx SI txnd ANkSasli rQnd At H sQnd
v a mAn'z fUtstep, n Hen hx fEs rizMmd its kOld n malevalant
iäpreSan. SI did not Ivan get ap t grIt him. “wot iz H mAtx
wiH V, mF EnJal? R V il?” Askt H kQnt.
<p>
Aftx a mOment's sFlans /nytySa Ansxd: “jes, il.”
<p>
in riplF t H kQnt's ANkSas inkwFxiz Az t wF SI woz sO diJektad
n weHx eniTiN hAd hApand t hx bitrOHd, SI aSUxd him
HAt naTiN hAd hApand n Askt him not t wari. /mRja /dmItrievna
kanfxmd /nytySa'z aSUxansaz HAt naTiN hAd hApand. from
H prItens v ilnas, from hiz dYtx'z distres, n bF H
imbArast fEsaz v /sonja n /mRja /dmItrievna, H kQnt sY klCli
HAt samTiN hAd gon roN dxiN hiz Absans, bat it woz sO teribal
f him t TiNk HAt eniTiN disgrEsfal hAd hApand t hiz bilavad
dYtx, n hI sO prFzd hiz On cCfal trANkwiliti, HAt hI
avqdad inkwFxiz n trFd t aSUx himself HAt naTiN pxtikVlxli
hAd hApand; n hI woz Onli dissAtisfFd HAt hx indispaziSan
dilEd HX ritxn t H kantri.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
from H dE hiz wFf xFvd in /moskQ /piX hAd bin intendiN t gO
awE samwX, sO Az not t bI nC hx. sMn Aftx H /rOstOfs kEm
t /moskQ H ifekt /nytySa hAd on him mEd him hEsan t kAri Qt
hiz intenSan. hI went t /tver t sI /JOzif /yleäEevic'az widO, hM
hAd loN sins promist t hAnd Ovx t him sam pEpxz v hx disIst
hazband'z.
<p>
wen hI ritxnd t /moskQ /piX woz hAndad a letx from /mRja
/dmItrievna AskiN him t kam n sI hx on a mAtx v grEt
impPtans rilEtiN t /AndrM /bOlkOnski n hiz bitrOHd. /piX hAd
bin avqdiN /nytySa bikoz it sImd t him HAt hiz fIliN f hx
woz stroNgx HAn a mArid mAn'z SUd bI f hiz frend'z fionsE.
jet sam fEt konstantli TrM Hem tageHx.
<p>
“wot kAn hAv hApand? n wot kAn HE wont wiH mI?” TYt hI
Az hI drest t gO t /mRja /dmItrievna'z. “if Onli /prins /AndrM wUd
hari ap n kam n mAri hx!” TYt hI on hiz wE t H hQs.
<p>
on H /tverskq /bMlavRd a familC vqs kYld t him.
<p>
“/piX! bin bAk loN?” samwan SQtad. /piX rEzd hiz hed. in
a slE drYn bF tM grE trotiN-hPsaz HAt wx bispAtxiN H
dASbPd wiH snO, /ynatOl n hiz konstant kampAnjan /mykRin dASt
pAst. /ynatOl woz sitiN aprFt in H klAsik pOz v militXi
dAndiz, H lOx pRt v hiz fEs hidan bF hiz bIvx kolx n hiz
hed slFtli bent. hiz fEs woz freS n rOzi, hiz wFt-plMmd hAt,
tiltad t wan sFd, disklOzd hiz kxld n pamydad hX bispriNkald
wiH pQdxi snO.
<p>
“jes, indId, HAt's a trM sEJ,” TYt /piX. “hI sIz naTiN
bijond H pleZx v H mOment, naTiN trabalz him n sO hI iz
YlwEz cCfal, sAtisfFd, n sxIn. wot wUdant F giv t bI lFk
him!” hI TYt envWsli.
<p>
in /mRja /dmItrievna'z AntirMm H fUtman hM helpt him of wiH hiz
fx kOt sed HAt H mistras Askt him t kam t hx bedrMm.
<p>
wen hI Opand H bYlrMm dP /piX sY /nytySa sitiN At H
windO, wiH a Tin, pEl, n spFtfal fEs. SI glAnst rQnd At him,
frQnd, n left H rMm wiH an iäpreSan v kOld digniti.
<p>
“wot hAz hApand?” Askt /piX, entxiN /mRja /dmItrievna'z rMm.
<p>
“fFn dMiNz!” Ansxd /dmItrievna. “f fifti-Et jCz hAv F livd
in His wxld n nevx nOn eniTiN sO disgrEsfal!”
<p>
n hAviN pUt him on hiz onx not t ripIt eniTiN SI tOld him,
/mRja /dmItrievna infPmd him HAt /nytySa hAd rifVzd /prins /AndrM
wiHQt hx pXants' noliJ n HAt H kYz v His woz /ynatOl
/kMrygin intM hMz sasFati /piX'z wFf hAd TrOn hx n wiH hMm
/nytySa hAd trFd t ilOp dxiN hx fyHx'z Absans, in Pdx t bI
mArid sIkratli.
<p>
/piX rEzd hiz SOldxz n lisand Opan-mQHd t wot woz tOld
him, skXsli Ebal t bilIv hiz On Cz. HAt /prins /AndrM'z
dIpli lavd afFanst wFf—H sEm /nytySa /rOstOva hM Vst t bI sO
cRmiN—SUd giv ap /bOlkOnski f HAt fMl /ynatOl hM woz Ylredi
sIkratli mArid (Az /piX nM), n SUd bI sO in lav wiH him Az
t agrI t ran awE wiH him, woz samTiN /piX kUd not kansIv
n kUd not imAJin.
<p>
hI kUd not rekansFl H cRmiN impreSan hI hAd v /nytySa, hMm
hI hAd nOn from a cFld, wiH His nM kansepSan v hx bEsnas,
foli, n krMalti. hI TYt v hiz wFf. “HE R Yl alFk!” hI
sed t himself, riflektiN HAt hI woz not H Onli mAn anfPcanat
inaf t bI tFd t a bAd wUman. bat stil hI pitid /prins /AndrM t
H pqnt v tCz n simpaTFzd wiH hiz wMndad prFd, n H mP
hI pitid hiz frend H mP did hI TiNk wiH kantempt n Ivan wiH
disgast v HAt /nytySa hM hAd Jast pAst him in H bYlrMm wiH
sac a lUk v kOld digniti. hI did not nO HAt /nytySa'z sOl woz
OvxflOiN wiH dispX, SEm, n hVmiliESan, n HAt it woz not
hx fYlt HAt hx fEs hApand t asMm an iäpreSan v kym digniti
n siveriti.
<p>
“bat hQ get mArid?” sed /piX, in Ansx t /mRja /dmItrievna. “hI
kUd not mAri—hI iz mArid!”
<p>
“TiNz get wxs from Qx t Qx!” iJAkVlEtad /mRja /dmItrievna. “a
nFs VT! wot a skQndral! n SI'z iäpektiN him—iäpektiN him
sins jestxdE. SI mast bI tOld! Hen At lIst SI wOnt gO on
iäpektiN him.”
<p>
Aftx hCiN H dItElz v /ynatOl'z mAriJ from /piX, n giviN
vent t hx ANgx agenst /ynatOl in wxdz v abVs, /mRja /dmItrievna
tOld /piX wF SI hAd sent f him. SI woz afrEd HAt H kQnt P
/bOlkOnski, hM mFt xFv At eni mOment, if HE nM v His afX
(wic SI hOpt t hFd from Hem) mFt cAlanJ /ynatOl t a dMal,
n SI HXfP Askt /piX t tel hiz braHx-in-lY in hx nEm t
lIv /moskQ n not dX t let hx set Fz on him agen. /piX—Onli
nQ rWlFziN H dEnJx t H Old kQnt, /nikalas, n /prins
/AndrM—promist t dM Az SI wiSt. hAviN brIfli n iãAktli
iäplEnd hx wiSaz t him, SI let him gO t H drYiN rMm.
<p>
“mFnd, H kQnt nOz naTiN. bihEv Az if V nO naTiN FHx,”
SI sed. “n F wil gO n tel hx it iz nO Vs iäpektiN him! n
stE t dinx if V kX t!” SI kYld Aftx /piX.
<p>
/piX met H Old kQnt, hM sImd nxvas n apset. HAt mPniN
/nytySa hAd tOld him HAt SI hAd riJektad /bOlkOnski.
<p>
“trabalz, trabalz, mF dC felO!” hI sed t /piX. “wot trabalz
wan hAz wiH HIz gxlz wiHQt HX maHx! F dM sO rigret hAviN
kam hC.... F wil bI frANk wiH V. hAv V hxd SI hAz brOkan
of hx ingEJmant wiHQt kansaltiN enibodi? it's trM His ingEJmant
nevx woz mac t mF lFkiN. v kPs hI iz an eäalant mAn, bat
stil, wiH hiz fyHx'z disaprMval HE wUdant hAv bin hApi, n
/nytySa wOnt lAk sMtxz. stil, it hAz bin gOiN on sO loN, n
t tEk sac a step wiHQt fyHx'z P maHx'z kansent! n nQ SI'z
il, n /god nOz wot! it's hRd, /kQnt, hRd t mAniJ dYtxz in
HX maHx'z Absans....”
<p>
/piX sY HAt H kQnt woz mac apset n trFd t cEnJ H
sabJekt, bat H kQnt ritxnd t hiz trabalz.
<p>
/sonja entxd H rMm wiH an AJitEtad fEs.
<p>
“/nytySa iz not kwFt wel; SI'z in hx rMm n wUd lFk t sI V.
/mRja /dmItrievna iz wiH hx n SI tM Asä V t kam.”
<p>
“jes, V R a grEt frend v /bOlkOnski'z, nO dQt SI wonts t send
him a mesiJ,” sed H kQnt. “O dC! O dC! hQ hApi it Yl
woz!”
<p>
n klaciN H spX grE loä on hiz tempalz H kQnt left H
rMm.
<p>
wen /mRja /dmItrievna tOld /nytySa HAt /ynatOl woz mArid, /nytySa
did not wiS t bilIv it n insistad on hAviN it kanfxmd bF /piX
himself. /sonja tOld /piX His Az SI led him aloN H koridP t
/nytySa'z rMm.
<p>
/nytySa, pEl n stxn, woz sitiN bisFd /mRja /dmItrievna, n hx
Fz, glitxiN fIvxiSli, met /piX wiH a kwescaniN lUk H
mOment hI entxd. SI did not smFl P nod, bat Onli gEzd fiäadli At
him, n hx lUk Askt Onli wan TiN: woz hI a frend, P lFk H
aHxz an enami in rigRd t /ynatOl? Az f /piX, hI evidentli did
not iãist f hx.
<p>
“hI nOz Yl abQt it,” sed /mRja /dmItrievna pqntiN t /piX n
adresiN /nytySa. “let him tel V weHx F hAv tOld H trMT.”
<p>
/nytySa lUkt from wan t H aHx Az a hantad n wMndad Animal
lUä At H aprOciN doã n spPtsmen.
<p>
“/nytylW /ilinicna,” /piX bigAn, dropiN hiz Fz wiH a fIliN v
piti f hx n lOHiN f H TiN hI hAd t dM, “weHx it iz
trM P not SUd mEk nO difxans t V, bikoz...”
<p>
“Hen it iz not trM HAt hI'z mArid!”
<p>
“jes, it iz trM.”
<p>
“hAz hI bin mArid loN?” SI Askt. “on jP onx?...”
<p>
/piX gEv hiz wxd v onx.
<p>
“iz hI stil hC?” SI Askt, kwikli.
<p>
“jes, F hAv Jast sIn him.”
<p>
SI woz evidentli anEbal t spIk n mEd a sFn wiH hx hAndz HAt
HE SUd lIv hx alOn.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
/piX did not stE f dinx, bat left H rMm n went awE At wans.
hI drOv TrM H tQn sIkiN /ynatOl /kMrygin, At H TYt v
hMm nQ H blad raSt t hiz hRt n hI felt a difikalti in
brIHiN. hI woz not At H Fs hilz, nP At H Jipsiz', nP At
/kOmOnenO'z. /piX drOv t H /klab. in H /klab Yl woz gOiN on Az
VZMal. H membxz hM wx asembaliN f dinx wx sitiN abQt
in grMps; HE grItad /piX n spOk v H tQn nMz. H fUtman
hAviN grItad him, nOiN hiz hAbits n hiz akwEntansaz, tOld him
HX woz a plEs left f him in H smYl dFniN rMm n HAt /prins
/mFkal /zyâRic woz in H lFbrXi, bat /pYl /timOfEevic hAd not jet
xFvd. wan v /piX'z akwEntansaz, wFl HE wx tYkiN abQt
H weHx, Askt if hI hAd hxd v /kMrygin'z abdakSan v /rOstOva
wic woz tYkt v in H tQn, n woz it trM? /piX lAft n
sed it woz nonsens f hI hAd Jast kam from H /rOstOfs'. hI Askt
evriwan abQt /ynatOl. wan mAn tOld him hI hAd not kam jet, n
anaHx HAt hI woz kamiN t dinx. /piX felt it strEnJ t sI His
kym, indifxant krQd v pIpal anawX v wot woz gOiN on in hiz
sOl. hI pEst TrM H bYlrMm, wEtad til evriwan hAd kam, n
Az /ynatOl hAd not txnd ap did not stE f dinx bat drOv hOm.
<p>
/ynatOl, f hMm /piX woz lUkiN, dFnd HAt dE wiH /dOlOâOf,
kansaltiN him Az t hQ t remadi His anfPcanat afX. it sImd t
him isenSal t sI /nytySa. in H IvniN hI drOv t hiz sistx'z
t diskas wiH hx hQ t xEnJ a mItiN. wen /piX ritxnd hOm
Aftx vEnli hantiN Yl Ovx /moskQ, hiz vAlE infPmd him HAt /prins
/ynatOl woz wiH H kQntas. H kQntas' drYiN rMm woz fUl v
gests.
<p>
/piX wiHQt grItiN hiz wFf hMm hI hAd not sIn sins hiz
ritxn—At HAt mOment SI woz mP ripalsiv t him HAn evx—entxd
H drYiN rMm n sIiN /ynatOl went ap t him.
<p>
“y, /piX,” sed H kQntas gOiN ap t hx hazband. “V dOnt nO
wot a plFt Qx /ynatOl...”
<p>
SI stopt, sIiN in H fPwxd Trast v hx hazband'z hed, in hiz
glOiN Fz n hiz rezalMt gEt, H teribal indikESanz v HAt
rEJ n streNT wic SI nM n hAd hxself iäpCWnst Aftx hiz
dMal wiH /dOlOâOf.
<p>
“wX V R, HX iz vFs n Ival!” sed /piX t hiz wFf.
“/ynatOl, kam wiH mI! F mast spIk t V,” hI Adad in /frenc.
<p>
/ynatOl glAnst rQnd At hiz sistx n rOz sabmisivli, redi t
folO /piX. /piX, tEkiN him bF H Rm, pUld him tPd himself
n woz lIdiN him from H rMm.
<p>
“if V alQ jPself in mF drYiN rMm...” wispxd /helIn, bat
/piX did not riplF n went Qt v H rMm.
<p>
/ynatOl folOd him wiH hiz VZMal JYnti step bat hiz fEs bitrEd
ANzFati.
<p>
hAviN entxd hiz stadi /piX klOzd H dP n adrest /ynatOl
wiHQt lUkiN At him.
<p>
“V promist /kQntas /rOstOva t mAri hx n wx abQt t ilOp wiH
hx, iz HAt sO?”
<p>
“man /Ser,” Ansxd /ynatOl (HX hOl konvxsESan woz in /frenc),
“F dOnt kansidx mFself bQnd t Ansx kwescanz pUt t mI in HAt
tOn.”
<p>
/piX'z fEs, Ylredi pEl, bikEm distPtad bF fjUxi. hI sIzd /ynatOl
bF H kolx v hiz VnifPm wiH hiz big hAnd n SUk him from sFd
t sFd til /ynatOl'z fEs SOd a safiSant digrI v terx.
<p>
“wen F tel V HAt F mast tYk t V!...” ripItad /piX.
<p>
“kam nQ, His iz stMpid. wot?” sed /ynatOl, fiNgxiN a batan v
hiz kolx HAt hAd bin renct lMs wiH a bit v H kloT.
<p>
“V'x a skQndral n a blAgRd, n F dOnt nO wot diprFvz
mI from H pleZx v smASiN jP hed wiH His!” sed /piX,
iäpresiN himself sO RtifiSali bikoz hI woz tYkiN /frenc.
<p>
hI tUk a hevi pEpxwEt n liftad it TretaniNli, bat At wans pUt
it bAk in its plEs.
<p>
“did V promis t mAri hx?”
<p>
“F... F didant TiNk v it. F nevx promist, bikoz...”
<p>
/piX intxaptad him.
<p>
“hAv V eni letxz v hxz? eni letxz?” hI sed, mMviN tPd
/ynatOl.
<p>
/ynatOl glAnst At him n imIdWtli Trast hiz hAnd intM hiz pokat
n drM Qt hiz pokatbUk.
<p>
/piX tUk H letx /ynatOl hAndad him n, pUSiN asFd a tEbal
HAt stUd in hiz wE, TrM himself on H sOfa.
<p>
“F SAnt bI vFalant, dOnt bI afrEd!” sed /piX in Ansx t a
frFtand Jescx v /ynatOl'z. “fxst, H letxz,” sed hI, Az if
ripItiN a lesan t himself. “sekandli,” hI kantinVd Aftx a SPt
pYz, agen rFziN n agen pEsiN H rMm, “tamorO V mast get
Qt v /moskQ.”
<p>
“bat hQ kAn F?...”
<p>
“Txdli,” /piX kantinVd wiHQt lisaniN t him, “V mast nevx
brIH a wxd v wot hAz pAst bitwIn V n /kQntas /rOstOva.
F nO F kAnt privent jP dMiN sO, bat if V hAv a spRk v
konSans...” /piX pEst H rMm sevxal tFmz in sFlans.
<p>
/ynatOl sAt At a tEbal frQniN n bFtiN hiz lips.
<p>
“Aftx Yl, V mast andxstAnd HAt bisFdz jP pleZx HX iz sac
a TiN Az aHx pIpal'z hApinas n pIs, n HAt V R rMiniN
a hOl lFf f H sEk v amVziN jPself! amVz jPself wiH wimin
lFk mF wFf—wiH Hem V R wiHin jP rFts, f HE nO wot
V wont v Hem. HE R Rmd agenst V bF H sEm iäpCWns
v dibYcxi; bat t promis a mEd t mAri hx... t disIv, t
kidnAp.... dOnt V andxstAnd HAt it iz Az mIn Az bItiN an Old mAn
P a cFld?...”
<p>
/piX pYzd n lUkt At /ynatOl nO loNgx wiH an ANgri bat wiH a
kwescaniN lUk.
<p>
“F dOnt nO abQt HAt, E?” sed /ynatOl, grOiN mP konfidant Az
/piX mAstxd hiz rAT. “F dOnt nO HAt n dOnt wont t,” hI
sed, not lUkiN At /piX n wiH a slFt tremx v hiz lOx JY,
“bat V hAv Vzd sac wxdz t mI—'mIn' n sO on—wic Az a mAn v
onx F kAnt alQ eniwan t Vz.”
<p>
/piX glAnst At him wiH amEzmant, anEbal t andxstAnd wot hI
wontad.
<p>
“HO it woz tEt-a-tEt,” /ynatOl kantinVd, “stil F kAnt...”
<p>
“iz it sAtisfAkSan V wont?” sed /piX Fronikli.
<p>
“V kUd At lIst tEk bAk jP wxdz. wot? if V wont mI t dM Az
V wiS, E?”
<p>
“F tEk Hem bAk, F tEk Hem bAk!” sed /piX, “n F Ask V t
fxgiv mI.” /piX involantXili glAnst At H lMs batan. “n if
V rikwFx mani f jP Jxni...”
<p>
/ynatOl smFld. H iäpreSan v HAt bEs n krinJiN smFl, wic
/piX nM sO wel in hiz wFf, rivOltad him.
<p>
“O, vFl n hRtlas brMd!” hI iäklEmd, n left H rMm.
<p>
neät dE /ynatOl left f /pItxzbxg.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXI
<p>
/piX drOv t /mRja /dmItrievna'z t tel hx v H fUlfilmant v hx
wiS HAt /kMrygin SUd bI bAniSt from /moskQ. H hOl hQs woz in
a stEt v alRm n kamOSan. /nytySa woz veri il, hAviN, Az /mRja
/dmItrievna tOld him in sIkrat, pqzand hxself H nFt Aftx SI hAd
bin tOld HAt /ynatOl woz mArid, wiH sam Rsanik SI hAd stelTili
prakjUxd. Aftx swolOiN a lital SI hAd bin sO frFtand HAt SI
wOk /sonja n tOld hx wot SI hAd dan. H nesisXi AntidOts hAd
bin administxd in tFm n SI woz nQ Qt v dEnJx, HO stil sO
wIk HAt it woz Qt v H kwescan t mMv hx t H kantri, n
sO H kQntas hAd bin sent f. /piX sY H distrAktad kQnt, n
/sonja, hM hAd a tC-stEnd fEs, bat hI kUd not sI /nytySa.
<p>
/piX dFnd At H klab HAt dE n hxd on Yl sFdz gosip abQt
H atemptad abdakSan v /rOstOva. hI rezalMtli dinFd HIz
rMmxz, aSUxiN evriwan HAt naTiN hAd hApand iäept HAt hiz
braHx-in-lY hAd prapOzd t hx n bin rifVzd. it sImd t
/piX HAt it woz hiz dMti t kansIl H hOl afX n rI-istAbliS
/nytySa'z repVtESan.
<p>
hI woz awEtiN /prins /AndrM'z ritxn wiH dred n went evri dE t
H Old prins'az f nMz v him.
<p>
Old /prins /bOlkOnski hxd Yl H rMmxz karant in H tQn from
/mAdamwazel /bMrien n hAd red H nOt t /prinsas /mXi in wic
/nytySa hAd brOkan of hx ingEJmant. hI sImd in betx spirits HAn
VZMal n awEtad hiz san wiH grEt impESans.
<p>
sam dEz Aftx /ynatOl'z dipRcx /piX risIvd a nOt from /prins
/AndrM, infPmiN him v hiz xFval n AskiN him t kam t sI him.
<p>
Az sMn Az hI rIct /moskQ, /prins /AndrM hAd risIvd from hiz
fyHx /nytySa'z nOt t /prinsas /mXi brEkiN of hx ingEJmant
(/mAdamwazel /bMrien hAd pxlqnd it from /prinsas /mXi n givan
it t H Old prins), n hI hxd from him H stPi v /nytySa'z
ilOpmant, wiH adiSanz.
<p>
prins /AndrM hAd xFvd in H IvniN n /piX kEm t sI him neät
mPniN. /piX iäpektad t fFnd /prins /AndrM in YlmOst H sEm stEt
Az /nytySa n woz HXfP sxprFzd on entxiN H drYiN rMm
t hC him in H stadi tYkiN in a lQd AnimEtad vqs abQt sam
intrIg gOiN on in /pItxzbxg. H Old prins'az vqs n anaHx nQ
n Hen intxaptad him. prinsas /mXi kEm Qt t mIt /piX. SI
sFd, lUkiN tPd H dP v H rMm wX /prins /AndrM woz,
evidentli intendiN t iäpres hx simpaTi wiH hiz sorO, bat /piX
sY bF hx fEs HAt SI woz glAd bOT At wot hAd hApand n At H
wE hx braHx hAd tEkan H nMz v /nytySa'z fETlasnas.
<p>
“hI sez hI iäpektad it,” SI rimRkt. “F nO hiz prFd wil not let
him iäpres hiz fIliNz, bat stil hI hAz tEkan it betx, fR betx,
HAn F iäpektad. evidentli it hAd t bI....”
<p>
“bat iz it posabal HAt Yl iz rWli endad?” Askt /piX.
<p>
prinsas /mXi lUkt At him wiH astoniSmant. SI did not andxstAnd
hQ hI kUd Ask sac a kwescan. /piX went intM H stadi. prins
/AndrM, grEtli cEnJd n plEnli in betx helT, bat wiH a freS
hPizontal riNkal bitwIn hiz brQz, stUd in sivilWn dres fEsiN
hiz fyHx n /prins /meScerski, wPmli dispVtiN n vigxasli
JestikVlEtiN. H konvxsESan woz abQt /sperynski—H nMz v hMz
sadan eäFl n aleJd trecxi hAd Jast rIct /moskQ.
<p>
“nQ hI iz senSxd n akVzd bF Yl hM wx inTVziAstik abQt him
a manT agO,” prins /AndrM woz sEiN, “n bF HOz hM wx anEbal t
andxstAnd hiz Emz. t JaJ a mAn hM iz in disfEvx n t TrO on
him Yl H blEm v aHx men'z mistEä iz veri Izi, bat F mEntEn
HAt if eniTiN gUd hAz bin akompliSt in His rEn it woz dan bF
him, bF him alOn.”
<p>
hI pYzd At H sFt v /piX. hiz fEs kwivxd n imIdWtli
asMmd a vindiktiv iäpreSan.
<p>
“posteriti wil dM him Jastis,” hI kanklMdad, n At wans txnd t
/piX.
<p>
“wel, hQ R V? stil getiN stQtx?” hI sed wiH AnimESan, bat
H nM riNkal on hiz fPhed dIpand. “jes, F Am wel,” hI sed in
Ansx t /piX'z kwescan, n smFld.
<p>
t /piX HAt smFl sed plEnli: “F Am wel, bat mF helT iz nQ v
nO Vs t eniwan.”
<p>
Aftx a fV wxdz t /piX abQt H Yfal rOdz from H /pOliS
frantC, abQt pIpal hI hAd met in /switsxland hM nM /piX, n
abQt M. /desyl, hMm hI hAd brYt from abrYd t bI hiz san'z
tMtx, /prins /AndrM agen Jqnd wPmli in H konvxsESan abQt
/sperynski wic woz stil gOiN on bitwIn H tM Old men.
<p>
“if HX wx trIzan, P prMfs v sIkrat rilESanz wiH /napOlWn,
HE wUd hAv bin mEd pablik,” hI sed wiH wPmT n hEst. “F dM
not, n nevx did, lFk /sperynski pxsanali, bat F lFk Jastis!”
<p>
/piX nQ rekagnFzd in hiz frend a nId wiH wic hI woz Onli tM
familC, t get iäFtad n t hAv RgVmants abQt iätrEnWs mAtxz
in Pdx t stFfal TYts HAt wx tM apresiv n tM intimat.
wen /prins /meScerski hAd left, /prins /AndrM tUk /piX'z Rm n
Askt him intM H rMm HAt hAd bin asFnd him. a bed hAd bin mEd
ap HX, n sam Opan pPtmAntOz n traNä stUd abQt. prins
/AndrM went t wan n tUk Qt a smYl kyskat, from wic hI drM a
pAkat rApt in pEpx. hI did it Yl sFlantli n veri kwikli. hI
stUd ap n koft. hiz fEs woz glMmi n hiz lips kamprest.
<p>
“fxgiv mI f trabaliN V....”
<p>
/piX sY HAt /prins /AndrM woz gOiN t spIk v /nytySa, n hiz
brYd fEs iäprest piti n simpaTi. His iäpreSan iritEtad /prins
/AndrM, n in a ditxmind, riNiN, n anplezant tOn hI kantinVd:
<p>
“F hAv risIvd a rifVzal from /kQntas /rOstOva n hAv hxd ripPts
v jP braHx-in-lY hAviN sYt hx hAnd, P samTiN v HAt
kFnd. iz HAt trM?”
<p>
“bOT trM n antrM,” /piX bigAn; bat /prins /AndrM intxaptad him.
<p>
“hC R hx letxz n hx pPtrEt,” sed hI.
<p>
hI tUk H pAkat from H tEbal n hAndad it t /piX.
<p>
“giv His t H kQntas... if V sI hx.”
<p>
“SI iz veri il,” sed /piX.
<p>
“Hen SI iz hC stil?” sed /prins /AndrM. “n /prins /kMrygin?” hI
Adad kwikli.
<p>
“hI left loN agO. SI hAz bin At deT's dP.”
<p>
“F mac rigret hx ilnas,” sed /prins /AndrM; n hI smFld lFk hiz
fyHx, kOldli, maliSasli, n anplezantli.
<p>
“sO /masjx /kMrygin hAz not onxd /kQntas /rOstOva wiH hiz hAnd?”
sed /prins /AndrM, n hI snPtad sevxal tFmz.
<p>
“hI kUd not mAri, f hI woz mArid Ylredi,” sed /piX.
<p>
prins /AndrM lAft disagrIabli, agen rimFndiN wan v hiz fyHx.
<p>
“n wX iz jP braHx-in-lY nQ, if F mE Ask?” hI sed.
<p>
“hI hAz gon t /pItxz... bat F dOnt nO,” sed /piX.
<p>
“wel, it dazant mAtx,” sed /prins /AndrM. “tel /kQntas /rOstOva
HAt SI woz n iz pxfiktli frI n HAt F wiS hx Yl HAt iz
gUd.”
<p>
/piX tUk H pAkat. prins /AndrM, Az if trFiN t rimembx weHx
hI hAd samTiN mP t sE, P wEtiN t sI if /piX wUd sE
eniTiN, lUkt fiäadli At him.
<p>
“F sE, dM V rimembx Qx diskaSan in /pItxzbxg?” Askt /piX,
“abQt...”
<p>
“jes,” ritxnd /prins /AndrM hEstili. “F sed HAt a fYlan wUman
SUd bI fxgivan, bat F didant sE F kUd fxgiv hx. F kAnt.”
<p>
“bat kAn His bI kampXd...?” sed /piX.
<p>
prins /AndrM intxaptad him n krFd SRpli: “jes, Ask hx hAnd
agen, bI mAgnAnimas, n sO on?... jes, HAt wUd bI veri nObal, bat
F Am anEbal t folO in HAt Jentalman'z fUtsteps. if V wiS t bI
mF frend nevx spIk t mI v HAt... v Yl HAt! wel, gUd-bF. sO
V'l giv hx H pAkat?”
<p>
/piX left H rMm n went t H Old prins n /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
H Old mAn sImd lFvlC HAn VZMal. prinsas /mXi woz H sEm Az
YlwEz, bat binIT hx simpaTi f hx braHx, /piX nOtist hx
sAtisfAkSan HAt H ingEJmant hAd bin brOkan of. lUkiN At Hem
/piX rWlFzd wot kantempt n Animositi HE Yl felt f H
/rOstOfs, n HAt it woz imposabal in HX prezans Ivan t menSan
H nEm v hx hM kUd giv ap /prins /AndrM f eniwan els.
<p>
At dinx H tYk txnd on H wP, H aprOc v wic woz bikamiN
evidant. prins /AndrM tYkt insesantli, RgViN nQ wiH hiz fyHx,
nQ wiH H /swis tMtx /desyl, n SOiN an annAcxal AnimESan,
H kYz v wic /piX sO wel andxstUd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXII
<p>
HAt sEm IvniN /piX went t H /rOstOfs' t fUlfil H kamiSan
intrastad t him. /nytySa woz in bed, H kQnt At H klab, n /piX,
Aftx giviN H letxz t /sonja, went t /mRja /dmItrievna hM woz
intxastad t nO hQ /prins /AndrM hAd tEkan H nMz. ten minits
lEtx /sonja kEm t /mRja /dmItrievna.
<p>
“/nytySa insists on sIiN /kQnt /pItx /kCilOvic,” sed SI.
<p>
“bat hQ? R wI t tEk him ap t hx? H rMm HX hAz not bin
tFdid ap.”
<p>
“nO, SI hAz drest n gon intM H drYiN rMm,” sed /sonja.
<p>
/mRja /dmItrievna Onli Sragd hx SOldxz.
<p>
“wen wil hx maHx kam? SI hAz warid mI t deT! nQ mFnd, dOnt
tel hx evriTiN!” sed SI t /piX. “wan hAzant H hRt t skOld
hx, SI iz sO mac t bI pitid, sO mac t bI pitid.”
<p>
/nytySa woz stAndiN in H midal v H drYiN rMm, imESiEtad, wiH
a pEl set fEs, bat not At Yl SEmfEst Az /piX iäpektad t fFnd
hx. wen hI apCd At H dP SI grM flarid, evidentli andisFdad
weHx t gO t mIt him P t wEt til hI kEm ap.
<p>
/piX hEsand t hx. hI TYt SI wUd giv him hx hAnd Az
VZMal; bat SI, stepiN ap t him, stopt, brIHiN hevili, hx Rmz
hANiN lFflasli Jast in H pOz SI Vst t stAnd in wen SI
went t H midal v H bYlrMm t siN, bat wiH kwFt a difxant
iäpreSan v fEs.
<p>
“pItx /kCilOvic,” SI bigAn rApidli, “prins /bOlkOnski woz jP
frend—iz jP frend,” SI kxektad hxself. (it sImd t hx HAt
evriTiN HAt hAd wans bin mast nQ bI difxant.) “hI tOld mI wans
t aplF t V...”
<p>
/piX snift Az hI lUkt At hx, bat did not spIk. til Hen hI hAd
riprOct hx in hiz hRt n trFd t dispFz hx, bat hI nQ felt sO
sori f hx HAt HX woz nO rMm in hiz sOl f riprOc.
<p>
“hI iz hC nQ: tel him... t f... fxgiv mI!” SI stopt n
brIHd stil mP kwikli, bat did not Sed tCz.
<p>
“jes... F wil tel him,” Ansxd /piX; “bat...”
<p>
hI did not nO wot t sE.
<p>
/nytySa woz evidentli dismEd At H TYt v wot hI mFt TiNk SI
hAd ment.
<p>
“nO, F nO Yl iz Ovx,” SI sed haridli. “nO, HAt kAn nevx bI.
F'm Onli tPmentad bF H roN F hAv dan him. tel him Onli HAt F
beg him t fxgiv, fxgiv, fxgiv mI f evriTiN....”
<p>
SI trembald Yl Ovx n sAt dQn on a cX.
<p>
a sens v piti hI hAd nevx bifP nOn OvxflOd /piX'z hRt.
<p>
“F wil tel him, F wil tel him evriTiN wans mP,” sed /piX.
“bat... F SUd lFk t nO wan TiN....”
<p>
“nO wot?” /nytySa'z Fz Askt.
<p>
“F SUd lFk t nO, did V lav...” /piX did not nO hQ t
rifx t /ynatOl n flaSt At H TYt v him—“did V lav HAt
bAd mAn?”
<p>
“dOnt kYl him bAd!” sed /nytySa. “bat F dOnt nO, dOnt nO At
Yl....”
<p>
SI bigAn t krF n a stil grEtx sens v piti, tendxnas, n lav
weld ap in /piX. hI felt H tCz trikal andx hiz spektakalz n
hOpt HE wUd not bI nOtist.
<p>
“wI wOnt spIk v it eni mP, mF dC,” sed /piX, n hiz Jental,
kPJal tOn sadanli sImd veri strEnJ t /nytySa.
<p>
“wI wOnt spIk v it, mF dC—F'l tel him evriTiN; bat wan TiN
F beg v V, kansidx mI jP frend n if V wont help, advFs,
P simpli t Opan jP hRt t samwan—not nQ, bat wen jP mFnd iz
klCx--TiNk v mI!” hI tUk hx hAnd n kist it. “F SAl bI hApi
if it's in mF pQx...”
<p>
/piX grM kanfVzd.
<p>
“dOnt spIk t mI lFk HAt. F Am not wxT it!” iäklEmd /nytySa n
txnd t lIv H rMm, bat /piX held hx hAnd.
<p>
hI nM hI hAd samTiN mP t sE t hx. bat wen hI sed it hI woz
amEzd At hiz On wxdz.
<p>
“stop, stop! V hAv jP hOl lFf bifP V,” sed hI t hx.
<p>
“bifP mI? nO! Yl iz Ovx f mI,” SI riplFd wiH SEm n
self-abEsmant.
<p>
“Yl Ovx?” hI ripItad. “if F wx not mFself, bat H hAndsamast,
klevxast, n best mAn in H wxld, n wx frI, F wUd His mOment
Ask on mF nIz f jP hAnd n jP lav!”
<p>
f H fxst tFm f meni dEz /nytySa wept tCz v grAtitMd n
tendxnas, n glAnsiN At /piX SI went Qt v H rMm.
<p>
/piX tM wen SI hAd gon YlmOst rAn intM H AntirMm, ristrEniN
tCz v tendxnas n Jq HAt cOkt him, n wiHQt fFndiN H
slIvz v hiz fx klOk TrM it on n got intM hiz slE.
<p>
“wX t nQ, jP eäalansi?” Askt H kOcman.
<p>
“wX t?” /piX Askt himself. “wX kAn F gO nQ? SUxli not t H
/klab P t pE kYlz?” Yl men sImd sO pitifal, sO pUx, in kampArisan
wiH His fIliN v tendxnas n lav hI iäpCWnst: in kampArisan
wiH HAt sofand, grEtfal, lAst lUk SI hAd givan him TrM hx
tCz.
<p>
“hOm!” sed /piX, n dispFt twenti-tM digrIz v frost /fAranhFt
hI TrM Opan H bXskin klOk from hiz brYd cest n inhEld H
X wiH Jq.
<p>
it woz klC n frosti. abav H dxti, il-lit strIts, abav H
blAk rMfs, strect H dRk stRi skF. Onli lUkiN ap At H skF
did /piX sIs t fIl hQ sPdid n hVmiliEtiN wx Yl mandEn
TiNz kampXd wiH H hFts t wic hiz sOl hAd Jast bin rEzd.
At H entrans t H /Rbyt /skwX an imens iäpAns v dRk stRi
skF prizentad itself t hiz Fz. YlmOst in H sentx v it, abav H
/precistenka /bMlavRd, sxQndad n spriNkald on Yl sFdz bF stRz
bat distiNgwiSt from Hem Yl bF its nCnas t H xT, its wFt
lFt, n its loN apliftad tEl, SOn H inPmas n brilWnt
komat v 1812—H komat wic woz sed t pPtend Yl kFndz v wOz
n H end v H wxld. in /piX, hQevx, HAt komat wiH its loN
lMminas tEl xQzd nO fIliN v fC. on H kontrXi hI gEzd
Jqfali, hiz Fz mqst wiH tCz, At His brFt komat wic, hAviN
trAvald in its Pbit wiH inkansIvabal vilositi TrM imeZxabal
spEs, sImd sadanli—lFk an ArO pCsiN H xT—t rimEn
fiät in a cOzan spot, vigxasli hOldiN its tEl irekt, SFniN n
displEiN its wFt lFt amid kQntlas aHx sintilEtiN stRz. it
sImd t /piX HAt His komat fUli rispondad t wot woz pAsiN in
hiz On sofand n apliftad sOl, nQ blosamiN intM a nM lFf.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /nFn: 1812
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
from H klOz v H jC 1811 an intensifFd RmiN n konsantrEtiN v
H fPsaz v /westxn /jUxap bigAn, n in 1812 HIz fPsaz—milWnz
v men, rekaniN HOz trAnspPtiN n fIdiN H Rmi—mMvd from H
west Istwxdz t H /raSan frantC, tPd wic sins 1811 /raSan
fPsaz hAd bin similxli drYn. on H twelfT v JMn, 1812, H
fPsaz v /westxn /jUxap krost H /raSan frantC n wP bigAn,
HAt iz, an ivent tUk plEs apOzd t hVman rIzan n t hVman
nEcx. milWnz v men pxpatrEtad agenst wan anaHx sac inMmxabal
krFmz, frYdz, trecxiz, Tefts, fPJxiz, iSVz v fYls mani,
bxglxiz, insendCizamz, n mxdxz Az in hOl sencxiz R not
rikPdad in H Analz v Yl H lY kPts v H wxld, bat wic
HOz hM kamitad Hem did not At H tFm rigRd Az bIiN krFmz.
<p>
wot prOdMst His iätrPdinXi akxans? wot wx its kYzaz? H
histPWnz tel as wiH nFIv aSUxans HAt its kYzaz wx H roNz
infliktad on H /dMk v /Oldanbxg, H nonabzxvans v H /kontinental
/sistam, H AmbiSan v /napOlWn, H fxmnas v /AliãAndx, H
mistEä v H diplOmatists, n sO on.
<p>
konsikwantli, it wUd Onli hAv bin nesisXi f /metxniâ,
/rMmjyntsef, P /tAlirAnd, bitwIn a levi n an IvniN pRti, t hAv
tEkan propx pEnz n ritan a mP adrqt nOt, P f /napOlWn t
hAv ritan t /AliãAndx: “mF rispektad /braHx, F kansent t ristP
H daci t H /dMk v /Oldanbxg”—n HX wUd hAv bin nO wP.
<p>
wI kAn andxstAnd HAt H mAtx sImd lFk HAt t kantempxXiz.
it nAcxali sImd t /napOlWn HAt H wP woz kYzd bF /iNgland'z
intrIã (Az in fAkt hI sed on H Fland v /st /helena). it nAcxali
sImd t membxz v H /iNgliS /pRlament HAt H kYz v H wP
woz /napOlWn'z AmbiSan; t H /dMk v /Oldanbxg, HAt H kYz v H
wP woz H vFalans dan t him; t biznasmen HAt H kYz v H
wP woz H /kontinental /sistam wic woz rMiniN /jUxap; t H Jenxalz
n Old sOlJxz HAt H cIf rIzan f H wP woz H nisesiti v
giviN Hem implqmant; t H liJitimists v HAt dE HAt it woz H
nId v rI-istAbliSiN /lez bon prinsFps, n t H diplOmatists v
HAt tFm HAt it Yl rizaltad from H fAkt HAt H alFans bitwIn
/raSa n /ostrW in 1809 hAd not bin safiSantli wel kansIld
from /napOlWn, n from H Ykwxd wxdiN v /memxAndam nO. 178. it
iz nAcxal HAt HIz n a kQntlas n infinit kwontiti v aHx
rIzanz, H nambx dipendiN on H endlas dFvxsiti v pqnts
v vV, prizentad Hemselvz t H men v HAt dE; bat t as, t
posteriti hM vV H TiN HAt hApand in Yl its mAgnitMd n
pxsIv its plEn n teribal mIniN, HIz kYzaz sIm insafiSant.
t as it iz inkomprihensabal HAt milWnz v /kriscan men kild n
tPcxd Ic aHx FHx bikoz /napOlWn woz AmbiSas P /AliãAndx
woz fxm, P bikoz /iNgland'z polasi woz astMt P H /dMk v
/Oldanbxg roNd. wI kAnot grAsp wot kanekSan sac sxkamstAnsaz
hAv wiH H AkcMal fAkt v slYtx n vFalans: wF bikoz H
/dMk woz roNd, TQzandz v men from H aHx sFd v /jUxap kild
n rMind H pIpal v /smOlensk n /moskQ n wx kild bF Hem.
<p>
t as, HX disendants, hM R not histPWnz n R not kArid
awE bF H proses v rIsxc n kAn HXfP rigRd H ivent
wiH anklQdad koman sens, an inkAlkVlabal nambx v kYzaz prizent
Hemselvz. H dIpx wI delv in sxc v HIz kYzaz H mP v
Hem wI fFnd; n Ic sepxat kYz P hOl sCIz v kYzaz apCz
t as Ikwali vAlid in itself n Ikwali fYls bF its insignifikans
kampXd t H mAgnitMd v H ivents, n bF its impatans—apRt
from H kOopxESan v Yl H aHx kOinsidant kYzaz—t akEZan H
ivent. t as, H wiS P abJekSan v His P HAt /frenc kPpxal t
sxv a sekand txm apCz Az mac a kYz Az /napOlWn'z rifVzal t
wiHdrY hiz trMps bijond H /vistVla n t ristP H daci v
/Oldanbxg; f hAd hI not wiSt t sxv, n hAd a sekand, a Txd,
n a TQzandT kPpxal n prFvat YlsO rifVzd, HX wUd hAv
bin sO meni les men in /napOlWn'z Rmi n H wP kUd not hAv
akxd.
<p>
hAd /napOlWn not tEkan afens At H dimAnd HAt hI SUd wiHdrY
bijond H /vistVla, n not Pdxd hiz trMps t advAns, HX wUd
hAv bin nO wP; bat hAd Yl hiz sRJants abJektad t sxviN a sekand
txm Hen YlsO HX kUd hAv bin nO wP. nP kUd HX hAv bin
a wP hAd HX bin nO /iNgliS intrIã n nO /dMk v /Oldanbxg, n
hAd /AliãAndx not felt insaltad, n hAd HX not bin an YtakrAtik
gavxnmant in /raSa, P a /revalMSan in /fryns n a sabsikwant
diktEtxSip n /empFx, P Yl H TiNz HAt prOdMst H /frenc
/revalMSan, n sO on. wiHQt Ic v HIz kYzaz naTiN kUd hAv
hApand. sO Yl HIz kYzaz—mirWdz v kYzaz—kOinsFdad t briN it
abQt. n sO HX woz nO wan kYz f HAt akxans, bat it hAd
t akx bikoz it hAd t. milWnz v men, rinQnsiN HX hVman
fIliNz n rIzan, hAd t gO from west t Ist t slE HX felOz,
Jast Az sam sencxiz prIvWsli hPdz v men hAd kam from H Ist
t H west, slEiN HX felOz.
<p>
H AkSanz v /napOlWn n /AliãAndx, on hMz wxdz H ivent sImd
t hAN, wx Az lital volantXi Az H AkSanz v eni sOlJx hM woz
drYn intM H kAmpEn bF lot P bF kanskripSan. His kUd not bI
aHxwFz, f in Pdx HAt H wil v /napOlWn n /AliãAndx (on hMm
H ivent sImd t dipend) SUd bI kArid Qt, H kankarans v
inMmxabal sxkamstAnsaz woz nIdad wiHQt eni wan v wic H ivent
kUd not hAv tEkan plEs. it woz nesisXi HAt milWnz v men in
hMz hAndz lE H rWl pQx—H sOlJxz hM fFxd, P trAnspPtad
praviZanz n ganz—SUd kansent t kAri Qt H wil v HIz wIk
indiviJMalz, n SUd hAv bin indMst t dM sO bF an infinit nambx
v dFvxs n kompleä kYzaz.
<p>
wI R fPst t fYl bAk on fEtalizam Az an eäplanESan v irASanal
ivents (HAt iz t sE, ivents H rIzanabalnas v wic wI dM
not andxstAnd). H mP wI trF t iäplEn sac ivents in histxi
rIzanabli, H mP anrIzanabal n inkomprihensabal dM HE bikam t
as.
<p>
Ic mAn livz f himself, VziN hiz frIdam t atEn hiz pxsanal
Emz, n fIlz wiH hiz hOl bIiN HAt hI kAn nQ dM P abstEn from
dMiN His P HAt AkSan; bat Az sMn Az hI hAz dan it, HAt AkSan
pxfPmd At a sxtan mOment in tFm bikamz irevakabal n biloNz t
histxi, in wic it hAz not a frI bat a prIdestind signifikans.
<p>
HX R tM sFdz t H lFf v evri mAn, hiz indiviJMal lFf, wic
iz H mP frI H mP AbstrAkt its intxasts, n hiz elimental hFv
lFf in wic hI inevitabli ObEz lYz lEd dQn f him.
<p>
mAn livz konSasli f himself, bat iz an ankonSas instramant in
H atEnmant v H histPik, Vnivxsal, Emz v hVmAniti. a dId dan
iz irevakabal, n its rizalt kOinsFdiN in tFm wiH H AkSanz v
milWnz v aHx men asMmz an histPik signifikans. H hFx a mAn
stAndz on H sOSal lAdx, H mP pIpal hI iz kanektad wiH
n H mP pQx hI hAz Ovx aHxz, H mP evidant iz H
prIdestinESan n inevitabiliti v hiz evri AkSan.
<p>
“H kiN'z hRt iz in H hAndz v H /lPd.”
<p>
a kiN iz histxi'z slEv.
<p>
histxi, HAt iz, H ankonSas, Jenxal, hFv lFf v mAnkFnd, Vzaz
evri mOment v H lFf v kiNz Az a tMl f its On pxpasaz.
<p>
HO /napOlWn At HAt tFm, in 1812, woz mP kanvinst HAn evx HAt
it dipendad on him, vxsx (ou nE py vxsx) lU sAN de ses peuples
*—Az /AliãAndx iäprest it in H lAst letx hI rOt him—hI hAd nevx
bin sO mac in H grip v inevitabal lYz, wic kampeld him, wFl
TiNkiN HAt hI woz AktiN on hiz On vOliSan, t pxfPm f H hFv
lFf—HAt iz t sE, f histxi—wotevx hAd t bI pxfPmd.
<p>
    * “t Sed (P not t Sed) H blad v hiz pIpalz.”
<p>
<p>
H pIpal v H west mMvd Istwxdz t slE HX felO men, n
bF H lY v kOinsidans TQzandz v minit kYzaz fitad in n
kO-PdinEtad t pradMs HAt mMvmant n wP: riprOcaz f H
nonabzxvans v H /kontinental /sistam, H /dMk v /Oldanbxg'z
roNz, H mMvmant v trMps intM /praSa—andxtEkan (Az it sImd t
/napOlWn) Onli f H pxpas v sikjUxiN an Rmd pIs, H
/frenc /empxx'z lav n hAbit v wP kOinsFdiN wiH hiz pIpal'z
inklinESanz, alUxmant bF H grAnJx v H prepxESanz, n H
iäpendicx on HOz prepxESanz n H nId v abtEniN advAntiJaz
t kompinsEt f HAt iäpendicx, H intoäikEtiN onxz hI risIvd
in /drezdan, H diplamAtik nigOSiESanz wic, in H apinjan v
kantempxXiz, wx kArid on wiH a sinsC dizFx t atEn pIs,
bat wic Onli wMndad H self-lav v bOT sFdz, n milWnz v
aHx kYzaz HAt adAptad Hemselvz t H ivent HAt woz hApaniN P
kOinsFdad wiH it.
<p>
wen an Apal hAz rFpand n fYlz, wF daz it fYl? bikoz v its
atrAkSan t H xT, bikoz its stYk wiHxz, bikoz it iz drFd
bF H san, bikoz it grOz hevC, bikoz H wind SEä it, P
bikoz H bq stAndiN bilO wonts t It it?
<p>
naTiN iz H kYz. Yl His iz Onli H kOinsidans v kandiSanz in
wic Yl vFtal PgAnik n elimental ivents akx. n H botanist
hM fFndz HAt H Apal fYlz bikoz H selVlx tiSV dikEz n sO
fPT iz Ikwali rFt wiH H cFld hM stAndz andx H trI n sez
H Apal fel bikoz hI wontad t It it n prEd f it. Ikwali
rFt P roN iz hI hM sez HAt /napOlWn went t /moskQ bikoz hI
wontad t, n periSt bikoz /AliãAndx dizFxd hiz distrakSan, n
hI hM sez HAt an andxmFnd hil wEiN a milWn tanz fel bikoz
H lAst nAvi strak it f H lAst tFm wiH hiz mAtak. in histPik
ivents H sO-kYld grEt men R lEbalz giviN nEmz t ivents, n
lFk lEbalz HE hAv bat H smYlast kanekSan wiH H ivent itself.
<p>
evri Akt v HXz, wic apCz t Hem an Akt v HX On wil, iz
in an histPikal sens involantXi n iz rilEtad t H hOl kPs v
histxi n prIdestind from itxniti.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
on H twenti-nFnT v mE /napOlWn left /drezdan, wX hI hAd spent
TrI wIä sxQndad bF a kPt HAt inklMdad prinsaz, dMä, kiNz,
n Ivan an empxx. bifP lIviN, /napOlWn SOd fEvx t H
empxx, kiNz, n prinsaz hM hAd dizxvd it, reprimyndad H kiNz
n prinsaz wiH hMm hI woz dissAtisfFd, prizentad pxlz n dFmandz
v hiz On—HAt iz, wic hI hAd tEkan from aHx kiNz—t H /empres
v /ostrW, n hAviN, Az hiz histPWn telz as, tendxli imbrEst H
/empres /mxI /lMIz—hM rigRdad him Az hx hazband, HO hI hAd left
anaHx wFf in /pAris—left hx grIvd bF H pRtiN wic SI sImd
hRdli Ebal t bX. HO H diplOmatists stil fxmli bilIvd in
H posabiliti v pIs n wxkt zelasli t HAt end, n HO
H /empxx /napOlWn himself rOt a letx t /AliãAndx, kYliN him
/masjx man frer, n sinsCli aSUxd him HAt hI did not wont wP
n wUd YlwEz lav n onx him—jet hI set of t Jqn hiz Rmi,
n At evri stESan gEv freS Pdxz t aäelxEt H mMvmant v hiz
trMps from west t Ist. hI went in a trAvaliN kOc wiH siä hPsaz,
sxQndad bF pEJaz, Edz-dI-kAmp, n an eskPt, aloN H rOd t
/pOzan, /TPn, /dyntsig, n /kOniãbxg. At Ic v HIz tQnz TQzandz
v pIpal met him wiH iäFtmant n inTVziAzam.
<p>
H Rmi woz mMviN from west t Ist, n rilEz v siä hPsaz kArid
him in H sEm direkSan. on H tenT v JMn, * kamiN ap wiH H
Rmi, hI spent H nFt in apRtmants pripXd f him on H istEt v
a /pOliS kQnt in H /vilkyviski fPist.
<p>
    * Old stFl.
<p>
neät dE, OvxtEkiN H Rmi, hI went in a kAriJ t H /nImen, n,
cEnJiN intM a /pOliS VnifPm, hI drOv t H rivxbANk in Pdx t
silekt a plEs f H krosiN.
<p>
sIiN, on H aHx sFd, sam /kosAä (/lez /kOzyk) n H
wFd-sprediN steps in H midst v wic lE H hOli siti v /moskQ
(/mOskM, ly vil /synt), H kApital v a relm sac Az H /sFHW
intM wic /AliãAndx H /grEt hAd mRct—/napOlWn aniäpektadli, n
kontrXi alFk t stratIJik n diplamAtik kansidxESanz, Pdxd an
advAns, n H neät dE hiz Rmi bigAn t kros H /nImen.
<p>
xli in H mPniN v H twelfT v JMn hI kEm Qt v hiz tent,
wic woz pict HAt dE on H stIp left bANk v H /nImen, n
lUkt TrM a spFglAs At H strImz v hiz trMps pPiN Qt v
H /vilkyviski fPist n flOiN Ovx H TrI briJaz TrOn akros
H rivx. H trMps, nOiN v H /empxx'z prezans, wx on H
lUkQt f him, n wen HE kYt sFt v a figjx in an OvxkOt
n a kokt hAt stAndiN apRt from hiz swIt in frant v hiz tent on
H hil, HE TrM ap HX kAps n SQtad: “vIv /l'empxx!” n
wan Aftx anaHx pPd in a sIslas strIm Qt v H vAst fPist
HAt hAd kansIld Hem n, sepxEtiN, flOd on n on bF H TrI
briJaz t H aHx sFd.
<p>
“nQ wI'l gO intM AkSan. O, wen hI tEä it in hAnd himself, TiNz
get hot... bF hevan!... HX hI iz!... vIv /l'empxx! sO HIz
R H steps v /EZa! it's a nAsti kantri Yl H sEm. O ravwR,
/bOS; F'l kIp H best pAlas in /moskQ f V! O ravwR. gUd
lak!... did V sI H /empxx? vIv /l'empxx!... prx!—if
HE mEk mI /gavxnx v /indW, /JxRd, F'l mEk V /ministx v
/kASmC—HAt's setald. vIv /l'empxx! hxy! hxy! hxy! H
/kosAä—HOz ryskalz—sI hQ HE ran! vIv /l'empxx! HX hI
iz, dM V sI him? F'v sIn him twFs, Az F sI V nQ. H lital
kPpxal... F sY him giv H kros t wan v H vetxanz.... vIv
/l'empxx!” kEm H vqsaz v men, Old n jaN, v mOst dFvxs
kAraktxz n sOSal paziSanz. on H fEsaz v Yl woz wan koman
iäpreSan v Jq At H kamensmant v H loN-iäpektad kAmpEn n
v rApcx n divOSan t H mAn in H grE kOt hM woz stAndiN on
H hil.
<p>
on H TxtInT v JMn a rAHx smYl, TarObred /Arab hPs woz
brYt t /napOlWn. hI mQntad it n rOd At a gAlap t wan v H
briJaz Ovx H /nImen, defand kantinVali bF insesant n rApcxas
AklamESanz wic hI evidentli indxd Onli bikoz it woz imposabal
t fxbid H sOlJxz t iäpres HX lav v him bF sac SQtiN,
bat H SQtiN wic akampanid him evriwX distxbd him n
distrAktad him from H militXi kXz HAt hAd okVpFd him from H
tFm hI Jqnd H Rmi. hI rOd akros wan v H swEiN pontMn
briJaz t H fRHx sFd, txnd SRpli t H left, n gAlapt in
H direkSan v /kOvnO, prisIdad bF inrApcxd, mQntad SAsExz v H
/gRd hM, breTlas wiH dilFt, gAlapt ahed t klC a pAT f
him TrM H trMps. on rIciN H brYd rivx /vilW, hI stopt
nC a reJimant v /pOliS /Mlynz stESand bF H rivx.
<p>
“vivAt!” SQtad H /pOlz, iätAtikli, brEkiN HX rANä n
presiN agenst wan anaHx t sI him.
<p>
/napOlWn lUkt ap n dQn H rivx, dismQntad, n sAt dQn on a log
HAt lE on H bANk. At a mVt sFn from him, a teliskOp woz hAndad
him wic hI restad on H bAk v a hApi pEJ hM hAd ran ap t him,
n hI gEzd At H opazit bANk. Hen hI bikEm absPbd in a mAp lEd
Qt on H loã. wiHQt liftiN hiz hed hI sed samTiN, n tM v
hiz Edz-dI-kAmp gAlapt of t H /pOliS /Mlynz.
<p>
“wot? wot did hI sE?” woz hxd in H rANä v H /pOliS /Mlynz
wen wan v H Edz-dI-kAmp rOd ap t Hem.
<p>
H Pdx woz t fFnd a fPd n t kros H rivx. H kxnal v H
/pOliS /Mlynz, a hAndsam Old mAn, flaSt n, fambaliN in hiz spIc
from iäFtmant, Askt H Ed-dI-kAmp weHx hI wUd bI pxmitad
t swim H rivx wiH hiz /Mlynz insted v sIkiN a fPd. in evidant
fC v rifVzal, lFk a bq AskiN f pxmiSan t get on a hPs, hI
begd t bI alQd t swim akros H rivx bifP H /empxx'z
Fz. H Ed-dI-kAmp riplFd HAt probabli H /empxx wUd not bI
displIzd At His eäes v zIl.
<p>
Az sMn Az H Ed-dI-kAmp hAd sed His, H Old mastASt ofisx,
wiH hApi fEs n spRkaliN Fz, rEzd hiz sEbx, SQtad “vivAt!”
n, kamAndiN H /Mlynz t folO him, spxd hiz hPs n gAlapt
intM H rivx. hI gEv an ANgri Trast t hiz hPs, wic hAd grOn
restiv andx him, n planJd intM H wYtx, hediN f H dIpast
pRt wX H karant woz swift. handradz v /Mlynz gAlapt in Aftx
him. it woz kOld n ankAni in H rApid karant in H midal v H
strIm, n H /Mlynz kYt hOld v wan anaHx Az HE fel of HX
hPsaz. sam v H hPsaz wx drQnd n sam v H men; H aHxz
trFd t swim on, sam in H sAdal n sam kliNiN t HX hPsaz'
mEnz. HE trFd t mEk HX wE fPwxd t H opazit bANk n,
HO HX woz a fPd wan Txd v a mFl awE, wx prQd HAt HE
wx swimiN n drQniN in His rivx andx H Fz v H mAn hM
sAt on H log n woz not Ivan lUkiN At wot HE wx dMiN. wen
H Ed-dI-kAmp, hAviN ritxnd n cMziN an opxtMn mOment,
vencxd t drY H /empxx'z atenSan t H divOSan v H /pOlz
t hiz pxsan, H lital mAn in H grE OvxkOt got ap n, hAviN
samand /bertiX, bigAn pEsiN ap n dQn H bANk wiH him, giviN
him instrakSanz n akEZanali glAnsiN disaprMviNli At H
drQniN /Mlynz hM distrAktad hiz atenSan.
<p>
f him it woz nO nM kanvikSan HAt hiz prezans in eni pRt v
H wxld, from /Afrika t H steps v /maskavi alFk, woz inaf t
damfQnd pIpal n impel Hem t insEn self-ablivWn. hI kYld f
hiz hPs n rOd t hiz kwPtxz.
<p>
sam fPti /Mlynz wx drQnd in H rivx, HO bOts wx sent t
HX asistans. H maJPiti stragald bAk t H bANk from wic
HE hAd stRtad. H kxnal n sam v hiz men got akros n wiH
difikalti klAmbxd Qt on H fxHx bANk. n Az sMn Az HE hAd
got Qt, in HX sOkt n strImiN klOHz, HE SQtad “vivAt!”
n lUkt iätAtikli At H spot wX /napOlWn hAd bin bat wX hI
nO loNgx woz n At HAt mOment kansidxd Hemselvz hApi.
<p>
HAt IvniN, bitwIn iSViN wan Pdx HAt H fPJd /raSan pEpx
mani pripXd f Vs in /raSa SUd bI dilivxd Az kwikli Az
posabal n anaHx HAt a /sAäan SUd bI Sot, on hMm a letx
kantEniN infxmESan abQt H Pdxz t H /frenc Rmi hAd bin
fQnd, /napOlWn YlsO gEv instrakSanz HAt H /pOliS kxnal hM
hAd nIdlasli planJd intM H rivx SUd bI inrOld in H /lIJan
d'Onx v wic /napOlWn woz himself H hed.
<p>
kwOz vUlt pxdX dimentAt. *
<p>
    * HOz hMm (/god) wiSaz t distrq hI drFvz mAd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
H /empxx v /raSa hAd, mInwFl, bin in /vilna f mP HAn a
manT, rivViN trMps n hOldiN manMvxz. naTiN woz redi f H
wP HAt evriwan iäpektad n t pripX f wic H /empxx hAd kam
from /pItxzbxg. HX woz nO Jenxal plAn v AkSan. H vAsilESan
bitwIn H vXWs plAnz HAt wx prapOzd hAd Ivan inkrIst Aftx
H /empxx hAd bin At hedkwPtxz f a manT. Ic v H TrI
Rmiz hAd its On kamAndx in cIf, bat HX woz nO sMprIm
kamAndx v Yl H fPsaz, n H /empxx did not asMm HAt
risponsabiliti himself.
<p>
H loNgx H /empxx rimEnd in /vilna H les did evribodi—tFxd v
wEtiN—pripX f H wP. Yl H efxts v HOz hM sxQndad H
sovran sImd direktad mCli t mEkiN him spend hiz tFm plezantli
n fxget HAt wP woz impendiN.
<p>
in JMn, Aftx meni bYlz n fEts givan bF H /pOliS mAgnEts, bF H
kPtCz, n bF H /empxx himself, it akxd t wan v H /pOliS
Edz-dI-kAmp in atendans HAt a dinx n bYl SUd bI givan f
H /empxx bF hiz Edz-dI-kAmp. His FdW woz Igxli risIvd.
H /empxx gEv hiz kansent. H Edz-dI-kAmp kalektad mani bF
sabskripSan. H lEdi hM woz TYt t bI mOst plIziN t H
/empxx woz invFtad t Akt Az hOstas. kQnt /benigsan, bIiN a
lAndOnx in H /vilna provins, ofxd hiz kantri hQs f H fEt,
n H TxtInT v JMn woz fiät f a bYl, dinx, rigAta, n
fFxwxä At /zykret, /kQnt /benigsan'z kantri sIt.
<p>
H veri dE HAt /napOlWn iSVd H Pdx t kros H /nImen, n
hiz vAngRd, drFviN of H /kosAä, krost H /raSan frantC,
/AliãAndx spent H IvniN At H entxtEnmant givan bF hiz
Edz-dI-kAmp At /benigsan'z kantri hQs.
<p>
it woz a gE n brilWnt fEt. konasxz v sac mAtxz diklXd
HAt rXli hAd sO meni bVtifal wimin bin asembald in wan plEs.
kQntas /bezMâOva woz prezant amaN aHx /raSan lEdiz hM hAd
folOd H sovran from /pItxzbxg t /vilna n iklipst H rifFnd
/pOliS lEdiz bF hx mAsiv, sO-kYld /raSan tFp v bVti. H
/empxx nOtist hx n onxd hx wiH a dAns.
<p>
bPis /drMbetskq, hAviN left hiz wFf in /moskQ n bIiN f H
prezant en gRkon (Az hI frEzd it), woz YlsO HX n, HO not an
Ed-dI-kAmp, hAd sabskrFbd a lRJ sam tPd H iäpensaz. bPis
woz nQ a ric mAn hM hAd rizan t hF onxz n nO loNgx sYt
pEtraniJ bat stUd on an Ikwal fUtiN wiH H hFast v HOz v hiz
On EJ. hI woz mItiN /helIn in /vilna Aftx not hAviN sIn hx f
a loN tFm n did not rikYl H pAst, bat Az /helIn woz inJqiN
H fEvxz v a veri impPtant pxsaniJ n /bPis hAd Onli rIsantli
mArid, HE met Az gUd frendz v loN stAndiN.
<p>
At midnFt dAnsiN woz stil gOiN on. /helIn, not hAviN a sMtabal
pRtnx, hxself ofxd t dAns H mazxka wiH /bPis. HE wx H
Txd kapal. bPis, kMli lUkiN At /helIn'z dAzaliN bX SOldxz
wic imxJd from a dRk, gOld-imbrqdxd, gYz gQn, tYkt t hx
v Old akwEntansaz n At H sEm tFm, anawX v it himself n
annOtist bF aHxz, nevx f an instant sIst t abzxv H /empxx
hM woz in H sEm rMm. H /empxx woz not dAnsiN, hI stUd in H
dPwE, stopiN nQ wan pX n nQ anaHx wiH grESas wxdz wic
hI alOn nM hQ t atx.
<p>
Az H mazxka bigAn, /bPis sY HAt /AJUtant /Jenxal /bylySef, wan v
HOz in klOsast atendans on H /empxx, went ap t him n kontrXi
t kPt etiket stUd nC him wFl hI woz tYkiN t a /pOliS
lEdi. hAviN finiSt spIkiN t hx, H /empxx lUkt inkwFxiNli
At /bylySef n, evidentli andxstAndiN HAt hI Onli Aktad Has bikoz
HX wx impPtant rIzanz f sO dMiN, nodad slFtli t H lEdi
n txnd t him. hRdli hAd /bylySef bigan t spIk bifP a lUk v
amEzmant apCd on H /empxx'z fEs. hI tUk /bylySef bF H Rm
n krost H rMm wiH him, ankonSasli klCiN a pAT sevan
jRdz wFd Az H pIpal on bOT sFdz mEd wE f him. bPis nOtist
/RykcEef's iäFtad fEs wen H sovran went Qt wiH /bylySef.
/RykcEef lUkt At H /empxx from andx hiz brQ n, snifiN wiH
hiz red nOz, stept fPwxd from H krQd Az if iäpektiN H /empxx
t adres him. (bPis andxstUd HAt /RykcEef envid /bylySef n
woz displIzd HAt evidentli impPtant nMz hAd rIct H /empxx
aHxwFz HAn TrM himself.)
<p>
bat H /empxx n /bylySef pAst Qt intM H ilMminEtad gRdan
wiHQt nOtisiN /RykcEef hM, hOldiN hiz sPd n glAnsiN
rATfali xQnd, folOd sam twenti pEsaz bihFnd Hem.
<p>
Yl H tFm /bPis woz gOiN TrM H figjxz v H mazxka, hI woz
warid bF H kwescan v wot nMz /bylySef hAd brYt n hQ hI
kUd fFnd it Qt bifP aHxz. in H figjx in wic hI hAd t cMz
tM lEdiz, hI wispxd t /helIn HAt hI ment t cMz /kQntas
/pOtOtska hM, hI TYt, hAd gon Qt ontM H vxAnda, n glFdad Ovx
H pRkE t H dP OpaniN intM H gRdan, wX, sIiN /bylySef
n H /empxx ritxniN t H vxAnda, hI stUd stil. HE wx
mMviN tPd H dP. bPis, flatxiN Az if hI hAd not hAd tFm t
wiHdrY, rispektfali prest klOs t H dPpOst wiH bQd hed.
<p>
H /empxx, wiH H AJitESan v wan hM hAz bin pxsanali
afrantad, woz finiSiN wiH HIz wxdz:
<p>
“t entx /raSa wiHQt diklXiN wP! F wil not mEk pIs Az loN Az
a siNgal Rmd enami rimEnz in mF kantri!” it sImd t /bPis HAt it
gEv H /empxx pleZx t atx HIz wxdz. hI woz sAtisfFd wiH
H fPm in wic hI hAd iäprest hiz TYts, bat displIzd HAt
/bPis hAd Ovxhxd it.
<p>
“let nO wan nO v it!” H /empxx Adad wiH a frQn.
<p>
bPis andxstUd HAt His woz ment f him n, klOziN hiz Fz,
slFtli bQd hiz hed. H /empxx rI-entxd H bYlrMm n
rimEnd HX abQt anaHx hAf-Qx.
<p>
bPis woz Has H fxst t lxn H nMz HAt H /frenc Rmi hAd
krost H /nImen n, TANä t His, woz Ebal t SO sxtan
impPtant pxsaniJaz HAt mac HAt woz kansIld from aHxz woz
VZMali nOn t him, n bF His mInz hI rOz hFx in HX
estimESan.
<p>
<p>
H aniäpektad nMz v H /frenc hAviN krost H /nImen woz
pxtikVlxli stRtaliN Aftx a manT v anfUlfild eäpektESanz, n At
a bYl. on fxst risIviN H nMz, andx H inflMans v indignESan
n rizentmant H /empxx hAd fQnd a frEz HAt plIzd him, fUli
iäprest hiz fIliNz, n hAz sins bikam fEmas. on ritxniN hOm
At tM O'klok HAt nFt hI sent f hiz sekratXi, /SiSkOf, n tOld
him t rFt an Pdx t H trMps n a rIskript t /fIld /mRSal
/prins /syltikOf, in wic hI insistad on H wxdz bIiN insxtad HAt
hI wUd not mEk pIs sO loN Az a siNgal Rmd /frencman rimEnd on
/raSan sql.
<p>
neät dE H folOiN letx woz sent t /napOlWn:
<p>
masjx man frer,
<p>
/jestxdE F lxnd HAt, dispFt H lqalti wiH wic F hAv kept
mF ingEJmants wiH jP /mAJasti, jP trMps hAv krost H /raSan
frantC, n F hAv His mOment risIvd from /pItxzbxg a nOt, in
wic /kQnt /lPistan infPmz mI, Az a rIzan f His agreSan, HAt
jP /mAJasti hAz kansidxd jPself t bI in a stEt v wP wiH mI
from H tFm /prins /kMrykin Askt f hiz pAspPts. H rIzanz on
wic H /dMk de /bysynO bEst hiz rifVzal t dilivx Hem t him wUd
nevx hAv led mI t sapOz HAt HAt kUd sxv Az a prIteät f
agreSan. in fAkt, H AmbAsadx, Az hI himself hAz diklXd, woz
nevx YTxFzd t mEk HAt dimAnd, n Az sMn Az F woz infPmd v
it F let him nO hQ mac F disaprMvd v it n Pdxd him t rimEn
At hiz pOst. if jP /mAJasti daz not intend t Sed H blad v Qx
pIpalz f sac a misandxstAndiN, n kansents t wiHdrY jP
trMps from /raSan teritPi, F wil rigRd wot hAz pAst Az not
hAviN akxd n an andxstAndiN bitwIn as wil bI posabal. in
H kontrXi kEs, jP /mAJasti, F SAl sI mFself fPst t ripel an
atAk HAt naTiN on mF pRt hAz pravOkt. it stil dipendz on jP
/mAJasti t prizxv hVmAniti from H kalAmiti v anaHx wP.
<p>
F Am, ets,
<p>
(sFnd) /AliãAndx
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
At tM in H mPniN v H fPtInT v JMn, H /empxx, hAviN
sent f /bylySef n red him hiz letx t /napOlWn, Pdxd him t
tEk it n hAnd it pxsanali t H /frenc /empxx. wen dispAciN
/bylySef, H /empxx ripItad t him H wxdz HAt hI wUd not mEk
pIs sO loN Az a siNgal Rmd enami rimEnd on /raSan sql n tOld
him t trAnzmit HOz wxdz t /napOlWn. /AliãAndx did not insxt Hem
in hiz letx t /napOlWn, bikoz wiH hiz kAraktxistik tAkt hI felt
it wUd bI inJMdiSas t Vz Hem At a mOment wen a lAst atempt At
rekansiliESan woz bIiN mEd, bat hI definitli instraktad /bylySef t
ripIt Hem pxsanali t /napOlWn.
<p>
hAviN set of in H smYl Qxz v H fPtInT, akampanid bF a
bVgalx n tM /kosAä, /bylySef rIct H /frenc QtpOsts At H
viliJ v /rikOnti, on H /raSan sFd v H /nImen, bF dYn. HX hI
woz stopt bF /frenc kAvalri sentinalz.
<p>
a /frenc nonkamiSand ofisx v hMsRz, in krimzan VnifPm n a
SAgi kAp, SQtad t H aprOciN /bylySef t hYlt. /bylySef did
not dM sO At wans, bat kantinVd t advAns aloN H rOd At a wYkiN
pEs.
<p>
H nonkamiSand ofisx frQnd n, matxiN wxdz v abVs,
advAnst hiz hPs'az cest agenst /bylySef, pUt hiz hAnd t hiz sEbx,
n SQtad rMdli At H /raSan Jenxal, AskiN: woz hI def HAt
hI did not dM Az hI woz tOld? /bylySef menSand hM hI woz. H
nonkamiSand ofisx bigAn tYkiN wiH hiz komrAdz abQt reJimental
mAtxz wiHQt lUkiN At H /raSan Jenxal.
<p>
Aftx liviN At H sIt v H hFast YToriti n pQx, Aftx
kanvxsiN wiH H /empxx les HAn TrI Qxz bifP, n in Jenxal
bIiN akastamd t H rispekt dM t hiz rANk in H sxvis, /bylySef
fQnd it veri strEnJ hC on /raSan sql t inkQntx His hostFl,
n stil mP His disrispektfal, AplikESan v brMt fPs t
himself.
<p>
H san woz Onli Jast apCiN from bihFnd H klQdz, H X woz
freS n dMi. a hxd v kAtal woz bIiN drivan aloN H rOd from
H viliJ, n Ovx H fIldz H lRä rOz triliN, wan Aftx
anaHx, lFk babalz rFziN in wYtx.
<p>
/bylySef lUkt xQnd him, awEtiN H xFval v an ofisx from H
viliJ. H /raSan /kosAä n bVgalx n H /frenc hMsRz lUkt
sFlantli At wan anaHx from tFm t tFm.
<p>
a /frenc kxnal v hMsRz, hM hAd evidentli Jast left hiz bed, kEm
rFdiN from H viliJ on a hAndsam slIk grE hPs, akampanid
bF tM hMsRz. H ofisx, H sOlJxz, n HX hPsaz Yl lUkt
smRt n wel kept.
<p>
it woz HAt fxst pCWd v a kAmpEn wen trMps R stil in fUl
trim, YlmOst lFk HAt v pIstFm manMvxz, bat wiH a SEd v
mRSal swAgx in HX klOHz, n a tac v H gEiti n spirit
v entxprFz wic YlwEz akampani H OpaniN v a kAmpEn.
<p>
H /frenc kxnal wiH difikalti riprest a jYn, bat woz palFt n
evidentli andxstUd /bylySef's impPtans. hI led him pAst hiz sOlJxz
n bihFnd H QtpOsts n tOld him HAt hiz wiS t bI prizentad t
H /empxx wUd mOst lFkli bI sAtisfFd imIdWtli, Az H /empxx'z
kwPtxz wx, hI bilIvd, not fR of.
<p>
HE rOd TrM H viliJ v /rikOnti, pAst teHxd /frenc hMsR
hPsaz, pAst sentinalz n men hM salMtad HX kxnal n stXd wiH
kjUxiositi At a /raSan VnifPm, n kEm Qt At H aHx end v H
viliJ. H kxnal sed HAt H kamAndx v H diviZan woz a mFl
n a kwPtx awE n wUd risIv /bylySef n kandakt him t hiz
destinESan.
<p>
H san hAd bF nQ rizan n SOn gEli on H brFt vxJx.
<p>
HE hAd hRdli ridan ap a hil, pAst a tAvxn, bifP HE sY a grMp
v hPsmen kamiN tPd Hem. in frant v H grMp, on a blAk hPs
wiH trApiNz HAt glitxd in H san, rOd a tYl mAn wiH plMmz
in hiz hAt n blAk hX kxliN dQn t hiz SOldxz. hI wP a red
mAntal, n strect hiz loN leã fPwxd in /frenc fASan. His mAn
rOd tPd /bylySef At a gAlap, hiz plMmz flOiN n hiz Jemz n
gOld lEs glitxiN in H brFt JMn sanSFn.
<p>
/bylySef woz Onli tM hPsaz' leNT from H ikwestrWn wiH H
brEslats, plMmz, neklasaz, n gOld imbrqdxi, hM woz gAlapiN
tPd him wiH a TiAtrikli solam kQntanans, wen /JMlnx, H
/frenc kxnal, wispxd rispektfali: “H /kiN v /nEpalz!” it woz,
in fAkt, /mMryt, nQ kYld “kiN v /nEpalz.” HO it woz kwFt
inkomprihensabal wF hI SUd bI /kiN v /nEpalz, hI woz kYld sO,
n woz himself kanvinst HAt hI woz sO, n HXfP asMmd a mP
solam n impPtant X HAn fPmxli. hI woz sO SUx HAt hI rWli
woz H /kiN v /nEpalz HAt wen, on H Iv v hiz dipRcx from HAt
siti, wFl wYkiN TrM H strIts wiH hiz wFf, sam /itAlWnz
kYld Qt t him: “vIva il rI!” * hI txnd t hiz wFf wiH a pensiv
smFl n sed: “pUx felOz, HE dOnt nO HAt F Am lIviN Hem
tamorO!”
<p>
    * “loN liv H kiN.”
<p>
<p>
bat HO hI fxmli bilIvd himself t bI /kiN v /nEpalz n pitid
H grIf felt bF H sabJekts hI woz abAndaniN, lAtxli, Aftx hI hAd
bin Pdxd t ritxn t militXi sxvis—n ispeSali sins hiz lAst
intxvV wiH /napOlWn in /dyntsig, wen hiz Ygast braHx-in-lY hAd
tOld him: “F mEd V /kiN HAt V SUd rEn in mF wE, bat not in
jPz!”—hI hAd cCfali tEkan ap hiz familC biznas, n—lFk a
wel-fed bat not OvxfAt hPs HAt fIlz himself in hRnas n grOz
skitiS bitwIn H SAfts—hI drest ap in klOHz Az vXWgEtad n
iäpensiv Az posabal, n gEli n kantentadli gAlapt aloN H
rOdz v /pOland, wiHQt himself nOiN wF P wiHx.
<p>
on sIiN H /raSan Jenxal hI TrM bAk hiz hed, wiH its loN hX
kxliN t hiz SOldxz, in a maJestikli rqal mAnx, n lUkt
inkwFxiNli At H /frenc kxnal. H kxnal rispektfali infPmd /hiz
/mAJasti v /bylySef's miSan, hMz nEm hI kUd not pranQns.
<p>
“de /bAl-/makeva!” sed H /kiN (OvxkamiN bF hiz aSUxans H
difikalti HAt hAd prizentad itself t H kxnal). “cRmd t
mEk jP akwEntans, /Jenxal!” hI Adad, wiH a Jescx v kiNli
kondisenSan.
<p>
Az sMn Az H /kiN bigAn t spIk lQd n fAst hiz rqal digniti
instantli fxsUk him, n wiHQt nOtisiN it hI pAst intM hiz
nAcxal tOn v gUd-nEcxd familiAriti. hI lEd hiz hAnd on H
wiHxz v /bylySef's hPs n sed:
<p>
“wel, /Jenxal, it Yl lUä lFk wP,” Az if rigretiN a sxkamstAns
v wic hI woz anEbal t JaJ.
<p>
“jP /mAJasti,” riplFd /bylySef, “mF mAstx, H /empxx, daz not
dizFx wP n Az jP /mAJasti sIz...” sed /bylySef, VziN H wxdz
jP /mAJasti At evri opxtMniti, wiH H AfektESan anavqdabal in
frIkwantli adresiN wan t hMm H tFtal woz stil a novalti.
<p>
/mMryt's fEs bImd wiH stMpid sAtisfAkSan Az hI lisand t “masjx
de /bAl-/makeva.” bat royaute ablFJ! * n hI felt it inkambant on
him, Az a kiN n an AlF, t kanfx on stEt afXz wiH /AliãAndx'z
ynvq. hI dismQntad, tUk /bylySef's Rm, n mMviN a fV steps awE
from hiz swIt, wic wEtad rispektfali, bigAn t pEs ap n dQn
wiH him, trFiN t spIk signifikantli. hI rifxd t H fAkt HAt
H /empxx /napOlWn hAd rizentad H dimAnd HAt hI SUd wiHdrY hiz
trMps from /praSa, ispeSali wen HAt dimAnd bikEm Jenxali nOn
n H digniti v /fryns woz HXbF afendad.
<p>
    * “rqalti hAz its obligESanz.”
<p>
<p>
/bylySef riplFd HAt HX woz “naTiN afensiv in H dimAnd,
bikoz...” bat /mMryt intxaptad him.
<p>
“Hen V dOnt kansidx H /empxx /AliãAndx H agresx?” hI Askt
aniäpektadli, wiH a kFndli n fMliS smFl.
<p>
/bylySef tOld him wF hI kansidxd /napOlWn t bI H xiJinEtx v H
wP.
<p>
“O, mF dC Jenxal!” /mMryt agen intxaptad him, “wiH Yl mF hRt F
wiS H /empxxz mE xEnJ H afX bitwIn Hem, n HAt H wP
bigan bF nO wiS v mFn mE finiS Az kwikli Az posabal!” sed hI,
in H tOn v a sxvant hM wonts t rimEn gUd frendz wiH anaHx
dispFt a kworal bitwIn HX mAstxz.
<p>
n hI went on t inkwFxiz abQt H /grAnd /dMk n H stEt v hiz
helT, n t reminisansaz v H gE n amVziN tFmz hI hAd spent
wiH him in /nEpalz. Hen sadanli, Az if rimembxiN hiz rqal digniti,
/mMryt solamli drM himself ap, asMmd H pOz in wic hI hAd stUd
At hiz kPanESan, n, wEviN hiz rFt Rm, sed:
<p>
“F wOnt ditEn V loNgx, /Jenxal. F wiS saäes t jP miSan,”
n wiH hiz imbrqdxd red mAntal, hiz flOiN feHxz, n hiz
glitxiN Pnamants, hI rIJqnd hiz swIt hM wx rispektfali
awEtiN him.
<p>
/bylySef rOd on, sapOziN from /mMryt's wxdz HAt hI wUd veri sMn
bI brYt bifP /napOlWn himself. bat insted v HAt, At H neät
viliJ H sentinalz v /dyvM'z infantri kP ditEnd him Az
H pikats v H vAngRd hAd dan, n an AJUtant v H kP
kamAndx, hM woz fect, kondaktad him intM H viliJ t /mRSal
/dyvM.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
/dyvM woz t /napOlWn wot /RykcEef woz t /AliãAndx—HO not a
kQxd lFk /RykcEef, hI woz Az prisFs, Az krMal, n Az anEbal t
iäpres hiz divOSan t hiz monRk iäept bF krMalti.
<p>
in H Pganizam v stEts sac men R nesisXi, Az wUlvz R
nesisXi in H Pganizam v nEcx, n HE YlwEz iãist, YlwEz
apC n hOld HX On, hQevx inkoNgrMas HX prezans n HX
proäimiti t H hed v H gavxnmant mE bI. His inevitabiliti alOn
kAn iäplEn hQ H krMal /RykcEef, hM tP Qt a grenadC'z mastAS
wiH hiz On hAndz, hMz wIk nxvz rendxd him anEbal t fEs
dEnJx, n hM woz nFHx an eJakEtad mAn nP a kPtC, woz Ebal t
mEntEn hiz pQxfal paziSan wiH /AliãAndx, hMz On kAraktx woz
Sivalras, nObal, n Jental.
<p>
/bylySef fQnd /dyvM sItad on a bAral in H Sed v a pezant's hat,
rFtiN—hI woz YditiN akQnts. betx kwPtxz kUd hAv bin
fQnd him, bat /mRSal /dyvM woz wan v HOz men hM pxpasli pUt
Hemselvz in mOst dipresiN kandiSanz t hAv a JastifikESan f
bIiN glMmi. f H sEm rIzan HE R YlwEz hRd At wxk n in a
hari. “hQ kAn F TiNk v H brFt sFd v lFf wen, Az V sI, F
Am sitiN on a bAral n wxkiN in a dxti Sed?” H iäpreSan v
hiz fEs sImd t sE. H cIf pleZx n nisesiti v sac men,
wen HE inkQntx eniwan hM SOz AnimESan, iz t flYnt HX On
drCi, pxsistant Aktiviti. /dyvM alQd himself HAt pleZx wen
/bylySef woz brYt in. hI bikEm stil mP absPbd in hiz tAsk wen
H /raSan Jenxal entxd, n Aftx glAnsiN Ovx hiz spektakalz At
/bylySef's fEs, wic woz AnimEtad bF H bVti v H mPniN n
bF hiz tYk wiH /mMryt, hI did not rFz P Ivan stx, bat skQld stil
mP n snCd malevalantli.
<p>
wen hI nOtist in /bylySef's fEs H disagrIabal impreSan His
risepSan prOdMst, /dyvM rEzd hiz hed n kOldli Askt wot hI
wontad.
<p>
TiNkiN hI kUd hAv bin risIvd in sac a mAnx Onli bikoz
/dyvM did not nO HAt hI woz AJUtant Jenxal t H /empxx
/AliãAndx n Ivan hiz ynvq t /napOlWn, /bylySef hEsand t infPm
him v hiz rANk n miSan. kontrXi t hiz eäpektESan, /dyvM, Aftx
hCiN him, bikEm stil sxlC n rMdx.
<p>
“wX iz jP dispAc?” hI inkwFxd. “giv it t mI. F wil send it t
H /empxx.”
<p>
/bylySef riplFd HAt hI hAd bin Pdxd t hAnd it pxsanali t H
/empxx.
<p>
“jP /empxx'z Pdxz R ObEd in jP Rmi, bat hC,” sed /dyvM,
“V mast dM Az V'x tOld.”
<p>
n, Az if t mEk H /raSan Jenxal stil mP konSas v hiz
dipendans on brMt fPs, /dyvM sent an AJUtant t kYl H ofisx
on dMti.
<p>
/bylySef tUk Qt H pAkat kantEniN H /empxx'z letx n lEd it
on H tEbal (mEd v a dP wiH its hinJaz stil hANiN on it, lEd
akros tM bAralz). /dyvM tUk H pAkat n red H inskripSan.
<p>
“V R pxfiktli At libxti t trIt mI wiH rispekt P not,”
prOtestad /bylySef, “bat pxmit mI t abzxv HAt F hAv H onx t
bI AJUtant Jenxal t /hiz /mAJasti....”
<p>
/dyvM glAnst At him sFlantli n plEnli dirFvd pleZx from H
sFnz v AJitESan n kanfVZan wic apCd on /bylySef's fEs.
<p>
“V wil bI trItad Az iz fitiN,” sed hI n, pUtiN H pAkat in
hiz pokat, left H Sed.
<p>
a minit lEtx H mRSal'z AJUtant, de /kystra, kEm in n kondaktad
/bylySef t H kwPtxz asFnd him.
<p>
HAt dE hI dFnd wiH H mRSal, At H sEm bPd on H bAralz.
<p>
neät dE /dyvM rOd Qt xli n, Aftx AskiN /bylySef t kam t
him, pxemptxili rikwestad him t rimEn HX, t mMv on wiH H
bAgiJ trEn SUd Pdxz kam f it t mMv, n t tYk t nO wan
iäept /masjx de /kystra.
<p>
Aftx fP dEz v solitMd, onwI, n konSasnas v hiz impatans
n insignifikans—pxtikVlxli akVt bF kontrAst wiH H sfC v
pQx in wic hI hAd sO lEtli mMvd—n Aftx sevxal mRcaz wiH
H mRSal'z bAgiJ n H /frenc Rmi, wic okVpFd H
hOl distrikt, /bylySef woz brYt t /vilna—nQ okVpFd bF H
/frenc—TrM H veri gEt bF wic hI hAd left it fP dEz
prIvWsli.
<p>
neät dE H impCWl Jentalman-in-wEtiN, H /kOmtE de /tUxena, kEm
t /bylySef n infPmd him v H /empxx /napOlWn'z wiS t onx him
wiH an YdWns.
<p>
fP dEz bifP, sentinalz v H /preObryZensk reJimant hAd stUd in
frant v H hQs t wic /bylySef woz kondaktad, n nQ tM /frenc
grenadCz stUd HX in blM VnifPmz anfAsand in frant n wiH
SAgi kAps on HX hedz, n an eskPt v hMsRz n /Mlynz n a
brilWnt swIt v Edz-dI-kAmp, pEJaz, n Jenxalz, hM wx wEtiN
f /napOlWn t kam Qt, wx stAndiN At H pPc, rQnd hiz sAdal
hPs n hiz /mAmalMk, /rMstyn. /napOlWn risIvd /bylySef in H veri
hQs in /vilna from wic /AliãAndx hAd dispAct him on hiz miSan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/HO /bylySef woz Vst t impCWl pomp, hI woz amEzd At H lakSxi
n mAgnifisans v /napOlWn'z kPt.
<p>
H /kOmtE de /tUxena SOd him intM a big risepSan rMm wX meni
Jenxalz, Jentalmen-in-wEtiN, n /pOliS mAgnEts—sevxal v hMm
/bylySef hAd sIn At H kPt v H /empxx v /raSa—wx wEtiN.
/djUxok sed HAt /napOlWn wUd risIv H /raSan Jenxal bifP gOiN
f hiz rFd.
<p>
Aftx sam minits, H Jentalman-in-wEtiN hM woz on dMti kEm intM
H grEt risepSan rMm n, bQiN palFtli, Askt /bylySef t folO
him.
<p>
/bylySef went intM a smYl risepSan rMm, wan dP v wic led intM a
stadi, H veri wan from wic H /raSan /empxx hAd dispAct him
on hiz miSan. hI stUd a minit P tM, wEtiN. hI hxd harid
fUtsteps bijond H dP, bOT hAvz v it wx Opand rApidli; Yl
woz sFlant n Hen from H stadi H sQnd woz hxd v aHx steps,
fxm n rezalMt—HE wx HOz v /napOlWn. hI hAd Jast finiSt
dresiN f hiz rFd, n wP a blM VnifPm, OpaniN in frant Ovx
a wFt wEstkOt sO loN HAt it kavxd hiz rOtand stamak, wFt
leHx brIcaz tFtli fitiN H fAt TFz v hiz SPt leã, n
/heSan bMts. hiz SPt hX hAd evidentli Jast bin braSt, bat wan
lok haN dQn in H midal v hiz brYd fPhed. hiz plamp wFt nek
stUd Qt SRpli abav H blAk kolx v hiz VnifPm, n hI smeld
v /O de /kalOn. hiz fUl fEs, rAHx jaN-lUkiN, wiH its
prominant cin, wP a grESas n maJestik iäpreSan v impCWl
welkam.
<p>
hI entxd briskli, wiH a Jxk At evri step n hiz hed slFtli
TrOn bAk. hiz hOl SPt kPpVlant figjx wiH brYd Tik
SOldxz, n cest n stamak involantXili prOtrMdiN, hAd HAt
impOziN n stEtli apCans wan sIz in men v fPti hM liv in
kamfxt. it woz evidant, tM, HAt hI woz in H best v spirits HAt
dE.
<p>
hI nodad in Ansx t /bylySef's lO n rispektfal bQ, n kamiN ap
t him At wans bigAn spIkiN lFk a mAn hM vAlVz evri mOment v hiz
tFm n daz not kondisend t pripX wot hI hAs t sE bat iz SUx
hI wil YlwEz sE H rFt TiN n sE it wel.
<p>
“gUd dE, /Jenxal!” sed hI. “F hAv risIvd H letx V brYt
from H /empxx /AliãAndx n Am veri glAd t sI V.” hI glAnst wiH
hiz lRJ Fz intM /bylySef's fEs n imIdWtli lUkt pAst him.
<p>
it woz plEn HAt /bylySef's pxsanAliti did not intxast him At Yl.
evidentli Onli wot tUk plEs wiHin hiz On mFnd intxastad him.
naTiN QtsFd himself hAd eni signifikans f him, bikoz evriTiN
in H wxld, it sImd t him, dipendad intFxli on hiz wil.
<p>
“F dM not, n did not, dizFx wP,” hI kantinVd, “bat it hAz bin
fPst on mI. Ivan nQ” (hI emfasFzd H wxd) “F Am redi t risIv
eni eäplanESanz V kAn giv mI.”
<p>
n hI bigAn klCli n kansFsli t iäplEn hiz rIzanz f
dissAtisfAkSan wiH H /raSan gavxnmant. JaJiN bF H kymli
modxat n Amikabal tOn in wic H /frenc /empxx spOk, /bylySef
woz fxmli pxswEdad HAt hI wiSt f pIs n intendad t entx intM
nigOSiESanz.
<p>
wen /napOlWn, hAviN finiSt spIkiN, lUkt inkwFxiNli At H
/raSan ynvq, /bylySef bigAn a spIc hI hAd pripXd loN bifP:
“sFx! H /empxx, mF mAstx...” bat H sFt v H /empxx'z Fz
bent on him kanfVzd him. “V R flarid—kampOz jPself!” /napOlWn
sImd t sE, Az wiH a skXsli pxseptabal smFl hI lUkt At
/bylySef's VnifPm n sPd.
<p>
/bylySef rikavxd himself n bigAn t spIk. hI sed HAt H
/empxx /AliãAndx did not kansidx /kMrykin'z dimAnd f hiz pAspPts a
safiSant kYz f wP; HAt /kMrykin hAd Aktad on hiz On iniSativ
n wiHQt hiz sovran'z asent, HAt H /empxx /AliãAndx did not
dizFx wP, n hAd nO rilESanz wiH /iNgland.
<p>
“not jet!” intxpOzd /napOlWn, n, Az if fCiN t giv vent t hiz
fIliNz, hI frQnd n nodad slFtli Az a sFn HAt /bylySef mFt
prOsId.
<p>
Aftx sEiN Yl hI hAd bin instraktad t sE, /bylySef Adad HAt
H /empxx /AliãAndx wiSt f pIs, bat wUd not entx intM
nigOSiESanz iäept on kandiSan HAt... hC /bylySef hezitEtad:
hI rimembxd H wxdz H /empxx /AliãAndx hAd not ritan in hiz
letx, bat hAd speSali insxtad in H rIskript t /syltikOf n hAd
tOld /bylySef t ripIt t /napOlWn. /bylySef rimembxd HIz wxdz,
“sO loN Az a siNgal Rmd fO rimEnz on /raSan sql,” bat sam
kompleä fIliN ristrEnd him. hI kUd not atx Hem, HO hI
wiSt t dM sO. hI grM kanfVzd n sed: “on kandiSan HAt H
/frenc Rmi ritFxz bijond H /nImen.”
<p>
/napOlWn nOtist /bylySef's imbArasmant wen atxiN HIz lAst
wxdz; hiz fEs twict n H kAf v hiz left leg bigAn t kwivx
riHmikli. wiHQt mMviN from wX hI stUd hI bigAn spIkiN in
a lQdx tOn n mP haridli HAn bifP. dxiN H spIc HAt
folOd, /bylySef, hM mP HAn wans lOxd hiz Fz, involantXili
nOtist H kwivxiN v /napOlWn'z left leg wic inkrIst H mP
/napOlWn rEzd hiz vqs.
<p>
“F dizFx pIs, nO les HAn H /empxx /AliãAndx,” hI bigAn. “hAv
F not f EtIn manTs bin dMiN evriTiN t abtEn it? F
hAv wEtad EtIn manTs f eäplanESanz. bat in Pdx t bigin
nigOSiESanz, wot iz dimAndad v mI?” hI sed, frQniN n mEkiN an
enxJetik Jescx v inkwFxi wiH hiz smYl wFt plamp hAnd.
<p>
“H wiHdrYal v jP Rmi bijond H /nImen, sFx,” riplFd /bylySef.
<p>
“H /nImen?” ripItad /napOlWn. “sO nQ V wont mI t ritFx bijond
H /nImen—Onli H /nImen?” ripItad /napOlWn, lUkiN strEt At
/bylySef.
<p>
H lAtx bQd hiz hed rispektfali.
<p>
insted v H dimAnd v fP manTs xlC t wiHdrY from /pomxEnW,
Onli a wiHdrYal bijond H /nImen woz nQ dimAndad. /napOlWn txnd
kwikli n bigAn t pEs H rMm.
<p>
“V sE H dimAnd nQ iz HAt F Am t wiHdrY bijond H /nImen
bifP kamensiN nigOSiESanz, bat in Jast H sEm wE tM manTs agO
H dimAnd woz HAt F SUd wiHdrY bijond H /vistVla n H /Odx,
n jet V R wiliN t nigOSiEt.”
<p>
hI went in sFlans from wan kPnx v H rMm t H aHx n agen
stopt in frant v /bylySef. /bylySef nOtist HAt hiz left leg woz
kwivxiN fAstx HAn bifP n hiz fEs sImd petrifFd in its stxn
iäpreSan. His kwivxiN v hiz left leg woz a TiN /napOlWn woz
konSas v. “H vFbrESan v mF left kAf iz a grEt sFn wiH mI,”
hI rimRkt At a lEtx dEt.
<p>
“sac dimAndz Az t ritrIt bijond H /vistVla n /Odx mE bI mEd t a
/prins v /bydan, bat not t mI!” /napOlWn YlmOst skrImd, kwFt t hiz
On sxprFz. “if V gEv mI /pItxzbxg n /moskQ F kUd not aäept
sac kandiSanz. V sE F hAv bigan His wP! bat hM fxst Jqnd hiz
Rmi? H /empxx /AliãAndx, not F! n V ofx mI nigOSiESanz wen F
hAv iäpendad milWnz, wen V R in alFans wiH /iNgland, n wen
jP paziSan iz a bAd wan. V ofx mI nigOSiESanz! bat wot iz H
Em v jP alFans wiH /iNgland? wot hAz SI givan V?” hI kantinVd
haridli, evidentli nO loNgx trFiN t SO H advAntiJaz v pIs
n diskas its posabiliti, bat Onli t prMv hiz On rektitMd n
pQx n /AliãAndx'z erxz n dMplisiti.
<p>
H kamensmant v hiz spIc hAd obvWsli bin mEd wiH H
intenSan v demanstrEtiN H advAntiJaz v hiz paziSan n SOiN
HAt hI woz nevxHales wiliN t nigOSiEt. bat hI hAd bigan tYkiN,
n H mP hI tYkt H les kUd hI kantrOl hiz wxdz.
<p>
H hOl pxpPt v hiz rimRä nQ woz evidentli t iãYlt himself n
insalt /AliãAndx—Jast wot hI hAd lIst dizFxd At H kamensmant v
H intxvV.
<p>
“F hC V hAv mEd pIs wiH /txki?”
<p>
/bylySef bQd hiz hed afxmativli.
<p>
“pIs hAz bin kanklMdad...” hI bigAn.
<p>
bat /napOlWn did not let him spIk. hI evidentli wontad t dM Yl H
tYkiN himself, n kantinVd t tYk wiH H sPt v elakwans n
anristrEnd iritabiliti t wic spqld pIpal R sO prOn.
<p>
“jes, F nO V hAv mEd pIs wiH H /txä wiHQt abtEniN
/moldEvW n /wYlakW; F wUd hAv givan jP sovran HOz
provinsaz Az F gEv him /finland. jes,” hI went on, “F promist n wUd
hAv givan H /empxx /AliãAndx /moldEvW n /wYlakW, n nQ hI
wOnt hAv HOz splendid provinsaz. jet hI mFt hAv VnFtad Hem t
hiz empFx n in a siNgal rEn wUd hAv iätendad /raSa from H
/galf v /bOTnW t H mQHz v H /dAnVb. /kATxin H /grEt kUd
not hAv dan mP,” sed /napOlWn, grOiN mP n mP iäFtad Az hI
pEst ap n dQn H rMm, ripItiN t /bylySef YlmOst H veri wxdz
hI hAd Vzd t /AliãAndx himself At /tilzit. “Yl HAt, hI wUd hAv
Od t mF frendSip. O, wot a splendid rEn!” hI ripItad sevxal
tFmz, Hen pYzd, drM from hiz pokat a gOld snafboä, liftad it t
hiz nOz, n grIdili snift At it.
<p>
“wot a splendid rEn H /empxx /AliãAndx'z mFt hAv bin!”
<p>
hI lUkt kampASanatli At /bylySef, n Az sMn Az H lAtx trFd
t mEk sam riJqndx hEstili intxaptad him.
<p>
“wot kUd hI wiS P lUk f HAt hI wUd not hAv abtEnd
TrM mF frendSip?” dimAndad /napOlWn, SragiN hiz SOldxz
in pxpleäiti. “bat nO, hI hAz prifxd t sxQnd himself wiH
mF enamiz, n wiH hMm? wiH /stFnz, /Rmfelts, /benigsanz, n
/wintsiNxOdz! stFn, a trEtx iäpeld from hiz On kantri;
/Rmfelt, a rEk n an intrIgx; /wintsiNxOd, a fVJativ /frenc
sabJekt; /benigsan, rAHx mP v a sOlJx HAn H aHxz, bat Yl
H sEm an inkompitant hM woz anEbal t dM eniTiN in 1807 n hM
SUd awEkan teribal memxiz in H /empxx /AliãAndx'z mFnd....
grAntad HAt wx HE kompitant HE mFt bI mEd Vs v,” kantinVd
/napOlWn—hRdli Ebal t kIp pEs in wxdz wiH H raS v TYts
HAt insesantli sprAN ap, prMviN hQ rFt n stroN hI woz (in hiz
pxsepSan H tM wx wan n H sEm)—“bat HE R not Ivan HAt!
HE R nFHx fit f wP nP pIs! bRklE iz sed t bI H
mOst kEpabal v Hem Yl, bat F kAnot sE sO, JaJiN bF hiz fxst
mMvmants. n wot R HE dMiN, Yl HIz kPtCz? /pfVl prapOzaz,
/Rmfelt dispVts, /benigsan kansidxz, n /bRklE, kYld on t Akt,
daz not nO wot t disFd on, n tFm pAsaz briNiN nO rizalt.
/bygrytiOn alOn iz a militXi mAn. hI'z stMpid, bat hI hAz iäpCWns,
a kwik F, n rezalMSan.... n wot rOl iz jP jaN monRk
plEiN in HAt monstras krQd? HE kompramFz him n TrO on him
H risponsabiliti f Yl HAt hApanz. a sovran SUd not bI wiH
H Rmi anles hI iz a Jenxal!” sed /napOlWn, evidentli atxiN
HIz wxdz Az a direkt cAlanJ t H /empxx. hI nM hQ /AliãAndx
dizFxd t bI a militXi kamAndx.
<p>
“H kAmpEn bigAn Onli a wIk agO, n V hAvant Ivan bin Ebal t
difend /vilna. V R kat in tM n hAv bin drivan Qt v H /pOliS
provinsaz. jP Rmi iz grambaliN.”
<p>
“on H kontrXi, jP /mAJasti,” sed /bylySef, hRdli Ebal t rimembx
wot hAd bin sed t him n folOiN HIz vxbal fFxwxä wiH
difikalti, “H trMps R bxniN wiH Igxnas...”
<p>
“F nO evriTiN!” /napOlWn intxaptad him. “F nO evriTiN. F
nO H nambx v jP batAlWnz Az iãAktli Az F nO mF On. V hAv
not tM handrad TQzand men, n F hAv TrI tFmz HAt nambx. F giv
V mF wxd v onx,” sed /napOlWn, fxgetiN HAt hiz wxd v onx
kUd kAri nO wEt—“F giv V mF wxd v onx HAt F hAv fFv
handrad n Txti TQzand men His sFd v H /vistVla. H /txä wil
bI v nO Vs t V; HE R wxT naTiN n hAv SOn it bF mEkiN
pIs wiH V. Az f H /swIdz—it iz HX fEt t bI gavxnd bF
mAd kiNz. HX kiN woz insEn n HE cEnJd him f
anaHx—/bxnadot, hM promptli went mAd—f nO /swId wUd AlF
himself wiH /raSa anles hI wx mAd.”
<p>
/napOlWn grind maliSasli n agen rEzd hiz snafboä t hiz nOz.
<p>
/bylySef nM hQ t riplF t Ic v /napOlWn'z rimRä, n wUd
hAv dan sO; hI kantinVali mEd H Jescx v a mAn wiSiN t sE
samTiN, bat /napOlWn YlwEz intxaptad him. t H aleJd insAniti
v H /swIdz, /bylySef wiSt t riplF HAt wen /raSa iz on hx sFd
/swIdan iz prAktikli an Fland: bat /napOlWn gEv an ANgri eäklamESan
t drQn hiz vqs. /napOlWn woz in HAt stEt v iritabiliti in wic
a mAn hAs t tYk, tYk, n tYk, mCli t kanvins himself HAt hI iz
in H rFt. /bylySef bigAn t fIl ankamfxtabal: Az ynvq hI fCd
t dimIn hiz digniti n felt H nisesiti v riplFiN; bat, Az a mAn,
hI SrANk bifP H trAnspPt v grQndlas rAT HAt hAd evidentli
sIzd /napOlWn. hI nM HAt nan v H wxdz nQ atxd bF /napOlWn
hAd eni signifikans, n HAt /napOlWn himself wUd bI aSEmd v Hem
wen hI kEm t hiz sensaz. /bylySef stUd wiH dQnkAst Fz, lUkiN
At H mMvmants v /napOlWn'z stQt leã n trFiN t avqd mItiN
hiz Fz.
<p>
“bat wot dM F kX abQt jP AlFz?” sed /napOlWn. “F hAv
AlFz—H /pOlz. HX R Eti TQzand v Hem n HE fFt lFk
lFanz. n HX wil bI tM handrad TQzand v Hem.”
<p>
n probabli stil mP pxtxbd bF H fAkt HAt hI hAd atxd His
obvWs fYlshUd, n HAt /bylySef stil stUd sFlantli bifP him in
H sEm AtitMd v sabmiSan t fEt, /napOlWn abraptli txnd
rQnd, drM klOs t /bylySef's fEs, n, JestikVlEtiN rApidli n
enxJetikli wiH hiz wFt hAndz, YlmOst SQtad:
<p>
“nO HAt if V stx ap /praSa agenst mI, F'l wFp it of H mAp
v /jUxap!” hI diklXd, hiz fEs pEl n distPtad bF ANgx, n hI
strak wan v hiz smYl hAndz enxJetikli wiH H aHx. “jes, F
wil TrO V bAk bijond H /dvIna n bijond H /dnIpx, n wil
rI-irekt agenst V HAt bArC wic it woz kriminal n blFnd v
/jUxap t alQ t bI distrqd. jes, HAt iz wot wil hApan t V.
HAt iz wot V hAv gEnd bF ElWnEtiN mI!” n hI wYkt sFlantli
sevxal tFmz ap n dQn H rMm, hiz fAt SOldxz twiciN.
<p>
hI pUt hiz snafboä intM hiz wEstkOt pokat, tUk it Qt agen, liftad
it sevxal tFmz t hiz nOz, n stopt in frant v /bylySef. hI
pYzd, lUkt Fronikli strEt intM /bylySef's Fz, n sed in a
kwFat vqs:
<p>
“n jet wot a splendid rEn jP mAstx mFt hAv hAd!”
<p>
/bylySef, fIliN it inkambant on him t riplF, sed HAt from H
/raSan sFd TiNz did not apC in sO glMmi a lFt. /napOlWn woz
sFlant, stil lUkiN dirFsivli At him n evidentli not lisaniN t
him. /bylySef sed HAt in /raSa H best rizalts wx iäpektad from
H wP. /napOlWn nodad kondisendiNli, Az if t sE, “F nO it's
jP dMti t sE HAt, bat V dOnt bilIv it jPself. F hAv
kanvinst V.”
<p>
wen /bylySef hAd endad, /napOlWn agen tUk Qt hiz snafboä, snift
At it, n stAmpt hiz fUt twFs on H flP Az a signal. H dP
Opand, a Jentalman-in-wEtiN, bendiN rispektfali, hAndad H /empxx
hiz hAt n glavz; anaHx brYt him a pokat hANkxcif. /napOlWn,
wiHQt giviN Hem a glAns, txnd t /bylySef:
<p>
“aSUx H /empxx /AliãAndx from mI,” sed hI, tEkiN hiz hAt, “HAt
F Am Az divOtad t him Az bifP: F nO him TarOli n veri hFli
istIm hiz lofti kwolitiz. F wil ditEn V nO loNgx, /Jenxal; V
SAl risIv mF letx t H /empxx.”
<p>
n /napOlWn went kwikli t H dP. evriwan in H risepSan rMm
raSt fPwxd n disendad H stXkEs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/Aftx Yl HAt /napOlWn hAd sed t him—HOz bxsts v ANgx n H
lAst drFli spOkan wxdz: “F wil ditEn V nO loNgx, /Jenxal; V
SAl risIv mF letx,” /bylySef felt kanvinst HAt /napOlWn wUd
not wiS t sI him, n wUd Ivan avqd anaHx mItiN wiH him—an
insaltad ynvq—ispeSali Az hI hAd witnast hiz ansImli ANgx. bat,
t hiz sxprFz, /bylySef risIvd, TrM /djUxok, an invitESan t dFn
wiH H /empxx HAt dE.
<p>
/besiXz, /kOlynkUx, n /bertiX wx prezant At HAt dinx.
<p>
/napOlWn met /bylySef cCfali n EmWbli. hI not Onli SOd nO sFn
v kanstrEnt P self-riprOc on akQnt v hiz Qtbxst HAt mPniN,
bat, on H kontrXi, trFd t rIaSUx /bylySef. it woz evidant HAt
hI hAd loN bin kanvinst HAt it woz imposabal f him t mEk a
mistEk, n HAt in hiz pxsepSan wotevx hI did woz rFt, not
bikoz it hRmanFzd wiH eni FdW v rFt n roN, bat bikoz hI
did it.
<p>
H /empxx woz in veri gUd spirits Aftx hiz rFd TrM /vilna, wX
krQdz v pIpal hAd rApcxasli grItad n folOd him. from Yl
H windOz v H strIts TrM wic hI rOd, raã, flAã, n hiz
monagrAm wx displEd, n H /pOliS lEdiz, welkamiN him, wEvd
HX hANkxcifs t him.
<p>
At dinx, hAviN plEst /bylySef bisFd him, /napOlWn not Onli trItad
him EmWbli bat bihEvd Az if /bylySef wx wan v hiz On kPtCz,
wan v HOz hM simpaTFzd wiH hiz plAnz n Yt t riJqs At
hiz saäes. in H kPs v konvxsESan hI menSand /moskQ n
kwescand /bylySef abQt H /raSan kApital, not mCli Az an
intxastad trAvalx Asä abQt a nM siti hI intendz t vizit, bat Az
if kanvinst HAt /bylySef, Az a /raSan, mast bI flAtxd bF hiz
kjUxiositi.
<p>
“hQ meni inhAbitants R HX in /moskQ? hQ meni hQzaz? iz it trM
HAt /moskQ iz kYld '/hOli /moskQ'? hQ meni cxcaz R HX in
/moskQ?” hI Askt.
<p>
n risIviN H riplF HAt HX wx mP HAn tM handrad cxcaz,
hI rimRkt:
<p>
“wF sac a kwontiti v cxcaz?”
<p>
“H /raSanz R veri divQt,” riplFd /bylySef.
<p>
“bat a lRJ nambx v monasteriz n cxcaz iz YlwEz a sFn v H
bAkwxdnas v a pIpal,” sed /napOlWn, txniN t /kOlynkUx f
aprISiESan v His rimRk.
<p>
/bylySef rispektfali vencxd t disagrI wiH H /frenc /empxx.
<p>
“evri kantri hAz its On kAraktx,” sed hI.
<p>
“bat nOwX in /jUxap iz HX eniTiN lFk HAt,” sed /napOlWn.
<p>
“F beg jP /mAJasti'z pRdan,” ritxnd /bylySef, “bisFdz /raSa HX
iz /spEn, wX HX R YlsO meni cxcaz n monasteriz.”
<p>
His riplF v /bylySef's, wic hintad At H rIsant difIts v H
/frenc in /spEn, woz mac aprISiEtad wen hI rilEtad it At /AliãAndx'z
kPt, bat it woz not mac aprISiEtad At /napOlWn'z dinx, wX it
pAst annOtist.
<p>
H anintxastad n pxpleät fEsaz v H mRSalz SOd HAt HE
wx pazald Az t wot /bylySef's tOn saJestad. “if HX iz a pqnt
wI dOnt sI it, P it iz not At Yl witi,” HX iäpreSanz sImd
t sE. sO lital woz hiz riJqndx aprISiEtad HAt /napOlWn did not
nOtis it At Yl n nFIvli Askt /bylySef TrM wot tQnz H
direkt rOd from HX t /moskQ pAst. /bylySef, hM woz on H alxt
Yl TrM H dinx, riplFd HAt Jast Az “Yl rOdz lId t /rOm,”
sO Yl rOdz lId t /moskQ: HX wx meni rOdz, n “amaN Hem H
rOd TrM /pOltyva, wic /cRlz XII cOz.” /bylySef involantXili
flaSt wiH pleZx At H AptitMd v His riplF, bat hRdli hAd
hI atxd H wxd /pOltyva bifP /kOlynkUx bigAn spIkiN v H
bAdnas v H rOd from /pItxzbxg t /moskQ n v hiz /pItxzbxg
reminisansaz.
<p>
Aftx dinx HE went t driNk kofi in /napOlWn'z stadi, wic fP
dEz prIvWsli hAd bin HAt v H /empxx /AliãAndx. /napOlWn sAt
dQn, tqiN wiH hiz /sevre kofi kap, n mOSand /bylySef t a
cX bisFd him.
<p>
/napOlWn woz in HAt wel-nOn Aftx-dinx mMd wic, mP HAn
eni rIzand kYz, mEä a mAn kantentad wiH himself n dispOzd t
kansidx evriwan hiz frend. it sImd t him HAt hI woz sxQndad
bF men hM adPd him: n hI felt kanvinst HAt, Aftx hiz dinx,
/bylySef tM woz hiz frend n wxSipx. /napOlWn txnd t him wiH a
plezant, HO slFtli Fronik, smFl.
<p>
“HE tel mI His iz H rMm H /empxx /AliãAndx okVpFd? strEnJ,
izant it, /Jenxal?” hI sed, evidentli not dQtiN HAt His rimRk
wUd bI agrIabal t hiz hCx sins it went t prMv hiz, /napOlWn'z,
sMpCiPiti t /AliãAndx.
<p>
/bylySef mEd nO riplF n bQd hiz hed in sFlans.
<p>
“jes. fP dEz agO in His rMm, /wintsiNxOd n /stFn wx
dilibxEtiN,” kantinVd /napOlWn wiH H sEm dirFsiv n
self-konfidant smFl. “wot F kAnt andxstAnd,” hI went on, “iz HAt
H /empxx /AliãAndx hAz sxQndad himself wiH mF pxsanal enamiz.
HAt F dM not... andxstAnd. hAz hI not TYt HAt F mE dM H sEm?”
n hI txnd inkwFxiNli t /bylySef, n evidentli His TYt txnd
him bAk on t H trAk v hiz mPniN'z ANgx, wic woz stil freS
in him.
<p>
“n let him nO HAt F wil dM sO!” sed /napOlWn, rFziN n pUSiN
hiz kap awE wiH hiz hAnd. “F'l drFv Yl hiz /vxtambxg, /bydan, n
/wFmR rilESanz Qt v /Jxmani.... jes. F'l drFv Hem Qt. let him
pripX an asFlam f Hem in /raSa!”
<p>
/bylySef bQd hiz hed wiH an X indikEtiN HAt hI wUd lFk t
mEk hiz bQ n lIv, n Onli lisand bikoz hI kUd not help
hCiN wot woz sed t him. /napOlWn did not nOtis His iäpreSan;
hI trItad /bylySef not Az an ynvq from hiz enami, bat Az a mAn
nQ fUli divOtad t him n hM mast riJqs At hiz fPmx mAstx'z
hVmiliESan.
<p>
“n wF hAz H /empxx /AliãAndx tEkan kamAnd v H Rmiz? wot iz
H gUd v HAt? wP iz mF prafeSan, bat hiz biznas iz t rEn
n not t kamAnd Rmiz! wF hAz hI tEkan on himself sac a
risponsabiliti?”
<p>
agen /napOlWn brYt Qt hiz snafboä, pEst sevxal tFmz ap n dQn
H rMm in sFlans, n Hen, sadanli n aniäpektadli, went ap t
/bylySef n wiH a slFt smFl, Az konfidantli, kwikli, n simpli
Az if hI wx dMiN samTiN not mCli impPtant bat plIziN t
/bylySef, hI rEzd hiz hAnd t H fPti-jC-Old /raSan Jenxal'z
fEs n, tEkiN him bF H C, pUld it Jentli, smFliN wiH hiz lips
Onli.
<p>
t hAv wan'z C pUld bF H /empxx woz kansidxd H grEtast
onx n mRk v fEvx At H /frenc kPt.
<p>
“wel, adPx n kPtC v H /empxx /AliãAndx, wF dOnt V sE
eniTiN?” sed hI, Az if it woz ridikVlas, in hiz prezans, t bI H
adPx n kPtC v eniwan bat himself, /napOlWn. “R H hPsaz
redi f H Jenxal?” hI Adad, wiH a slFt inklinESan v hiz hed
in riplF t /bylySef's bQ. “let him hAv mFn, hI hAz a loN wE t
gO!”
<p>
H letx tEkan bF /bylySef woz H lAst /napOlWn sent t /AliãAndx.
evri dItEl v H intxvV woz kamVnikEtad t H /raSan monRk,
n H wP bigAn....
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/Aftx hiz intxvV wiH /piX in /moskQ, /prins /AndrM went t
/pItxzbxg, on biznas Az hI tOld hiz fAmli, bat rWli t mIt
/ynatOl /kMrygin hMm hI felt it nesisXi t inkQntx. on rIciN
/pItxzbxg hI inkwFxd f /kMrygin bat H lAtx hAd Ylredi left H
siti. /piX hAd wPnd hiz braHx-in-lY HAt /prins /AndrM woz on
hiz trAk. /ynatOl /kMrygin promptli abtEnd an apqntmant from
H /ministx v /wP n went t Jqn H Rmi in /moldEvW. wFl in
/pItxzbxg /prins /AndrM met /kMtMzOf, hiz fPmx kamAndx hM woz
YlwEz wel dispOzd tPd him, n /kMtMzOf saJestad HAt hI SUd
akampani him t H Rmi in /moldEvW, t wic H Old Jenxal hAd
bin apqntad kamAndx in cIf. sO /prins /AndrM, hAviN risIvd an
apqntmant on H hedkwPtxz stAf, left f /txki.
<p>
prins /AndrM did not TiNk it propx t rFt n cAlanJ /kMrygin.
hI TYt HAt if hI cAlanJd him wiHQt sam freS kYz it mFt
kompramFz H jaN /kQntas /rOstOva n sO hI wontad t mIt /kMrygin
pxsanali in Pdx t fFnd a freS prIteät f a dMal. bat hI agen
fEld t mIt /kMrygin in /txki, f sMn Aftx /prins /AndrM xFvd,
H lAtx ritxnd t /raSa. in a nM kantri, amid nM kandiSanz,
/prins /AndrM fQnd lFf IzC t bX. Aftx hiz bitrOHd hAd brOkan
fET wiH him—wic hI felt H mP akVtli H mP hI trFd t
kansIl its ifekts—H sxQndiNz in wic hI hAd bin hApi bikEm
trFiN t him, n H frIdam n indipendans hI hAd wans prFzd
sO hFli wx stil mP sO. not Onli kUd hI nO loNgx TiNk H
TYts HAt hAd fxst kam t him Az hI lE gEziN At H skF on H
fIld v /Qstxlits n hAd lEtx inlRJd apon wiH /piX, n wic
hAd fild hiz solitMd At /bOgMcROvO n Hen in /switsxland n /rOm,
bat hI Ivan dredad t rikYl Hem n H brFt n bQndlas hxFzanz
HE hAd rivIld. hI woz nQ kansxnd Onli wiH H nCast prAktikal
mAtxz anrilEtad t hiz pAst intxasts, n hI sIzd on HIz H mP
Igxli H mP HOz pAst intxasts wx klOzd t him. it woz Az if
HAt lofti, infinit kAnapi v hevan HAt hAd wans tQxd abav him
hAd sadanli txnd intM a lO, solid vYlt HAt wEd him dQn, in
wic Yl woz klC, bat naTiN itxnal P mistCWs.
<p>
v H Aktivitiz HAt prizentad Hemselvz t him, Rmi sxvis woz H
simpalast n mOst familC. Az a Jenxal on dMti on /kMtMzOf's stAf,
hI aplFd himself t biznas wiH zIl n pxsavCans n sxprFzd
/kMtMzOf bF hiz wiliNnas n Akjxasi in wxk. not hAviN fQnd
/kMrygin in /txki, /prins /AndrM did not TiNk it nesisXi t raS bAk
t /raSa Aftx him, bat Yl H sEm hI nM HAt hQevx loN it mFt
bI bifP hI met /kMrygin, dispFt hiz kantempt f him n dispFt Yl
H prMfs hI didMst t kanvins himself HAt it woz not wxT stMpiN
t a konflikt wiH him—hI nM HAt wen hI did mIt him hI wUd not
bI Ebal t rizist kYliN him Qt, eni mP HAn a rAvanas mAn kAn help
snAciN At fMd. n H konSasnas HAt H insalt woz not jet
avenJd, HAt hiz rANkx woz stil anspent, wEd on hiz hRt n
pqzand H RtifiSal trANkwiliti wic hI mAniJd t abtEn in
/txki bF mInz v restlas, plodiN, n rAHx vEnglPWs n
AmbiSas Aktiviti.
<p>
in H jC 1812, wen nMz v H wP wiH /napOlWn rIct
/bMkxest—wX /kMtMzOf hAd bin liviN f tM manTs, pAsiN hiz
dEz n nFts wiH a /wYlakWn wUman—/prins /AndrM Askt /kMtMzOf
t trAnsfx him t H /westxn /Rmi. /kMtMzOf, hM woz Ylredi wCi v
/bOlkOnski'z Aktiviti wic sImd t riprOc hiz On Fdalnas, veri
redili let him gO n gEv him a miSan t /bRklE de /toli.
<p>
bifP JqniN H /westxn /Rmi wic woz Hen, in mE, inkAmpt At
/drisa, /prins /AndrM vizitad /bYld /hilz wic woz direktli on hiz wE,
bIiN Onli tM mFlz of H /smOlensk hFrOd. dxiN H lAst TrI
jCz HX hAd bin sO meni cEnJaz in hiz lFf, hI hAd TYt, felt,
n sIn sO mac (hAviN trAvald bOT in H Ist n H west), HAt
on rIciN /bYld /hilz it strak him Az strEnJ n aniäpektad t fFnd
H wE v lFf HX ancEnJd n stil H sEm in evri dItEl.
hI entxd TrM H gEts wiH HX stOn pilxz n drOv ap
H AvanM lIdiN t H hQs Az if hI wx entxiN an incAntad,
slIpiN kAsal. H sEm Old stEtlinas, H sEm klenlinas, H
sEm stilnas rEnd HX, n insFd HX woz H sEm fxnicx,
H sEm wYlz, sQndz, n smel, n H sEm timid fEsaz, Onli
samwot Oldx. prinsas /mXi woz stil H sEm timid, plEn mEdan
getiN on in jCz, Vslasli n Jqlasli pAsiN H best jCz v
hx lFf in fC n konstant safxiN. /mAdamwazel /bMrien woz
H sEm kOketiS, self-sAtisfFd gxl, inJqiN evri mOment v hx
iãistans n fUl v Jqas hOps f H fVcx. SI hAd mCli bikam
mP self-konfidant, /prins /AndrM TYt. /desyl, H tMtx hI hAd
brYt from /switsxland, woz wXiN a kOt v /raSan kat n
tYkiN brOkan /raSan t H sxvants, bat woz stil H sEm nArOli
inteliJant, konSienSas, n pidAntik priseptx. H Old prins
hAd cEnJd in apCans Onli bF H los v a tMT, wic left a
nOtisabal gAp on wan sFd v hiz mQT; in kAraktx hI woz H sEm Az
evx, Onli SOiN stil mP iritabiliti n skeptisizam Az t wot woz
hApaniN in H wxld. lital /nikalas alOn hAd cEnJd. hI hAd grOn,
bikam rOzC, hAd kxli dRk hX, n, wen meri n lAfiN, kwFt
ankonSasli liftad H apx lip v hiz priti lital mQT Jast
Az H lital prinsas Vst t dM. hI alOn did not ObE H lY v
imVtabiliti in H incAntad, slIpiN kAsal. bat HO eätxnali
Yl rimEnd Az v Old, H inx rilESanz v Yl HIz pIpal hAd
cEnJd sins /prins /AndrM hAd sIn Hem lAst. H hQshOld woz
divFdad intM tM ElWn n hostFl kAmps, hM cEnJd HX hAbits f
hiz sEk n Onli met bikoz hI woz HX. t H wan kAmp biloNd
H Old prins, /mAdamwazel /bMrien, n H Rkitekt; t H aHx
/prinsas /mXi, /desyl, lital /nikalas, n Yl H Old nxsaz n
mEdz.
<p>
dxiN hiz stE At /bYld /hilz Yl H fAmli dFnd tageHx, bat HE
wx il At Iz n /prins /AndrM felt HAt hI woz a vizitx f hMz
sEk an iäepSan woz bIiN mEd n HAt hiz prezans mEd Hem Yl
fIl Ykwxd. involantXili fIliN His At dinx on H fxst dE, hI
woz tAsitxn, n H Old prins nOtisiN His YlsO bikEm mxOsli dam
n ritFxd t hiz apRtmants direktli Aftx dinx. in H IvniN,
wen /prins /AndrM went t him n, trFiN t rQz him, bigAn t
tel him v H jaN /kQnt /kymenski'z kAmpEn, H Old prins
bigAn aniäpektadli t tYk abQt /prinsas /mXi, blEmiN hx f hx
sMpxstiSanz n hx dislFk v /mAdamwazel /bMrien, hM, hI sed,
woz H Onli pxsan rWli atAct t him.
<p>
H Old prins sed HAt if hI woz il it woz Onli bikoz v /prinsas
/mXi: HAt SI pxpasli warid n iritEtad him, n HAt bF
indalJans n sili tYk SI woz spqliN lital /prins /nikalas. H
Old prins nM veri wel HAt hI tPmentad hiz dYtx n HAt hx
lFf woz veri hRd, bat hI YlsO nM HAt hI kUd not help tPmentiN
hx n HAt SI dizxvd it. “wF daz /prins /AndrM, hM sIz His,
sE naTiN t mI abQt hiz sistx? daz hI TiNk mI a skQndral, P an
Old fMl hM, wiHQt eni rIzan, kIps hiz On dYtx At a distans
n atAcaz His /frencwUman t himself? hI dazant andxstAnd, sO F
mast iäplEn it, n hI mast hC mI Qt,” TYt H Old prins.
n hI bigAn iäplEniN wF hI kUd not pUt ap wiH hiz dYtx'z
anrIzanabal kAraktx.
<p>
“if V Ask mI,” sed /prins /AndrM, wiHQt lUkiN ap (hI woz
senSxiN hiz fyHx f H fxst tFm in hiz lFf), “F did not wiS t
spIk abQt it, bat Az V Ask mI F wil giv V mF frANk apinjan. if
HX iz eni misandxstAndiN n diskPd bitwIn V n /mXi, F kAnt
blEm hx f it At Yl. F nO hQ SI lavz n rispekts V. sins
V Ask mI,” kantinVd /prins /AndrM, bikamiN iritabal—Az hI woz
YlwEz lFabal t dM v lEt—“F kAn Onli sE HAt if HX R eni
misandxstAndiNz HE R kYzd bF HAt wxTlas wUman, hM iz not
fit t bI mF sistx'z kampAnjan.”
<p>
H Old mAn At fxst stXd fiäadli At hiz san, n an annAcxal smFl
disklOzd H freS gAp bitwIn hiz tIT t wic /prins /AndrM kUd
not get akastamd.
<p>
“wot kampAnjan, mF dC bq? E? V'v Ylredi bin tYkiN it Ovx!
E?”
<p>
“fyHx, F did not wont t JaJ,” sed /prins /AndrM, in a hRd n
bitx tOn, “bat V cAlanJd mI, n F hAv sed, n YlwEz SAl
sE, HAt /mXi iz not t blEm, bat HOz t blEm—H wan t blEm—iz
HAt /frencwUman.”
<p>
“y, hI hAz pAst JaJmant... pAst JaJmant!” sed H Old mAn in a
lO vqs n, Az it sImd t /prins /AndrM, wiH sam imbArasmant,
bat Hen hI sadanli Jampt ap n krFd: “bI of, bI of! let not a
trEs v V rimEn hC!...”
<p>
<p>
prins /AndrM wiSt t lIv At wans, bat /prinsas /mXi pxswEdad him
t stE anaHx dE. HAt dE hI did not sI hiz fyHx, hM did not
lIv hiz rMm n admitad nO wan bat /mAdamwazel /bMrien n
/tiâOn, bat Askt sevxal tFmz weHx hiz san hAd gon. neät dE,
bifP lIviN, /prins /AndrM went t hiz san'z rMmz. H bq,
kxli-hedad lFk hiz maHx n glOiN wiH helT, sAt on hiz nI,
n /prins /AndrM bigAn teliN him H stPi v /blMbCd, bat fel
intM a revxi wiHQt finiSiN H stPi. hI TYt not v His
priti cFld, hiz san hMm hI held on hiz nI, bat v himself. hI
sYt in himself FHx rimPs f hAviN ANgxd hiz fyHx P rigret
At lIviN hOm f H fxst tFm in hiz lFf on bAd txmz wiH him,
n woz horifFd t fFnd nFHx. wot ment stil mP t him woz HAt
hI sYt n did not fFnd in himself H fPmx tendxnas f hiz san
wic hI hAd hOpt t rIawEkan bF kxesiN H bq n tEkiN him on
hiz nI.
<p>
“wel, gO on!” sed hiz san.
<p>
prins /AndrM, wiHQt riplFiN, pUt him dQn from hiz nI n went Qt
v H rMm.
<p>
Az sMn Az /prins /AndrM hAd givan ap hiz dEli okVpESanz, n
ispeSali on ritxniN t H Old kandiSanz v lFf amid wic hI hAd
bin hApi, wCinas v lFf OvxkEm him wiH its fPmx intensiti,
n hI hEsand t iskEp from HIz memxiz n t fFnd sam wxk Az
sMn Az posabal.
<p>
“sO V'v disFdad t gO, /AndrM?” Askt hiz sistx.
<p>
“TANk /god HAt F kAn,” riplFd /prins /AndrM. “F Am veri sori V
kAnt.”
<p>
“wF dM V sE HAt?” riplFd /prinsas /mXi. “wF dM V sE HAt,
wen V R gOiN t His teribal wP, n hI iz sO Old? /mAdamwazel
/bMrien sez hI hAz bin AskiN abQt V....”
<p>
Az sMn Az SI bigAn t spIk v HAt, hx lips trembald n hx tCz
bigAn t fYl. prins /AndrM txnd awE n bigAn pEsiN H rMm.
<p>
“y, mF /god! mF /god! wen wan TiNä hM n wot—wot trAS—kAn kYz
pIpal mizxi!” hI sed wiH a maligniti HAt alRmd /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
SI andxstUd HAt wen spIkiN v “trAS” hI rifxd not Onli t
/mAdamwazel /bMrien, H kYz v hx mizxi, bat YlsO t H mAn hM
hAd rMind hiz On hApinas.
<p>
“AndrM! wan TiN F beg, F intrIt v V!” SI sed, taciN hiz
elbO n lUkiN At him wiH Fz HAt SOn TrM hx tCz. “F
andxstAnd V” (SI lUkt dQn). “dOnt imAJin HAt sorO iz H
wxk v men. men R /hiz tMlz.” SI lUkt a lital abav /prins
/AndrM'z hed wiH H konfidant, akastamd lUk wiH wic wan lUä
At H plEs wX a familC pPtrEt hANz. “sorO iz sent bF /him,
not bF men. men R /hiz instramants, HE R not t blEm. if V TiNk
samwan hAz roNd V, fxget it n fxgiv! wI hAv nO rFt t
paniS. n Hen V wil nO H hApinas v fxgiviN.”
<p>
“if F wx a wUman F wUd dM sO, /mXi. HAt iz a wUman'z vxcM. bat
a mAn SUd not n kAnot fxgiv n fxget,” hI riplFd, n HO
til HAt mOment hI hAd not bin TiNkiN v /kMrygin, Yl hiz aniäpendad
ANgx sadanli sweld ap in hiz hRt.
<p>
“if /mXi iz Ylredi pxswEdiN mI t fxgiv, it mInz HAt F Yt loN
agO t hAv paniSt him,” hI TYt. n giviN hx nO fxHx riplF,
hI bigAn TiNkiN v H glAd vindiktiv mOment wen hI wUd mIt
/kMrygin hM hI nM woz nQ in H Rmi.
<p>
prinsas /mXi begd him t stE wan dE mP, sEiN HAt SI nM hQ
anhApi hx fyHx wUd bI if /AndrM left wiHQt bIiN rekansFld t
him, bat /prins /AndrM riplFd HAt hI wUd probabli sMn bI bAk agen
from H Rmi n wUd sxtanli rFt t hiz fyHx, bat HAt H
loNgx hI stEd nQ H mP imbitxd HX difxansaz wUd bikam.
<p>
“gUd-bF, /AndrM! rimembx HAt misfPcMnz kam from /god, n men R
nevx t blEm,” wx H lAst wxdz hI hxd from hiz sistx wen hI
tUk lIv v hx.
<p>
“Hen it mast bI sO!” TYt /prins /AndrM Az hI drOv Qt v H
AvanM from H hQs At /bYld /hilz. “SI, pUx inasant krIcx, iz
left t bI viktimFzd bF an Old mAn hM hAz Qtlivd hiz wits. H Old
mAn fIlz hI iz gilti, bat kAnot cEnJ himself. mF bq iz grOiN ap
n riJqsaz in lFf, in wic lFk evribodi els hI wil disIv P bI
disIvd. n F Am of t H Rmi. wF? F mFself dOnt nO. F wont
t mIt HAt mAn hMm F dispFz, sO Az t giv him a cAns t kil n
lAf At mI!”
<p>
HIz kandiSanz v lFf hAd bin H sEm bifP, bat Hen HE wx
Yl kanektad, wFl nQ HE hAd Yl tambald t pIsaz. Onli senslas
TiNz, lAkiN kOhCans, prizentad Hemselvz wan Aftx anaHx t
/prins /AndrM'z mFnd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
/prins /AndrM rIct H Jenxal hedkwPtxz v H Rmi At H end v
JMn. H fxst Rmi, wiH wic woz H /empxx, okVpFd H fPtifFd
kAmp At /drisa; H sekand Rmi woz ritrItiN, trFiN t ifekt a
JaNkSan wiH H fxst wan from wic it woz sed t bI kat of bF
lRJ /frenc fPsaz. evriwan woz dissAtisfFd wiH H Jenxal kPs
v afXz in H /raSan Rmi, bat nO wan AntisipEtad eni dEnJx v
invEZan v H /raSan provinsaz, n nO wan TYt H wP wUd
iätend fRHx HAn H westxn, H /pOliS, provinsaz.
<p>
prins /AndrM fQnd /bRklE de /toli, t hMm hI hAd bin asFnd, on
H bANk v H /drisa. Az HX woz not a siNgal tQn P lRJ
viliJ in H visiniti v H kAmp, H imens nambx v Jenxalz n
kPtCz akampaniiN H Rmi wx liviN in H best hQzaz v H
viliJaz on bOT sFdz v H rivx, Ovx a rEdWs v siä mFlz. bRklE
de /toli woz kwPtxd nCli TrI mFlz from H /empxx. hI risIvd
/bOlkOnski stifli n kOldli n tOld him in hiz forin Aäent HAt hI
wUd menSan him t H /empxx f a disiZan Az t hiz implqmant,
bat Askt him mInwFl t rimEn on hiz stAf. /ynatOl /kMrygin, hMm
/prins /AndrM hAd hOpt t fFnd wiH H Rmi, woz not HX. hI hAd
gon t /pItxzbxg, bat /prins /AndrM woz glAd t hC His. hiz mFnd
woz okVpFd bF H intxasts v H sentx HAt woz kondaktiN
a JFgAntik wP, n hI woz glAd t bI frI f a wFl from H
distrAkSan kYzd bF H TYt v /kMrygin. dxiN H fxst fP
dEz, wFl nO dMtiz wx rikwFxd v him, /prins /AndrM rOd rQnd H
hOl fPtifFd kAmp n, bF H Ed v hiz On noliJ n bF
tYä wiH eäpxts, trFd t fPm a definit apinjan abQt it. bat H
kwescan weHx H kAmp woz AdvantEJas P disAdvantEJas rimEnd
f him andisFdad. Ylredi from hiz militXi iäpCWns n wot hI hAd
sIn in H /ostrWn kAmpEn, hI hAd kam t H kanklMZan HAt in
wP H mOst dIpli kansidxd plAnz hAv nO signifikans n HAt Yl
dipendz on H wE aniäpektad mMvmants v H enami—HAt kAnot bI
fPsIn—R met, n on hQ n bF hMm H hOl mAtx iz hAndald.
t klC ap His lAst pqnt f himself, /prins /AndrM, VtilFziN hiz
paziSan n akwEntansaz, trFd t fAHam H kAraktx v H kantrOl
v H Rmi n v H men n pRtiz ingEJd in it, n hI didMst f
himself H folOiN v H stEt v afXz.
<p>
wFl H /empxx hAd stil bin At /vilna, H fPsaz hAd bin divFdad
intM TrI Rmiz. fxst, H Rmi andx /bRklE de /toli, sekandli, H
Rmi andx /bygrytiOn, n Txdli, H wan kamAndad bF /tPmysOf. H
/empxx woz wiH H fxst Rmi, bat not Az kamAndx in cIf. in H
Pdxz iSVd it woz stEtad, not HAt H /empxx wUd tEk kamAnd,
bat Onli HAt hI wUd bI wiH H Rmi. H /empxx, mPOvx, hAd
wiH him not a kamAndx in cIf's stAf bat H impCWl hedkwPtxz
stAf. in atendans on him woz H hed v H impCWl stAf,
/kwPtxmAstx /Jenxal /prins /vOlkOnski, Az wel Az Jenxalz, impCWl
Edz-dI-kAmp, diplamAtik afiSalz, n a lRJ nambx v forinxz,
bat not H Rmi stAf. bisFdz HIz, HX wx in atendans on H
/empxx wiHQt eni definit apqntmants: /RykcEef, H eä-/ministx
v /wP; /kQnt /benigsan, H sInC Jenxal in rANk; H /grAnd /dMk
/tsRevic /konstantIn /pyvlOvic; /kQnt /rMmjyntsef, H /cAnsalx;
/stFn, a fPmx /praSan ministx; /Rmfelt, a /swIdiS Jenxal; /pfVl,
H cIf YTx v H plAn v kAmpEn; /pQlMci, an AJUtant Jenxal
n /sRdinWn emigrE; /wolzaJan—n meni aHxz. HO HIz men hAd nO
militXi apqntmant in H Rmi, HX paziSan gEv Hem inflMans,
n oftan a kP kamAndx, P Ivan H kamAndx in cIf, did not
nO in wot kapAsiti hI woz kwescand bF /benigsan, H /grAnd /dMk,
/RykcEef, P /prins /vOlkOnski, P woz givan His P HAt advFs n did
not nO weHx a sxtan Pdx risIvd in H fPm v advFs emanEtad
from H mAn hM gEv it P from H /empxx n weHx it hAd t bI
eäikVtad P not. bat His woz Onli H eätxnal kandiSan; H isenSal
signifikans v H prezans v H /empxx n v Yl HIz pIpal,
from a kPtC'z pqnt v vV (n in an /empxx'z visiniti Yl bikEm
kPtCz), woz klC t evriwan. it woz His: H /empxx did not
asMm H tFtal v kamAndx in cIf, bat dispOzd v Yl H Rmiz;
H men xQnd him wx hiz asistants. /RykcEef woz a fETfal
kastOdWn t infPs Pdx n Aktad Az H sovran'z bodigRd.
benigsan woz a lAndlPd in H /vilna provins hM apCd t bI dMiN
H onxz v H distrikt, bat woz in riAliti a gUd Jenxal, Vsfal
Az an advFzx n redi At hAnd t riplEs /bRklE. H /grAnd /dMk
woz HX bikoz it sMtad him t bI. H eä-/ministx /stFn woz HX
bikoz hiz advFs woz Vsfal n H /empxx /AliãAndx held him in hF
istIm pxsanali. /Rmfelt viralantli hEtad /napOlWn n woz a Jenxal
fUl v self-konfidans, a kwoliti HAt YlwEz inflManst /AliãAndx.
/pQlMci woz HX bikoz hI woz bOld n disFdad in spIc. H
AJUtants Jenxal wx HX bikoz HE YlwEz akampanid H
/empxx, n lAstli n cIfli /pfVl woz HX bikoz hI hAd drYn ap
H plAn v kAmpEn agenst /napOlWn n, hAviN indMst /AliãAndx t
bilIv in H efikasi v HAt plAn, woz direktiN H hOl biznas
v H wP. wiH /pfVl woz /wolzaJan, hM iäprest /pfVl'z TYts in
a mP komprihensabal wE HAn /pfVl himself (hM woz a hRS, bUkiS
TCist, self-konfidant t H pqnt v dispFziN evriwan els) woz
Ebal t dM.
<p>
bisFdz HIz /raSanz n forinxz hM prapQndad nM n aniäpektad
FdWz evri dE—ispeSali H forinxz, hM did sO wiH a bOldnas
kAraktxistik v pIpal implqd in a kantri not HX On—HX wx
meni sekandXi pxsaniJaz akampaniiN H Rmi bikoz HX prinsipalz
wx HX.
<p>
amaN H apinjanz n vqsaz in His imens, restlas, brilWnt,
n prQd sfC, /prins /AndrM nOtist H folOiN SRpli difFnd
sabdiviZanz v tendansiz n pRtiz:
<p>
H fxst pRti kansistad v /pfVl n hiz AdhCants—militXi TCists
hM bilIvd in a sFans v wP wiH imVtabal lYz—lYz v OblIk
mMvmants, QtflANkiNz, n sO fPT. /pfVl n hiz AdhCants dimAndad
a ritFxmant intM H depTs v H kantri in akPdans wiH prisFs
lYz difFnd bF a sMdO-TCi v wP, n HE sY Onli bRbxizam,
ignxans, P Ival intenSan in evri dIviESan from HAt TCi. t
His pRti biloNd H forin nObalz, /wolzaJan, /wintsiNxOd, n
aHxz, cIfli /Jxmanz.
<p>
H sekand pRti woz direktli apOzd t H fxst; wan iätrIm, Az
YlwEz hApanz, woz met bF reprizentativz v H aHx. H membxz v
His pRti wx HOz hM hAd dimAndad an advAns from /vilna intM /pOland
n frIdam from Yl prIxEnJd plAnz. bisFdz bIiN Advakats v bOld
AkSan, His sekSan YlsO reprizentad nASanalizam, wic mEd Hem stil
mP wan-sFdad in H dispVt. HE wx /raSanz: /bygrytiOn, /jermOlOf
(hM woz biginiN t kam t H frant), n aHxz. At HAt tFm a
fEmas JOk v /jermOlOf's woz bIiN sxkVlEtad, HAt Az a grEt fEvx hI
hAd patiSand H /empxx t mEk him a /Jxman. H men v HAt pRti,
rimembxiN /sMvPOf, sed HAt wot wan hAd t dM woz not t rIzan,
P stik pinz intM mAps, bat t fFt, bIt H enami, kIp him Qt v
/raSa, n not let H Rmi get diskariJd.
<p>
t H Txd pRti—in wic H /empxx hAd mOst konfidans—biloNd H
kPtCz hM trFd t xEnJ kompramFzaz bitwIn H aHx tM. H
membxz v His pRti, cIfli sivilWnz n t hMm /RykcEef biloNd,
TYt n sed wot men hM hAv nO kanvikSanz bat wiS t sIm t
hAv sam Jenxali sE. HE sed HAt andQtadli wP, pxtikVlxli
agenst sac a JInWs Az /bOnapRt (HE kYld him /bOnapRt nQ),
nIdz mOst dIpli divFzd plAnz n prafQnd sFantifik noliJ n
in HAt rispekt /pfVl woz a JInWs, bat At H sEm tFm it hAd t bI
aknoliJd HAt H TCists R oftan wan-sFdad, n HXfP wan
SUd not trast Hem AbsalMtli, bat SUd YlsO lisan t wot /pfVl'z
apOnants n prAktikal men v iäpCWns in wPfX hAd t sE, n
Hen cMz a midal kPs. HE insistad on H ritenSan v H kAmp
At /drisa, akPdiN t /pfVl'z plAn, bat on cEnJiN H mMvmants v
H aHx Rmiz. HO, bF His kPs, nFHx wan Em nP H aHx
kUd bI atEnd, jet it sImd best t H AdhCants v His Txd
pRti.
<p>
v a fPT apinjan H mOst kanspikVas reprizentativ woz H
/tsRevic, hM kUd not fxget hiz disilMZanmant At /Qstxlits, wX
hI hAd ridan Qt At H hed v H /gRdz, in hiz kysk n kAvalri
VnifPm Az t a rivV, iäpektiN t kraS H /frenc gAlantli; bat
aniäpektadli fFndiN himself in H frant lFn hAd nArOli iskEpt amid
H Jenxal kanfVZan. H men v His pRti hAd bOT H kwoliti
n H dIfekt v frANknas in HX apinjanz. HE fCd /napOlWn,
rekagnFzd hiz streNT n HX On wIknas, n frANkli sed sO.
HE sed: “naTiN bat sorO, SEm, n rMin wil kam v Yl His!
wI hAv abAndand /vilna n /vitebsk n SAl abAndan /drisa. H Onli
rIzanabal TiN left t dM iz t kanklMd pIs Az sMn Az posabal,
bifP wI R txnd Qt v /pItxzbxg.”
<p>
His vV woz veri Jenxal in H apx Rmi sxkalz n fQnd sapPt
YlsO in /pItxzbxg n from H cAnsalx, /rMmjyntsef, hM, f aHx
rIzanz v stEt, woz in fEvx v pIs.
<p>
H fifT pRti kansistad v HOz hM wx AdhCants v /bRklE de
/toli, not sO mac Az a mAn bat Az ministx v wP n kamAndx in
cIf. “bI hI wot hI mE” (HE YlwEz bigAn lFk HAt), “hI iz an
onast, prAktikal mAn n wI hAv nObodi betx. giv him rWl pQx,
f wP kAnot bI kondaktad saäesfali wiHQt Vniti v kamAnd, n
hI wil SO wot hI kAn dM, Az hI did in /finland. if Qx Rmi iz wel
PganFzd n stroN n hAz wiHdrYn t /drisa wiHQt safxiN
eni difIts, wI O His intFxli t /bRklE. if /bRklE iz nQ t
bI sMpxsIdad bF /benigsan Yl wil bI lost, f /benigsan SOd hiz
inkapAsiti Ylredi in 1807.”
<p>
H siäT pRti, H /benigsanFts, sed, on H kontrXi, HAt At eni
rEt HX woz nO wan mP Aktiv n iäpCWnst HAn /benigsan: “n
twist abQt Az V mE, V wil hAf t kam t /benigsan ivencMali.
let H aHxz mEk mistEä nQ!” sed HE, RgViN HAt Qx
ritFxmant t /drisa woz a mOst SEmfal rivxs n an anbrOkan sCIz
v blandxz. “H mP mistEä HAt R mEd H betx. it wil At eni
rEt bI andxstUd Yl H sMnx HAt TiNz kAnot gO on lFk His.
wot iz wontad iz not sam /bRklE P aHx, bat a mAn lFk /benigsan,
hM mEd hiz mRk in 1807, n t hMm /napOlWn himself did Jastis—a
mAn hMz YToriti wUd bI wiliNli rekagnFzd, n /benigsan iz H
Onli sac mAn.”
<p>
H sevanT pRti kansistad v H sPt v pIpal hM R YlwEz t
bI fQnd, ispeSali xQnd jaN sovranz, n v hMm HX wx
pxtikVlxli meni rQnd /AliãAndx—Jenxalz n impCWl Edz-dI-kAmp
pASanatli divOtad t H /empxx, not mCli Az a monRk bat Az a
mAn, adPiN him sinsCli n disintxastadli, Az /rOstOf hAd dan
in 1805, n hM sY in him not Onli Yl H vxcMz bat Yl hVman
kEpabilitiz Az wel. HIz men, HO incAntad wiH H sovran
f rifVziN H kamAnd v H Rmi, jet blEmd him f sac iäesiv
modasti, n Onli dizFxd n insistad HAt HX adPd sovran
SUd abAndan hiz difidans n Opanli anQns HAt hI wUd plEs
himself At H hed v H Rmi, gAHx rQnd him a kamAndx in cIf's
stAf, n, kansaltiN iäpCWnst TCetiSanz n prAktikal men wX
nesisXi, wUd himself lId H trMps, hMz spirits wUd HXbF bI
rEzd t H hFast pic.
<p>
H EtT n lRJast grMp, wic in its inPmas nambxz woz t H
aHxz Az nFnti-nFn t wan, kansistad v men hM dizFxd nFHx
pIs nP wP, nFHx an advAns nP a difensiv kAmp At H /drisa
P eniwX els, nFHx /bRklE nP H /empxx, nFHx /pfVl nP
/benigsan, bat Onli H wan mOst isenSal TiN—Az mac advAntiJ
n pleZx f Hemselvz Az posabal. in H trabald wYtxz v
kanfliktiN n intxsektiN intrIã HAt edid abQt H /empxx'z
hedkwPtxz, it woz posabal t saäId in meni wEz anTiNkabal At
aHx tFmz. a mAn hM simpli wiSt t ritEn hiz lMkrativ pOst wUd
tadE agrI wiH /pfVl, tamorO wiH hiz apOnant, n H dE Aftx,
mCli t avqd risponsabiliti P t plIz H /empxx, wUd diklX
HAt hI hAd nO apinjan At Yl on H mAtx. anaHx hM wiSt t
gEn sam advAntiJ wUd atrAkt H /empxx'z atenSan bF lQdli
AdvakEtiN H veri TiN H /empxx hAd hintad At H dE bifP,
n wUd dispVt n SQt At H kQnsal, bItiN hiz brest n
cAlanJiN HOz hM did not agrI wiH him t dMalz, HXbF prMviN
HAt hI woz pripXd t sAkrifFs himself f H koman gUd. a Txd,
in H Absans v apOnants, bitwIn tM kQnsalz wUd simpli salisit
a speSal gratMiti f hiz fETfal sxvisaz, wel nOiN HAt At HAt
mOment pIpal wUd bI tM bizi t rifVz him. a fPT wFl sImiNli
Ovxwelmd wiH wxk wUd oftan kam Aäidentali andx H /empxx'z
F. a fifT, t acIv hiz loN-ceriSt Em v dFniN wiH H
/empxx, wUd stabxnli insist on H kxektnas P fYlsiti v sam
nMli imxJiN apinjan n f His obJekt wUd pradMs RgVmants mP
P les fPsabal n kxekt.
<p>
Yl H men v His pRti wx fiSiN f rMbalz, dekxESanz, n
pramOSanz, n in His pxsMt woct Onli H weHxkok v impCWl
fEvx, n direktli HE nOtist it txniN in eni direkSan, His hOl
drOn popVlESan v H Rmi bigAn blOiN hRd HAt wE, sO HAt it
woz Yl H hRdx f H /empxx t txn it elswX. amid H
ansxtantiz v H paziSan, wiH H menas v sCWs dEnJx giviN
a pikVlCli TretaniN kAraktx t evriTiN, amid His vPteä v
intrIg, IgOtizam, konflikt v vVz n fIliNz, n H dFvxsiti
v rEs amaN HIz pIpal—His EtT n lRJast pRti v HOz
prIokVpFd wiH pxsanal intxasts impRtad grEt kanfVZan n
abskjUxiti t H koman tAsk. wotevx kwescan xOz, a swPm v HIz
drOnz, wiHQt hAviN finiSt HX baziN on a prIvWs TIm, flM
Ovx t H nM wan n bF HX ham drQnd n abskjUxd H vqsaz v
HOz hM wx dispVtiN onastli.
<p>
from amaN Yl HIz pRtiz, Jast At H tFm /prins /AndrM rIct
H Rmi, anaHx, a nFnT pRti, woz bIiN fPmd n woz biginiN
t rEz its vqs. His woz H pRti v H eldxz, rIzanabal men
iäpCWnst n kEpabal in stEt afXz, hM, wiHQt SXiN eni v
HOz kanfliktiN apinjanz, wx Ebal t tEk a ditAct vV v wot
woz gOiN on At H stAf At hedkwPtxz n t kansidx mInz v
iskEp from His madal, indisiZan, intrikasi, n wIknas.
<p>
H men v His pRti sed n TYt HAt wot woz roN rizaltad
cIfli from H /empxx'z prezans in H Rmi wiH hiz militXi kPt
n from H konsikwant prezans HX v an indefinit, kandiSanal,
n anstedi flakcMESan v rilESanz, wic iz in plEs At kPt bat
hRmfal in an Rmi; HAt a sovran SUd rEn bat not kamAnd H
Rmi, n HAt H Onli wE Qt v H paziSan wUd bI f H /empxx
n hiz kPt t lIv H Rmi; HAt H mC prezans v H /empxx
pAralFzd H AkSan v fifti TQzand men rikwFxd t sikjUx hiz
pxsanal sEfti, n HAt H wxst kamAndx in cIf, if indipendant,
wUd bI betx HAn H veri best wan trAmald bF H prezans n
YToriti v H monRk.
<p>
Jast At H tFm /prins /AndrM woz liviN anokVpFd At /drisa,
/SiSkOf, H /sekratXi v /stEt n wan v H cIf reprizentativz v
His pRti, rOt a letx t H /empxx wic /RykcEef n /bylySef
agrId t sFn. in His letx, avEliN himself v pxmiSan givan him
bF H /empxx t diskas H Jenxal kPs v afXz, hI rispektfali
saJestad—on H plI HAt it woz nesisXi f H sovran t xQz
a wPlFk spirit in H pIpal v H kApital—HAt H /empxx SUd
lIv H Rmi.
<p>
HAt xQziN v H pIpal bF HX sovran n hiz kYl t Hem t
difend HX kantri—H veri insFtmant wic woz H cIf kYz v
/raSa'z trFamf in sO fR Az it woz prOdMst bF H /tsR'z pxsanal
prezans in /moskQ—woz saJestad t H /empxx, n aäeptad bF him, Az
a prIteät f kwitiN H Rmi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
His letx hAd not jet bin prizentad t H /empxx wen /bRklE, wan
dE At dinx, infPmd /bOlkOnski HAt H sovran wiSt t sI him
pxsanali, t kwescan him abQt /txki, n HAt /prins /AndrM woz t
prizent himself At /benigsan'z kwPtxz At siä HAt IvniN.
<p>
nMz woz risIvd At H /empxx'z kwPtxz HAt veri dE v a freS
mMvmant bF /napOlWn wic mFt indEnJx H Rmi—nMz sabsikwantli
fQnd t bI fYls. n HAt mPniN /kxnal /miSO hAd ridan rQnd H
/drisa fPtifikESanz wiH H /empxx n hAd pqntad Qt t him HAt
His fPtifFd kAmp kanstraktad bF /pfVl, n til Hen kansidxd
a Sef-d'xvra v tAktikal sFans wic wUd inSUx /napOlWn'z
distrakSan, woz an absxditi, TretaniN H distrakSan v H
/raSan Rmi.
<p>
prins /AndrM xFvd At /benigsan'z kwPtxz—a kantri Jentalman'z
hQs v modxat sFz, sicMEtad on H veri bANä v H rivx. nFHx
/benigsan nP H /empxx woz HX, bat /cerniSef, H /empxx'z
Ed-dI-kAmp, risIvd /bOlkOnski n infPmd him HAt H /empxx,
akampanid bF /Jenxal /benigsan n /mRkI /pQlMci, hAd gon a sekand
tFm HAt dE t inspekt H fPtifikESanz v H /drisa kAmp, v H
sMtabiliti v wic sCWs dQts wx biginiN t bI felt.
<p>
/cerniSef woz sitiN At a windO in H fxst rMm wiH a /frenc noval
in hiz hAnd. His rMm hAd probabli bin a mVzik rMm; HX woz stil
an Pgan in it on wic sam raã wx pFld, n in wan kPnx stUd
H fOldiN bedsted v /benigsan'z AJUtant. His AJUtant woz YlsO
HX n sAt dOziN on H rOld-ap bediN, evidentli iãYstad bF
wxk P bF fIstiN. tM dPz led from H rMm, wan strEt on intM
wot hAd bin H drYiN rMm, n anaHx, on H rFt, t H stadi.
TrM H fxst dP kEm H sQnd v vqsaz kanvxsiN in /Jxman
n akEZanali in /frenc. in HAt drYiN rMm wx gAHxd, bF
H /empxx'z wiS, not a militXi kQnsal (H /empxx prifxd
indefinitnas), bat sxtan pxsanz hMz apinjanz hI wiSt t nO in
vV v H impendiN difikaltiz. it woz not a kQnsal v wP, bat,
Az it wx, a kQnsal t ilMsidEt sxtan kwescanz f H /empxx
pxsanali. t His semikQnsal hAd bin invFtad H /swIdiS /Jenxal
/Rmfelt, /AJUtant /Jenxal /wolzaJan, /wintsiNxOd (hMm /napOlWn hAd
rifxd t Az a renigEd /frenc sabJekt), /miSO, /tOl, /kQnt /stFn
hM woz not a militXi mAn At Yl, n /pfVl himself, hM, Az /prins
/AndrM hAd hxd, woz H mEnspriN v H hOl afX. prins /AndrM
hAd an opxtMniti v getiN a gUd lUk At him, f /pfVl xFvd sMn
Aftx himself n, in pAsiN TrM t H drYiN rMm, stopt a
minit t spIk t /cerniSef.
<p>
At fxst sFt, /pfVl, in hiz il-mEd VnifPm v a /raSan Jenxal,
wic fitad him bAdli lFk a fAnsi kostMm, sImd familC t /prins
/AndrM, HO hI sY him nQ f H fxst tFm. HX woz abQt
him samTiN v /wEroTx, /mAk, n /Smit, n meni aHx /Jxman
TCist-Jenxalz hMm /prins /AndrM hAd sIn in 1805, bat hI woz mP
tipikal HAn eni v Hem. prins /AndrM hAd nevx jet sIn a /Jxman
TCist in hMm Yl H kAraktxistiä v HOz aHxz wx VnFtad t
sac an iätent.
<p>
/pfVl woz SPt n veri Tin bat brYd-bOnd, v kPs, rObast bild,
brYd in H hips, n wiH prominant SOldx blEdz. hiz fEs woz
mac riNkald n hiz Fz dIp set. hiz hX hAd evidentli bin hEstili
braSt smMH in frant v H tempalz, bat stak ap bihFnd in kwEnt
lital tafts. hI entxd H rMm, lUkiN restlasli n ANgrili
xQnd, Az if afrEd v evriTiN in HAt lRJ apRtmant. Ykwxdli
hOldiN ap hiz sPd, hI adrest /cerniSef n Askt in /Jxman wX
H /empxx woz. wan kUd sI HAt hI wiSt t pAs TrM H rMmz
Az kwikli Az posabal, finiS wiH H bQz n grItiNz, n sit dQn
t biznas in frant v a mAp, wX hI wUd fIl At hOm. hI nodad
haridli in riplF t /cerniSef, n smFld Fronikli on hCiN HAt
H sovran woz inspektiN H fPtifikESanz HAt hI, /pfVl, hAd
plAnd in akPd wiH hiz TCi. hI matxd samTiN t himself
abraptli n in a bEs vqs, Az self-aSUxd /Jxmanz dM—it mFt
hAv bin “stMpid felO”... P “H hOl afX wil bI rMind,” P
“samTiN absxd wil kam v it.”... prins /AndrM did not kAc
wot hI sed n wUd hAv pAst on, bat /cerniSef intradMst him t
/pfVl, rimRkiN HAt /prins /AndrM woz Jast bAk from /txki wX H
wP hAd txminEtad sO fPcanatli. /pfVl bXli glAnst—not sO mac At
/prins /AndrM Az pAst him—n sed, wiH a lAf: “HAt mast hAv bin a
fFn tAktikal wP”; n, lAfiN kantempcMasli, went on intM H rMm
from wic H sQnd v vqsaz woz hxd.
<p>
/pfVl, YlwEz inklFnd t bI iritabli sRkAstik, woz pxtikVlxli
distxbd HAt dE, evidentli bF H fAkt HAt HE hAd dXd t inspekt
n kritisFz hiz kAmp in hiz Absans. from His SPt intxvV wiH
/pfVl, /prins /AndrM, TANä t hiz /Qstxlits iäpCWnsaz, woz Ebal t
fPm a klC kansepSan v H mAn. /pfVl woz wan v HOz hOplasli
n imVtabli self-konfidant men, self-konfidant t H pqnt v
mRtxdam Az Onli /Jxmanz R, bikoz Onli /Jxmanz R self-konfidant
on H bEsis v an AbstrAkt nOSan—sFans, HAt iz, H sapOzd
noliJ v AbsalMt trMT. a /frencman iz self-aSUxd bikoz hI
rigRdz himself pxsanali, bOT in mFnd n bodi, Az irizistabli
atrAktiv t men n wimin. an /iNgliSman iz self-aSUxd, Az bIiN a
sitizan v H best-PganFzd stEt in H wxld, n HXfP Az an
/iNgliSman YlwEz nOz wot hI SUd dM n nOz HAt Yl hI daz Az
an /iNgliSman iz andQtadli kxekt. an /itAlWn iz self-aSUxd bikoz
hI iz iäFtabal n Izili fxgets himself n aHx pIpal. a /raSan
iz self-aSUxd Jast bikoz hI nOz naTiN n daz not wont t nO
eniTiN, sins hI daz not bilIv HAt eniTiN kAn bI nOn. H
/Jxman'z self-aSUxans iz wxst v Yl, stroNgx n mP
ripalsiv HAn eni aHx, bikoz hI imAJinz HAt hI nOz H
trMT—sFans—wic hI himself hAz inventad bat wic iz f him H
AbsalMt trMT.
<p>
/pfVl woz evidentli v HAt sPt. hI hAd a sFans—H TCi v OblIk
mMvmants didMst bF him from H histxi v /fredxik H /grEt's wPz,
n Yl hI kEm akros in H histxi v mP rIsant wPfX sImd t
him absxd n bRbxas—monstras kaliZanz in wic sO meni blandxz
wx kamitad bF bOT sFdz HAt HIz wPz kUd not bI kYld wPz,
HE did not akPd wiH H TCi, n HXfP kUd not sxv Az
matCWl f sFans.
<p>
in 1806 /pfVl hAd bin wan v HOz risponsabal, f H plAn v
kAmpEn HAt endad in /Jena n /QxStyt, bat hI did not sI H lIst
prMf v H fAlabiliti v hiz TCi in H dizAstxz v HAt wP. on
H kontrXi, H dIviESanz mEd from hiz TCi wx, in hiz apinjan,
H sOl kYz v H hOl dizAstx, n wiH kAraktxistikli
glIfal sRkAzam hI wUd rimRk, “HX, F sed H hOl afX wUd
gO t H deval!” /pfVl woz wan v HOz TCetiSanz hM sO lav
HX TCi HAt HE lMz sFt v H TCi'z obJekt—its prAktikal
AplikESan. hiz lav v TCi mEd him hEt evriTiN prAktikal, n
hI wUd not lisan t it. hI woz Ivan plIzd bF fEljxz, f fEljxz
rizaltiN from dIviESanz in prAktis from H TCi Onli prMvd t him
H Akjxasi v hiz TCi.
<p>
hI sed a fV wxdz t /prins /AndrM n /cerniSef abQt H prezant
wP, wiH H X v a mAn hM nOz bifPhAnd HAt Yl wil gO roN,
n hM iz not displIzd HAt it SUd bI sO. H anbraSt tafts
v hX stikiN ap bihFnd n H hEstili braSt hX on hiz tempalz
iäprest His mOst elakwantli.
<p>
hI pAst intM H neät rMm, n H dIp, kweralas sQndz v hiz
vqs wx At wans hxd from HX.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/prins /AndrM'z Fz wx stil folOiN /pfVl Qt v H rMm wen
/kQnt /benigsan entxd haridli, n nodiN t /bOlkOnski, bat not
pYziN, went intM H stadi, giviN instrakSanz t hiz AJUtant Az hI
went. H /empxx woz folOiN him, n /benigsan hAd hEsand on
t mEk sam prepxESanz n t bI redi t risIv H sovran.
/cerniSef n /prins /AndrM went Qt intM H pPc, wX H /empxx,
hM lUkt fatIgd, woz dismQntiN. mRkI /pQlMci woz tYkiN t
him wiH pxtikVlx wPmT n H /empxx, wiH hiz hed bent t H
left, woz lisaniN wiH a dissAtisfFd X. H /empxx mMvd fPwxd
evidentli wiSiN t end H konvxsESan, bat H flaSt n iäFtad
/itAlWn, ablivWs v dikPam, folOd him n kantinVd t spIk.
<p>
“n Az f H mAn hM advFzd fPmiN His kAmp—H /drisa kAmp,” sed
/pQlMci, Az H /empxx mQntad H steps n nOtisiN /prins /AndrM
skAnd hiz anfamilC fEs, “Az t HAt pxsan, sFx...” kantinVd
/pQlMci, despxatli, apArantli anEbal t ristrEn himself, “H mAn
hM advFzd H /drisa kAmp—F sI nO Yltxnativ bat H lMnatik asFlam
P H gAlOz!”
<p>
wiHQt hIdiN H end v H /itAlWn'z rimRä, n Az HO
not hCiN Hem, H /empxx, rekagnFziN /bOlkOnski, adrest him
grESasli.
<p>
“F Am veri glAd t sI V! gO in HX wX HE R mItiN, n wEt
f mI.”
<p>
H /empxx went intM H stadi. hI woz folOd bF /prins /pItx
/miâFlOvic /vOlkOnski n /bAran /stFn, n H dP klOzd bihFnd Hem.
prins /AndrM, tEkiN advAntiJ v H /empxx'z pxmiSan, akampanid
/pQlMci, hMm hI hAd nOn in /txki, intM H drYiN rMm wX H
kQnsal woz asembald.
<p>
prins /pItx /miâFlOvic /vOlkOnski okVpFd H paziSan, Az it wx,
v cIf v H /empxx'z stAf. hI kEm Qt v H stadi intM H
drYiN rMm wiH sam mAps wic hI spred on a tEbal, n pUt
kwescanz on wic hI wiSt t hC H apinjan v H Jentalmen
prezant. wot hAd hApand woz HAt nMz (wic Aftxwxdz prMvd t bI
fYls) hAd bin risIvd dxiN H nFt v a mMvmant bF H /frenc t
QtflANk H /drisa kAmp.
<p>
H fxst t spIk woz /Jenxal /Rmfelt hM, t mIt H difikalti HAt
prizentad itself, aniäpektadli prapOzd a pxfiktli nM paziSan
awE from H /pItxzbxg n /moskQ rOdz. H rIzan f His woz
iniäplikabal (anles hI wiSt t SO HAt hI, tM, kUd hAv an
apinjan), bat hI xJd HAt At His pqnt H Rmi SUd VnFt n
HX awEt H enami. it woz plEn HAt /Rmfelt hAd TYt Qt HAt
plAn loN agO n nQ iäpQndad it not sO mac t Ansx H kwescanz
pUt—wic, in fAkt, hiz plAn did not Ansx—Az t avEl himself v H
opxtMniti t X it. it woz wan v H milWnz v prapOzalz, wan Az
gUd Az anaHx, HAt kUd bI mEd Az loN Az it woz kwFt annOn
wot kAraktx H wP wUd tEk. sam dispVtad hiz RgVmants, aHxz
difendad Hem. jaN /kQnt /tOl abJektad t H /swIdiS Jenxal'z vVz
mP wPmli HAn eniwan els, n in H kPs v H dispVt drM from
hiz sFd pokat a wel-fild nOtbUk, wic hI Askt pxmiSan t
rId t Hem. in HIz valMminas nOts /tOl saJestad anaHx skIm,
tOtali difxant from /Rmfelt's P /pfVl'z plAn v kAmpEn. in Ansx
t /tOl, /pQlMci saJestad an advAns n an atAk, wic, hI xJd,
kUd alOn eätrikEt as from H prezant ansxtanti n from H trAp
(Az hI kYld H /drisa kAmp) in wic wI wx sicMEtad.
<p>
dxiN Yl HIz diskaSanz /pfVl n hiz intxpratx, /wolzaJan
(hiz “briJ” in kPt rilESanz), wx sFlant. /pfVl Onli snPtad
kantempcMasli n txnd awE, t SO HAt hI wUd nevx dimIn
himself bF riplFiN t sac nonsens Az hI woz nQ hCiN. sO wen
/prins /vOlkOnski, hM woz in H cX, kYld on him t giv hiz
apinjan, hI mCli sed:
<p>
“wF Ask mI? Jenxal /Rmfelt hAz prapOzd a splendid paziSan wiH an
iäpOzd rC, P wF not His /itAlWn Jentalman'z atAk—veri fFn, P
a ritrIt, YlsO gUd! wF Ask mI?” sed hI. “wF, V jPselvz nO
evriTiN betx HAn F dM.”
<p>
bat wen /vOlkOnski sed, wiH a frQn, HAt it woz in H /empxx'z nEm
HAt hI Askt hiz apinjan, /pfVl rOz n, sadanli grOiN AnimEtad,
bigAn t spIk:
<p>
“evriTiN hAz bin spqld, evriTiN madald, evribodi TYt HE
nM betx HAn F did, n nQ V kam t mI! hQ mend mAtxz? HX
iz naTiN t mend! H prinsapalz lEd dQn bF mI mast bI striktli
AdhCd t,” sed hI, dramiN on H tEbal wiH hiz bOni fiNgxz. “wot
iz H difikalti? nonsens, cFldiSnas!”
<p>
hI went ap t H mAp n spIkiN rApidli bigAn prMviN HAt nO
ivencMAliti kUd Yltx H ifiSansi v H /drisa kAmp, HAt
evriTiN hAd bin fPsIn, n HAt if H enami wx rWli gOiN t
QtflANk it, H enami wUd inevitabli bI distrqd.
<p>
/pQlMci, hM did not nO /Jxman, bigAn kwescaniN him in /frenc.
/wolzaJan kEm t H asistans v hiz cIf, hM spOk /frenc bAdli,
n bigAn trAnzlEtiN f him, hRdli Ebal t kIp pEs wiH /pfVl, hM
woz rApidli demanstrEtiN HAt not Onli Yl HAt hAd hApand, bat Yl
HAt kUd hApan, hAd bin fPsIn in hiz skIm, n HAt if HX
wx nQ eni difikaltiz H hOl fYlt lE in H fAkt HAt hiz plAn
hAd not bin prisFsli eäikVtad. hI kept lAfiN sRkAstikli, hI
demanstrEtad, n At lAst kantempcMasli sIst t demanstrEt, lFk
a mATamatiSan hM sIsaz t prMv in vXWs wEz H Akjxasi v
a problam HAt hAz Ylredi bin prMvd. /wolzaJan tUk hiz plEs n
kantinVd t iäplEn hiz vVz in /frenc, evri nQ n Hen txniN t
/pfVl n sEiN, “iz it not sO, jP eäalansi?” bat /pfVl, lFk a mAn
hItad in a fFt hM strFä HOz on hiz On sFd, SQtad ANgrili At
hiz On sapPtx, /wolzaJan:
<p>
“wel, v kPs, wot mP iz HX t iäplEn?”
<p>
/pQlMci n /miSO bOT atAkt /wolzaJan sFmaltEnWsli in /frenc.
/Rmfelt adrest /pfVl in /Jxman. tOl iäplEnd t /vOlkOnski in
/raSan. prins /AndrM lisand n abzxvd in sFlans.
<p>
v Yl HIz men /prins /AndrM simpaTFzd mOst wiH /pfVl, ANgri,
ditxmind, n absxdli self-konfidant Az hI woz. v Yl HOz prezant,
evidentli hI alOn woz not sIkiN eniTiN f himself, nxst nO
hEtrad agenst eniwan, n Onli dizFxd HAt H plAn, fPmd on a
TCi xFvd At bF jCz v tql, SUd bI kArid Qt. hI woz
ridikVlas, n anplezantli sRkAstik, bat jet hI inspFxd involantXi
rispekt bF hiz bQndlas divOSan t an FdW. bisFdz His, H rimRä
v Yl iäept /pfVl hAd wan koman trEt HAt hAd not bin nOtisabal
At H kQnsal v wP in 1805: HX woz nQ a pAnik fC v /napOlWn'z
JInWs, wic, HO kansIld, woz nOtisabal in evri riJqndx.
evriTiN woz asMmd t bI posabal f /napOlWn, HE iäpektad him
from evri sFd, n invOkt hiz teribal nEm t SAtx Ic aHx'z
prapOzalz. /pfVl alOn sImd t kansidx /napOlWn a bRbXWn lFk
evriwan els hM apOzd hiz TCi. bat bisFdz His fIliN v
rispekt, /pfVl ivOkt piti in /prins /AndrM. from H tOn in wic
H kPtCz adrest him n H wE /pQlMci hAd alQd himself t
spIk v him t H /empxx, bat abav Yl from a sxtan despxESan
in /pfVl'z On iäpreSanz, it woz klC HAt H aHxz nM, n /pfVl
himself felt, HAt hiz fYl woz At hAnd. n dispFt hiz self-konfidans
n grampi /Jxman sRkAzam hI woz pitWbal, wiH hiz hX smMHli
braSt on H tempalz n stikiN ap in tafts bihFnd. HO hI
kansIld H fAkt andx a SO v iritESan n kantempt, hI woz
evidentli in dispX HAt H sOl rimEniN cAns v verifFiN hiz
TCi bF a hVJ iäperimant n prMviN its sQndnas t H hOl wxld
woz slipiN awE from him.
<p>
H diskaSanz kantinVd a loN tFm, n H loNgx HE lAstad
H mP hItad bikEm H dispVts, kalminEtiN in SQts n
pxsanAlitiz, n H les woz it posabal t xFv At eni Jenxal
kanklMZan from Yl HAt hAd bin sed. prins /AndrM, lisaniN t His
poliglot tYk n t HIz sxmFzaz, plAnz, refVtESanz, n SQts,
felt naTiN bat amEzmant At wot HE wx sEiN. a TYt HAt hAd
loN sins n oftan akxd t him dxiN hiz militXi Aktivitiz—H
FdW HAt HX iz not n kAnot bI eni sFans v wP, n HAt
HXfP HX kAn bI nO sac TiN Az a militXi JInWs—nQ apCd
t him an obvWs trMT. “wot TCi n sFans iz posabal abQt a
mAtx H kandiSanz n sxkamstAnsaz v wic R annOn n kAnot
bI difFnd, ispeSali wen H streNT v H AktiN fPsaz kAnot bI
AsxtEnd? nO wan woz P iz Ebal t fPsI in wot kandiSan Qx P
H enami'z Rmiz wil bI in a dE'z tFm, n nO wan kAn gEJ H
fPs v His P HAt ditAcmant. samtFmz—wen HX iz not a kQxd
At H frant t SQt, 'wI R kat of!' n stRt raniN, bat a brEv
n Joli lAd hM SQts, '/hxy!'—a ditAcmant v fFv TQzand
iz wxT Txti TQzand, Az At /Sxn /grAbxn, wFl At tFmz fifti
TQzand ran from Et TQzand, Az At /Qstxlits. wot sFans kAn
HX bI in a mAtx in wic, Az in Yl prAktikal mAtxz, naTiN
kAn bI difFnd n evriTiN dipendz on inMmxabal kandiSanz, H
signifikans v wic iz ditxmind At a pxtikVlx mOment wic xFvz
nO wan nOz wen? /Rmfelt sez Qx Rmi iz kat in hAf, n /pQlMci
sez wI hAv got H /frenc Rmi bitwIn tM fFxz; /miSO sez HAt
H wxTlasnas v H /drisa kAmp lFz in hAviN H rivx bihFnd it,
n /pfVl sez HAt iz wot konstitMts its streNT; /tOl prapOzaz
wan plAn, /Rmfelt anaHx, n HE R Yl gUd n Yl bAd, n H
advAntiJaz v eni saJescanz kAn bI sIn Onli At H mOment v trFal.
n wF dM HE Yl spIk v a 'militXi JInWs'? iz a mAn a JInWs hM
kAn Pdx bred t bI brYt ap At H rFt tFm n sE hM iz t gO
t H rFt n hM t H left? it iz Onli bikoz militXi men R
investad wiH pomp n pQx n krQdz v sikafants flAtx pQx,
atribVtiN t it kwolitiz v JInWs it daz not pazes. H best
Jenxalz F hAv nOn wx, on H kontrXi, stMpid P Absant-mFndad
men. /bygrytiOn woz H best, /napOlWn himself admitad HAt. n v
/bOnapRt himself! F rimembx hiz limitad, self-sAtisfFd fEs on H
fIld v /Qstxlits. not Onli daz a gUd Rmi kamAndx not nId eni
speSal kwolitiz, on H kontrXi hI nIdz H Absans v H hFast
n best hVman AtribVts—lav, pOatri, tendxnas, n filasofik
inkwFxiN dQt. hI SUd bI limitad, fxmli kanvinst HAt wot hI
iz dMiN iz veri impPtant (aHxwFz hI wil not hAv safiSant
pESans), n Onli Hen wil hI bI a brEv lIdx. god fxbid HAt hI
SUd bI hVmEn, SUd lav, P piti, P TiNk v wot iz Jast
n anJast. it iz andxstAndabal HAt a TCi v HX 'JInWs' woz
inventad f Hem loN agO bikoz HE hAv pQx! H saäes v a
militXi AkSan dipendz not on Hem, bat on H mAn in H rANä hM
SQts, 'wI R lost!' P hM SQts, '/hxy!' n Onli in H rANä
kAn wan sxv wiH aSUxans v bIiN Vsfal.”
<p>
sO TYt /prins /AndrM Az hI lisand t H tYkiN, n hI rQzd
himself Onli wen /pQlMci kYld him n evriwan woz lIviN.
<p>
At H rivV neät dE H /empxx Askt /prins /AndrM wX hI wUd
lFk t sxv, n /prins /AndrM lost hiz stAndiN in kPt sxkalz
fxevx bF not AskiN t rimEn atAct t H sovran'z pxsan, bat
f pxmiSan t sxv in H Rmi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
/bifP H biginiN v H kAmpEn, /rOstOf hAd risIvd a letx from
hiz pXants in wic HE tOld him brIfli v /nytySa'z ilnas n H
brEkiN of v hx ingEJmant t /prins /AndrM (wic HE iäplEnd bF
/nytySa'z hAviN riJektad him) n agen Askt /nikalas t ritFx from
H Rmi n ritxn hOm. on risIviN His letx, /nikalas did not
Ivan mEk eni atempt t get lIv v Absans P t ritFx from H
Rmi, bat rOt t hiz pXants HAt hI woz sori /nytySa woz il n hx
ingEJmant brOkan of, n HAt hI wUd dM Yl hI kUd t mIt HX
wiSaz. t /sonja hI rOt sepxatli.
<p>
“adPd frend v mF sOl!” hI rOt. “naTiN bat onx kUd kIp
mI from ritxniN t H kantri. bat nQ, At H kamensmant v H
kAmpEn, F SUd fIl disonxd, not Onli in mF komrAdz' Fz bat
in mF On, if F prifxd mF On hApinas t mF lav n dMti t H
/fyHxlAnd. bat His SAl bI Qx lAst sepxESan. bilIv mI, direktli
H wP iz Ovx, if F Am stil alFv n stil lavd bF V, F wil
TrO ap evriTiN n flF t V, t pres V fxevx t mF Rdant
brest.”
<p>
it woz, in fAkt, Onli H kamensmant v H kAmpEn HAt priventad
/rOstOf from ritxniN hOm Az hI hAd promist n mAriiN /sonja. H
Ytam in /Otrydnqe wiH H hantiN, n H wintx wiH H /krismas
holidEz n /sonja'z lav, hAd Opand Qt t him a vista v trANkwil
rUxal Jqz n pIs sac Az hI hAd nevx nOn bifP, n wic nQ
alUxd him. “a splendid wFf, cildran, a gUd pAk v hQndz, a
dazan lISaz v smRt bPzqz, Agrikalcx, nEbxz, sxvis bF
ilekSan...” TYt hI. bat nQ H kAmpEn woz biginiN, n hI hAd
t rimEn wiH hiz reJimant. n sins it hAd t bI sO, /nikalas /rOstOf,
Az woz nAcxal t him, felt kantentad wiH H lFf hI led in H
reJimant n woz Ebal t fFnd pleZx in HAt lFf.
<p>
on hiz ritxn from hiz fxlO /nikalas, hAviN bin Jqfali welkamd
bF hiz komrAdz, woz sent t abtEn rImQnts n brYt bAk from H
/VkrEn eäalant hPsaz wic plIzd him n xnd him komendESan
from hiz kamAndxz. dxiN hiz Absans hI hAd bin pramOtad kAptin,
n wen H reJimant woz pUt on wP fUtiN wiH an inkrIs in
nambxz, hI woz agen alotad hiz Old skwodran.
<p>
H kAmpEn bigAn, H reJimant woz mMvd intM /pOland on dabal pE,
nM ofisxz xFvd, nM men n hPsaz, n abav Yl evribodi woz
infektad wiH H merili iäFtad mMd HAt gOz wiH H kamensmant
v a wP, n /rOstOf, konSas v hiz AdvantEJas paziSan in H
reJimant, divOtad himself intFxli t H pleZxz n intxasts v
militXi sxvis, HO hI nM HAt sMnx P lEtx hI wUd hAf t
riliNkwiS Hem.
<p>
H trMps ritFxd from /vilna f vXWs komplikEtad rIzanz v stEt,
politikal n stratIJik. Ic step v H ritrIt woz akampanid bF
a komplikEtad intxplE v intxasts, RgVmants, n pASanz At
hedkwPtxz. f H /pyvlOgryd hMsRz, hQevx, H hOl v His
ritrIt dxiN H fFnast pCWd v samx n wiH safiSant saplFz
woz a veri simpal n agrIabal biznas.
<p>
it woz Onli At hedkwPtxz HAt HX woz dipreSan, anIzinas, n
intrIgiN; in H bodi v H Rmi HE did not Ask Hemselvz wX
HE wx gOiN P wF. if HE rigretad hAviN t ritrIt, it woz Onli
bikoz HE hAd t lIv bilats HE hAd grOn akastamd t, P sam
priti jaN /pOliS lEdi. if H TYt HAt TiNz lUkt bAd cAnst
t entx eniwan'z hed, hI trFd t bI Az cCfal Az bifits a gUd
sOlJx n not t TiNk v H Jenxal trend v afXz, bat Onli v
H tAsk nCast t hAnd. fxst HE kAmpt gEli bifP /vilna, mEkiN
akwEntans wiH H /pOliS lAndOnxz, pripXiN f rivVz n bIiN
rivVd bF H /empxx n aHx hF kamAndxz. Hen kEm an Pdx
t ritrIt t /sventsjyni n distrq eni praviZanz HE kUd not kAri
awE wiH Hem. /sventsjyni woz rimembxd bF H hMsRz Onli Az H
draNkan kAmp, a nEm H hOl Rmi gEv t HX inkAmpmant HX,
n bikoz meni kamplEnts wx mEd agenst H trMps, hM, tEkiN
advAntiJ v H Pdx t kalekt praviZanz, tUk YlsO hPsaz,
kAriJaz, n kRpats from H /pOliS praprFatxz. /rOstOf rimembxd
/sventsjyni, bikoz on H fxst dE v HX xFval At HAt smYl tQn
hI cEnJd hiz sRJant mEJx n woz anEbal t mAniJ Yl H draNkan
men v hiz skwodran hM, annOn t him, hAd aprOpriEtad fFv bAralz
v Old bC. from /sventsjyni HE ritFxd fRHx n fRHx t /drisa,
n Hens agen bijond /drisa, drYiN nC t H frantC v /raSa
propx.
<p>
on H TxtInT v JalF H /pyvlOgrydz tUk pRt in a sCWs AkSan
f H fxst tFm.
<p>
on H twelfT v JalF, on H Iv v HAt AkSan, HX woz a hevi
stPm v rEn n hEl. in Jenxal, H samx v 1812 woz rimRkabal
f its stPmz.
<p>
H tM /pyvlOgryd skwodranz wx bivUAkiN on a fIld v rF, wic
woz Ylredi in C bat hAd bin kamplItli trodan dQn bF kAtal n
hPsaz. H rEn woz disendiN in torants, n /rOstOf, wiH a jaN
ofisx nEmd /FlFin, hiz prOtiZE, woz sitiN in a hEstili kanstraktad
Seltx. an ofisx v HX reJimant, wiH loN mastASaz iätendiN
ontM hiz cIä, hM Aftx rFdiN t H stAf hAd bin OvxtEkan bF H
rEn, entxd /rOstOf's Seltx.
<p>
“F hAv kam from H stAf, /kQnt. hAv V hxd v /rFefski'z
eäplqt?”
<p>
n H ofisx gEv Hem dItElz v H /syltynOf bAtal, wic hI hAd
hxd At H stAf.
<p>
/rOstOf, smOkiN hiz pFp n txniN hiz hed abQt Az H wYtx
trikald dQn hiz nek, lisand inatentivli, wiH an akEZanal
glAns At /FlFin, hM woz presiN klOs t him. His ofisx, a lAd
v siätIn hM hAd rIsantli Jqnd H reJimant, woz nQ in H sEm
rilESan t /nikalas HAt /nikalas hAd bin t /denisOf sevan jCz
bifP. FlFin trFd t imitEt /rOstOf in evriTiN n adPd him Az a
gxl mFt hAv dan.
<p>
/zdxZinski, H ofisx wiH H loN mastAS, spOk grAndilakwantli v
H /syltynOf dAm bIiN “a /raSan /Txmopili,” n v hQ a dId wxHi
v Antikwiti hAd bin pxfPmd bF /Jenxal /rFefski. hI rikQntad hQ
/rFefski hAd led hiz tM sanz ontM H dAm andx txifik fFx n hAd
cRJd wiH Hem bisFd him. /rOstOf hxd H stPi n not Onli sed
naTiN t inkariJ /zdxZinski'z inTVziAzam bat, on H kontrXi,
lUkt lFk a mAn aSEmd v wot hI woz hCiN, HO wiH nO
intenSan v kontradiktiN it. sins H kAmpEnz v /Qstxlits n
v 1807 /rOstOf nM bF iäpCWns HAt men YlwEz lF wen diskrFbiN
militXi eäplqts, Az hI himself hAd dan wen rikQntiN Hem; bisFdz
HAt, hI hAd iäpCWns inaf t nO HAt naTiN hApanz in wP At
Yl Az wI kAn imAJin P rilEt it. n sO hI did not lFk /zdxZinski'z
tEl, nP did hI lFk /zdxZinski himself hM, wiH hiz mastASaz
iätendiN Ovx hiz cIä, bent lO Ovx H fEs v hiz hCx, Az woz
hiz hAbit, n krQdad /rOstOf in H nArO SAnti. /rOstOf lUkt At him
in sFlans. “in H fxst plEs, HX mast hAv bin sac a kanfVZan
n krQdiN on H dAm HAt woz bIiN atAkt HAt if /rFefski did lId
hiz sanz HX, it kUd hAv hAd nO ifekt iäept pxhAps on sam dazan
men nCast t him,” TYt hI, “H rest kUd not hAv sIn hQ P
wiH hMm /rFefski kEm ontM H dAm. n Ivan HOz hM did sI it
wUd not hAv bin mac stimVlEtad bF it, f wot hAd HE t dM wiH
/rFefski'z tendx patxnal fIliNz wen HX On skinz wx in dEnJx?
n bisFdz, H fEt v H /fyHxlAnd did not dipend on weHx
HE tUk H /syltynOf dAm P not, Az wI R tOld woz H kEs At
/Txmopili. sO wF SUd hI hAv mEd sac a sAkrifFs? n wF iäpOz
hiz On cildran in H bAtal? F wUd not hAv tEkan mF braHx /petja
HX, P Ivan /FlFin, hM'z a strEnJx t mI bat a nFs lAd, bat wUd
hAv trFd t pUt Hem samwX andx kavx,” /nikalas kantinVd
t TiNk, Az hI lisand t /zdxZinski. bat hI did not iäpres hiz
TYts, f in sac mAtxz, tM, hI hAd gEnd iäpCWns. hI nM
HAt His tEl ridQndad t H glPi v Qx Rmz n sO wan hAd t
pritend not t dQt it. n hI Aktad akPdiNli.
<p>
“F kAnt stAnd His eni mP,” sed /FlFin, nOtisiN HAt /rOstOf did not
reliS /zdxZinski'z konvxsESan. “mF stokiNz n Sxt... n H
wYtx iz raniN on mF sIt! F'l gO n lUk f Seltx. H rEn
sImz les hevi.”
<p>
FlFin went Qt n /zdxZinski rOd awE.
<p>
fFv minits lEtx /FlFin, splASiN TrM H mad, kEm raniN bAk
t H SAnti.
<p>
“hxy! /rOstOf, kam kwik! F'v fQnd it! abQt tM handrad jRdz awE
HX'z a tAvxn wX Qxz hAv Ylredi gAHxd. wI kAn At lIst get
drF HX, n /mXi /hendriâOvna'z HX.”
<p>
mXi /hendriâOvna woz H wFf v H reJimental doktx, a priti jaN
/Jxman wUman hI hAd mArid in /pOland. H doktx, weHx from lAk
v mInz P bikoz hI did not lFk t pRt from hiz jaN wFf in
H xli dEz v HX mAriJ, tUk hx abQt wiH him wXevx H
hMsR reJimant went n hiz Jelasi hAd bikam a stAndiN JOk amaN
H hMsR ofisxz.
<p>
/rOstOf TrM hiz klOk Ovx hiz SOldxz, SQtad t /lyvrMSka t
folO wiH H TiNz, n—nQ slipiN in H mad, nQ splASiN rFt
TrM it—set of wiH /FlFin in H lesaniN rEn n H dRknas
HAt woz akEZanali rent bF distant lFtniN.
<p>
“/rOstOf, wX R V?”
<p>
“hC. wot lFtniN!” HE kYld t wan anaHx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
in H tAvxn, bifP wic stUd H doktx'z kavxd kRt, HX wx
Ylredi sam fFv ofisxz. mXi /hendriâOvna, a plamp lital blond
/Jxman, in a dresiN JAkat n nFtkAp, woz sitiN on a brYd benc
in H frant kPnx. hx hazband, H doktx, lE aslIp bihFnd hx.
/rOstOf n /FlFin, on entxiN H rMm, wx welkamd wiH meri SQts
n lAftx.
<p>
“dC mI, hQ Joli wI R!” sed /rOstOf lAfiN.
<p>
“n wF dM V stAnd HX gEpiN?”
<p>
“wot swelz HE R! wF, H wYtx strImz from Hem! dOnt mEk Qx
drYiN rMm sO wet.”
<p>
“dOnt mes /mXi /hendriâOvna'z dres!” krFd aHx vqsaz.
<p>
/rOstOf n /FlFin hEsand t fFnd a kPnx wX HE kUd cEnJ intM
drF klOHz wiHQt afendiN /mXi /hendriâOvna'z modasti. HE wx
gOiN intM a tFni rIses bihFnd a pRtiSan t cEnJ, bat fQnd it
kamplItli fild bF TrI ofisxz hM sAt plEiN kRdz bF H lFt
v a solitXi kAndal on an empti boä, n HIz ofisxz wUd on nO
akQnt jIld HX paziSan. mXi /hendriâOvna ablFJd Hem wiH H
lOn v a petikOt t bI Vzd Az a kxtan, n bihFnd HAt skrIn
/rOstOf n /FlFin, helpt bF /lyvrMSka hM hAd brYt HX kits,
cEnJd HX wet TiNz f drF wanz.
<p>
a fFx woz mEd ap in H dilApidEtad brik stOv. a bPd woz fQnd,
fiät on tM sAdalz n kavxd wiH a hPskloT, a smYl sAmavR woz
prOdMst n a selxat n hAf a botal v ram, n hAviN Askt /mXi
/hendriâOvna t prizFd, HE Yl krQdad rQnd hx. wan ofxd hx a
klIn hANkxcif t wFp hx cRmiN hAndz, anaHx spred a JAkat
andx hx lital fIt t kIp Hem from H dAmp, anaHx haN hiz kOt
Ovx H windO t kIp Qt H drAft, n jet anaHx wEvd H flFz
of hx hazband'z fEs, lest hI SUd wEk ap.
<p>
“lIv him alOn,” sed /mXi /hendriâOvna, smFliN timidli n hApili.
“hI iz slIpiN wel Az it iz, Aftx a slIplas nFt.”
<p>
“O, nO, /mXi /hendriâOvna,” riplFd H ofisx, “wan mast lUk Aftx
H doktx. pxhAps hI'l tEk piti on mI samdE, wen it kamz t
katiN of a leg P an Rm f mI.”
<p>
HX wx Onli TrI tambalxz, H wYtx woz sO madi HAt wan kUd
not mEk Qt weHx H tI woz stroN P wIk, n H sAmavR held
Onli siä tambalxz v wYtx, bat His mEd it Yl H plezantx t
tEk txnz in Pdx v sIniPiti t risIv wan'z tambalx from /mXi
/hendriâOvna'z plamp lital hAndz wiH HX SPt n not OvxklIn
nElz. Yl H ofisxz apCd t bI, n rWli wx, in lav wiH
hx HAt IvniN. Ivan HOz plEiN kRdz bihFnd H pRtiSan sMn
left HX gEm n kEm Ovx t H sAmavR, jIldiN t H Jenxal
mMd v kPtiN /mXi /hendriâOvna. SI, sIiN hxself sxQndad bF
sac brilWnt n palFt jaN men, bImd wiH sAtisfAkSan, trF Az
SI mFt t hFd it, n pxtxbd Az SI evidentli woz Ic tFm hx
hazband mMvd in hiz slIp bihFnd hx.
<p>
HX woz Onli wan spMn, SUgx woz mP plentifal HAn eniTiN
els, bat it tUk tM loN t dizolv, sO it woz disFdad HAt /mXi
/hendriâOvna SUd stx H SUgx f evriwan in txn. /rOstOf risIvd
hiz tambalx, n AdiN sam ram t it Askt /mXi /hendriâOvna t stx
it.
<p>
“bat V tEk it wiHQt SUgx?” SI sed, smFliN Yl H tFm, Az if
evriTiN SI sed n evriTiN H aHxz sed woz veri amVziN n
hAd a dabal mIniN.
<p>
“it iz not H SUgx F wont, bat Onli HAt jP lital hAnd SUd stx
mF tI.”
<p>
mXi /hendriâOvna asentad n bigAn lUkiN f H spMn wic samwan
mInwFl hAd pQnst on.
<p>
“Vz jP fiNgx, /mXi /hendriâOvna, it wil bI stil nFsx,” sed
/rOstOf.
<p>
“tM hot!” SI riplFd, blaSiN wiH pleZx.
<p>
FlFin pUt a fV drops v ram intM H bakat v wYtx n brYt it t
/mXi /hendriâOvna, AskiN hx t stx it wiH hx fiNgx.
<p>
“His iz mF kap,” sed hI. “Onli dip jP fiNgx in it n F'l driNk it
Yl ap.”
<p>
wen HE hAd emptid H sAmavR, /rOstOf tUk a pAk v kRdz n
prapOzd HAt HE SUd plE “kiNz” wiH /mXi /hendriâOvna. HE drM
lots t setal hM SUd mEk ap hx set. At /rOstOf's saJescan it
woz agrId HAt hMevx bikEm “kiN” SUd hAv H rFt t kis /mXi
/hendriâOvna'z hAnd, n HAt H “bMbi” SUd gO t rIfil n rIhIt
H sAmavR f H doktx wen H lAtx awOk.
<p>
“wel, bat sapOziN /mXi /hendriâOvna iz '/kiN'?” Askt /FlFin.
<p>
“Az it iz, SI iz /kwIn, n hx wxd iz lY!”
<p>
HE hAd hRdli bigan t plE bifP H doktx'z diSevald hed
sadanli apCd from bihFnd /mXi /hendriâOvna. hI hAd bin awEk f
sam tFm, lisaniN t wot woz bIiN sed, n evidentli fQnd naTiN
entxtEniN P amVziN in wot woz gOiN on. hiz fEs woz sAd n
diprest. wiHQt grItiN H ofisxz, hI skrAct himself n Askt
t bI alQd t pAs Az HE wx blokiN H wE. Az sMn Az hI
hAd left H rMm Yl H ofisxz bxst intM lQd lAftx n /mXi
/hendriâOvna blaSt til hx Fz fild wiH tCz n HXbF bikEm
stil mP atrAktiv t Hem. ritxniN from H jRd, H doktx
tOld hiz wFf (hM hAd sIst t smFl sO hApili, n lUkt At him in
alRm, awEtiN hx sentans) HAt H rEn hAd sIst n HE mast gO
t slIp in HX kavxd kRt, P evriTiN in it wUd bI stOlan.
<p>
“bat F'l send an Pdxli.... tM v Hem!” sed /rOstOf. “wot an FdW,
doktx!”
<p>
“F'l stAnd gRd on it mFself!” sed /FlFin.
<p>
“nO, Jentalmen, V hAv hAd jP slIp, bat F hAv not slept f tM
nFts,” riplFd H doktx, n hI sAt dQn mxOsli bisFd hiz wFf,
wEtiN f H gEm t end.
<p>
sIiN hiz glMmi fEs Az hI frQnd At hiz wFf, H ofisxz grM
stil merC, n sam v Hem kUd not rifrEn from lAftx, f
wic HE haridli sYt plYzabal prIteäts. wen hI hAd gon, tEkiN
hiz wFf wiH him, n hAd setald dQn wiH hx in HX kavxd kRt,
H ofisxz lE dQn in H tAvxn, kavxiN Hemselvz wiH HX
wet klOä, bat HE did not slIp f a loN tFm; nQ HE iäcEnJd
rimRä, rikYliN H doktx'z anIzinas n hiz wFf's dilFt, nQ
HE rAn Qt intM H pPc n ripPtad wot woz tEkiN plEs in H
kavxd trAp. sevxal tFmz /rOstOf, kavxiN hiz hed, trFd t gO
t slIp, bat sam rimRk wUd xQz him n konvxsESan wUd bI
rizMmd, t H akampanimant v anrIzaniN, meri, cFldlFk lAftx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
it woz nCli TrI O'klok bat nO wan woz jet aslIp, wen H
kwPtxmAstx apCd wiH an Pdx t mMv on t H lital tQn
v /ostrOvna. stil lAfiN n tYkiN, H ofisxz bigAn haridli
getiN redi n agen bqld sam madi wYtx in H sAmavR. bat
/rOstOf went of t hiz skwodran wiHQt wEtiN f tI. dE woz
brEkiN, H rEn hAd sIst, n H klQdz wx dispxsiN. it felt
dAmp n kOld, ispeSali in klOHz HAt wx stil mqst. Az HE left
H tAvxn in H twFlFt v H dYn, /rOstOf n /FlFin bOT glAnst
andx H wet n glisaniN leHx hUd v H doktx'z kRt, from
andx H Epran v wic hiz fIt wx stikiN Qt, n in H midal
v wic hiz wFf's nFtkAp woz vizabal n hx slIpi brIHiN
Ydabal.
<p>
“SI rWli iz a dC lital TiN,” sed /rOstOf t /FlFin, hM woz
folOiN him.
<p>
“a cRmiN wUman!” sed /FlFin, wiH Yl H grAviti v a bq v
siätIn.
<p>
hAf an Qx lEtx H skwodran woz lFnd ap on H rOd. H kamAnd
woz hxd t “mQnt” n H sOlJxz krost Hemselvz n mQntad.
/rOstOf rFdiN in frant gEv H Pdx “fPwxd!” n H hMsRz, wiH
klANkiN sEbxz n sabdMd tYk, HX hPsaz' hUfs splASiN in H
mad, difFld in fPz n mMvd aloN H brYd rOd plAntad wiH bxc
trIz on Ic sFd, folOiN H infantri n a bAtxi HAt hAd gon
on in frant.
<p>
tAtxd, blM-pxpal klQdz, redaniN in H Ist, wx skadiN
bifP H wind. it woz grOiN lFtx n lFtx. HAt kxli grAs
wic YlwEz grOz bF kantri rOdsFdz bikEm klCli vizabal, stil
wet wiH H nFt's rEn; H drMpiN brAncaz v H bxcaz, YlsO
wet, swEd in H wind n flaN dQn brFt drops v wYtx t wan
sFd. H sOlJxz' fEsaz wx mP n mP klCli vizabal. /rOstOf,
YlwEz klOsli folOd bF /FlFin, rOd aloN H sFd v H rOd
bitwIn tM rOz v bxc trIz.
<p>
wen kAmpEniN, /rOstOf alQd himself H indalJans v rFdiN not
a reJimental bat a /kosAk hPs. a JaJ v hPsaz n a spPtsman,
hI hAd lEtli prakjUxd himself a lRJ, fFn, metalsam, /dOnjets hPs,
dan-kalxd, wiH lFt mEn n tEl, n wen hI rOd it nO wan kUd
QtgAlap him. t rFd His hPs woz a pleZx t him, n hI TYt
v H hPs, v H mPniN, v H doktx'z wFf, bat not wans v H
impendiN dEnJx.
<p>
fPmxli, wen gOiN intM AkSan, /rOstOf hAd felt afrEd; nQ hI hAd
not H lIst fIliN v fC. hI woz fClas, not bikoz hI hAd grOn
Vst t bIiN andx fFx (wan kAnot grO Vst t dEnJx), bat bikoz
hI hAd lxnd hQ t mAniJ hiz TYts wen in dEnJx. hI hAd grOn
akastamd wen gOiN intM AkSan t TiNk abQt eniTiN bat wot wUd
sIm mOst lFkli t intxast him—H impendiN dEnJx. dxiN H
fxst pCWd v hiz sxvis, hRd Az hI trFd n mac Az hI riprOct
himself wiH kQxdis, hI hAd not bin Ebal t dM His, bat wiH tFm
it hAd kam v itself. nQ hI rOd bisFd /FlFin andx H bxc trIz,
akEZanali plakiN lIvz from a brAnc HAt met hiz hAnd, samtFmz
taciN hiz hPs'az sFd wiH hiz fUt, P, wiHQt txniN rQnd,
hAndiN a pFp hI hAd finiSt t an hMsR rFdiN bihFnd him, wiH Az
kym n kXlas an X Az HO hI wx mCli Qt f a rFd. hI
glAnst wiH piti At H iäFtad fEs v /FlFin, hM tYkt mac n in
grEt AJitESan. hI nM from iäpCWns H tPmentiN eäpektESan v
terx n deT H kPnet woz safxiN n nM HAt Onli tFm kUd
help him.
<p>
Az sMn Az H san apCd in a klC strip v skF binIT H klQdz,
H wind fel, Az if it dXd not spql H bVti v H samx mPniN
Aftx H stPm; drops stil kantinVd t fYl, bat vxtikli nQ, n
Yl woz stil. H hOl san apCd on H hxFzan n disapCd
bihFnd a loN nArO klQd HAt haN abav it. a fV minits lEtx it
rIapCd brFtx stil from bihFnd H top v H klQd, tCiN its
eJ. evriTiN grM brFt n glitxd. n wiH HAt lFt, n Az
if in riplF t it, kEm H sQnd v ganz ahed v Hem.
<p>
bifP /rOstOf hAd hAd tFm t kansidx n ditxmin H distans v
HAt fFxiN, /kQnt /ostCman-/tOlstq'z AJUtant kEm gAlapiN from
/vitebsk wiH Pdxz t advAns At a trot aloN H rOd.
<p>
H skwodran OvxtUk n pAst H infantri n H bAtxi—wic hAd
YlsO kwikand HX pEs—rOd dQn a hil, n pAsiN TrM an empti
n dizxtad viliJ agen asendad. H hPsaz bigAn t lAHx n H
men t flaS.
<p>
“hYlt! dres jP rANä!” H Pdx v H reJimental kamAndx woz
hxd ahed. “fPwxd bF H left. wYk, mRc!” kEm H Pdx from in
frant.
<p>
n H hMsRz, pAsiN aloN H lFn v trMps on H left flANk v
Qx paziSan, hYltad bihFnd Qx /Mlynz hM wx in H frant lFn. t
H rFt stUd Qx infantri in a dens kolam: HE wx H rizxv.
hFx ap H hil, on H veri hxFzan, Qx ganz wx vizabal TrM
H wandxfali klC X, brFtli ilMminEtad bF slAntiN mPniN
sanbImz. in frant, bijond a holO dEl, kUd bI sIn H enami'z
kolamz n ganz. Qx advAnst lFn, Ylredi in AkSan, kUd bI hxd
briskli iäcEnJiN Sots wiH H enami in H dEl.
<p>
At HIz sQndz, loN anhxd, /rOstOf's spirits rOz, Az At H strEnz
v H merWst mVzik. trAp-/ty-/ty-tAp! krAkt H Sots, nQ tageHx,
nQ sevxal kwikli wan Aftx anaHx. agen Yl woz sFlant n Hen
agen it sQndad Az if samwan wx wYkiN on detanEtxz n iäplOdiN
Hem.
<p>
H hMsRz rimEnd in H sEm plEs f abQt an Qx. a kAnanEd
bigAn. kQnt /ostCman wiH hiz swIt rOd ap bihFnd H skwodran,
hYltad, spOk t H kamAndx v H reJimant, n rOd ap H hil t
H ganz.
<p>
Aftx /ostCman hAd gon, a kamAnd rAN Qt t H /Mlynz.
<p>
“fPm kolam! pripX t cRJ!”
<p>
H infantri in frant v Hem pRtad intM plAtMnz t alQ H kAvalri
t pAs. H /Mlynz stRtad, H strImxz on HX spCz flatxiN,
n trotad dQnhil tPd H /frenc kAvalri wic woz sIn bilO t
H left.
<p>
Az sMn Az H /Mlynz disendad H hil, H hMsRz wx Pdxd ap
H hil t sapPt H bAtxi. Az HE tUk H plEsaz vEkEtad bF H
/Mlynz, bUlats kEm from H frant, wFniN n wisaliN, bat fel
spent wiHQt tEkiN ifekt.
<p>
H sQndz, wic hI hAd not hxd f sO loN, hAd an Ivan mP
pleZxabal n iãilxEtiN ifekt on /rOstOf HAn H prIvWs sQndz
v fFxiN. drYiN himself ap, hI vVd H fIld v bAtal OpaniN Qt
bifP him from H hil, n wiH hiz hOl sOl folOd H mMvmant
v H /Mlynz. HE swMpt dQn klOs t H /frenc dragMnz, samTiN
kanfVzd hApand HX amid H smOk, n fFv minits lEtx Qx
/Mlynz wx gAlapiN bAk, not t H plEs HE hAd okVpFd bat mP
t H left, n amaN H PinJ-kalxd /Mlynz on cestnat hPsaz n
bihFnd Hem, in a lRJ grMp, blM /frenc dragMnz on grE hPsaz kUd
bI sIn.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
/rOstOf, wiH hiz kIn spPtsman'z F, woz wan v H fxst t kAc
sFt v HIz blM /frenc dragMnz pxsMiN Qx /Mlynz. nCx n
nCx in disPdxli krQdz kEm H /Mlynz n H /frenc dragMnz
pxsMiN Hem. hI kUd Ylredi sI hQ HIz men, hM lUkt sO smYl
At H fUt v H hil, Josald n OvxtUk wan anaHx, wEviN HX
Rmz n HX sEbxz in H X.
<p>
/rOstOf gEzd At wot woz hApaniN bifP him Az At a hant. hI felt
instiNktivli HAt if H hMsRz strak At H /frenc dragMnz nQ, H
lAtx kUd not wiHstAnd Hem, bat if a cRJ woz t bI mEd it mast
bI dan nQ, At HAt veri mOment, P it wUd bI tM lEt. hI lUkt
xQnd. a kAptin, stAndiN bisFd him, woz gEziN lFk himself wiH
Fz fiät on H kAvalri bilO Hem.
<p>
“AndrM /sevystjynic!” sed /rOstOf. “V nO, wI kUd kraS Hem....”
<p>
“a fFn TiN tM!” riplFd H kAptin, “n rWli...”
<p>
/rOstOf, wiHQt wEtiN t hC him Qt, tact hiz hPs, gAlapt t
H frant v hiz skwodran, n bifP hI hAd tFm t finiS giviN H
wxd v kamAnd, H hOl skwodran, SXiN hiz fIliN, woz folOiN
him. /rOstOf himself did not nO hQ P wF hI did it. hI Aktad Az hI
did wen hantiN, wiHQt riflektiN P kansidxiN. hI sY H dragMnz
nC n HAt HE wx gAlapiN in disPdx; hI nM HE kUd not
wiHstAnd an atAk—nM HX woz Onli HAt mOment n HAt if hI let
it slip it wUd not ritxn. H bUlats wx wFniN n wisaliN sO
stimVlEtiNli xQnd him n hiz hPs woz sO Igx t gO HAt hI kUd
not ristrEn himself. hI tact hiz hPs, gEv H wxd v kamAnd,
n imIdWtli, hCiN bihFnd him H trAmp v H hPsaz v hiz
diplqd skwodran, rOd At fUl trot dQnhil tPd H dragMnz.
hRdli hAd HE rIct H botam v H hil bifP HX pEs
instiNktivli cEnJd t a gAlap, wic grM fAstx n fAstx Az HE
drM nCx t Qx /Mlynz n H /frenc dragMnz hM gAlapt Aftx
Hem. H dragMnz wx nQ klOs At hAnd. on sIiN H hMsRz, H
fPmOst bigAn t txn, wFl HOz bihFnd bigAn t hYlt. wiH H sEm
fIliN wiH wic hI hAd gAlapt akros H pAT v a wUlf, /rOstOf
gEv rEn t hiz /dOnjets hPs n gAlapt t intxsekt H pAT v H
dragMnz' disPdxd lFnz. wan /Mlyn stopt, anaHx hM woz on fUt
flaN himself t H grQnd t avqd bIiN nokt Ovx, n a rFdxlas
hPs fel in amaN H hMsRz. nCli Yl H /frenc dragMnz wx
gAlapiN bAk. /rOstOf, pikiN Qt wan on a grE hPs, dASt Aftx
him. on H wE hI kEm apon a bUS, hiz gAlant hPs klCd it, n
YlmOst bifP hI hAd rFtad himself in hiz sAdal hI sY HAt hI wUd
imIdWtli OvxtEk H enami hI hAd silektad. HAt /frencman, bF hiz
VnifPm an ofisx, woz gOiN At a gAlap, krQciN on hiz grE hPs
n xJiN it on wiH hiz sEbx. in anaHx mOment /rOstOf's hPs dASt
its brest agenst H hFndkwPtxz v H ofisx'z hPs, YlmOst
nokiN it Ovx, n At H sEm instant /rOstOf, wiHQt nOiN wF,
rEzd hiz sEbx n strak H /frencman wiH it.
<p>
H instant hI hAd dan His, Yl /rOstOf's AnimESan vAniSt. H
ofisx fel, not sO mac from H blO—wic hAd bat slFtli kat hiz
Rm abav H elbO—Az from H Sok t hiz hPs n from frFt.
/rOstOf rEnd in hiz hPs, n hiz Fz sYt hiz fO t sI hMm hI
hAd vANkwiSt. H /frenc dragMn ofisx woz hopiN wiH wan fUt on
H grQnd, H aHx bIiN kYt in H stxap. hiz Fz, skrMd
ap wiH fC Az if hI evri mOment iäpektad anaHx blO, gEzd ap At
/rOstOf wiH SriNkiN terx. hiz pEl n mad-stEnd fEs—fX n
jaN, wiH a dimpal in H cin n lFt-blM Fz—woz not an enami'z
fEs At Yl sMtad t a bAtalfIld, bat a mOst PdinXi, hOmlFk fEs.
bifP /rOstOf hAd disFdad wot t dM wiH him, H ofisx krFd, “F
sxendx!” hI haridli bat vEnli trFd t get hiz fUt Qt v H
stxap n did not rimMv hiz frFtand blM Fz from /rOstOf's fEs.
sam hMsRz hM gAlapt ap disingEJd hiz fUt n helpt him intM H
sAdal. on Yl sFdz, H hMsRz wx bizi wiH H dragMnz; wan woz
wMndad, bat HO hiz fEs woz blIdiN, hI wUd not giv ap hiz
hPs; anaHx woz pxct ap bihFnd an hMsR wiH hiz Rmz rQnd him;
a Txd woz bIiN helpt bF an hMsR t mQnt hiz hPs. in frant, H
/frenc infantri wx fFxiN Az HE rAn. H hMsRz gAlapt hEstili
bAk wiH HX prizanxz. /rOstOf gAlapt bAk wiH H rest, awX v
an anplezant fIliN v dipreSan in hiz hRt. samTiN vEg n
kanfVzd, wic hI kUd not At Yl akQnt f, hAd kam Ovx him wiH
H kApcx v HAt ofisx n H blO hI hAd delt him.
<p>
kQnt /ostCman-/tOlstq met H ritxniN hMsRz, sent f /rOstOf,
TANkt him, n sed hI wUd ripPt hiz gAlant dId t H /empxx
n wUd rekamend him f a /st /JPJ'az /kros. wen sent f bF /kQnt
/ostCman, /rOstOf, rimembxiN HAt hI hAd cRJd wiHQt Pdxz,
felt SUx hiz kamAndx woz sendiN f him t paniS him f brIc v
disiplin. ostCman'z flAtxiN wxdz n promis v a riwPd SUd
HXfP hAv strak him Yl H mP plezantli, bat hI stil felt
HAt sEm vEgli disagrIabal fIliN v mPal nYZa. “bat wot
on xT iz wariiN mI?” hI Askt himself Az hI rOd bAk from H
Jenxal. “FlFin? nO, hI'z sEf. hAv F disgrEst mFself in eni wE? nO,
HAt's not it.” samTiN els, rizembaliN rimPs, tPmentad him. “jes,
O jes, HAt /frenc ofisx wiH H dimpal. n F rimembx hQ mF Rm
pYzd wen F rEzd it.”
<p>
/rOstOf sY H prizanxz bIiN led awE n gAlapt Aftx Hem t hAv
a lUk At hiz /frencman wiH H dimpal on hiz cin. hI woz sitiN in
hiz forin VnifPm on an hMsR pAkhPs n lUkt ANkSasli abQt
him. H sPd kat on hiz Rm kUd skXsli bI kYld a wMnd. hI
glAnst At /rOstOf wiH a fEnd smFl n wEvd hiz hAnd in grItiN.
/rOstOf stil hAd H sEm indefinit fIliN, Az v SEm.
<p>
Yl HAt dE n H neät hiz frendz n komrAdz nOtist HAt /rOstOf,
wiHQt bIiN dal P ANgri, woz sFlant, TYtfal, n prIokVpFd.
hI drANk rilaktantli, trFd t rimEn alOn, n kept txniN samTiN
Ovx in hiz mFnd.
<p>
/rOstOf woz YlwEz TiNkiN abQt HAt brilWnt eäplqt v hiz, wic t
hiz amEzmant hAd gEnd him H /st /JPJ'az /kros n Ivan givan him
a repVtESan f brEvxi, n HX woz samTiN hI kUd not At Yl
andxstAnd. “sO aHxz R Ivan mP afrEd HAn F Am!” hI TYt. “sO
HAt's Yl HX iz in wot iz kYld herOizam! n did F dM it f mF
kantri'z sEk? n hQ woz hI t blEm, wiH hiz dimpal n blM Fz?
n hQ frFtand hI woz! hI TYt HAt F SUd kil him. wF SUd
F kil him? mF hAnd trembald. n HE hAv givan mI a /st /JPJ'az
/kros.... F kAnt mEk it Qt At Yl.”
<p>
bat wFl /nikalas woz kansidxiN HIz kwescanz n stil kUd rIc
nO klC salMSan v wot pazald him sO, H wIl v fPcMn in H
sxvis, Az oftan hApanz, txnd in hiz fEvx. Aftx H afX At
/ostrOvna hI woz brYt intM nOtis, risIvd kamAnd v an hMsR
batAlWn, n wen a brEv ofisx woz nIdad hI woz cOzan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
on risIviN nMz v /nytySa'z ilnas, H kQntas, HO not kwFt
wel jet n stil wIk, went t /moskQ wiH /petja n H rest v H
hQshOld, n H hOl fAmli mMvd from /mRja /dmItrievna'z hQs t
HX On n setald dQn in tQn.
<p>
/nytySa'z ilnas woz sO sCWs HAt, fPcanatli f hx n f
hx pXants, H kansidxESan v Yl HAt hAd kYzd H ilnas,
hx kondakt n H brEkiN of v hx ingEJmant, risIdad intM H
bAkgrQnd. SI woz sO il HAt it woz imposabal f Hem t kansidx
in hQ fR SI woz t blEm f wot hAd hApand. SI kUd not It
P slIp, grM vizabli Tinx, koft, n, Az H doktxz mEd Hem
fIl, woz in dEnJx. HE kUd not TiNk v eniTiN bat hQ t help
hx. doktxz kEm t sI hx siNgli n in konsaltESan, tYkt mac in
/frenc, /Jxman, n /lAtin, blEmd wan anaHx, n priskrFbd a grEt
vxFati v medisinz f Yl H dizIzaz nOn t Hem, bat H simpal
FdW nevx akxd t eni v Hem HAt HE kUd not nO H dizIz
/nytySa woz safxiN from, Az nO dizIz safxd bF a lFv mAn kAn bI
nOn, f evri liviN pxsan hAz hiz On pikVliAritiz n YlwEz
hAz hiz On pikVlC, pxsanal, noval, komplikEtad dizIz, annOn t
medisin—not a dizIz v H laNz, livx, skin, hRt, nxvz, n sO
on menSand in medikal bUä, bat a dizIz kansistiN v wan v H
inMmxabal kombinESanz v H mAladiz v HOz Pganz. His simpal
TYt kUd not akx t H doktxz (Az it kAnot akx t a wizxd
HAt hI iz anEbal t wxk hiz cRmz) bikoz H biznas v HX
lFvz woz t kjUx, n HE risIvd mani f it n hAd spent H best
jCz v HX lFvz on HAt biznas. bat, abav Yl, HAt TYt
woz kept Qt v HX mFndz bF H fAkt HAt HE sY HE wx
rWli Vsfal, Az in fAkt HE wx t H hOl /rOstOf fAmli. HX
Vsfalnas did not dipend on mEkiN H pESant swolO sabstansaz f
H mOst pRt hRmfal (H hRm woz skXsli pxseptabal, Az HE
wx givan in smYl dOsaz), bat HE wx Vsfal, nesisXi, n
indispensabal bikoz HE sAtisfFd a mental nId v H invAlid n
v HOz hM lavd hx—n HAt iz wF HX R, n YlwEz wil bI,
sMdO-hIlxz, wFz wimin, hOmiOpATs, n AlapATs. HE sAtisfFd
HAt itxnal hVman nId f hOp v rilIf, f simpaTi, n HAt
samTiN SUd bI dan, wic iz felt bF HOz hM R safxiN. HE
sAtisfFd H nId sIn in its mOst elimentxi fPm in a cFld, wen it
wonts t hAv a plEs rabd HAt hAz bin hxt. a cFld noä itself
n ranz At wans t H Rmz v its maHx P nxs t hAv H EkiN
spot rabd P kist, n it fIlz betx wen His iz dan. H cFld
kAnot bilIv HAt H stroNgast n wFzast v its pIpal hAv nO
remadi f its pEn, n H hOp v rilIf n H iäpreSan v its
maHx'z simpaTi wFl SI rabz H bamp kamfxts it. H doktxz wx
v Vs t /nytySa bikoz HE kist n rabd hx bamp, aSUxiN hx
HAt it wUd sMn pAs if Onli H kOcman went t H kemist's in
H /Rbyt n got a pQdx n sam pilz in a priti boä f a rMbal
n sevanti kOpeä, n if SI tUk HOz pQdxz in bqld wYtx At
intxvalz v prisFsli tM Qxz, nFHx mP nP les.
<p>
wot wUd /sonja n H kQnt n kQntas hAv dan, hQ wUd HE
hAv lUkt, if naTiN hAd bin dan, if HX hAd not bin HOz pilz
t giv bF H klok, H wPm driNä, H cikin katlats, n Yl H
aHx dItElz v lFf Pdxd bF H doktxz, H kAriiN Qt v wic
saplFd an okVpESan n konsalESan t H fAmli sxkal? hQ wUd
H kQnt hAv bPn hiz dCli lavd dYtx'z ilnas hAd hI not
nOn HAt it woz kostiN him a TQzand rMbalz, n HAt hI wUd not
graJ TQzandz mP t benifit hx, P hAd hI not nOn HAt if hx
ilnas kantinVd hI wUd not graJ jet aHx TQzandz n wUd tEk
hx abrYd f konsaltESanz HX, n hAd hI not bin Ebal t iäplEn
H dItElz v hQ /metiviE n /felx hAd not andxstUd H simptamz,
bat /frizE hAd, n /mMdrOf hAd dFagnOst Hem Ivan betx? wot wUd H
kQntas hAv dan hAd SI not bin Ebal samtFmz t skOld H invAlid
f not striktli ObEiN H doktx'z Pdxz?
<p>
“V'l nevx get wel lFk HAt,” SI wUd sE, fxgetiN hx grIf
in hx veäESan, “if V wOnt ObE H doktx n tEk jP medisin At
H rFt tFm! V masant trFfal wiH it, V nO, P it mE txn t
nMmOnW,” SI wUd gO on, dirFviN mac kamfxt from H atxans v
HAt forin wxd, inkomprihensabal t aHxz Az wel Az t hxself.
<p>
wot wUd /sonja hAv dan wiHQt H glAd konSasnas HAt SI hAd
not andrest dxiN H fxst TrI nFts, in Pdx t bI redi t
kAri Qt Yl H doktx'z inJaNkSanz wiH prisiZan, n HAt SI
stil kept awEk At nFt sO Az not t mis H propx tFm wen H
slFtli hRmfal pilz in H lital gilt boä hAd t bI administxd?
Ivan t /nytySa hxself it woz plezant t sI HAt sO meni sAkrifFsaz
wx bIiN mEd f hx sEk, n t nO HAt SI hAd t tEk medisin
At sxtan Qxz, HO SI diklXd HAt nO medisin wUd kjUx hx
n HAt it woz Yl nonsens. n it woz Ivan plezant t bI Ebal t
SO, bF disrigRdiN H Pdxz, HAt SI did not bilIv in medikal
trItmant n did not vAlV hx lFf.
<p>
H doktx kEm evri dE, felt hx pals, lUkt At hx taN, n
rigRdlas v hx grIf-strikan fEs JOkt wiH hx. bat wen hI hAd
gon intM anaHx rMm, t wic H kQntas haridli folOd him, hI
asMmd a grEv X n TYtfali SEkiN hiz hed sed HAt HO
HX woz dEnJx, hI hAd hOps v H ifekt v His lAst medisin n
wan mast wEt n sI, HAt H mAladi woz cIfli mental, bat... n
H kQntas, trFiN t kansIl H AkSan from hxself n from him,
slipt a gOld kqn intM hiz hAnd n YlwEz ritxnd t H pESant
wiH a mP trANkwil mFnd.
<p>
H simptamz v /nytySa'z ilnas wx HAt SI Et lital, slept
lital, koft, n woz YlwEz lO-spiritad. H doktxz sed HAt
SI kUd not get on wiHQt medikal trItmant, sO HE kept hx in H
stFfaliN AtmasfC v H tQn, n H /rOstOfs did not mMv t H
kantri HAt samx v 1812.
<p>
in spFt v H meni pilz SI swolOd n H drops n pQdxz Qt
v H lital botalz n boäaz v wic /madym /Sos hM woz fond v
sac TiNz mEd a lRJ kalekSan, n in spFt v bIiN diprFvd v
H kantri lFf t wic SI woz akastamd, VT privEld. /nytySa'z
grIf bigAn t bI OvxlEd bF H impreSanz v dEli lFf, it sIst
t pres sO pEnfali on hx hRt, it grAJMali fEdad intM H pAst,
n SI bigAn t rikavx fizikli.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/nytySa woz kymx bat nO hApC. SI not mCli avqdad Yl eätxnal
fPmz v pleZx—bYlz, promanydz, konsxts, n TWtxz—bat SI
nevx lAft wiHQt a sQnd v tCz in hx lAftx. SI kUd not
siN. Az sMn Az SI bigAn t lAf, P trFd t siN bF hxself, tCz
cOkt hx: tCz v rimPs, tCz At H rekalekSan v HOz pjUx
tFmz wic kUd nevx ritxn, tCz v veäESan HAt SI SUd sO
Vslasli hAv rMind hx jaN lFf wic mFt hAv bin sO hApi.
lAftx n siNiN in pxtikVlx sImd t hx lFk a blAsfami,
in fEs v hx sorO. wiHQt eni nId v self-ristrEnt, nO wiS t
kOket evx entxd hx hed. SI sed n felt At HAt tFm HAt nO
mAn woz mP t hx HAn /nystysja /ivynOvna, H bafMn. samTiN stUd
sentinal wiHin hx n fxbEd hx evri Jq. bisFdz, SI hAd lost Yl
H Old intxasts v hx kXfrI gxliS lFf HAt hAd bin sO fUl
v hOp. H prIvWs Ytam, H hantiN, “aNkal,” n H /krismas
holidEz spent wiH /nikalas At /Otrydnqe wx wot SI rikYld oftanast
n mOst pEnfali. wot wUd SI not hAv givan t briN bAk Ivan a
siNgal dE v HAt tFm! bat it woz gon fxevx. hx prizentimant At
H tFm hAd not disIvd hx—HAt HAt stEt v frIdam n redinas
f eni inJqmant wUd not ritxn agen. jet it woz nesisXi t liv
on.
<p>
it kamfxtad hx t riflekt HAt SI woz not betx Az SI hAd fPmxli
imAJind, bat wxs, mac wxs, HAn enibodi els in H wxld. bat
His woz not inaf. SI nM HAt, n Askt hxself, “wot neät?”
bat HX woz naTiN t kam. HX woz nO Jq in lFf, jet lFf woz
pAsiN. /nytySa apArantli trFd not t bI a bxdan P a hindrans t
eniwan, bat wontad naTiN f hxself. SI kept awE from evriwan in
H hQs n felt At Iz Onli wiH hx braHx /petja. SI lFkt t
bI wiH him betx HAn wiH H aHxz, n wen alOn wiH him SI
samtFmz lAft. SI hRdli evx left H hQs n v HOz hM kEm
t sI Hem woz glAd t sI Onli wan pxsan, /piX. it wUd hAv bin
imposabal t trIt hx wiH mP delikasi, grEtx kX, n At H
sEm tFm mP sCWsli HAn did /kQnt /bezMâOf. /nytySa ankonSasli
felt His delikasi n sO fQnd grEt pleZx in hiz sasFati. bat
SI woz not Ivan grEtfal t him f it; naTiN gUd on /piX'z pRt
sImd t hx t bI an efxt, it sImd sO nAcxal f him t bI kFnd
t evriwan HAt HX woz nO merit in hiz kFndnas. samtFmz /nytySa
nOtist imbArasmant n Ykwxdnas on hiz pRt in hx prezans,
ispeSali wen hI wontad t dM samTiN t plIz hx, P fCd HAt
samTiN HE spOk v wUd awEkan memxiz distresiN t hx. SI
nOtist His n atribVtad it t hiz Jenxal kFndnas n SFnas,
wic SI imAJind mast bI H sEm tPd evriwan Az it woz t hx.
Aftx HOz involantXi wxdz—HAt if hI wx frI hI wUd hAv Askt
on hiz nIz f hx hAnd n hx lav—atxd At a mOment wen SI woz
sO stroNli AJitEtad, /piX nevx spOk t /nytySa v hiz fIliNz;
n it sImd plEn t hx HAt HOz wxdz, wic hAd Hen sO kamfxtad
hx, wx spOkan Az Yl sPts v mIniNlas wxdz R spOkan t kamfxt
a krFiN cFld. it woz not bikoz /piX woz a mArid mAn, bat bikoz
/nytySa felt veri stroNli wiH him HAt mPal bArC H Absans v
wic SI hAd iäpCWnst wiH /kMrygin HAt it nevx entxd hx hed
HAt H rilESanz bitwIn him n hxself kUd lId t lav on hx
pRt, stil les on hiz, P Ivan t H kFnd v tendx, self-konSas,
rOmAntik frendSip bitwIn a mAn n a wUman v wic SI hAd nOn
sevxal instansaz.
<p>
bifP H end v H fAst v /st /pItx, /ygrafjena /ivynOvna /bjelOva, a
kantri nEbx v H /rOstOfs, kEm t /moskQ t pE hx divOSanz At
H SrFnz v H /moskQ sEnts. SI saJestad HAt /nytySa SUd fAst
n pripX f /hOli /kamVnWn, n /nytySa glAdli welkamd H FdW.
dispFt H doktx'z Pdxz HAt SI SUd not gO Qt xli in H
mPniN, /nytySa insistad on fAstiN n pripXiN f H sAkramant,
not Az HE Jenxali pripXd f it in H /rOstOf fAmli bF atendiN
TrI sxvisaz in HX On hQs, bat Az /ygrafjena /ivynOvna did, bF
gOiN t cxc evri dE f a wIk n not wans misiN /vespxz,
/mAtinz, P /mAs.
<p>
H kQntas woz plIzd wiH /nytySa'z zIl; Aftx H pUx rizalts v
H medikal trItmant, in H depTs v hx hRt SI hOpt HAt prEx
mFt help hx dYtx mP HAn medisinz n, HO not wiHQt
fC n kansIliN it from H doktx, SI agrId t /nytySa'z wiS n
intrastad hx t /bjelOva. /ygrafjena /ivynOvna Vst t kam t wEk /nytySa
At TrI in H mPniN, bat Jenxali fQnd hx Ylredi awEk. SI woz
afrEd v bIiN lEt f /mAtinz. hEstili woSiN, n mIkli pUtiN on
hx SAbWst dres n an Old mAntila, /nytySa, SivxiN in H freS
X, went Qt intM H dizxtad strIts lit bF H klC lFt v dYn.
bF /ygrafjena /ivynOvna'z advFs /nytySa pripXd hxself not in HX
On pAriS, bat At a cxc wX, akPdiN t H divQt /ygrafjena
/ivynOvna, H prIst woz a mAn v veri sivC n lofti lFf. HX wx
nevx meni pIpal in H cxc; /nytySa YlwEz stUd bisFd /bjelOva in
H kastamXi plEs bifP an Fkon v H /blesad /vxJin, let intM H
skrIn bifP H kwFx on H left sFd, n a fIliN, nM t hx, v
hVmiliti bifP samTiN grEt n inkomprihensabal, sIzd hx wen
At HAt anVZMal mPniN Qx, gEziN At H dRk fEs v H /vxJin
ilMminEtad bF H kAndalz bxniN bifP it n bF H mPniN lFt
fYliN from H windO, SI lisand t H wxdz v H sxvis wic
SI trFd t folO wiH andxstAndiN. wen SI andxstUd Hem hx
pxsanal fIliN bikEm intxwOvan in H prExz wiH SEdz v its
On. wen SI did not andxstAnd, it woz swItx stil t TiNk HAt
H wiS t andxstAnd evriTiN iz prFd, HAt it iz imposabal t
andxstAnd Yl, HAt it iz Onli nesisXi t bilIv n t kamit
wanself t /god, hMm SI felt gFdiN hx sOl At HOz mOments. SI
krost hxself, bQd lO, n wen SI did not andxstAnd, in horx
At hx On vFlnas, simpli Askt /god t fxgiv hx evriTiN,
evriTiN, t hAv mxsi apon hx. H prExz t wic SI sxendxd
hxself mOst v Yl wx HOz v ripentans. on hx wE hOm At an
xli Qx wen SI met nO wan bat briklExz gOiN t wxk P men
swIpiN H strIt, n evribodi wiHin H hQzaz woz stil aslIp,
/nytySa iäpCWnst a fIliN nM t hx, a sens v H posabiliti
v kxektiN hx fYlts, H posabiliti v a nM, klIn lFf, n v
hApinas.
<p>
dxiN H hOl wIk SI spent in His wE, HAt fIliN grM evri
dE. n H hApinas v tEkiN kamVnWn, P “kamVniN” Az /ygrafjena
/ivynOvna, Jqasli plEiN wiH H wxd, kYld it, sImd t /nytySa
sO grEt HAt SI felt SI SUd nevx liv til HAt blest sandE.
<p>
bat H hApi dE kEm, n on HAt memxabal sandE, wen, drest in
wFt mazlin, SI ritxnd hOm Aftx kamVnWn, f H fxst tFm f
meni manTs SI felt kym n not aprest bF H TYt v H lFf
HAt lE bifP hx.
<p>
H doktx hM kEm t sI hx HAt dE Pdxd hx t kantinV H
pQdxz hI hAd priskrFbd a fPtnFt prIvWsli.
<p>
“SI mast sxtanli gO on tEkiN Hem mPniN n IvniN,” sed
hI, evidentli sinsCli sAtisfFd wiH hiz saäes. “Onli, plIz bI
pxtikVlx abQt it.
<p>
“bI kwFt Izi,” hI kantinVd plEfali, Az hI adrqtli tUk H gOld
kqn in hiz pym. “SI wil sMn bI siNiN n frolikiN abQt. H
lAst medisin hAz dan hx a veri grEt dIl v gUd. SI hAz freSand
ap veri mac.”
<p>
H kQntas, wiH a cCfal iäpreSan on hx fEs, lUkt dQn At hx
nElz n spAt a lital f lak Az SI ritxnd t H drYiN rMm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
At H biginiN v JalF mP n mP diskwFatiN ripPts abQt H wP
bigAn t spred in /moskQ; pIpal spOk v an apIl bF H /empxx t
H pIpal, n v hiz kamiN himself from H Rmi t /moskQ. n Az
ap t H ilevanT v JalF nO mAnifestO P apIl hAd bin risIvd,
iãAJxEtad ripPts bikEm karant abQt Hem n abQt H paziSan v
/raSa. it woz sed HAt H /empxx woz lIviN H Rmi bikoz it woz
in dEnJx, it woz sed HAt /smOlensk hAd sxendxd, HAt /napOlWn hAd
an Rmi v a milWn n Onli a mirakal kUd sEv /raSa.
<p>
on H ilevanT v JalF, wic woz sAtxdE, H mAnifestO woz risIvd
bat woz not jet in print, n /piX, hM woz At H /rOstOfs', promist
t kam t dinx neät dE, sandE, n briN a kopi v H mAnifestO
n apIl, wic hI wUd abtEn from /kQnt /rOstOpcin.
<p>
HAt sandE, H /rOstOfs went t /mAs At H /ryzMmOfskis' prFvat cApal
Az VZMal. it woz a hot JalF dE. Ivan At ten O'klok, wen H /rOstOfs
got Qt v HX kAriJ At H cApal, H saltri X, H SQts v
hYkxz, H lFt n gE samx klOHz v H krQd, H dasti lIvz
v H trIz on H bMlavRd, H sQndz v H bAnd n H wFt
trQzxz v a batAlWn mRciN t pxEd, H rAtaliN v wIlz on
H kobalstOnz, n H brilWnt, hot sanSFn wx Yl fUl v HAt
samx lANgx, HAt kontent n diskantent wiH H prezant, wic
iz mOst stroNli felt on a brFt, hot dE in tQn. Yl H /moskQ
nOtabilitiz, Yl H /rOstOfs' akwEntansaz, wx At H /ryzMmOfskis'
cApal, f, Az if iäpektiN samTiN t hApan, meni welTi fAmliz
hM VZMali left tQn f HX kantri istEts hAd not gon awE HAt
samx. Az /nytySa, At hx maHx'z sFd, pAst TrM H krQd
bihFnd a livxid fUtman hM klCd H wE f Hem, SI hxd a
jaN mAn spIkiN abQt hx in tM lQd a wispx.
<p>
“HAt's /rOstOva, H wan hM...”
<p>
“SI'z mac Tinx, bat Yl H sEm SI'z priti!”
<p>
SI hxd, P TYt SI hxd, H nEmz v /kMrygin n /bOlkOnski. bat
SI woz YlwEz imAJiniN HAt. it YlwEz sImd t hx HAt evriwan
hM lUkt At hx woz TiNkiN Onli v wot hAd hApand t hx. wiH a
siNkiN hRt, recad Az SI YlwEz woz nQ wen SI fQnd hxself
in a krQd, /nytySa in hx lFlAk silk dres trimd wiH blAk lEs
wYkt—Az wimin kAn wYk—wiH H mP ripOz n stEtlinas H
grEtx H pEn n SEm in hx sOl. SI nM f sxtan HAt SI
woz priti, bat His nO loNgx gEv hx sAtisfAkSan Az it Vst t.
on H kontrXi it tPmentad hx mP HAn eniTiN els v lEt, n
pxtikVlxli sO on His brFt, hot samx dE in tQn. “it's sandE
agen—anaHx wIk pAst,” SI TYt, rikYliN HAt SI hAd bin hC
H sandE bifP, “n YlwEz H sEm lFf HAt iz nO lFf, n H
sEm sxQndiNz in wic it Vst t bI sO Izi t liv. F'm priti,
F'm jaN, n F nO HAt nQ F Am gUd. F Vst t bI bAd, bat nQ F
nO F Am gUd,” SI TYt, “bat jet mF best jCz R slipiN bF
n R nO gUd t eniwan.” SI stUd bF hx maHx'z sFd n iäcEnJd
nodz wiH akwEntansaz nC hx. from hAbit SI skrMtinFzd H lEdiz'
dresaz, kandemd H bXiN v a lEdi stAndiN klOs bF hM woz not
krosiN hxself propxli bat in a krAmpt mAnx, n agen SI TYt
wiH veäESan HAt SI woz hxself bIiN JaJd n woz JaJiN aHxz,
n sadanli, At H sQnd v H sxvis, SI felt horifFd At hx On
vFlnas, horifFd HAt H fPmx pjUxiti v hx sOl woz agen lost t
hx.
<p>
a kamli, freS-lUkiN Old mAn woz kondaktiN H sxvis wiH HAt
mFld salemniti wic hAz sO elivEtiN n sMHiN an ifekt on H
sOlz v H wxSipxz. H gEts v H sANkcMXi skrIn wx klOzd,
H kxtan woz slOli drYn, n from bihFnd it a soft mistCWs vqs
pranQnst sam wxdz. tCz, H kYz v wic SI hxself did not
andxstAnd, mEd /nytySa'z brest hIv, n a Jqas bat apresiv
fIliN AJitEtad hx.
<p>
“tIc mI wot F SUd dM, hQ t liv mF lFf, hQ F mE grO gUd
fxevx, fxevx!” SI plIdad.
<p>
H dIkan kEm Qt ontM H rEzd spEs bifP H Yltx skrIn n,
hOldiN hiz Tam iätendad, drM hiz loN hX from andx hiz dAlmAtik
n, mEkiN H sFn v H kros on hiz brest, bigAn in a lQd n
solam vqs t risFt H wxdz v H prEx....
<p>
“in pIs let as prE antM H /lPd.”
<p>
“Az wan kamVniti, wiHQt distiNkSan v klAs, wiHQt enmiti, VnFtad
bF braHxli lav—let as prE!” TYt /nytySa.
<p>
“f H pIs HAt iz from abav, n f H sAlvESan v Qx sOlz.”
<p>
“f H wxld v EnJalz n Yl H spirits hM dwel abav as,” prEd
/nytySa.
<p>
wen HE prEd f H wPCz, SI TYt v hx braHx n
/denisOf. wen HE prEd f Yl trAvaliN bF lAnd n sI, SI
rimembxd /prins /AndrM, prEd f him, n Askt /god t fxgiv hx
Yl H roNz SI hAd dan him. wen HE prEd f HOz hM lav as,
SI prEd f H membxz v hx On fAmli, hx fyHx n maHx n
/sonja, rWlFziN f H fxst tFm hQ roNli SI hAd Aktad tPd
Hem, n fIliN Yl H streNT v hx lav f Hem. wen HE
prEd f HOz hM hEt as, SI trFd t TiNk v hx enamiz n
pIpal hM hEtad hx, in Pdx t prE f Hem. SI inklMdad amaN hx
enamiz H kreditxz n Yl hM hAd biznas dIliNz wiH hx
fyHx, n YlwEz At H TYt v enamiz n HOz hM hEtad hx SI
rimembxd /ynatOl hM hAd dan hx sO mac hRm—n HO hI did not
hEt hx SI glAdli prEd f him Az f an enami. Onli At prEx did
SI fIl Ebal t TiNk klCli n kymli v /prins /AndrM n /ynatOl,
Az men f hMm hx fIliNz wx Az naTiN kampXd wiH hx Y n
divOSan t /god. wen HE prEd f H /impCWl fAmli n H /sinad,
SI bQd veri lO n mEd H sFn v H kros, sEiN t hxself
HAt Ivan if SI did not andxstAnd, stil SI kUd not dQt, n At
eni rEt lavd H gavxniN /sinad n prEd f it.
<p>
wen hI hAd finiSt H /litani H dIkan krost H stOl Ovx hiz
brest n sed, “let as kamit Qxselvz n Qx hOl lFvz t /krFst
H /lPd!”
<p>
“kamit Qxselvz t /god,” /nytySa inwxdli ripItad. “lPd /god, F
sabmit mFself t /HF wil!” SI TYt. “F wont naTiN, wiS f
naTiN; tIc mI wot t dM n hQ t Vz mF wil! tEk mI, tEk
mI!” prEd /nytySa, wiH impESant imOSan in hx hRt, not krosiN
hxself bat letiN hx slendx Rmz hAN dQn Az if iäpektiN sam
invizabal pQx At eni mOment t tEk hx n dilivx hx from hxself,
from hx rigrets, dizFxz, rimPs, hOps, n sinz.
<p>
H kQntas lUkt rQnd sevxal tFmz At hx dYtx'z sofand fEs
n SFniN Fz n prEd /god t help hx.
<p>
aniäpektadli, in H midal v H sxvis, n not in H VZMal Pdx
/nytySa nM sO wel, H dIkan brYt Qt a smYl stMl, H wan hI
nelt on wen prEiN on /triniti sandE, n plEst it bifP H dPz
v H sANkcMXi skrIn. H prIst kEm Qt wiH hiz pxpal velvat
bxeta on hiz hed, aJastad hiz hX, n nelt dQn wiH an efxt.
evribodi folOd hiz iãAmpal n HE lUkt At wan anaHx in
sxprFz. Hen kEm H prEx Jast risIvd from H /sinad—a prEx f
H dilivxans v /raSa from hostFl invEZan.
<p>
“lPd /god v mFt, /god v Qx sAlvESan!” bigAn H prIst in HAt
vqs, klC, not grAndilakwant bat mFld, in wic Onli H /slyv klxJi
red n wic Akts sO irizistabli on a /raSan hRt.
<p>
“lPd /god v mFt, /god v Qx sAlvESan! lUk His dE in mxsi n
blesiN on /HF hambal pIpal, n grESasli hC as, spX as, n
hAv mxsi apon as! His fO kanfQndiN /HF lAnd, dizFxiN t lE
wEst H hOl wxld, rFzaz agenst as; HIz lYlas men R gAHxd
tageHx t OvxTrO /HF kiNdam, t distrq /HF dC /JxMsalem, /HF
bilavad /raSa; t difFl /HF tempalz, t OvxTrO /HFn Yltxz, n t
desikrEt Qx hOli SrFnz. hQ loN, /O /lPd, hQ loN SAl H wikad
trFamf? hQ loN SAl HE wIld anlYfal pQx?
<p>
“lPd /god! hC as wen wI prE t /HI; streNTan wiH /HF mFt
Qx mOst grESas sovran lPd, H /empxx /AliãAndx /pyvlOvic; bI
mFndfal v hiz aprFtnas n mIknas, riwPd him akPdiN t hiz
rFcasnas, n let it prizxv as, /HF cOzan /izrEal! bles hiz
kQnsalz, hiz andxtEkiNz, n hiz wxk; streNTan hiz kiNdam bF
/HFn YlmFti hAnd, n giv him viktxi Ovx hiz enami, Ivan Az /HQ
gEvast /mOzaz H viktxi Ovx /ymalek, /gidWn Ovx /midWn, n /dEvid Ovx
/galFaT. prizxv hiz Rmi, pUt a bO v brAs in H hAndz v HOz hM
hAv Rmd Hemselvz in /HF /nEm, n gxd HX lqnz wiH streNT
f H fFt. tEk ap H spC n SIld n xFz t help as;
kanfQnd n pUt t SEm HOz hM hAv divFzd Ival agenst as, mE
HE bI bifP H fEsaz v /HF fETfal wPCz Az dast bifP H
wind, n mE /HF mFti /EnJal kanfQnd Hem n pUt Hem t flFt; mE
HE bI insnXd wen HE nO it not, n mE H plots HE hAv lEd
in sIkrat bI txnd agenst Hem; let Hem fYl bifP /HF sxvants'
fIt n bI lEd lO bF Qx hOsts! lPd, /HQ Rt Ebal t sEv bOT
grEt n smYl; /HQ Rt /god, n mAn kAnot privEl agenst /HI!
<p>
“god v Qx fyHxz! rimembx /HF bQntWs mxsi n laviN-kFndnas
wic R from v Old; txn not /HF fEs from as, bat bI grESas t Qx
anwxHinas, n in /HF grEt gUdnas n /HF meni mxsiz rigRd not
Qx trAnzgreSanz n inikwitiz! kriEt in as a klIn hRt n rinM
a rFt spirit wiHin as, streNTan as Yl in /HF fET, fPtifF Qx
hOp, inspFx as wiH trM lav wan f anaHx, Rm as wiH Vniti v
spirit in H rFcas difens v H heritiJ /HQ gEvast t as n
t Qx fyHxz, n let not H septx v H wikad bI iãYltad agenst
H destini v HOz /HQ hAst sANktifFd.
<p>
“O /lPd Qx /god, in hMm wI bilIv n in hMm wI pUt Qx trast, let as
not bI kanfQndad in Qx hOp v /HF mxsi, n giv as a tOkan v /HF
blesiN, HAt HOz hM hEt as n Qx /PTadoä fET mE sI it n
bI pUt t SEm n periS, n mE Yl H nESanz nO HAt /HQ Rt
H /lPd n wI R /HF pIpal. SO /HF mxsi apon as His dE, /O /lPd,
n grAnt as /HF sAlvESan; mEk H hRts v /HF sxvants t riJqs
in /HF mxsi; smFt dQn Qx enamiz n distrq Hem swiftli binIT
H fIt v /HF fETfal sxvants! f /HQ Rt H difens, H sakx,
n H viktxi v Hem HAt pUt HX trast in /HI, n t /HI bI Yl
glPi, t /fyHx, /san, n /hOli /gOst, nQ n fxevx, wxld wiHQt
end. ymen.”
<p>
in /nytySa'z riseptiv kandiSan v sOl His prEx afektad hx
stroNli. SI lisand t evri wxd abQt H viktxi v /mOzaz Ovx
/ymalek, v /gidWn Ovx /midWn, n v /dEvid Ovx /galFaT, n abQt
H distrakSan v “HF /JxMsalem,” n SI prEd t /god wiH H
tendxnas n imOSan wiH wic hx hRt woz OvxflOiN, bat wiHQt
fUli andxstAndiN wot SI woz AskiN v /god in HAt prEx. SI
SXd wiH Yl hx hRt in H prEx f H spirit v rFcasnas,
f H streNTaniN v H hRt bF fET n hOp, n its AnimESan
bF lav. bat SI kUd not prE HAt hx enamiz mFt bI trAmpald andx
fUt wen bat a fV minits bifP SI hAd bin wiSiN SI hAd mP
v Hem HAt SI mFt prE f Hem. bat nFHx kUd SI dQt H
rFcasnas v H prEx HAt woz bIiN red on bendad nIz. SI
felt in hx hRt a divQt n tremVlas Y At H TYt v H
paniSmant HAt OvxtEä men f HX sinz, n ispeSali v hx On
sinz, n SI prEd t /god t fxgiv Hem Yl, n hx tM, n t
giv Hem Yl, n hx tM, pIs n hApinas. n it sImd t hx
HAt /god hxd hx prEx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
from H dE wen /piX, Aftx lIviN H /rOstOfs' wiH /nytySa'z
grEtfal lUk freS in hiz mFnd, hAd gEzd At H komat HAt sImd t
bI fiät in H skF n felt HAt samTiN nM woz apCiN on hiz On
hxFzan—from HAt dE H problam v H vAniti n Vslasnas v Yl
xTli TiNz, HAt hAd insesantli tPmentad him, nO loNgx prizentad
itself. HAt teribal kwescan “wF?” “wXfP?” wic hAd kam t him
amid evri okVpESan, woz nQ riplEst, not bF anaHx kwescan P bF a
riplF t H fPmx kwescan, bat bF hx imiJ. wen hI lisand t, P
himself tUk pRt in, trivWl konvxsESanz, wen hI red P hxd v
hVman bEsnas P foli, hI woz not horifFd Az fPmxli, n did
not Ask himself wF men stragald sO abQt HIz TiNz wen Yl iz sO
trAnzWnt n inkomprihensabal—bat hI rimembxd hx Az hI hAd lAst
sIn hx, n Yl hiz dQts vAniSt—not bikoz SI hAd Ansxd
H kwescanz HAt hAd hYntad him, bat bikoz hiz kansepSan v hx
trAnsfxd him instantli t anaHx, a brFtx, relm v spiricMal
Aktiviti in wic nO wan kUd bI JastifFd P gilti—a relm v bVti
n lav wic it woz wxT liviN f. wotevx wxldli bEsnas
prizentad itself t him, hI sed t himself:
<p>
“wel, sapOziN /n. n. hAz swindald H kantri n H /tsR, n H
kantri n H /tsR kanfx onxz apon him, wot daz HAt mAtx? SI
smFld At mI jestxdE n Askt mI t kam agen, n F lav hx, n
nO wan wil evx nO it.” n hiz sOl felt kym n pIsfal.
<p>
/piX stil went intM sasFati, drANk Az mac n led H sEm Fdal
n disipEtad lFf, bikoz bisFdz H Qxz hI spent At H /rOstOfs'
HX wx aHx Qxz hI hAd t spend samhQ, n H hAbits n
akwEntansaz hI hAd mEd in /moskQ fPmd a karant HAt bP him aloN
irizistabli. bat lAtxli, wen mP n mP diskwFatiN ripPts kEm
from H sIt v wP n /nytySa'z helT bigAn t imprMv n SI
nO loNgx xQzd in him H fPmx fIliN v kXfal piti, an
evx-inkrIsiN restlasnas, wic hI kUd not iäplEn, tUk
pazeSan v him. hI felt HAt H kandiSan hI woz in kUd not
kantinV loN, HAt a katAstrafi woz kamiN wic wUd cEnJ hiz
hOl lFf, n hI impESantli sYt evriwX f sFnz v HAt
aprOciN katAstrafi. wan v hiz braHx /mEsanz hAd rivIld t
/piX H folOiN profasi kansxniN /napOlWn, drYn from H
/revalESan v /st /Jon.
<p>
in cAptx 13, vxs 18, v H /apokalips, it iz sed:
<p>
hC iz wizdam. let him HAt hAT andxstAndiN kQnt H nambx v
H bIst: f it iz H nambx v a mAn; n hiz nambx iz /siä handrad
TrIskP n siä.
<p>
n in H fifT vxs v H sEm cAptx:
<p>
n HX woz givan antM him a mQT spIkiN grEt TiNz n
blAsfamiz; n pQx woz givan antM him t kantinV fPti n tM
manTs.
<p>
<p>
H /frenc Alfabet, ritan Qt wiH H sEm nMmerikal vAlVz Az H
/hIbrM, in wic H fxst nFn letxz dinOt Vnits n H aHxz
tenz, wil hAv H folOiN signifikans:
<p>
      a   b   c   d   I   f   g   h   F   k
      1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
       l    m    n    O    p    q    r    z
      20   30   40   50   60   70   80   90
             t    V    v    w    x    i
            100  110  120  130  140  150
                        z
                       160
<p>
/rFtiN H wxdz /l'empxx /napOlWn in nambxz, it apCz HAt H
sam v Hem iz 666, n HAt /napOlWn woz HXfP H bIst fPtOld
in H /apokalips. mPOvx, bF aplFiN H sEm sistam t H wxdz
quarante-dM, * wic woz H txm alQd t H bIst HAt “spOk
grEt TiNz n blAsfamiz,” H sEm nambx 666 woz abtEnd; from
wic it folOd HAt H limit fiät f /napOlWn'z pQx hAd kam
in H jC 1812 wen H /frenc empxx woz fPti-tM. His profasi
plIzd /piX veri mac n hI oftan Askt himself wot wUd pUt an
end t H pQx v H bIst, HAt iz, v /napOlWn, n trFd bF H
sEm sistam v VziN letxz Az nambxz n AdiN Hem ap, t fFnd an
Ansx t H kwescan HAt ingrOst him. hI rOt H wxdz /l'empxx
/yleäyndra, /ly nESan /rMs n Adad ap HX nambxz, bat H samz
wx FHx mP P les HAn 666. wans wen mEkiN sac kAlkVlESanz hI
rOt dQn hiz On nEm in /frenc, /kOmtE /piX /besMhof, bat H
sam v H nambxz did not kam rFt. Hen hI cEnJd H speliN,
sabstitMtiN a z f H z n AdiN de n H Rtikal lU, stil
wiHQt abtEniN H dizFxd rizalt. Hen it akxd t him: if H
Ansx t H kwescan wx kantEnd in hiz nEm, hiz nASanAliti wUd
YlsO bI givan in H Ansx. sO hI rOt /lU /rMs /besMhof n AdiN
ap H nambxz got 671. His woz Onli fFv tM mac, n fFv woz
reprizentad bF I, H veri letx ilFdad from H Rtikal lU bifP H
wxd /empxx. bF OmitiN H I, HO inkxektli, /piX got H
Ansx hI sYt. /l'rMs /besMhof mEd 666. His diskavxi iäFtad him.
hQ, P bF wot mInz, hI woz kanektad wiH H grEt ivent fPtOld in
H /apokalips hI did not nO, bat hI did not dQt HAt kanekSan f
a mOment. hiz lav f /nytySa, /AntikrFst, /napOlWn, H invEZan, H
komat, 666, /l'empxx /napOlWn, n /l'rMs /besMhof—Yl His hAd t
macUx n kalminEt, t lift him Qt v HAt spelbQnd, peti sfC
v /moskQ hAbits in wic hI felt himself held kAptiv n lId him t a
grEt acIvmant n grEt hApinas.
<p>
    * fPti-tM.
<p>
<p>
on H Iv v H sandE wen H speSal prEx woz red, /piX hAd
promist H /rOstOfs t briN Hem, from /kQnt /rOstOpcin hMm hI nM
wel, bOT H apIl t H pIpal n H nMz from H Rmi. in H
mPniN, wen hI went t kYl At /rOstOpcin'z hI met HX a kUrC
freS from H Rmi, an akwEntans v hiz On, hM oftan dAnst At
/moskQ bYlz.
<p>
“dM, plIz, f hevan'z sEk, rilIv mI v samTiN!” sed H
kUrC. “F hAv a sAkfal v letxz t pXants.”
<p>
amaN HIz letxz woz wan from /nikalas /rOstOf t hiz fyHx. /piX
tUk HAt letx, n /rOstOpcin YlsO gEv him H /empxx'z apIl t
/moskQ, wic hAd Jast bin printad, H lAst Rmi Pdxz, n hiz On
mOst rIsant bUlatin. glAnsiN TrM H Rmi Pdxz, /piX fQnd in
wan v Hem, in H lists v kild, wMndad, n riwPdad, H nEm v
/nikalas /rOstOf, awPdad a /st /JPJ'az /kros v H /fPT /klAs f
kariJ SOn in H /ostrOvna afX, n in H sEm Pdx H nEm
v /prins /AndrM /bOlkOnski, apqntad t H kamAnd v a reJimant v
/SAsExz. HO hI did not wont t rimFnd H /rOstOfs v /bOlkOnski,
/piX kUd not rifrEn from mEkiN Hem hApi bF H nMz v HX
san'z hAviN risIvd a dekxESan, sO hI sent HAt printad Rmi Pdx
n /nikalas' letx t H /rOstOfs, kIpiN H apIl, H bUlatin,
n H aHx Pdxz t tEk wiH him wen hI went t dinx.
<p>
hiz konvxsESan wiH /kQnt /rOstOpcin n H lAtx'z tOn v ANkSas
hari, H mItiN wiH H kUrC hM tYkt kAZMali v hQ bAdli
TiNz wx gOiN in H Rmi, H rMmxz v H diskavxi v spFz in
/moskQ n v a lIflat in sxkVlESan stEtiN HAt /napOlWn promist
t bI in bOT H /raSan kApitalz bF H Ytam, n H tYk v H
/empxx'z bIiN iäpektad t xFv neät dE—Yl xQzd wiH freS fPs
HAt fIliN v AJitESan n eäpektESan in /piX wic hI hAd bin
konSas v evx sins H apCans v H komat, n ispeSali
sins H biginiN v H wP.
<p>
hI hAd loN bin TiNkiN v entxiN H Rmi n wUd hAv dan sO
hAd hI not bin hindxd, fxst, bF hiz membxSip v H /sasFati v
/frImEsanz t wic hI woz bQnd bF OT n wic prIct pxpecMal
pIs n H AbaliSan v wP, n sekandli, bF H fAkt HAt wen hI
sY H grEt mAs v /maskavFts hM hAd dond VnifPm n wx tYkiN
pEtrWtizam, hI samhQ felt aSEmd t tEk H step. bat H cIf
rIzan f not kAriiN Qt hiz intenSan t entx H Rmi lE in H
vEg FdW HAt hI woz /l'rMs /besMhof hM hAd H nambx v H bIst,
666; HAt hiz pRt in H grEt afX v setiN a limit t H
pQx v H bIst HAt spOk grEt n blAsfamas TiNz hAd bin
prIdestind from itxniti, n HAt HXfP hI Yt not t andxtEk
eniTiN, bat wEt f wot woz bQnd t kam t pAs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
a fV intimat frendz wx dFniN wiH H /rOstOfs HAt dE, Az VZMal
on sandEz.
<p>
/piX kEm xli sO Az t fFnd Hem alOn.
<p>
hI hAd grOn sO stQt His jC HAt hI wUd hAv bin AbnPmal hAd hI
not bin sO tYl, sO brYd v lim, n sO stroN HAt hI kArid hiz
balk wiH evidant Iz.
<p>
hI went ap H stXz, pafiN n matxiN samTiN. hiz kOcman did
not Ivan Ask weHx hI woz t wEt. hI nM HAt wen hiz mAstx woz
At H /rOstOfs' hI stEd til midnFt. H /rOstOfs' fUtman raSt
Igxli fPwxd t help him of wiH hiz klOk n tEk hiz hAt n
stik. /piX, from klab hAbit, YlwEz left bOT hAt n stik in H
AntirMm.
<p>
H fxst pxsan hI sY in H hQs woz /nytySa. Ivan bifP hI sY
hx, wFl tEkiN of hiz klOk, hI hxd hx. SI woz prAktisiN sOlfa
eäxsFzaz in H mVzik rMm. hI nM HAt SI hAd not saN sins hx
ilnas, n sO H sQnd v hx vqs sxprFzd n dilFtad him. hI
Opand H dP softli n sY hx, in H lFlAk dres SI hAd wPn At
cxc, wYkiN abQt H rMm siNiN. SI hAd hx bAk t him wen hI
Opand H dP, bat wen, txniN kwikli, SI sY hiz brYd, sxprFzd
fEs, SI blaSt n kEm rApidli ap t him.
<p>
“F wont t trF t siN agen,” SI sed, AdiN Az if bF wE v iäkVs,
“it iz, At lIst, samTiN t dM.”
<p>
“HAt's kApital!”
<p>
“hQ glAd F Am V'v kam! F Am sO hApi tadE,” SI sed, wiH H Old
AnimESan /piX hAd not sIn in hx f a loN tFm. “V nO /nikalas
hAz risIvd a /st /JPJ'az /kros? F Am sO prQd v him.”
<p>
“O jes, F sent HAt anQnsmant. bat F dOnt wont t intxapt V,”
hI Adad, n woz abQt t gO t H drYiN rMm.
<p>
/nytySa stopt him.
<p>
“kQnt, iz it roN v mI t siN?” SI sed blaSiN, n fiäiN hx
Fz inkwFxiNli on him.
<p>
“nO... wF SUd it bI? on H kontrXi... bat wF dM V Ask mI?”
<p>
“F dOnt nO mFself,” /nytySa Ansxd kwikli, “bat F SUd not lFk
t dM eniTiN V disaprMvd v. F bilIv in V kamplItli. V
dOnt nO hQ impPtant V R t mI, hQ mac V'v dan f mI....”
SI spOk rApidli n did not nOtis hQ /piX flaSt At hx wxdz. “F
sY in HAt sEm Rmi Pdx HAt hI, /bOlkOnski” (SI wispxd H nEm
hEstili), “iz in /raSa, n in H Rmi agen. wot dM V TiNk?”—SI
woz spIkiN haridli, evidentli afrEd hx streNT mFt fEl
hx—“wil hI evx fxgiv mI? wil hI not YlwEz hAv a bitx fIliN
tPd mI? wot dM V TiNk? wot dM V TiNk?”
<p>
“F TiNk...” /piX riplFd, “HAt hI hAz naTiN t fxgiv.... if F
wx in hiz plEs...”
<p>
bF asOSiESan v FdWz, /piX woz At wans kArid bAk t H dE
wen, trFiN t kamfxt hx, hI hAd sed HAt if hI wx not himself bat
H best mAn in H wxld n frI, hI wUd Ask on hiz nIz f hx
hAnd; n H sEm fIliN v piti, tendxnas, n lav tUk pazeSan
v him n H sEm wxdz rOz t hiz lips. bat SI did not giv him
tFm t sE Hem.
<p>
“jes, V... V...” SI sed, atxiN H wxd V rApcxasli—“HAt's
a difxant TiN. F nO nO wan kFndx, mP Jenxas, P betx HAn
V; nObodi kUd bI! hAd V not bin HX Hen, n nQ tM, F dOnt
nO wot wUd hAv bikam v mI, bikoz...”
<p>
tCz sadanli rOz in hx Fz, SI txnd awE, liftad hx mVzik
bifP hx Fz, bigAn siNiN agen, n agen bigAn wYkiN ap n
dQn H rMm.
<p>
Jast Hen /petja kEm raniN in from H drYiN rMm.
<p>
/petja woz nQ a hAndsam rOzi lAd v fiftIn wiH fUl red lips n
rizembald /nytySa. hI woz pripXiN t entx H Vnivxsiti, bat hI n
hiz frend /ObOlenski hAd lEtli, in sIkrat, agrId t Jqn H hMsRz.
<p>
/petja hAd kam raSiN Qt t tYk t hiz nEmsEk abQt His afX.
hI hAd Askt /piX t fFnd Qt weHx hI wUd bI aäeptad in H
hMsRz.
<p>
/piX wYkt ap n dQn H drYiN rMm, not lisaniN t wot /petja
woz sEiN.
<p>
/petja pUld him bF H Rm t atrAkt hiz atenSan.
<p>
“wel, wot abQt mF plAn? pItx /kCilic, f hevan'z sEk! V R mF
Onli hOp,” sed /petja.
<p>
“O jes, jP plAn. t Jqn H hMsRz? F'l menSan it, F'l briN it
Yl ap tadE.”
<p>
“wel, man /Ser, hAv V got H mAnifestO?” Askt H Old kQnt. “H
kQntas hAz bin t /mAs At H /ryzMmOfskis' n hxd H nM prEx.
SI sez it's veri fFn.”
<p>
“jes, F'v got it,” sed /piX. “H /empxx iz t bI hC tamorO...
HX'z t bI an /iätrPdinXi /mItiN v H nObiliti, n HE R
tYkiN v a levi v ten men px TQzand. O jes, let mI kangrAcalEt
V!”
<p>
“jes, jes, TANk /god! wel, n wot nMz from H Rmi?”
<p>
“wI R agen ritrItiN. HE sE wI'x Ylredi nC /smOlensk,” riplFd
/piX.
<p>
“O /lPd, /O /lPd!” iäklEmd H kQnt. “wX iz H mAnifestO?”
<p>
“H /empxx'z apIl? O jes!”
<p>
/piX bigAn fIliN in hiz pokats f H pEpxz, bat kUd not fFnd
Hem. stil slApiN hiz pokats, hI kist H hAnd v H kQntas
hM entxd H rMm n glAnst anIzili xQnd, evidentli iäpektiN
/nytySa, hM hAd left of siNiN bat hAd not jet kam intM H drYiN
rMm.
<p>
“on mF wxd, F dOnt nO wot F'v dan wiH it,” hI sed.
<p>
“HX hI iz, YlwEz lMziN evriTiN!” rimRkt H kQntas.
<p>
/nytySa entxd wiH a sofand n AJitEtad iäpreSan v fEs n
sAt dQn lUkiN sFlantli At /piX. Az sMn Az SI entxd, /piX'z
fIcxz, wic hAd bin glMmi, sadanli lFtad ap, n wFl stil
sxciN f H pEpxz hI glAnst At hx sevxal tFmz.
<p>
“nO, rWli! F'l drFv hOm, F mast hAv left Hem HX. F'l
sxtanli...”
<p>
“bat V'l bI lEt f dinx.”
<p>
“O! n mF kOcman hAz gon.”
<p>
bat /sonja, hM hAd gon t lUk f H pEpxz in H AntirMm, hAd
fQnd Hem in /piX'z hAt, wX hI hAd kXfali takt Hem andx H
lFniN. /piX woz abQt t bigin rIdiN.
<p>
“nO, Aftx dinx,” sed H Old kQnt, evidentli iäpektiN mac
inJqmant from HAt rIdiN.
<p>
At dinx, At wic SAmpEn woz draNk t H helT v H nM
/SevyljE v /st /JPJ, /SinSin tOld Hem H tQn nMz, v H
ilnas v H Old /JPJan prinsas, v /metiviE'z disapCans from
/moskQ, n v hQ sam /Jxman felO hAd bin brYt t /rOstOpcin
n akVzd v bIiN a /frenc “spFx” (sO /kQnt /rOstOpcin hAd tOld H
stPi), n hQ /rOstOpcin let him gO n aSUxd H pIpal HAt hI woz
“not a spFx At Yl, bat Onli an Old /Jxman rMin.”
<p>
“pIpal R bIiN xestad...” sed H kQnt. “F'v tOld H kQntas
SI SUd not spIk /frenc sO mac. it's not H tFm f it nQ.”
<p>
“n hAv V hxd?” SinSin Askt. “prins /gOlitsin hAz ingEJd a
mAstx t tIc him /raSan. it iz bikamiN dEnJxas t spIk /frenc in
H strIts.”
<p>
“n hQ abQt V, /kQnt /pItx /kCilic? if HE kYl ap H miliSa,
V tM wil hAf t mQnt a hPs,” rimRkt H Old kQnt, adresiN
/piX.
<p>
/piX hAd bin sFlant n prIokVpFd Yl TrM dinx, sImiN not
t grAsp wot woz sed. hI lUkt At H kQnt.
<p>
“O jes, H wP,” hI sed. “nO! wot sPt v wPC SUd F mEk? n
jet evriTiN iz sO strEnJ, sO strEnJ! F kAnt mEk it Qt. F dOnt
nO, F Am veri fR from hAviN militXi tEsts, bat in HIz tFmz nO
wan kAn Ansx f himself.”
<p>
Aftx dinx H kQnt setald himself kamfxtabli in an Izi cX n
wiH a sCWs fEs Askt /sonja, hM woz kansidxd an eäalant rIdx,
t rId H apIl.
<p>
“t /moskQ, Qx Encant /kApital!
<p>
“H enami hAz entxd H bPdxz v /raSa wiH imens fPsaz. hI
kamz t dispql Qx bilavad kantri.”
<p>
/sonja red pEnztEkiNli in hx hF-pict vqs. H kQnt lisand
wiH klOzd Fz, hIviN abrapt sFz At sxtan pAsiJaz.
<p>
/nytySa sAt irekt, gEziN wiH a sxciN lUk nQ At hx fyHx n
nQ At /piX.
<p>
/piX felt hx Fz on him n trFd not t lUk rQnd. H kQntas
SUk hx hed disaprMviNli n ANgrili At evri solam iäpreSan
in H mAnifestO. in Yl HIz wxdz SI sY Onli HAt H dEnJx
TretaniN hx san wUd not sMn bI Ovx. SinSin, wiH a sRkAstik
smFl on hiz lips, woz evidentli pripXiN t mEk fan v eniTiN HAt
gEv him H opxtMniti: /sonja'z rIdiN, eni rimRk v H kQnt's, P
Ivan H mAnifestO itself SUd nO betx prIteät prizent itself.
<p>
Aftx rIdiN abQt H dEnJxz HAt Tretand /raSa, H hOps H
/empxx plEst on /moskQ n ispeSali on its ilastrWs nObiliti,
/sonja, wiH a kwivx in hx vqs dM cIfli t H atenSan HAt woz
bIiN pEd t hx, rId H lAst wxdz:
<p>
“wI Qxselvz wil not dilE t apC amaN Qx pIpal in HAt /kApital
n in aHx pRts v Qx relm f konsaltESan, n f H direkSan
v Yl Qx leviz, bOT HOz nQ bRiN H enami'z pAT n HOz
freSli fPmd t difIt him wXevx hI mE apC. mE H rMin hI
hOps t briN apon as rikql on hiz On hed, n mE /jUxap dilivxd
from bondiJ glPifF H nEm v /raSa!”
<p>
<p>
“jes, HAt's it!” krFd H kQnt, OpaniN hiz mqst Fz n snifiN
ripItadli, Az if a stroN vinigret hAd bin held t hiz nOz; n hI
Adad, “let H /empxx bat sE H wxd n wI'l sAkrifFs evriTiN
n bigraJ naTiN.”
<p>
bifP /SinSin hAd tFm t atx H JOk hI woz redi t mEk on H
kQnt's pEtrWtizam, /nytySa Jampt ap from hx plEs n rAn t hx
fyHx.
<p>
“wot a dRliN Qx /pypy iz!” SI krFd, kisiN him, n SI agen
lUkt At /piX wiH H ankonSas kOkatri HAt hAd ritxnd t hx
wiH hx betx spirits.
<p>
“HX! hC'z a pEtrWt f V!” sed /SinSin.
<p>
“not a pEtrWt At Yl, bat simpli...” /nytySa riplFd in an inJxd
tOn. “evriTiN sImz fani t V, bat His izant At Yl a JOk....”
<p>
“a JOk indId!” pUt in H kQnt. “let him bat sE H wxd n wI'l
Yl gO.... wI'x not /Jxmanz!”
<p>
“bat did V nOtis, it sez, 'f konsaltESan'?” sed /piX.
<p>
“nevx mFnd wot it's f....”
<p>
At His mOment, /petja, t hMm nObodi woz pEiN eni atenSan, kEm ap
t hiz fyHx wiH a veri flaSt fEs n sed in hiz brEkiN vqs
HAt woz nQ dIp n nQ Sril:
<p>
“wel, /pypy, F tel V definitli, n /mymy tM, it's Az V plIz,
bat F sE definitli HAt V mast let mI entx H Rmi, bikoz F
kAnt... HAt's Yl....”
<p>
H kQntas, in dismE, lUkt ap t hevan, klAspt hx hAndz, n
txnd ANgrili t hx hazband.
<p>
“HAt kamz v jP tYkiN!” sed SI.
<p>
bat H kQnt hAd Ylredi rikavxd from hiz iäFtmant.
<p>
“kam, kam!” sed hI. “hC'z a fFn wPC! nO! nonsens! V mast
stadi.”
<p>
“it's not nonsens, /pypy. fedja /ObOlenski iz jaNgx HAn F, n hI'z
gOiN tM. bisFdz, Yl H sEm F kAnt stadi nQ wen...” /petja
stopt SPt, flaSt til hI pxspFxd, bat stil got Qt H wxdz,
“wen Qx /fyHxlAnd iz in dEnJx.”
<p>
“HAt'l dM, HAt'l dM—nonsens....”
<p>
“bat V sed jPself HAt wI wUd sAkrifFs evriTiN.”
<p>
“/petja! bI kwFat, F tel V!” krFd H kQnt, wiH a glAns At hiz
wFf, hM hAd txnd pEl n woz stXiN fiäadli At hx san.
<p>
“n F tel V—/pItx /kCilic hC wil YlsO tel V...”
<p>
“nonsens, F tel V. jP maHx'z milk hAz hRdli drFd on jP lips
n V wont t gO intM H Rmi! HX, HX, F tel V,” n H
kQnt mMvd t gO Qt v H rMm, tEkiN H pEpxz, probabli t rIrId
Hem in hiz stadi bifP hAviN a nAp.
<p>
“wel, /pItx /kCilic, let's gO n hAv a smOk,” hI sed.
<p>
/piX woz AJitEtad n andisFdad. /nytySa'z anwontadli brilWnt Fz,
kantinVali glAnsiN At him wiH a mP HAn kPJal lUk, hAd ridMst
him t His kandiSan.
<p>
“nO, F TiNk F'l gO hOm.”
<p>
“hOm? wF, V ment t spend H IvniN wiH as.... V dOnt
oftan kam nQadEz Az it iz, n His gxl v mFn,” sed H kQnt
gUd-nEcxdli, pqntiN t /nytySa, “Onli brFtanz ap wen V'x
hC.”
<p>
“jes, F hAd fxgotan... F rWli mast gO hOm... biznas...” sed
/piX haridli.
<p>
“wel, Hen, O ravwR!” sed H kQnt, n went Qt v H rMm.
<p>
“wF R V gOiN? wF R V apset?” Askt /nytySa, n SI lUkt
cAlanJiNli intM /piX'z Fz.
<p>
“bikoz F lav V!” woz wot hI wontad t sE, bat hI did not sE it,
n Onli blaSt til H tCz kEm, n lOxd hiz Fz.
<p>
“bikoz it iz betx f mI t kam les oftan... bikoz... nO, simpli
F hAv biznas....”
<p>
“wF? nO, tel mI!” /nytySa bigAn rezalMtli n sadanli stopt.
<p>
HE lUkt At Ic aHx wiH dismEd n imbArast fEsaz. hI trFd
t smFl bat kUd not: hiz smFl iäprest safxiN, n hI sFlantli
kist hx hAnd n went Qt.
<p>
/piX mEd ap hiz mFnd not t gO t H /rOstOfs' eni mP.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXI
<p>
/Aftx H definit rifVzal hI hAd risIvd, /petja went t hiz rMm
n HX lokt himself in n wept bitxli. wen hI kEm in t tI,
sFlant, mxOs, n wiH tC-stEnd fEs, evribodi pritendad not t
nOtis eniTiN.
<p>
neät dE H /empxx xFvd in /moskQ, n sevxal v H /rOstOfs'
damestik sxfs begd pxmiSan t gO t hAv a lUk At him. HAt
mPniN /petja woz a loN tFm dresiN n xEnJiN hiz hX n
kolx t lUk lFk a grOn-ap mAn. hI frQnd bifP hiz lUkiN glAs,
JestikVlEtad, Sragd hiz SOldxz, n fFnali, wiHQt sEiN a wxd
t eniwan, tUk hiz kAp n left H hQs bF H bAk dP, trFiN t
avqd nOtis. /petja disFdad t gO strEt t wX H /empxx woz n
t iäplEn frANkli t sam Jentalman-in-wEtiN (hI imAJind H /empxx
t bI YlwEz sxQndad bF Jentalmen-in-wEtiN) HAt hI, /kQnt /rOstOf,
in spFt v hiz VT wiSt t sxv hiz kantri; HAt VT kUd bI
nO hindrans t lqalti, n HAt hI woz redi t... wFl
dresiN, /petja hAd pripXd meni fFn TiNz hI ment t sE t H
Jentalman-in-wEtiN.
<p>
it woz on H veri fAkt v bIiN sO jaN HAt /petja kQntad f saäes
in rIciN H /empxx—hI Ivan TYt hQ sxprFzd evriwan wUd bI
At hiz VTfalnas—n jet in H xEnJmant v hiz kolx n hX
n bF hiz sidEt dilibxat wYk hI wiSt t apC a grOn-ap mAn.
bat H fRHx hI went n H mP hiz atenSan woz dFvxtad bF H
evx-inkrIsiN krQdz mMviN tPd H /kremlin, H les hI rimembxd
t wYk wiH H sidEtnas n dilibxESan v a mAn. Az hI aprOct
H /kremlin hI Ivan bigAn t avqd bIiN kraSt n rezalMtli stak
Qt hiz elbOz in a menasiN wE. bat wiHin H /triniti /gEtwE hI
woz sO prest t H wYl bF pIpal hM probabli wx anawX v H
pEtriotik intenSanz wiH wic hI hAd kam HAt in spFt v Yl hiz
ditxminESan hI hAd t giv in, n stop wFl kAriJaz pAst in,
rambaliN binIT H RcwE. bisFd /petja stUd a pezant wUman, a
fUtman, tM trEdzmen, n a discRJd sOlJx. Aftx stAndiN sam
tFm in H gEtwE, /petja trFd t mMv fPwxd in frant v H aHxz
wiHQt wEtiN f Yl H kAriJaz t pAs, n hI bigAn rezalMtli
wxkiN hiz wE wiH hiz elbOz, bat H wUman Jast in frant v him, hM
woz H fxst agenst hMm hI direktad hiz efxts, ANgrili SQtad At
him:
<p>
“wot R V SaviN f, jaN lPdliN? dOnt V sI wI'x Yl
stAndiN stil? Hen wF pUS?”
<p>
“enibodi kAn Sav,” sed H fUtman, n YlsO bigAn wxkiN hiz elbOz
t sac ifekt HAt hI pUSt /petja intM a veri filTi kPnx v H
gEtwE.
<p>
/petja wFpt hiz pxspFxiN fEs wiH hiz hAndz n pUld ap H dAmp
kolx wic hI hAd xEnJd sO wel At hOm t sIm lFk a mAn'z.
<p>
hI felt HAt hI nO loNgx lUkt prizentabal, n fCd HAt if hI wx
nQ t aprOc H Jentalmen-in-wEtiN in HAt plFt hI wUd not bI
admitad t H /empxx. bat it woz imposabal t smRtan wanself ap
P mMv t anaHx plEs, bikoz v H krQd. wan v H Jenxalz hM
drOv pAst woz an akwEntans v H /rOstOfs', n /petja TYt v
AskiN hiz help, bat kEm t H kanklMZan HAt HAt wUd not bI a
mAnli TiN t dM. wen H kAriJaz hAd Yl pAst in, H krQd,
kAriiN /petja wiH it, strImd fPwxd intM H /kremlin /skwX wic
woz Ylredi fUl v pIpal. HX wx pIpal not Onli in H skwX,
bat evriwX—on H slOps n on H rMfs. Az sMn Az /petja fQnd
himself in H skwX hI klCli hxd H sQnd v belz n H Jqas
vqsaz v H krQd HAt fild H hOl /kremlin.
<p>
f a wFl H krQd woz les dens, bat sadanli Yl hedz wx bXd,
n evriwan raSt fPwxd in wan direkSan. /petja woz bIiN prest sO
HAt hI kUd skXsli brIH, n evribodi SQtad, “hxy! hxy!
hxy!” /petja stUd on tiptO n pUSt n pinct, bat kUd sI
naTiN iäept H pIpal abQt him.
<p>
Yl H fEsaz bP H sEm iäpreSan v iäFtmant n inTVziAzam. a
trEdzman'z wFf stAndiN bisFd /petja sobd, n H tCz rAn dQn
hx cIä.
<p>
“fyHx! EnJal! dC wan!” SI kept ripItiN, wFpiN awE hx tCz
wiH hx fiNgxz.
<p>
“hxy!” woz hxd on Yl sFdz.
<p>
f a mOment H krQd stUd stil, bat Hen it mEd anaHx raS
fPwxd.
<p>
kwFt bisFd himself, /petja, klinciN hiz tIT n rOliN hiz Fz
fxOSasli, pUSt fPwxd, elbOiN hiz wE n SQtiN “hxy!” Az
if hI wx pripXd HAt instant t kil himself n evriwan els, bat
on bOT sFdz v him aHx pIpal wiH similxli fxOSas fEsaz pUSt
fPwxd n evribodi SQtad “hxy!”
<p>
“sO His iz wot H /empxx iz!” TYt /petja. “nO, F kAnt patiSan
him mFself—HAt wUd bI tM bOld.” bat in spFt v His hI kantinVd
t stragal despxatli fPwxd, n from bitwIn H bAä v HOz
in frant hI kYt glimpsaz v an Opan spEs wiH a strip v red kloT
spred Qt on it; bat Jast Hen H krQd swEd bAk—H palIs
in frant wx pUSiN bAk HOz hM hAd prest tM klOs t H
praseSan: H /empxx woz pAsiN from H pAlas t H /kaTIdral v
H /asampSan—n /petja aniäpektadli risIvd sac a blO on hiz sFd
n ribz n woz skwIzd sO hRd HAt sadanli evriTiN grM dim
bifP hiz Fz n hI lost konSasnas. wen hI kEm t himself, a
mAn v klerikal apCans wiH a taft v grE hX At H bAk v
hiz hed n wXiN a SAbi blM kAsak—probabli a cxc klxk n
cAntx—woz hOldiN him andx H Rm wiH wan hAnd wFl wPdiN of
H preSx v H krQd wiH H aHx.
<p>
“V'v kraSt H jaN Jentalman!” sed H klxk. “wot R V ap
t? Jentli!... HE'v kraSt him, kraSt him!”
<p>
H /empxx entxd H /kaTIdral v H /asampSan. H krQd spred
Qt agen mP Ivanli, n H klxk led /petja—pEl n breTlas—t
H /tsR-kAnan. sevxal pIpal wx sori f /petja, n sadanli a
krQd txnd tPd him n prest rQnd him. HOz hM stUd nCast
him atendad t him, anbatand hiz kOt, sItad him on H rEzd
plAtfPm v H kAnan, n riprOct HOz aHxz (hMevx HE mFt
bI) hM hAd kraSt him.
<p>
“wan mFt Izili get kild HAt wE! wot dM HE mIn bF it? kiliN
pIpal! pUx dC, hI'z Az wFt Az a SIt!”—vXWs vqsaz wx hxd
sEiN.
<p>
/petja sMn kEm t himself, H kalx ritxnd t hiz fEs, H pEn hAd
pAst, n At H kost v HAt tempxXi anplezantnas hI hAd abtEnd
a plEs bF H kAnan from wX hI hOpt t sI H /empxx hM
wUd bI ritxniN HAt wE. /petja nO loNgx TYt v prizentiN hiz
patiSan. if hI kUd Onli sI H /empxx hI wUd bI hApi!
<p>
wFl H sxvis woz prOsIdiN in H /kaTIdral v H /asampSan—it
woz a kambFnd sxvis v prEx on H akEZan v H /empxx'z
xFval n v TANägiviN f H kanklMZan v pIs wiH H
/txä—H krQd QtsFd spred Qt n hYkxz apCd, seliN kvAs,
JinJxbred, n popisId swIts (v wic /petja woz pxtikVlxli
fond), n PdinXi konvxsESan kUd agen bI hxd. a trEdzman'z
wFf woz SOiN a rent in hx SYl n teliN hQ mac H SYl hAd
kost; anaHx woz sEiN HAt Yl silk gUdz hAd nQ got dC. H klxk
hM hAd reskVd /petja woz tYkiN t a faNkSanXi abQt H prIsts hM
wx afiSiEtiN HAt dE wiH H biSap. H klxk sevxal tFmz Vzd
H wxd “plenxi” (v H sxvis), a wxd /petja did not andxstAnd.
tM jaN sitizanz wx JOkiN wiH sam sxf gxlz hM wx krAkiN
nats. Yl HIz konvxsESanz, ispeSali H JOkiN wiH H gxlz,
wx sac Az mFt hAv hAd a pxtikVlx cRm f /petja At hiz EJ, bat
HE did not intxast him nQ. hI sAt on hiz elivESan—H pedistal v
H kAnan—stil AJitEtad Az bifP bF H TYt v H /empxx n bF
hiz lav f him. H fIliN v pEn n fC hI hAd iäpCWnst wen
hI woz bIiN kraSt, tageHx wiH HAt v rApcx, stil fxHx
intensifFd hiz sens v H impPtans v H akEZan.
<p>
sadanli H sQnd v a fFxiN v kAnan woz hxd from H imbANkmant,
t selabrEt H sFniN v pIs wiH H /txä, n H krQd raSt
impecMasli tPd H imbANkmant t woc H fFxiN. /petja tM wUd
hAv ran HX, bat H klxk hM hAd tEkan H jaN Jentalman andx
hiz pratekSan stopt him. H fFxiN woz stil prOsIdiN wen
ofisxz, Jenxalz, n Jentalmen-in-wEtiN kEm raniN Qt v H
kaTIdral, n Aftx Hem aHxz in a mP lIZxli mAnx: kAps wx
agen rEzd, n HOz hM hAd ran t lUk At H kAnan rAn bAk
agen. At lAst fP men in VnifPmz n sASaz imxJd from H
kaTIdral dPz. “hxy! hxy!” SQtad H krQd agen.
<p>
“wic iz hI? wic?” Askt /petja in a tCfal vqs, v HOz xQnd
him, bat nO wan Ansxd him, evribodi woz tM iäFtad; n /petja,
fiäiN on wan v HOz fP men, hMm hI kUd not klCli sI f H
tCz v Jq HAt fild hiz Fz, konsantrEtad Yl hiz inTVziAzam
on him—HO it hApand not t bI H /empxx—frAntikli SQtad
“hxy!” n rizolvd HAt tamorO, kam wot mFt, hI wUd Jqn H
Rmi.
<p>
H krQd rAn Aftx H /empxx, folOd him t H pAlas, n bigAn
t dispxs. it woz Ylredi lEt, n /petja hAd not Itan eniTiN n
woz drenct wiH pxspxESan, jet hI did not gO hOm bat stUd wiH
HAt diminiSiN, bat stil kansidxabal, krQd bifP H pAlas wFl
H /empxx dFnd—lUkiN in At H pAlas windOz, iäpektiN hI nM
not wot, n enviiN alFk H nOtabalz hI sY xFviN At H entrans
t dFn wiH H /empxx n H kPt fUtmen hM sxvd At tEbal,
glimpsaz v hMm kUd bI sIn TrM H windOz.
<p>
wFl H /empxx woz dFniN, /vylMef, lUkiN Qt v H windO, sed:
<p>
“H pIpal R stil hOpiN t sI jP /mAJasti agen.”
<p>
H dinx woz nCli Ovx, n H /empxx, manciN a biskit, rOz
n went Qt ontM H bAlkani. H pIpal, wiH /petja amaN Hem, raSt
tPd H bAlkani.
<p>
“EnJal! dC wan! hxy! fyHx!...” krFd H krQd, n /petja wiH
it, n agen H wimin n men v wIkx mOld, /petja amaN Hem, wept
wiH Jq.
<p>
a lRJiS pIs v H biskit H /empxx woz hOldiN in hiz hAnd brOk
of, fel on H bAlkani pArapet, n Hen t H grQnd. a kOcman in
a Jxkin, hM stUd nCast, sprAN fPwxd n snAct it ap. sevxal
pIpal in H krQd raSt At H kOcman. sIiN His H /empxx hAd
a plEtfUl v biskits brYt him n bigAn TrOiN Hem dQn from
H bAlkani. /petja'z Fz grM bladSot, n stil mP iäFtad bF H
dEnJx v bIiN kraSt, hI raSt At H biskits. hI did not nO wF,
bat hI hAd t hAv a biskit from H /tsR'z hAnd n hI felt HAt hI
mast not giv wE. hI sprAN fPwxd n apset an Old wUman hM woz
kAciN At a biskit; H Old wUman did not kansidx hxself difItad
HO SI woz lFiN on H grQnd—SI grAbd At sam biskits bat
hx hAnd did not rIc Hem. /petja pUSt hx hAnd awE wiH hiz nI,
sIzd a biskit, n Az if fCiN t bI tM lEt, agen SQtad
“hxy!” wiH a vqs Ylredi hPs.
<p>
H /empxx went in, n Aftx HAt H grEtx pRt v H krQd bigAn
t dispxs.
<p>
“HX! F sed if Onli wI wEtad—n sO it woz!” woz bIiN Jqfali sed
bF vXWs pIpal.
<p>
hApi Az /petja woz, hI felt sAd At hAviN t gO hOm nOiN HAt Yl
H inJqmant v HAt dE woz Ovx. hI did not gO strEt hOm from
H /kremlin, bat kYld on hiz frend /ObOlenski, hM woz fiftIn n woz
YlsO entxiN H reJimant. on ritxniN hOm /petja anQnst rezalMtli
n fxmli HAt if hI woz not alQd t entx H sxvis hI wUd
ran awE. n neät dE, /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf—HO hI hAd not jet kwFt
jIldad—went t inkwFx hQ hI kUd xEnJ f /petja t sxv wX
HX wUd bI lIst dEnJx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXII
<p>
/tM dEz lEtx, on H fiftInT v JalF, an imens nambx v kAriJaz
wx stAndiN QtsFd H /slObOda /pAlas.
<p>
H grEt hYlz wx fUl. in H fxst wx H nObiliti n Jentri in
HX VnifPmz, in H sekand bCdad mxcants in fUl-skxtad kOts
v blM kloT n wXiN medalz. in H nObalmen'z hYl HX woz
an insesant mMvmant n baz v vqsaz. H cIf mAgnEts sAt on
hF-bAkt cXz At a lRJ tEbal andx H pPtrEt v H /empxx,
bat mOst v H Jentri wx strOliN abQt H rMm.
<p>
Yl HIz nObalz, hMm /piX met evri dE At H /klab P in HX On
hQzaz, wx in VnifPm—sam in HAt v /kATxin'z dE, aHxz in HAt
v /empxx /pYl, aHxz agen in H nM VnifPmz v /AliãAndx'z tFm P
H PdinXi VnifPm v H nObiliti, n H Jenxal kAraktxistik
v bIiN in VnifPm impRtad samTiN strEnJ n fAntAstik t HIz
dFvxs n familC pxsanAlitiz, bOT Old n jaN. H Old men,
dim-Fd, tMTlas, bYld, sAlO, n blOtad, P gYnt n riNkald,
wx ispeSali strFkiN. f H mOst pRt HE sAt kwFatli in HX
plEsaz n wx sFlant, P, if HE wYkt abQt n tYkt, atAct
Hemselvz t samwan jaNgx. on Yl HIz fEsaz, Az on H fEsaz
v H krQd /petja hAd sIn in H /skwX, HX woz a strFkiN
kontradikSan: H Jenxal eäpektESan v a solam ivent, n At H
sEm tFm H evridE intxasts in a /bostan kRd pRti, /pItx H kUk,
/zinFda /dmItrievna'z helT, n sO on.
<p>
/piX woz HX tM, batand ap sins xli mPniN in a nObalman'z
VnifPm HAt hAd bikam tM tFt f him. hI woz AJitEtad;
His iätrPdinXi gAHxiN not Onli v nObalz bat YlsO v H
mxcant-klAs—/lez Etyz JenxaMeä (/stEts-/Jenxal)—ivOkt in him a hOl
sCIz v FdWz hI hAd loN lEd asFd bat wic wx dIpli grEvan in
hiz sOl: TYts v H /kontrAt /sOSal n H /frenc /revalMSan. H
wxdz HAt hAd strak him in H /empxx'z apIl—HAt H sovran woz
kamiN t H kApital f konsaltESan wiH hiz pIpal—streNTand His
FdW. n imAJiniN HAt in His direkSan samTiN impPtant wic
hI hAd loN awEtad woz drYiN nC, hI strOld abQt wociN n
lisaniN t konvxsESanz, bat nOwX fFndiN eni konfxmESan v H
FdWz HAt okVpFd him.
<p>
H /empxx'z mAnifestO woz red, ivOkiN inTVziAzam, n Hen Yl mMvd
abQt diskasiN it. bisFdz H PdinXi topiä v konvxsESan, /piX
hxd kwescanz v wX H mRSalz v H nObiliti wx t stAnd wen
H /empxx entxd, wen a bYl SUd bI givan in H /empxx'z
onx, weHx HE SUd grMp Hemselvz bF distrikts P bF hOl
provinsaz... n sO on; bat Az sMn Az H wP woz tact on, P
wot H nObiliti hAd bin kanvInd f, H tYk bikEm andisFdad n
indefinit. Hen Yl prifxd lisaniN t spIkiN.
<p>
a midal-EJd mAn, hAndsam n virFl, in H VnifPm v a ritFxd
nEval ofisx, woz spIkiN in wan v H rMmz, n a smYl krQd woz
presiN rQnd him. /piX went ap t H sxkal HAt hAd fPmd rQnd
H spIkx n lisand. kQnt /ilja /rOstOf, in a militXi VnifPm v
/kATxin'z tFm, woz sYntxiN wiH a plezant smFl amaN H krQd,
wiH Yl v hMm hI woz akwEntad. hI tM aprOct HAt grMp n
lisand wiH a kFndli smFl n nodz v aprMval, Az hI YlwEz did,
t wot H spIkx woz sEiN. H ritFxd nEval mAn woz spIkiN veri
bOldli, Az woz evidant from H iäpreSan on H fEsaz v H lisanxz
n from H fAkt HAt sam pIpal /piX nM Az H mIkast n
kwFatast v men wYkt awE disaprMviNli P iäprest disagrImant
wiH him. /piX pUSt hiz wE intM H midal v H grMp, lisand,
n kanvinst himself HAt H mAn woz indId a libxal, bat v vVz
kwFt difxant from hiz On. H nEval ofisx spOk in a pxtikVlxli
sanPas, mVzikal, n AristakrAtik bAritOn vqs, plezantli
swolOiN hiz r's n Jenxali slxiN hiz konsanants: H vqs v
a mAn kYliN Qt t hiz sxvant, “hW! bwiN mI mF pFp!” it woz
indikativ v disipESan n H eäxsFz v YToriti.
<p>
“wot if H /smOlensk pIpal hAv /avfyd t wEz miliSa f H
/empawa? y wI t tEk /smOlensk Az Qx pyt'n? if H nObal Awistokwasi
v H pwovins v /moskQ TiNä fit, it kAn SO its lqalti t Qx
sov'weign H /empawa in aHx wEz. hAv wI fo'gotten H wEziN v
H miliSa in H jea 'sevan? Yl HAt did woz t inwic H pwIsts'
sanz n TIvz n wobaz....”
<p>
kQnt /ilja /rOstOf smFld blAndli n nodad aprMval.
<p>
“n woz Qx miliSa v eni Vs t H /empFa? not At Yl! it Onli wMind
Qx fRmiN! beta hAv anaHx kanskwipSan... O' ou' men wil wetM'n
/nETa sOlJxz nO' pezants, n wI'l get Onli dipwAviti fwom Hem.
H nObiliti dOnt gwaJ Hay lFvz—Ivewi wan v as wil gO n bwiN
in mP wikwMts, n H sov'weign” (HAt woz H wE hI rifxd t
H /empxx) “nId Onli sE H wxd n wI'l Yl dF /fO' him!” Adad
H Patx wiH AnimESan.
<p>
kQnt /rOstOf's mQT wYtxd wiH pleZx n hI naJd /piX, bat
/piX wontad t spIk himself. hI pUSt fPwxd, fIliN stxd,
bat not jet SUx wot stxd him P wot hI wUd sE. skXsli hAd hI
Opand hiz mQT wen wan v H senatxz, a mAn wiHQt a tMT in hiz
hed, wiH a SrMd HO ANgri iäpreSan, stAndiN nC H fxst
spIkx, intxaptad him. evidentli akastamd t mAniJiN dibEts n
t mEntEniN an RgVmant, hI bigAn in lO bat distiNkt tOnz:
<p>
“F imAJin, sx,” sed hI, mambaliN wiH hiz tMTlas mQT, “HAt wI
hAv bin samand hC not t diskas weHx it's best f H empFx
At H prezant mOment t adopt kanskripSan P t kYl Qt H miliSa.
wI hAv bin samand t riplF t H apIl wiH wic Qx sovran
H /empxx hAz onxd as. bat t JaJ wot iz best—kanskripSan P
H miliSa—wI kAn lIv t H sMprIm YToriti....”
<p>
/piX sadanli sY an Qtlat f hiz iäFtmant. hI hRdand hiz hRt
agenst H senatx hM woz intradMsiN His set n nArO AtitMd
intM H dilibxESanz v H nObiliti. /piX stept fPwxd n
intxaptad him. hI himself did not jet nO wot hI wUd sE, bat hI
bigAn t spIk Igxli, akEZanali lApsiN intM /frenc P iäpresiN
himself in bUkiS /raSan.
<p>
“iäkVz mI, jP eäalansi,” hI bigAn. (hI woz wel akwEntad wiH
H senatx, bat TYt it nesisXi on His akEZan t adres him
fPmali.) “HO F dOnt agrI wiH H Jentalman...” (hI hezitEtad:
hI wiSt t sE, “man tres onxabal prIapFnant”—“mF veri onxabal
apOnant”) “wiH H Jentalman... hMm F hAv not H onx v nOiN,
F sapOz HAt H nObiliti hAv bin samand not mCli t iäpres
HX simpaTi n inTVziAzam bat YlsO t kansidx H mInz bF wic
wI kAn asist Qx /fyHxlAnd! F imAJin,” hI went on, wPmiN t hiz
sabJekt, “HAt H /empxx himself wUd not bI sAtisfFd t fFnd in as
mCli Onxz v sxfs hMm wI R wiliN t divOt t hiz sxvis, n
cX a kAnan * wI R redi t mEk v Qxselvz—n not t abtEn from
as eni kO-kO-kQnsal.”
<p>
    * “fMd f kAnan.”
<p>
<p>
meni pxsanz wiHdrM from H sxkal, nOtisiN H senatx'z sRkAstik
smFl n H frIdam v /piX'z rimRä. Onli /kQnt /rOstOf woz plIzd
wiH Hem Az hI hAd bin plIzd wiH HOz v H nEval ofisx, H
senatx, n in Jenxal wiH wotevx spIc hI hAd lAst hxd.
<p>
“F TiNk HAt bifP diskasiN HIz kwescanz,” /piX kantinVd, “wI
SUd Ask H /empxx—mOst rispektfali Ask /hiz /mAJasti—t let as nO
H nambx v Qx trMps n H paziSan in wic Qx Rmi n Qx
fPsaz nQ R, n Hen...”
<p>
bat skXsli hAd /piX atxd HIz wxdz bifP hI woz atAkt from
TrI sFdz. H mOst vigxas atAk kEm from an Old akwEntans,
a /bostan plEx hM hAd YlwEz bin wel dispOzd tPd him, /stepyn
/stepynOvic /ydryäin. /ydryäin woz in VnifPm, n weHx Az a rizalt
v H VnifPm P from sam aHx kYz /piX sY bifP him kwFt a
difxant mAn. wiH a sadan iäpreSan v malevalans on hiz EJd fEs,
/ydryäin SQtad At /piX:
<p>
“in H fxst plEs, F tel V wI hAv nO rFt t kwescan H /empxx
abQt HAt, n sekandli, if H /raSan nObiliti hAd HAt rFt, H
/empxx kUd not Ansx sac a kwescan. H trMps R mMvd
akPdiN t H enami'z mMvmants n H nambx v men inkrIsaz n
dikrIsaz....”
<p>
anaHx vqs, HAt v a nObalman v mIdWm hFt n abQt fPti jCz
v EJ, hMm /piX hAd fPmxli met At H Jipsiz' n nM Az a bAd
kRdplEx, n hM, YlsO trAnsfPmd bF hiz VnifPm, kEm ap t /piX,
intxaptad /ydryäin.
<p>
“jes, n His iz not a tFm f diskasiN,” hI kantinVd, “bat f
AktiN: HX iz wP in /raSa! H enami iz advAnsiN t distrq
/raSa, t desikrEt H tMmz v Qx fyHxz, t kAri of Qx wFvz
n cildran.” H nObalman smOt hiz brest. “wI wil Yl xFz,
evriwan v as wil gO, f Qx fyHx H /tsR!” hI SQtad, rOliN
hiz bladSot Fz. sevxal aprMviN vqsaz wx hxd in H krQd.
“wI R /raSanz n wil not graJ Qx blad in difens v Qx fET,
H TrOn, n H /fyHxlAnd! wI mast sIs rEviN if wI R sanz v
Qx /fyHxlAnd! wI wil SO /jUxap hQ /raSa rFzaz t H difens v
/raSa!”
<p>
/piX wiSt t riplF, bat kUd not get in a wxd. hI felt HAt hiz
wxdz, apRt from wot mIniN HE kanvEd, wx les Ydabal HAn H
sQnd v hiz apOnant's vqs.
<p>
kQnt /rOstOf At H bAk v H krQd woz iäpresiN aprMval; sevxal
pxsanz, briskli txniN a SOldx t H Patx At H end v a
frEz, sed:
<p>
“HAt's rFt, kwFt rFt! Jast sO!”
<p>
/piX wiSt t sE HAt hI woz redi t sAkrifFs hiz mani, hiz
sxfs, P himself, Onli wan Yt t nO H stEt v afXz in
Pdx t bI Ebal t imprMv it, bat hI woz anEbal t spIk. meni vqsaz
SQtad n tYkt At H sEm tFm, sO HAt /kQnt /rOstOf hAd not tFm
t signifF hiz aprMval v Hem Yl, n H grMp inkrIst, dispxst,
rI-fPmd, n Hen mMvd wiH a ham v tYk intM H lRJast hYl n
t H big tEbal. not Onli woz /piX'z atempt t spIk ansaäesfal,
bat hI woz rMdli intxaptad, pUSt asFd, n pIpal txnd awE
from him Az from a koman enami. His hApand not bikoz HE wx
displIzd bF H sabstans v hiz spIc, wic hAd Ivan bin fxgotan
Aftx H meni sabsikwant spIcaz, bat t AnimEt it H krQd nIdad a
tAnJabal obJekt t lav n a tAnJabal obJekt t hEt. /piX bikEm H
lAtx. meni aHx Patxz spOk Aftx H iäFtad nObalman, n Yl in
H sEm tOn. meni spOk elakwantli n wiH xiJinAliti.
<p>
gliNka, H editx v H /raSan /mesinJx, hM woz rekagnFzd (krFz
v “YTx! YTx!” wx hxd in H krQd), sed HAt “hel mast bI
ripalst bF hel,” n HAt hI hAd sIn a cFld smFliN At lFtniN
flASaz n TandxklAps, bat “wI wil not bI HAt cFld.”
<p>
“jes, jes, At TandxklAps!” woz ripItad aprMviNli in H bAk rOz
v H krQd.
<p>
H krQd drM ap t H lRJ tEbal, At wic sAt grE-hXd P bYld
sevanti-jC-Old mAgnEts, VnifPmd n bisASt, YlmOst Yl v hMm
/piX hAd sIn in HX On hOmz wiH HX bafMnz, P plEiN
/bostan At H klabz. wiH an insesant ham v vqsaz H krQd advAnst
t H tEbal. prest bF H TroN agenst H hF bAä v H
cXz, H Patxz spOk wan Aftx anaHx n samtFmz tM tageHx.
HOz stAndiN bihFnd nOtist wot a spIkx Omitad t sE n hEsand
t saplF it. aHxz in HAt hIt n kraS rAkt HX brEnz t fFnd
sam TYt n hEsand t atx it. H Old mAgnEts, hMm /piX
nM, sAt n txnd t lUk fxst At wan n Hen At anaHx, n HX
fEsaz f H mOst pRt Onli iäprest H fAkt HAt HE fQnd it veri
hot. /piX, hQevx, felt iäFtad, n H Jenxal dizFx t SO HAt
HE wx redi t gO t Yl leNTs—wic fQnd iäpreSan in H tOnz
n lUä mP HAn in H sabstans v H spIcaz—infektad him tM.
hI did not rinQns hiz apinjanz, bat felt himself in sam wE t blEm
n wiSt t JastifF himself.
<p>
“F Onli sed HAt it wUd bI mP t H pxpas t mEk sAkrifFsaz
wen wI nO wot iz nIdad!” sed hI, trFiN t bI hxd abav H
aHx vqsaz.
<p>
wan v H Old men nCast t him lUkt rQnd, bat hiz atenSan woz
imIdWtli dFvxtad bF an eäklamESan At H aHx sFd v H tEbal.
<p>
“jes, /moskQ wil bI sxendxd! SI wil bI Qx eäpiESan!” SQtad
wan mAn.
<p>
“hI iz H enami v mAnkFnd!” krFd anaHx. “alQ mI t spIk....”
“Jentalmen, V R kraSiN mI!...”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIII
<p>
At HAt mOment /kQnt /rOstOpcin wiH hiz prOtrMdiN cin n alxt Fz,
wXiN H VnifPm v a Jenxal wiH sAS Ovx hiz SOldx, entxd
H rMm, stepiN briskli t H frant v H krQd v Jentri.
<p>
“Qx sovran H /empxx wil bI hC in a mOment,” sed /rOstOpcin.
“F Am strEt from H pAlas. sIiN H paziSan wI R in, F TiNk
HX iz lital nId f diskaSan. H /empxx hAz dEnd t saman
as n H mxcants. milWnz wil pP fPT from HX”—hI pqntad
t H mxcants' hYl—“bat Qx biznas iz t saplF men n not spX
Qxselvz.... HAt iz H lIst wI kAn dM!”
<p>
a konfxans tUk plEs kanfFnd t H mAgnEts sitiN At H tEbal.
H hOl konsaltESan pAst mP HAn kwFatli. Aftx Yl H prisIdiN
nqz H sQnd v HX Old vqsaz sEiN wan Aftx anaHx, “F
agrI,” P f vxFati, “F tM Am v HAt apinjan,” n sO on hAd Ivan a
mPnfal ifekt.
<p>
H sekratXi woz tOld t rFt dQn H rezalMSan v H /moskQ
nObiliti n Jentri, HAt HE wUd fxniS ten men, fUli ikwipt,
Qt v evri TQzand sxfs, Az H /smOlensk Jentri hAd dan. HX
cXz mEd a skrEpiN nqz Az H Jentalmen hM hAd kanfxd rOz
wiH apArant rilIf, n bigAn wYkiN ap n dQn, Rm in Rm, t
strec HX leã n kanvxs in kapalz.
<p>
“H /empxx! H /empxx!” a sadan krF rizQndad TrM H hYlz n
H hOl TroN harid t H entrans.
<p>
H /empxx entxd H hYl TrM a brYd pAT bitwIn tM lFnz v
nObalz. evri fEs iäprest rispektfal, Y-strak kjUxiositi. /piX
stUd rAHx fR of n kUd not hC Yl HAt H /empxx sed. from
wot hI did hC hI andxstUd HAt H /empxx spOk v H dEnJx
TretaniN H empFx n v H hOps hI plEst on H /moskQ
nObiliti. hI woz Ansxd bF a vqs wic infPmd him v H
rezalMSan Jast xFvd At
<p>
“Jentalmen!” sed H /empxx wiH a kwivxiN vqs.
<p>
HX woz a rasaliN amaN H krQd n it agen sabsFdad, sO HAt
/piX distiNktli hxd H plezantli hVman vqs v H /empxx sEiN
wiH imOSan:
<p>
“F nevx dQtad H divOSan v H /raSan nObalz, bat tadE it hAz
sxpAst mF eäpektESanz. F TANk V in H nEm v H /fyHxlAnd!
Jentalmen, let as Akt! tFm iz mOst preSas....”
<p>
H /empxx sIst spIkiN, H krQd bigAn presiN rQnd him, n
rApcxas eäklamESanz wx hxd from Yl sFdz.
<p>
“jes, mOst preSas... a rqal wxd,” sed /kQnt /rOstOf, wiH a sob. hI
stUd At H bAk, n, HO hI hAd hxd hRdli eniTiN, andxstUd
evriTiN in hiz On wE.
<p>
from H hYl v H nObiliti H /empxx went t HAt v H mxcants.
HX hI rimEnd abQt ten minits. /piX woz amaN HOz hM sY him
kam Qt from H mxcants' hYl wiH tCz v imOSan in hiz Fz.
Az bikEm nOn lEtx, hI hAd skXsli bigan t adres H mxcants
bifP tCz gaSt from hiz Fz n hI kanklMdad in a trembaliN
vqs. wen /piX sY H /empxx hI woz kamiN Qt akampanid bF tM
mxcants, wan v hMm /piX nM, a fAt otkapScik. H aHx woz
H mEx, a mAn wiH a Tin sAlO fEs n nArO bCd. bOT wx
wIpiN. tCz fild H Tin mAn'z Fz, n H fAt otkapScik
sobd QtrFt lFk a cFld n kept ripItiN:
<p>
“Qx lFvz n propxti—tEk Hem, jP /mAJasti!”
<p>
/piX'z wan fIliN At H mOment woz a dizFx t SO HAt hI woz
redi t gO Yl leNTs n woz pripXd t sAkrifFs evriTiN. hI nQ
felt aSEmd v hiz spIc wiH its konstitMSanal tendansi n sYt
an opxtMniti v ifEsiN it. hAviN hxd HAt /kQnt /mymOnOf woz
fxniSiN a reJimant, /bezMâOf At wans infPmd /rOstOpcin HAt hI
wUd giv a TQzand men n HX mEntanans.
<p>
Old /rOstOf kUd not tel hiz wFf v wot hAd pAst wiHQt tCz, n
At wans kansentad t /petja'z rikwest n went himself t entx hiz nEm.
<p>
neät dE H /empxx left /moskQ. H asembald nObalz Yl tUk of
HX VnifPmz n setald dQn agen in HX hOmz n klabz, n not
wiHQt sam grOnz gEv Pdxz t HX stMxdz abQt H inrOlmant,
fIliN amEzd Hemselvz At wot HE hAd dan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /ten: 1812
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/napOlWn bigAn H wP wiH /raSa bikoz hI kUd not rizist gOiN
t /drezdan, kUd not help hAviN hiz hed txnd bF H homiJ hI
risIvd, kUd not help doniN a /pOliS VnifPm n jIldiN t H
stimVlEtiN inflMans v a JMn mPniN, n kUd not rifrEn from
bxsts v ANgx in H prezans v /kMrykin n Hen v /bylySef.
<p>
/AliãAndx rifVzd nigOSiESanz bikoz hI felt himself t bI pxsanali
insaltad. bRklE de /toli trFd t kamAnd H Rmi in H best
wE, bikoz hI wiSt t fUlfil hiz dMti n xn fEm Az a grEt
kamAndx. /rOstOf cRJd H /frenc bikoz hI kUd not ristrEn
hiz wiS f a gAlap akros a leval fIld; n in H sEm wE H
inMmxabal pIpal hM tUk pRt in H wP Aktad in akPd wiH HX
pxsanal kAraktxistiä, hAbits, sxkamstAnsaz, n Emz. HE wx
mMvd bF fC P vAniti, riJqst P wx indignant, rIzand, imAJiniN
HAt HE nM wot HE wx dMiN n did it v HX On frI wil,
bat HE Yl wx involantXi tMlz v histxi, kAriiN on a wxk
kansIld from Hem bat komprihensabal t as. sac iz H inevitabal
fEt v men v AkSan, n H hFx HE stAnd in H sOSal hFxRki
H les R HE frI.
<p>
H Aktxz v 1812 hAv loN sins left H stEJ, HX pxsanal
intxasts hAv vAniSt lIviN nO trEs, n naTiN rimEnz v HAt
tFm bat its histPik rizalts.
<p>
providans kampeld Yl HIz men, strFviN t atEn pxsanal Emz, t
fxHx H akompliSmant v a stMpendas rizalt nO wan v Hem At Yl
iäpektad—nFHx /napOlWn, nP /AliãAndx, nP stil les eni v HOz
hM did H AkcMal fFtiN.
<p>
H kYz v H distrakSan v H /frenc Rmi in 1812 iz klC t as
nQ. nO wan wil dinF HAt HAt kYz woz, on H wan hAnd, its advAns
intM H hRt v /raSa lEt in H sIzan wiHQt eni prepxESan f
a wintx kAmpEn n, on H aHx, H kAraktx givan t H wP
bF H bxniN v /raSan tQnz n H hEtrad v H fO His xQzd
amaN H /raSan pIpal. bat nO wan At H tFm fPsY (wot nQ sImz
sO evidant) HAt His woz H Onli wE an Rmi v Et handrad TQzand
men—H best in H wxld n led bF H best Jenxal—kUd bI distrqd
in konflikt wiH a rY Rmi v hAf its nMmerikal streNT, n led bF
iniäpCWnst kamAndxz Az H /raSan Rmi woz. not Onli did nO wan
sI His, bat on H /raSan sFd evri efxt woz mEd t hindx H
Onli TiN HAt kUd sEv /raSa, wFl on H /frenc sFd, dispFt
/napOlWn'z iäpCWns n sO-kYld militXi JInWs, evri efxt woz
direktad t pUSiN on t /moskQ At H end v H samx, HAt iz, t
dMiN H veri TiN HAt woz bQnd t lId t distrakSan.
<p>
in histPikal wxä on H jC 1812 /frenc rFtxz R veri fond v
sEiN HAt /napOlWn felt H dEnJx v iätendiN hiz lFn, HAt hI
sYt a bAtal n HAt hiz mRSalz advFzd him t stop At /smOlensk,
n v mEkiN similx stEtmants t SO HAt H dEnJx v H kAmpEn
woz Ivan Hen andxstUd. /raSan YTxz R stil fondx v teliN
as HAt from H kamensmant v H kAmpEn a /sFHWn wP plAn woz
adoptad t lUx /napOlWn intM H depTs v /raSa, n His plAn sam
v Hem atribVt t /pfVl, aHxz t a sxtan /frencman, aHxz t
/tOl, n aHxz agen t /AliãAndx himself—pqntiN t nOts, proJekts,
n letxz wic kantEn hints v sac a lFn v AkSan. bat Yl HIz
hints At wot hApand, bOT from H /frenc sFd n H /raSan, R
advAnst Onli bikoz HE fit in wiH H ivent. hAd HAt ivent not
akxd HIz hints wUd hAv bin fxgotan, Az wI hAv fxgotan H
TQzandz n milWnz v hints n eäpektESanz t H kontrXi
wic wx karant Hen bat hAv nQ bin fxgotan bikoz H ivent
fYlsifFd Hem. HX R YlwEz sO meni kanJekcxz Az t H iSV v
eni ivent HAt hQevx it mE end HX wil YlwEz bI pIpal t sE:
“F sed Hen HAt it wUd bI sO,” kwFt fxgetiN HAt amid HX
inMmxabal kanJekcxz meni wx t kwFt H kontrXi ifekt.
<p>
kanJekcxz Az t /napOlWn'z awXnas v H dEnJx v iätendiN hiz
lFn, n (on H /raSan sFd) Az t lUxiN H enami intM H depTs
v /raSa, R evidentli v HAt kFnd, n Onli bF mac strEniN kAn
histPWnz atribVt sac kansepSanz t /napOlWn n hiz mRSalz,
P sac plAnz t H /raSan kamAndxz. Yl H fAkts R in flAt
kontradikSan t sac kanJekcxz. dxiN H hOl pCWd v H wP
not Onli woz HX nO wiS on H /raSan sFd t drY H /frenc
intM H hRt v H kantri, bat from HX fxst entri intM /raSa
evriTiN woz dan t stop Hem. n not Onli woz /napOlWn not afrEd
t iätend hiz lFn, bat hI welkamd evri step fPwxd Az a trFamf n
did not sIk bAtal Az Igxli Az in fPmx kAmpEnz, bat veri lEzili.
<p>
At H veri biginiN v H wP Qx Rmiz wx divFdad, n Qx sOl
Em woz t VnFt Hem, HO VnFtiN H Rmiz woz nO advAntiJ if wI
ment t ritFx n lUx H enami intM H depTs v H kantri. Qx
/empxx Jqnd H Rmi t inkariJ it t difend evri inc v /raSan
sql n not t ritrIt. H inPmas /drisa kAmp woz fPmd on /pfVl'z
plAn, n HX woz nO intenSan v ritFxiN fRHx. H /empxx
riprOct H kamAndxz in cIf f evri step HE ritFxd. hI kUd
not bX H FdW v letiN H enami Ivan rIc /smOlensk, stil les
kUd hI kontamplEt H bxniN v /moskQ, n wen Qx Rmiz did
VnFt hI woz displIzd HAt /smOlensk woz abAndand n bxnd wiHQt a
Jenxal ingEJmant hAviN bin fYt andx its wYlz.
<p>
sO TYt H /empxx, n H /raSan kamAndxz n pIpal wx stil
mP pravOkt At H TYt HAt Qx fPsaz wx ritrItiN intM H
depTs v H kantri.
<p>
/napOlWn hAviN kat Qx Rmiz apRt advAnst fR intM H kantri n
mist sevxal cAnsaz v fPsiN an ingEJmant. in Ygast hI woz At
/smOlensk n TYt Onli v hQ t advAns fRHx, HO Az wI nQ
sI HAt advAns woz evidentli rMinas t him.
<p>
H fAkts klCli SO HAt /napOlWn did not fPsI H dEnJx v H
advAns on /moskQ, nP did /AliãAndx n H /raSan kamAndxz Hen
TiNk v lUxiN /napOlWn on, bat kwFt H kontrXi. H lUxiN v
/napOlWn intM H depTs v H kantri woz not H rizalt v eni plAn,
f nO wan bilIvd it t bI posabal; it rizaltad from a mOst kompleä
intxplE v intrIã, Emz, n wiSaz amaN HOz hM tUk pRt in
H wP n hAd nO pxsepSan wotevx v H inevitabal, P v H wan
wE v sEviN /raSa. evriTiN kEm abQt fPtMitasli. H Rmiz
wx divFdad At H kamensmant v H kAmpEn. wI trFd t VnFt
Hem, wiH H evidant intenSan v giviN bAtal n cekiN H
enami'z advAns, n bF His efxt t VnFt Hem wFl avqdiN bAtal
wiH a mac stroNgx enami, n nesisXili wiHdrYiN H Rmiz At
an akVt ANgal—wI led H /frenc on t /smOlensk. bat wI wiHdrM At an
akVt ANgal not Onli bikoz H /frenc advAnst bitwIn Qx tM Rmiz;
H ANgal bikEm stil mP akVt n wI wiHdrM stil fRHx, bikoz
/bRklE de /toli woz an anpopVlx forinx dislFkt bF /bygrytiOn (hM
wUd kam andx hiz kamAnd), n /bygrytiOn—bIiN in kamAnd v H
sekand Rmi—trFd t pOstpOn JqniN ap n kamiN andx /bRklE'z
kamAnd Az loN Az hI kUd. /bygrytiOn woz slO in ifektiN H
JaNkSan—HO HAt woz H cIf Em v Yl At hedkwPtxz—bikoz,
Az hI aleJd, hI iäpOzd hiz Rmi t dEnJx on His mRc, n it woz
best f him t ritFx mP t H left n mP t H sQT, wariiN
H enami from flANk n rC n sikjUxiN from H /VkrEn rikrMts f
hiz Rmi; n it lUä Az if hI plAnd His in Pdx not t kam andx
H kamAnd v H ditestad forinx /bRklE, hMz rANk woz infCC
t hiz On.
<p>
H /empxx woz wiH H Rmi t inkariJ it, bat hiz prezans n
ignxans v wot steps t tEk, n H inPmas nambx v advFzxz n
plAnz, distrqd H fxst Rmi'z enxJi n it ritFxd.
<p>
H intenSan woz t mEk a stAnd At H /drisa kAmp, bat /pQlMci,
EmiN At bikamiN kamAndx in cIf, aniäpektadli implqd hiz enxJi
t inflMans /AliãAndx, n /pfVl'z hOl plAn woz abAndand n H
kamAnd intrastad t /bRklE. bat Az /bRklE did not inspFx konfidans
hiz pQx woz limitad. H Rmiz wx divFdad, HX woz nO Vniti v
kamAnd, n /bRklE woz anpopVlx; bat from His kanfVZan, diviZan,
n H anpopVlAriti v H forin kamAndx in cIf, HX rizaltad
on H wan hAnd indisiZan n H avqdans v a bAtal (wic wI kUd
not hAv rifrEnd from hAd H Rmiz bin VnFtad n hAd samwan els,
insted v /bRklE, bin in kamAnd) n on H aHx an evx-inkrIsiN
indignESan agenst H forinxz n an inkrIs in pEtriotik zIl.
<p>
At lAst H /empxx left H Rmi, n Az H mOst kanvInWnt n indId
H Onli prIteät f hiz dipRcx it woz disFdad HAt it woz nesisXi
f him t inspFx H pIpal in H kApitalz n xQz H nESan in
Jenxal t a pEtriotik wP. n bF His vizit v H /empxx t /moskQ
H streNT v H /raSan Rmi woz trebald.
<p>
hI left in Pdx not t abstrakt H kamAndx in cIf's andivFdad
kantrOl v H Rmi, n hOpiN HAt mP disFsiv AkSan wUd Hen
bI tEkan, bat H kamAnd v H Rmiz bikEm stil mP kanfVzd n
infIbald. benigsan, H /tsRevic, n a swPm v AJUtants Jenxal
rimEnd wiH H Rmi t kIp H kamAndx in cIf andx obzxvESan
n xQz hiz enxJi, n /bRklE, fIliN les frI HAn evx andx
H obzxvESan v Yl HIz “Fz v H /empxx,” bikEm stil mP
kYSas v andxtEkiN eni disFsiv AkSan n avqdad giviN bAtal.
<p>
bRklE stUd f kYSan. H /tsRevic hintad At trecxi n
dimAndad a Jenxal ingEJmant. lMbOmCski, /bronitski, /vwotski, n H
aHxz v HAt grMp stxd ap sO mac trabal HAt /bRklE, andx
prIteät v sendiN pEpxz t H /empxx, dispAct HIz /pOliS
AJUtants Jenxal t /pItxzbxg n planJd intM an Opan stragal wiH
/benigsan n H /tsRevic.
<p>
At /smOlensk H Rmiz At lAst rIVnFtad, mac Az /bygrytiOn dislFkt it.
<p>
/bygrytiOn drOv ap in a kAriJ t H hQs okVpFd bF /bRklE.
bRklE dond hiz sAS n kEm Qt t mIt n ripPt t hiz sInC
ofisx /bygrytiOn.
<p>
dispFt hiz sIniPiti in rANk /bygrytiOn, in His kontest v mAgnanimiti,
tUk hiz Pdxz from /bRklE, bat, hAviN sabmitad, agrId wiH him
les HAn evx. bF H /empxx'z Pdxz /bygrytiOn ripPtad direkt t
him. hI rOt t /RykcEef, H /empxx'z konfidynt: “it mast bI Az
mF sovran plIzaz, bat F kAnot wxk wiH H /ministx (mIniN
/bRklE). f /god'z sEk send mI samwX els if Onli in kamAnd v
a reJimant. F kAnot stAnd it hC. hedkwPtxz R sO fUl v /Jxmanz
HAt a /raSan kAnot iãist n HX iz nO sens in eniTiN. F TYt
F woz rWli sxviN mF sovran n H /fyHxlAnd, bat it txnz Qt
HAt F Am sxviN /bRklE. F kanfes F dM not wont t.”
<p>
H swPm v /bronitskis n /wintsiNxOdz n HX lFk stil fxHx
imbitxd H rilESanz bitwIn H kamAndxz in cIf, n Ivan
les Vniti rizaltad. prepxESanz wx mEd t fFt H /frenc bifP
/smOlensk. a Jenxal woz sent t sxvE H paziSan. His Jenxal,
hEtiN /bRklE, rOd t vizit a frend v hiz On, a kP kamAndx,
n, hAviN spent H dE wiH him, ritxnd t /bRklE n kandemd,
Az ansMtabal from evri pqnt v vV, H bAtalgrQnd hI hAd not
sIn.
<p>
wFl dispVts n intrIã wx gOiN on abQt H fVcx fIld v
bAtal, n wFl wI wx lUkiN f H /frenc—hAviN lost tac wiH
Hem—H /frenc stambald apon /nevxOvski'z diviZan n rIct H
wYlz v /smOlensk.
<p>
it woz nesisXi t fFt an aniäpektad bAtal At /smOlensk t sEv Qx
lFnz v kamVnikESan. H bAtal woz fYt n TQzandz wx kild
on bOT sFdz.
<p>
/smOlensk woz abAndand kontrXi t H wiSaz v H /empxx n v H
hOl pIpal. bat /smOlensk woz bxnd bF its On inhAbitants hM hAd
bin misled bF HX gavxnx. n HIz rMind inhAbitants, setiN
an iãAmpal t aHx /raSanz, went t /moskQ TiNkiN Onli v HX On
losaz bat kindaliN hEtrad v H fO. /napOlWn advAnst fRHx n wI
ritFxd, Has xFviN At H veri rizalt wic kYzd hiz distrakSan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
H dE Aftx hiz san hAd left, /prins /nikalas sent f /prinsas /mXi
t kam t hiz stadi.
<p>
“wel? R V sAtisfFd nQ?” sed hI. “V'v mEd mI kworal wiH mF
san! sAtisfFd, R V? HAt's Yl V wontad! sAtisfFd?... it hxts
mI, it hxts. F'm Old n wIk n His iz wot V wontad. wel Hen,
glOt Ovx it! glOt Ovx it!”
<p>
Aftx HAt /prinsas /mXi did not sI hx fyHx f a hOl wIk. hI woz
il n did not lIv hiz stadi.
<p>
prinsas /mXi nOtist t hx sxprFz HAt dxiN His ilnas H
Old prins not Onli iäklMdad hx from hiz rMm, bat did not admit
/mAdamwazel /bMrien FHx. /tiâOn alOn atendad him.
<p>
At H end v H wIk H prins rIapCd n rizMmd hiz fPmx wE
v lFf, divOtiN himself wiH speSal Aktiviti t bildiN opxESanz
n H xEnJmant v H gRdanz n kamplItli brEkiN of hiz
rilESanz wiH /mAdamwazel /bMrien. hiz lUä n kOld tOn t hiz
dYtx sImd t sE: “HX, V sI? V plotad agenst mI, V
lFd t /prins /AndrM abQt mF rilESanz wiH HAt /frencwUman n mEd
mI kworal wiH him, bat V sI F nId nFHx hx nP V!”
<p>
prinsas /mXi spent hAf v evri dE wiH lital /nikalas, wociN
hiz lesanz, tIciN him /raSan n mVzik hxself, n tYkiN t
/desyl; H rest v H dE SI spent Ovx hx bUä, wiH hx Old
nxs, P wiH “god'z fOk” hM samtFmz kEm bF H bAk dP t sI
hx.
<p>
v H wP /prinsas /mXi TYt Az wimin dM TiNk abQt wPz. SI
fCd f hx braHx hM woz in it, woz horifFd bF n amEzd At
H strEnJ krMalti HAt impelz men t kil wan anaHx, bat SI did not
andxstAnd H signifikans v His wP, wic sImd t hx lFk Yl
prIvWs wPz. SI did not rWlFz H signifikans v His wP, HO
/desyl wiH hMm SI konstantli kanvxst woz pASanatli intxastad
in its progres n trFd t iäplEn hiz On kansepSan v it t hx,
n HO H “god'z fOk” hM kEm t sI hx ripPtad, in HX On
wE, H rMmxz karant amaN H pIpal v an invEZan bF /AntikrFst,
n HO /JMli (nQ /prinsas /drMbetskFa), hM hAd rizMmd
korispondans wiH hx, rOt pEtriotik letxz from /moskQ.
<p>
“F rFt V in /raSan, mF gUd frend,” rOt /JMli in hx /frencifFd
/raSan, “bikoz F hAv a ditestESan f Yl H /frenc, n H
sEm f HX lANgwiJ wic F kAnot sapPt t hC spOkan.... wI in
/moskQ R ilEtad bF inTVziAzam f Qx adPd /empxx.
<p>
“mF pUx hazband iz indxiN pEnz n haNgx in /JMiS tAvxnz, bat H
nMz wic F hAv inspFxz mI jet mP.
<p>
“V hxd probabli v H hirOik eäplqt v /rFefski, imbrEsiN hiz tM
sanz n sEiN: 'F wil periS wiH Hem bat wI wil not bI SEkan!'
n trMli HO H enami woz twFs stroNgx HAn wI, wI wx
anSEkabal. wI pAs H tFm Az wI kAn, bat in wP Az in wP! H
prinsasaz /ylIna n /sOfi sit hOl dEz wiH mI, n wI, anhApi
widOz v lFv men, mEk bVtifal konvxsESanz Ovx Qx cRpi, Onli
V, mF frend, R misiN...” n sO on.
<p>
H cIf rIzan /prinsas /mXi did not rWlFz H fUl signifikans v
His wP woz HAt H Old prins nevx spOk v it, did not rekagnFz
it, n lAft At /desyl wen hI menSand it At dinx.
H prins'az tOn woz sO kym n konfidant HAt /prinsas /mXi
anhezitEtiNli bilIvd him.
<p>
Yl HAt JalF H Old prins woz iäIdiNli Aktiv n Ivan AnimEtad.
hI plAnd anaHx gRdan n bigAn a nM bildiN f H damestik
sxfs. H Onli TiN HAt mEd /prinsas /mXi ANkSas abQt him woz HAt
hI slept veri lital n, insted v slIpiN in hiz stadi Az VZMal,
cEnJd hiz slIpiN plEs evri dE. wan dE hI wUd Pdx hiz kAmp
bed t bI set ap in H glAs gAlxi, anaHx dE hI rimEnd on H
kQc P on H lQnJ cX in H drYiN rMm n dOzd HX wiHQt
andresiN, wFl—insted v /mAdamwazel /bMrien—a sxf bq red t
him. Hen agen hI wUd spend a nFt in H dFniN rMm.
<p>
on Ygast 1, a sekand letx woz risIvd from /prins /AndrM. in hiz
fxst letx wic kEm sMn Aftx hI hAd left hOm, /prins /AndrM hAd
dMtifali Askt hiz fyHx'z fxgivnas f wot hI hAd alQd himself
t sE n begd t bI ristPd t hiz fEvx. t His letx H Old
prins hAd riplFd afekSanatli, n from HAt tFm hAd kept H
/frencwUman At a distans. prins /AndrM'z sekand letx, ritan nC
/vitebsk Aftx H /frenc hAd okVpFd HAt tQn, gEv a brIf akQnt v
H hOl kAmpEn, inklOzd f Hem a plAn hI hAd drYn n fPkAsts
Az t H fxHx progres v H wP. in His letx /prins /AndrM
pqntad Qt t hiz fyHx H dEnJx v stEiN At /bYld /hilz, sO nC
H TWtx v wP n on H Rmi'z direkt lFn v mRc, n advFzd
him t mMv t /moskQ.
<p>
At dinx HAt dE, on /desyl' menSaniN HAt H /frenc wx sed
t hAv Ylredi entxd /vitebsk, H Old prins rimembxd hiz san'z
letx.
<p>
“HX woz a letx from /prins /AndrM tadE,” hI sed t /prinsas
/mXi—“hAvant V rId it?”
<p>
“nO, /fyHx,” SI riplFd in a frFtand vqs.
<p>
SI kUd not hAv red H letx Az SI did not Ivan nO it hAd
xFvd.
<p>
“hI rFts abQt His wP,” sed H prins, wiH H Fronik smFl HAt
hAd bikam habicMal t him in spIkiN v H prezant wP.
<p>
“HAt mast bI veri intxastiN,” sed /desyl. “prins /AndrM iz in a
paziSan t nO...”
<p>
“O, veri intxastiN!” sed /mAdamwazel /bMrien.
<p>
“gO n get it f mI,” sed H Old prins t /mAdamwazel /bMrien.
“V nO—andx H pEpxwEt on H lital tEbal.”
<p>
/mAdamwazel /bMrien Jampt ap Igxli.
<p>
“nO, dOnt!” hI iäklEmd wiH a frQn. “V gO, /mFkal /ivynOvic.”
<p>
/mFkal /ivynOvic rOz n went t H stadi. bat Az sMn Az hI hAd left
H rMm H Old prins, lUkiN anIzili rQnd, TrM dQn hiz nApkin
n went himself.
<p>
“HE kAnt dM eniTiN... YlwEz mEk sam madal,” hI matxd.
<p>
wFl hI woz awE /prinsas /mXi, /desyl, /mAdamwazel /bMrien, n
Ivan lital /nikalas iäcEnJd lUä in sFlans. H Old prins ritxnd
wiH kwik steps, akampanid bF /mFkal /ivynOvic, briNiN H letx
n a plAn. HIz hI pUt dQn bisFd him—not letiN eniwan rId Hem At
dinx.
<p>
on mMviN t H drYiN rMm hI hAndad H letx t /prinsas /mXi n,
sprediN Qt bifP him H plAn v H nM bildiN n fiäiN hiz
Fz apon it, tOld hx t rId H letx alQd. wen SI hAd dan sO
/prinsas /mXi lUkt inkwFxiNli At hx fyHx. hI woz iãAminiN H
plAn, evidentli ingrOst in hiz On FdWz.
<p>
“wot dM V TiNk v it, /prins?” /desyl vencxd t Ask.
<p>
“F? F?...” sed H prins Az if anplezantli awEkand, n not tEkiN
hiz Fz from H plAn v H bildiN.
<p>
“veri posabli H TWtx v wP wil mMv sO nC t as HAt...”
<p>
“hy hy hy! H TWtx v wP!” sed H prins. “F hAv sed n stil
sE HAt H TWtx v wP iz /pOland n H enami wil nevx get
bijond H /nImen.”
<p>
/desyl lUkt in amEzmant At H prins, hM woz tYkiN v H
/nImen wen H enami woz Ylredi At H /dnIpx, bat /prinsas /mXi,
fxgetiN H JWgrAfikal paziSan v H /nImen, TYt HAt wot
hx fyHx woz sEiN woz kxekt.
<p>
“wen H snO melts HE'l siNk in H /pOliS swomps. Onli HE
kUd fEl t sI it,” H prins kantinVd, evidentli TiNkiN v H
kAmpEn v 1807 wic sImd t him sO rIsant. “benigsan SUd hAv
advAnst intM /praSa sMnx, Hen TiNz wUd hAv tEkan a difxant
txn...”
<p>
“bat, /prins,” /desyl bigAn timidli, “H letx menSanz
/vitebsk....”
<p>
“y, H letx? jes...” riplFd H prins pIviSli. “jes... jes...”
hiz fEs sadanli tUk on a mxOs iäpreSan. hI pYzd. “jes, hI
rFts HAt H /frenc wx bItan At At wot rivx iz it?”
<p>
/desyl dropt hiz Fz.
<p>
“H prins sez naTiN abQt HAt,” hI rimRkt Jentli.
<p>
“dazant hI? bat F didant invent it mFself.”
<p>
nO wan spOk f a loN tFm.
<p>
“jes... jes... wel, /mFkal /ivynOvic,” hI sadanli went on, rEziN
hiz hed n pqntiN t H plAn v H bildiN, “tel mI hQ V mIn
t Yltx it....”
<p>
/mFkal /ivynOvic went ap t H plAn, n H prins Aftx spIkiN t
him abQt H bildiN lUkt ANgrili At /prinsas /mXi n /desyl n
went t hiz On rMm.
<p>
prinsas /mXi sY /desyl' imbArast n astoniSt lUk fiät on
hx fyHx, nOtist hiz sFlans, n woz strak bF H fAkt HAt hx
fyHx hAd fxgotan hiz san'z letx on H drYiN rMm tEbal; bat SI
woz not Onli afrEd t spIk v it n Ask /desyl H rIzan v hiz
kanfVZan n sFlans, bat woz afrEd Ivan t TiNk abQt it.
<p>
in H IvniN /mFkal /ivynOvic, sent bF H prins, kEm t /prinsas
/mXi f /prins /AndrM'z letx wic hAd bin fxgotan in H drYiN
rMm. SI gEv it t him n, anplezant Az it woz t hx t dM sO,
vencxd t Ask him wot hx fyHx woz dMiN.
<p>
“YlwEz bizi,” riplFd /mFkal /ivynOvic wiH a rispektfali Fronik
smFl wic kYzd /prinsas /mXi t txn pEl. “hI'z wariiN veri mac
abQt H nM bildiN. hI hAz bin rIdiN a lital, bat nQ”—/mFkal
/ivynOvic went on, lOxiN hiz vqs—“nQ hI'z At hiz desk, bizi wiH
hiz wil, F iäpekt.” (wan v H prins'az fEvxit okVpESanz v lEt
hAd bin H prepxESan v sam pEpxz hI ment t lIv At hiz deT
n wic hI kYld hiz “wil.”)
<p>
“n /ylpytic iz bIiN sent t /smOlensk?” Askt /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“O, jes, hI hAz bin wEtiN t stRt f sam tFm.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
wen /mFkal /ivynOvic ritxnd t H stadi wiH H letx, H Old
prins, wiH spektakalz on n a SEd Ovx hiz Fz, woz sitiN At hiz
Opan bjUxO wiH skrInd kAndalz, hOldiN a pEpx in hiz Qtstrect
hAnd, n in a samwot dramAtik AtitMd woz rIdiN hiz mAnVskript—hiz
“rimRä” Az hI txmd it—wic woz t bI trAnzmitad t H /empxx
Aftx hiz deT.
<p>
wen /mFkal /ivynOvic went in HX wx tCz in H prins'az Fz
ivOkt bF H memxi v H tFm wen H pEpx hI woz nQ rIdiN hAd
bin ritan. hI tUk H letx from /mFkal /ivynOvic'az hAnd, pUt it
in hiz pokat, fOldad ap hiz pEpxz, n kYld in /ylpytic hM hAd loN
bin wEtiN.
<p>
H prins hAd a list v TiNz t bI bYt in /smOlensk n, wYkiN
ap n dQn H rMm pAst /ylpytic hM stUd bF H dP, hI gEv hiz
instrakSanz.
<p>
“fxst, nOtpEpx—dM V hC? Et kwFxz, lFk His sAmpal,
gilt-eJd... it mast bI iãAktli lFk H sAmpal. vRniS, sIliN wAä,
Az in /mFkal /ivynOvic'az list.”
<p>
hI pEst ap n dQn f a wFl n glAnst At hiz nOts.
<p>
“Hen hAnd t H gavxnx in pxsan a letx abQt H dId.”
<p>
neät, bOlts f H dPz v H nM bildiN wx wontad n hAd t bI
v a speSal SEp H prins hAd himself dizFnd, n a leHx kEs
hAd t bI Pdxd t kIp H “wil” in.
<p>
H instrakSanz t /ylpytic tUk Ovx tM Qxz n stil H prins
did not let him gO. hI sAt dQn, sANk intM TYt, klOzd hiz Fz, n
dOzd of. /ylpytic mEd a slFt mMvmant.
<p>
“wel, gO, gO! if eniTiN mP iz wontad F'l send Aftx V.”
<p>
/ylpytic went Qt. H prins agen went t hiz bjUxO, glAnst intM it,
fiNgxd hiz pEpxz, klOzd H bjUxO agen, n sAt dQn At H tEbal
t rFt t H gavxnx.
<p>
it woz Ylredi lEt wen hI rOz Aftx sIliN H letx. hI wiSt
t slIp, bat hI nM hI wUd not bI Ebal t n HAt mOst dipresiN
TYts kEm t him in bed. sO hI kYld /tiâOn n went TrM H
rMmz wiH him t SO him wX t set ap H bed f HAt nFt.
<p>
hI went abQt lUkiN At evri kPnx. evri plEs sImd
ansAtisfAktxi, bat wxst v Yl woz hiz kastamXi kQc in H stadi.
HAt kQc woz dredfal t him, probabli bikoz v H apresiv
TYts hI hAd hAd wen lFiN HX. it woz ansAtisfAktxi evriwX,
bat H kPnx bihFnd H piAnO in H sitiN rMm woz betx HAn
aHx plEsaz: hI hAd nevx slept HX jet.
<p>
wiH H help v a fUtman /tiâOn brYt in H bedsted n bigAn
pUtiN it ap.
<p>
“HAt's not rFt! HAt's not rFt!” krFd H prins, n himself
pUSt it a fV incaz from H kPnx n Hen klOsx in agen.
<p>
“wel, At lAst F'v finiSt, nQ F'l rest,” TYt H prins, n
let /tiâOn andres him.
<p>
frQniN wiH veäESan At H efxt nesisXi t dFvest himself v hiz
kOt n trQzxz, H prins andrest, sAt dQn hevili on H
bed, n apCd t bI meditEtiN Az hI lUkt kantempcMasli At hiz
wiHxd jelO leã. hI woz not meditEtiN, bat Onli difxiN H
mOment v mEkiN H efxt t lift HOz leã ap n txn Ovx on H
bed. “ag, hQ hRd it iz! O, HAt His tql mFt end n V wUd
rilIs mI!” TYt hI. presiN hiz lips tageHx hI mEd HAt efxt
f H twenti-TQzandT tFm n lE dQn. bat hRdli hAd hI dan sO
bifP hI felt H bed rokiN bAkwxdz n fPwxdz binIT him Az if
it wx brIHiN hevili n JOltiN. His hApand t him YlmOst evri
nFt. hI Opand hiz Fz Az HE wx klOziN.
<p>
“nO pIs, dAm Hem!” hI matxd, ANgri hI nM not wiH hMm. “y
jes, HX woz samTiN els impPtant, veri impPtant, HAt F woz
kIpiN til F SUd bI in bed. H bOlts? nO, F tOld him abQt Hem.
nO, it woz samTiN, samTiN in H drYiN rMm. prinsas /mXi
tYkt sam nonsens. /desyl, HAt fMl, sed samTiN. samTiN in
mF pokat—kAnt rimembx....”
<p>
“/tiâOn, wot did wI tYk abQt At dinx?”
<p>
“abQt /prins /mFkal...”
<p>
“bI kwFat, kwFat!” H prins slApt hiz hAnd on H tEbal. “jes, F
nO, /prins /AndrM'z letx! prinsas /mXi red it. /desyl sed
samTiN abQt /vitebsk. nQ F'l rId it.”
<p>
hI hAd H letx tEkan from hiz pokat n H tEbal—on wic stUd a
glAs v lemanEd n a spFral wAä kAndal—mMvd klOs t H bed, n
pUtiN on hiz spektakalz hI bigAn rIdiN. Onli nQ in H stilnas v
H nFt, rIdiN it bF H fEnt lFt andx H grIn SEd, did hI
grAsp its mIniN f a mOment.
<p>
“H /frenc At /vitebsk, in fP dEz' mRc HE mE bI At /smOlensk;
pxhAps R Ylredi HX! /tiâOn!” /tiâOn Jampt ap. “nO, nO, F dOnt
wont eniTiN!” hI SQtad.
<p>
hI pUt H letx andx H kAndalstik n klOzd hiz Fz. n HX
rOz bifP him H /dAnVb At brFt nMndE: rIdz, H /raSan
kAmp, n himself a jaN Jenxal wiHQt a riNkal on hiz radi fEs,
vigxas n alxt, entxiN /pOtemkin'z gEli kalxd tent, n a
bxniN sens v Jelasi v “H fEvxit” AJitEtad him nQ Az stroNli
Az it hAd dan Hen. hI rikYld Yl H wxdz spOkan At HAt
fxst mItiN wiH /pOtemkin. n hI sY bifP him a plamp, rAHx
sAlO-fEst, SPt, stQt wUman, H /empres /maHx, wiH hx smFl
n hx wxdz At hx fxst grESas risepSan v him, n Hen HAt sEm
fEs on H kAtafAlk, n H inkQntx hI hAd wiH /zMbOf Ovx hx
kofin abQt hiz rFt t kis hx hAnd.
<p>
“O, kwikx, kwikx! t get bAk t HAt tFm n hAv dan wiH Yl
H prezant! kwikx, kwikx—n HAt HE SUd lIv mI in pIs!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
/bYld /hilz, /prins /nikalas /bOlkOnski'z istEt, lE fPti mFlz Ist
from /smOlensk n tM mFlz from H mEn rOd t /moskQ.
<p>
H sEm IvniN HAt H prins gEv hiz instrakSanz t /ylpytic,
/desyl, hAviN Askt t sI /prinsas /mXi, tOld hx HAt, Az H
prins woz not veri wel n woz tEkiN nO steps t sikjUx hiz sEfti,
HO from /prins /AndrM'z letx it woz evidant HAt t rimEn At /bYld
/hilz mFt bI dEnJxas, hI rispektfali advFzd hx t send a letx
bF /ylpytic t H /pravinSal /gavxnx At /smOlensk, AskiN him t let
hx nO H stEt v afXz n H iätent v H dEnJx t wic
/bYld /hilz woz iäpOzd. /desyl rOt His letx t H /gavxnx
f /prinsas /mXi, SI sFnd it, n it woz givan t /ylpytic wiH
instrakSanz t hAnd it t H /gavxnx n t kam bAk Az kwikli Az
posabal if HX woz dEnJx.
<p>
hAviN risIvd Yl hiz Pdxz /ylpytic, wXiN a wFt bIvx hAt—a
prezant from H prins—n kAriiN a stik Az H prins did, went Qt
akampanid bF hiz fAmli. TrI wel-fed rOnz stUd redi hRnast t
a smYl kanvEans wiH a leHx hUd.
<p>
H lRJx bel woz mafald n H lital belz on H hRnas staft
wiH pEpx. H prins alQd nO wan At /bYld /hilz t drFv wiH
riNiN belz; bat on a loN Jxni /ylpytic lFkt t hAv Hem. hiz
sAtalFts—H sInC klxk, a kQntiNhQs klxk, a skalxi mEd,
a kUk, tM Old wimin, a lital pEJbq, H kOcman, n vXWs
damestik sxfs—wx sIiN him of.
<p>
hiz dYtx plEst cints-kavxd dQn kUSanz f him t sit on n
bihFnd hiz bAk. hiz Old sistx-in-lY popt in a smYl bandal, n wan
v H kOcmen helpt him intM H vIikal.
<p>
“HX! HX! wimin'z fas! wimin, wimin!” sed /ylpytic, pafiN n
spIkiN rApidli Jast Az H prins did, n hI klFmd intM H trAp.
<p>
Aftx giviN H klxk Pdxz abQt H wxk t bI dan, /ylpytic, not
trFiN t imitEt H prins nQ, liftad H hAt from hiz bYld hed n
krost himself TrI tFmz.
<p>
“if HX iz eniTiN... kam bAk, /jykOf /ylpytic! f /krFst's sEk
TiNk v as!” krFd hiz wFf, rifxiN t H rMmxz v wP n H
enami.
<p>
“wimin, wimin! wimin'z fas!” matxd /ylpytic t himself n stRtad
on hiz Jxni, lUkiN rQnd At H fIldz v jelO rF n H
stil-grIn, Tikli grOiN Ots, n At aHx kwFt blAk fIldz Jast
bIiN plQd a sekand tFm.
<p>
Az hI went aloN hI lUkt wiH pleZx At H jC'z splendid krop
v kPn, skrMtinFzd H strips v rFfIld wic hC n HX wx
Ylredi bIiN rIpt, mEd hiz kAlkVlESanz Az t H sOiN n H
hRvist, n Askt himself weHx hI hAd not fxgotan eni v H
prins'az Pdxz.
<p>
hAviN bEtad H hPsaz twFs on H wE, hI xFvd At H tQn tPd
IvniN on H fPT v Ygast.
<p>
/ylpytic kept mItiN n OvxtEkiN bAgiJ trEnz n trMps on H
rOd. Az hI aprOct /smOlensk hI hxd H sQndz v distant fFxiN,
bat HIz did not impres him. wot strak him mOst woz H sFt v a
splendid fIld v Ots in wic a kAmp hAd bin pict n wic
woz bIiN mOn dQn bF H sOlJxz, evidentli f fodx. His fAkt
imprest /ylpytic, bat in TiNkiN abQt hiz On biznas hI sMn
fxgot it.
<p>
Yl H intxasts v hiz lFf f mP HAn Txti jCz hAd bin
bQndad bF H wil v H prins, n hI nevx went bijond HAt limit.
evriTiN not kanektad wiH H eäikVSan v H prins'az Pdxz did
not intxast n did not Ivan iãist f /ylpytic.
<p>
on rIciN /smOlensk on H IvniN v H fPT v Ygast hI pUt ap
in H /gycIna sabxb akros H /dnIpx, At H in kept bF /ferapOntOf,
wX hI hAd bin in H hAbit v pUtiN ap f H lAst Txti jCz.
sam Txti jCz agO /ferapOntOf, bF /ylpytic'az advFs, hAd bYt a
wUd from H prins, hAd bigan t trEd, n nQ hAd a hQs, an
in, n a kPn dIlx'z Sop in HAt provins. hI woz a stQt, dRk,
red-fEst pezant in H fPtiz, wiH Tik lips, a brYd nob v a
nOz, similx nobz Ovx hiz blAk frQniN brQz, n a rQnd beli.
<p>
wXiN a wEstkOt Ovx hiz kotan Sxt, /ferapOntOf woz stAndiN
bifP hiz Sop wic Opand ontM H strIt. on sIiN /ylpytic hI went
ap t him.
<p>
“V'x welkam, /jykOf /ylpytic. fOä R lIviN H tQn, bat V
hAv kam t it,” sed hI.
<p>
“wF R HE lIviN H tQn?” Askt /ylpytic.
<p>
“HAt's wot F sE. fOä R fMliS! YlwEz afrEd v H /frenc.”
<p>
“wimin'z fas, wimin'z fas!” sed /ylpytic.
<p>
“Jast wot F TiNk, /jykOf /ylpytic. wot F sE iz: Pdxz hAv bin
givan not t let Hem in, sO HAt mast bI rFt. n H pezants R
AskiN TrI rMbalz f kRtiN—it izant /kriscan!”
<p>
/jykOf /ylpytic hxd wiHQt hIdiN. hI Askt f a sAmavR n f hE
f hiz hPsaz, n wen hI hAd hAd hiz tI hI went t bed.
<p>
Yl nFt loN trMps wx mMviN pAst H in. neät mPniN /ylpytic
dond a JAkat hI wP Onli in tQn n went Qt on biznas. it woz a
sani mPniN n bF Et O'klok it woz Ylredi hot. “a gUd dE f
hRvistiN,” TYt /ylpytic.
<p>
from bijond H tQn fFxiN hAd bin hxd sins xli mPniN. At Et
O'klok H bMmiN v kAnan woz Adad t H sQnd v maskatri. meni
pIpal wx hariiN TrM H strIts n HX wx meni sOlJxz,
bat kAbz wx stil drFviN abQt, trEdzmen stUd At HX Sops, n
sxvis woz bIiN held in H cxcaz Az VZMal. /ylpytic went t H
Sops, t gavxnmant ofisaz, t H pOst ofis, n t H /gavxnx'z.
in H ofisaz n Sops n At H pOst ofis evriwan woz tYkiN
abQt H Rmi n abQt H enami hM woz Ylredi atAkiN H tQn,
evribodi woz AskiN wot SUd bI dan, n Yl wx trFiN t kym
wan anaHx.
<p>
in frant v H /gavxnx'z hQs /ylpytic fQnd a lRJ nambx v
pIpal, /kosAä, n a trAvaliN kAriJ v H /gavxnx'z. At H
pPc hI met tM v H lAndad Jentri, wan v hMm hI nM. His mAn, an
eä-kAptin v palIs, woz sEiN ANgrili:
<p>
“it's nO JOk, V nO! it's Yl veri wel if V'x siNgal. 'wan mAn
HO andan iz bat wan,' Az H provxb sez, bat wiH TxtIn in
jP fAmli n Yl H propxti... HE'v brYt as t atx rMin!
wot sPt v gavxnxz R HE t dM HAt? HE Yt t bI hANd—H
brigandz!...”
<p>
“O kam, HAt's inaf!” sed H aHx.
<p>
“wot dM F kX? let him hC! wI'x not doã,” sed H eä-kAptin v
palIs, n lUkiN rQnd hI nOtist /ylpytic.
<p>
“O, /jykOf /ylpytic! wot hAv V kam f?”
<p>
“t sI H /gavxnx bF hiz eäalansi'z Pdx,” Ansxd /ylpytic,
liftiN hiz hed n prQdli TrastiN hiz hAnd intM H bUzam v hiz
kOt Az hI YlwEz did wen hI menSand H prins.... “hI hAz Pdxd
mI t inkwFx intM H paziSan v afXz,” hI Adad.
<p>
“jes, gO n fFnd Qt!” SQtad H ANgri Jentalman. “HE'v brYt
TiNz t sac a pAs HAt HX R nO kRts P eniTiN!... HX it
iz agen, dM V hC?” sed hI, pqntiN in H direkSan wens kEm
H sQndz v fFxiN.
<p>
“HE'v brYt as Yl t rMin... H brigandz!” hI ripItad, n
disendad H pPc steps.
<p>
/ylpytic swEd hiz hed n went apstXz. in H wEtiN rMm wx
trEdzmen, wimin, n afiSalz, lUkiN sFlantli At wan anaHx. H
dP v H /gavxnx'z rMm Opand n HE Yl rOz n mMvd fPwxd.
an afiSal rAn Qt, sed sam wxdz t a mxcant, kYld a stQt
afiSal wiH a kros hANiN on hiz nek t folO him, n vAniSt
agen, evidentli wiSiN t avqd H inkwFxiN lUä n kwescanz
adrest t him. /ylpytic mMvd fPwxd n neät tFm H afiSal kEm
Qt adrest him, wan hAnd plEst in H brest v hiz batand kOt,
n hAndad him tM letxz.
<p>
“t hiz /onx /bAran /yS, from /Jenxal-in-/cIf /prins /bOlkOnski,” hI
anQnst wiH sac salemniti n signifikans HAt H afiSal txnd
t him n tUk H letxz.
<p>
a fV minits lEtx H /gavxnx risIvd /ylpytic n haridli sed t
him:
<p>
“infPm H prins n prinsas HAt F nM naTiN: F Aktad on H
hFast instrakSanz—hC...” n hI hAndad a pEpx t /ylpytic. “stil,
Az H prins iz anwel mF advFs iz HAt HE SUd gO t /moskQ. F Am
Jast stRtiN mFself. infPm Hem...”
<p>
bat H /gavxnx did not finiS: a dasti pxspFxiN ofisx rAn intM H
rMm n bigAn t sE samTiN in /frenc. H /gavxnx'z fEs iäprest
terx.
<p>
“gO,” hI sed, nodiN hiz hed t /ylpytic, n bigAn kwescaniN H
ofisx.
<p>
Igx, frFtand, helplas glAnsaz wx txnd on /ylpytic wen hI kEm
Qt v H /gavxnx'z rMm. involantXili lisaniN nQ t H fFxiN,
wic hAd drYn nCx n woz inkrIsiN in streNT, /ylpytic harid
t hiz in. H pEpx hAndad t him bF H /gavxnx sed His:
<p>
“F aSUx V HAt H tQn v /smOlensk iz not in H slFtast dEnJx
Az jet n it iz anlFkli HAt it wil bI Tretand wiH eni. F from
H wan sFd n /prins /bygrytiOn from H aHx R mRciN t VnFt
Qx fPsaz bifP /smOlensk, wic JaNkSan wil bI ifektad on H
22d instant, n bOT Rmiz wiH HX VnFtad fPsaz wil difend Qx
kompEtrWts v H provins intrastad t jP kX til Qx efxts
SAl hAv bItan bAk H enamiz v Qx /fyHxlAnd, P til H lAst
wPC in Qx vAlWnt rANä hAz periSt. from His V wil sI HAt
V hAv a pxfikt rFt t rIaSUx H inhAbitants v /smOlensk, f
HOz difendad bF tM sac brEv Rmiz mE fIl aSUxd v viktxi.”
(instrakSanz from /bRklE de /toli t /bAran /yS, H sivil gavxnx v
/smOlensk, 1812.)
<p>
pIpal wx ANkSasli rOmiN abQt H strIts.
<p>
kRts pFld hF wiH hQshOld Vtensalz, cXz, n kabxdz kept
imxJiN from H gEts v H jRdz n mMviN aloN H strIts.
lOdad kRts stUd At H hQs neät t /ferapOntOf's n wimin wx
wEliN n lAmentiN Az HE sed gUd-bF. a smYl wocdog rAn rQnd
bRkiN in frant v H hRnast hPsaz.
<p>
/ylpytic entxd H injRd At a kwikx pEs HAn VZMal n went
strEt t H Sed wX hiz hPsaz n trAp wx. H kOcman woz
aslIp. hI wOk him ap, tOld him t hRnas, n went intM H pAsiJ.
from H hOst's rMm kEm H sQndz v a cFld krFiN, H dispXiN
sobz v a wUman, n H hPs ANgri SQtiN v /ferapOntOf. H kUk
bigAn raniN hiHx n HiHx in H pAsiJ lFk a frFtand hen,
Jast Az /ylpytic entxd.
<p>
“hI'z dan hx t deT. kild H mistras!... bIt hx... drAgd hx
abQt sO!...”
<p>
“wot f?” Askt /ylpytic.
<p>
“SI kept begiN t gO awE. SI'z a wUman! 'tEk mI awE,' sez SI,
'dOnt let mI periS wiH mF lital cildran! fOä,' SI sez, 'R Yl
gon, sO wF,' SI sez, 'dOnt wI gO?' n hI bigAn bItiN n pUliN
hx abQt sO!”
<p>
At HIz wxdz /ylpytic nodad Az if in aprMval, n not wiSiN t
hC mP went t H dP v H rMm opazit H inkIpx'z, wX
hI hAd left hiz pxcasaz.
<p>
“V brMt, V mxdxx!” skrImd a Tin, pEl wUman hM, wiH a bEbi
in hx Rmz n hx kxcif tPn from hx hed, bxst TrM H dP
At HAt mOment n dQn H steps intM H jRd.
<p>
/ferapOntOf kEm Qt Aftx hx, bat on sIiN /ylpytic aJastad hiz
wEstkOt, smMHd hiz hX, jYnd, n folOd /ylpytic intM H
opazit rMm.
<p>
“gOiN Ylredi?” sed hI.
<p>
/ylpytic, wiHQt AnsxiN P lUkiN At hiz hOst, sPtad hiz pAkiJaz
n Askt hQ mac hI Od.
<p>
“wI'l rekan ap! wel, hAv V bin t H /gavxnx'z?” Askt
/ferapOntOf. “wot hAz bin disFdad?”
<p>
/ylpytic riplFd HAt H /gavxnx hAd not tOld him eniTiN definit.
<p>
“wiH Qx biznas, hQ kAn wI get awE?” sed /ferapOntOf. “wI'd hAf
t pE sevan rMbalz a kRtlOd t /dPOgObMZ n F tel Hem HE'x
not /kriscanz t Ask it! /selivynOf, nQ, did a gUd strOk lAst
TxzdE—sOld flQx t H Rmi At nFn rMbalz a sAk. wil V hAv
sam tI?” hI Adad.
<p>
wFl H hPsaz wx bIiN hRnast /ylpytic n /ferapOntOf Ovx HX
tI tYkt v H prFs v kPn, H krops, n H gUd weHx f
hRvistiN.
<p>
“wel, it sImz t bI getiN kwFatx,” rimRkt /ferapOntOf, finiSiN
hiz Txd kap v tI n getiN ap. “Qxz mast hAv got H best v it.
H Pdxz wx not t let Hem in. sO wI'x in fPs, it sImz....
HE sE H aHx dE /mATV /ivynic /plytOf drOv Hem intM H rivx
/mxIna n drQnd sam EtIn TQzand in wan dE.”
<p>
/ylpytic kalektad hiz pRsalz, hAndad Hem t H kOcman hM hAd kam
in, n setald ap wiH H inkIpx. H nqz v wIlz, hUfs, n
belz woz hxd from H gEtwE Az a lital trAp pAst Qt.
<p>
it woz bF nQ lEt in H AftxnMn. hAf H strIt woz in SAdO, H
aHx hAf brFtli lit bF H san. /ylpytic lUkt Qt v H windO
n went t H dP. sadanli H strEnJ sQnd v a fR-of wisaliN
n Tad woz hxd, folOd bF a bMm v kAnan blendiN intM a dal
rP HAt set H windOz rAtaliN.
<p>
hI went Qt intM H strIt: tM men wx raniN pAst tPd H
briJ. from difxant sFdz kEm wisaliN sQndz n H Tad v
kAnan bYlz n bxstiN Selz fYliN on H tQn. bat HIz sQndz
wx hRdli hxd in kampArisan wiH H nqz v H fFxiN QtsFd H
tQn n atrAktad lital atenSan from H inhAbitants. H tQn woz
bIiN bombRdad bF a handrad n Txti ganz wic /napOlWn hAd Pdxd
ap Aftx fP O'klok. H pIpal did not At wans rWlFz H mIniN v
His bombRdmant.
<p>
At fxst H nqz v H fYliN bomz n Selz Onli xQzd
kjUxiositi. /ferapOntOf's wFf, hM til Hen hAd not sIst wEliN andx
H Sed, bikEm kwFat n wiH H bEbi in hx Rmz went t H gEt,
lisaniN t H sQndz n lUkiN in sFlans At H pIpal.
<p>
H kUk n a Sop asistant kEm t H gEt. wiH lFvli kjUxiositi
evriwan trFd t get a glimps v H praJektFlz Az HE flM Ovx
HX hedz. sevxal pIpal kEm rQnd H kPnx tYkiN Igxli.
<p>
“wot fPs!” rimRkt wan. “nokt H rMf n sIliN Yl t
splintxz!”
<p>
“rQtad ap H xT lFk a pig,” sed anaHx.
<p>
“HAt's grAnd, it baä wan ap!” lAft H fxst. “laki V Jampt
asFd, P it wUd hAv wFpt V Qt!”
<p>
aHxz Jqnd HOz men n stopt n tOld hQ kAnan bYlz hAd fYlan
on a hQs klOs t Hem. mInwFl stil mP praJektFlz, nQ wiH
H swift sinistx wisal v a kAnan bYl, nQ wiH H agrIabal
intxmitant wisal v a Sel, flM Ovx pIpal'z hedz insesantli,
bat not wan fel klOs bF, HE Yl flM Ovx. /ylpytic woz getiN intM
hiz trAp. H inkIpx stUd At H gEt.
<p>
“wot R V stXiN At?” hI SQtad t H kUk, hM in hx red skxt,
wiH slIvz rOld ap, swiNiN hx bX elbOz, hAd stept t H
kPnx t lisan t wot woz bIiN sed.
<p>
“wot mRvalz!” SI iäklEmd, bat hCiN hx mAstx'z vqs SI txnd
bAk, pUliN dQn hx takt-ap skxt.
<p>
wans mP samTiN wisald, bat His tFm kwFt klOs, swMpiN
dQnwxdz lFk a lital bxd; a flEm flASt in H midal v H
strIt, samTiN iäplOdad, n H strIt woz SrQdad in smOk.
<p>
“skQndral, wot R V dMiN?” SQtad H inkIpx, raSiN t H
kUk.
<p>
At HAt mOment H pitifal wEliN v wimin woz hxd from difxant
sFdz, H frFtand bEbi bigAn t krF, n pIpal krQdad sFlantli
wiH pEl fEsaz rQnd H kUk. H lQdast sQnd in HAt krQd woz hx
wEliN.
<p>
“O-h-h! dC sOlz, dC kFnd sOlz! dOnt let mI dF! mF gUd
sOlz!...”
<p>
fFv minits lEtx nO wan rimEnd in H strIt. H kUk, wiH hx
TF brOkan bF a Sel splintx, hAd bin kArid intM H kicin.
/ylpytic, hiz kOcman, /ferapOntOf's wFf n cildran n H hQs
pPtx wx Yl sitiN in H selx, lisaniN. H rP v ganz, H
wisaliN v praJektFlz, n H pitWs mOniN v H kUk, wic
rOz abav H aHx sQndz, did not sIs f a mOment. H mistras
rokt n haSt hx bEbi n wen eniwan kEm intM H selx Askt
in a paTetik wispx wot hAd bikam v hx hazband hM hAd rimEnd
in H strIt. a Sopman hM entxd tOld hx HAt hx hazband hAd
gon wiH aHxz t H kaTIdral, wens HE wx feciN H
wandx-wxkiN Fkon v /smOlensk.
<p>
tPd dask H kAnanEd bigAn t sabsFd. /ylpytic left H selx
n stopt in H dPwE. H IvniN skF HAt hAd bin sO klC woz
klQdad wiH smOk, TrM wic, hF ap, H sikal v H nM mMn
SOn strEnJli. nQ HAt H teribal din v H ganz hAd sIst a haS
sImd t rEn Ovx H tQn, brOkan Onli bF H rasal v fUtsteps,
H mOniN, H distant krFz, n H krAkal v fFxz wic sImd
wFdspred evriwX. H kUk's mOnz hAd nQ sabsFdad. on tM sFdz
blAk kxliN klQdz v smOk rOz n spred from H fFxz. TrM
H strIts sOlJxz in vXWs VnifPmz wYkt P rAn kanfVzadli in
difxant direkSanz lFk Ants from a rMind Ant-hil. sevxal v Hem
rAn intM /ferapOntOf's jRd bifP /ylpytic'az Fz. /ylpytic went Qt
t H gEt. a ritrItiN reJimant, TroNiN n hariiN, blokt H
strIt.
<p>
nOtisiN him, an ofisx sed: “H tQn iz bIiN abAndand. get awE,
get awE!” n Hen, txniN t H sOlJxz, SQtad:
<p>
“F'l tIc V t ran intM H jRdz!”
<p>
/ylpytic went bAk t H hQs, kYld H kOcman, n tOld him t
set of. /ferapOntOf's hOl hQshOld kEm Qt tM, folOiN /ylpytic
n H kOcman. H wimin, hM hAd bin sFlant til Hen, sadanli
bigAn t wEl Az HE lUkt At H fFxz—H smOk n Ivan H flEmz
v wic kUd bI sIn in H fEliN twFlFt—n Az if in riplF H
sEm kFnd v lAmentESan woz hxd from aHx pRts v H strIt.
insFd H Sed /ylpytic n H kOcman xEnJd H tANgald rEnz n
trEsaz v HX hPsaz wiH trembaliN hAndz.
<p>
Az /ylpytic woz drFviN Qt v H gEt hI sY sam ten sOlJxz in
/ferapOntOf's Opan Sop, tYkiN lQdli n filiN HX bAã n
nApsAä wiH flQx n sanflQx sIdz. Jast Hen /ferapOntOf ritxnd
n entxd hiz Sop. on sIiN H sOlJxz hI woz abQt t SQt At
Hem, bat sadanli stopt n, klaciN At hiz hX, bxst intM sobz
n lAftx:
<p>
“lMt evriTiN, lAdz! dOnt let HOz devalz get it!” hI krFd, tEkiN
sam bAã v flQx himself n TrOiN Hem intM H strIt.
<p>
sam v H sOlJxz wx frFtand n rAn awE, aHxz went on
filiN HX bAã. on sIiN /ylpytic, /ferapOntOf txnd t him:
<p>
“/raSa iz dan f!” hI krFd. “/ylpytic, F'l set H plEs on fFx
mFself. wI'x dan f!...” n /ferapOntOf rAn intM H jRd.
<p>
sOlJxz wx pAsiN in a konstant strIm aloN H strIt blokiN
it kamplItli, sO HAt /ylpytic kUd not pAs Qt n hAd t wEt.
/ferapOntOf's wFf n cildran wx YlsO sitiN in a kRt wEtiN til
it woz posabal t drFv Qt.
<p>
nFt hAd kam. HX wx stRz in H skF n H nM mMn SOn Qt
amid H smOk HAt skrInd it. on H slOpiN disent t H /dnIpx
/ylpytic'az kRt n HAt v H inkIpx'z wFf, wic wx slOli
mMviN amid H rOz v sOlJxz n v aHx vIikalz, hAd t stop.
in a sFd strIt nC H krosrOdz wX H vIikalz hAd stopt, a
hQs n sam Sops wx on fFx. His fFx woz Ylredi bxniN itself
Qt. H flEmz nQ dFd dQn n wx lost in H blAk smOk, nQ
sadanli flXd ap agen brFtli, lFtiN ap wiH strEnJ distiNktnas
H fEsaz v H pIpal krQdiN At H krosrOdz. blAk figjxz
flitad abQt bifP H fFx, n TrM H insesant krAkaliN v
H flEmz tYkiN n SQtiN kUd bI hxd. sIiN HAt hiz trAp
wUd not bI Ebal t mMv on f sam tFm, /ylpytic got dQn n txnd
intM H sFd strIt t lUk At H fFx. sOlJxz wx kantinVali
raSiN bAkwxdz n fPwxdz nC it, n hI sY tM v Hem n a
mAn in a frIz kOt drAgiN bxniN bImz intM anaHx jRd akros H
strIt, wFl aHxz kArid bandalz v hE.
<p>
/ylpytic went ap t a lRJ krQd stAndiN bifP a hF bRn wic woz
blEziN briskli. H wYlz wx Yl on fFx n H bAk wYl hAd fYlan
in, H wUdan rMf woz kalApsiN, n H rAftxz wx alFt. H
krQd woz evidentli wociN f H rMf t fYl in, n /ylpytic
woct f it tM.
<p>
“/ylpytic!” a familC vqs sadanli hEld H Old mAn.
<p>
“mxsi on as! jP eäalansi!” Ansxd /ylpytic, imIdWtli
rekagnFziN H vqs v hiz jaN prins.
<p>
prins /AndrM in hiz rFdiN klOk, mQntad on a blAk hPs, woz lUkiN
At /ylpytic from H bAk v H krQd.
<p>
“wF R V hC?” hI Askt.
<p>
“jP... jP eäalansi,” stAmxd /ylpytic n brOk intM sobz. “R
wI rWli lost? mAstx!...”
<p>
“wF R V hC?” prins /AndrM ripItad.
<p>
At HAt mOment H flEmz flXd ap n SOd hiz jaN mAstx'z pEl
wPn fEs. /ylpytic tOld hQ hI hAd bin sent HX n hQ difikalt it
woz t get awE.
<p>
“R wI rWli kwFt lost, jP eäalansi?” hI Askt agen.
<p>
prins /AndrM wiHQt riplFiN tUk Qt a nOtbUk n rEziN hiz nI
bigAn rFtiN in pensil on a pEJ hI tP Qt. hI rOt t hiz sistx:
<p>
“/smOlensk iz bIiN abAndand. bYld /hilz wil bI okVpFd bF H enami
wiHin a wIk. set of imIdWtli f /moskQ. let mI nO At wans wen
V wil stRt. send bF speSal mesinJx t /MsvjyZ.”
<p>
hAviN ritan His n givan H pEpx t /ylpytic, hI tOld him hQ
t xEnJ f dipRcx v H prins, H prinsas, hiz san, n H
bq'z tMtx, n hQ n wX t let him nO imIdWtli. bifP
hI hAd hAd tFm t finiS giviN HIz instrakSanz, a cIf v stAf
folOd bF a swIt gAlapt ap t him.
<p>
“V R a kxnal?” SQtad H cIf v stAf wiH a /Jxman Aäent,
in a vqs familC t /prins /AndrM. “hQzaz R set on fFx in jP
prezans n V stAnd bF! wot daz His mIn? V wil Ansx f
it!” SQtad /bxg, hM woz nQ asistant t H cIf v stAf v H
kamAndx v H left flANk v H infantri v H fxst Rmi, a plEs,
Az /bxg sed, “veri agrIabal n wel en evidans.”
<p>
prins /AndrM lUkt At him n wiHQt riplFiN went on spIkiN t
/ylpytic.
<p>
“sO tel Hem HAt F SAl awEt a riplF til H tenT, n if bF H
tenT F dOnt risIv nMz HAt HE hAv Yl got awE F SAl hAf t
TrO ap evriTiN n kam mFself t /bYld /hilz.”
<p>
“prins,” sed /bxg, rekagnFziN /prins /AndrM, “F Onli spOk bikoz
F hAf t ObE Pdxz, bikoz F YlwEz dM ObE iãAktli.... V mast
plIz iäkVz mI,” hI went on apolaJetikli.
<p>
samTiN krAkt in H flEmz. H fFx dFd dQn f a mOment n
rIHz v blAk smOk rOld from andx H rMf. HX woz anaHx
teribal krAS n samTiN hVJ kalApst.
<p>
“Ou-rOM-rOM!” jeld H krQd, ekOiN H krAS v H kalApsiN rMf
v H bRn, H bxniN grEn in wic difVzd a kEklFk xOma Yl
xQnd. H flEmz flXd ap agen, lFtiN H AnimEtad, dilFtad,
iãYstad fEsaz v H spektEtxz.
<p>
H mAn in H frIz kOt rEzd hiz Rmz n SQtad:
<p>
“it's fFn, lAdz! nQ it's rEJiN... it's fFn!”
<p>
“HAt's H Onx himself,” krFd sevxal vqsaz.
<p>
“wel Hen,” kantinVd /prins /AndrM t /ylpytic, “ripPt t Hem Az F
hAv tOld V”; n not riplFiN a wxd t /bxg hM woz nQ mVt bisFd
him, hI tact hiz hPs n rOd dQn H sFd strIt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
from /smOlensk H trMps kantinVd t ritrIt, folOd bF H enami.
on H tenT v Ygast H reJimant /prins /AndrM kamAndad woz mRciN
aloN H hFrOd pAst H AvanM lIdiN t /bYld /hilz. hIt n
drQt hAd kantinVd f mP HAn TrI wIä. Ic dE flIsi klQdz
flOtad akros H skF n akEZanali vEld H san, bat tPd
IvniN H skF klCd agen n H san set in rediS-brQn mist.
hevi nFt dMz alOn rifreSt H xT. H anrIpt kPn woz
skPct n Sed its grEn. H mRSaz drFd ap. H kAtal lOd from
haNgx, fFndiN nO fMd on H san-pRct medOz. Onli At nFt n
in H fPists wFl H dM lAstad woz HX eni freSnas. bat on H
rOd, H hFrOd aloN wic H trMps mRct, HX woz nO sac
freSnas Ivan At nFt P wen H rOd pAst TrM H fPist; H
dM woz impxseptabal on H sAndi dast cxnd ap mP HAn siä incaz
dIp. Az sMn Az dE dYnd H mRc bigAn. H Rtilxi n bAgiJ
wAganz mMvd nqzlasli TrM H dIp dast HAt rOz t H veri
habz v H wIlz, n H infantri sANk ANkal-dIp in HAt soft,
cOkiN, hot dast HAt nevx kMld Ivan At nFt. sam v His dast
woz nIdad bF H fIt n wIlz, wFl H rest rOz n haN lFk a
klQd Ovx H trMps, setaliN in Fz, Cz, hX, n nostralz, n
wxst v Yl in H laNz v H men n bIsts Az HE mMvd aloN HAt
rOd. H hFx H san rOz H hFx rOz HAt klQd v dast, n
TrM H skrIn v its hot fFn pRtikalz wan kUd lUk wiH nEkad
F At H san, wic SOd lFk a hVJ krimzan bYl in H anklQdad
skF. HX woz nO wind, n H men cOkt in HAt mOSanlas
AtmasfC. HE mRct wiH hANkxcifs tFd Ovx HX nOzaz n
mQHz. wen HE pAst TrM a viliJ HE Yl raSt t H welz
n fYt f H wYtx n drANk it dQn t H mad.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz in kamAnd v a reJimant, n H mAniJmant v HAt
reJimant, H welfX v H men n H nisesiti v risIviN
n giviN Pdxz, ingrOst him. H bxniN v /smOlensk n its
abAndanmant mEd an epak in hiz lFf. a noval fIliN v ANgx agenst
H fO mEd him fxget hiz On sorO. hI woz intFxli divOtad t H
afXz v hiz reJimant n woz kansidxat n kFnd t hiz men n
ofisxz. in H reJimant HE kYld him “Qx prins,” wx prQd
v him n lavd him. bat hI woz kFnd n Jental Onli t HOz v hiz
reJimant, t /timOâin n H lFk—pIpal kwFt nM t him, biloNiN
t a difxant wxld n hM kUd not nO n andxstAnd hiz pAst. Az
sMn Az hI kEm akros a fPmx akwEntans P eniwan from H
stAf, hI brisald ap imIdWtli n grM spFtfal, Fronikal, n
kantempcMas. evriTiN HAt rimFndad him v hiz pAst woz ripagnant t
him, n sO in hiz rilESanz wiH HAt fPmx sxkal hI kanfFnd himself
t trFiN t dM hiz dMti n not t bI anfX.
<p>
in trMT evriTiN prizentad itself in a dRk n glMmi lFt t
/prins /AndrM, ispeSali Aftx H abAndanmant v /smOlensk on H siäT
v Ygast (hI kansidxd HAt it kUd n SUd hAv bin difendad)
n Aftx hiz sik fyHx hAd hAd t flI t /moskQ, abAndaniN t
piliJ hiz dCli bilavad /bYld /hilz wic hI hAd bilt n pIpald.
bat dispFt His, TANä t hiz reJimant, /prins /AndrM hAd samTiN t
TiNk abQt intFxli apRt from Jenxal kwescanz. tM dEz prIvWsli
hI hAd risIvd nMz HAt hiz fyHx, san, n sistx hAd left f
/moskQ; n HO HX woz naTiN f him t dM At /bYld /hilz, /prins
/AndrM wiH a kAraktxistik dizFx t fOment hiz On grIf disFdad HAt
hI mast rFd HX.
<p>
hI Pdxd hiz hPs t bI sAdald n, lIviN hiz reJimant on H
mRc, rOd t hiz fyHx'z istEt wX hI hAd bin bPn n spent hiz
cFldhUd. rFdiN pAst H pond wX HX Vzd YlwEz t bI dazanz
v wimin cAtxiN Az HE rinst HX linin P bIt it wiH wUdan
bItalz, /prins /AndrM nOtist HAt HX woz not a sOl abQt n HAt
H lital woSiN wPf, tPn from its plEs n hAf sabmxJd, woz
flOtiN on its sFd in H midal v H pond. hI rOd t H kIpx'z
loJ. nO wan woz At H stOn entrans gEts v H drFv n H dP
stUd Opan. grAs hAd Ylredi bigan t grO on H gRdan pAHz, n
hPsaz n kAvz wx strEiN in H /iNgliS pRk. prins /AndrM rOd
ap t H hothQs; sam v H glAs pEnz wx brOkan, n v H
trIz in tabz sam wx Ovxtxnd n aHxz drFd ap. hI kYld f
/tRaz H gRdanx, bat nO wan riplFd. hAviN gon rQnd H kPnx
v H hothQs t H Pnamental gRdan, hI sY HAt H kRvd gRdan
fens woz brOkan n brAncaz v H plam trIz hAd bin tPn of wiH
H frMt. an Old pezant hMm /prins /AndrM in hiz cFldhUd hAd oftan
sIn At H gEt woz sitiN on a grIn gRdan sIt, plEtiN a /bAst
SM.
<p>
hI woz def n did not hC /prins /AndrM rFd ap. hI woz sitiN on
H sIt H Old prins Vst t lFk t sit on, n bisFd him strips v
/bAst wx hANiN on H brOkan n wiHxd brAnc v a mAgnOlW.
<p>
prins /AndrM rOd ap t H hQs. sevxal lFmz in H Old gRdan hAd
bin kat dQn n a pFbYld mX n hx fOl wx wondxiN in frant v
H hQs amaN H rOzbUSaz. H Satxz wx Yl klOzd, iäept At
wan windO wic woz Opan. a lital sxf bq, sIiN /prins /AndrM, rAn
intM H hQs. /ylpytic, hAviN sent hiz fAmli awE, woz alOn At
/bYld /hilz n woz sitiN indPz rIdiN H /lFvz v H /sEnts. on
hCiN HAt /prins /AndrM hAd kam, hI went Qt wiH hiz spektakalz on
hiz nOz, bataniN hiz kOt, n, hEstili stepiN ap, wiHQt a wxd
bigAn wIpiN n kisiN /prins /AndrM'z nI.
<p>
Hen, veät At hiz On wIknas, hI txnd awE n bigAn t ripPt
on H paziSan v afXz. evriTiN preSas n vAlVabal hAd bin
rimMvd t /bOgMcROvO. sevanti kwPtxz v grEn hAd YlsO bin kRtad
awE. H hE n H spriN kPn, v wic /ylpytic sed HX hAd bin
a rimRkabal krop HAt jC, hAd bin komandCd bF H trMps n
mOn dQn wFl stil grIn. H pezants wx rMind; sam v Hem tM
hAd gon t /bOgMcROvO, Onli a fV rimEnd.
<p>
wiHQt wEtiN t hC him Qt, /prins /AndrM Askt:
<p>
“wen did mF fyHx n sistx lIv?” mIniN wen did HE lIv f
/moskQ.
<p>
/ylpytic, andxstAndiN H kwescan t rifx t HX dipRcx f
/bOgMcROvO, riplFd HAt HE hAd left on H sevanT n agen went
intM dItElz kansxniN H istEt mAniJmant, AskiN f instrakSanz.
<p>
“Am F t let H trMps hAv H Ots, n t tEk a risIt f Hem?
wI hAv stil siä handrad kwPtxz left,” hI inkwFxd.
<p>
“wot Am F t sE t him?” TYt /prins /AndrM, lUkiN dQn on H
Old mAn'z bYld hed SFniN in H san n sIiN bF H iäpreSan on
hiz fEs HAt H Old mAn himself andxstUd hQ antFmli sac kwescanz
wx n Onli Askt Hem t alE hiz grIf.
<p>
“jes, let Hem hAv it,” riplFd /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“if V nOtist sam disPdx in H gRdan,” sed /ylpytic, “it woz
imposabal t privent it. TrI reJimants hAv bin hC n spent
H nFt, dragMnz mOstli. F tUk dQn H nEm n rANk v HX
kamAndiN ofisx, t hAnd in a kamplEnt abQt it.”
<p>
“wel, n wot R V gOiN t dM? wil V stE hC if H enami
okVpFz H plEs?” Askt /prins /AndrM.
<p>
/ylpytic txnd hiz fEs t /prins /AndrM, lUkt At him, n sadanli
wiH a solam Jescx rEzd hiz Rm.
<p>
“hI iz mF refVJ! hiz wil bI dan!” hI iäklEmd.
<p>
a grMp v bXhedad pezants woz aprOciN akros H medO tPd
H prins.
<p>
“wel, gUd-bF!” sed /prins /AndrM, bendiN Ovx t /ylpytic. “V
mast gO awE tM, tEk awE wot V kAn n tel H sxfs t gO t H
/rjyzyn istEt P t H wan nC /moskQ.”
<p>
/ylpytic klaN t /prins /AndrM'z leg n bxst intM sobz. Jentli
disingEJiN himself, H prins spxd hiz hPs n rOd dQn H
AvanM At a gAlap.
<p>
H Old mAn woz stil sitiN in H Pnamental gRdan, lFk a flF
impAsiv on H fEs v a lavd wan hM iz ded, tApiN H lAst on
wic hI woz mEkiN H /bAst SM, n tM lital gxlz, raniN Qt
from H hot hQs kAriiN in HX skxts plamz HE hAd plakt from
H trIz HX, kEm apon /prins /AndrM. on sIiN H jaN mAstx,
H eldx wan wiH frFtand lUk klact hx jaNgx kampAnjan bF H
hAnd n hid wiH hx bihFnd a bxc trI, not stopiN t pik ap sam
grIn plamz HE hAd dropt.
<p>
prins /AndrM txnd awE wiH stRtald hEst, anwiliN t let Hem
sI HAt HE hAd bin abzxvd. hI woz sori f H priti frFtand
lital gxl, woz afrEd v lUkiN At hx, n jet felt an irizistabal
dizFx t dM sO. a nM sensESan v kamfxt n rilIf kEm Ovx him
wen, sIiN HIz gxlz, hI rWlFzd H iãistans v aHx hVman
intxasts intFxli alMf from hiz On n Jast Az liJitimat Az HOz
HAt okVpFd him. evidentli HIz gxlz pASanatli dizFxd wan
TiN—t kAri awE n It HOz grIn plamz wiHQt bIiN kYt—n
/prins /AndrM SXd HX wiS f H saäes v HX entxprFz. hI
kUd not rizist lUkiN At Hem wans mP. bilIviN HX dEnJx pAst,
HE sprAN from HX AmbUS n, cirapiN samTiN in HX Sril
lital vqsaz n hOldiN ap HX skxts, HX bX lital sanbxnd
fIt skAmpxd merili n kwikli akros H medO grAs.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz samwot rifreSt bF hAviN ridan of H dasti
hFrOd aloN wic H trMps wx mMviN. bat not fR from /bYld /hilz
hI agen kEm Qt on H rOd n OvxtUk hiz reJimant At its hYltiN
plEs bF H dAm v a smYl pond. it woz pAst wan O'klok. H san,
a red bYl TrM H dast, bxnd n skPct hiz bAk intolxabli
TrM hiz blAk kOt. H dast YlwEz haN mOSanlas abav H baz
v tYk HAt kEm from H restiN trMps. HX woz nO wind. Az hI
krost H dAm /prins /AndrM smeld H Mz n freSnas v H
pond. hI loNd t get intM HAt wYtx, hQevx dxti it mFt bI, n
hI glAnst rQnd At H pMl from wens kEm sQndz v SrIä n
lAftx. H smYl, madi, grIn pond hAd rizan vizabli mP HAn a
fUt, fladiN H dAm, bikoz it woz fUl v H nEkad wFt bodiz
v sOlJxz wiH brik-red hAndz, neä, n fEsaz, hM wx splASiN
abQt in it. Yl His nEkad wFt hVman fleS, lAfiN n SrIkiN,
flQndxd abQt in HAt dxti pMl lFk kRp staft intM a wYtxiN
kAn, n H saJescan v merimant in HAt flQndxiN mAs rendxd
it speSali paTetik.
<p>
wan fX-hXd jaN sOlJx v H Txd kampani, hMm /prins /AndrM
nM n hM hAd a strAp rQnd H kAf v wan leg, krost himself,
stept bAk t get a gUd ran, n planJd intM H wYtx; anaHx,
a dRk nonkamiSand ofisx hM woz YlwEz SAgi, stUd ap t hiz
wEst in H wYtx Jqfali rigaliN hiz maskVlx figjx n snPtad
wiH sAtisfAkSan Az hI pPd H wYtx Ovx hiz hed wiH hAndz
blAkand t H rists. HX wx sQndz v men slApiN wan anaHx,
jeliN, n pafiN.
<p>
evriwX on H bANk, on H dAm, n in H pond, HX woz helTi,
wFt, maskVlx fleS. H ofisx, /timOâin, wiH hiz red lital nOz,
stAndiN on H dAm wFpiN himself wiH a tQal, felt kanfVzd At sIiN
H prins, bat mEd ap hiz mFnd t adres him nevxHales.
<p>
“it's veri nFs, jP eäalansi! wUdant V lFk t?” sed hI.
<p>
“it's dxti,” riplFd /prins /AndrM, mEkiN a grimas.
<p>
“wI'l klC it Qt f V in a minit,” sed /timOâin, n, stil
andrest, rAn of t klC H men Qt v H pond.
<p>
“H prins wonts t bEH.”
<p>
“wot prins? Qxz?” sed meni vqsaz, n H men wx in sac hEst
t klC Qt HAt H prins kUd hRdli stop Hem. hI disFdad HAt hI
wUd rAHx woS himself wiH wYtx in H bRn.
<p>
“fleS, bodiz, kAnan fodx!” hI TYt, n hI lUkt At hiz On
nEkad bodi n Sadxd, not from kOld bat from a sens v disgast
n horx hI did not himself andxstAnd, xQzd bF H sFt v HAt
imens nambx v bodiz splASiN abQt in H dxti pond.
<p>
<p>
on H sevanT v Ygast /prins /bygrytiOn rOt Az folOz from hiz
kwPtxz At /miâFlOvna on H /smOlensk rOd:
<p>
dC /kQnt /aleäis /yndrEevic—(/hI woz rFtiN t /RykcEef bat nM HAt
hiz letx wUd bI red bF H /empxx, n HXfP wEd evri
wxd in it t H best v hiz abiliti.)
<p>
F iäpekt H /ministx (/bRklE de /toli) hAz Ylredi ripPtad H
abAndanmant v /smOlensk t H enami. it iz pitWbal n sAd, n
H hOl Rmi iz in dispX HAt His mOst impPtant plEs hAz bin
wontanli abAndand. F, f mF pRt, begd him pxsanali mOst xJantli
n fFnali rOt him, bat naTiN wUd indMs him t kansent. F swX
t V on mF onx HAt /napOlWn woz in sac a fiä Az nevx bifP n
mFt hAv lost hAf hiz Rmi bat kUd not hAv tEkan /smOlensk. Qx
trMps fYt, n R fFtiN, Az nevx bifP. wiH fiftIn TQzand
men F held H enami At bE f Txti-fFv Qxz n bIt him; bat hI
wUd not hOld Qt Ivan f fPtIn Qxz. it iz disgrEsfal, a stEn
on Qx Rmi, n Az f him, hI Yt, it sImz t mI, not t liv. if
hI ripPts HAt Qx losaz wx grEt, it iz not trM; pxhAps abQt
fP TQzand, not mP, n not Ivan HAt; bat Ivan wx HE ten
TQzand, HAt's wP! bat H enami hAz lost mAsaz....
<p>
wot wUd it hAv kost him t hOld Qt f anaHx tM dEz? HE wUd
hAv hAd t ritFx v HX On akPd, f HE hAd nO wYtx f men
P hPsaz. hI gEv mI hiz wxd hI wUd not ritrIt, bat sadanli sent
instrakSanz HAt hI woz ritFxiN HAt nFt. wI kAnot fFt in His
wE, P wI mE sMn briN H enami t /moskQ....
<p>
HX iz a rMmx HAt V R TiNkiN v pIs. god fxbid HAt V
SUd mEk pIs Aftx Yl Qx sAkrifFsaz n sac insEn ritrIts! V
wUd set Yl /raSa agenst V n evriwan v as wUd fIl aSEmd
t wX H VnifPm. if it hAz kam t His—wI mast fFt Az loN Az
/raSa kAn n Az loN Az HX R men Ebal t stAnd....
<p>
wan mAn Yt t bI in kamAnd, n not tM. jP /ministx mE pxhAps
bI gUd Az a /ministx, bat Az a Jenxal hI iz not mCli bAd bat
eäikrabal, jet t him iz intrastad H fEt v Qx hOl kantri.... F
Am rWli frAntik wiH veäESan; fxgiv mF rFtiN bOldli. it iz klC
HAt H mAn hM AdvakEts H kanklMZan v a pIs, n HAt H
/ministx SUd kamAnd H Rmi, daz not lav Qx sovran n
dizFxz H rMin v as Yl. sO F rFt V frANkli: kYl Qt H
miliSa. f H /ministx iz lIdiN HIz vizitxz Aftx him t /moskQ
in a mOst mAstxli wE. H hOl Rmi fIlz grEt saspiSan v H
/impCWl Ed-dI-kAmp /wolzaJan. hI iz sed t bI mP /napOlWn'z mAn
HAn Qxz, n hI iz YlwEz advFziN H /ministx. F Am not mCli sivil
t him bat ObE him lFk a kPpxal, HO F Am hiz sInC. His iz
pEnfal, bat, laviN mF benifAktx n sovran, F sabmit. Onli F Am
sori f H /empxx HAt hI intrasts Qx fFn Rmi t sac Az hI.
kansidx HAt on Qx ritrIt wI hAv lost bF fatIg n left in H
hospital mP HAn fiftIn TQzand men, n hAd wI atAkt His wUd
not hAv hApand. tel mI, f /god'z sEk, wot wil /raSa, Qx maHx
/raSa, sE t Qx bIiN sO frFtand, n wF R wI abAndaniN Qx
gUd n gAlant /fyHxlAnd t sac rAbal n implAntiN fIliNz v
hEtrad n SEm in Yl Qx sabJekts? wot R wI skXd At n v hMm
R wI afrEd? F Am not t blEm HAt H /ministx iz vAsilEtiN,
a kQxd, dens, dilatPi, n hAz Yl bAd kwolitiz. H hOl Rmi
biwElz it n kYlz dQn kxsaz apon him....
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/amaN H inMmxabal kAtagPiz aplikabal t H finomina v hVman
lFf wan mE diskriminEt bitwIn HOz in wic sabstans privElz
n HOz in wic fPm privElz. t H lAtx—Az distiNgwiSt
from viliJ, kantri, pravinSal, P Ivan /moskQ lFf—wI mE alot
/pItxzbxg lFf, n ispeSali H lFf v its salonz. HAt lFf v
H salonz iz ancEnJiN. sins H jC 1805 wI hAd mEd pIs n hAd
agen kworald wiH /bOnapRt n hAd mEd konstitMSanz n anmEd
Hem agen, bat H salonz v /Ana /pyvlOvna n /helIn rimEnd Jast
Az HE hAd bin—H wan sevan n H aHx fFv jCz bifP. At /Ana
/pyvlOvna'z HE tYkt wiH pxpleäiti v /bOnapRt's saäesaz Jast
Az bifP n sY in Hem n in H sabsxvWns SOn t him bF H
/jUxapWn sovranz a maliSas kanspirasi, H sOl obJekt v wic woz
t kYz anplezantnas n ANzFati t H kPt sxkal v wic /Ana
/pyvlOvna woz H reprizentativ. n in /helIn'z salon, wic /rMmjyntsef
himself onxd wiH hiz vizits, rigRdiN /helIn Az a rimRkabli
inteliJant wUman, HE tYkt wiH H sEm eätasi in 1812 Az in 1808
v H “grEt nESan” n H “grEt mAn,” n rigretad Qx rapcx
wiH /fryns, a rapcx wic, akPdiN t Hem, Yt t bI promptli
txminEtad bF pIs.
<p>
v lEt, sins H /empxx'z ritxn from H Rmi, HX hAd bin sam
iäFtmant in HIz kanfliktiN salon sxkalz n sam demanstrESanz
v hostiliti t wan anaHx, bat Ic kAmp ritEnd its On tendansi.
in /Ana /pyvlOvna'z sxkal Onli HOz /frencmen wx admitad hM wx
dIp-rMtad liJitimists, n pEtriotik vVz wx iäprest t H
ifekt HAt wan Yt not t gO t H /frenc TWtx n HAt t
mEntEn H /frenc trMp woz kostiN H gavxnmant Az mac Az a hOl
Rmi kP. H progres v H wP woz Igxli folOd, n Onli
H ripPts mOst flAtxiN t Qx Rmi wx sxkVlEtad. in H /frenc
sxkal v /helIn n /rMmjyntsef H ripPts v H krMalti v H
enami n v H wP wx kontradiktad n Yl /napOlWn'z atempts At
kansiliESan wx diskast. in HAt sxkal HE diskQntananst HOz
hM advFzd harid prepxESanz f a rimMval t /kyzyn v H kPt n
H gxlz' eJakESanal istAbliSmants andx H pEtraniJ v H /dQaJx
/empres. in /helIn'z sxkal H wP in Jenxal woz rigRdad Az a sCIz
v fPmal demanstrESanz wic wUd veri sMn end in pIs, n H
vV privEld iäprest bF /bilibin—hM nQ in /pItxzbxg woz kwFt At
hOm in /helIn'z hQs, wic evri klevx mAn woz ablFJd t vizit—HAt
not bF ganpQdx bat bF HOz hM inventad it wUd mAtxz bI
setald. in HAt sxkal H /moskQ inTVziAzam—nMz v wic hAd rIct
/pItxzbxg sFmaltEnWsli wiH H /empxx'z ritxn—woz ridikVld
sRkAstikli n veri klevxli, HO wiH mac kYSan.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna'z sxkal on H kontrXi woz inrApcxd bF His inTVziAzam
n spOk v it Az /plMtRk spIä v H dIdz v H Encants.
prins /vysili, hM stil okVpFd hiz fPmx impPtant pOsts, fPmd a
kanektiN liNk bitwIn HIz tM sxkalz. hI vizitad hiz “gUd frend
/Ana /pyvlOvna” Az wel Az hiz dYtx'z “diplamAtik salon,” n oftan
in hiz konstant kamiNz n gOiNz bitwIn H tM kAmps bikEm kanfVzd
n sed At /helIn'z wot hI SUd hAv sed At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z n
vFs vxsa.
<p>
sMn Aftx H /empxx'z ritxn /prins /vysili in a konvxsESan abQt
H wP At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z sivCli kandemd /bRklE de /toli, bat woz
andisFdad Az t hM Yt t bI apqntad kamAndx in cIf. wan v H
vizitxz, VZMali spOkan v Az “a mAn v grEt merit,” hAviN diskrFbd
hQ hI hAd HAt dE sIn /kMtMzOf, H nMli cOzan cIf v H
/pItxzbxg miliSa, prizFdiN Ovx H inrOlmant v rikrMts At H
/treZxi, kYSasli vencxd t saJest HAt /kMtMzOf wUd bI H mAn
t sAtisfF Yl rikwFxmants.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna rimRkt wiH a melankoli smFl HAt /kMtMzOf hAd dan
naTiN bat kYz H /empxx anqans.
<p>
“F hAv tYkt n tYkt At H /asembli v H /nObiliti,” prins
/vysili intxaptad, “bat HE did not lisan t mI. F tOld Hem hiz
ilekSan Az cIf v H miliSa wUd not plIz H /empxx. HE did
not lisan t mI.
<p>
“it's Yl His mEnW f opaziSan,” hI went on. “n hM f? it iz
Yl bikoz wI wont t Ep H fMliS inTVziAzam v HOz /maskavFts,”
prins /vysili kantinVd, fxgetiN f a mOment HAt HO At /helIn'z
wan hAd t ridikVl H /moskQ inTVziAzam, At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z wan hAd t
bI iätAtik abQt it. bat hI ritrIvd hiz mistEk At wans. “nQ, iz
it sMtabal HAt /kQnt /kMtMzOf, H Oldast Jenxal in /raSa, SUd
prizFd At HAt trFbVnal? hI wil get naTiN f hiz pEnz! hQ kUd
HE mEk a mAn kamAndx in cIf hM kAnot mQnt a hPs, hM drops
aslIp At a kQnsal, n hAz H veri wxst mPalz! a gUd repVtESan
hI mEd f himself At /bMkxest! F dOnt spIk v hiz kapAsiti Az a
Jenxal, bat At a tFm lFk His hQ HE apqnt a dikrepit, blFnd Old
mAn, pozitivli blFnd? a fFn FdW t hAv a blFnd Jenxal! hI kAnt sI
eniTiN. t plE blFndmAn'z bUlf? hI kAnt sI At Yl!”
<p>
nO wan riplFd t hiz rimRä.
<p>
His woz kwFt kxekt on H twenti-fPT v JalF. bat on H
twenti-nFnT v JalF /kMtMzOf risIvd H tFtal v /prins. His mFt
indikEt a wiS t get rid v him, n HXfP /prins /vysili'z apinjan
kantinVd t bI kxekt HO hI woz not nQ in eni hari t iäpres
it. bat on H EtT v Ygast a kamiti, kansistiN v /fIld /mRSal
/syltikOf, /RykcEef, /vjyzmitinOf, /lOpMâin, n /kOcMbE met t kansidx
H progres v H wP. His kamiti kEm t H kanklMZan HAt
Qx fEljxz wx dM t a wont v Vniti in H kamAnd n HO H
membxz v H kamiti wx awX v H /empxx'z dislFk v /kMtMzOf,
Aftx a SPt dilibxESan HE agrId t advFz hiz apqntmant Az
kamAndx in cIf. HAt sEm dE /kMtMzOf woz apqntad kamAndx
in cIf wiH fUl pQxz Ovx H Rmiz n Ovx H hOl rIJan
okVpFd bF Hem.
<p>
on H nFnT v Ygast /prins /vysili At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z agen met H
“mAn v grEt merit.” H lAtx woz veri atentiv t /Ana /pyvlOvna
bikoz hI wontad t bI apqntad direktx v wan v H eJakESanal
istAbliSmants f jaN lEdiz. prins /vysili entxd H rMm wiH H
X v a hApi koNkxx hM hAz atEnd H obJekt v hiz dizFxz.
<p>
“wel, hAv V hxd H grEt nMz? prins /kMtMzOf iz fIld mRSal!
Yl disenSanz R At an end! F Am sO glAd, sO dilFtad! At lAst
wI hAv a mAn!” sed hI, glAnsiN stxnli n signifikantli rQnd At
evriwan in H drYiN rMm.
<p>
H “mAn v grEt merit,” dispFt hiz dizFx t abtEn H pOst v
direktx, kUd not rifrEn from rimFndiN /prins /vysili v hiz fPmx
apinjan. HO His woz impalFt t /prins /vysili in /Ana /pyvlOvna'z
drYiN rMm, n YlsO t /Ana /pyvlOvna hxself hM hAd risIvd H
nMz wiH dilFt, hI kUd not rizist H temptESan.
<p>
“bat, /prins, HE sE hI iz blFnd!” sed hI, rimFndiN /prins /vysili v
hiz On wxdz.
<p>
“E? nonsens! hI sIz wel inaf,” sed /prins /vysili rApidli, in a
dIp vqs n wiH a slFt kof—H vqs n kof wiH wic hI woz
wont t dispOz v Yl difikaltiz.
<p>
“hI sIz wel inaf,” hI Adad. “n wot F Am sO plIzd abQt,” hI
went on, “iz HAt Qx sovran hAz givan him fUl pQxz Ovx Yl
H Rmiz n H hOl rIJan—pQxz nO kamAndx in cIf evx hAd
bifP. hI iz a sekand YtakrAt,” hI kanklMdad wiH a viktPWs smFl.
<p>
“god grAnt it! god grAnt it!” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
H “mAn v grEt merit,” hM woz stil a novis in kPt sxkalz,
wiSiN t flAtx /Ana /pyvlOvna bF difendiN hx fPmx paziSan on
His kwescan, abzxvd:
<p>
“it iz sed HAt H /empxx woz rilaktant t giv /kMtMzOf HOz pQxz.
HE sE hI blaSt lFk a gxl t hMm /ZOkOnda iz red, wen hI sed t
/kMtMzOf: 'jP /empxx n H /fyHxlAnd awPd V His onx.'”
<p>
“pxhAps H hRt tUk nO pRt in HAt spIc,” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
“O, nO, nO!” wPmli rIJqnd /prins /vysili, hM wUd not nQ jIld
/kMtMzOf t eniwan; in hiz apinjan /kMtMzOf woz not Onli Admxabal
himself, bat woz adPd bF evribodi. “nO, HAt's imposabal,” sed hI,
“f Qx sovran aprISiEtad him sO hFli bifP.”
<p>
“god grAnt Onli HAt /prins /kMtMzOf asMmz rWl pQx n daz not
alQ eniwan t pUt a spOk in hiz wIl,” abzxvd /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
andxstAndiN At wans t hMm SI alMdad, /prins /vysili sed in a
wispx:
<p>
“F nO f a fAkt HAt /kMtMzOf mEd it an AbsalMt kandiSan HAt H
/tsRevic SUd not bI wiH H Rmi. dM V nO wot hI sed t H
/empxx?”
<p>
n /prins /vysili ripItad H wxdz sapOst t hAv bin spOkan bF
/kMtMzOf t H /empxx. “F kAn nFHx paniS him if hI daz roN nP
riwPd him if hI daz rFt.”
<p>
“O, a veri wFz mAn iz /prins /kMtMzOf! F hAv nOn him a loN tFm!”
<p>
“HE Ivan sE,” rimRkt H “mAn v grEt merit” hM did not jet
pazes kPtli tAkt, “HAt hiz eäalansi mEd it an iäpres kandiSan
HAt H sovran himself SUd not bI wiH H Rmi.”
<p>
Az sMn Az hI sed His bOT /prins /vysili n /Ana /pyvlOvna txnd awE
from him n glAnst sAdli At wan anaHx wiH a sF At hiz nFIvitE.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/wFl His woz tEkiN plEs in /pItxzbxg H /frenc hAd Ylredi pAst
/smOlensk n wx drYiN nCx n nCx t /moskQ. /napOlWn'z
histPWn /tiX, lFk aHx v hiz histPWnz, trFiN t JastifF hiz
hCO sez HAt hI woz drYn t H wYlz v /moskQ agenst hiz wil. hI
iz Az rFt Az aHx histPWnz hM lUk f H eäplanESan v histPik
ivents in H wil v wan mAn; hI iz Az rFt Az H /raSan histPWnz
hM mEntEn HAt /napOlWn woz drYn t /moskQ bF H skil v H
/raSan kamAndxz. hC bisFdz H lY v retrOspekSan, wic rigRdz
Yl H pAst Az a prepxESan f ivents HAt sabsikwantli akx,
H lY v resiprositi kamz in, kanfVziN H hOl mAtx. a gUd
cesplEx hAviN lost a gEm iz sinsCli kanvinst HAt hiz los
rizaltad from a mistEk hI mEd n lUä f HAt mistEk in H
OpaniN, bat fxgets HAt At Ic stEJ v H gEm HX wx similx
mistEä n HAt nan v hiz mMvz wx pxfikt. hI Onli nOtisaz H
mistEk t wic hI pEz atenSan, bikoz hiz apOnant tUk advAntiJ
v it. hQ mac mP kompleä HAn His iz H gEm v wP, wic
akxz andx sxtan limits v tFm, n wX it iz not wan wil HAt
manipVlEts lFflas obJekts, bat evriTiN rizalts from inMmxabal
konflikts v vXWs wilz!
<p>
Aftx /smOlensk /napOlWn sYt a bAtal bijond /dPOgObMZ At /vjyzma, n
Hen At /tsRevO-/zFmiSce, bat it hApand HAt OiN t a kanJaNkSan
v inMmxabal sxkamstAnsaz H /raSanz kUd not giv bAtal til
HE rIct /bPOdinO, sevanti mFlz from /moskQ. from /vjyzma /napOlWn
Pdxd a direkt advAns on /moskQ.
<p>
/mOskM, ly kEpitEl asiatique de se grAnd empFx, ly vil sAkrI /de
peuples /d'yleäyndra, /mOskM yvek ses innombrables /egalFzaz en fPmI de
pagodes cInOFzaz, * His /moskQ gEv /napOlWn'z imAJinESan nO rest.
on H mRc from /vjyzma t /tsRevO-/zFmiSce hI rOd hiz lFt bE
bobtEld Ambalx akampanid bF hiz /gRdz, hiz bodigRd, hiz pEJaz,
n Edz-dI-kAmp. /bertiX, hiz cIf v stAf, dropt bihFnd t
kwescan a /raSan prizanx kApcxd bF H kAvalri. folOd bF
/lUlPnja /d'Idevil, an intxpratx, hI OvxtUk /napOlWn At a gAlap
n rEnd in hiz hPs wiH an amVzd iäpreSan.
<p>
     * “/moskQ, H /EZiAtik kApital v His grEt empFx, H
     sEkrad siti v /AliãAndx'z pIpal, /moskQ wiH its
     inMmxabal cxcaz SEpt lFk /cFnIz pagOdaz.”
<p>
<p>
“wel?” Askt /napOlWn.
<p>
“wan v /plytOf's /kosAä sez HAt /plytOf's kP iz JqniN ap wiH
H mEn Rmi n HAt /kMtMzOf hAz bin apqntad kamAndx in cIf. hI
iz a veri SrMd n gAralas felO.”
<p>
/napOlWn smFld n tOld Hem t giv H /kosAk a hPs n briN H
mAn t him. hI wiSt t tYk t him himself. sevxal AJUtants gAlapt
of, n an Qx lEtx, /lyvrMSka, H sxf /denisOf hAd hAndad Ovx
t /rOstOf, rOd ap t /napOlWn in an Pdxli'z JAkat n on a /frenc
kAvalri sAdal, wiH a meri, n tipsi fEs. /napOlWn tOld him t rFd
bF hiz sFd n bigAn kwescaniN him.
<p>
“V R a /kosAk?”
<p>
“jes, a /kosAk, jP /onx.”
<p>
“H /kosAk, not nOiN in wot kampani hI woz, f /napOlWn'z plEn
apCans hAd naTiN abQt it HAt wUd rivIl t an /Piental mFnd
H prezans v a monRk, tYkt wiH iätrIm familiAriti v H
insidants v H wP,” sez /tiX, nArEtiN His episOd. in
riAliti /lyvrMSka, hAviN got draNk H dE bifP n left hiz mAstx
dinxlas, hAd bin wipt n sent t H viliJ in kwest v
cikinz, wX hI ingEJd in lMtiN til H /frenc tUk him prizanx.
/lyvrMSka woz wan v HOz kPs, bX-fEst lAkiz hM hAv sIn Yl
sPts v TiNz, kansidx it nesisXi t dM evriTiN in a mIn n
kaniN wE, R redi t rendx eni sPt v sxvis t HX mAstx,
n R kIn At gesiN HX mAstx'z bEsx impalsaz, ispeSali HOz
promptad bF vAniti n petinas.
<p>
fFndiN himself in H kampani v /napOlWn, hMz Fdentiti hI hAd Izili
n SUxli rekagnFzd, /lyvrMSka woz not in H lIst abASt bat mCli
did hiz atmOst t gEn hiz nM mAstx'z fEvx.
<p>
hI nM veri wel HAt His woz /napOlWn, bat /napOlWn'z prezans kUd
nO mP intimidEt him HAn /rOstOf's, P a sRJant mEJx'z wiH H
rodz, wUd hAv dan, f hI hAd naTiN HAt FHx H sRJant mEJx
P /napOlWn kUd diprFv him v.
<p>
sO hI rAtald on, teliN Yl H gosip hI hAd hxd amaN H
Pdxliz. mac v it trM. bat wen /napOlWn Askt him weHx H
/raSanz TYt HE wUd bIt /bOnapRt P not, /lyvrMSka skrMd ap
hiz Fz n kansidxd.
<p>
in His kwescan hI sY satal kaniN, Az men v hiz tFp sI kaniN
in evriTiN, sO hI frQnd n did not Ansx imIdWtli.
<p>
“it's lFk His,” hI sed TYtfali, “if HX'z a bAtal sMn, jPz
wil win. HAt's rFt. bat if TrI dEz pAs, Hen Aftx HAt, wel,
Hen HAt sEm bAtal wil not sMn bI Ovx.”
<p>
/lUlPnja /d'Idevil smFliNli intxpratad His spIc t /napOlWn Has:
“if a bAtal tEä plEs wiHin H neät TrI dEz H /frenc wil
win, bat if lEtx, /god nOz wot wil hApan.” /napOlWn did not smFl,
HO hI woz evidentli in hF gUd hVmx, n hI Pdxd HIz wxdz
t bI ripItad.
<p>
/lyvrMSka nOtist His n t entxtEn him fxHx, pritendiN not t
nO hM /napOlWn woz, Adad:
<p>
“wI nO HAt V hAv /bOnapRt n HAt hI hAz bItan evribodi in H
wxld, bat wI R a difxant mAtx...”—wiHQt nOiN wF P hQ His
bit v bOstfal pEtrWtizam slipt Qt At H end.
<p>
H intxpratx trAnzlEtad HIz wxdz wiHQt H lAst frEz, n
/bOnapRt smFld. “H jaN /kosAk mEd hiz mFti intxlokVtx
smFl,” sez /tiX. Aftx rFdiN a fV pEsaz in sFlans, /napOlWn
txnd t /bertiX n sed hI wiSt t sI hQ H nMz HAt hI woz
tYkiN t H /empxx himself, t HAt veri /empxx hM hAd ritan hiz
imPtali viktPWs nEm on H /piramidz, wUd afekt His onfon dM
/don. *
<p>
    * “cFld v H /don.”
<p>
<p>
H fAkt woz akPdiNli kanvEd t /lyvrMSka.
<p>
/lyvrMSka, andxstAndiN HAt His woz dan t pxpleä him n HAt
/napOlWn iäpektad him t bI frFtand, t grAtifF hiz nM mAstxz
promptli pritendad t bI astoniSt n Y-strak, Opand hiz Fz
wFd, n asMmd H iäpreSan hI VZMali pUt on wen tEkan t bI
wipt. “Az sMn Az /napOlWn'z intxpratx hAd spOkan,” sez /tiX,
“H /kosAk, sIzd bF amEzmant, did not atx anaHx wxd, bat rOd
on, hiz Fz fiät on H koNkxx hMz fEm hAd rIct him akros
H steps v H /Ist. Yl hiz lakwAsiti woz sadanli xestad n
riplEst bF a nFIv n sFlant fIliN v AdmxESan. /napOlWn, Aftx
mEkiN H /kosAk a prezant, hAd him set frI lFk a bxd ristPd t
its nEtiv fIldz.”
<p>
/napOlWn rOd on, drImiN v H /moskQ HAt sO apIld t hiz
imAJinESan, n “H bxd ristPd t its nEtiv fIldz” gAlapt t
Qx QtpOsts, inventiN on H wE Yl HAt hAd not tEkan plEs bat HAt
hI ment t rilEt t hiz komrAdz. wot hAd rWli tEkan plEs hI did
not wiS t rilEt bikoz it sImd t him not wxT teliN. hI
fQnd H /kosAä, inkwFxd f H reJimant opxEtiN wiH /plytOf's
ditAcmant n bF IvniN fQnd hiz mAstx, /nikalas /rOstOf, kwPtxd
At /jynkOvO. /rOstOf woz Jast mQntiN t gO f a rFd rQnd H
nEbxiN viliJaz wiH /FlFin; hI let /lyvrMSka hAv anaHx hPs n
tUk him aloN wiH him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/prinsas /mXi woz not in /moskQ n Qt v dEnJx Az /prins /AndrM
sapOzd.
<p>
Aftx H ritxn v /ylpytic from /smOlensk H Old prins sadanli
sImd t awEk Az from a drIm. hI Pdxd H miliSamen t bI kYld
ap from H viliJaz n Rmd, n rOt a letx t H kamAndx in
cIf infPmiN him HAt hI hAd rizolvd t rimEn At /bYld /hilz t H
lAst iätremiti n t difend it, lIviN t H kamAndx in cIf's
diskreSan t tEk meZxz P not f H difens v /bYld /hilz, wX
wan v /raSa'z Oldast Jenxalz wUd bI kApcxd P kild, n hI
anQnst t hiz hQshOld HAt hI wUd rimEn At /bYld /hilz.
<p>
bat wFl himself rimEniN, hI gEv instrakSanz f H dipRcx v
H prinsas n /desyl wiH H lital prins t /bOgMcROvO n
Hens t /moskQ. prinsas /mXi, alRmd bF hx fyHx'z fIvxiS n
slIplas Aktiviti Aftx hiz prIvWs ApaTi, kUd not briN hxself t
lIv him alOn n f H fxst tFm in hx lFf vencxd t disObE
him. SI rifVzd t gO awE n hx fyHx'z fjUxi brOk Ovx hx in a
teribal stPm. hI ripItad evri inJastis hI hAd evx infliktad on
hx. trFiN t kanvikt hx, hI tOld hx SI hAd wPn him Qt, hAd kYzd
hiz kworal wiH hiz san, hAd hRbxd nAsti saspiSanz v him, mEkiN
it H obJekt v hx lFf t pqzan hiz iãistans, n hI drOv hx from
hiz stadi teliN hx HAt if SI did not gO awE it woz Yl H sEm
t him. hI diklXd HAt hI did not wiS t rimembx hx iãistans n
wPnd hx not t dX t let him sI hx. H fAkt HAt hI did not, Az
SI hAd fCd, Pdx hx t bI kArid awE bF fPs bat Onli tOld hx
not t let him sI hx cCd /prinsas /mXi. SI nM it woz a prMf
HAt in H depT v hiz sOl hI woz glAd SI woz rimEniN At hOm n
hAd not gon awE.
<p>
H mPniN Aftx lital /nikalas hAd left, H Old prins dond hiz
fUl VnifPm n pripXd t vizit H kamAndx in cIf. hiz kyleS
woz Ylredi At H dP. prinsas /mXi sY him wYk Qt v H hQs in
hiz VnifPm wXiN Yl hiz Pdxz n gO dQn H gRdan t rivV hiz
Rmd pezants n damestik sxfs. SI sAt bF H windO lisaniN t
hiz vqs wic rIct hx from H gRdan. sadanli sevxal men kEm
raniN ap H AvanM wiH frFtand fEsaz.
<p>
prinsas /mXi rAn Qt t H pPc, dQn H flQx-bPdxd pAT, n
intM H AvanM. a lRJ krQd v miliSamen n damestiä wx mMviN
tPd hx, n in HX midst sevxal men wx sapPtiN bF
H Rmpits n drAgiN aloN a lital Old mAn in a VnifPm n
dekxESanz. SI rAn ap t him n, in H plE v H sanlFt HAt
fel in smYl rQnd spots TrM H SEd v H lFm-trI AvanM,
kUd not bI SUx wot cEnJ HX woz in hiz fEs. Yl SI kUd sI
woz HAt hiz fPmx stxn n ditxmind iäpreSan hAd Yltxd t wan
v timiditi n sabmiSan. on sIiN hiz dYtx hI mMvd hiz helplas
lips n mEd a hPs sQnd. it woz imposabal t mEk Qt wot hI
wontad. hI woz liftad ap, kArid t hiz stadi, n lEd on H veri
kQc hI hAd sO fCd v lEt.
<p>
H doktx, hM woz fect HAt sEm nFt, bled him n sed HAt H
prins hAd hAd a sIZx pAralFziN hiz rFt sFd.
<p>
it woz bikamiN mP n mP dEnJxas t rimEn At /bYld /hilz, n
neät dE HE mMvd H prins t /bOgMcROvO, H doktx akampaniiN
him.
<p>
bF H tFm HE rIct /bOgMcROvO, /desyl n H lital prins
hAd Ylredi left f /moskQ.
<p>
f TrI wIä H Old prins lE strikan bF pxAlasis in H nM
hQs /prins /AndrM hAd bilt At /bOgMcROvO, evx in H sEm stEt,
getiN nFHx betx nP wxs. hI woz ankonSas n lE lFk
a distPtad kPps. hI matxd ansIsiNli, hiz FbrQz n lips
twiciN, n it woz imposabal t tel weHx hI andxstUd wot woz
gOiN on xQnd him P not. wan TiN woz sxtan—HAt hI woz safxiN
n wiSt t sE samTiN. bat wot it woz, nO wan kUd tel: it
mFt bI sam kaprIs v a sik n hAf-krEzi mAn, P it mFt rilEt
t pablik afXz, P posabli t fAmli kansxnz.
<p>
H doktx sed His restlasnas did not mIn eniTiN n woz dM
t fizikal kYzaz; bat /prinsas /mXi TYt hI wiSt t tel
hx samTiN, n H fAkt HAt hx prezans YlwEz inkrIst hiz
restlasnas kanfxmd hx apinjan.
<p>
hI woz evidentli safxiN bOT fizikli n mentali. HX woz nO
hOp v rikavxi. it woz imposabal f him t trAval, it wUd not dM
t let him dF on H rOd. “wUd it not bI betx if H end did kam,
H veri end?” prinsas /mXi samtFmz TYt. nFt n dE, hRdli
slIpiN At Yl, SI woct him n, teribal t sE, oftan woct
him not wiH hOp v fFndiN sFnz v imprMvmant bat wiSiN t fFnd
simptamz v H aprOc v H end.
<p>
strEnJ Az it woz t hx t aknoliJ His fIliN in hxself, jet
HX it woz. n wot sImd stil mP teribal t hx woz HAt sins
hx fyHx'z ilnas bigAn (pxhAps Ivan sMnx, wen SI stEd wiH
him iäpektiN samTiN t hApan), Yl H pxsanal dizFxz n hOps
HAt hAd bin fxgotan P slIpiN wiHin hx hAd awEkand. TYts
HAt hAd not entxd hx mFnd f jCz—TYts v a lFf frI from
H fC v hx fyHx, n Ivan H posabiliti v lav n v fAmli
hApinas—flOtad kantinVali in hx imAJinESan lFk temptESanz v H
deval. Trast Hem asFd Az SI wUd, kwescanz kantinVali rikxd
t hx Az t hQ SI wUd Pdx hx lFf nQ, Aftx HAt. HIz wx
temptESanz v H deval n /prinsas /mXi nM it. SI nM HAt H
sOl wepan agenst him woz prEx, n SI trFd t prE. SI asMmd
an AtitMd v prEx, lUkt At H Fkonz, ripItad H wxdz v a
prEx, bat SI kUd not prE. SI felt HAt a difxant wxld hAd
nQ tEkan pazeSan v hx—H lFf v a wxld v strenVas n frI
Aktiviti, kwFt apOzd t H spiricMal wxld in wic til nQ SI
hAd bin kanfFnd n in wic hx grEtast kamfxt hAd bin prEx.
SI kUd not prE, kUd not wIp, n wxldli kXz tUk pazeSan v
hx.
<p>
it woz bikamiN dEnJxas t rimEn in /bOgMcROvO. nMz v H aprOc
v H /frenc kEm from Yl sFdz, n in wan viliJ, ten mFlz from
/bOgMcROvO, a hOmsted hAd bin lMtad bF /frenc mxYdxz.
<p>
H doktx insistad on H nisesiti v mMviN H prins; H
pravinSal /mRSal v H /nObiliti sent an afiSal t /prinsas /mXi
t pxswEd hx t get awE Az kwikli Az posabal, n H hed v H
rUxal palIs hAviN kam t /bOgMcROvO xJd H sEm TiN, sEiN
HAt H /frenc wx Onli sam twenti-fFv mFlz awE, HAt /frenc
proklamESanz wx sxkVlEtiN in H viliJaz, n HAt if H prinsas
did not tEk hx fyHx awE bifP H fiftInT, hI kUd not Ansx
f H konsikwansaz.
<p>
H prinsas disFdad t lIv on H fiftInT. H kXz v prepxESan
n giviN Pdxz, f wic evriwan kEm t hx, okVpFd hx Yl dE.
SI spent H nFt v H fPtInT Az VZMal, wiHQt andresiN, in
H rMm neät t H wan wX H prins lE. sevxal tFmz, wEkiN ap,
SI hxd hiz grOnz n matxiN, H krIk v hiz bed, n H steps
v /tiâOn n H doktx wen HE txnd him Ovx. sevxal tFmz SI
lisand At H dP, n it sImd t hx HAt hiz matxiNz wx
lQdx HAn VZMal n HAt HE txnd him Ovx oftanx. SI kUd not
slIp n sevxal tFmz went t H dP n lisand, wiSiN t entx
bat not disFdiN t dM sO. HO hI did not spIk, /prinsas /mXi sY
n nM hQ anplezant evri sFn v ANzFati on hiz akQnt woz t him.
SI hAd nOtist wiH wot dissAtisfAkSan hI txnd from H lUk SI
samtFmz involantXili fiät on him. SI nM HAt hx gOiN in dxiN
H nFt At an anVZMal Qx wUd iritEt him.
<p>
bat nevx hAd SI felt sO grIvd f him P sO mac afrEd v lMziN
him. SI rikYld Yl hx lFf wiH him n in evri wxd n Akt v hiz
fQnd an iäpreSan v hiz lav v hx. akEZanali amid HIz memxiz
temptESanz v H deval wUd sxJ intM hx imAJinESan: TYts v
hQ TiNz wUd bI Aftx hiz deT, n hQ hx nM, libxEtad lFf
wUd bI Pdxd. bat SI drOv HIz TYts awE wiH disgast. tPd
mPniN hI bikEm kwFat n SI fel aslIp.
<p>
SI wOk lEt. HAt sinseriti wic oftan kamz wiH wEkiN SOd hx
klCli wot cIfli kansxnd hx abQt hx fyHx'z ilnas. on wEkiN
SI lisand t wot woz gOiN on bihFnd H dP n, hCiN him
grOn, sed t hxself wiH a sF HAt TiNz wx stil H sEm.
<p>
“bat wot kUd hAv hApand? wot did F wont? F wont hiz deT!” SI
krFd wiH a fIliN v lOHiN f hxself.
<p>
SI woSt, drest, sed hx prExz, n went Qt t H pPc. in
frant v it stUd kAriJaz wiHQt hPsaz n TiNz wx bIiN pAkt
intM H vIikalz.
<p>
it woz a wPm, grE mPniN. prinsas /mXi stopt At H pPc, stil
horifFd bF hx spiricMal bEsnas n trFiN t xEnJ hx TYts
bifP gOiN t hx fyHx. H doktx kEm dQnstXz n went Qt t
hx.
<p>
“hI iz a lital betx tadE,” sed hI. “F woz lUkiN f V. wan kAn
mEk Qt samTiN v wot hI iz sEiN. hiz hed iz klCx. kam in,
hI iz AskiN f V....”
<p>
prinsas /mXi'z hRt bIt sO vFalantli At His nMz HAt SI grM pEl
n lInd agenst H wYl t kIp from fYliN. t sI him, tYk t
him, fIl hiz Fz on hx nQ HAt hx hOl sOl woz OvxflOiN wiH
HOz dredfal, wikad temptESanz, woz a tPment v Jq n terx.
<p>
“kam,” sed H doktx.
<p>
prinsas /mXi entxd hx fyHx'z rMm n went ap t hiz bed. hI woz
lFiN on hiz bAk propt ap hF, n hiz smYl bOni hAndz wiH
HX notad pxpal vEnz wx lFiN on H kwilt; hiz left F gEzd
strEt bifP him, hiz rFt F woz xF, n hiz brQz n lips
mOSanlas. hI sImd YltageHx sO Tin, smYl, n paTetik. hiz fEs
sImd t hAv Srivald P meltad; hiz fIcxz hAd grOn smYlx.
prinsas /mXi went ap n kist hiz hAnd. hiz left hAnd prest hxz
sO HAt SI andxstUd HAt hI hAd loN bin wEtiN f hx t kam. hI
twict hx hAnd, n hiz brQz n lips kwivxd ANgrili.
<p>
SI lUkt At him in dismE trFiN t ges wot hI wontad v hx. wen
SI cEnJd hx paziSan sO HAt hiz left F kUd sI hx fEs hI
kymd dQn, not tEkiN hiz Fz of hx f sam sekandz. Hen hiz lips
n taN mMvd, sQndz kEm, n hI bigAn t spIk, gEziN timidli n
implPiNli At hx, evidentli afrEd HAt SI mFt not andxstAnd.
<p>
strEniN Yl hx fAkaltiz /prinsas /mXi lUkt At him. H komik
efxts wiH wic hI mMvd hiz taN mEd hx drop hx Fz n wiH
difikalti ripres H sobz HAt rOz t hx TrOt. hI sed samTiN,
ripItiN H sEm wxdz sevxal tFmz. SI kUd not andxstAnd Hem,
bat trFd t ges wot hI woz sEiN n inkwFxiNli ripItad H wxdz
hI atxd.
<p>
“mm...R...Et...Et...” hI ripItad sevxal tFmz.
<p>
it woz kwFt imposabal t andxstAnd HIz sQndz. H doktx TYt
hI hAd gest Hem, n inkwFxiNli ripItad: “mXi, R V afrEd?”
H prins SUk hiz hed, agen ripItad H sEm sQndz.
<p>
“mF mFnd, mF mFnd Eä?” kwescand /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
hI mEd a mambaliN sQnd in konfxmESan v His, tUk hx hAnd, n
bigAn presiN it t difxant pRts v hiz brest Az if trFiN t fFnd
H rFt plEs f it.
<p>
“YlwEz TYts... abQt V... TYts...” hI Hen atxd mac
mP klCli HAn hI hAd dan bifP, nQ HAt hI woz SUx v bIiN
andxstUd.
<p>
prinsas /mXi prest hx hed agenst hiz hAnd, trFiN t hFd hx sobz
n tCz.
<p>
hI mMvd hiz hAnd Ovx hx hX.
<p>
“F hAv bin kYliN V Yl nFt...” hI brYt Qt.
<p>
“if Onli F hAd nOn...” SI sed TrM hx tCz. “F woz afrEd t
kam in.”
<p>
hI prest hx hAnd.
<p>
“wxnt V aslIp?”
<p>
“nO, F did not slIp,” sed /prinsas /mXi, SEkiN hx hed.
<p>
ankonSasli imitEtiN hx fyHx, SI nQ trFd t iäpres hxself Az
hI did, Az mac Az posabal bF sFnz, n hx taN tM sImd t mMv
wiH difikalti.
<p>
“dC wan... dCast...” prinsas /mXi kUd not kwFt mEk Qt wot hI
hAd sed, bat from hiz lUk it woz klC HAt hI hAd atxd a tendx
kxesiN wxd sac Az hI hAd nevx Vzd t hx bifP. “wF didant V
kam in?”
<p>
“n F woz wiSiN f hiz deT!” TYt /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
hI woz sFlant awFl.
<p>
“TANk V... dYtx dC!... f Yl, f Yl... fxgiv!... TANk
V!... fxgiv!... TANk V!...” n tCz bigAn t flO from hiz
Fz. “kYl /AndrM!” hI sed sadanli, n a cFldiS, timid iäpreSan
v dQt SOd itself on hiz fEs Az hI spOk.
<p>
hI himself sImd awX HAt hiz dimAnd woz mIniNlas. sO At lIst it
sImd t /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“F hAv a letx from him,” SI riplFd.
<p>
hI glAnst At hx wiH timid sxprFz.
<p>
“wX iz hI?”
<p>
“hI'z wiH H Rmi, /fyHx, At /smOlensk.”
<p>
hI klOzd hiz Fz n rimEnd sFlant a loN tFm. Hen Az if in
Ansx t hiz dQts n t kanfxm H fAkt HAt nQ hI andxstUd n
rimembxd evriTiN, hI nodad hiz hed n rIOpand hiz Fz.
<p>
“jes,” hI sed, softli n distiNktli. “/raSa hAz periSt. HE'v
distrqd hx.”
<p>
n hI bigAn t sob, n agen tCz flOd from hiz Fz. prinsas /mXi
kUd nO loNgx ristrEn hxself n wept wFl SI gEzd At hiz fEs.
<p>
agen hI klOzd hiz Fz. hiz sobz sIst, hI pqntad t hiz Fz, n
/tiâOn, andxstAndiN him, wFpt awE H tCz.
<p>
Hen hI agen Opand hiz Fz n sed samTiN nan v Hem kUd
andxstAnd f a loN tFm, til At lAst /tiâOn andxstUd n ripItad
it. prinsas /mXi hAd sYt H mIniN v hiz wxdz in H mMd in
wic hI hAd Jast bin spIkiN. SI TYt hI woz spIkiN v /raSa,
P /prins /AndrM, v hxself, v hiz grAndsan, P v hiz On deT, n
sO SI kUd not ges hiz wxdz.
<p>
“pUt on jP wFt dres. F lFk it,” woz wot hI sed.
<p>
hAviN andxstUd His /prinsas /mXi sobd stil lQdx, n H doktx
tEkiN hx Rm led hx Qt t H vxAnda, sMHiN hx n trFiN t
pxswEd hx t pripX f hx Jxni. wen SI hAd left H rMm H
prins agen bigAn spIkiN abQt hiz san, abQt H wP, n abQt H
/empxx, ANgrili twiciN hiz brQz n rEziN hiz hPs vqs, n
Hen hI hAd a sekand n fFnal strOk.
<p>
prinsas /mXi stEd on H vxAnda. H dE hAd klCd, it woz hot n
sani. SI kUd andxstAnd naTiN, TiNk v naTiN n fIl naTiN,
iäept pASanat lav f hx fyHx, lav sac Az SI TYt SI hAd
nevx felt til HAt mOment. SI rAn Qt sobiN intM H gRdan n Az
fR Az H pond, aloN H AvanMz v jaN lFm trIz /prins /AndrM hAd
plAntad.
<p>
“jes... F... F... F wiSt f hiz deT! jes, F wontad it t end
kwikx.... F wiSt t bI At pIs.... n wot wil bikam v mI? wot
Vs wil pIs bI wen hI iz nO loNgx hC?” prinsas /mXi mxmxd,
pEsiN H gRdan wiH harid steps n presiN hx hAndz t hx bUzam
wic hIvd wiH kanvalsiv sobz.
<p>
wen SI hAd kamplItad H tUx v H gRdan, wic brYt hx
agen t H hQs, SI sY /mAdamwazel /bMrien—hM hAd rimEnd
At /bOgMcROvO n did not wiS t lIv it—kamiN tPd hx wiH a
strEnJx. His woz H /mRSal v H /nObiliti v H distrikt, hM
hAd kam pxsanali t pqnt Qt t H prinsas H nisesiti f hx
prompt dipRcx. prinsas /mXi lisand wiHQt andxstAndiN him; SI
led him t H hQs, ofxd him lanc, n sAt dQn wiH him. Hen,
iäkVziN hxself, SI went t H dP v H Old prins'az rMm. H
doktx kEm Qt wiH an AJitEtad fEs n sed SI kUd not entx.
<p>
“gO awE, /prinsas! gO awE... gO awE!”
<p>
SI ritxnd t H gRdan n sAt dQn on H grAs At H fUt v H
slOp bF H pond, wX nO wan kUd sI hx. SI did not nO hQ
loN SI hAd bin HX wen SI woz xQzd bF H sQnd v a wUman'z
fUtsteps raniN aloN H pAT. SI rOz n sY /dMnjySa hx mEd,
hM woz evidentli lUkiN f hx, n hM stopt sadanli Az if in
alRm on sIiN hx mistras.
<p>
“plIz kam, /prinsas... H /prins,” sed /dMnjySa in a brEkiN
vqs.
<p>
“imIdWtli, F'm kamiN, F'm kamiN!” riplFd H prinsas haridli,
not giviN /dMnjySa tFm t finiS wot SI woz sEiN, n trFiN t
avqd sIiN H gxl SI rAn tPd H hQs.
<p>
“prinsas, it's /god'z wil! V mast bI pripXd f evriTiN,” sed
H /mRSal, mItiN hx At H hQs dP.
<p>
“let mI alOn; it's not trM!” SI krFd ANgrili t him.
<p>
H doktx trFd t stop hx. SI pUSt him asFd n rAn t hx
fyHx'z dP. “wF R HIz pIpal wiH frFtand fEsaz stopiN mI?
F dOnt wont eni v Hem! n wot R HE dMiN hC?” SI TYt.
SI Opand H dP n H brFt dElFt in HAt prIvWsli dRkand
rMm stRtald hx. in H rMm wx hx nxs n aHx wimin. HE Yl
drM bAk from H bed, mEkiN wE f hx. hI woz stil lFiN on H
bed Az bifP, bat H stxn iäpreSan v hiz kwFat fEs mEd /prinsas
/mXi stop SPt on H TreShOld.
<p>
“nO, hI'z not ded—it's imposabal!” SI tOld hxself n aprOct
him, n ripresiN H terx HAt sIzd hx, SI prest hx lips
t hiz cIk. bat SI stept bAk imIdWtli. Yl H fPs v H
tendxnas SI hAd bin fIliN f him vAniSt instantli n woz
riplEst bF a fIliN v horx At wot lE HX bifP hx. “nO, hI
iz nO mP! hI iz not, bat hC wX hI woz iz samTiN anfamilC n
hostFl, sam dredfal, terifFiN, n ripelant mistxi!” n hFdiN
hx fEs in hx hAndz, /prinsas /mXi sANk intM H Rmz v H doktx,
hM held hx ap.
<p>
<p>
in H prezans v /tiâOn n H doktx H wimin woSt wot hAd bin
H prins, tFd hiz hed ap wiH a hANkxcif HAt H mQT SUd
not stifan wFl Opan, n wiH anaHx hANkxcif tFd tageHx H
leã HAt wx Ylredi sprediN apRt. Hen HE drest him in VnifPm
wiH hiz dekxESanz n plEst hiz Srivald lital bodi on a tEbal.
hevan Onli nOz hM xEnJd Yl His n wen, bat it Yl got dan
Az if v its On akPd. tPd nFt kAndalz wx bxniN rQnd hiz
kofin, a pYl woz spred Ovx it, H flP woz strMn wiH sprEz v
JMnipx, a printad bAnd woz takt in andx hiz Srivald hed, n in a
kPnx v H rMm sAt a cAntx rIdiN H symz.
<p>
Jast Az hPsaz SF n snPt n gAHx abQt a ded hPs, sO H
inmEts v H hQs n strEnJxz krQdad intM H drYiN rMm rQnd
H kofin—H /mRSal, H viliJ /eldx, pezant wimin—n Yl wiH
fiät n frFtand Fz, krosiN Hemselvz, bQd n kist H Old
prins'az kOld n stifand hAnd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
/antil /prins /AndrM setald in /bOgMcROvO its Onxz hAd YlwEz bin
AbsantIz, n its pezants wx v kwFt a difxant kAraktx from
HOz v /bYld /hilz. HE difxd from Hem in spIc, dres, n
dispaziSan. HE wx kYld step pezants. H Old prins Vst t
aprMv v Hem f HX indxans At wxk wen HE kEm t /bYld /hilz
t help wiH H hRvist, P t dig pondz n dicaz, bat hI dislFkt
Hem f HX bUxiSnas.
<p>
prins /AndrM'z lAst stE At /bOgMcROvO, wen hI intradMst hospitalz
n skMlz n ridMst H kwitrant H pezants hAd t pE, hAd not
sofand HX dispaziSan bat hAd on H kontrXi streNTand in
Hem H trEts v kAraktx H Old prins kYld bUxiSnas. vXWs
abskjUx rMmxz wx YlwEz karant amaN Hem: At wan tFm a rMmx HAt
HE wUd Yl bI inrOld Az /kosAä; At anaHx v a nM riliJan t
wic HE wx Yl t bI kanvxtad; Hen v sam proklamESan v H
/tsR'z n v an OT t H /tsR /pYl in 1797 (in kanekSan wiH wic
it woz rMmxd HAt frIdam hAd bin grAntad Hem bat H lAndOnxz hAd
stopt it), Hen v /pItx /fjOdPOvic'az ritxn t H TrOn in sevan
jCz' tFm, wen evriTiN wUd bI mEd frI n sO “simpal” HAt
HX wUd bI nO ristrikSanz. rMmxz v H wP wiH /bOnapRt n
hiz invEZan wx kanektad in HX mFndz wiH H sEm sPt v vEg
nOSanz v /AntikrFst, H end v H wxld, n “pjUx frIdam.”
<p>
in H visiniti v /bOgMcROvO wx lRJ viliJaz biloNiN t H
krQn P t Onxz hMz sxfs pEd kwitrant n kUd wxk wX HE
plIzd. HX wx veri fV rezidant lAndlPdz in H nEbxhUd
n YlsO veri fV damestik P litxat sxfs, n in H lFvz v H
pezantri v HOz pRts H mistCWs andxkarants in H lFf v
H /raSan pIpal, H kYzaz n mIniN v wic R sO bAfaliN t
kantempxXiz, wx mP klCli n stroNli nOtisabal HAn amaN
aHxz. wan instans, wic hAd akxd sam twenti jCz bifP, woz
a mMvmant amaN H pezants t emigrEt t sam annOn “wPm rivxz.”
handradz v pezants, amaN Hem H /bOgMcROvO fOk, sadanli bigAn
seliN HX kAtal n mMviN in hOl fAmliz tPd H sQTIst.
Az bxdz mFgrEt t samwX bijond H sI, sO HIz men wiH HX
wFvz n cildran strImd t H sQTIst, t pRts wX nan v
Hem hAd evx bin. HE set of in kAravAnz, bYt HX frIdam wan
bF wan P rAn awE, n drOv P wYkt tPd H “wPm rivxz.” meni
v Hem wx paniSt, sam sent t /sFbCW, meni dFd v kOld n
haNgx on H rOd, meni ritxnd v HX On akPd, n H mMvmant
dFd dQn v itself Jast Az it hAd spraN ap, wiHQt apArant rIzan.
bat sac andxkarants stil iãistad amaN H pIpal n gAHxd nM
fPsaz redi t mAnifest Hemselvz Jast Az strEnJli, aniäpektadli, n
At H sEm tFm simpli, nAcxali, n fPsabli. nQ in 1812, t eniwan
liviN in klOs tac wiH HIz pIpal it woz apArant HAt HIz
andxkarants wx AktiN stroNli n nCiN an irapSan.
<p>
/ylpytic, hM hAd rIct /bOgMcROvO SPtli bifP H Old prins'az
deT, nOtist an AJitESan amaN H pezants, n HAt kontrXi t
wot woz hApaniN in H /bYld /hilz distrikt, wX Ovx a rEdWs v
fPti mFlz Yl H pezants wx mMviN awE n lIviN HX viliJaz
t bI devastEtad bF H /kosAä, H pezants in H step rIJan
rQnd /bOgMcROvO wx, it woz rMmxd, in tac wiH H /frenc,
risIvd lIflats from Hem HAt pAst from hAnd t hAnd, n did not
mFgrEt. hI lxnd from damestik sxfs lqal t him HAt H pezant
/kRp, hM pazest grEt inflMans in H viliJ komVn n hAd
rIsantli bin awE drFviN a gavxnmant trAnspPt, hAd ritxnd wiH
nMz HAt H /kosAä wx distrqiN dizxtad viliJaz, bat HAt H
/frenc did not hRm Hem. /ylpytic YlsO nM HAt on H prIvWs dE
anaHx pezant hAd Ivan brYt from H viliJ v /vislMâOvO, wic
woz okVpFd bF H /frenc, a proklamESan bF a /frenc Jenxal HAt nO
hRm wUd bI dan t H inhAbitants, n if HE rimEnd HE wUd
bI pEd f eniTiN tEkan from Hem. Az prMf v His H pezant hAd
brYt from /vislMâOvO a handrad rMbalz in nOts (hI did not nO HAt
HE wx fYls) pEd t him in advAns f hE.
<p>
mP impPtant stil, /ylpytic lxnd HAt on H mPniN v H
veri dE hI gEv H viliJ /eldx Pdxz t kalekt kRts t mMv H
prinsas' lagiJ from /bOgMcROvO, HX hAd bin a viliJ mItiN At
wic it hAd bin disFdad not t mMv bat t wEt. jet HX woz nO
tFm t wEst. on H fiftInT, H dE v H Old prins'az deT,
H /mRSal hAd insistad on /prinsas /mXi'z lIviN At wans, Az it woz
bikamiN dEnJxas. hI hAd tOld hx HAt Aftx H siätInT hI kUd
not bI risponsabal f wot mFt hApan. on H IvniN v H dE H
Old prins dFd H /mRSal went awE, promisiN t ritxn neät dE f
H fVnxal. bat His hI woz anEbal t dM, f hI risIvd tFdiNz HAt
H /frenc hAd aniäpektadli advAnst, n hAd bXli tFm t rimMv hiz
On fAmli n vAlVabalz from hiz istEt.
<p>
f sam Txti jCz /bOgMcROvO hAd bin mAniJd bF H viliJ /eldx,
/dron, hMm H Old prins kYld bF H diminVtiv “/drOnMSka.”
<p>
/dron woz wan v HOz fizikli n mentali vigxas pezants hM grO
big bCdz Az sMn Az HE R v EJ n gO on ancEnJd til HE
R siäti P sevanti, wiHQt a grE hX P H los v a tMT, Az
strEt n stroN At siäti Az At Txti.
<p>
sMn Aftx H mFgrESan t H “wPm rivxz,” in wic hI hAd tEkan
pRt lFk H rest, /dron woz mEd viliJ /eldx n OvxsIx v
/bOgMcROvO, n hAd sins fild HAt pOst iriprOcabli f
twenti-TrI jCz. H pezants fCd him mP HAn HE did HX
mAstx. H mAstxz, bOT H Old prins n H jaN, n H stMxd
rispektad him n JestiNli kYld him “H /ministx.” dxiN H
hOl tFm v hiz sxvis /dron hAd nevx bin draNk P il, nevx Aftx
slIplas nFts P H hRdast tAsä hAd hI SOn H lIst fatIg,
n HO hI kUd not rId hI hAd nevx fxgotan a siNgal mani
akQnt P H nambx v kwPtxz v flQx in eni v H endlas
kRtlOdz hI sOld f H prins, nP a siNgal Sok v H hOl kPn
krop on eni siNgal Ekx v H /bOgMcROvO fIldz.
<p>
/ylpytic, xFviN from H devastEtad /bYld /hilz istEt, sent f hiz
/dron on H dE v H prins'az fVnxal n tOld him t hAv twelv
hPsaz got redi f H prinsas' kAriJaz n EtIn kRts f
H TiNz t bI rimMvd from /bOgMcROvO. HO H pezants pEd
kwitrant, /ylpytic TYt nO difikalti wUd bI mEd abQt kamplFiN
wiH His Pdx, f HX wx tM handrad n Txti hQshOldz At
wxk in /bOgMcROvO n H pezants wx wel t dM. bat on hCiN H
Pdx /dron lOxd hiz Fz n rimEnd sFlant. /ylpytic nEmd sxtan
pezants hI nM, from hMm hI tOld him t tEk H kRts.
<p>
/dron riplFd HAt H hPsaz v HIz pezants wx awE kRtiN.
/ylpytic nEmd aHxz, bat HE tM, akPdiN t /dron, hAd nO hPsaz
avElabal: sam hPsaz wx kRtiN f H gavxnmant, aHxz wx tM
wIk, n aHxz hAd dFd f wont v fodx. it sImd HAt nO hPsaz
kUd bI hAd Ivan f H kAriJaz, mac les f H kRtiN.
<p>
/ylpytic lUkt intentli At /dron n frQnd. Jast Az /dron woz a modal
viliJ /eldx, sO /ylpytic hAd not mAniJd H prins'az istEts f
twenti jCz in vEn. hI woz a modal stMxd, pazesiN in H hFast
digrI H fAkalti v divFniN H nIdz n instiNkts v HOz hI delt
wiH. hAviN glAnst At /dron hI At wans andxstUd HAt hiz Ansxz did
not iäpres hiz pxsanal vVz bat H Jenxal mMd v H /bOgMcROvO
komVn, bF wic H /eldx hAd Ylredi bin kArid awE. bat hI YlsO
nM HAt /dron, hM hAd akwFxd propxti n woz hEtad bF H komVn,
mast bI hezitEtiN bitwIn H tM kAmps: H mAstxz' n H sxfs'.
hI nOtist His hezitESan in /dron'z lUk n HXfP frQnd n
mMvd klOsx ap t him.
<p>
“nQ Jast lisan, /drOnMSka,” sed hI. “dOnt tYk nonsens t mI. hiz
eäalansi /prins /AndrM himself gEv mI Pdxz t mMv Yl H pIpal
awE n not lIv Hem wiH H enami, n HX iz an Pdx from H
/tsR abQt it tM. eniwan hM stEz iz a trEtx t H /tsR. dM V
hC?”
<p>
“F hC,” /dron Ansxd wiHQt liftiN hiz Fz.
<p>
/ylpytic woz not sAtisfFd wiH His riplF.
<p>
“E, /dron, it wil txn Qt bAdli!” hI sed, SEkiN hiz hed.
<p>
“H pQx iz in jP hAndz,” /dron rIJqnd sAdli.
<p>
“E, /dron, drop it!” /ylpytic ripItad, wiHdrYiN hiz hAnd from hiz
bUzam n solamli pqntiN t H flP At /dron'z fIt. “F kAn sI
TrM V n TrI jRdz intM H grQnd andx V,” hI kantinVd,
gEziN At H flP in frant v /dron.
<p>
/dron woz diskansxtad, glAnst fxtivli At /ylpytic n agen lOxd
hiz Fz.
<p>
“V drop His nonsens n tel H pIpal t get redi t lIv HX
hOmz n gO t /moskQ n t get kRts redi f tamorO mPniN
f H prinsas' TiNz. n dOnt gO t eni mItiN jPself, dM V
hC?”
<p>
/dron sadanli fel on hiz nIz.
<p>
“/jykOf /ylpytic, discRJ mI! tEk H kIz from mI n discRJ mI,
f /krFst's sEk!”
<p>
“stop HAt!” krFd /ylpytic stxnli. “F sI TrM V n TrI jRdz
andx V,” hI ripItad, nOiN HAt hiz skil in bIkIpiN, hiz
noliJ v H rFt tFm t sO H Ots, n H fAkt HAt hI hAd
bin Ebal t ritEn H Old prins'az fEvx f twenti jCz hAd loN
sins gEnd him H repVtESan v bIiN a wizxd, n HAt H pQx v
sIiN TrI jRdz andx a mAn iz kansidxd an AtribVt v wizxdz.
<p>
/dron got ap n woz abQt t sE samTiN, bat /ylpytic intxaptad
him.
<p>
“wot iz it V hAv got intM jP hedz, E?... wot R V TiNkiN
v, E?”
<p>
“wot Am F t dM wiH H pIpal?” sed /dron. “HE'x kwFt bisFd
Hemselvz; F hAv Ylredi tOld Hem...”
<p>
“'tOld Hem,' F dX sE!” sed /ylpytic. “R HE driNkiN?” hI Askt
abraptli.
<p>
“kwFt bisFd Hemselvz, /jykOf /ylpytic; HE'v fect anaHx
bAral.”
<p>
“wel, Hen, lisan! F'l gO t H palIs ofisx, n V tel Hem
sO, n HAt HE mast stop His n H kRts mast bI got redi.”
<p>
“F andxstAnd.”
<p>
/ylpytic did not insist fxHx. hI hAd mAniJd pIpal f a loN tFm
n nM HAt H cIf wE t mEk Hem ObE iz t SO nO saspiSan
HAt HE kAn posabli disObE. hAviN raN a sabmisiv “F andxstAnd”
from /dron, /ylpytic kantentad himself wiH HAt, HO hI not Onli
dQtad bat felt YlmOst sxtan HAt wiHQt H help v trMps H
kRts wUd not bI fPTkamiN.
<p>
n sO it woz, f wen IvniN kEm nO kRts hAd bin pravFdad. in H
viliJ, QtsFd H driNk Sop, anaHx mItiN woz bIiN held, wic
disFdad HAt H hPsaz SUd bI drivan Qt intM H wUdz n H
kRts SUd not bI pravFdad. wiHQt sEiN eniTiN v His t H
prinsas, /ylpytic hAd hiz On biloNiNz tEkan Qt v H kRts wic
hAd xFvd from /bYld /hilz n hAd HOz hPsaz got redi f
H prinsas' kAriJaz. mInwFl hI went himself t H palIs
YToritiz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/Aftx hx fyHx'z fVnxal /prinsas /mXi Sat hxself ap in hx rMm n
did not admit eniwan. a mEd kEm t H dP t sE HAt /ylpytic woz
AskiN f Pdxz abQt HX dipRcx. (His woz bifP hiz tYk wiH
/dron.) prinsas /mXi rEzd hxself on H sOfa on wic SI hAd bin
lFiN n riplFd TrM H klOzd dP HAt SI did not mIn t gO
awE n begd t bI left in pIs.
<p>
H windOz v H rMm in wic SI woz lFiN lUkt westwxd. SI
lE on H sOfa wiH hx fEs t H wYl, fiNgxiN H batanz v H
leHx kUSan n sIiN naTiN bat HAt kUSan, n hx kanfVzd
TYts wx sentxd on wan sabJekt—H irevakabiliti v deT n
hx On spiricMal bEsnas, wic SI hAd not saspektad, bat wic hAd
SOn itself dxiN hx fyHx'z ilnas. SI wiSt t prE bat did not
dX t, dXd not in hx prezant stEt v mFnd adres hxself t /god.
SI lE f a loN tFm in HAt paziSan.
<p>
H san hAd rIct H aHx sFd v H hQs, n its slAntiN rEz
SOn intM H Opan windO, lFtiN ap H rMm n pRt v H /mxokO
kUSan At wic /prinsas /mXi woz lUkiN. H flO v hx TYts
sadanli stopt. ankonSasli SI sAt ap, smMHd hx hX, got ap,
n went t H windO, involantXili inhEliN H freSnas v H
klC bat windi IvniN.
<p>
“jes, V kAn wel inJq H IvniN nQ! hI iz gon n nO wan wil
hindx V,” SI sed t hxself, n siNkiN intM a cX SI let hx
hed fYl on H windO sil.
<p>
samwan spOk hx nEm in a soft n tendx vqs from H gRdan n
kist hx hed. SI lUkt ap. it woz /mAdamwazel /bMrien in a blAk
dres n wIpxz. SI softli aprOct /prinsas /mXi, sFd, kist
hx, n imIdWtli bigAn t krF. H prinsas lUkt ap At hx. Yl
HX fPmx dishRmani n hx On Jelasi rikxd t hx mFnd.
bat SI rimembxd tM hQ hI hAd cEnJd v lEt tPd /mAdamwazel
/bMrien n kUd not bX t sI hx, HXbF SOiN hQ anJast wx
H riprOcaz /prinsas /mXi hAd mentali adrest t hx. “bisFdz,
iz it f mI, f mI hM dizFxd hiz deT, t kandem eniwan?” SI
TYt.
<p>
prinsas /mXi vividli pikcxd t hxself H paziSan v /mAdamwazel
/bMrien, hMm SI hAd v lEt kept At a distans, bat hM jet woz
dipendant on hx n liviN in hx hQs. SI felt sori f hx
n held Qt hx hAnd wiH a glAns v Jental inkwFxi. /mAdamwazel
/bMrien At wans bigAn krFiN agen n kist HAt hAnd, spIkiN v
H prinsas' sorO n mEkiN hxself a pRtnx in it. SI sed hx
Onli konsalESan woz H fAkt HAt H prinsas alQd hx t SX hx
sorO, HAt Yl H Old misandxstAndiNz SUd siNk intM naTiN bat
His grEt grIf; HAt SI felt hxself blEmlas in rigRd t evriwan,
n HAt hI, from abav, sY hx afekSan n grAtitMd. H prinsas
hxd hx, not hIdiN hx wxdz bat akEZanali lUkiN ap At hx n
lisaniN t H sQnd v hx vqs.
<p>
“jP paziSan iz dabli teribal, dC prinsas,” sed /mAdamwazel
/bMrien Aftx a pYz. “F andxstAnd HAt V kUd not, n kAnot,
TiNk v jPself, bat wiH mF lav f V F mast dM sO.... hAz
/ylpytic bin t V? hAz hI spOkan t V v gOiN awE?” SI Askt.
<p>
prinsas /mXi did not Ansx. SI did not andxstAnd hM woz t gO P
wX t. “iz it posabal t plAn P TiNk v eniTiN nQ? iz it not
Yl H sEm?” SI TYt, n did not riplF.
<p>
“V nO, Ser /mxI,” sed /mAdamwazel /bMrien, “HAt wI R in
dEnJx—R sxQndad bF H /frenc. it wUd bI dEnJxas t mMv nQ.
if wI gO wI R YlmOst SUx t bI tEkan prizanxz, n /god nOz...”
<p>
prinsas /mXi lUkt At hx kampAnjan wiHQt andxstAndiN wot SI woz
tYkiN abQt.
<p>
“O, if eniwan nM hQ lital eniTiN mAtxz t mI nQ,” SI sed.
“v kPs F wUd on nO akQnt wiS t gO awE from him.... /ylpytic
did sE samTiN abQt gOiN.... spIk t him; F kAn dM naTiN,
naTiN, n dOnt wont t....”
<p>
“F'v spOkan t him. hI hOps wI SUd bI in tFm t get awE tamorO,
bat F TiNk it wUd nQ bI betx t stE hC,” sed /mAdamwazel
/bMrien. “bikoz, V wil agrI, Ser /mxI, t fYl intM H hAndz
v H sOlJxz P v rFatas pezants wUd bI teribal.”
<p>
/mAdamwazel /bMrien tUk from hx retikVl a proklamESan (not
printad on PdinXi /raSan pEpx) v /Jenxal /rymO'z, teliN pIpal
not t lIv HX hOmz n HAt H /frenc YToritiz wUd afPd
Hem propx pratekSan. SI hAndad His t H prinsas.
<p>
“F TiNk it wUd bI best t apIl t HAt Jenxal,” SI kantinVd,
“n F Am SUx HAt Yl dM rispekt wUd bI SOn V.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi red H pEpx, n hx fEs bigAn t kwivx wiH stFfald
sobz.
<p>
“from hMm did V get His?” SI Askt.
<p>
“HE probabli rekagnFzd HAt F Am /frenc, bF mF nEm,” riplFd
/mAdamwazel /bMrien blaSiN.
<p>
prinsas /mXi, wiH H pEpx in hx hAnd, rOz from H windO n wiH
a pEl fEs went Qt v H rMm n intM wot hAd bin /prins /AndrM'z
stadi.
<p>
“/dMnjySa, send /ylpytic, P /drOnMSka, P sambodi t mI!” SI sed,
“n tel /mAdamwazel /bMrien not t kam t mI,” SI Adad, hCiN
/mAdamwazel /bMrien'z vqs. “wI mast gO At wans, At wans!” SI sed,
apYld At H TYt v bIiN left in H hAndz v H /frenc.
<p>
“if /prins /AndrM hxd HAt F woz in H pQx v H /frenc! HAt
F, H dYtx v /prins /nikalas /bOlkOnski, Askt /Jenxal /rymO f
pratekSan n aäeptad hiz fEvx!” His FdW horifFd hx, mEd hx
Sadx, blaS, n fIl sac a raS v ANgx n prFd Az SI hAd nevx
iäpCWnst bifP. Yl HAt woz distresiN, n ispeSali Yl HAt
woz hVmiliEtiN, in hx paziSan rOz vividli t hx mFnd. “HE, H
/frenc, wUd setal in His hQs: M. lU /Jenxal /rymO wUd okVpF
/prins /AndrM'z stadi n amVz himself bF lUkiN TrM n rIdiN
hiz letxz n pEpxz. /mAdamwazel /bMrien wUd dM H onxz v
/bOgMcROvO f him. F SUd bI givan a smYl rMm Az a fEvx, H
sOlJxz wUd vFalEt mF fyHx'z nMli dag grEv t stIl hiz krosaz
n stRz, HE wUd tel mI v HX viktxiz Ovx H /raSanz, n
wUd pritend t simpaTFz wiH mF sorO...” TYt /prinsas /mXi,
not TiNkiN hx On TYts bat fIliN bQnd t TiNk lFk hx fyHx
n hx braHx. f hxself SI did not kX wX SI rimEnd P wot
hApand t hx, bat SI felt hxself H reprizentativ v hx ded
fyHx n v /prins /AndrM. involantXili SI TYt HX TYts
n felt HX fIliNz. wot HE wUd hAv sed n wot HE wUd
hAv dan SI felt bQnd t sE n dM. SI went intM /prins /AndrM'z
stadi, trFiN t entx kamplItli intM hiz FdWz, n kansidxd hx
paziSan.
<p>
H dimAndz v lFf, wic hAd sImd t hx anFalEtad bF hx fyHx'z
deT, Yl At wans rOz bifP hx wiH a nM, prIvWsli annOn fPs
n tUk pazeSan v hx.
<p>
AJitEtad n flaSt SI pEst H rMm, sendiN nQ f /mFkal
/ivynOvic n nQ f /tiâOn P /dron. /dMnjySa, H nxs, n H aHx
mEdz kUd not sE in hQ fR /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z stEtmant woz
kxekt. /ylpytic woz not At hOm, hI hAd gon t H palIs. nFHx
kUd H Rkitekt /mFkal /ivynOvic, hM on bIiN sent f kEm in
wiH slIpi Fz, tel /prinsas /mXi eniTiN. wiH Jast H sEm smFl
v agrImant wiH wic f fiftIn jCz hI hAd bin akastamd t
Ansx H Old prins wiHQt iäpresiN vVz v hiz On, hI nQ
riplFd t /prinsas /mXi, sO HAt naTiN definit kUd bI got from hiz
Ansxz. H Old vAlE /tiâOn, wiH saNkan, imESiEtad fEs HAt bP H
stAmp v inkansOlabal grIf, riplFd: “jes, /prinsas” t Yl /prinsas
/mXi'z kwescanz n hRdli rifrEnd from sobiN Az hI lUkt At hx.
<p>
At leNT /dron, H viliJ /eldx, entxd H rMm n wiH a dIp bQ
t /prinsas /mXi kEm t a hYlt bF H dPpOst.
<p>
prinsas /mXi wYkt ap n dQn H rMm n stopt in frant v him.
<p>
“/drOnMSka,” SI sed, rigRdiN Az a SUx frend His /drOnMSka hM
YlwEz Vst t briN a speSal kFnd v JinJxbred from hiz vizit t H
fX At /vjyzma evri jC n smFliNli ofx it t hx, “/drOnMSka, nQ
sins Qx misfPcMn...” SI bigAn, bat kUd not gO on.
<p>
“wI R Yl in /god'z hAndz,” sed hI, wiH a sF.
<p>
HE wx sFlant f a wFl.
<p>
“/drOnMSka, /ylpytic hAz gon of samwX n F hAv nO wan t txn
t. iz it trM, Az HE tel mI, HAt F kAnt Ivan gO awE?”
<p>
“wF SUdant V gO awE, jP eäalansi? V kAn gO,” sed /dron.
<p>
“F woz tOld it wUd bI dEnJxas bikoz v H enami. dC frend, F
kAn dM naTiN. F andxstAnd naTiN. F hAv nObodi! F wont t gO awE
tanFt P xli tamorO mPniN.”
<p>
/dron pYzd. hI lUkt askAns At /prinsas /mXi n sed: “HX R nO
hPsaz; F tOld /jykOf /ylpytic sO.”
<p>
“wF R HX nan?” Askt H prinsas.
<p>
“it's Yl /god'z skxJ,” sed /dron. “wot hPsaz wI hAd hAv bin
tEkan f H Rmi P hAv dFd—His iz sac a jC! it's not a kEs v
fIdiN hPsaz—wI mE dF v haNgx Qxselvz! Az it iz, sam gO TrI
dEz wiHQt ItiN. wI'v naTiN, wI'v bin rMind.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi lisand atentivli t wot hI tOld hx.
<p>
“H pezants R rMind? HE hAv nO bred?” SI Askt.
<p>
“HE'x dFiN v haNgx,” sed /dron. “it's not a kEs v kRtiN.”
<p>
“bat wF didant V tel mI, /drOnMSka? izant it posabal t help Hem?
F'l dM Yl F kAn....”
<p>
t /prinsas /mXi it woz strEnJ HAt nQ, At a mOment wen sac sorO
woz filiN hx sOl, HX kUd bI ric pIpal n pUx, n H ric
kUd rifrEn from helpiN H pUx. SI hAd hxd vEgli HAt HX
woz sac a TiN Az “lAndlPd'z kPn” wic woz samtFmz givan t H
pezants. SI YlsO nM HAt nFHx hx fyHx nP hx braHx wUd
rifVz t help H pezants in nId, SI Onli fCd t mEk sam
mistEk in spIkiN abQt H distribVSan v H grEn SI wiSt t
giv. SI woz glAd sac kXz prizentad Hemselvz, inEbaliN hx
wiHQt skrMpal t fxget hx On grIf. SI bigAn AskiN /dron abQt H
pezants' nIdz n wot HX woz in /bOgMcROvO HAt biloNd t H
lAndlPd.
<p>
“bat wI hAv grEn biloNiN t mF braHx?” SI sed.
<p>
“H lAndlPd'z grEn iz Yl sEf,” riplFd /dron prQdli. “Qx prins
did not Pdx it t bI sOld.”
<p>
“giv it t H pezants, let Hem hAv Yl HE nId; F giv V lIv
in mF braHx'z nEm,” sed SI.
<p>
/dron mEd nO Ansx bat sFd dIpli.
<p>
“giv Hem HAt kPn if HX iz inaf v it. distribVt it Yl. F
giv His Pdx in mF braHx'z nEm; n tel Hem HAt wot iz Qxz iz
HXz. wI dM not graJ Hem eniTiN. tel Hem sO.”
<p>
/dron lUkt intentli At H prinsas wFl SI woz spIkiN.
<p>
“discRJ mI, lital maHx, f /god'z sEk! Pdx H kIz t bI tEkan
from mI,” sed hI. “F hAv sxvd twenti-TrI jCz n hAv dan nO
roN. discRJ mI, f /god'z sEk!”
<p>
prinsas /mXi did not andxstAnd wot hI wontad v hx P wF hI woz
AskiN t bI discRJd. SI riplFd HAt SI hAd nevx dQtad hiz
divOSan n HAt SI woz redi t dM eniTiN f him n f H
pezants.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
an Qx lEtx /dMnjySa kEm t tel H prinsas HAt /dron hAd kam, n
Yl H pezants hAd asembald At H bRn bF H prinsas' Pdx n
wiSt t hAv wxd wiH HX mistras.
<p>
“bat F nevx tOld Hem t kam,” sed /prinsas /mXi. “F Onli tOld /dron
t let Hem hAv H grEn.”
<p>
“Onli, f /god'z sEk, /prinsas dC, hAv Hem sent awE n dOnt gO
Qt t Hem. it's Yl a trik,” sed /dMnjySa, “n wen /jykOf /ylpytic
ritxnz let as get awE... n plIz dOnt...”
<p>
“wot iz a trik?” Askt /prinsas /mXi in sxprFz.
<p>
“F nO it iz, Onli lisan t mI f /god'z sEk! Ask nxs tM. HE sE
HE dOnt agrI t lIv /bOgMcROvO Az V Pdxd.”
<p>
“V'x mEkiN sam mistEk. F nevx Pdxd Hem t gO awE,” sed
/prinsas /mXi. “kYl /drOnMSka.”
<p>
/dron kEm n kanfxmd /dMnjySa'z wxdz; H pezants hAd kam bF H
prinsas' Pdx.
<p>
“bat F nevx sent f Hem,” diklXd H prinsas. “V mast hAv givan
mF mesiJ roN. F Onli sed HAt V wx t giv Hem H grEn.”
<p>
/dron Onli sFd in riplF.
<p>
“if V Pdx it HE wil gO awE,” sed hI.
<p>
“nO, nO. F'l gO Qt t Hem,” sed /prinsas /mXi, n in spFt v
H nxs'az n /dMnjySa'z prOtests SI went Qt intM H pPc; /dron,
/dMnjySa, H nxs, n /mFkal /ivynOvic folOiN hx.
<p>
“HE probabli TiNk F Am ofxiN Hem H grEn t brFb Hem t
rimEn hC, wFl F mFself gO awE lIviN Hem t H mxsi v H
/frenc,” TYt /prinsas /mXi. “F wil ofx Hem manTli rASanz n
hQziN At Qx /moskQ istEt. F Am SUx /AndrM wUd dM Ivan mP in
mF plEs,” SI TYt Az SI went Qt in H twFlFt tPd H krQd
stAndiN on H pAscx bF H bRn.
<p>
H men krQdad klOsx tageHx, stxd, n rApidli tUk of HX
hAts. prinsas /mXi lOxd hx Fz n, tripiN Ovx hx skxt, kEm
klOs ap t Hem. sO meni difxant Fz, Old n jaN, wx fiät
on hx, n HX wx sO meni difxant fEsaz, HAt SI kUd not
distiNgwiS eni v Hem n, fIliN HAt SI mast spIk t Hem Yl
At wans, did not nO hQ t dM it. bat agen H sens HAt SI
reprizentad hx fyHx n hx braHx gEv hx kariJ, n SI bOldli
bigAn hx spIc.
<p>
“F Am veri glAd V hAv kam,” SI sed wiHQt rEziN hx Fz, n
fIliN hx hRt bItiN kwikli n vFalantli. “/drOnMSka telz mI
HAt H wP hAz rMind V. HAt iz Qx koman misfPcMn, n F
SAl graJ naTiN t help V. F Am mFself gOiN awE bikoz it
iz dEnJxas hC... H enami iz nC... bikoz... F Am giviN V
evriTiN, mF frendz, n F beg V t tEk evriTiN, Yl Qx grEn,
sO HAt V mE not safx wont! n if V hAv bin tOld HAt F Am
giviN V H grEn t kIp V hC—HAt iz not trM. on H kontrXi,
F Ask V t gO wiH Yl jP biloNiNz t Qx istEt nC /moskQ, n
F promis V F wil sI t it HAt HX V SAl wont f naTiN.
V SAl bI givan fMd n loJiN.”
<p>
H prinsas stopt. sFz wx H Onli sQnd hxd in H krQd.
<p>
“F Am not dMiN His on mF On akQnt,” SI kantinVd, “F dM it in H
nEm v mF ded fyHx, hM woz a gUd mAstx t V, n v mF braHx
n hiz san.”
<p>
agen SI pYzd. nO wan brOk H sFlans.
<p>
“Qxz iz a koman misfPcMn n wI wil SX it tageHx. Yl HAt iz
mFn iz jPz,” SI kanklMdad, skAniN H fEsaz bifP hx.
<p>
Yl Fz wx gEziN At hx wiH wan n H sEm iäpreSan. SI
kUd not fAHam weHx it woz kjUxiositi, divOSan, grAtitMd, P
AprihenSan n distrast—bat H iäpreSan on Yl H fEsaz woz
Fdentikal.
<p>
“wI R Yl veri TANkfal f jP bQnti, bat it wOnt dM f as t
tEk H lAndlPd'z grEn,” sed a vqs At H bAk v H krQd.
<p>
“bat wF not?” Askt H prinsas.
<p>
nO wan riplFd n /prinsas /mXi, lUkiN rQnd At H krQd, fQnd HAt
evri F SI met nQ woz imIdWtli dropt.
<p>
“bat wF dOnt V wont t tEk it?” SI Askt agen.
<p>
nO wan Ansxd.
<p>
H sFlans bigAn t apres H prinsas n SI trFd t kAc
samwan'z F.
<p>
“wF dOnt V spIk?” SI inkwFxd v a veri Old mAn hM stUd Jast
in frant v hx lIniN on hiz stik. “if V TiNk samTiN mP iz
wontad, tel mI! F wil dM eniTiN,” sed SI, kAciN hiz F.
<p>
bat Az if His ANgxd him, hI bent hiz hed kwFt lO n matxd:
<p>
“wF SUd wI agrI? wI dOnt wont H grEn.”
<p>
“wF SUd wI giv ap evriTiN? wI dOnt agrI. dOnt agrI.... wI
R sori f V, bat wI'x not wiliN. gO awE jPself, alOn...”
kEm from vXWs sFdz v H krQd.
<p>
n agen Yl H fEsaz in HAt krQd bP an Fdentikal iäpreSan,
HO nQ it woz sxtanli not an iäpreSan v kjUxiositi P grAtitMd,
bat v ANgri rizolv.
<p>
“bat V kAnt hAv andxstUd mI,” sed /prinsas /mXi wiH a sAd smFl.
“wF dOnt V wont t gO? F promis t hQz n fId V, wFl hC
H enami wUd rMin V....”
<p>
bat hx vqs woz drQnd bF H vqsaz v H krQd.
<p>
“wI'x not wiliN. let Hem rMin as! wI wOnt tEk jP grEn. wI dOnt
agrI.”
<p>
agen /prinsas /mXi trFd t kAc samwan'z F, bat not a siNgal F
in H krQd woz txnd t hx; evidentli HE wx Yl trFiN t avqd
hx lUk. SI felt strEnJ n Ykwxd.
<p>
“O jes, an Rtfal tEl! folO hx intM slEvxi! pUl dQn jP hQzaz
n gO intM bondiJ! F dX sE! 'F'l giv V grEn, indId!' SI
sez,” vqsaz in H krQd wx hxd sEiN.
<p>
wiH drMpiN hed /prinsas /mXi left H krQd n went bAk t H
hQs. hAviN ripItad hx Pdx t /dron t hAv hPsaz redi f hx
dipRcx neät mPniN, SI went t hx rMm n rimEnd alOn wiH hx
On TYts.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
f a loN tFm HAt nFt /prinsas /mXi sAt bF H Opan windO v hx
rMm hCiN H sQnd v H pezants' vqsaz HAt rIct hx from
H viliJ, bat it woz not v Hem SI woz TiNkiN. SI felt HAt SI
kUd not andxstAnd Hem hQevx mac SI mFt TiNk abQt Hem. SI
TYt Onli v wan TiN, hx sorO, wic, Aftx H brEk kYzd
bF kXz f H prezant, sImd Ylredi t biloN t H pAst. nQ SI
kUd rimembx it n wIp P prE.
<p>
Aftx sanset H wind hAd dropt. H nFt woz kym n freS. tPd
midnFt H vqsaz bigAn t sabsFd, a kok krOd, H fUl mMn bigAn
t SO from bihFnd H lFm trIz, a freS wFt dMi mist bigAn t
rFz, n stilnas rEnd Ovx H viliJ n H hQs.
<p>
pikcxz v H nC pAst—hx fyHx'z ilnas n lAst mOments—rOz
wan Aftx anaHx t hx memxi. wiH mPnfal pleZx SI nQ liNgxd
Ovx HIz imiJaz, ripeliN wiH horx Onli H lAst wan, H
pikcx v hiz deT, wic SI felt SI kUd not kontamplEt Ivan in
imAJinESan At His stil n mistik Qx v nFt. n HIz pikcxz
prizentad Hemselvz t hx sO klCli n in sac dItEl HAt HE
sImd nQ prezant, nQ pAst, n nQ fVcx.
<p>
SI vividli rikYld H mOment wen hI hAd hiz fxst strOk n woz
bIiN drAgd aloN bF hiz Rmpits TrM H gRdan At /bYld /hilz,
matxiN samTiN wiH hiz helplas taN, twiciN hiz grE
FbrQz n lUkiN anIzili n timidli At hx.
<p>
“Ivan Hen hI wontad t tel mI wot hI tOld mI H dE hI dFd,” SI
TYt. “hI hAd YlwEz TYt wot hI sed Hen.” n SI rikYld in
Yl its dItEl H nFt At /bYld /hilz bifP hI hAd H lAst strOk,
wen wiH a fPbOdiN v dizAstx SI hAd rimEnd At hOm agenst hiz
wil. SI hAd not slept n hAd stOlan dQnstXz on tiptO, n gOiN
t H dP v H kansxvatPi wX hI slept HAt nFt hAd lisand
At H dP. in a safxiN n wCi vqs hI woz sEiN samTiN t
/tiâOn, spIkiN v H /krFmW n its wPm nFts n v H /empres.
evidentli hI hAd wontad t tYk. “n wF didant hI kYl mI? wF didant
hI let mI bI HX insted v /tiâOn?” prinsas /mXi hAd TYt n
TYt agen nQ. “nQ hI wil nevx tel eniwan wot hI hAd in hiz
sOl. nevx wil HAt mOment ritxn f him P f mI wen hI mFt hAv
sed Yl hI loNd t sE, n not /tiâOn bat F mFt hAv hxd n
andxstUd him. wF didant F entx H rMm?” SI TYt. “pxhAps hI
wUd Hen hAv sed t mI wot hI sed H dE hI dFd. wFl tYkiN
t /tiâOn hI Askt abQt mI twFs. hI wontad t sI mI, n F woz
stAndiN klOs bF, QtsFd H dP. it woz sAd n pEnfal f him
t tYk t /tiâOn hM did not andxstAnd him. F rimembx hQ hI bigAn
spIkiN t him abQt /lIz Az if SI wx alFv—hI hAd fxgotan SI
woz ded—n /tiâOn rimFndad him HAt SI woz nO mP, n hI SQtad,
'/fMl!' hI woz grEtli diprest. from bihFnd H dP F hxd hQ hI
lE dQn on hiz bed grOniN n lQdli iäklEmd, 'mF /god!' wF didant
F gO in Hen? wot kUd hI hAv dan t mI? wot kUd F hAv lost? n
pxhAps hI wUd Hen hAv bin kamfxtad n wUd hAv sed HAt wxd
t mI.” n /prinsas /mXi atxd alQd H kxesiN wxd hI hAd sed
t hx on H dE v hiz deT. “dC-est!” SI ripItad, n bigAn
sobiN, wiH tCz HAt rilIvd hx sOl. SI nQ sY hiz fEs bifP
hx. n not H fEs SI hAd nOn evx sins SI kUd rimembx n
hAd YlwEz sIn At a distans, bat H timid, fIbal fEs SI hAd sIn
f H fxst tFm kwFt klOsli, wiH Yl its riNkalz n dItElz,
wen SI stMpt nC t hiz mQT t kAc wot hI sed.
<p>
“dC-est!” SI ripItad agen.
<p>
“wot woz hI TiNkiN wen hI atxd HAt wxd? wot iz hI TiNkiN
nQ?” His kwescan sadanli prizentad itself t hx, n in Ansx SI
sY him bifP hx wiH H iäpreSan HAt woz on hiz fEs Az hI lE
in hiz kofin wiH hiz cin bQnd ap wiH a wFt hANkxcif. n H
horx HAt hAd sIzd hx wen SI tact him n kanvinst hxself
HAt HAt woz not hI, bat samTiN mistCWs n horibal, sIzd hx
agen. SI trFd t TiNk v samTiN els n t prE, bat kUd dM
nFHx. wiH wFd-Opan Fz SI gEzd At H mMnlFt n H SAdOz,
iäpektiN evri mOment t sI hiz ded fEs, n SI felt HAt H
sFlans brMdiN Ovx H hQs n wiHin it held hx fAst.
<p>
“/dMnjySa,” SI wispxd. “/dMnjySa!” SI skrImd wFldli, n tCiN
hxself Qt v His sFlans SI rAn t H sxvants' kwPtxz t mIt
hx Old nxs n H mEdsxvants hM kEm raniN tPd hx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
on H sevantInT v Ygast /rOstOf n /FlFin, akampanid bF /lyvrMSka
hM hAd Jast ritxnd from kAptiviti n bF an hMsR Pdxli, left
HX kwPtxz At /jynkOvO, ten mFlz from /bOgMcROvO, n went f a
rFd—t trF a nM hPs /FlFin hAd bYt n t fFnd Qt weHx HX
woz eni hE t bI hAd in H viliJaz.
<p>
f H lAst TrI dEz /bOgMcROvO hAd lEn bitwIn H tM hostFl
Rmiz, sO HAt it woz Az Izi f H /raSan rCgRd t get t it Az
f H /frenc vAngRd; /rOstOf, Az a kXfal skwodran kamAndx, wiSt
t tEk sac praviZanz Az rimEnd At /bOgMcROvO bifP H /frenc
kUd get Hem.
<p>
/rOstOf n /FlFin wx in H merWst v mMdz. on H wE t
/bOgMcROvO, a prinsli istEt wiH a dweliN hQs n fRm wX
HE hOpt t fFnd meni damestik sxfs n priti gxlz, HE kwescand
/lyvrMSka abQt /napOlWn n lAft At hiz stPiz, n rEst wan
anaHx t trF /FlFin'z hPs.
<p>
/rOstOf hAd nO FdW HAt H viliJ hI woz entxiN woz H propxti v
HAt veri /bOlkOnski hM hAd bin ingEJd t hiz sistx.
<p>
/rOstOf n /FlFin gEv rEn t HX hPsaz f a lAst rEs aloN H
inklFn bifP rIciN /bOgMcROvO, n /rOstOf, QtstripiN /FlFin, woz
H fxst t gAlap intM H viliJ strIt.
<p>
“V'x fxst!” krFd /FlFin, flaSt.
<p>
“jes, YlwEz fxst bOT on H grAslAnd n hC,” Ansxd /rOstOf,
strOkiN hiz hItad /dOnjets hPs.
<p>
“n F'd hAv wan on mF /frenci, jP eäalansi,” sed /lyvrMSka
from bihFnd, alMdiN t hiz SAbi kRt hPs, “Onli F didant wiS t
mPtifF V.”
<p>
HE rOd At a fUtpEs t H bRn, wX a lRJ krQd v pezants woz
stAndiN.
<p>
sam v H men bXd HX hedz, aHxz stXd At H nM xFvalz
wiHQt dofiN HX kAps. tM tYl Old pezants wiH riNkald fEsaz
n skAnti bCdz imxJd from H tAvxn, smFliN, stAgxiN, n
siNiN sam inkOhCant soN, n aprOct H ofisxz.
<p>
“fFn felOz!” sed /rOstOf lAfiN. “iz HX eni hE hC?”
<p>
“n hQ lFk wan anaHx,” sed /FlFin.
<p>
“a mO-O-st mI-r-r-i kO-O-m-py...!” sAN wan v H pezants wiH a
blisfal smFl.
<p>
wan v H men kEm Qt v H krQd n went ap t /rOstOf.
<p>
“hM dM V biloN t?” hI Askt.
<p>
“H /frenc,” riplFd /FlFin JestiNli, “n hC iz /napOlWn
himself”—n hI pqntad t /lyvrMSka.
<p>
“Hen V R /raSanz?” H pezant Askt agen.
<p>
“n iz HX a lRJ fPs v V hC?” sed anaHx, a SPt mAn,
kamiN ap.
<p>
“veri lRJ,” Ansxd /rOstOf. “bat wF hAv V kalektad hC?” hI
Adad. “iz it a holidE?”
<p>
“H Old men hAv met t tYk Ovx H biznas v H komVn,” riplFd
H pezant, mMviN awE.
<p>
At HAt mOment, on H rOd lIdiN from H big hQs, tM wimin n a
mAn in a wFt hAt wx sIn kamiN tPd H ofisxz.
<p>
“H wan in piNk iz mFn, sO kIp of!” sed /FlFin on sIiN /dMnjySa
raniN rezalMtli tPd him.
<p>
“SI'l bI Qxz!” sed /lyvrMSka t /FlFin, wiNkiN.
<p>
“wot dM V wont, mF priti?” sed /FlFin wiH a smFl.
<p>
“H prinsas Pdxd mI t Ask jP reJimant n jP nEm.”
<p>
“His iz /kQnt /rOstOf, skwodran kamAndx, n F Am jP hambal
sxvant.”
<p>
“kO-O-om-py-ny!” rPd H tipsi pezant wiH a bWtifik smFl Az
hI lUkt At /FlFin tYkiN t H gxl. folOiN /dMnjySa, /ylpytic
advAnst t /rOstOf, hAviN bXd hiz hed wFl stil At a distans.
<p>
“mE F mEk bOld t trabal jP onx?” sed hI rispektfali, bat wiH
a SEd v kantempt f H VTfalnas v His ofisx n wiH a hAnd
Trast intM hiz bUzam. “mF mistras, dYtx v /Jenxal in /cIf /prins
/nikalas /bOlkOnski hM dFd on H fiftInT v His manT, fFndiN
hxself in difikaltiz OiN t H bUxiSnas v HIz pIpal”—hI
pqntad t H pezants—“Asä V t kam ap t H hQs.... wOnt
V, plIz, rFd on a lital fRHx,” sed /ylpytic wiH a melankoli
smFl, “Az it iz not kanvInWnt in H prezans v...?” hI pqntad t
H tM pezants hM kept Az klOs t him Az hPsflFz t a hPs.
<p>
“y!... /ylpytic... y, /jykOf /ylpytic... grAnd! fxgiv as f /krFst's
sEk, E?” sed H pezants, smFliN Jqfali At him.
<p>
/rOstOf lUkt At H tipsi pezants n smFld.
<p>
“P pxhAps HE amVz jP onx?” rimRkt /ylpytic wiH a stEd X,
Az hI pqntad At H Old men wiH hiz frI hAnd.
<p>
“nO, HX'z not mac t bI amVzd At hC,” sed /rOstOf, n rOd on a
lital wE. “wot's H mAtx?” hI Askt.
<p>
“F mEk bOld t infPm jP onx HAt H rMd pezants hC dOnt
wiS t let H mistras lIv H istEt, n Tretan t anhRnas hx
hPsaz, sO HAt HO evriTiN hAz bin pAkt ap sins mPniN, hx
eäalansi kAnot get awE.”
<p>
“imposabal!” iäklEmd /rOstOf.
<p>
“F hAv H onx t ripPt t V H AkcMal trMT,” sed /ylpytic.
<p>
/rOstOf dismQntad, gEv hiz hPs t H Pdxli, n folOd /ylpytic
t H hQs, kwescaniN him Az t H stEt v afXz. it apCd
HAt H prinsas' ofx v kPn t H pezants H prIvWs dE, n
hx tYk wiH /dron n At H mItiN, hAd AkcMali hAd sO bAd an ifekt
HAt /dron hAd fFnali givan ap H kIz n Jqnd H pezants n hAd
not apCd wen /ylpytic sent f him; n HAt in H mPniN wen
H prinsas gEv Pdxz t hRnas f hx Jxni, H pezants hAd
kam in a lRJ krQd t H bRn n sent wxd HAt HE wUd not let
hx lIv H viliJ: HAt HX woz an Pdx not t mMv, n HAt
HE wUd anhRnas H hPsaz. /ylpytic hAd gon Qt t AdmoniS Hem,
bat woz tOld (it woz cIfli /kRp hM did H tYkiN, /dron not SOiN
himself in H krQd) HAt HE kUd not let H prinsas gO, HAt
HX woz an Pdx t H kontrXi, bat HAt if SI stEd HE wUd
sxv hx Az bifP n ObE hx in evriTiN.
<p>
At H mOment wen /rOstOf n /FlFin wx gAlapiN aloN H rOd,
/prinsas /mXi, dispFt H diswEZanz v /ylpytic, hx nxs, n H
mEdz, hAd givan Pdxz t hRnas n intendad t stRt, bat wen H
kAvalrimen wx ispFd HE wx tEkan f /frencmen, H kOcman rAn
awE, n H wimin in H hQs bigAn t wEl.
<p>
“fyHx! benifAktx! god hAz sent V!” iäklEmd dIpli mMvd vqsaz Az
/rOstOf pAst TrM H AntirMm.
<p>
prinsas /mXi woz sitiN helplas n biwildxd in H lRJ sitiN
rMm, wen /rOstOf woz SOn in. SI kUd not grAsp hM hI woz n wF
hI hAd kam, P wot woz hApaniN t hx. wen SI sY hiz /raSan
fEs, n bF hiz wYk n H fxst wxdz hI atxd rekagnFzd him Az a
mAn v hx On klAs, SI glAnst At him wiH hx dIp rEdWnt lUk n
bigAn spIkiN in a vqs HAt fYltxd n trembald wiH imOSan. His
mItiN imIdWtli strak /rOstOf Az a rOmAntik ivent. “a helplas gxl
Ovxwelmd wiH grIf, left t H mxsi v kPs, rFatiN pezants!
n wot a strEnJ fEt sent mI hC! wot Jentalnas n nObiliti HX
R in hx fIcxz n iäpreSan!” TYt hI Az hI lUkt At hx n
lisand t hx timid stPi.
<p>
wen SI bigAn t tel him HAt Yl His hAd hApand H dE Aftx hx
fyHx'z fVnxal, hx vqs trembald. SI txnd awE, n Hen, Az if
fCiN hI mFt tEk hx wxdz Az ment t mMv him t piti, lUkt At
him wiH an Aprihensiv glAns v inkwFxi. HX wx tCz in /rOstOf's
Fz. prinsas /mXi nOtist His n glAnst grEtfali At him wiH HAt
rEdWnt lUk wic kYzd H plEnnas v hx fEs t bI fxgotan.
<p>
“F kAnot iäpres, /prinsas, hQ glAd F Am HAt F hApand t rFd hC
n Am Ebal t SO mF redinas t sxv V,” sed /rOstOf, rFziN. “gO
wen V plIz, n F giv V mF wxd v onx HAt nO wan SAl dX
t kYz V anqans if Onli V wil alQ mI t Akt Az jP eskPt.”
n bQiN rispektfali, Az if t a lEdi v rqal blad, hI mMvd tPd
H dP.
<p>
/rOstOf's defxenSal tOn sImd t indikEt HAt HO hI wUd
kansidx himself hApi t bI akwEntad wiH hx, hI did not wiS t
tEk advAntiJ v hx misfPcMnz t intrMd apon hx.
<p>
prinsas /mXi andxstUd His n aprISiEtad hiz delikasi.
<p>
“F Am veri, veri grEtfal t V,” SI sed in /frenc, “bat F hOp it
woz Yl a misandxstAndiN n HAt nO wan iz t blEm f it.” SI
sadanli bigAn t krF.
<p>
“iäkVz mI!” SI sed.
<p>
/rOstOf, nitiN hiz brQz, left H rMm wiH anaHx lO bQ.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
“wel, iz SI priti? y, frend—mF piNk wan iz diliSas; hx nEm iz
/dMnjySa....”
<p>
bat on glAnsiN At /rOstOf's fEs /FlFin stopt SPt. hI sY HAt hiz
hCO n kamAndx woz folOiN kwFt a difxant trEn v TYt.
<p>
/rOstOf glAnst ANgrili At /FlFin n wiHQt riplFiN strOd of wiH
rApid steps t H viliJ.
<p>
“F'l SO Hem; F'l giv it t Hem, H brigandz!” sed hI t
himself.
<p>
/ylpytic At a glFdiN trot, Onli Jast mAniJiN not t ran, kept ap wiH
him wiH difikalti.
<p>
“wot disiZan hAv V bin plIzd t kam t?” sed hI.
<p>
/rOstOf stopt n, klenciN hiz fists, sadanli n stxnli txnd on
/ylpytic.
<p>
“disiZan? wot disiZan? Old dOtxd!...” krFd hI. “wot hAv V bin
abQt? E? H pezants R rFatiN, n V kAnt mAniJ Hem? V'x
a trEtx jPself! F nO V. F'l flE V Yl alFv!...” n Az if
afrEd v wEstiN hiz stP v ANgx, hI left /ylpytic n went rApidli
fPwxd. /ylpytic, mAstxiN hiz afendad fIliNz, kept pEs wiH
/rOstOf At a glFdiN gEt n kantinVd t impRt hiz vVz. hI sed
H pezants wx obdxat n HAt At H prezant mOment it wUd bI
imprMdant t “Ovxrizist” Hem wiHQt an Rmd fPs, n wUd it not
bI betx fxst t send f H militXi?
<p>
“F'l giv Hem Rmd fPs... F'l 'Ovxrizist' Hem!” atxd /rOstOf
mIniNlasli, breTlas wiH irASanal Animal fjUxi n H nId t
vent it.
<p>
wiHQt kansidxiN wot hI wUd dM hI mMvd ankonsWsli wiH kwik,
rezalMt steps tPd H krQd. n H nCx hI drM t it H mP
/ylpytic felt HAt His anrIzanabal AkSan mFt pradMs gUd rizalts.
H pezants in H krQd wx similxli imprest wen HE sY
/rOstOf's rApid, fxm steps n rezalMt, frQniN fEs.
<p>
Aftx H hMsRz hAd kam t H viliJ n /rOstOf hAd gon t sI H
prinsas, a sxtan kanfVZan n disenSan hAd xizan amaN H krQd.
sam v H pezants sed HAt HIz nM xFvalz wx /raSanz n
mFt tEk it amis HAt H mistras woz bIiN ditEnd. /dron woz v
His apinjan, bat Az sMn Az hI iäprest it /kRp n aHxz atAkt
HX eä-/eldx.
<p>
“hQ meni jCz hAv V bin fAtaniN on H komVn?” kRp SQtad At
him. “it's Yl wan t V! V'l dig ap jP pot v mani n tEk
it awE wiH V.... wot daz it mAtx t V weHx Qx hOmz R
rMind P not?”
<p>
“wI'v bin tOld t kIp Pdx, n HAt nO wan iz t lIv HX hOmz
P tEk awE a siNgal grEn, n HAt's Yl abQt it!” krFd anaHx.
<p>
“it woz jP san'z txn t bI kanskriptad, bat nO fC! V bigraJd
jP lamp v a san,” a lital Old mAn sadanli bigAn atAkiN /dron—“n
sO HE tUk mF /vynka t bI SEvd f a sOlJx! bat wI Yl hAf t
dF.”
<p>
“t bI SUx, wI Yl hAf t dF. F'm not agenst H komVn,” sed
/dron.
<p>
“HAt's it—not agenst it! V'v fild jP beli....”
<p>
H tM tYl pezants hAd HX sE. Az sMn Az /rOstOf, folOd bF
/FlFin, /lyvrMSka, n /ylpytic, kEm ap t H krQd, /kRp, TrastiN
hiz fiNgxz intM hiz belt n smFliN a lital, wYkt t H frant.
/dron on H kontrXi ritFxd t H rC n H krQd drM klOsx
tageHx.
<p>
“hM iz jP /eldx hC? hE?” SQtad /rOstOf, kamiN ap t H krQd
wiH kwik steps.
<p>
“H /eldx? wot dM V wont wiH him?...” Askt /kRp.
<p>
bat bifP H wxdz wx wel Qt v hiz mQT, hiz kAp flM of n a
fCs blO Jxkt hiz hed t wan sFd.
<p>
“kAps of, trEtxz!” SQtad /rOstOf in a rATfal vqs. “wX'z H
/eldx?” hI krFd fjUxWsli.
<p>
“H /eldx.... hI wonts H /eldx!... /dron /zyâRic, V!” mIk n
flastxd vqsaz hC n HX wx hxd kYliN n kAps bigAn t
kam of HX hedz.
<p>
“wI dOnt rFat, wI'x folOiN H Pdxz,” diklXd /kRp, n At HAt
mOment sevxal vqsaz bigAn spIkiN tageHx.
<p>
“it's Az H Old men hAv disFdad—HX'z tM meni v V giviN
Pdxz.”
<p>
“RgViN? mVtini!... brigandz! trEtxz!” krFd /rOstOf anmIniNli in a
vqs not hiz On, gripiN /kRp bF H kolx. “bFnd him, bFnd him!” hI
SQtad, HO HX woz nO wan t bFnd him bat /lyvrMSka n /ylpytic.
<p>
/lyvrMSka, hQevx, rAn ap t /kRp n sIzd him bF H Rmz from
bihFnd.
<p>
“SAl F kYl ap Qx men from bijond H hil?” hI kYld Qt.
<p>
/ylpytic txnd t H pezants n Pdxd tM v Hem bF nEm t kam
n bFnd /kRp. H men ObIdWntli kEm Qt v H krQd n bigAn tEkiN
of HX belts.
<p>
“wX'z H /eldx?” dimAndad /rOstOf in a lQd vqs.
<p>
wiH a pEl n frQniN fEs /dron stept Qt v H krQd.
<p>
“R V H /eldx? bFnd him, /lyvrMSka!” SQtad /rOstOf, Az if HAt
Pdx, tM, kUd not posabli mIt wiH eni opaziSan.
<p>
n in fAkt tM mP pezants bigAn bFndiN /dron, hM tUk of hiz On
belt n hAndad it t Hem, Az if t Ed Hem.
<p>
“n V Yl lisan t mI!” sed /rOstOf t H pezants. “bI of t jP
hQzaz At wans, n dOnt let wan v jP vqsaz bI hxd!”
<p>
“wF, wI'v not dan eni hRm! wI did it Jast Qt v fMliSnas. it's
Yl nonsens.... F sed Hen HAt it woz not in Pdx,” vqsaz wx
hxd bikxiN wiH wan anaHx.
<p>
“HX! wot did F sE?” sed /ylpytic, kamiN intM hiz On agen. “it's
roN, lAdz!”
<p>
“Yl Qx stMpiditi, /jykOf /ylpytic,” kEm H Ansxz, n H krQd
bigAn At wans t dispxs TrM H viliJ.
<p>
H tM bQnd men wx led of t H mAstx'z hQs. H tM draNkan
pezants folOd Hem.
<p>
“F, wen F lUk At V!...” sed wan v Hem t /kRp.
<p>
“hQ kAn wan tYk t H mAstxz lFk HAt? wot wx V TiNkiN v,
V fMl?” Adad H aHx—“a rWl fMl!”
<p>
tM Qxz lEtx H kRts wx stAndiN in H kPtjRd v H
/bOgMcROvO hQs. H pezants wx briskli kAriiN Qt H
praprFatx'z gUdz n pAkiN Hem on H kRts, n /dron, libxEtad At
/prinsas /mXi'z wiS from H kabxd wX hI hAd bin kanfFnd, woz
stAndiN in H jRd direktiN H men.
<p>
“dOnt pUt it in sO kXlasli,” sed wan v H pezants, a mAn wiH a
rQnd smFliN fEs, tEkiN a kyskat from a hQsmEd. “V nO it hAz
kost mani! hQ kAn V cak it in lFk HAt P Sav it andx H kPd
wX it'l get rabd? F dOnt lFk HAt wE v dMiN TiNz. let it
Yl bI dan propxli, akPdiN t rMl. lUk hC, pUt it andx H
/bAst mAtiN n kavx it wiH hE—HAt's H wE!”
<p>
“E, bUä, bUä!” sed anaHx pezant, briNiN Qt /prins /AndrM'z
lFbrXi kabxdz. “dOnt kAc ap agenst it! it's hevi, lAdz—solid
bUä.”
<p>
“jes, HE wxkt Yl dE n didant plE!” rimRkt H tYl,
rQnd-fEst pezant grEvli, pqntiN wiH a signifikant wiNk At H
dikSanXiz HAt wx on H top.
<p>
<p>
anwiliN t abtrMd himself on H prinsas, /rOstOf did not gO bAk t
H hQs bat rimEnd in H viliJ awEtiN hx dipRcx. wen hx
kAriJ drOv Qt v H hQs, hI mQntad n akampanid hx Et
mFlz from /bOgMcROvO t wX H rOd woz okVpFd bF Qx trMps. At
H in At /jynkOvO hI rispektfali tUk lIv v hx, f H fxst tFm
pxmitiN himself t kis hx hAnd.
<p>
“hQ kAn V spIk sO!” hI blaSiNli riplFd t /prinsas /mXi'z
iäpreSanz v grAtitMd f hx dilivxans, Az SI txmd wot hAd
akxd. “eni palIs ofisx wUd hAv dan Az mac! if wI hAd hAd
Onli pezants t fFt, wI SUd not hAv let H enami kam sO fR,”
sed hI wiH a sens v SEm n wiSiN t cEnJ H sabJekt. “F
Am Onli hApi t hAv hAd H opxtMniti v mEkiN jP akwEntans.
gUd-bF, /prinsas. F wiS V hApinas n konsalESan n hOp t mIt
V agen in hApC sxkamstAnsaz. if V dOnt wont t mEk mI blaS,
plIz dOnt TANk mI!”
<p>
bat H prinsas, if SI did not agen TANk him in wxdz, TANkt
him wiH H hOl iäpreSan v hx fEs, rEdWnt wiH grAtitMd n
tendxnas. SI kUd not bilIv HAt HX woz naTiN t TANk him
f. on H kontrXi, it sImd t hx sxtan HAt hAd hI not bin
HX SI wUd hAv periSt At H hAndz v H mVtinCz n v H
/frenc, n HAt hI hAd iäpOzd himself t teribal n obvWs dEnJx
t sEv hx, n Ivan mP sxtan woz it HAt hI woz a mAn v lofti n
nObal sOl, Ebal t andxstAnd hx paziSan n hx sorO. hiz kFnd,
onast Fz, wiH H tCz rFziN in Hem wen SI hxself hAd bigan t
krF Az SI spOk v hx los, did not lIv hx memxi.
<p>
wen SI hAd tEkan lIv v him n rimEnd alOn SI sadanli felt
hx Fz filiN wiH tCz, n Hen not f H fxst tFm H strEnJ
kwescan prizentad itself t hx: did SI lav him?
<p>
on H rest v H wE t /moskQ, HO H prinsas' paziSan woz not
a cCfal wan, /dMnjySa, hM went wiH hx in H kAriJ, mP HAn
wans nOtist HAt hx mistras lInd Qt v H windO n smFld At
samTiN wiH an iäpreSan v miNgald Jq n sorO.
<p>
“wel, sapOziN F dM lav him?” TYt /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
aSEmd Az SI woz v aknoliJiN t hxself HAt SI hAd fYlan in
lav wiH a mAn hM wUd pxhAps nevx lav hx, SI kamfxtad hxself
wiH H TYt HAt nO wan wUd evx nO it n HAt SI wUd not
bI t blEm if, wiHQt evx spIkiN v it t eniwan, SI kantinVd t
H end v hx lFf t lav H mAn wiH hMm SI hAd fYlan in lav f
H fxst n lAst tFm in hx lFf.
<p>
samtFmz wen SI rikYld hiz lUä, hiz simpaTi, n hiz wxdz,
hApinas did not apC imposabal t hx. it woz At HOz mOments HAt
/dMnjySa nOtist hx smFliN Az SI lUkt Qt v H kAriJ windO.
<p>
“woz it not fEt HAt brYt him t /bOgMcROvO, n At HAt veri
mOment?” TYt /prinsas /mXi. “n HAt kYzd hiz sistx t rifVz mF
braHx?” n in Yl His /prinsas /mXi sY H hAnd v /providans.
<p>
H impreSan H prinsas mEd on /rOstOf woz a veri agrIabal wan. t
rimembx hx gEv him pleZx, n wen hiz komrAdz, hCiN v hiz
advencx At /bOgMcROvO, rAlid him on hAviN gon t lUk f hE
n hAviN pikt ap wan v H welTWst Xasaz in /raSa, hI grM
ANgri. it mEd him ANgri Jast bikoz H FdW v mAriiN H Jental
/prinsas /mXi, hM woz atrAktiv t him n hAd an inPmas fPcMn,
hAd agenst hiz wil mP HAn wans entxd hiz hed. f himself
pxsanali /nikalas kUd not wiS f a betx wFf: bF mAriiN hx
hI wUd mEk H kQntas hiz maHx hApi, wUd bI Ebal t pUt hiz
fyHx'z afXz in Pdx, n wUd Ivan—hI felt it—inSUx /prinsas
/mXi'z hApinas.
<p>
bat /sonja? n hiz plFtad wxd? HAt woz wF /rOstOf grM ANgri wen hI
woz rAlid abQt /prinsas /bOlkOnskFa.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
on risIviN kamAnd v H Rmiz /kMtMzOf rimembxd /prins /AndrM n
sent an Pdx f him t ripPt At hedkwPtxz.
<p>
prins /AndrM xFvd At /tsRevO-/zFmiSce on H veri dE n At H
veri Qx HAt /kMtMzOf woz rivViN H trMps f H fxst tFm. hI
stopt in H viliJ At H prIst's hQs in frant v wic stUd H
kamAndx in cIf's kAriJ, n hI sAt dQn on H benc At H gEt
awEtiN hiz /sxIn /hFnas, Az evriwan nQ kYld /kMtMzOf. from H
fIld bijond H viliJ kEm nQ sQndz v reJimental mVzik n nQ H
rP v meni vqsaz SQtiN “hxy!” t H nM kamAndx in cIf.
tM Pdxliz, a kUrC n a mEJx-dOmO, stUd nC bF, sam ten pEsaz
from /prins /AndrM, avEliN Hemselvz v /kMtMzOf's Absans n v H
fFn weHx. a SPt, swPHi lMtenant kxnal v hMsRz wiH Tik
mastASaz n wiskxz rOd ap t H gEt n, glAnsiN At /prins
/AndrM, inkwFxd weHx hiz /sxIn /hFnas woz pUtiN ap HX n
weHx hI wUd sMn bI bAk.
<p>
prins /AndrM riplFd HAt hI woz not on hiz /sxIn /hFnas' stAf
bat woz himself a nM xFval. H lMtenant kxnal txnd t a smRt
Pdxli, hM, wiH H pikVlC kantempt wiH wic a kamAndx in
cIf's Pdxli spIä t ofisxz, riplFd:
<p>
“wot? hiz /sxIn /hFnas? F iäpekt hI'l bI hC sMn. wot dM V
wont?”
<p>
H lMtenant kxnal v hMsRz smFld binIT hiz mastAS At H
Pdxli'z tOn, dismQntad, gEv hiz hPs t a dispAc ranx, n
aprOct /bOlkOnski wiH a slFt bQ. /bOlkOnski mEd rMm f him on
H benc n H lMtenant kxnal sAt dQn bisFd him.
<p>
“V'x YlsO wEtiN f H kamAndx in cIf?” sed hI. “HE sE hI
wisIvz Ivewiwan, TANk /god!... it's Yfal wiH HOz sosiJ Itxz!
xmOlOf hAd wIzan t Ask t bI pwamOtad t bI a /Jxman! nQ p'waps
/waSanz wil get a lUk in. Az it woz, deval Onli nOz wot woz
hApaniN. wI kept witwItiN n witwItiN. did V tEk pRt in H
kAmpEn?” hI Askt.
<p>
“F hAd H pleZx,” riplFd /prins /AndrM, “not Onli v tEkiN pRt in
H ritrIt bat v lMziN in HAt ritrIt Yl F held dC—not t menSan
H istEt n hOm v mF bxT—mF fyHx, hM dFd v grIf. F biloN
t H provins v /smOlensk.”
<p>
“y? V'x /pwins /bOlkOnski? vewi glAd t mEk jP akwEntans! F'm
/lMtenant /kxnal /denisOf, betx nOn Az '/vyska,'” sed /denisOf,
presiN /prins /AndrM'z hAnd n lUkiN intM hiz fEs wiH a
pxtikVlxli kFndli atenSan. “jes, F hxd,” sed hI simpaTetikli,
n Aftx a SPt pYz Adad: “jes, it's /sFHWn wPfX. it's Yl
vewi wel—Onli not f HOz hM get it in H nek. sO V R /pwins
/AndwM /bOlkOnski?” hI swEd hiz hed. “vewi plIzd, /pwins, t mEk
jP akwEntans!” hI ripItad agen, smFliN sAdli, n hI agen
prest /prins /AndrM'z hAnd.
<p>
prins /AndrM nM /denisOf from wot /nytySa hAd tOld him v hx fxst
sMtx. His memxi kArid him sAdli n swItli bAk t HOz pEnfal
fIliNz v wic hI hAd not TYt lEtli, bat wic stil fQnd
plEs in hiz sOl. v lEt hI hAd risIvd sO meni nM n veri sCWs
impreSanz—sac Az H ritrIt from /smOlensk, hiz vizit t /bYld /hilz,
n H rIsant nMz v hiz fyHx'z deT—n hAd iäpCWnst sO meni
imOSanz, HAt f a loN tFm pAst HOz memxiz hAd not entxd hiz
mFnd, n nQ HAt HE did, HE did not Akt on him wiH nCli HX
fPmx streNT. f /denisOf, tM, H memxiz awEkand bF H nEm v
/bOlkOnski biloNd t a distant, rOmAntik pAst, wen Aftx sapx n
Aftx /nytySa'z siNiN hI hAd prapOzd t a lital gxl v fiftIn
wiHQt rWlFziN wot hI woz dMiN. hI smFld At H rekalekSan v
HAt tFm n v hiz lav f /nytySa, n pAst At wans t wot nQ
intxastad him pASanatli n iäklMsivli. His woz a plAn v kAmpEn
hI hAd divFzd wFl sxviN At H QtpOsts dxiN H ritrIt. hI hAd
prapOzd HAt plAn t /bRklE de /toli n nQ wiSt t prapOz it
t /kMtMzOf. H plAn woz bEst on H fAkt HAt H /frenc lFn
v opxESan woz tM iätendad, n it prapOzd HAt insted v, P
kankarantli wiH, AkSan on H frant t bR H advAns v H /frenc,
wI SUd atAk HX lFn v kamVnikESan. hI bigAn iäplEniN hiz
plAn t /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“HE kAnt hOld Yl HAt lFn. it's imposabal. F wil andxtEk t
bwEk TwM. giv mI fFv handwad men n F wil bwEk H lFn,
HAt's sxtan! HX'z Onli wan wE—/gMMila wPfX!”
<p>
/denisOf rOz n bigAn JestikVlEtiN Az hI iäplEnd hiz plAn t
/bOlkOnski. in H midst v hiz eäplanESan SQts wx hxd from H
Rmi, grOiN mP inkOhCant n mP difVzd, miNgaliN wiH mVzik
n soNz n kamiN from H fIld wX H rivV woz held. sQndz v
hUfs n SQts wx nCiN H viliJ.
<p>
“hI'z kamiN! hI'z kamiN!” SQtad a /kosAk stAndiN At H gEt.
<p>
/bOlkOnski n /denisOf mMvd t H gEt, At wic a not v sOlJxz
(a gRd v onx) woz stAndiN, n HE sY /kMtMzOf kamiN dQn H
strIt mQntad on a rAHx smYl soral hPs. a hVJ swIt v Jenxalz
rOd bihFnd him. bRklE woz rFdiN YlmOst bisFd him, n a krQd v
ofisxz rAn Aftx n xQnd Hem SQtiN, “hxy!”
<p>
hiz AJUtants gAlapt intM H jRd bifP him. /kMtMzOf woz impESantli
xJiN on hiz hPs, wic Ambald smMHli andx hiz wEt, n hI
rEzd hiz hAnd t hiz wFt /hPs /gRd'z kAp wiH a red bAnd n nO
pIk, nodiN hiz hed kantinVali. wen hI kEm ap t H gRd v
onx, a fFn set v /grenadCz mOstli wXiN dekxESanz, hM wx
giviN him H salMt, hI lUkt At Hem sFlantli n atentivli f
nCli a minit wiH H stedi gEz v a kamAndx n Hen txnd t
H krQd v Jenxalz n ofisxz sxQndiN him. sadanli hiz fEs
asMmd a satal iäpreSan, hI Sragd hiz SOldxz wiH an X v
pxpleäiti.
<p>
“n wiH sac fFn felOz t ritrIt n ritrIt! wel, gUd-bF,
/Jenxal,” hI Adad, n rOd intM H jRd pAst /prins /AndrM n
/denisOf.
<p>
“hxy! hxy! hxy!” SQtad HOz bihFnd him.
<p>
sins /prins /AndrM hAd lAst sIn him /kMtMzOf hAd grOn stil mP
kPpVlant, flAäid, n fAt. bat H blIct FbYl, H skR, n H
familC wCinas v hiz iäpreSan wx stil H sEm. hI woz wXiN
H wFt /hPs /gRd'z kAp n a militXi OvxkOt wiH a wip hANiN
Ovx hiz SOldx bF a Tin strAp. hI sAt hevili n swEd limpli on
hiz brisk lital hPs.
<p>
“fV... fV... fV!” hI wisald Jast Ydabli Az hI rOd intM H
jRd. hiz fEs iäprest H rilIf v rilAät strEn felt bF a mAn hM
mInz t rest Aftx a serimOni. hI drM hiz left fUt Qt v H stxap
n, lxciN wiH hiz hOl bodi n pakxiN hiz fEs wiH H
efxt, rEzd it wiH difikalti ontM H sAdal, lInd on hiz nI,
grOnd, n slipt dQn intM H Rmz v H /kosAä n AJUtants
hM stUd redi t asist him.
<p>
hI pUld himself tageHx, lUkt rQnd, skrMiN ap hiz Fz, glAnst
At /prins /AndrM, n, evidentli not rekagnFziN him, mMvd wiH hiz
wodaliN gEt t H pPc. “fV... fV... fV!” hI wisald, n
agen glAnst At /prins /AndrM. Az oftan akxz wiH Old men, it woz
Onli Aftx sam sekandz HAt H impreSan prOdMst bF /prins /AndrM'z
fEs liNkt itself ap wiH /kMtMzOf's rimembrans v hiz pxsanAliti.
<p>
“y, hQ dM V dM, mF dC prins? hQ dM V dM, mF dC bq? kam
aloN...” sed hI, glAnsiN wCili rQnd, n hI stept ontM H pPc
wic krIkt andx hiz wEt.
<p>
hI anbatand hiz kOt n sAt dQn on a benc in H pPc.
<p>
“n hQ'z jP fyHx?”
<p>
“F risIvd nMz v hiz deT, jestxdE,” riplFd /prins /AndrM
abraptli.
<p>
/kMtMzOf lUkt At him wiH Fz wFd Opan wiH dismE n Hen tUk of
hiz kAp n krost himself:
<p>
“mE H kiNdam v /hevan bI hiz! god'z wil bI dan t as Yl!” hI
sFd dIpli, hiz hOl cest hIviN, n woz sFlant f a wFl. “F
lavd him n rispektad him, n simpaTFz wiH V wiH Yl mF hRt.”
<p>
hI imbrEst /prins /AndrM, presiN him t hiz fAt brest, n f sam
tFm did not let him gO. wen hI rilIst him /prins /AndrM sY HAt
/kMtMzOf's flAbi lips wx trembaliN n HAt tCz wx in hiz Fz. hI
sFd n prest on H benc wiH bOT hAndz t rEz himself.
<p>
“kam! kam wiH mI, wI'l hAv a tYk,” sed hI.
<p>
bat At HAt mOment /denisOf, nO mP intimidEtad bF hiz sMpCCz HAn bF
H enami, kEm wiH JiNgaliN spxz ap H steps v H pPc, dispFt
H ANgri wispxz v H AJUtants hM trFd t stop him. /kMtMzOf, hiz
hAndz stil prest on H sIt, glAnst At him glamli. /denisOf, hAviN
givan hiz nEm, anQnst HAt hI hAd t kamVnikEt t hiz /sxIn
/hFnas a mAtx v grEt impPtans f HX kantri'z welfX.
/kMtMzOf lUkt wCili At him n, liftiN hiz hAndz wiH a Jescx v
anqans, fOldad Hem akros hiz stamak, ripItiN H wxdz: “f Qx
kantri'z welfX? wel, wot iz it? spIk!” /denisOf blaSt lFk a
gxl (it woz strEnJ t sI H kalx rFz in HAt SAgi, bibVlas,
tFm-wPn fEs) n bOldli bigAn t iäpQnd hiz plAn v katiN H
enami'z lFnz v kamVnikESan bitwIn /smOlensk n /vjyzma. /denisOf kEm
from HOz pRts n nM H kantri wel. hiz plAn sImd disFdadli
a gUd wan, ispeSali from H streNT v kanvikSan wiH wic hI
spOk. /kMtMzOf lUkt dQn At hiz On leã, akEZanali glAnsiN At H
dP v H aJqniN hat Az if iäpektiN samTiN anplezant t imxJ
from it. n from HAt hat, wFl /denisOf woz spIkiN, a Jenxal wiH a
pPtfOliO andx hiz Rm rWli did apC.
<p>
“wot?” sed /kMtMzOf, in H midst v /denisOf's eäplanESanz, “R V
redi sO sMn?”
<p>
“redi, jP /sxIn /hFnas,” riplFd H Jenxal.
<p>
/kMtMzOf swEd hiz hed, Az mac Az t sE: “hQ iz wan mAn t dIl wiH
it Yl?” n agen lisand t /denisOf.
<p>
“F giv mF wxd v onx Az a /waSan ofisx,” sed /denisOf, “HAt F
kAn bwEk /napOlWn'z lFn v kamVnikESan!”
<p>
“wot rilESan R V t /intendant /Jenxal /kCil /yndrEevic /denisOf?”
Askt /kMtMzOf, intxaptiN him.
<p>
“hI iz mF aNkal, jP /sawIn /hFnas.”
<p>
“y, wI wx frendz,” sed /kMtMzOf cCfali. “Yl rFt, Yl rFt,
frend, stE hC At H stAf n tamorO wI'l hAv a tYk.”
<p>
wiH a nod t /denisOf hI txnd awE n pUt Qt hiz hAnd f H pEpxz
/kOnOvnitsin hAd brYt him.
<p>
“wUd not jP /sxIn /hFnas lFk t kam insFd?” sed H Jenxal
on dMti in a diskantentad vqs, “H plAnz mast bI iãAmind n sevxal
pEpxz hAf t bI sFnd.”
<p>
an AJUtant kEm Qt n anQnst HAt evriTiN woz in redinas
wiHin. bat /kMtMzOf evidentli did not wiS t entx HAt rMm til hI
woz disingEJd. hI mEd a grimas....
<p>
“nO, tel Hem t briN a smYl tEbal Qt hC, mF dC bq. F'l lUk
At Hem hC,” sed hI. “dOnt gO awE,” hI Adad, txniN t /prins
/AndrM, hM rimEnd in H pPc n lisand t H Jenxal'z ripPt.
<p>
wFl His woz bIiN givan, /prins /AndrM hxd H wispx v a wUman'z
vqs n H rasal v a silk dres bihFnd H dP. sevxal tFmz on
glAnsiN HAt wE hI nOtist bihFnd HAt dP a plamp, rOzi, hAndsam
wUman in a piNk dres wiH a lFlAk silk kxcif on hx hed, hOldiN
a diS n evidentli awEtiN H entrans v H kamAndx in cIf.
/kMtMzOf's AJUtant wispxd t /prins /AndrM HAt His woz H wFf v
H prIst hMz hOm it woz, n HAt SI intendad t ofx hiz /sxIn
/hFnas bred n sYlt. “hx hazband hAz welkamd hiz /sxIn /hFnas
wiH H kros At H cxc, n SI intendz t welkam him in H
hQs.... SI'z veri priti,” Adad H AJUtant wiH a smFl. At
HOz wxdz /kMtMzOf lUkt rQnd. hI woz lisaniN t H Jenxal'z
ripPt—wic kansistad cIfli v a kritisizam v H paziSan At
/tsRevO-/zFmiSce—Az hI hAd lisand t /denisOf, n sevan jCz
prIvWsli hAd lisand t H diskaSan At H /Qstxlits kQnsal v
wP. hI evidentli lisand Onli bikoz hI hAd Cz wic, HO HX
woz a pIs v tO in wan v Hem, kUd not help hCiN; bat it
woz evidant HAt naTiN H Jenxal kUd sE wUd sxprFz P Ivan
intxast him, HAt hI nM Yl HAt wUd bI sed bifPhAnd, n hxd
it Yl Onli bikoz hI hAd t, Az wan hAs t lisan t H cAntiN v
a sxvis v prEx. Yl HAt /denisOf hAd sed woz klevx n t H
pqnt. wot H Jenxal woz sEiN woz Ivan mP klevx n t
H pqnt, bat it woz evidant HAt /kMtMzOf dispFzd noliJ
n klevxnas, n nM v samTiN els HAt wUd disFd H
mAtx—samTiN indipendant v klevxnas n noliJ. prins
/AndrM woct H kamAndx in cIf's fEs atentivli, n H Onli
iäpreSan hI kUd sI HX woz wan v bPdam, kjUxiositi Az t H
mIniN v H feminin wispxiN bihFnd H dP, n a dizFx t
abzxv praprFati. it woz evidant HAt /kMtMzOf dispFzd klevxnas n
lxniN n Ivan H pEtriotik fIliN SOn bF /denisOf, bat dispFzd
Hem not bikoz v hiz On intalekt, fIliNz, P noliJ—hI did not
trF t displE eni v HIz—bat bikoz v samTiN els. hI dispFzd
Hem bikoz v hiz Old EJ n iäpCWns v lFf. H Onli instrakSan
/kMtMzOf gEv v hiz On akPd dxiN HAt ripPt rifxd t lMtiN bF
H /raSan trMps. At H end v H ripPt H Jenxal pUt bifP
him f signacx a pEpx rilEtiN t H rikavxi v pEmant from Rmi
kamAndxz f grIn Ots mOn dQn bF H sOlJxz, wen lAndOnxz
loJd patiSanz f kompinsESan.
<p>
Aftx hCiN H mAtx, /kMtMzOf smAkt hiz lips tageHx n SUk
hiz hed.
<p>
“intM H stOv... intM H fFx wiH it! F tel V wans f Yl, mF
dC felO,” sed hI, “intM H fFx wiH Yl sac TiNz! let Hem kat
H krops n bxn wUd t HX hRts' kontent. F dOnt Pdx it
P alQ it, bat F dOnt iãAkt kompinsESan FHx. wan kAnt get on
wiHQt it. 'wen wUd iz copt H cips wil flF.'” hI lUkt At H
pEpx agen. “O, His /Jxman prisiZan!” hI matxd, SEkiN hiz hed.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
“wel, HAt's Yl!” sed /kMtMzOf Az hI sFnd H lAst v H dokVments,
n rFziN hevili n smMHiN Qt H fOldz in hiz fAt wFt nek hI
mMvd tPd H dP wiH a mP cCfal iäpreSan.
<p>
H prIst's wFf, flaSiN rOzi red, kYt ap H diS SI hAd Aftx
Yl not mAniJd t prizent At H rFt mOment, HO SI hAd sO loN
bin pripXiN f it, n wiH a lO bQ ofxd it t /kMtMzOf.
<p>
hI skrMd ap hiz Fz, smFld, liftad hx cin wiH hiz hAnd, n sed:
<p>
“y, wot a bVti! TANk V, swIthRt!”
<p>
hI tUk sam gOld pIsaz from hiz trQzx pokat n pUt Hem on H
diS f hx. “wel, mF dC, n hQ R wI getiN on?” hI Askt,
mMviN t H dP v H rMm asFnd t him. H prIst's wFf
smFld, n wiH dimpalz in hx rOzi cIä folOd him intM H rMm.
H AJUtant kEm Qt t H pPc n Askt /prins /AndrM t lanc wiH
him. hAf an Qx lEtx /prins /AndrM woz agen kYld t /kMtMzOf.
hI fQnd him riklFniN in an RmcX, stil in H sEm anbatand
OvxkOt. hI hAd in hiz hAnd a /frenc bUk wic hI klOzd Az /prins
/AndrM entxd, mRkiN H plEs wiH a nFf. prins /AndrM sY bF H
kavx HAt it woz /lez /SevyljEz dM /sinja bF /madym de /Jenlis.
<p>
“wel, sit dQn, sit dQn hC. let's hAv a tYk,” sed /kMtMzOf. “it's
sAd, veri sAd. bat rimembx, mF dC felO, HAt F Am a fyHx t V,
a sekand fyHx....”
<p>
prins /AndrM tOld /kMtMzOf Yl hI nM v hiz fyHx'z deT, n wot
hI hAd sIn At /bYld /hilz wen hI pAst TrM it.
<p>
“wot... wot HE hAv brYt as t!” /kMtMzOf sadanli krFd in an
AJitEtad vqs, evidentli pikcxiN vividli t himself from /prins
/AndrM'z stPi H kandiSan /raSa woz in. “bat giv mI tFm, giv mI
tFm!” hI sed wiH a grim lUk, evidentli not wiSiN t kantinV His
AJitEtiN konvxsESan, n Adad: “F sent f V t kIp V wiH mI.”
<p>
“F TANk jP /sxIn /hFnas, bat F fC F Am nO loNgx fit f H
stAf,” riplFd /prins /AndrM wiH a smFl wic /kMtMzOf nOtist.
<p>
/kMtMzOf glAnst inkwFxiNli At him.
<p>
“bat abav Yl,” Adad /prins /AndrM, “F hAv grOn Vst t mF reJimant,
Am fond v H ofisxz, n F fAnsi H men YlsO lFk mI. F SUd bI
sori t lIv H reJimant. if F diklFn H onx v bIiN wiH V,
bilIv mI...”
<p>
a SrMd, kFndli, jet satali dirFsiv iäpreSan lit ap /kMtMzOf's poJi
fEs. hI kat /bOlkOnski SPt.
<p>
“F Am sori, f F nId V. bat V'x rFt, V'x rFt! it's not
hC HAt men R nIdad. advFzxz R YlwEz plentifal, bat men R
not. H reJimants wUd not bI wot HE R if H wUd-bI advFzxz
sxvd HX Az V dM. F rimembx V At /Qstxlits.... F rimembx,
jes, F rimembx V wiH H stAndxd!” sed /kMtMzOf, n a flaS v
pleZx safVzd /prins /AndrM'z fEs At His rekalekSan.
<p>
tEkiN hiz hAnd n drYiN him dQnwxdz, /kMtMzOf ofxd hiz cIk t
bI kist, n agen /prins /AndrM nOtist tCz in H Old mAn'z Fz.
HO /prins /AndrM nM HAt /kMtMzOf's tCz kEm Izili, n HAt hI
woz pxtikVlxli tendx t n kansidxat v him from a wiS t
SO simpaTi wiH hiz los, jet His rimFndx v /Qstxlits woz bOT
plezant n flAtxiN t him.
<p>
“gO jP wE n /god bI wiH V. F nO jP pAT iz H pAT v
onx!” hI pYzd. “F mist V At /bMkxest, bat F nIdad samwan t
send.” n cEnJiN H sabJekt, /kMtMzOf bigAn t spIk v H /txkiS
wP n H pIs HAt hAd bin kanklMdad. “jes, F hAv bin mac
blEmd,” hI sed, “bOT f HAt wP n H pIs... bat evriTiN
kEm At H rFt tFm. tQt /vient a pqnt a sIlMi kwF /sEt attendre. *
n HX wx Az meni advFzxz HX Az hC...” hI went on, ritxniN
t H sabJekt v “advFzxz” wic evidentli okVpFd him. “y, HOz
advFzxz!” sed hI. “if wI hAd lisand t Hem Yl wI SUd not hAv
mEd pIs wiH /txki n SUd not hAv bin TrM wiH HAt wP.
evriTiN in hEst, bat mP hEst, les spId. /kymenski wUd hAv
bin lost if hI hAd not dFd. hI stPmd fPtrasaz wiH Txti TQzand
men. it iz not difikalt t kApcx a fPtras bat it iz difikalt t
win a kAmpEn. f HAt, not stPmiN n atAkiN bat pESans n
tFm R wontad. /kymenski sent sOlJxz t /rMstcMk, bat F Onli implqd
HIz tM TiNz n tUk mP fPtrasaz HAn /kymenski n mEd Hem
/txä It hPsfleS!” hI swEd hiz hed. “n H /frenc SAl tM,
bilIv mI,” hI went on, grOiN wPmx n bItiN hiz cest, “F'l
mEk Hem It hPsfleS!” n tCz agen dimd hiz Fz.
<p>
    * “evriTiN kamz in tFm t him hM nOz hQ t wEt.”
<p>
<p>
“bat SAnt wI hAf t aäept bAtal?” rimRkt /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“wI SAl if evribodi wonts it; it kAnt bI helpt.... bat bilIv
mI, mF dC bq, HX iz naTiN stroNgx HAn HOz tM: pESans n
tFm, HE wil dM it Yl. bat H advFzxz n'intendent py de set
/PE, vwyly lU myl. * sam wont a TiN—aHxz dOnt. wot's wan t
dM?” hI Askt, evidentli iäpektiN an Ansx. “wel, wot dM V wont
as t dM?” hI ripItad n hiz F SOn wiH a dIp, SrMd lUk.
“F'l tel V wot t dM,” hI kantinVd, Az /prins /AndrM stil did not
riplF: “F wil tel V wot t dM, n wot F dM. dAnz lU doute, man
/Ser,” hI pYzd, “AbzSanz-toi” *(2)—hI RtikVlEtad H /frenc provxb
dilibxatli.
<p>
     * “dOnt sI it HAt wE, HAt's H trabal.”
<p>
     * (2) “wen in dQt, mF dC felO, dM naTiN.”
<p>
<p>
“wel, gUd-bF, mF dC felO; rimembx HAt wiH Yl mF hRt F SX
jP sorO, n HAt f V F Am not a /sxIn /hFnas, nP a prins,
nP a kamAndx in cIf, bat a fyHx! if V wont eniTiN kam
strEt t mI. gUd-bF, mF dC bq.”
<p>
agen hI imbrEst n kist /prins /AndrM, bat bifP H lAtx
hAd left H rMm /kMtMzOf gEv a sF v rilIf n went on wiH hiz
anfiniSt noval, /lez /SevyljEz dM /sinja bF /madym de /Jenlis.
<p>
prins /AndrM kUd not hAv iäplEnd hQ P wF it woz, bat Aftx HAt
intxvV wiH /kMtMzOf hI went bAk t hiz reJimant rIaSUxd Az t
H Jenxal kPs v afXz n Az t H mAn t hMm it hAd bin
intrastad. H mP hI rWlFzd H Absans v Yl pxsanal mOtiv in
HAt Old mAn—in hMm HX sImd t rimEn Onli H hAbit v pASanz,
n in plEs v an intalekt (grMpiN ivents n drYiN kanklMZanz)
Onli H kapAsiti kymli t kontamplEt H kPs v ivents—H mP
rIaSUxd hI woz HAt evriTiN wUd bI Az it SUd. “hI wil not
briN in eni plAn v hiz On. hI wil not divFz P andxtEk
eniTiN,” TYt /prins /AndrM, “bat hI wil hC evriTiN, rimembx
evriTiN, n pUt evriTiN in its plEs. hI wil not hindx
eniTiN Vsfal nP alQ eniTiN hRmfal. hI andxstAndz HAt HX iz
samTiN stroNgx n mP impPtant HAn hiz On wil—H inevitabal
kPs v ivents, n hI kAn sI Hem n grAsp HX signifikans,
n sIiN HAt signifikans kAn rifrEn from medaliN n rinQns hiz
pxsanal wiS direktad t samTiN els. n abav Yl,” TYt /prins
/AndrM, “wan bilIvz in him bikoz hI'z /raSan, dispFt H noval
bF /Jenlis n H /frenc provxbz, n bikoz hiz vqs SUk wen hI
sed: 'wot HE hAv brYt as t!' n hAd a sob in it wen hI sed
hI wUd 'mEk Hem It hPsfleS!'”
<p>
on sac fIliNz, mP P les dimli SXd bF Yl, H Vnanimiti n
Jenxal aprMval wx fQndad wiH wic, dispFt kPt inflMansaz, H
popVlx cqs v /kMtMzOf Az kamAndx in cIf woz risIvd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/Aftx H /empxx hAd left /moskQ, lFf flOd on HX in its VZMal
kPs, n its kPs woz sO veri VZMal HAt it woz difikalt t
rimembx H rIsant dEz v pEtriotik ilESan n Rdx, hRd t bilIv
HAt /raSa woz rWli in dEnJx n HAt H membxz v H /iNgliS
/klab wx YlsO sanz v H /fyHxlAnd redi t sAkrifFs evriTiN
f it. H wan TiN HAt rikYld H pEtriotik fxvx evriwan hAd
displEd dxiN H /empxx'z stE woz H kYl f kontribVSanz v
men n mani, a nisesiti HAt Az sMn Az H promisaz hAd bin mEd
asMmd a lIgal, afiSal fPm n bikEm anavqdabal.
<p>
wiH H enami'z aprOc t /moskQ, H /moskOvFts' vV v HX
sicMESan did not grO mP sCWs bat on H kontrXi bikEm Ivan
mP frivalas, Az YlwEz hApanz wiH pIpal hM sI a grEt dEnJx
aprOciN. At H aprOc v dEnJx HX R YlwEz tM vqsaz HAt
spIk wiH Ikwal pQx in H hVman sOl: wan veri rIzanabli telz a
mAn t kansidx H nEcx v H dEnJx n H mInz v iskEpiN it;
H aHx, stil mP rIzanabli, sez HAt it iz tM dipresiN n
pEnfal t TiNk v H dEnJx, sins it iz not in mAn'z pQx t
fPsI evriTiN n avxt H Jenxal kPs v ivents, n it iz
HXfP betx t disrigRd wot iz pEnfal til it kamz, n t
TiNk abQt wot iz plezant. in solitMd a mAn Jenxali lisanz t
H fxst vqs, bat in sasFati t H sekand. sO it woz nQ wiH H
inhAbitants v /moskQ. it woz loN sins pIpal hAd bin Az gE in
/moskQ Az HAt jC.
<p>
/rOstOpcin'z brYdSIts, hedad bF wUdkats v a driNk Sop, a potman,
n a /moskQ bxgx kYld /kRpMSka /cigirin, “hM—hAviN bin a
miliSaman n hAviN hAd rAHx tM mac At H pab—hxd HAt /napOlWn
wiSt t kam t /moskQ, grM ANgri, abVzd H /frenc in veri bAd
lANgwiJ, kEm Qt v H driNk Sop, n, andx H sFn v H
Igal, bigAn t adres H asembald pIpal,” wx red n diskast,
tageHx wiH H lEtast v /vysili /lavOvic /pMSkin'z bQts rFmz.
<p>
in H kPnx rMm At H /klab, membxz gAHxd t rId HIz
brYdSIts, n sam lFkt H wE /kRpMSka JCd At H /frenc,
sEiN: “HE wil swel ap wiH /raSan kAbiJ, bxst wiH Qx
bakwIt poriJ, n cOk Hemselvz wiH kAbiJ sMp. HE R Yl
dwPfs n wan pezant wUman wil tos TrI v Hem wiH a hEfPk.”
aHxz did not lFk HAt tOn n sed it woz stMpid n valgx. it woz
sed HAt /rOstOpcin hAd iäpeld Yl /frencmen n Ivan Yl forinxz
from /moskQ, n HAt HX hAd bin sam spFz n EJants v /napOlWn
amaN Hem; bat His woz tOld cIfli t intradMs /rOstOpcin'z witi
rimRk on HAt akEZan. H forinxz wx dipPtad t /niZni bF
bOt, n /rOstOpcin hAd sed t Hem in /frenc: “rentrez en vM-mImz;
ontrE dAnz ly bRk, et n'en faites py Un bRk de /kAran.” * HX
woz tYk v Yl H gavxnmant ofisaz hAviN bin Ylredi rimMvd from
/moskQ, n t His /SinSin'z witisizam woz Adad—HAt f HAt alOn
/moskQ Yt t bI grEtfal t /napOlWn. it woz sed HAt /mymOnOf's
reJimant wUd kost him Et handrad TQzand rMbalz, n HAt /bezMâOf
hAd spent Ivan mP on hiz, bat HAt H best TiN abQt /bezMâOf's
AkSan woz HAt hI himself woz gOiN t don a VnifPm n rFd At H
hed v hiz reJimant wiHQt cRJiN eniTiN f H SO.
<p>
     * “TiNk it Ovx; get intM H bRk, n tEk kX not t
     mEk it a bRk v /kAran.”
<p>
<p>
“V dOnt spX eniwan,” sed /JMli /drMbetskFa Az SI kalektad
n prest tageHx a banc v rAvald lint wiH hx Tin, /bXiNd
fiNgxz.
<p>
/JMli woz pripXiN t lIv /moskQ neät dE n woz giviN a fXwel
swRE.
<p>
“/bezMâOf est ridikVl, bat hI iz sO kFnd n gUd-nEcxd. wot
pleZx iz HX t bI sO caustique?”
<p>
“a fPfit!” krFd a jaN mAn in miliSa VnifPm hMm /JMli kYld “man
/SevyljE,” n hM woz gOiN wiH hx t /niZni.
<p>
in /JMli'z set, Az in meni aHx sxkalz in /moskQ, it hAd bin agrId
HAt HE wUd spIk naTiN bat /raSan n HAt HOz hM mEd a
slip n spOk /frenc SUd pE fFnz t H /kamiti v /volantXi
/kontribVSanz.
<p>
“anaHx fPfit f a /gAlisizam,” sed a /raSan rFtx hM woz
prezant. “'wot pleZx iz HX t bI' iz not /raSan!”
<p>
“V spX nO wan,” kantinVd /JMli t H jaN mAn wiHQt hIdiN H
YTx'z rimRk.
<p>
“f caustique—F Am gilti n wil pE, n F Am pripXd t pE agen
f H pleZx v teliN V H trMT. f /gAlisizamz F wOnt bI
risponsabal,” SI rimRkt, txniN t H YTx: “F hAv nFHx H
mani nP H tFm, lFk /prins /gylitsin, t ingEJ a mAstx t tIc mI
/raSan!”
<p>
“y, hC hI iz!” SI Adad. “kwynd on... nO, nO,” SI sed t H
miliSa ofisx, “V wOnt kAc mI. spIk v H san n V sI its
rEz!” n SI smFld EmWbli At /piX. “wI wx Jast tYkiN v V,”
SI sed wiH H fasiliti in lFiN nAcxal t a sasFati wUman. “wI wx
sEiN HAt jP reJimant wUd bI SUx t bI betx HAn /mymOnOf's.”
<p>
“O, dOnt tYk t mI v mF reJimant,” riplFd /piX, kisiN hiz
hOstas' hAnd n tEkiN a sIt bisFd hx. “F Am sO sik v it.”
<p>
“V wil, v kPs, kamAnd it jPself?” sed /JMli, direktiN a slF,
sRkAstik glAns tPd H miliSa ofisx.
<p>
H lAtx in /piX'z prezans hAd sIst t bI kYstik, n hiz fEs
iäprest pxpleäiti Az t wot /JMli'z smFl mFt mIn. in spFt v
hiz Absant-mFndadnas n gUd nEcx, /piX'z pxsanAliti imIdWtli
cekt eni atempt t ridikVl him t hiz fEs.
<p>
“nO,” sed /piX, wiH a lAfiN glAns At hiz big, stQt bodi. “F
SUd mEk tM gUd a tRgat f H /frenc, bisFdz F Am afrEd F
SUd hRdli bI Ebal t klFm ontM a hPs.”
<p>
amaN HOz hMm /JMli'z gests hApand t cMz t gosip abQt wx
H /rOstOfs.
<p>
“F hC HAt HX afXz R in a veri bAd wE,” sed /JMli. “n hI
iz sO anrIzanabal, H kQnt himself F mIn. H /ryzMmOfskis wontad
t bF hiz hQs n hiz istEt nC /moskQ, bat it drAã on n on. hI
Asä tM mac.”
<p>
“nO, F TiNk H sEl wil kam of in a fV dEz,” sed samwan.
“HO it iz mAdnas t bF eniTiN in /moskQ nQ.”
<p>
“wF?” Askt /JMli. “V dOnt TiNk /moskQ iz in dEnJx?”
<p>
“Hen wF R V lIviN?”
<p>
“F? wot a kwescan! F Am gOiN bikoz... wel, bikoz evriwan iz
gOiN: n bisFdz—F Am not /JOn v /Rk P an /Amazon.”
<p>
“wel, v kPs, v kPs! let mI hAv sam mP strips v linin.”
<p>
“if hI mAniJaz H biznas propxli hI wil bI Ebal t pE of Yl hiz
dets,” sed H miliSa ofisx, spIkiN v /rOstOf.
<p>
“a kFndli Old mAn bat not ap t mac. n wF dM HE stE on sO loN in
/moskQ? HE ment t lIv f H kantri loN agO. /nAtali iz kwFt
wel agen nQ, izant SI?” /JMli Askt /piX wiH a nOiN smFl.
<p>
“HE R wEtiN f HX jaNgx san,” /piX riplFd. “hI Jqnd
/ObOlenski'z /kosAä n went t /bjelFa /tserkOf wX H reJimant iz
bIiN fPmd. bat nQ HE hAv hAd him trAnsfxd t mF reJimant n
R iäpektiN him evri dE. H kQnt wontad t lIv loN agO, bat H
kQntas wOnt on eni akQnt lIv /moskQ til hx san ritxnz.”
<p>
“F met Hem H dE bifP jestxdE At H /RâROvz'. /nAtali hAz
rikavxd hx lUä n iz brFtx. SI sAN a soN. hQ Izili sam
pIpal get Ovx evriTiN!”
<p>
“get Ovx wot?” inkwFxd /piX, lUkiN displIzd.
<p>
/JMli smFld.
<p>
“V nO, /kQnt, sac nFts Az V R Onli fQnd in /madym de
/sMza'z novalz.”
<p>
“wot nFts? wot dM V mIn?” dimAndad /piX, blaSiN.
<p>
“O, kam, mF dC kQnt! /sE ly fEbal de tQt /mOskM. Ze vM admFx,
my pxOl d'Onx!” *
<p>
    * “it iz H tYk v Yl /moskQ. mF wxd, F admFx V!”
<p>
<p>
“fPfit, fPfit!” krFd H miliSa ofisx.
<p>
“Yl rFt, wan kAnt tYk—hQ tFxsam!”
<p>
“wot iz 'H tYk v Yl /moskQ'?” /piX Askt ANgrili, rFziN t hiz
fIt.
<p>
“kam nQ, /kQnt, V nO!”
<p>
“F dOnt nO eniTiN abQt it,” sed /piX.
<p>
“F nO V wx frendli wiH /nAtali, n sO... bat F woz YlwEz mP
frendli wiH /vCa—HAt dC /vCa.”
<p>
“nO, madym!” /piX kantinVd in a tOn v displeZx, “F hAv not
tEkan on mFself H rOl v /nAtali /rOstOva'z nFt At Yl, n hAv
not bin t HX hQs f nCli a manT. bat F kAnot andxstAnd H
krMalti...”
<p>
“kwF s'excuse s'accuse,” * sed /JMli, smFliN n wEviN H lint
trFamfantli, n t hAv H lAst wxd SI promptli cEnJd H
sabJekt. “dM V nO wot F hxd tadE? pUx /mXi /bOlkOnskFa xFvd
in /moskQ jestxdE. dM V nO HAt SI hAz lost hx fyHx?”
<p>
    * “hM iäkVzaz himself, akVzaz himself.”
<p>
<p>
“rWli? wX iz SI? F SUd lFk veri mac t sI hx,” sed /piX.
<p>
“F spent H IvniN wiH hx jestxdE. SI iz gOiN t HX istEt
nC /moskQ FHx tadE P tamorO mPniN, wiH hx nefV.”
<p>
“wel, n hQ iz SI?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“SI iz wel, bat sAd. bat dM V nO hM reskVd hx? it iz kwFt a
rOmAns. /nikalas /rOstOf! SI woz sxQndad, n HE wontad t kil
hx n hAd wMndad sam v hx pIpal. hI raSt in n sEvd hx....”
<p>
“anaHx rOmAns,” sed H miliSa ofisx. “rWli, His Jenxal
flFt hAz bin xEnJd t get Yl H Old mEdz mArid of. /kytIS
iz wan n /prinsas /bOlkOnskFa anaHx.”
<p>
“dM V nO, F rWli bilIv SI iz an peti peu ymUrUz dM ZUn
Om.” *
<p>
    * “a lital bit in lav wiH H jaN mAn.”
<p>
<p>
“fPfit, fPfit, fPfit!”
<p>
“bat hQ kUd wan sE HAt in /raSan?”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
wen /piX ritxnd hOm hI woz hAndad tM v /rOstOpcin'z brYdSIts
HAt hAd bin brYt HAt dE.
<p>
H fxst diklXd HAt H ripPt HAt /kQnt /rOstOpcin hAd fxbidan
pIpal t lIv /moskQ woz fYls; on H kontrXi hI woz glAd HAt
lEdiz n trEdzmen'z wFvz wx lIviN H siti. “HX wil bI les
pAnik n les gosip,” rAn H brYdSIt “bat F wil stEk mF lFf on
it HAt HAt skQndral wil not entx /moskQ.” HIz wxdz SOd /piX
klCli f H fxst tFm HAt H /frenc wUd entx /moskQ. H
sekand brYdSIt stEtad HAt Qx hedkwPtxz wx At /vjyzma, HAt
/kQnt /vitgenStFn hAd difItad H /frenc, bat HAt Az meni v H
inhAbitants v /moskQ wiSt t bI Rmd, wepanz wx redi f Hem
At H Rsanal: sEbxz, pistalz, n maskats wic kUd bI hAd At a lO
prFs. H tOn v H proklamESan woz not Az JOkOs Az in H fPmx
/cigirin tYä. /piX pondxd Ovx HIz brYdSIts. evidentli H
teribal stPmklQd hI hAd dizFxd wiH H hOl streNT v hiz sOl
bat wic jet xQzd involantXi horx in him woz drYiN nC.
<p>
“SAl F Jqn H Rmi n entx H sxvis, P wEt?” hI Askt himself
f H handradT tFm. hI tUk a pAk v kRdz HAt lE on H tEbal
n bigAn t lE Hem Qt f a gEm v pESans.
<p>
“if His pESans kamz Qt,” hI sed t himself Aftx SafaliN H
kRdz, hOldiN Hem in hiz hAnd, n liftiN hiz hed, “if it kamz Qt,
it mInz... wot daz it mIn?”
<p>
hI hAd not disFdad wot it SUd mIn wen hI hxd H vqs v H
eldast prinsas At H dP AskiN weHx SI mFt kam in.
<p>
“Hen it wil mIn HAt F mast gO t H Rmi,” sed /piX t himself.
“kam in, kam in!” hI Adad t H prinsas.
<p>
Onli H eldast prinsas, H wan wiH H stOni fEs n loN wEst,
woz stil liviN in /piX'z hQs. H tM jaNgx wanz hAd bOT
mArid.
<p>
“iäkVz mF kamiN t V, kazan,” SI sed in a riprOcfal n
AJitEtad vqs. “V nO sam disiZan mast bI kam t. wot iz gOiN
t hApan? evriwan hAz left /moskQ n H pIpal R rFatiN. hQ iz
it HAt wI R stEiN on?”
<p>
“on H kontrXi, TiNz sIm sAtisfAktxi, my kOasIn,” sed /piX
in H bAntxiN tOn hI habicMali adoptad tPd hx, YlwEz fIliN
ankamfxtabal in H rOl v hx benifAktx.
<p>
“sAtisfAktxi, indId! veri sAtisfAktxi! bRbxa /ivynOvna tOld mI tadE
hQ Qx trMps R distiNgwiSiN Hemselvz. it sxtanli daz Hem
kredit! n H pIpal tM R kwFt mVtinas—HE nO loNgx ObE,
Ivan mF mEd hAz tEkan t bIiN rMd. At His rEt HE wil sMn bigin
bItiN as. wan kAnt wYk in H strIts. bat, abav Yl, H /frenc
wil bI hC eni dE nQ, sO wot R wI wEtiN f? F Ask Jast wan
TiN v V, kazan,” SI went on, “xEnJ f mI t bI tEkan t
/pItxzbxg. wotevx F mE bI, F kAnt liv andx /bOnapRt's rMl.”
<p>
“O, kam, my kOasIn! wX dM V get jP infxmESan from? on H
kontrXi...”
<p>
“F wOnt sabmit t jP /napOlWn! aHxz mE if HE plIz.... if V
dOnt wont t dM His...”
<p>
“bat F wil, F'l giv H Pdx At wans.”
<p>
H prinsas woz apArantli veät At not hAviN eniwan t bI ANgri wiH.
matxiN t hxself, SI sAt dQn on a cX.
<p>
“bat V hAv bin misinfPmd,” sed /piX. “evriTiN iz kwFat in
H siti n HX iz not H slFtast dEnJx. sI! F'v Jast bin
rIdiN...” hI SOd hx H brYdSIt. “kQnt /rOstOpcin rFts HAt
hI wil stEk hiz lFf on it HAt H enami wil not entx /moskQ.”
<p>
“O, HAt kQnt v jPz!” sed H prinsas malevalantli. “hI iz a
hipakrit, a ryskal hM hAz himself rQzd H pIpal t rFat. didant
hI rFt in HOz idiotik brYdSIts HAt eniwan, 'hMevx it mFt bI,
SUd bI drAgd t H lokap bF hiz hX'? (hQ sili!) 'n onx
n glPi t hMevx kApcxz him,' hI sez. His iz wot hiz kaJOlxi
hAz brYt as t! bRbxa /ivynOvna tOld mI H mob nC kild hx
bikoz SI sed samTiN in /frenc.”
<p>
“O, bat it's sO... V tEk evriTiN sO t hRt,” sed /piX, n
bigAn lEiN Qt hiz kRdz f pESans.
<p>
YlHO HAt pESans did kam Qt, /piX did not Jqn H Rmi,
bat rimEnd in dizxtad /moskQ evx in H sEm stEt v AJitESan,
irezalMSan, n alRm, jet At H sEm tFm Jqfali iäpektiN
samTiN teribal.
<p>
neät dE tPd IvniN H prinsas set of, n /piX'z hed stMxd
kEm t infPm him HAt H mani nIdad f H ikwipmant v hiz
reJimant kUd not bI fQnd wiHQt seliN wan v H istEts. in
Jenxal H hed stMxd mEd Qt t /piX HAt hiz proJekt v rEziN
a reJimant wUd rMin him. /piX lisand t him, skXsli Ebal t
ripres a smFl.
<p>
“wel Hen, sel it,” sed hI. “wot's t bI dan? F kAnt drY bAk
nQ!”
<p>
H wxs evriTiN bikEm, ispeSali hiz On afXz, H betx
woz /piX plIzd n H mP evidant woz it HAt H katAstrafi hI
iäpektad woz aprOciN. hRdli eniwan hI nM woz left in tQn. /JMli
hAd gon, n sO hAd /prinsas /mXi. v hiz intimat frendz Onli H
/rOstOfs rimEnd, bat hI did not gO t sI Hem.
<p>
t distrAkt hiz TYts hI drOv HAt dE t H viliJ v /vPOntsOvO
t sI H grEt balMn /lepic woz kanstraktiN t distrq H fO,
n a trFal balMn HAt woz t gO ap neät dE. H balMn woz not jet
redi, bat /piX lxnd HAt it woz bIiN kanstraktad bF H /empxx'z
dizFx. H /empxx hAd ritan t /kQnt /rOstOpcin Az folOz:
<p>
Az sMn Az /lepic iz redi, get tageHx a krM v rilFabal n
inteliJant men f hiz kR n send a kUrC t /Jenxal /kMtMzOf t let
him nO. F hAv infPmd him v H mAtx.
<p>
plIz impres apon /lepic t bI veri kXfal wX hI disendz f
H fxst tFm, HAt hI mE not mEk a mistEk n fYl intM H enami'z
hAndz. it iz isenSal f him t kambFn hiz mMvmants wiH HOz v
H kamAndx in cIf.
<p>
<p>
on hiz wE hOm from /vPOntsOvO, Az hI woz pAsiN H /bOlOtnqe /plEs
/piX, sIiN a lRJ krQd rQnd H /lObnqe /plEs, stopt n got Qt
v hiz trAp. a /frenc kUk akVzd v bIiN a spF woz bIiN flogd. H
flogiN woz Onli Jast Ovx, n H eäikVSanx woz rilIsiN from H
flogiN benc a stQt mAn wiH red wiskxz, in blM stokiNz n
a grIn JAkat, hM woz mOniN pitWsli. anaHx kriminal, Tin n
pEl, stUd nC. JaJiN bF HX fEsaz HE wx bOT /frencmen. wiH
a frFtand n safxiN lUk rizembaliN HAt on H Tin /frencman'z
fEs, /piX pUSt hiz wE in TrM H krQd.
<p>
“wot iz it? hM iz it? wot iz it f?” hI kept AskiN.
<p>
bat H atenSan v H krQd—afiSalz, bxgxz, SopkIpxz,
pezants, n wimin in klOä n in pelIsaz—woz sO Igxli sentxd on
wot woz pAsiN in /lObnqe /plEs HAt nO wan Ansxd him. H stQt mAn
rOz, frQnd, Sragd hiz SOldxz, n evidentli trFiN t apC
fxm bigAn t pUl on hiz JAkat wiHQt lUkiN abQt him, bat sadanli
hiz lips trembald n hI bigAn t krF, in H wE fUl-bladad grOn-ap
men krF, HO ANgri wiH himself f dMiN sO. in H krQd pIpal
bigAn tYkiN lQdli, t stFfal HX fIliNz v piti Az it sImd t
/piX.
<p>
“hI'z kUk t sam prins.”
<p>
“E, /mOMnsIx, /raSan sYs sImz t bI sQx t a /frencman... sets hiz
tIT on eJ!” sed a riNkald klxk hM woz stAndiN bihFnd /piX,
wen H /frencman bigAn t krF.
<p>
H klxk glAnst rQnd, evidentli hOpiN HAt hiz JOk wUd bI
aprISiEtad. sam pIpal bigAn t lAf, aHxz kantinVd t woc in
dismE H eäikVSanx hM woz andresiN H aHx mAn.
<p>
/piX cOkt, hiz fEs pakxd, n hI txnd hEstili awE, went bAk
t hiz trAp matxiN samTiN t himself Az hI went, n tUk hiz
sIt. Az HE drOv aloN hI Sadxd n iäklEmd sevxal tFmz sO
Ydabli HAt H kOcman Askt him:
<p>
“wot iz jP pleZx?”
<p>
“wX R V gOiN?” SQtad /piX t H mAn, hM woz drFviN t
/lMbjynka /strIt.
<p>
“t H /gavxnx'z, Az V Pdxd,” Ansxd H kOcman.
<p>
“fMl! idWt!” SQtad /piX, abVziN hiz kOcman—a TiN hI rXli
did. “hOm, F tOld V! n drFv fAstx, blokhed!” “F mast get awE
His veri dE,” hI mxmxd t himself.
<p>
At H sFt v H tPcxd /frencman n H krQd sxQndiN H
/lObnqe /plEs, /piX hAd sO definitli mEd ap hiz mFnd HAt hI kUd nO
loNgx rimEn in /moskQ n wUd lIv f H Rmi HAt veri dE HAt
it sImd t him HAt FHx hI hAd tOld H kOcman His P HAt H
mAn Yt t hAv nOn it f himself.
<p>
on rIciN hOm /piX gEv Pdxz t /efstafE—hiz hed kOcman hM
nM evriTiN, kUd dM eniTiN, n woz nOn t Yl /moskQ—HAt
hI wUd lIv HAt nFt f H Rmi At /mOZFsk, n HAt hiz sAdal
hPsaz SUd bI sent HX. His kUd not Yl bI xEnJd HAt dE,
sO on /efstafE'z reprizentESan /piX hAd t pUt of hiz dipRcx til
neät dE t alQ tFm f H rilE hPsaz t bI sent on in advAns.
<p>
on H twenti-fPT H weHx klCd ap Aftx a spel v rEn, n
Aftx dinx /piX left /moskQ. wen cEnJiN hPsaz HAt nFt
in /perâMSkOvO, hI lxnd HAt HX hAd bin a grEt bAtal HAt
IvniN. (His woz H bAtal v /SevRdinO.) hI woz tOld HAt HX in
/perâMSkOvO H xT trembald from H fFxiN, bat nObodi kUd Ansx
hiz kwescanz Az t hM hAd wan. At dYn neät dE /piX woz aprOciN
/mOZFsk.
<p>
evri hQs in /mOZFsk hAd sOlJxz kwPtxd in it, n At H hostal
wX /piX woz met bF hiz grMm n kOcman HX woz nO rMm t bI
hAd. it woz fUl v ofisxz.
<p>
evriwX in /mOZFsk n bijond it, trMps wx stESand P on H
mRc. kosAä, fUt n hPs sOlJxz, wAganz, kEsonz, n kAnan
wx evriwX. /piX pUSt fPwxd Az fAst Az hI kUd, n H
fRHx hI left /moskQ bihFnd n H dIpx hI planJd intM HAt sI
v trMps H mP woz hI Ovxkam bF restlas AJitESan n a nM n
Jqfal fIliN hI hAd not iäpCWnst bifP. it woz a fIliN akin
t wot hI hAd felt At H /slObOda /pAlas dxiN H /empxx'z vizit—a
sens v H nisesiti v andxtEkiN samTiN n sAkrifFsiN
samTiN. hI nQ iäpCWnst a glAd konSasnas HAt evriTiN HAt
konstitMts men'z hApinas—H kamfxts v lFf, welT, Ivan
lFf itself—iz rabiS it iz plezant t TrO awE, kampXd wiH
samTiN... wiH wot? /piX kUd not sE, n hI did not trF t
ditxmin f hMm n f wot hI felt sac pxtikVlx dilFt in
sAkrifFsiN evriTiN. hI woz not okVpFd wiH H kwescan v wot t
sAkrifFs f; H fAkt v sAkrifFsiN in itself afPdad him a nM n
Jqas sensESan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
on H twenti-fPT v Ygast H bAtal v H /SevRdinO /ridQt woz
fYt, on H twenti-fifT not a Sot woz fFxd bF FHx sFd, n on
H twenti-siäT H bAtal v /bPOdinO itself tUk plEs.
<p>
wF n hQ wx H bAtalz v /SevRdinO n /bPOdinO givan n
aäeptad? wF woz H bAtal v /bPOdinO fYt? HX woz not H lIst
sens in it f FHx H /frenc P H /raSanz. its imIdWt rizalt
f H /raSanz woz, n woz bQnd t bI, HAt wI wx brYt nCx
t H distrakSan v /moskQ—wic wI fCd mP HAn eniTiN in
H wxld; n f H /frenc its imIdWt rizalt woz HAt HE wx
brYt nCx t H distrakSan v HX hOl Rmi—wic HE fCd
mP HAn eniTiN in H wxld. wot H rizalt mast bI woz kwFt
obvWs, n jet /napOlWn ofxd n /kMtMzOf aäeptad HAt bAtal.
<p>
if H kamAndxz hAd bin gFdad bF rIzan, it wUd sIm HAt it mast
hAv bin obvWs t /napOlWn HAt bF advAnsiN TxtIn handrad mFlz
n giviN bAtal wiH a probabiliti v lMziN a kwPtx v hiz Rmi,
hI woz advAnsiN t sxtan distrakSan, n it mast hAv bin Ikwali
klC t /kMtMzOf HAt bF aäeptiN bAtal n riskiN H los v a
kwPtx v hiz Rmi hI wUd sxtanli lMz /moskQ. f /kMtMzOf His woz
mATamAtikli klC, Az it iz HAt if wen plEiN dryfts F hAv wan
mAn les n gO on iäcEnJiN, F SAl sxtanli lMz, n HXfP
SUd not iäcEnJ. wen mF apOnant hAz siätIn men n F hAv
fPtIn, F Am Onli wan EtT wIkx HAn hI, bat wen F hAv iäcEnJd
TxtIn mP men hI wil bI TrI tFmz Az stroN Az F Am.
<p>
bifP H bAtal v /bPOdinO Qx streNT in prapPSan t H /frenc
woz abQt Az fFv t siä, bat Aftx HAt bAtal it woz lital mP HAn
wan t tM: prIvWsli wI hAd a handrad TQzand agenst a handrad n
twenti TQzand; Aftxwxdz lital mP HAn fifti TQzand agenst a
handrad TQzand. jet H SrMd n iäpCWnst /kMtMzOf aäeptad H
bAtal, wFl /napOlWn, hM woz sed t bI a kamAndx v JInWs,
gEv it, lMziN a kwPtx v hiz Rmi n leNTaniN hiz lFnz v
kamVnikESan stil mP. if it iz sed HAt hI iäpektad t end H
kAmpEn bF okVpFiN /moskQ Az hI hAd endad a prIvWs kAmpEn bF
okVpFiN /viena, HX iz mac evidans t H kontrXi. /napOlWn'z
histPWnz Hemselvz tel as HAt from /smOlensk onwxdz hI wiSt
t stop, nM H dEnJx v hiz iätendad paziSan, n nM HAt H
okVpESan v /moskQ wUd not bI H end v H kAmpEn, f hI hAd
sIn At /smOlensk H stEt in wic /raSan tQnz wx left t him, n
hAd not risIvd a siNgal riplF t hiz ripItad anQnsmants v hiz
wiS t nigOSiEt.
<p>
in giviN n aäeptiN bAtal At /bPOdinO, /kMtMzOf Aktad involantXili
n irASanali. bat lEtx on, t fit wot hAd akxd, H histPWnz
pravFdad kaniNli divFzd evidans v H fPsFt n JInWs v H
Jenxalz hM, v Yl H blFnd tMlz v histxi wx H mOst inslEvd
n involantXi.
<p>
H Encants hAv left as modal hirOik pOamz in wic H hCOz fxniS
H hOl intxast v H stPi, n wI R stil anEbal t akastam
Qxselvz t H fAkt HAt f Qx epak histxiz v HAt kFnd R
mIniNlas.
<p>
on H aHx kwescan, hQ H bAtal v /bPOdinO n H prisIdiN
bAtal v /SevRdinO wx fYt, HX YlsO iãists a definit n
wel-nOn, bat kwFt fYls, kansepSan. Yl H histPWnz diskrFb H
afX Az folOz:
<p>
H /raSan Rmi, HE sE, in its ritrIt from /smOlensk sYt Qt
f itself H best paziSan f a Jenxal ingEJmant n fQnd sac a
paziSan At /bPOdinO.
<p>
H /raSanz, HE sE, fPtifFd His paziSan in advAns on H left
v H hFrOd (from /moskQ t /smOlensk) n YlmOst At a rFt ANgal
t it, from /bPOdinO t /Vtitsa, At H veri plEs wX H bAtal woz
fYt.
<p>
in frant v His paziSan, HE sE, a fPtifFd QtpOst woz set ap on
H /SevRdinO mQnd t abzxv H enami. on H twenti-fPT, wI
R tOld, /napOlWn atAkt His advAnst pOst n tUk it, n, on H
twenti-siäT, atAkt H hOl /raSan Rmi, wic woz in paziSan on
H fIld v /bPOdinO.
<p>
sO H histxiz sE, n it iz Yl kwFt roN, Az eniwan hM kXz t
lUk intM H mAtx kAn Izili kanvins himself.
<p>
H /raSanz did not sIk Qt H best paziSan bat, on H kontrXi,
dxiN H ritrIt pAst meni paziSanz betx HAn /bPOdinO. HE did
not stop At eni wan v HIz paziSanz bikoz /kMtMzOf did not wiS t
okVpF a paziSan hI hAd not himself cOzan, bikoz H popVlx dimAnd
f a bAtal hAd not jet iäprest itself stroNli inaf, n bikoz
/milPydOvic hAd not jet xFvd wiH H miliSa, n f meni aHx
rIzanz. H fAkt iz HAt aHx paziSanz HE hAd pAst wx stroNgx,
n HAt H paziSan At /bPOdinO (H wan wX H bAtal woz fYt),
fR from bIiN stroN, woz nO mP a paziSan HAn eni aHx spot wan
mFt fFnd in H /raSan /empFx bF stikiN a pin intM H mAp At
hAzxd.
<p>
not Onli did H /raSanz not fPtifF H paziSan on H fIld v
/bPOdinO t H left v, n At a rFt ANgal t, H hFrOd (HAt
iz, H paziSan on wic H bAtal tUk plEs), bat nevx til H
twenti-fifT v Ygast, 1812, did HE TiNk HAt a bAtal mFt bI
fYt HX. His woz SOn fxst bF H fAkt HAt HX wx nO
intrencmants HX bF H twenti fifT n HAt HOz bigan on H
twenti-fifT n twenti-siäT wx not kamplItad, n sekandli, bF H
paziSan v H /SevRdinO /ridQt. HAt ridQt woz kwFt senslas
in frant v H paziSan wX H bAtal woz aäeptad. wF woz it
mP stroNli fPtifFd HAn eni aHx pOst? n wF wx Yl efxts
iãYstad n siä TQzand men sAkrifFst t difend it til lEt At
nFt on H twenti-fPT? a /kosAk patrOl wUd hAv safFst t
abzxv H enami. Txdli, Az prMf HAt H paziSan on wic H
bAtal woz fYt hAd not bin fPsIn n HAt H /SevRdinO /ridQt
woz not an advAnst pOst v HAt paziSan, wI hAv H fAkt HAt ap t
H twenti-fifT, /bRklE de /toli n /bygrytiOn wx kanvinst HAt H
/SevRdinO /ridQt woz H left flANk v H paziSan, n HAt /kMtMzOf
himself in hiz ripPt, ritan in hot hEst Aftx H bAtal, spIä v
H /SevRdinO /ridQt Az H left flANk v H paziSan. it woz mac
lEtx, wen ripPts on H bAtal v /bPOdinO wx ritan At lIZx,
HAt H inkxekt n iätrPdinXi stEtmant woz inventad (probabli t
JastifF H mistEä v a kamAndx in cIf hM hAd t bI reprizentad
Az infAlabal) HAt H /SevRdinO /ridQt woz an advAnst pOst—wXAz
in riAliti it woz simpli a fPtifFd pqnt on H left flANk—n HAt
H bAtal v /bPOdinO woz fYt bF as on an intrenct paziSan
prIvWsli silektad, wXAz it woz fYt on a kwFt aniäpektad spot
wic woz YlmOst anintrenct.
<p>
H kEs woz evidentli His: a paziSan woz silektad aloN H rivx
/kOlOca—wic krosaz H hFrOd not At a rFt ANgal bat At an akVt
ANgal—sO HAt H left flANk woz At /SevRdinO, H rFt flANk nC H
viliJ v /nOvqe, n H sentx At /bPOdinO At H konflMans v H
rivxz /kOlOca n /vqna.
<p>
t eniwan hM lUä At H fIld v /bPOdinO wiHQt TiNkiN v hQ
H bAtal woz AkcMali fYt, His paziSan, pratektad bF H rivx
/kOlOca, prizents itself Az obvWs f an Rmi hMz obJekt woz t
privent an enami from advAnsiN aloN H /smOlensk rOd t /moskQ.
<p>
/napOlWn, rFdiN t /vylMevO on H twenti-fPT, did not sI (Az H
histxi bUä sE hI did) H paziSan v H /raSanz from /Vtitsa
t /bPOdinO (hI kUd not hAv sIn HAt paziSan bikoz it did not
iãist), nP did hI sI an advAnst pOst v H /raSan Rmi, bat wFl
pxsMiN H /raSan rCgRd hI kEm apon H left flANk v H
/raSan paziSan—At H /SevRdinO /ridQt—n aniäpektadli f H
/raSanz mMvd hiz Rmi akros H /kOlOca. n H /raSanz, not hAviN
tFm t bigin a Jenxal ingEJmant, wiHdrM HX left wiN from H
paziSan HE hAd intendad t okVpF n tUk ap a nM paziSan wic
hAd not bin fPsIn n woz not fPtifFd. bF krosiN t H aHx
sFd v H /kOlOca t H left v H hFrOd, /napOlWn Siftad H
hOl fPTkamiN bAtal from rFt t left (lUkiN from H /raSan
sFd) n trAnsfxd it t H plEn bitwIn /Vtitsa, /semjOnOfsk, n
/bPOdinO—a plEn nO mP AdvantEJas Az a paziSan HAn eni aHx plEn
in /raSa—n HX H hOl bAtal v H twenti-siäT v Ygast tUk
plEs.
<p>
hAd /napOlWn not ridan Qt on H IvniN v H twenti-fPT t H
/kOlOca, n hAd hI not Hen Pdxd an imIdWt atAk on H ridQt
bat hAd bigan H atAk neät mPniN, nO wan wUd hAv dQtad HAt
H /SevRdinO /ridQt woz H left flANk v Qx paziSan, n H
bAtal wUd hAv tEkan plEs wX wI iäpektad it. in HAt kEs
wI SUd probabli hAv difendad H /SevRdinO /ridQt—Qx left
flANk—stil mP obstinatli. wI SUd hAv atAkt /napOlWn in H
sentx P on H rFt, n H ingEJmant wUd hAv tEkan plEs on H
twenti-fifT, in H paziSan wI intendad n hAd fPtifFd. bat Az H
atAk on Qx left flANk tUk plEs in H IvniN Aftx H ritrIt v
Qx rC gRd (HAt iz, imIdWtli Aftx H fFt At /gridneva), n
Az H /raSan kamAndxz did not wiS, P wx not in tFm, t bigin a
Jenxal ingEJmant Hen on H IvniN v H twenti-fPT, H fxst
n cIf AkSan v H bAtal v /bPOdinO woz Ylredi lost on H
twenti-fPT, n obvWsli led t H los v H wan fYt on H
twenti-siäT.
<p>
Aftx H los v H /SevRdinO /ridQt, wI fQnd Qxselvz on H
mPniN v H twenti-fifT wiHQt a paziSan f Qx left flANk, n
wx fPst t bend it bAk n hEstili intrenc it wX it cAnst t
bI.
<p>
not Onli woz H /raSan Rmi on H twenti-siäT difendad bF wIk,
anfiniSt intrencmants, bat H disadvAntiJ v HAt paziSan woz
inkrIst bF H fAkt HAt H /raSan kamAndxz—not hAviN fUli
rWlFzd wot hAd hApand, nEmli H los v Qx paziSan on H left
flANk n H SiftiN v H hOl fIld v H fPTkamiN bAtal from
rFt t left—mEntEnd HX iätendad paziSan from H viliJ v
/nOvqe t /Vtitsa, n konsikwantli hAd t mMv HX fPsaz from rFt t
left dxiN H bAtal. sO it hApand HAt TrMQt H hOl bAtal
H /raSanz apOzd H intFx /frenc Rmi lYnct agenst Qx left
flANk wiH bat hAf Az meni men. (/pOnjatofski'z AkSan agenst /Vtitsa,
n /MvROf's on H rFt flANk agenst H /frenc, wx AkSanz
distiNkt from H mEn kPs v H bAtal.) sO H bAtal v /bPOdinO
did not tEk plEs At Yl Az (in an efxt t kansIl Qx kamAndxz'
mistEä Ivan At H kost v diminiSiN H glPi dM t H /raSan
Rmi n pIpal) it hAz bin diskrFbd. H bAtal v /bPOdinO woz not
fYt on a cOzan n intrenct paziSan wiH fPsaz Onli slFtli
wIkx HAn HOz v H enami, bat, Az a rizalt v H los v H
/SevRdinO /ridQt, H /raSanz fYt H bAtal v /bPOdinO on an
Opan n YlmOst anintrenct paziSan, wiH fPsaz Onli hAf Az nMmxas
Az H /frenc; HAt iz t sE, andx kandiSanz in wic it woz not
mCli anTiNkabal t fFt f ten Qxz n sikjUx an indisFsiv
rizalt, bat anTiNkabal t kIp an Rmi Ivan from kamplIt
disintigrESan n flFt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
on H mPniN v H twenti-fifT /piX woz lIviN /mOZFsk. At H
disent v H hF stIp hil, dQn wic a wFndiN rOd led Qt v H
tQn pAst H kaTIdral on H rFt, wX a sxvis woz bIiN held n
H belz wx riNiN, /piX got Qt v hiz vIikal n prOsIdad on
fUt. bihFnd him a kAvalri reJimant woz kamiN dQn H hil prisIdad bF
its siNxz. kamiN ap tPd him woz a trEn v kRts kAriiN men hM
hAd bin wMndad in H ingEJmant H dE bifP. H pezant drFvxz,
SQtiN n lASiN HX hPsaz, kept krosiN from sFd t sFd. H
kRts, in Ic v wic TrI P fP wMndad sOlJxz wx lFiN
P sitiN, JOltad Ovx H stOnz HAt hAd bin TrOn on H stIp
inklFn t mEk it samTiN lFk a rOd. H wMndad, bAndiJd wiH
rAã, wiH pEl cIä, kamprest lips, n nitad brQz, held on t
H sFdz v H kRts Az HE wx JOltad agenst wan anaHx. YlmOst
Yl v Hem stXd wiH nFIv, cFldlFk kjUxiositi At /piX'z wFt hAt
n grIn swolO-tEl kOt.
<p>
/piX'z kOcman SQtad ANgrili At H konvq v wMndad t kIp t
wan sFd v H rOd. H kAvalri reJimant, Az it disendad H hil
wiH its siNxz, sxQndad /piX'z kAriJ n blokt H rOd.
/piX stopt, bIiN prest agenst H sFd v H katiN in wic
H rOd rAn. H sanSFn from bihFnd H hil did not penitrEt intM
H katiN n HX it woz kOld n dAmp, bat abav /piX'z hed woz
H brFt Ygast sanSFn n H belz sQndad merili. wan v H
kRts wiH wMndad stopt bF H sFd v H rOd klOs t /piX. H
drFvx in hiz /bAst SMz rAn pAntiN ap t it, plEst a stOn andx wan
v its tFxlas hFnd wIlz, n bigAn xEnJiN H brIc-bAnd on hiz
lital hPs.
<p>
wan v H wMndad, an Old sOlJx wiH a bAndiJd Rm hM woz folOiN
H kRt on fUt, kYt hOld v it wiH hiz sQnd hAnd n txnd t
lUk At /piX.
<p>
“F sE, felO kantriman! wil HE set as dQn hC P tEk as on t
/moskQ?” hI Askt.
<p>
/piX woz sO dIp in TYt HAt hI did not hC H kwescan. hI woz
lUkiN nQ At H kAvalri reJimant HAt hAd met H konvq v wMndad,
nQ At H kRt bF wic hI woz stAndiN, in wic tM wMndad men
wx sitiN n wan woz lFiN. wan v HOz sitiN ap in H kRt hAd
probabli bin wMndad in H cIk. hiz hOl hed woz rApt in rAã
n wan cIk woz swOlan t H sFz v a bEbi'z hed. hiz nOz
n mQT wx twistad t wan sFd. His sOlJx woz lUkiN At H
kaTIdral n krosiN himself. anaHx, a jaN lAd, a fX-hXd
rikrMt Az wFt Az HO HX woz nO blad in hiz Tin fEs, lUkt
At /piX kFndli, wiH a fiät smFl. H Txd lE prOn sO HAt hiz
fEs woz not vizabal. H kAvalri siNxz wx pAsiN klOs bF:
<p>
   y lost, kwFt lost... iz mF hed sO kIn,
   /liviN in a forin lAnd...
<p>
HE sAN HX sOlJxz' dAns soN.
<p>
Az if rispondiN t Hem bat wiH a difxant sPt v merimant, H
mitAlik sQnd v H belz rivxbxEtad hF abav n H hot rEz v
H san bEHd H top v H opazit slOp wiH jet anaHx sPt v
merimant. bat binIT H slOp, bF H kRt wiH H wMndad nC H
pAntiN lital nAg wX /piX stUd, it woz dAmp, sombx, n sAd.
<p>
H sOlJx wiH H swOlan cIk lUkt ANgrili At H kAvalri
siNxz.
<p>
“O, H koäkOmz!” hI matxd riprOcfali.
<p>
“it's not H sOlJxz Onli, bat F'v sIn pezants tadE, tM....
H pezants—Ivan HE hAf t gO,” sed H sOlJx bihFnd H kRt,
adresiN /piX wiH a sAd smFl. “nO distiNkSanz mEd nQadEz....
HE wont H hOl nESan t fYl on Hem—in a wxd, it's /moskQ! HE
wont t mEk an end v it.”
<p>
in spFt v H abskjUxiti v H sOlJx'z wxdz /piX andxstUd wot
hI wontad t sE n nodad aprMval.
<p>
H rOd woz klC agen; /piX disendad H hil n drOv on.
<p>
hI kept lUkiN t FHx sFd v H rOd f familC fEsaz, bat Onli
sY evriwX H anfamilC fEsaz v vXWs militXi men v difxant
brAncaz v H sxvis, hM Yl lUkt wiH astoniSmant At hiz wFt
hAt n grIn tEl kOt.
<p>
hAviN gon nCli TrI mFlz hI At lAst met an akwEntans n
Igxli adrest him. His woz wan v H hed Rmi doktxz. hI woz
drFviN tPd /piX in a kavxd gig, sitiN bisFd a jaN sxJan,
n on rekagnFziN /piX hI tOld H /kosAk hM okVpFd H drFvx'z
sIt t pUl ap.
<p>
“kQnt! jP eäalansi, hQ kam V t bI hC?” Askt H doktx.
<p>
“wel, V nO, F wontad t sI...”
<p>
“jes, jes, HX wil bI samTiN t sI....”
<p>
/piX got Qt n tYkt t H doktx, iäplEniN hiz intenSan v
tEkiN pRt in a bAtal.
<p>
H doktx advFzd him t aplF direkt t /kMtMzOf.
<p>
“wF SUd V bI /god nOz wX Qt v sFt, dxiN H bAtal?” hI
sed, iäcEnJiN glAnsaz wiH hiz jaN kampAnjan. “enihQ hiz /sxIn
/hFnas nOz V n wil risIv V grESasli. HAt's wot V mast
dM.”
<p>
H doktx sImd tFxd n in a hari.
<p>
“V TiNk sO?... y, F YlsO wontad t Ask V wX Qx paziSan iz
iãAktli?” sed /piX.
<p>
“H paziSan?” ripItad H doktx. “wel, HAt's not mF lFn. drFv
pAst /tytRinOva, a lot v digiN iz gOiN on HX. gO ap H hilak
n V'l sI.”
<p>
“kAn wan sI from HX?... if V wUd...”
<p>
bat H doktx intxaptad him n mMvd tPd hiz gig.
<p>
“F wUd gO wiH V bat on mF onx F'm ap t hC”—n hI pqntad t
hiz TrOt. “F'm gAlapiN t H kamAndx v H kP. hQ dM mAtxz
stAnd?... V nO, /kQnt, HX'l bI a bAtal tamorO. Qt v an Rmi
v a handrad TQzand wI mast iäpekt At lIst twenti TQzand wMndad,
n wI hAvant strecxz, P baNä, P dresxz, P doktxz inaf f
siä TQzand. wI hAv ten TQzand kRts, bat wI nId aHx TiNz Az
wel—wI mast mAniJ Az best wI kAn!”
<p>
H strEnJ TYt HAt v H TQzandz v men, jaN n Old, hM
hAd stXd wiH meri sxprFz At hiz hAt (pxhAps H veri men hI hAd
nOtist), twenti TQzand wx inevitabli dMmd t wMndz n deT
amEzd /piX.
<p>
“HE mE dF tamorO; wF R HE TiNkiN v eniTiN bat deT?”
n bF sam lEtant sIkwans v TYt H disent v H /mOZFsk hil,
H kRts wiH H wMndad, H riNiN belz, H slAntiN rEz v H
san, n H soNz v H kAvalrimen vividli rikxd t hiz mFnd.
<p>
“H kAvalri rFd t bAtal n mIt H wMndad n dM not f a mOment
TiNk v wot awEts Hem, bat pAs bF, wiNkiN At H wMndad. jet from
amaN HIz men twenti TQzand R dMmd t dF, n HE wandx At mF
hAt! strEnJ!” TYt /piX, kantinViN hiz wE t /tytRinOva.
<p>
in frant v a lAndOnx'z hQs t H left v H rOd stUd kAriJaz,
wAganz, n krQdz v Pdxliz n sentinalz. H kamAndx in cIf
woz pUtiN ap HX, bat Jast wen /piX xFvd hI woz not in n
hRdli eni v H stAf wx HX—HE hAd gon t H cxc sxvis.
/piX drOv on tPd /gPki.
<p>
wen hI hAd asendad H hil n rIct H lital viliJ strIt, hI
sY f H fxst tFm pezant miliSamen in HX wFt Sxts n wiH
krosaz on HX kAps, hM, tYkiN n lAfiN lQdli, AnimEtad n
pxspFxiN, wx At wxk on a hVJ nOl OvxgrOn wiH grAs t H
rFt v H rOd.
<p>
sam v Hem wx digiN, aHxz wx wIliN bArOlOdz v xT
aloN plANä, wFl aHxz stUd abQt dMiN naTiN.
<p>
tM ofisxz wx stAndiN on H nOl, direktiN H men. on sIiN
HIz pezants, hM wx evidentli stil amVzd bF H novalti v HX
paziSan Az sOlJxz, /piX wans mP TYt v H wMndad men At
/mOZFsk n andxstUd wot H sOlJx hAd ment wen hI sed: “HE
wont H hOl nESan t fYl on Hem.” H sFt v HIz bCdad
pezants At wxk on H bAtalfIld, wiH HX kwC, klamzi bMts
n pxspFxiN neä, n HX Sxts OpaniN from H left tPd
H midal, anfAsand, iäpOziN HX sanbxnd kolxbOnz, imprest
/piX mP stroNli wiH H salemniti n impPtans v H mOment
HAn eniTiN hI hAd jet sIn P hxd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXI
<p>
/piX stept Qt v hiz kAriJ n, pAsiN H tqliN miliSamen,
asendad H nOl from wic, akPdiN t H doktx, H bAtalfIld
kUd bI sIn.
<p>
it woz abQt ilevan O'klok. H san SOn samwot t H left n
bihFnd him n brFtli lit ap H inPmas pAnxAma wic, rFziN lFk
an AmfiTWtx, iätendad bifP him in H klC rXifFd AtmasfC.
<p>
from abav on H left, bFsektiN HAt AmfiTWtx, wQnd H /smOlensk
hFrOd, pAsiN TrM a viliJ wiH a wFt cxc sam fFv
handrad pEsaz in frant v H nOl n bilO it. His woz /bPOdinO.
bilO H viliJ H rOd krost H rivx bF a briJ n, wFndiN
dQn n ap, rOz hFx n hFx t H viliJ v /vylMevO vizabal
abQt fP mFlz awE, wX /napOlWn woz Hen stESand. bijond /vylMevO
H rOd disapCd intM a jelOiN fPist on H hxFzan. fR in
H distans in HAt bxc n fx fPist t H rFt v H rOd, H
kros n belfri v H /kOlOca /monasteri glImd in H san. hC n
HX Ovx H hOl v HAt blM iäpAns, t rFt n left v H
fPist n H rOd, smOkiN kAmpfFxz kUd bI sIn n indefinit
mAsaz v trMps—Qxz n H enami'z. H grQnd t H rFt—aloN H
kPs v H /kOlOca n /mOskva rivxz—woz brOkan n hili. bitwIn
H holOz H viliJaz v /bezMbOva n /zyâRinO SOd in H
distans. on H left H grQnd woz mP leval; HX wx fIldz v
grEn, n H smOkiN rMinz v /semjOnOfsk, wic hAd bin bxnd dQn,
kUd bI sIn.
<p>
Yl HAt /piX sY woz sO indefinit HAt nFHx H left nP H
rFt sFd v H fIld fUli sAtisfFd hiz eäpektESanz. nOwX
kUd hI sI H bAtalfIld hI hAd iäpektad t fFnd, bat Onli fIldz,
medOz, trMps, wUdz, H smOk v kAmpfFxz, viliJaz, mQndz, n
strImz; n trF Az hI wUd hI kUd diskrF nO militXi “paziSan” in
His plEs wic tImd wiH lFf, nP kUd hI Ivan distiNgwiS Qx
trMps from H enami'z.
<p>
“F mast Ask samwan hM nOz,” hI TYt, n adrest an ofisx hM
woz lUkiN wiH kjUxiositi At hiz hVJ anmilitXi figjx.
<p>
“mE F Ask V,” sed /piX, “wot viliJ HAt iz in frant?”
<p>
“bxdinO, izant it?” sed H ofisx, txniN t hiz kampAnjan.
<p>
“/bPOdinO,” H aHx kxektad him.
<p>
H ofisx, evidentli glAd v an opxtMniti f a tYk, mMvd ap t
/piX.
<p>
“R HOz Qx men HX?” /piX inkwFxd.
<p>
“jes, n HX, fxHx on, R H /frenc,” sed H ofisx. “HX
HE R, HX... V kAn sI Hem.”
<p>
“wX? wX?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“wan kAn sI Hem wiH H nEkad F... wF, HX!”
<p>
H ofisx pqntad wiH hiz hAnd t H smOk vizabal on H left
bijond H rivx, n H sEm stxn n sCWs iäpreSan HAt /piX
hAd nOtist on meni v H fEsaz hI hAd met kEm intM hiz fEs.
<p>
“y, HOz R H /frenc! n Ovx HX?...” /piX pqntad t a nOl
on H left, nC wic sam trMps kUd bI sIn.
<p>
“HOz R Qxz.”
<p>
“y, Qxz! n HX?...” /piX pqntad t anaHx nOl in H
distans wiH a big trI on it, nC a viliJ HAt lE in a holO
wX YlsO sam kAmpfFxz wx smOkiN n samTiN blAk woz vizabal.
<p>
“HAt's hiz agen,” sed H ofisx. (it woz H /SevRdinO /ridQt.)
“it woz Qxz jestxdE, bat nQ it iz hiz.”
<p>
“Hen hQ abQt Qx paziSan?”
<p>
“Qx paziSan?” riplFd H ofisx wiH a smFl v sAtisfAkSan. “F
kAn tel V kwFt klCli, bikoz F kanstraktad nCli Yl Qx
intrencmants. HX, V sI? HX'z Qx sentx, At /bPOdinO, Jast
HX,” n hI pqntad t H viliJ in frant v Hem wiH H wFt
cxc. “HAt's wX wan krosaz H /kOlOca. V sI dQn HX wX
H rOz v hE R lFiN in H holO, HX'z H briJ. HAt's Qx
sentx. Qx rFt flANk iz Ovx HX”—hI pqntad SRpli t H rFt,
fR awE in H brOkan grQnd—“HAt's wX H /mOskva /rivx iz, n
wI hAv TrOn ap TrI ridQts HX, veri stroN wanz. H left
flANk...” hC H ofisx pYzd. “wel, V sI, HAt's difikalt t
iäplEn.... jestxdE Qx left flANk woz HX At /SevRdinO, V sI,
wX H Ok iz, bat nQ wI hAv wiHdrYn Qx left wiN—nQ it iz Ovx
HX, dM V sI HAt viliJ n H smOk? HAt's /semjOnOfsk, jes,
HX,” hI pqntad t /rFefski'z nOl. “bat H bAtal wil hRdli
bI HX. hiz hAviN mMvd hiz trMps HX iz Onli a rMz; hI wil
probabli pAs rQnd t H rFt v H /mOskva. bat wXevx it mE bI,
meni a mAn wil bI misiN tamorO!” hI rimRkt.
<p>
an eldxli sRJant hM hAd aprOct H ofisx wFl hI woz giviN
HIz eäplanESanz hAd wEtad in sFlans f him t finiS spIkiN, bat
At His pqnt, evidentli not lFkiN H ofisx'z rimRk, intxaptad
him.
<p>
“gEbWnz mast bI sent f,” sed hI stxnli.
<p>
H ofisx apCd abASt, Az HO hI andxstUd HAt wan mFt
TiNk v hQ meni men wUd bI misiN tamorO bat Yt not t spIk
v it.
<p>
“wel, send nambx TrI kampani agen,” H ofisx riplFd haridli.
<p>
“n V, R V wan v H doktxz?”
<p>
“nO, F'v kam on mF On,” Ansxd /piX, n hI went dQn H hil
agen, pAsiN H miliSamen.
<p>
“O, HOz dAmd felOz!” matxd H ofisx hM folOd him,
hOldiN hiz nOz Az hI rAn pAst H men At wxk.
<p>
“HX HE R... briNiN hx, kamiN... HX HE R... HE'l bI
hC in a minit...” vqsaz wx sadanli hxd sEiN; n ofisxz,
sOlJxz, n miliSamen bigAn raniN fPwxd aloN H rOd.
<p>
a cxc praseSan woz kamiN ap H hil from /bPOdinO. fxst aloN
H dasti rOd kEm H infantri in rANä, bXhedad n wiH Rmz
rivxst. from bihFnd Hem kEm H sQnd v cxc siNiN.
<p>
sOlJxz n miliSamen rAn bXhedad pAst /piX tPd H
praseSan.
<p>
“HE R briNiN hx, Qx /pratektras!... H /FbCWn /maHx v /god!”
samwan krFd.
<p>
“H /smOlensk /maHx v /god,” anaHx kxektad him.
<p>
H miliSamen, bOT HOz hM hAd bin in H viliJ n HOz hM hAd
bin At wxk on H bAtxi, TrM dQn HX spEdz n rAn t mIt H
cxc praseSan. folOiN H batAlWn HAt mRct aloN H dasti
rOd kEm prIsts in HX vestmants—wan lital Old mAn in a hUd wiH
atendants n siNxz. bihFnd Hem sOlJxz n ofisxz bP a lRJ,
dRk-fEst Fkon wiH an imbost metal kavx. His woz H Fkon HAt hAd
bin brYt from /smOlensk n hAd sins akampanid H Rmi. bihFnd,
bifP, n on bOT sFdz, krQdz v miliSamen wiH bXd hedz wYkt,
rAn, n bQd t H grQnd.
<p>
At H samit v H hil HE stopt wiH H Fkon; H men hM hAd
bin hOldiN it ap bF H linin bAndz atAct t it wx rilIvd bF
aHxz, H cAntxz rIlit HX sensxz, n sxvis bigAn. H hot
rEz v H san bIt dQn vxtikli n a freS soft wind plEd wiH
H hX v H bXd hedz n wiH H ribanz dekxEtiN H Fkon.
H siNiN did not sQnd lQd andx H Opan skF. an imens krQd
v bXhedad ofisxz, sOlJxz, n miliSamen sxQndad H Fkon.
bihFnd H prIst n a cAntx stUd H nOtabilitiz on a spot
rizxvd f Hem. a bYld Jenxal wiH a /st /JPJ'az /kros on hiz nek
stUd Jast bihFnd H prIst's bAk, n wiHQt krosiN himself (hI
woz evidentli a /Jxman) pESantli awEtad H end v H sxvis, wic
hI kansidxd it nesisXi t hC t H end, probabli t xQz H
pEtrWtizam v H /raSan pIpal. anaHx Jenxal stUd in a mRSal
pOz, krosiN himself bF SEkiN hiz hAnd in frant v hiz cest
wFl lUkiN abQt him. stAndiN amaN H krQd v pezants, /piX
rekagnFzd sevxal akwEntansaz amaN HIz nOtabalz, bat did not
lUk At Hem—hiz hOl atenSan woz absPbd in wociN H sCWs
iäpreSan on H fEsaz v H krQd v sOlJxz n miliSamen hM wx
Yl gEziN Igxli At H Fkon. Az sMn Az H tFxd cAntxz, hM wx
siNiN H sxvis f H twentWT tFm HAt dE, bigAn lEzili n
mikAnikli t siN: “sEv from kalAmiti /HF sxvants, /O /maHx v
/god,” n H prIst n dIkan cFmd in: “f t /HI andx /god wI Yl
flI Az t an invFalabal bUlwxk n pratekSan,” HX agen kindald in
Yl HOz fEsaz H sEm iäpreSan v konSasnas v H salemniti
v H impendiN mOment HAt /piX hAd sIn on H fEsaz At H fUt v
H hil At /mOZFsk n mOmentXili on meni n meni fEsaz hI hAd met
HAt mPniN; n hedz wx bQd mP frIkwantli n hX tost bAk,
n sFz n H sQnd men mEd Az HE krost Hemselvz wx hxd.
<p>
H krQd rQnd H Fkon sadanli pRtad n prest agenst /piX.
samwan, a veri impPtant pxsaniJ JaJiN bF H hEst wiH wic wE
woz mEd f him, woz aprOciN H Fkon.
<p>
it woz /kMtMzOf, hM hAd bin rFdiN rQnd H paziSan n on hiz wE
bAk t /tytRinOva hAd stopt wX H sxvis woz bIiN held. /piX
rekagnFzd him At wans bF hiz pikVlC figjx, wic distiNgwiSt him
from evribodi els.
<p>
wiH a loN OvxkOt on hiz iäIdiNli stQt, rQnd-SOldxd bodi,
wiH ankavxd wFt hed n pafi fEs SOiN H wFt bYl v H
F hI hAd lost, /kMtMzOf wYkt wiH planJiN, swEiN gEt intM
H krQd n stopt bihFnd H prIst. hI krost himself wiH an
akastamd mMvmant, bent til hI tact H grQnd wiH hiz hAnd, n
bQd hiz wFt hed wiH a dIp sF. bihFnd /kMtMzOf woz /benigsan n
H swIt. dispFt H prezans v H kamAndx in cIf, hM atrAktad
H atenSan v Yl H sMpCC ofisxz, H miliSamen n sOlJxz
kantinVd HX prExz wiHQt lUkiN At him.
<p>
wen H sxvis woz Ovx, /kMtMzOf stept ap t H Fkon, sANk hevili
t hiz nIz, bQd t H grQnd, n f a loN tFm trFd vEnli t
rFz, bat kUd not dM sO on akQnt v hiz wIknas n wEt. hiz
wFt hed twict wiH H efxt. At lAst hI rOz, kist H Fkon Az
a cFld daz wiH nFIvli pQtiN lips, n agen bQd til hI tact
H grQnd wiH hiz hAnd. H aHx Jenxalz folOd hiz iãAmpal,
Hen H ofisxz, n Aftx Hem wiH iäFtad fEsaz, presiN on wan
anaHx, krQdiN, pAntiN, n pUSiN, skrAmbald H sOlJxz n
miliSamen.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXII
<p>
/stAgxiN amid H kraS, /piX lUkt abQt him.
<p>
“kQnt /pItx /kCilOvic! hQ did V get hC?” sed a vqs.
<p>
/piX lUkt rQnd. bPis /drMbetskq, braSiN hiz nIz wiH hiz hAnd
(hI hAd probabli sqld Hem wen hI, tM, hAd nelt bifP H Fkon),
kEm ap t him smFliN. bPis woz eligantli drest, wiH a slFtli
mRSal tac aprOprWt t a kAmpEn. hI wP a loN kOt n lFk
/kMtMzOf hAd a wip slaN akros hiz SOldx.
<p>
mInwFl /kMtMzOf hAd rIct H viliJ n sItad himself in H
SEd v H nCast hQs, on a benc wic wan /kosAk hAd ran
t fec n anaHx hAd hEstili kavxd wiH a rag. an imens n
brilWnt swIt sxQndad him.
<p>
H Fkon woz kArid fxHx, akampanid bF H TroN. /piX stopt
sam Txti pEsaz from /kMtMzOf, tYkiN t /bPis.
<p>
hI iäplEnd hiz wiS t bI prezant At H bAtal n t sI H
paziSan.
<p>
“His iz wot V mast dM,” sed /bPis. “F wil dM H onxz v H
kAmp t V. V wil sI evriTiN best from wX /kQnt /benigsan
wil bI. F Am in atendans on him, V nO; F'l menSan it t him.
bat if V wont t rFd rQnd H paziSan, kam aloN wiH as. wI R
Jast gOiN t H left flANk. Hen wen wI get bAk, dM spend H nFt
wiH mI n wI'l xEnJ a gEm v kRdz. v kPs V nO /dmItri
/sergEevic? HOz R hiz kwPtxz,” n hI pqntad t H Txd hQs
in H viliJ v /gPki.
<p>
“bat F SUd lFk t sI H rFt flANk. HE sE it's veri stroN,”
sed /piX. “F SUd lFk t stRt from H /mOskva /rivx n rFd
rQnd H hOl paziSan.”
<p>
“wel, V kAn dM HAt lEtx, bat H cIf TiN iz H left flANk.”
<p>
“jes, jes. bat wX iz /prins /bOlkOnski'z reJimant? kAn V pqnt it
Qt t mI?”
<p>
“prins /AndrM'z? wI SAl pAs it n F'l tEk V t him.”
<p>
“wot abQt H left flANk?” Askt /piX
<p>
“t tel V H trMT, bitwIn Qxselvz, /god Onli nOz wot stEt Qx
left flANk iz in,” sed /bPis konfidenSali lOxiN hiz vqs. “it iz
not At Yl wot /kQnt /benigsan intendad. hI ment t fPtifF HAt nOl
kwFt difxantli, bat...” bPis Sragd hiz SOldxz, “hiz /sxIn
/hFnas wUd not hAv it, P samwan pxswEdad him. V sI...” bat
/bPis did not finiS, f At HAt mOment /kFsROf, /kMtMzOf's AJUtant,
kEm ap t /piX. “y, /kFsROf!” sed /bPis, adresiN him wiH an
animbArast smFl, “F woz Jast trFiN t iäplEn Qx paziSan t
H kQnt. it iz amEziN hQ hiz /sxIn /hFnas kUd sO fPsI H
intenSanz v H /frenc!”
<p>
“V mIn H left flANk?” Askt /kFsROf.
<p>
“jes, iãAktli; H left flANk iz nQ iätrImli stroN.”
<p>
HO /kMtMzOf hAd dismist Yl annesisXi men from H stAf, /bPis
hAd kantrFvd t rimEn At hedkwPtxz Aftx H cEnJaz. hI hAd
istAbliSt himself wiH /kQnt /benigsan, hM, lFk Yl on hMm /bPis
hAd bin in atendans, kansidxd jaN /prins /drMbetskq an invAlVabal
mAn.
<p>
in H hFx kamAnd HX wx tM SRpli difFnd pRtiz: /kMtMzOf's
pRti n HAt v /benigsan, H cIf v stAf. bPis biloNd t H
lAtx n nO wan els, wFl SOiN sxvFl rispekt t /kMtMzOf, kUd
sO kriEt an impreSan HAt H Old felO woz not mac gUd n HAt
/benigsan mAniJd evriTiN. nQ H disFsiv mOment v bAtal hAd kam
wen /kMtMzOf wUd bI distrqd n H pQx pAs t /benigsan, P Ivan
if /kMtMzOf wan H bAtal it wUd bI felt HAt evriTiN woz dan bF
/benigsan. in eni kEs meni grEt riwPdz wUd hAf t bI givan f
tamorO'z AkSan, n nM men wUd kam t H frant. sO /bPis woz
fUl v nxvas vivAsiti Yl dE.
<p>
Aftx /kFsROf, aHxz hMm /piX nM kEm ap t him, n hI hAd not
tFm t riplF t Yl H kwescanz abQt /moskQ HAt wx SQxd apon
him, P t lisan t Yl HAt woz tOld him. H fEsaz Yl iäprest
AnimESan n AprihenSan, bat it sImd t /piX HAt H kYz v
H iäFtmant SOn in sam v HIz fEsaz lE cIfli in kwescanz
v pxsanal saäes; hiz mFnd, hQevx, woz okVpFd bF H difxant
iäpreSan hI sY on aHx fEsaz—an iäpreSan HAt spOk not v
pxsanal mAtxz bat v H Vnivxsal kwescanz v lFf n deT.
/kMtMzOf nOtist /piX'z figjx n H grMp gAHxd rQnd him.
<p>
“kYl him t mI,” sed /kMtMzOf.
<p>
an AJUtant tOld /piX v hiz /sxIn /hFnas' wiS, n /piX went
tPd /kMtMzOf's benc. bat a miliSaman got HX bifP him. it woz
/dOlOâOf.
<p>
“hQ did HAt felO get hC?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“hI'z a krIcx HAt rigalz in eniwX!” woz H Ansx. “hI
hAz bin digrEdad, V nO. nQ hI wonts t bob ap agen. hI'z bin
prapOziN sam skIm P aHx n hAz krYld intM H enami'z pikat
lFn At nFt.... hI'z a brEv felO.”
<p>
/piX tUk of hiz hAt n bQd rispektfali t /kMtMzOf.
<p>
“F kanklMdad HAt if F ripPtad t jP /sxIn /hFnas V mFt send
mI awE P sE HAt V nM wot F woz ripPtiN, bat Hen F SUdant
lMz eniTiN...” /dOlOâOf woz sEiN.
<p>
“jes, jes.”
<p>
“bat if F wx rFt, F SUd bI rendxiN a sxvis t mF /fyHxlAnd
f wic F Am redi t dF.”
<p>
“jes, jes.”
<p>
“n SUd jP /sxIn /hFnas rikwFx a mAn hM wil not spX hiz
skin, plIz TiNk v mI.... pxhAps F mE prMv Vsfal t jP /sxIn
/hFnas.”
<p>
“jes... jes...” /kMtMzOf ripItad, hiz lAfiN F nArOiN mP n
mP Az hI lUkt At /piX.
<p>
Jast Hen /bPis, wiH hiz kPtClFk adrqtnas, stept ap t
/piX'z sFd nC /kMtMzOf n in a mOst nAcxal mAnx, wiHQt
rEziN hiz vqs, sed t /piX, Az HO kantinViN an intxaptad
konvxsESan:
<p>
“H miliSa hAv pUt on klIn wFt Sxts t bI redi t dF. wot
herOizam, /kQnt!”
<p>
bPis evidentli sed His t /piX in Pdx t bI Ovxhxd bF hiz
/sxIn /hFnas. hI nM /kMtMzOf's atenSan wUd bI kYt bF HOz
wxdz, n sO it woz.
<p>
“wot R V sEiN abQt H miliSa?” hI Askt /bPis.
<p>
“pripXiN f tamorO, jP /sxIn /hFnas—f deT—HE hAv pUt on
klIn Sxts.”
<p>
“y... a wandxfal, a mAclas pIpal!” sed /kMtMzOf; n hI klOzd hiz
Fz n swEd hiz hed. “a mAclas pIpal!” hI ripItad wiH a sF.
<p>
“sO V wont t smel ganpQdx?” hI sed t /piX. “jes, it's a
plezant smel. F hAv H onx t bI wan v jP wFf's adPxz. iz
SI wel? mF kwPtxz R At jP sxvis.”
<p>
n Az oftan hApanz wiH Old pIpal, /kMtMzOf bigAn lUkiN abQt
Absant-mFndadli Az if fxgetiN Yl hI wontad t sE P dM.
<p>
Hen, evidentli rimembxiN wot hI wontad, hI bekand t /AndrM
/kFsROf, hiz AJUtant's braHx.
<p>
“HOz vxsaz... HOz vxsaz v /mRin'z... hQ dM HE gO, E? HOz hI
rOt abQt /gerykOf: 'lekcxz f H kP indFtiN'... risFt Hem,
risFt Hem!” sed hI, evidentli pripXiN t lAf.
<p>
/kFsROf risFtad.... /kMtMzOf smFliNli nodad hiz hed t H riHam v
H vxsaz.
<p>
wen /piX hAd left /kMtMzOf, /dOlOâOf kEm ap t him n tUk hiz hAnd.
<p>
“F Am veri glAd t mIt V hC, /kQnt,” hI sed alQd, rigRdlas
v H prezans v strEnJxz n in a pxtikVlxli rezalMt n solam
tOn. “on H Iv v a dE wen /god alOn nOz hM v as iz fEtad t
sxvFv, F Am glAd v His opxtMniti t tel V HAt F rigret H
misandxstAndiNz HAt akxd bitwIn as n SUd wiS V not t
hAv eni il fIliN f mI. F beg V t fxgiv mI.”
<p>
/piX lUkt At /dOlOâOf wiH a smFl, not nOiN wot t sE t him.
wiH tCz in hiz Fz /dOlOâOf imbrEst /piX n kist him.
<p>
bPis sed a fV wxdz t hiz Jenxal, n /kQnt /benigsan txnd t
/piX n prapOzd HAt hI SUd rFd wiH him aloN H lFn.
<p>
“it wil intxast V,” sed hI.
<p>
“jes, veri mac,” riplFd /piX.
<p>
hAf an Qx lEtx /kMtMzOf left f /tytRinOva, n /benigsan n hiz
swIt, wiH /piX amaN Hem, set Qt on HX rFd aloN H lFn.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIII
<p>
from /gPki, /benigsan disendad H hFrOd t H briJ wic, wen
HE hAd lUkt At it from H hil, H ofisx hAd pqntad Qt Az
bIiN H sentx v Qx paziSan n wX rOz v frEgrant nM-mOn hE
lE bF H rivxsFd. HE rOd akros HAt briJ intM H viliJ v
/bPOdinO n Hens txnd t H left, pAsiN an inPmas nambx v
trMps n ganz, n kEm t a hF nOl wX miliSamen wx digiN.
His woz H ridQt, Az jet annEmd, wic Aftxwxdz bikEm nOn Az
H /rFefski /ridQt, P H /nOl /bAtxi, bat /piX pEd nO speSal
atenSan t it. hI did not nO HAt it wUd bikam mP memxabal t
him HAn eni aHx spot on H plEn v /bPOdinO.
<p>
HE Hen krost H holO t /semjOnOfsk, wX H sOlJxz wx
drAgiN awE H lAst loã from H hats n bRnz. Hen HE rOd
dQnhil n aphil, akros a rFfIld trodan n bItan dQn Az if bF
hEl, folOiN a trAk freSli mEd bF H Rtilxi Ovx H farOz
v H plQd lAnd, n rIct sam flecaz * wic wx stil bIiN
dag.
<p>
    * a kFnd v intrencmant.
<p>
At H flecaz /benigsan stopt n bigAn lUkiN At H /SevRdinO
/ridQt opazit, wic hAd bin Qxz H dE bifP n wX sevxal
hPsmen kUd bI diskrFd. H ofisxz sed HAt FHx /napOlWn P
/mMryt woz HX, n HE Yl gEzd Igxli At His lital grMp v
hPsmen. /piX YlsO lUkt At Hem, trFiN t ges wic v H
skXsli disxnabal figjxz woz /napOlWn. At lAst HOz mQntad men
rOd awE from H mQnd n disapCd.
<p>
benigsan spOk t a Jenxal hM aprOct him, n bigAn iäplEniN
H hOl paziSan v Qx trMps. /piX lisand t him, strEniN Ic
fAkalti t andxstAnd H isenSal pqnts v H impendiN bAtal, bat
woz mPtifFd t fIl HAt hiz mental kapAsiti woz inAdikwat f H
tAsk. hI kUd mEk naTiN v it. benigsan stopt spIkiN n,
nOtisiN HAt /piX woz lisaniN, sadanli sed t him:
<p>
“F dOnt TiNk His intxasts V?”
<p>
“on H kontrXi it's veri intxastiN!” riplFd /piX not kwFt
trMTfali.
<p>
from H flecaz HE rOd stil fRHx t H left, aloN a rOd
wFndiN TrM a Tik, lO-grOiN bxc wUd. in H midal v H
wUd a brQn hX wiH wFt fIt sprAN Qt n, skXd bF H trAmp v
H meni hPsaz, grM sO kanfVzd HAt it lIpt aloN H rOd in frant
v Hem f sam tFm, xQziN Jenxal atenSan n lAftx, n Onli
wen sevxal vqsaz SQtad At it did it dRt t wan sFd n disapC
in H Tikat. Aftx gOiN TrM H wUd f abQt a mFl n a hAf
HE kEm Qt on a glEd wX trMps v /tMckOf's kP wx stESand
t difend H left flANk.
<p>
hC, At H iätrIm left flANk, /benigsan tYkt a grEt dIl n wiH
mac hIt, n, Az it sImd t /piX, gEv Pdxz v grEt militXi
impPtans. in frant v /tMckOf's trMps woz sam hF grQnd not
okVpFd bF trMps. benigsan lQdli kritisFzd His mistEk, sEiN
HAt it woz mAdnas t lIv a hFt wic kamAndad H kantri xQnd
anokVpFd n t plEs trMps bilO it. sam v H Jenxalz iäprest
H sEm apinjan. wan in pxtikVlx diklXd wiH mRSal hIt HAt HE
wx pUt HX t bI slYtxd. benigsan on hiz On YToriti Pdxd
H trMps t okVpF H hF grQnd. His dispaziSan on H left flANk
inkrIst /piX'z dQt v hiz On kapAsiti t andxstAnd militXi
mAtxz. lisaniN t /benigsan n H Jenxalz kritisFziN H
paziSan v H trMps bihFnd H hil, hI kwFt andxstUd Hem n
SXd HX apinjan, bat f HAt veri rIzan hI kUd not andxstAnd
hQ H mAn hM pUt Hem HX bihFnd H hil kUd hAv mEd sO grOs
n pAlpabal a blandx.
<p>
/piX did not nO HAt HIz trMps wx not, Az /benigsan sapOzd,
pUt HX t difend H paziSan, bat wx in a kansIld paziSan Az
an AmbUS, HAt HE SUd not bI sIn n mFt bI Ebal t strFk an
aprOciN enami aniäpektadli. benigsan did not nO His n mMvd
H trMps fPwxd akPdiN t hiz On FdWz wiHQt menSaniN H
mAtx t H kamAndx in cIf.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIV
<p>
on HAt brFt IvniN v Ygast 25, /prins /AndrM lE lIniN on hiz
elbO in a brOkan-dQn Sed in H viliJ v /knjyzkOvO At H fxHx
end v hiz reJimant's inkAmpmant. TrM a gAp in H brOkan wYl hI
kUd sI, bisFd H wUdan fens, a rO v Txti-jC-Old bxcaz
wiH HX lOx brAncaz lopt of, a fIld on wic Soä v
Ots wx stAndiN, n sam bUSaz nC wic rOz H smOk v
kAmpfFxz—H sOlJxz' kicinz.
<p>
nArO n bxdansam n Vslas t eniwan Az hiz lFf nQ sImd t
him, /prins /AndrM on H Iv v bAtal felt AJitEtad n iritabal Az
hI hAd dan sevan jCz bifP At /Qstxlits.
<p>
hI hAd risIvd n givan H Pdxz f neät dE'z bAtal n hAd
naTiN mP t dM. bat hiz TYts—H simpalast, klCast, n
HXfP mOst teribal TYts—wUd giv him nO pIs. hI nM HAt
tamorO'z bAtal wUd bI H mOst teribal v Yl hI hAd tEkan
pRt in, n f H fxst tFm in hiz lFf H posabiliti v deT
prizentad itself t him—not in rilESan t eni wxldli mAtx P wiH
refxans t its ifekt on aHxz, bat simpli in rilESan t himself, t
hiz On sOl—vividli, plEnli, teribli, n YlmOst Az a sxtanti. n
from H hFt v His pxsepSan Yl HAt hAd prIvWsli tPmentad n
prIokVpFd him sadanli bikEm ilMmind bF a kOld wFt lFt wiHQt
SAdOz, wiHQt pxspektiv, wiHQt distiNkSan v QtlFn. Yl lFf
apCd t him lFk mAJik-lAntxn pikcxz At wic hI hAd loN bin
gEziN bF RtifiSal lFt TrM a glAs. nQ hI sadanli sY HOz
bAdli dYbd pikcxz in klC dElFt n wiHQt a glAs. “jes,
jes! HX HE R, HOz fYls imiJaz HAt AJitEtad, inrApcxd,
n tPmentad mI,” sed hI t himself, pAsiN in rivV H prinsipal
pikcxz v H mAJik lAntxn v lFf n rigRdiN Hem nQ in H kOld
wFt dElFt v hiz klC pxsepSan v deT. “HX HE R, HOz
rMdli pEntad figjxz HAt wans sImd splendid n mistCWs.
glPi, H gUd v sasFati, lav v a wUman, H /fyHxlAnd itself—hQ
impPtant HIz pikcxz apCd t mI, wiH wot prafQnd mIniN HE
sImd t bI fild! n it iz Yl sO simpal, pEl, n krMd in H
kOld wFt lFt v His mPniN wic F fIl iz dYniN f mI.” H
TrI grEt sorOz v hiz lFf held hiz atenSan in pxtikVlx: hiz
lav f a wUman, hiz fyHx'z deT, n H /frenc invEZan wic hAd
Ovxran hAf /raSa. “lav... HAt lital gxl hM sImd t mI brimiN
Ovx wiH mistik fPsaz! jes, indId, F lavd hx. F mEd rOmAntik plAnz
v lav n hApinas wiH hx! O, wot a bq F woz!” hI sed alQd
bitxli. “y mI! F bilIvd in sam FdWl lav wic woz t kIp hx
fETfal t mI f H hOl jC v mF Absans! lFk H Jental dav
in H fEbal SI woz t pFn apRt from mI.... bat it woz mac simpalx
rWli.... it woz Yl veri simpal n horibal.”
<p>
“wen mF fyHx bilt /bYld /hilz hI TYt H plEs woz hiz: hiz
lAnd, hiz X, hiz pezants. bat /napOlWn kEm n swept him asFd,
ankonSas v hiz iãistans, Az hI mFt braS a cip from hiz pAT,
n hiz /bYld /hilz n hiz hOl lFf fel t pIsaz. prinsas /mXi sez
it iz a trFal sent from abav. wot iz H trFal f, wen hI iz not
hC n wil nevx ritxn? hI iz not hC! f hMm Hen iz H trFal
intendad? H /fyHxlAnd, H distrakSan v /moskQ! n tamorO F
SAl bI kild, pxhAps not Ivan bF a /frencman bat bF wan v Qx On
men, bF a sOlJx discRJiN a maskat klOs t mF C Az wan v Hem
did jestxdE, n H /frenc wil kam n tEk mI bF hed n hIlz
n fliN mI intM a hOl HAt F mE not stiNk andx HX nOzaz, n nM
kandiSanz v lFf wil xFz, wic wil sIm kwFt PdinXi t aHxz
n abQt wic F SAl nO naTiN. F SAl not iãist....”
<p>
hI lUkt At H rO v bxcaz SFniN in H sanSFn, wiH HX
mOSanlas grIn n jelO fOliiJ n wFt bRk. “t dF... t bI
kild tamorO... HAt F SUd not iãist... HAt Yl His SUd stil
bI, bat nO mI....”
<p>
n H bxcaz wiH HX lFt n SEd, H kxli klQdz, H
smOk v H kAmpfFxz, n Yl HAt woz xQnd him cEnJd n sImd
teribal n menasiN. a kOld Sivx rAn dQn hiz spFn. hI rOz
kwikli, went Qt v H Sed, n bigAn t wYk abQt.
<p>
Aftx hI hAd ritxnd, vqsaz wx hxd QtsFd H Sed. “hM'z HAt?”
hI krFd.
<p>
H red-nOzd /kAptin /timOâin, fPmxli /dOlOâOf's skwodran kamAndx,
bat nQ from lAk v ofisxz a batAlWn kamAndx, SFli entxd H
Sed folOd bF an AJUtant n H reJimental pEmAstx.
<p>
prins /AndrM rOz hEstili, lisand t H biznas HE hAd kam
abQt, gEv Hem sam fxHx instrakSanz, n woz abQt t dismis
Hem wen hI hxd a familC, lispiN, vqs bihFnd H Sed.
<p>
“deval tEk it!” sed H vqs v a mAn stambaliN Ovx samTiN.
<p>
prins /AndrM lUkt Qt v H Sed n sY /piX, hM hAd tript
Ovx a pOl on H grQnd n hAd nCli fYlan, kamiN hiz wE. it woz
anplezant t /prins /AndrM t mIt pIpal v hiz On set in Jenxal,
n /piX ispeSali, f hI rimFndad him v Yl H pEnfal mOments v
hiz lAst vizit t /moskQ.
<p>
“V? wot a sxprFz!” sed hI. “wot briNz V hC? His iz
aniäpektad!”
<p>
Az hI sed His hiz Fz n fEs iäprest mP HAn kOldnas—HE
iäprest hostiliti, wic /piX nOtist At wans. hI hAd aprOct
H Sed fUl v AnimESan, bat on sIiN /prins /AndrM'z fEs hI felt
kanstrEnd n il At Iz.
<p>
“F hAv kam... simpli... V nO... kam... it intxasts mI,” sed
/piX, hM hAd sO oftan HAt dE senslasli ripItad HAt wxd
“intxastiN.” “F wiS t sI H bAtal.”
<p>
“O jes, n wot dM H /masonik braHxz sE abQt wP? hQ wUd HE
stop it?” sed /prins /AndrM sRkAstikli. “wel, n hQ'z /moskQ? n
mF pIpal? hAv HE rIct /moskQ At lAst?” hI Askt sCWsli.
<p>
“jes, HE hAv. /JMli /drMbetskFa tOld mI sO. F went t sI Hem, bat
mist Hem. HE hAv gon t jP istEt nC /moskQ.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXV
<p>
H ofisxz wx abQt t tEk lIv, bat /prins /AndrM, apArantli
rilaktant t bI left alOn wiH hiz frend, Askt Hem t stE n hAv
tI. sIts wx brYt in n sO woz H tI. H ofisxz gEzd wiH
sxprFz At /piX'z hVJ stQt figjx n lisand t hiz tYk v
/moskQ n H paziSan v Qx Rmi, rQnd wic hI hAd ridan. prins
/AndrM rimEnd sFlant, n hiz iäpreSan woz sO fxbidiN HAt /piX
adrest hiz rimRä cIfli t H gUd-nEcxd batAlWn kamAndx.
<p>
“sO V andxstAnd H hOl paziSan v Qx trMps?” prins /AndrM
intxaptad him.
<p>
“jes—HAt iz, hQ dM V mIn?” sed /piX. “not bIiN a militXi mAn
F kAnt sE F hAv andxstUd it fUli, bat F andxstAnd H Jenxal
paziSan.”
<p>
“wel, Hen, V nO mP HAn eniwan els, bI it hM it mE,” sed
/prins /AndrM.
<p>
“O!” sed /piX, lUkiN Ovx hiz spektakalz in pxpleäiti At /prins
/AndrM. “wel, n wot dM V TiNk v /kMtMzOf's apqntmant?” hI
Askt.
<p>
“F woz veri glAd v hiz apqntmant, HAt's Yl F nO,” riplFd /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
“n tel mI jP apinjan v /bRklE de /toli. in /moskQ HE R sEiN
hevan nOz wot abQt him.... wot dM V TiNk v him?”
<p>
“Ask Hem,” riplFd /prins /AndrM, indikEtiN H ofisxz.
<p>
/piX lUkt At /timOâin wiH H kondisendiNli intxogativ smFl
wiH wic evribodi involantXili adrest HAt ofisx.
<p>
“wI sI lFt agen, sins hiz /sxeniti hAz bin apqntad, jP
eäalansi,” sed /timOâin timidli, n kantinVali txniN t glAns At
hiz kxnal.
<p>
“wF sO?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“wel, t menSan Onli fFxwUd n fodx, let mI infPm V. wF, wen
wI wx ritrItiN from /sventsjyni wI dX not tac a stik P a wisp
v hE P eniTiN. V sI, wI wx gOiN awE, sO hI wUd get it Yl;
wozant it sO, jP eäalansi?” n agen /timOâin txnd t H prins.
“bat wI dXant. in Qx reJimant tM ofisxz wx kPt-mRSald f
HAt kFnd v TiN. bat wen hiz /sxeniti tUk kamAnd evriTiN bikEm
strEtfPwxd. nQ wI sI lFt....”
<p>
“Hen wF woz it fxbidan?”
<p>
/timOâin lUkt abQt in kanfVZan, not nOiN wot P hQ t Ansx
sac a kwescan. /piX pUt H sEm kwescan t /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“wF, sO Az not t lE wEst H kantri wI wx abAndaniN t H
enami,” sed /prins /AndrM wiH venamas Frani. “it iz veri sQnd:
wan kAnt pxmit H lAnd t bI piliJd n akastam H trMps t
mxYdiN. At /smOlensk tM hI JaJd kxektli HAt H /frenc mFt
QtflANk as, Az HE hAd lRJx fPsaz. bat hI kUd not andxstAnd
His,” krFd /prins /AndrM in a Sril vqs HAt sImd t iskEp him
involantXili: “hI kUd not andxstAnd HAt HX, f H fxst tFm,
wI wx fFtiN f /raSan sql, n HAt HX woz a spirit in H
men sac Az F hAd nevx sIn bifP, HAt wI hAd held H /frenc f
tM dEz, n HAt HAt saäes hAd inkrIst Qx streNT tenfOld. hI
Pdxd as t ritrIt, n Yl Qx efxts n losaz went f naTiN.
hI hAd nO TYt v bitrEiN as, hI trFd t dM H best hI kUd,
hI TYt Qt evriTiN, n HAt iz wF hI iz ansMtabal. hI iz
ansMtabal nQ, Jast bikoz hI plAnz Qt evriTiN veri TarOli n
Akjxatli Az evri /Jxman hAs t. hQ kAn F iäplEn?... wel, sE jP
fyHx hAz a /Jxman vAlE, n hI iz a splendid vAlE n sAtisfFz jP
fyHx'z rikwFxmants betx HAn V kUd, Hen it's Yl rFt t let
him sxv. bat if jP fyHx iz mPtali sik V'l send H vAlE
awE n atend t jP fyHx wiH jP On anprAktist, Ykwxd hAndz,
n wil sMH him betx HAn a skild mAn hM iz a strEnJx kUd.
sO it hAz bin wiH /bRklE. wFl /raSa woz wel, a forinx kUd
sxv hx n bI a splendid ministx; bat Az sMn Az SI iz in dEnJx
SI nIdz wan v hx On kin. bat in jP /klab HE hAv bin mEkiN him
Qt a trEtx! HE slAndx him Az a trEtx, n H Onli rizalt wil
bI HAt Aftxwxdz, aSEmd v HX fYls AkVzESanz, HE wil mEk
him Qt a hCO P a JInWs insted v a trEtx, n HAt wil bI stil
mP anJast. hI iz an onast n veri paNktilWs /Jxman.”
<p>
“n HE sE hI'z a skilfal kamAndx,” rIJqnd /piX.
<p>
“F dOnt andxstAnd wot iz ment bF 'a skilfal kamAndx,'” riplFd
/prins /AndrM Fronikli.
<p>
“a skilfal kamAndx?” riplFd /piX. “wF, wan hM fPsIz Yl
kantinJansiz... n fPsIz H AdvxsXi'z intenSanz.”
<p>
“bat HAt's imposabal,” sed /prins /AndrM Az if it wx a mAtx
setald loN agO.
<p>
/piX lUkt At him in sxprFz.
<p>
“n jet HE sE HAt wP iz lFk a gEm v ces?” hI rimRkt.
<p>
“jes,” riplFd /prins /AndrM, “bat wiH His lital difxans, HAt
in ces V mE TiNk Ovx Ic mMv Az loN Az V plIz n R not
limitad f tFm, n wiH His difxans tM, HAt a nFt iz YlwEz
stroNgx HAn a pYn, n tM pYnz R YlwEz stroNgx HAn wan, wFl
in wP a batAlWn iz samtFmz stroNgx HAn a diviZan n samtFmz
wIkx HAn a kampani. H relativ streNT v bodiz v trMps kAn
nevx bI nOn t eniwan. bilIv mI,” hI went on, “if TiNz
dipendad on xEnJmants mEd bF H stAf, F SUd bI HX mEkiN
xEnJmants, bat insted v HAt F hAv H onx t sxv hC in
H reJimant wiH HIz Jentalmen, n F kansidx HAt on as tamorO'z
bAtal wil dipend n not on HOz aHxz.... saäes nevx dipendz,
n nevx wil dipend, on paziSan, P ikwipmant, P Ivan on nambxz,
n lIst v Yl on paziSan.”
<p>
“bat on wot Hen?”
<p>
“on H fIliN HAt iz in mI n in him,” hI pqntad t /timOâin, “n
in Ic sOlJx.”
<p>
prins /AndrM glAnst At /timOâin, hM lUkt At hiz kamAndx in alRm
n biwildxmant. in kontrAst t hiz fPmx retisant tAsitxniti
/prins /AndrM nQ sImd iäFtad. hI kUd apArantli not rifrEn from
iäpresiN H TYts HAt hAd sadanli akxd t him.
<p>
“a bAtal iz wan bF HOz hM fxmli rizolv t win it! wF did wI lMz
H bAtal At /Qstxlits? H /frenc losaz wx YlmOst Ikwal t Qxz,
bat veri xli wI sed t Qxselvz HAt wI wx lMziN H bAtal,
n wI did lMz it. n wI sed sO bikoz wI hAd naTiN t fFt f
HX, wI wontad t get awE from H bAtalfIld Az sMn Az wI kUd.
'wI'v lost, sO let as ran,' n wI rAn. if wI hAd not sed HAt til
H IvniN, hevan nOz wot mFt not hAv hApand. bat tamorO wI
SAnt sE it! V tYk abQt Qx paziSan, H left flANk wIk n H
rFt flANk tM iätendad,” hI went on. “HAt's Yl nonsens, HX'z
naTiN v H kFnd. bat wot awEts as tamorO? a handrad milWn mOst
dFvxs cAnsaz wic wil bI disFdad on H instant bF H fAkt HAt
Qx men P HXz ran P dM not ran, n HAt His mAn P HAt mAn iz
kild, bat Yl HAt iz bIiN dan At prezant iz Onli plE. H fAkt iz
HAt HOz men wiH hMm V hAv ridan rQnd H paziSan not Onli
dM not help mAtxz, bat hindx. HE R Onli kansxnd wiH HX On
peti intxasts.”
<p>
“At sac a mOment?” sed /piX riprOcfali.
<p>
“At sac a mOment!” prins /AndrM ripItad. “t Hem it iz Onli a mOment
afPdiN opxtMnitiz t andxmFn a rFval n abtEn an eätra kros
P riban. f mI tamorO mInz His: a /raSan Rmi v a handrad
TQzand n a /frenc Rmi v a handrad TQzand hAv met t fFt, n
H TiN iz HAt HIz tM handrad TQzand men wil fFt n H sFd
HAt fFts mP fCsli n spXz itself lIst wil win. n if V
lFk F wil tel V HAt wotevx hApanz n wotevx madalz HOz At
H top mE mEk, wI SAl win tamorO'z bAtal. tamorO, hApan wot
mE, wI SAl win!”
<p>
“HX nQ, jP eäalansi! HAt's H trMT, H rWl trMT,” sed
/timOâin. “hM wUd spX himself nQ? H sOlJxz in mF batAlWn,
bilIv mI, wUdant driNk HX vodka! 'it's not H dE f HAt!'
HE sE.”
<p>
Yl wx sFlant. H ofisxz rOz. prins /AndrM went Qt v H Sed
wiH Hem, giviN fFnal Pdxz t H AJUtant. Aftx HE hAd gon
/piX aprOct /prins /AndrM n woz abQt t stRt a konvxsESan
wen HE hxd H klAtx v TrI hPsaz' hUfs on H rOd not fR
from H Sed, n lUkiN in HAt direkSan /prins /AndrM rekagnFzd
/wolzaJan n /klQzavits akampanid bF a /kosAk. HE rOd klOs bF
kantinViN t kanvxs, n /prins /AndrM involantXili hxd HIz
wxdz:
<p>
“der /krIg mas in /rQm vxlegt /verdan. der /Ansict /kAn Fc niât genMg
/prFs /geban,” * sed wan v Hem.
<p>
     * “H wP mast bI iätendad wFdli. F kAnot safiSantli
     kamend HAt vV.”
<p>
<p>
“O, Jy,” sed H aHx, “der /tsvek ist nx den Feind tsM /Svyâan,
sO /kAn mAn gewiss niât den /ferlMst der /privyt-/pxsanan in /yâtMN
/nemean.” *
<p>
     * “O, jes, H Onli Em iz t wIkan H enami, sO v
     kPs wan kAnot tEk intM akQnt H los v prFvat
     indiviJMalz.”
<p>
<p>
“O, nO,” agrId H aHx.
<p>
“iätend wFdli!” sed /prins /AndrM wiH an ANgri snPt, wen HE hAd
ridan pAst. “in HAt 'iätend' wx mF fyHx, san, n sistx, At /bYld
/hilz. HAt's Yl H sEm t him! HAt's wot F woz sEiN t V—HOz
/Jxman Jentalmen wOnt win H bAtal tamorO bat wil Onli mEk Yl
H mes HE kAn, bikoz HE hAv naTiN in HX /Jxman hedz bat
TCiz not wxT an empti egSel n hAvant in HX hRts H wan
TiN nIdad tamorO—HAt wic /timOâin hAz. HE hAv jIldad ap Yl
/jUxap t him, n hAv nQ kam t tIc as. fFn tIcxz!” n agen
hiz vqs grM Sril.
<p>
“sO V TiNk wI SAl win tamorO'z bAtal?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“jes, jes,” Ansxd /prins /AndrM Absantli. “wan TiN F wUd dM if
F hAd H pQx,” hI bigAn agen, “F wUd not tEk prizanxz. wF tEk
prizanxz? it's Sivalri! H /frenc hAv distrqd mF hOm n R on
HX wE t distrq /moskQ, HE hAv QtrEJd n R QtrEJiN mI
evri mOment. HE R mF enamiz. in mF apinjan HE R Yl kriminalz.
n sO TiNä /timOâin n H hOl Rmi. HE SUd bI eäikVtad!
sins HE R mF fOz HE kAnot bI mF frendz, wotevx mE hAv bin
sed At /tilzit.”
<p>
“jes, jes,” matxd /piX, lUkiN wiH SFniN Fz At /prins /AndrM.
“F kwFt agrI wiH V!”
<p>
H kwescan HAt hAd pxtxbd /piX on H /mOZFsk hil n Yl
HAt dE nQ sImd t him kwFt klC n kamplItli solvd. hI nQ
andxstUd H hOl mIniN n impPtans v His wP n v H
impendiN bAtal. Yl hI hAd sIn HAt dE, Yl H signifikant n
stxn iäpreSanz on H fEsaz hI hAd sIn in pAsiN, wx lit ap
f him bF a nM lFt. hI andxstUd HAt lEtant hIt (Az HE sE in
fiziä) v pEtrWtizam wic woz prezant in Yl HIz men hI hAd sIn,
n His iäplEnd t him wF HE Yl pripXd f deT kymli, n Az
it wx lFthRtadli.
<p>
“not tEk prizanxz,” prins /AndrM kantinVd: “HAt bF itself wUd
kwFt cEnJ H hOl wP n mEk it les krMal. Az it iz wI hAv
plEd At wP—HAt's wot's vFl! wI plE At mAgnanimiti n Yl HAt
staf. sac mAgnanimiti n sensabiliti R lFk H mAgnanimiti n
sensabiliti v a lEdi hM fEnts wen SI sIz a kAf bIiN kild: SI
iz sO kFndhRtad HAt SI kAnt lUk At blad, bat inJqz ItiN H
kAf sxvd ap wiH sYs. HE tYk t as v H rMlz v wP, v
Sivalri, v flAã v trMs, v mxsi t H anfPcanat n sO on. it's
Yl rabiS! F sY Sivalri n flAã v trMs in 1805; HE hambagd
as n wI hambagd Hem. HE plandx aHx pIpal'z hQzaz, iSV
fYls pEpx mani, n wxst v Yl HE kil mF cildran n mF
fyHx, n Hen tYk v rMlz v wP n mAgnanimiti t fOz! tEk nO
prizanxz, bat kil n bI kild! hI hM hAz kam t His Az F hAv
TrM H sEm safxiNz...”
<p>
prins /AndrM, hM hAd TYt it woz Yl H sEm t him weHx P
not /moskQ woz tEkan Az /smOlensk hAd bin, woz sadanli cekt in hiz
spIc bF an aniäpektad krAmp in hiz TrOt. hI pEst ap n dQn a
fV tFmz in sFlans, bat hiz Fz glitxd fIvxiSli n hiz lips
kwivxd Az hI bigAn spIkiN.
<p>
“if HX woz nan v His mAgnanimiti in wP, wI SUd gO t wP Onli
wen it woz wxT wFl gOiN t sxtan deT, Az nQ. Hen HX wUd
not bI wP bikoz /pYl /ivynOvic hAd afendad /mFkal /ivynOvic. n
wen HX woz a wP, lFk His wan, it wUd bI wP! n Hen H
ditxminESan v H trMps wUd bI kwFt difxant. Hen Yl HIz
/westfElWnz n /heSanz hMm /napOlWn iz lIdiN wUd not folO
him intM /raSa, n wI SUd not gO t fFt in /ostrW n /praSa
wiHQt nOiN wF. wP iz not kxtasi bat H mOst horibal TiN in
lFf; n wI Yt t andxstAnd HAt n not plE At wP. wI Yt t
aäept His teribal nisesiti stxnli n sCWsli. it Yl lFz in
HAt: get rid v fYlshUd n let wP bI wP n not a gEm. Az it iz
nQ, wP iz H fEvxit pAstFm v H Fdal n frivalas. H militXi
kYliN iz H mOst hFli onxd.
<p>
“bat wot iz wP? wot iz nIdad f saäes in wPfX? wot R H
hAbits v H militXi? H Em v wP iz mxdx; H meTadz v wP
R spFiN, trecxi, n HX inkariJmant, H rMin v a kantri'z
inhAbitants, robiN Hem P stIliN t praviZan H Rmi, n frYd
n fYlshUd txmd militXi krAft. H hAbits v H militXi klAs
R H Absans v frIdam, HAt iz, disiplin, Fdalnas, ignxans,
krMalti, dibYcxi, n draNkannas. n in spFt v Yl His it iz H
hFast klAs, rispektad bF evriwan. Yl H kiNz, iäept H /cFnIz,
wX militXi VnifPmz, n hI hM kilz mOst pIpal risIvz H
hFast riwPdz.
<p>
“HE mIt, Az wI SAl mIt tamorO, t mxdx wan anaHx; HE kil
n mEm tenz v TQzandz, n Hen hAv TANägiviN sxvisaz f
hAviN kild sO meni pIpal (HE Ivan iãAJxEt H nambx), n HE
anQns a viktxi, sapOziN HAt H mP pIpal HE hAv kild
H grEtx HX acIvmant. hQ daz /god abav lUk At Hem n hC
Hem?” iäklEmd /prins /AndrM in a Sril, pCsiN vqs. “y, mF
frend, it hAz v lEt bikam hRd f mI t liv. F sI HAt F hAv
bigan t andxstAnd tM mac. n it dazant dM f mAn t tEst v H
trI v noliJ v gUd n Ival.... y, wel, it's not f loN!” hI
Adad.
<p>
“hQevx, V'x slIpi, n it's tFm f mI t slIp. gO bAk t
/gPki!” sed /prins /AndrM sadanli.
<p>
“O nO!” /piX riplFd, lUkiN At /prins /AndrM wiH frFtand,
kampASanat Fz.
<p>
“gO, gO! bifP a bAtal wan mast hAv wan'z slIp Qt,” ripItad /prins
/AndrM.
<p>
hI kEm kwikli ap t /piX n imbrEst n kist him. “gUd-bF, bI
of!” hI SQtad. “weHx wI mIt agen P not...” n txniN awE
haridli hI entxd H Sed.
<p>
it woz Ylredi dRk, n /piX kUd not mEk Qt weHx H
iäpreSan v /prins /AndrM'z fEs woz ANgri P tendx.
<p>
f sam tFm hI stUd in sFlans kansidxiN weHx hI SUd folO
him P gO awE. “nO, hI daz not wont it!” /piX kanklMdad. “n F nO
HAt His iz Qx lAst mItiN!” hI sFd dIpli n rOd bAk t /gPki.
<p>
on rI-entxiN H Sed /prins /AndrM lE dQn on a rag, bat hI kUd
not slIp.
<p>
hI klOzd hiz Fz. wan pikcx saäIdad anaHx in hiz imAJinESan. on
wan v Hem hI dwelt loN n Jqfali. hI vividli rikYld an IvniN
in /pItxzbxg. /nytySa wiH AnimEtad n iäFtad fEs woz teliN him
hQ SI hAd gon t lUk f maSrMmz H prIvWs samx n hAd lost
hx wE in H big fPist. SI inkOhCantli diskrFbd H depTs v
H fPist, hx fIliNz, n a tYk wiH a bIkIpx SI met, n
konstantli intxaptad hx stPi t sE: “nO, F kAnt! F'm not teliN
it rFt; nO, V dOnt andxstAnd,” HO hI inkariJd hx bF sEiN
HAt hI did andxstAnd, n hI rWli hAd andxstUd Yl SI wontad t
sE. bat /nytySa woz not sAtisfFd wiH hx On wxdz: SI felt HAt
HE did not kanvE H pASanatli pOetik fIliN SI hAd iäpCWnst
HAt dE n wiSt t kanvE. “hI woz sac a dilFtfal Old mAn, n
it woz sO dRk in H fPist... n hI hAd sac kFnd... nO, F kAnt
diskrFb it,” SI hAd sed, flaSt n iäFtad. prins /AndrM smFld
nQ H sEm hApi smFl Az Hen wen hI hAd lUkt intM hx Fz. “F
andxstUd hx,” hI TYt. “F not Onli andxstUd hx, bat it woz Jast
HAt inx, spiricMal fPs, HAt sinseriti, HAt frANknas v sOl—HAt
veri sOl v hxz wic sImd t bI fetxd bF hx bodi—it woz HAt
sOl F lavd in hx... lavd sO stroNli n hApili...” n sadanli
hI rimembxd hQ hiz lav hAd endad. “hI did not nId eniTiN v HAt
kFnd. hI nFHx sY nP andxstUd eniTiN v H sPt. hI Onli sY in
hx a priti n freS jaN gxl, wiH hMm hI did not dEn t VnFt
hiz fEt. n F?... n hI iz stil alFv n gE!”
<p>
prins /AndrM Jampt ap Az if samwan hAd bxnd him, n agen bigAn
pEsiN ap n dQn in frant v H Sed.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVI
<p>
on Ygast 25, H Iv v H bAtal v /bPOdinO, M. de /bOse, prIfekt
v H /frenc /empxx'z pAlas, xFvd At /napOlWn'z kwPtxz At
/vylMevO wiH /kxnal /fAbvC, H fPmx from /pAris n H lAtx from
/madrid.
<p>
doniN hiz kPt VnifPm, M. de /bOse Pdxd a boä hI hAd
brYt f H /empxx t bI kArid bifP him n entxd H fxst
kompRtmant v /napOlWn'z tent, wX hI bigAn OpaniN H boä wFl
kanvxsiN wiH /napOlWn'z Edz-dI-kAmp hM sxQndad him.
<p>
fAbvC, not entxiN H tent, rimEnd At H entrans tYkiN t sam
Jenxalz v hiz akwEntans.
<p>
H /empxx /napOlWn hAd not jet left hiz bedrMm n woz finiSiN hiz
tqlat. slFtli snPtiN n grantiN, hI prizentad nQ hiz bAk n
nQ hiz plamp hXi cest t H braS wiH wic hiz vAlE woz rabiN
him dQn. anaHx vAlE, wiH hiz fiNgx Ovx H mQT v a botal,
woz spriNkaliN /O de /kalOn on H /empxx'z pAmpxd bodi wiH an
iäpreSan wic sImd t sE HAt hI alOn nM wX n hQ mac /O
de /kalOn SUd bI spriNkald. /napOlWn'z SPt hX woz wet n
mAtad on H fPhed, bat hiz fEs, HO pafi n jelO, iäprest
fizikal sAtisfAkSan. “gO on, hRdx, gO on!” hI matxd t H vAlE
hM woz rabiN him, slFtli twiciN n grantiN. an Ed-dI-kAmp,
hM hAd entxd H bedrMm t ripPt t H /empxx H nambx v
prizanxz tEkan in jestxdE'z AkSan, woz stAndiN bF H dP Aftx
dilivxiN hiz mesiJ, awEtiN pxmiSan t wiHdrY. /napOlWn,
frQniN, lUkt At him from andx hiz brQz.
<p>
“nO prizanxz!” sed hI, ripItiN H Ed-dI-kAmp's wxdz. “HE
R fPsiN as t iätxminEt Hem. sO mac H wxs f H /raSan
Rmi.... gO on... hRdx, hRdx!” hI matxd, hanciN hiz bAk n
prizentiN hiz fAt SOldxz.
<p>
“Yl rFt. let /masjx de /bOse entx, n /fAbvC tM,” hI sed,
nodiN t H Ed-dI-kAmp.
<p>
“jes, sFx,” n H Ed-dI-kAmp disapCd TrM H dP v H
tent.
<p>
tM vAlEz rApidli drest /hiz /mAJasti, n wXiN H blM VnifPm v
H /gRdz hI went wiH fxm kwik steps t H risepSan rMm.
<p>
de /bOse'z hAndz mInwFl wx bizili ingEJd xEnJiN H prezant
hI hAd brYt from H /empres, on tM cXz direktli in frant v H
entrans. bat /napOlWn hAd drest n kam Qt wiH sac aniäpektad
rapiditi HAt hI hAd not tFm t finiS xEnJiN H sxprFz.
<p>
/napOlWn nOtist At wans wot HE wx abQt n gest HAt HE wx
not redi. hI did not wiS t diprFv Hem v H pleZx v giviN him
a sxprFz, sO hI pritendad not t sI de /bOse n kYld /fAbvC t
him, lisaniN sFlantli n wiH a stxn frQn t wot /fAbvC tOld him
v H herOizam n divOSan v hiz trMps fFtiN At /sylamynka, At
H aHx end v /jUxap, wiH bat wan TYt—t bI wxHi v HX
/empxx—n bat wan fC—t fEl t plIz him. H rizalt v HAt
bAtal hAd bin diplPabal. /napOlWn mEd Fronik rimRä dxiN
/fAbvC'z akQnt, Az if hI hAd not iäpektad HAt mAtxz kUd gO
aHxwFz in hiz Absans.
<p>
“F mast mEk ap f HAt in /moskQ,” sed /napOlWn. “F'l sI V
lEtx,” hI Adad, n samand de /bOse, hM bF HAt tFm hAd
pripXd H sxprFz, hAviN plEst samTiN on H cXz n kavxd
it wiH a kloT.
<p>
de /bOse bQd lO, wiH HAt kPtli /frenc bQ wic Onli H
Old ritEnxz v H /bxbanz nM hQ t mEk, n aprOct him,
prizentiN an envalOp.
<p>
/napOlWn txnd t him gEli n pUld hiz C.
<p>
“V hAv harid hC. F Am veri glAd. wel, wot iz /pAris sEiN?” hI
Askt, sadanli cEnJiN hiz fPmx stxn iäpreSan f a mOst kPJal
tOn.
<p>
“sFx, Yl /pAris rigrets jP Absans,” riplFd de /bOse Az woz
propx.
<p>
bat HO /napOlWn nM HAt de /bOse hAd t sE samTiN v His
kFnd, n HO in hiz lMsid mOments hI nM it woz antrM, hI woz
plIzd t hC it from him. agen hI onxd him bF taciN hiz C.
<p>
“F Am veri sori t hAv mEd V trAval sO fR,” sed hI.
<p>
“sFx, F iäpektad naTiN les HAn t fFnd V At H gEts v /moskQ,”
riplFd de /bOse.
<p>
/napOlWn smFld n, liftiN hiz hed Absant-mFndadli, glAnst t H
rFt. an Ed-dI-kAmp aprOct wiH glFdiN steps n ofxd him a
gOld snafboä, wic hI tUk.
<p>
“jes, it hAz hApand lakili f V,” hI sed, rEziN H Opan
snafboä t hiz nOz. “V R fond v trAval, n in TrI dEz V
wil sI /moskQ. V SUxli did not iäpekt t sI HAt /EZiAtik kApital.
V wil hAv a plezant Jxni.”
<p>
de /bOse bQd grEtfali At His rigRd f hiz tEst f trAval (v
wic hI hAd not til Hen bin awX).
<p>
“hy, wot's His?” Askt /napOlWn, nOtisiN HAt Yl H kPtCz wx
lUkiN At samTiN kansIld andx a kloT.
<p>
wiH kPtli adrqtnas de /bOse hAf txnd n wiHQt txniN hiz
bAk t H /empxx ritFxd tM steps, twiciN of H kloT At H
sEm tFm, n sed:
<p>
“a prezant t jP /mAJasti from H /empres.”
<p>
it woz a pPtrEt, pEntad in brFt kalxz bF /JxRd, v H san bPn
t /napOlWn bF H dYtx v H /empxx v /ostrW, H bq hMm f
sam rIzan evriwan kYld “H /kiN v /rOm.”
<p>
a veri priti kxli-hedad bq wiH a lUk v H /krFst in H /sistIn
/madona woz dipiktad plEiN At stik n bYl. H bYl reprizentad H
txestrWl glOb n H stik in hiz aHx hAnd a septx.
<p>
HO it woz not klC wot H Rtist ment t iäpres bF dipiktiN
H sO-kYld /kiN v /rOm spFkiN H xT wiH a stik, H AligPi
apArantli sImd t /napOlWn, Az it hAd dan t Yl hM hAd sIn it in
/pAris, kwFt klC n veri plIziN.
<p>
“H /kiN v /rOm!” hI sed, pqntiN t H pPtrEt wiH a grEsfal
Jescx. “Admxabal!”
<p>
wiH H nAcxal kapAsiti v an /itAlWn f cEnJiN H iäpreSan v
hiz fEs At wil, hI drM nCx t H pPtrEt n asMmd a lUk
v pensiv tendxnas. hI felt HAt wot hI nQ sed n did wUd bI
histPikal, n it sImd t him HAt it wUd nQ bI best f him—hMz
grAnJx inEbald hiz san t plE stik n bYl wiH H txestrWl
glOb—t SO, in kontrAst t HAt grAnJx, H simpalast patxnal
tendxnas. hiz Fz grM dim, hI mMvd fPwxd, glAnst rQnd At a
cX (wic sImd t plEs itself andx him), n sAt dQn on it
bifP H pPtrEt. At a siNgal Jescx from him evriwan went Qt on
tiptO, lIviN H grEt mAn t himself n hiz imOSan.
<p>
hAviN sAt stil f a wFl hI tact—himself not nOiN wF—H
Tik spot v pEnt reprizentiN H hFast lFt in H pPtrEt,
rOz, n rikYld de /bOse n H ofisx on dMti. hI Pdxd H
pPtrEt t bI kArid QtsFd hiz tent, HAt H /Old /gRd, stESand
rQnd it, mFt not bI diprFvd v H pleZx v sIiN H /kiN v
/rOm, H san n X v HX adPd monRk.
<p>
n wFl hI woz dMiN M. de /bOse H onx v brekfastiN wiH
him, HE hxd, Az /napOlWn hAd AntisipEtad, H rApcxas krFz v H
ofisxz n men v H /Old /gRd hM hAd ran ap t sI H pPtrEt.
<p>
“vIv /l'empxx! vIv lU rwy de /rOm! vIv /l'empxx!” kEm HOz
iätAtik krFz.
<p>
Aftx brekfast /napOlWn in de /bOse'z prezans diktEtad hiz Pdx v
H dE t H Rmi.
<p>
“SPt n enxJetik!” hI rimRkt wen hI hAd red Ovx H
proklamESan wic hI hAd diktEtad strEt of wiHQt kxekSanz. it
rAn:
<p>
sOlJxz! His iz H bAtal V hAv sO loNd f. viktxi dipendz on
V. it iz isenSal f as; it wil giv as Yl wI nId: kamfxtabal
kwPtxz n a spIdi ritxn t Qx kantri. bihEv Az V did At
/Qstxlits, /frIdlynd, /vitebsk, n /smOlensk. let Qx rimOtast posteriti
rikYl jP acIvmants His dE wiH prFd. let it bI sed v Ic v
V: “hI woz in H grEt bAtal bifP /moskQ!”
<p>
“bifP /moskQ!” ripItad /napOlWn, n invFtiN M. de /bOse, hM woz
sO fond v trAval, t akampani him on hiz rFd, hI went Qt v H tent
t wX H hPsaz stUd sAdald.
<p>
“jP /mAJasti iz tM kFnd!” riplFd de /bOse t H invitESan t
akampani H /empxx; hI wontad t slIp, did not nO hQ t rFd n
woz afrEd v dMiN sO.
<p>
bat /napOlWn nodad t H trAvalx, n de /bOse hAd t mQnt. wen
/napOlWn kEm Qt v H tent H SQtiN v H /gRdz bifP hiz
san'z pPtrEt grM stil lQdx. /napOlWn frQnd.
<p>
“tEk him awE!” hI sed, pqntiN wiH a grEsfali maJestik Jescx t
H pPtrEt. “it iz tM sMn f him t sI a fIld v bAtal.”
<p>
de /bOse klOzd hiz Fz, bQd hiz hed, n sFd dIpli, t
indikEt hQ prafQndli hI vAlVd n komprihendad H /empxx'z wxdz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVII
<p>
on H twenti-fifT v Ygast, sO hiz histPWnz tel as, /napOlWn spent
H hOl dE on hPsbAk inspektiN H lOkAliti, kansidxiN plAnz
sabmitad t him bF hiz mRSalz, n pxsanali giviN kamAndz t hiz
Jenxalz.
<p>
H xiJinal lFn v H /raSan fPsaz aloN H rivx /kOlOca hAd
bin dislOkEtad bF H kApcx v H /SevRdinO /ridQt on H
twenti-fPT, n pRt v H lFn—H left flANk—hAd bin drYn bAk.
HAt pRt v H lFn woz not intrenct n in frant v it H grQnd
woz mP Opan n leval HAn elswX. it woz evidant t eniwan,
militXi P not, HAt it woz hC H /frenc SUd atAk. it wUd
sIm HAt not mac kansidxESan woz nIdad t rIc His kanklMZan,
nP eni pxtikVlx kX P trabal on H pRt v H /empxx n hiz
mRSalz, nP woz HX eni nId v HAt speSal n sMprIm kwoliti
kYld JInWs HAt pIpal R sO Apt t askrFb t /napOlWn; jet H
histPWnz hM diskrFbd H ivent lEtx n H men hM Hen sxQndad
/napOlWn, n hI himself, TYt aHxwFz.
<p>
/napOlWn rOd Ovx H plEn n sxvEd H lOkAliti wiH a prafQnd
X n in sFlans, nodad wiH aprMval P SUk hiz hed dMbWsli,
n wiHQt kamVnikEtiN t H Jenxalz xQnd him H prafQnd
kPs v FdWz wic gFdad hiz disiZanz mCli gEv Hem hiz fFnal
kanklMZanz in H fPm v kamAndz. hAviN lisand t a saJescan
from /dyvM, hM woz nQ kYld /prins /d'ekmMal, t txn H /raSan
left wiN, /napOlWn sed it SUd not bI dan, wiHQt iäplEniN
wF not. t a prapOzal mEd bF /Jenxal /kympyn (hM woz t atAk H
flecaz) t lId hiz diviZan TrM H wUdz, /napOlWn agrId, HO
H sO-kYld /dMk v /elâiNan (/nE) vencxd t rimRk HAt a mMvmant
TrM H wUdz woz dEnJxas n mFt disPdx H diviZan.
<p>
hAviN inspektad H kantri opazit H /SevRdinO /ridQt, /napOlWn
pondxd a lital in sFlans n Hen indikEtad H spots wX tM
bAtxiz SUd bI set ap bF H morO t Akt agenst H /raSan
intrencmants, n H plEsaz wX, in lFn wiH Hem, H fIld
Rtilxi SUd bI plEst.
<p>
Aftx giviN HIz n aHx kamAndz hI ritxnd t hiz tent, n H
dispaziSanz f H bAtal wx ritan dQn from hiz diktESan.
<p>
HIz dispaziSanz, v wic H /frenc histPWnz rFt wiH inTVziAzam
n aHx histPWnz wiH prafQnd rispekt, wx Az folOz:
<p>
At dYn H tM nM bAtxiz istAbliSt dxiN H nFt on H
plEn okVpFd bF H /prins /d'ekmMal wil Opan fFx on H apOziN
bAtxiz v H enami.
<p>
At H sEm tFm H kamAndx v H Rtilxi v H 1st /kP,
/Jenxal /pxneti, wiH Txti kAnan v /kympyn'z diviZan n Yl H
hQitsxz v /dUse'z n /friyn'z diviZanz, wil mMv fPwxd, Opan
fFx, n Ovxwelm wiH SelfFx H enami'z bAtxi, agenst wic
wil opxEt:
<p>
        24 ganz v H Rtilxi v H /gRdz
        30 ganz v /kympyn'z diviZan
<p>
 n     8 ganz v /friyn'z n /dUse'z diviZanz
        —
<p>
 in Yl 62 ganz.
<p>
H kamAndx v H Rtilxi v H 3d /kP, /Jenxal /fMSe, wil
plEs H hQitsxz v H 3d n 8T /kP, siätIn in Yl, on H
flANä v H bAtxi HAt iz t bombRd H intrencmant on H left,
wic wil hAv fPti ganz in Yl direktad agenst it.
<p>
Jenxal /sPbiE mast bI redi At H fxst Pdx t advAns wiH Yl H
hQitsxz v H /gRd'z Rtilxi agenst FHx wan P aHx v H
intrencmants.
<p>
dxiN H kAnanEd /prins /pOnjatofski iz t advAns TrM H wUd
on H viliJ n txn H enami'z paziSan.
<p>
Jenxal /kympyn wil mMv TrM H wUd t sIz H fxst
fPtifikESan.
<p>
Aftx H advAns hAz bigan in His mAnx, Pdxz wil bI givan in
akPdans wiH H enami'z mMvmants.
<p>
H kAnanEd on H left flANk wil bigin Az sMn Az H ganz v H
rFt wiN R hxd. H SRpSMtxz v /mPAnd'z diviZan n v
H vFs-/kiN'z diviZan wil Opan a hevi fFx on sIiN H atAk
kamens on H rFt wiN.
<p>
H vFs-/kiN wil okVpF H viliJ n kros bF its TrI briJaz,
advAnsiN t H sEm hFts Az /mPAnd'z n /ZibrR'z diviZanz, wic
andx hiz lIdxSip wil bI direktad agenst H ridQt n kam intM
lFn wiH H rest v H fPsaz.
<p>
Yl His mast bI dan in gUd Pdx (lU tQt sE fera yvek ordre et
meTOd) Az fR Az posabal ritEniN trMps in rizxv.
<p>
H /impCWl /kAmp nC /mOZFsk,
<p>
septembx, 6, 1812.
<p>
<p>
HIz dispaziSanz, wic R veri abskjUx n kanfVzd if wan alQz
wanself t rigRd H xEnJmants wiHQt riliJas Y v hiz JInWs,
rilEtad t /napOlWn'z Pdxz t dIl wiH fP pqnts—fP difxant
Pdxz. not wan v HIz woz, P kUd bI, kArid Qt.
<p>
in H dispaziSan it iz sed fxst HAt H bAtxiz plEst on H
spot cOzan bF /napOlWn, wiH H ganz v /pxneti n /fMSe; wic
wx t kam in lFn wiH Hem, 102 ganz in Yl, wx t Opan fFx n
SQx Selz on H /raSan flecaz n ridQts. His kUd not bI
dan, Az from H spots silektad bF /napOlWn H praJektFlz did not
kAri t H /raSan wxä, n HOz 102 ganz Sot intM H X antil
H nCast kamAndx, kontrXi t /napOlWn'z instrakSanz, mMvd Hem
fPwxd.
<p>
H sekand Pdx woz HAt /pOnjatofski, mMviN t H viliJ TrM H
wUd, SUd txn H /raSan left flANk. His kUd not bI dan n
woz not dan, bikoz /pOnjatofski, advAnsiN on H viliJ TrM H
wUd, met /tMckOf HX bRiN hiz wE, n kUd not n did not txn
H /raSan paziSan.
<p>
H Txd Pdx woz: Jenxal /kympyn wil mMv TrM H wUd t sIz
H fxst fPtifikESan. Jenxal /kympyn'z diviZan did not sIz H
fxst fPtifikESan bat woz drivan bAk, f on imxJiN from H wUd
it hAd t rifPm andx grEpSot, v wic /napOlWn woz anawX.
<p>
H fPT Pdx woz: H vFs-/kiN wil okVpF H viliJ (/bPOdinO)
n kros bF its TrI briJaz, advAnsiN t H sEm hFts Az
/mPAnd'z n /JxRd'z diviZanz (f hMz mMvmants nO direkSanz R
givan), wic andx hiz lIdxSip wil bI direktad agenst H ridQt
n kam intM lFn wiH H rest v H fPsaz.
<p>
Az fR Az wan kAn mEk Qt, not sO mac from His aninteliJabal
sentans Az from H atempts H vFs-/kiN mEd t eäikVt H Pdxz
givan him, hI woz t advAns from H left TrM /bPOdinO t H
ridQt wFl H diviZanz v /mPAnd n /JxRd wx t advAns
sFmaltEnWsli from H frant.
<p>
Yl His, lFk H aHx pRts v H dispaziSan, woz not n kUd
not bI eäikVtad. Aftx pAsiN TrM /bPOdinO H vFs-/kiN woz drivan
bAk t H /kOlOca n kUd get nO fRHx; wFl H diviZanz v
/mPAnd n /JxRd did not tEk H ridQt bat wx drivan bAk, n H
ridQt woz Onli tEkan At H end v H bAtal bF H kAvalri (a TiN
probabli anfPsIn n not hxd v bF /napOlWn). sO not wan v
H Pdxz in H dispaziSan woz, P kUd bI, eäikVtad. bat in H
dispaziSan it iz sed HAt, Aftx H fFt hAz kamenst in His
mAnx, Pdxz wil bI givan in akPdans wiH H enami'z mMvmants,
n sO it mFt bI sapOzd HAt Yl nesisXi xEnJmants wUd bI
mEd bF /napOlWn dxiN H bAtal. bat His woz not n kUd not bI
dan, f dxiN H hOl bAtal /napOlWn woz sO fR awE HAt, Az
apCd lEtx, hI kUd not nO H kPs v H bAtal n not wan
v hiz Pdxz dxiN H fFt kUd bI eäikVtad.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVIII
<p>
/meni histPWnz sE HAt H /frenc did not win H bAtal v /bPOdinO
bikoz /napOlWn hAd a kOld, n HAt if hI hAd not hAd a kOld H
Pdxz hI gEv bifP n dxiN H bAtal wUd hAv bin stil mP
fUl v JInWs n /raSa wUd hAv bin lost n H fEs v H wxld
hAv bin cEnJd. t histPWnz hM bilIv HAt /raSa woz SEpt
bF H wil v wan mAn—/pItx H /grEt—n HAt /fryns from a ripablik
bikEm an empFx n /frenc Rmiz went t /raSa At H wil v wan
mAn—/napOlWn—t sE HAt /raSa rimEnd a pQx bikoz /napOlWn hAd a
bAd kOld on H twenti-fPT v Ygast mE sIm loJikal n kanvinsiN.
<p>
if it hAd dipendad on /napOlWn'z wil t fFt P not t fFt H
bAtal v /bPOdinO, n if His P HAt aHx xEnJmant dipendad on
hiz wil, Hen evidentli a kOld afektiN H mAnifestESan v hiz wil
mFt hAv sEvd /raSa, n konsikwantli H vAlE hM Omitad t briN
/napOlWn hiz wYtxprMf bMts on H twenti-fPT wUd hAv bin
H sEvjx v /raSa. aloN HAt lFn v TYt sac a didakSan iz
indMbitabal, Az indMbitabal Az H didakSan /vOltX mEd in Jest
(wiHQt nOiN wot hI woz JestiN At) wen hI sY HAt H /mAsakx
v /st /bRTolamV woz dM t /cRlz IX'z stamak bIiN dirEnJd. bat
t men hM dM not admit HAt /raSa woz fPmd bF H wil v wan mAn,
/pItx F, P HAt H /frenc /empFx woz fPmd n H wP wiH /raSa
bigan bF H wil v wan mAn, /napOlWn, HAt RgVmant sImz not mCli
antrM n irASanal, bat kontrXi t Yl hVman riAliti. t H
kwescan v wot kYzaz histPik ivents anaHx Ansx prizents itself,
nEmli, HAt H kPs v hVman ivents iz prIditxmind from on
hF—dipendz on H kOinsidans v H wilz v Yl hM tEk pRt in H
ivents, n HAt a /napOlWn'z inflMans on H kPs v HIz ivents iz
pjUxli eätxnal n fiktiSas.
<p>
strEnJ Az At fxst glAns it mE sIm t sapOz HAt H /mAsakx v
/st /bRTolamV woz not dM t /cRlz IX'z wil, HO hI gEv H
Pdx f it n TYt it woz dan Az a rizalt v HAt Pdx; n
strEnJ Az it mE sIm t sapOz HAt H slYtx v Eti TQzand
men At /bPOdinO woz not dM t /napOlWn'z wil, HO hI Pdxd H
kamensmant n kondakt v H bAtal n TYt it woz dan
bikoz hI Pdxd it; strEnJ Az HIz sapaziSanz apC, jet hVman
digniti—wic telz mI HAt Ic v as iz, if not mP At lIst not les
a mAn HAn H grEt /napOlWn—dimAndz H aäeptans v HAt salMSan v
H kwescan, n histPik investigESan abandantli kanfxmz it.
<p>
At H bAtal v /bPOdinO /napOlWn Sot At nO wan n kild nO wan.
HAt woz Yl dan bF H sOlJxz. HXfP it woz not hI hM kild
pIpal.
<p>
H /frenc sOlJxz went t kil n bI kild At H bAtal v /bPOdinO
not bikoz v /napOlWn'z Pdxz bat bF HX On vOliSan. H hOl
Rmi—/frenc, /itAlWn, /Jxman, /pOliS, n /dac—haNgri, rAgad, n
wCi v H kAmpEn, felt At H sFt v an Rmi blokiN HX rOd
t /moskQ HAt H wFn woz drYn n mast bI draNk. hAd /napOlWn Hen
fxbidan Hem t fFt H /raSanz, HE wUd hAv kild him n
hAv prOsIdad t fFt H /raSanz bikoz it woz inevitabal.
<p>
wen HE hxd /napOlWn'z proklamESan ofxiN Hem, Az kompinsESan
f mVtilESan n deT, H wxdz v posteriti abQt HX hAviN bin
in H bAtal bifP /moskQ, HE krFd “vIv /l'empxx!” Jast Az HE
hAd krFd “vIv /l'empxx!” At H sFt v H pPtrEt v H bq
pCsiN H txestrWl glOb wiH a tq stik, n Jast Az HE wUd
hAv krFd “vIv /l'empxx!” At eni nonsens HAt mFt bI tOld Hem.
HX woz naTiN left f Hem t dM bat krF “vIv /l'empxx!” n gO
t fFt, in Pdx t get fMd n rest Az koNkxxz in /moskQ. sO it
woz not bikoz v /napOlWn'z kamAndz HAt HE kild HX felO
men.
<p>
n it woz not /napOlWn hM direktad H kPs v H bAtal, f nan
v hiz Pdxz wx eäikVtad n dxiN H bAtal hI did not nO wot
woz gOiN on bifP him. sO H wE in wic HIz pIpal kild wan
anaHx woz not disFdad bF /napOlWn'z wil bat akxd indipendantli v
him, in akPd wiH H wil v handradz v TQzandz v pIpal hM tUk
pRt in H koman AkSan. it Onli sImd t /napOlWn HAt it Yl tUk
plEs bF hiz wil. n sO H kwescan weHx hI hAd P hAd not a
kOld hAz nO mP histPik intxast HAn H kOld v H lIst v H
trAnspPt sOlJxz.
<p>
mPOvx, H asxSan mEd bF vXWs rFtxz HAt hiz kOld woz
H kYz v hiz dispaziSanz not bIiN Az wel-plAnd Az on fPmx
akEZanz, n v hiz Pdxz dxiN H bAtal not bIiN Az gUd Az
prIvWsli, iz kwFt bEslas, wic agen SOz HAt /napOlWn'z kOld on
H twenti-siäT v Ygast woz animpPtant.
<p>
H dispaziSanz sFtad abav R not At Yl wxs, bat R Ivan
betx, HAn prIvWs dispaziSanz bF wic hI hAd wan viktxiz. hiz
sMdO-Pdxz dxiN H bAtal wx YlsO nO wxs HAn fPmxli, bat
mac H sEm Az VZMal. HIz dispaziSanz n Pdxz Onli sIm wxs
HAn prIvWs wanz bikoz H bAtal v /bPOdinO woz H fxst /napOlWn
did not win. H prafQndast n mOst eäalant dispaziSanz n Pdxz
sIm veri bAd, n evri lxnd militxist kritisFzaz Hem wiH lUä
v impPtans, wen HE rilEt t a bAtal HAt hAz bin lost, n H
veri wxst dispaziSanz n Pdxz sIm veri gUd, n sCWs pIpal
fil hOl volVmz t demanstrEt HX merits, wen HE rilEt t a
bAtal HAt hAz bin wan.
<p>
H dispaziSanz drYn ap bF /wEroTx f H bAtal v /Qstxlits wx
a modal v pxfekSan f HAt kFnd v kompaziSan, bat stil HE wx
kritisFzd—kritisFzd f HX veri pxfekSan, f HX iäesiv
mFnMtnas.
<p>
/napOlWn At H bAtal v /bPOdinO fUlfild hiz ofis Az
reprizentativ v YToriti Az wel Az, n Ivan betx HAn, At aHx
bAtalz. hI did naTiN hRmfal t H progres v H bAtal; hI
inklFnd t H mOst rIzanabal apinjanz, hI mEd nO kanfVZan, did not
kontradikt himself, did not get frFtand P ran awE from H fIld v
bAtal, bat wiH hiz grEt tAkt n militXi iäpCWns kArid Qt hiz
rOl v apCiN t kamAnd, kymli n wiH digniti.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIX
<p>
on ritxniN from a sekand inspekSan v H lFnz, /napOlWn rimRkt:
<p>
“H cesmen R set ap, H gEm wil bigin tamorO!”
<p>
hAviN Pdxd panc n samand de /bOse, hI bigAn t tYk t him
abQt /pAris n abQt sam cEnJaz hI ment t mEk in H /empres'
hQshOld, sxprFziN H prIfekt bF hiz memxi v minit dItElz
rilEtiN t H kPt.
<p>
hI SOd an intxast in trFfalz, JOkt abQt de /bOse'z lav v
trAval, n cAtad kXlasli, Az a fEmas, self-konfidant sxJan hM
nOz hiz Job daz wen txniN ap hiz slIvz n pUtiN on hiz Epran
wFl a pESant iz bIiN strApt t H opxEtiN tEbal. “H mAtx iz
in mF hAndz n iz klC n definit in mF hed. wen H tFm kamz t
set t wxk F SAl dM it Az nO wan els kUd, bat nQ F kAn Jest, n
H mP F Jest n H kymx F Am H mP trANkwil n konfidant V
Yt t bI, n H mP amEzd At mF JInWs.”
<p>
hAviN finiSt hiz sekand glAs v panc, /napOlWn went t rest bifP
H sCWs biznas wic, hI kansidxd, awEtad him neät dE. hI
woz sO mac intxastad in HAt tAsk HAt hI woz anEbal t slIp, n
in spFt v hiz kOld wic hAd grOn wxs from H dAmpnas v H
IvniN, hI went intM H lRJ diviZan v H tent At TrI O'klok in
H mPniN, lQdli blOiN hiz nOz. hI Askt weHx H /raSanz hAd
not wiHdrYn, n woz tOld HAt H enami'z fFxz wx stil in H
sEm plEsaz. hI nodad aprMval.
<p>
H AJUtant in atendans kEm intM H tent.
<p>
“wel, /rAp, dM V TiNk wI SAl dM gUd biznas tadE?” /napOlWn
Askt him.
<p>
“wiHQt dQt, sFx,” riplFd /rAp.
<p>
/napOlWn lUkt At him.
<p>
“dM V rimembx, sFx, wot V did mI H onx t sE At /smOlensk?”
kantinVd /rAp. “H wFn iz drYn n mast bI draNk.”
<p>
/napOlWn frQnd n sAt sFlant f a loN tFm lIniN hiz hed on hiz
hAnd.
<p>
“His pUx Rmi!” hI sadanli rimRkt. “it hAz diminiSt grEtli sins
/smOlensk. fPcMn iz frANkli a kPtizAn, /rAp. F hAv YlwEz sed sO
n F Am biginiN t iäpCWns it. bat H /gRdz, /rAp, H /gRdz
R intAkt?” hI rimRkt intxogativli.
<p>
“jes, sFx,” riplFd /rAp.
<p>
/napOlWn tUk a lozinJ, pUt it in hiz mQT, n glAnst At hiz woc.
hI woz not slIpi n it woz stil not nCli mPniN. it woz imposabal
t giv fxHx Pdxz f H sEk v kiliN tFm, f H Pdxz hAd
Yl bin givan n wx nQ bIiN eäikVtad.
<p>
“hAv H biskits n rFs bin sxvd Qt t H reJimants v H
/gRdz?” Askt /napOlWn stxnli.
<p>
“jes, sFx.”
<p>
“H rFs tM?”
<p>
rAp riplFd HAt hI hAd givan H /empxx'z Pdx abQt H rFs, bat
/napOlWn SUk hiz hed in dissAtisfAkSan Az if not bilIviN HAt
hiz Pdx hAd bin eäikVtad. an atendant kEm in wiH panc. /napOlWn
Pdxd anaHx glAs t bI brYt f /rAp, n sFlantli sipt hiz
On.
<p>
“F hAv nFHx tEst nP smel,” hI rimRkt, snifiN At hiz glAs.
“His kOld iz tFxsam. HE tYk abQt medisin—wot iz H gUd v
medisin wen it kAnt kjUx a kOld! /kPvizR gEv mI HIz lozinJaz bat
HE dOnt help At Yl. wot kAn doktxz kjUx? wan kAnt kjUx eniTiN.
Qx bodi iz a maSIn f liviN. it iz PganFzd f HAt, it iz its
nEcx. let lFf gO on in it anhindxd n let it difend itself, it
wil dM mP HAn if V pAralFz it bF inkambxiN it wiH remadiz.
Qx bodi iz lFk a pxfikt woc HAt SUd gO f a sxtan tFm; H
wocmEkx kAnot Opan it, hI kAn Onli aJast it bF fambaliN, n HAt
blFndfOld.... jes, Qx bodi iz Jast a maSIn f liviN, HAt iz Yl.”
<p>
n hAviN entxd on H pAT v definiSan, v wic hI woz fond,
/napOlWn sadanli n aniäpektadli gEv a nM wan.
<p>
“dM V nO, /rAp, wot militXi Rt iz?” Askt hI. “it iz H Rt v
bIiN stroNgx HAn H enami At a givan mOment. HAt's Yl.”
<p>
rAp mEd nO riplF.
<p>
“tamorO wI SAl hAf t dIl wiH /kMtMzOf!” sed /napOlWn. “wI SAl
sI! dM V rimembx At /brQnQ hI kamAndad an Rmi f TrI wIä
n did not wans mQnt a hPs t inspekt hiz intrencmants.... wI SAl
sI!”
<p>
hI lUkt At hiz woc. it woz stil Onli fP O'klok. hI did not fIl
slIpi. H panc woz finiSt n HX woz stil naTiN t dM. hI
rOz, wYkt t n frO, pUt on a wPm OvxkOt n a hAt, n went
Qt v H tent. H nFt woz dRk n dAmp, a skXsli pxseptabal
mqscx woz disendiN from abav. nC bF, H kAmpfFxz wx dimli
bxniN amaN H /frenc /gRdz, n in H distans HOz v H
/raSan lFn SOn TrM H smOk. H weHx woz kym, n H
rasal n trAmp v H /frenc trMps Ylredi biginiN t mMv t tEk
ap HX paziSanz wx klCli Ydabal.
<p>
/napOlWn wYkt abQt in frant v hiz tent, lUkt At H fFxz n
lisand t HIz sQndz, n Az hI woz pAsiN a tYl gRdzman in
a SAgi kAp, hM woz stAndiN sentinal bifP hiz tent n hAd drYn
himself ap lFk a blAk pilx At sFt v H /empxx, /napOlWn stopt
in frant v him.
<p>
“wot jC did V entx H sxvis?” hI Askt wiH HAt AfektESan
v militXi blantnas n JIniAliti wiH wic hI YlwEz adrest H
sOlJxz.
<p>
H mAn Ansxd H kwescan.
<p>
“y! wan v H Old wanz! hAz jP reJimant hAd its rFs?”
<p>
“it hAz, jP /mAJasti.”
<p>
/napOlWn nodad n wYkt awE.
<p>
<p>
At hAf-pAst fFv /napOlWn rOd t H viliJ v /SevRdinO.
<p>
it woz grOiN lFt, H skF woz klCiN, Onli a siNgal klQd lE in
H Ist. H abAndand kAmpfFxz wx bxniN Hemselvz Qt in H
fEnt mPniN lFt.
<p>
on H rFt a siNgal dIp ripPt v a kAnan rizQndad n dFd awE in
H privEliN sFlans. sam minits pAst. a sekand n a Txd ripPt
SUk H X, Hen a fPT n a fifT bMmd solamli nC bF on H
rFt.
<p>
H fxst Sots hAd not jet sIst t rivxbxEt bifP aHxz rAN Qt
n jet mP wx hxd miNgaliN wiH n OvxtEkiN wan anaHx.
<p>
/napOlWn wiH hiz swIt rOd ap t H /SevRdinO /ridQt wX hI
dismQntad. H gEm hAd bigan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXX
<p>
on ritxniN t /gPki Aftx hAviN sIn /prins /AndrM, /piX Pdxd
hiz grMm t get H hPsaz redi n t kYl him xli in H mPniN,
n Hen imIdWtli fel aslIp bihFnd a pRtiSan in a kPnx /bPis
hAd givan ap t him.
<p>
bifP hI woz TarOli awEk neät mPniN evribodi hAd Ylredi left
H hat. H pEnz wx rAtaliN in H lital windOz n hiz grMm woz
SEkiN him.
<p>
“jP eäalansi! jP eäalansi! jP eäalansi!” hI kept ripItiN
pxtinESasli wFl hI SUk /piX bF H SOldx wiHQt lUkiN At
him, hAviN apArantli lost hOp v getiN him t wEk ap.
<p>
“wot? hAz it bigan? iz it tFm?” /piX Askt, wEkiN ap.
<p>
“hC H fFxiN,” sed H grMm, a discRJd sOlJx. “Yl H
Jentalmen hAv gon Qt, n hiz /sxIn /hFnas himself rOd pAst loN
agO.”
<p>
/piX drest hEstili n rAn Qt t H pPc. QtsFd Yl woz brFt,
freS, dMi, n cCfal. H san, Jast bxstiN fPT from bihFnd a
klQd HAt hAd kansIld it, woz SFniN, wiH rEz stil hAf brOkan
bF H klQdz, Ovx H rMfs v H strIt opazit, on H
dM-bispriNkald dast v H rOd, on H wYlz v H hQzaz, on H
windOz, H fens, n on /piX'z hPsaz stAndiN bifP H hat. H
rP v ganz sQndad mP distiNkt QtsFd. an AJUtant akampanid bF a
/kosAk pAst bF At a SRp trot.
<p>
“it's tFm, /kQnt; it's tFm!” krFd H AJUtant.
<p>
teliN H grMm t folO him wiH H hPsaz, /piX went dQn H
strIt t H nOl from wic hI hAd lUkt At H fIld v bAtal H
dE bifP. a krQd v militXi men woz asembald HX, membxz v H
stAf kUd bI hxd kanvxsiN in /frenc, n /kMtMzOf's grE hed in
a wFt kAp wiH a red bAnd woz vizabal, hiz grE nEp saNk bitwIn hiz
SOldxz. hI woz lUkiN TrM a fIld glAs dQn H hFrOd bifP
him.
<p>
mQntiN H steps t H nOl /piX lUkt At H sIn bifP him,
spelbQnd bF bVti. it woz H sEm pAnxAma hI hAd admFxd from HAt
spot H dE bifP, bat nQ H hOl plEs woz fUl v trMps n
kavxd bF smOk klQdz from H ganz, n H slAntiN rEz v H
brFt san, rFziN slFtli t H left bihFnd /piX, kAst apon it
TrM H klC mPniN X penitrEtiN strIä v rOzi, gOldan-tintad
lFt n loN dRk SAdOz. H fPist At H fRHast iätremiti v
H pAnxAma sImd kRvd in sam preSas stOn v a jelOiS-grIn
kalx; its anJalEtiN QtlFn woz silMetad agenst H hxFzan n
woz pCst bijond /vylMevO bF H /smOlensk hFrOd krQdad wiH trMps.
nCx At hAnd glitxd gOldan kPnfIldz intxspxst wiH kopsaz.
HX wx trMps t bI sIn evriwX, in frant n t H rFt n
left. Yl His woz vivid, maJestik, n aniäpektad; bat wot imprest
/piX mOst v Yl woz H vV v H bAtalfIld itself, v /bPOdinO
n H holOz on bOT sFdz v H /kOlOca.
<p>
abav H /kOlOca, in /bPOdinO n on bOT sFdz v it, ispeSali t
H left wX H /vqna flOiN bitwIn its mRSi bANä fYlz intM
H /kOlOca, a mist hAd spred wic sImd t melt, t dizolv, n t
bikam trAnzlMsant wen H brilWnt san apCd n mAJikli kalxd
n QtlFnd evriTiN. H smOk v H ganz miNgald wiH His mist,
n Ovx H hOl iäpAns n TrM HAt mist H rEz v H mPniN
san wx riflektad, flASiN bAk lFk lFtniN from H wYtx, from
H dM, n from H bEanets v H trMps krQdad tageHx bF H
rivxbANä n in /bPOdinO. a wFt cxc kUd bI sIn TrM H
mist, n hC n HX H rMfs v hats in /bPOdinO Az wel Az dens
mAsaz v sOlJxz, P grIn AmVniSan cests n Pdnans. n Yl
His mMvd, P sImd t mMv, Az H smOk n mist spred Qt Ovx
H hOl spEs. Jast Az in H mist-invelapt holO nC /bPOdinO, sO
aloN H intFx lFn QtsFd n abav it n ispeSali in H wUdz
n fIldz t H left, in H vAliz n on H samits v H hF
grQnd, klQdz v pQdx smOk sImd kantinVali t spriN ap Qt v
naTiN, nQ siNgli, nQ sevxal At a tFm, sam trAnzlMsant, aHxz
dens, wic, sweliN, grOiN, rOliN, n blendiN, iätendad Ovx
H hOl iäpAns.
<p>
HIz pafs v smOk n (strEnJ t sE) H sQnd v H fFxiN
prOdMst H cIf bVti v H spektakal.
<p>
“paf!”—sadanli a rQnd kampAkt klQd v smOk woz sIn mxJiN from
vFalat intM grE n milki wFt, n “bMm!” kEm H ripPt a sekand
lEtx.
<p>
“paf! paf!”—n tM klQdz xOz pUSiN wan anaHx n blendiN
tageHx; n “bMm, bMm!” kEm H sQndz kanfxmiN wot H F hAd
sIn.
<p>
/piX glAnst rQnd At H fxst klQd, wic hI hAd sIn Az a rQnd
kampAkt bYl, n in its plEs Ylredi wx balMnz v smOk flOtiN
t wan sFd, n—“paf” (wiH a pYz)—“paf, paf!” TrI n Hen fP
mP apCd n Hen from Ic, wiH H sEm intxval—“bMm—bMm,
bMm!” kEm H fFn, fxm, prisFs sQndz in riplF. it sImd Az if
HOz smOk klQdz samtFmz rAn n samtFmz stUd stil wFl wUdz,
fIldz, n glitxiN bEanets rAn pAst Hem. from H left, Ovx
fIldz n bUSaz, HOz lRJ bYlz v smOk wx kantinVali apCiN
folOd bF HX solam ripPts, wFl nCx stil, in H holOz n
wUdz, HX bxst from H maskats smYl klQdlats HAt hAd nO tFm
t bikam bYlz, bat hAd HX lital ekOz in Jast H sEm wE.
“tryâ-/ty-/ty-tyâ!” kEm H frIkwant krAkal v maskatri, bat it woz
iregVlx n fIbal in kampArisan wiH H ripPts v H kAnan.
<p>
/piX wiSt t bI HX wiH HAt smOk, HOz SFniN bEanets, HAt
mMvmant, n HOz sQndz. hI txnd t lUk At /kMtMzOf n hiz swIt,
t kampX hiz impreSanz wiH HOz v aHxz. HE wx Yl lUkiN
At H fIld v bAtal Az hI woz, n, Az it sImd t him, wiH H
sEm fIliNz. Yl HX fEsaz wx nQ SFniN wiH HAt lEtant wPmT
v fIliN /piX hAd nOtist H dE bifP n hAd fUli andxstUd
Aftx hiz tYk wiH /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“gO, mF dC felO, gO... n /krFst bI wiH V!” /kMtMzOf woz
sEiN t a Jenxal hM stUd bisFd him, not tEkiN hiz F from H
bAtalfIld.
<p>
hAviN risIvd His Pdx H Jenxal pAst bF /piX on hiz wE dQn
H nOl.
<p>
“t H krosiN!” sed H Jenxal kOldli n stxnli in riplF t wan
v H stAf hM Askt wX hI woz gOiN.
<p>
“F'l gO HX tM, F tM!” TYt /piX, n folOd H Jenxal.
<p>
H Jenxal mQntad a hPs a /kosAk hAd brYt him. /piX went t
hiz grMm hM woz hOldiN hiz hPsaz n, AskiN wic woz H kwFatast,
klAmbxd ontM it, sIzd it bF H mEn, n txniN Qt hiz tOz
prest hiz hIlz agenst its sFdz n, fIliN HAt hiz spektakalz
wx slipiN of bat anEbal t let gO v H mEn n rEnz, hI
gAlapt Aftx H Jenxal, kYziN H stAf ofisxz t smFl Az HE
woct him from H nOl.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXI
<p>
/hAviN disendad H hil H Jenxal Aftx hMm /piX woz gAlapiN
txnd SRpli t H left, n /piX, lMziN sFt v him, gAlapt
in amaN sam rANä v infantri mRciN ahed v him. hI trFd t pAs
FHx in frant v Hem P t H rFt P left, bat HX wx sOlJxz
evriwX, Yl wiH H sEm prIokVpFd iäpreSan n bizi wiH
sam ansIn bat evidentli impPtant tAsk. HE Yl gEzd wiH H sEm
dissAtisfFd n inkwFxiN iäpreSan At His stQt mAn in a wFt hAt,
hM f sam annOn rIzan Tretand t trAmpal Hem andx hiz hPs'az
hUfs.
<p>
“wF rFd intM H midal v H batAlWn?” wan v Hem SQtad At him.
<p>
anaHx prodad hiz hPs wiH H bat end v a maskat, n /piX,
bendiN Ovx hiz sAdalbO n hRdli Ebal t kantrOl hiz SFiN hPs,
gAlapt ahed v H sOlJxz wX HX woz a frI spEs.
<p>
HX woz a briJ ahed v him, wX aHx sOlJxz stUd fFxiN.
/piX rOd ap t Hem. wiHQt bIiN awX v it hI hAd kam t H
briJ akros H /kOlOca bitwIn /gPki n /bPOdinO, wic H /frenc
(hAviN okVpFd /bPOdinO) wx atAkiN in H fxst fEz v H
bAtal. /piX sY HAt HX woz a briJ in frant v him n HAt
sOlJxz wx dMiN samTiN on bOT sFdz v it n in H medO,
amaN H rOz v nM-mOn hE wic hI hAd tEkan nO nOtis v amid H
smOk v H kAmpfFxz H dE bifP; bat dispFt H insesant fFxiN
gOiN on HX hI hAd nO FdW HAt His woz H fIld v bAtal. hI did
not nOtis H sQnd v H bUlats wisaliN from evri sFd, P H
praJektFlz HAt flM Ovx him, did not sI H enami on H aHx sFd
v H rivx, n f a loN tFm did not nOtis H kild n wMndad,
HO meni fel nC him. hI lUkt abQt him wiH a smFl wic did
not lIv hiz fEs.
<p>
“wF'z HAt felO in frant v H lFn?” SQtad sambodi At him agen.
<p>
“t H left!... kIp t H rFt!” H men SQtad t him.
<p>
/piX went t H rFt, n aniäpektadli inkQntxd wan v /rFefski'z
AJUtants hMm hI nM. H AJUtant lUkt ANgrili At him, evidentli
YlsO intendiN t SQt At him, bat on rekagnFziN him hI nodad.
<p>
“hQ hAv V got hC?” hI sed, n gAlapt on.
<p>
/piX, fIliN Qt v plEs HX, hAviN naTiN t dM, n afrEd v
getiN in samwan'z wE agen, gAlapt Aftx H AJUtant.
<p>
“wot's hApaniN hC? mE F kam wiH V?” hI Askt.
<p>
“wan mOment, wan mOment!” riplFd H AJUtant, n rFdiN ap t a stQt
kxnal hM woz stAndiN in H medO, hI gEv him sam mesiJ n
Hen adrest /piX.
<p>
“wF hAv V kam hC, /kQnt?” hI Askt wiH a smFl. “stil
inkwizitiv?”
<p>
“jes, jes,” asentad /piX.
<p>
bat H AJUtant txnd hiz hPs abQt n rOd on.
<p>
“hC it's tolxabal,” sed hI, “bat wiH /bygrytiOn on H left flANk
HE'x getiN it frFtfali hot.”
<p>
“rWli?” sed /piX. “wX iz HAt?”
<p>
“kam aloN wiH mI t Qx nOl. wI kAn get a vV from HX n in
Qx bAtxi it iz stil bXabal,” sed H AJUtant. “wil V kam?”
<p>
“jes, F'l kam wiH V,” riplFd /piX, lUkiN rQnd f hiz grMm.
<p>
it woz Onli nQ HAt hI nOtist wMndad men stAgxiN aloN P bIiN
kArid on strecxz. on HAt veri medO hI hAd ridan Ovx H dE
bifP, a sOlJx woz lFiN aTwPt H rOz v sentad hE, wiH hiz
hed TrOn Ykwxdli bAk n hiz SEkO of.
<p>
“wF hAvant HE kArid him awE?” /piX woz abQt t Ask, bat sIiN
H stxn iäpreSan v H AJUtant hM woz YlsO lUkiN HAt wE, hI
cekt himself.
<p>
/piX did not fFnd hiz grMm n rOd aloN H holO wiH H
AJUtant t /rFefski'z /ridQt. hiz hPs lAgd bihFnd H AJUtant's
n JOltad him At evri step.
<p>
“V dOnt sIm t bI Vst t rFdiN, /kQnt?” rimRkt H AJUtant.
<p>
“nO it's not HAt, bat hx AkSan sImz sO Jxki,” sed /piX in a
pazald tOn.
<p>
“wF... SI'z wMndad!” sed H AJUtant. “in H of fPleg abav H
nI. a bUlat, nO dQt. F kangrAcalEt V, /kQnt, on jP bAptizam v
fFx!”
<p>
hAviN ridan in H smOk pAst H /siäT /kP, bihFnd H Rtilxi
wic hAd bin mMvd fPwxd n woz in AkSan, defaniN Hem wiH H
nqz v fFxiN, HE kEm t a smYl wUd. HX it woz kMl n kwFat,
wiH a sent v Ytam. /piX n H AJUtant dismQntad n wYkt ap
H hil on fUt.
<p>
“iz H Jenxal hC?” Askt H AJUtant on rIciN H nOl.
<p>
“hI woz hC a minit agO bat hAz Jast gon HAt wE,” samwan tOld him,
pqntiN t H rFt.
<p>
H AJUtant lUkt At /piX Az if pazald wot t dM wiH him nQ.
<p>
“dOnt trabal abQt mI,” sed /piX. “F'l gO ap ontM H nOl if F
mE?”
<p>
“jes, dM. V'l sI evriTiN from HX n it's les dEnJxas, n
F'l kam f V.”
<p>
/piX went t H bAtxi n H AJUtant rOd on. HE did not mIt
agen, n Onli mac lEtx did /piX lxn HAt hI lost an Rm HAt
dE.
<p>
H nOl t wic /piX asendad woz HAt fEmas wan Aftxwxdz nOn
t H /raSanz Az H /nOl /bAtxi P /rFefski'z /ridQt, n t H
/frenc Az ly grynde redoute, ly fatyl redoute, ly redoute dM sentx,
xQnd wic tenz v TQzandz fel, n wic H /frenc rigRdad Az
H kI t H hOl paziSan.
<p>
His ridQt kansistad v a nOl, on TrI sFdz v wic trencaz hAd
bin dag. wiHin H intrencmant stUd ten ganz HAt wx bIiN fFxd
TrM OpaniNz in H xTwxk.
<p>
in lFn wiH H nOl on bOT sFdz stUd aHx ganz wic YlsO fFxd
insesantli. a lital bihFnd H ganz stUd infantri. wen asendiN
HAt nOl /piX hAd nO nOSan HAt His spot, on wic smYl trencaz
hAd bin dag n from wic a fV ganz wx fFxiN, woz H mOst
impPtant pqnt v H bAtal.
<p>
on H kontrXi, Jast bikoz hI hApand t bI HX hI TYt it wan
v H lIst signifikant pRts v H fIld.
<p>
hAviN rIct H nOl, /piX sAt dQn At wan end v a trenc
sxQndiN H bAtxi n gEzd At wot woz gOiN on xQnd him wiH
an ankonSasli hApi smFl. akEZanali hI rOz n wYkt abQt H
bAtxi stil wiH HAt sEm smFl, trFiN not t abstrakt H sOlJxz
hM wx lOdiN, hYliN H ganz, n kantinVali raniN pAst
him wiH bAã n cRJaz. H ganz v HAt bAtxi wx bIiN fFxd
kantinVali wan Aftx anaHx wiH a defaniN rP, invelapiN H
hOl nEbxhUd in pQdx smOk.
<p>
in kontrAst wiH H dred felt bF H infantrimen plEst in sapPt,
hC in H bAtxi wX a smYl nambx v men bizi At HX wxk wx
sepxEtad from H rest bF a trenc, evriwan iäpCWnst a koman n
Az it wx fAmli fIliN v AnimESan.
<p>
H intrMZan v /piX'z nonmilitXi figjx in a wFt hAt mEd an
anplezant impreSan At fxst. H sOlJxz lUkt askAns At him wiH
sxprFz n Ivan alRm Az HE went pAst him. H sInC Rtilxi
ofisx, a tYl, loN-legad, pokmRkt mAn, mMvd Ovx t /piX Az if
t sI H AkSan v H fRHast gan n lUkt At him wiH kjUxiositi.
<p>
a jaN rQnd-fEst ofisx, kwFt a bq stil n evidentli Onli Jast
Qt v H /kadet /koliJ, hM woz zelasli kamAndiN H tM ganz
intrastad t him, adrest /piX stxnli.
<p>
“sx,” hI sed, “pxmit mI t Ask V t stAnd asFd. V mast not bI
hC.”
<p>
H sOlJxz SUk HX hedz disaprMviNli Az HE lUkt At /piX.
bat wen HE hAd kanvinst Hemselvz HAt His mAn in H wFt hAt
woz dMiN nO hRm, bat FHx sAt kwFatli on H slOp v H trenc
wiH a SF smFl P, palFtli mEkiN wE f H sOlJxz, pEst ap
n dQn H bAtxi andx fFx Az kymli Az if hI wx on a bMlavRd,
HX fIliN v hostFl distrast grAJMali bigAn t cEnJ intM a
kFndli n bAntxiN simpaTi, sac Az sOlJxz fIl f HX doã,
koä, gOts, n in Jenxal f H Animalz HAt liv wiH H
reJimant. H men sMn aäeptad /piX intM HX fAmli, adoptad him,
gEv him a niknEm (“Qx Jentalman”), n mEd kFndli fan v him amaN
Hemselvz.
<p>
a Sel tP ap H xT tM pEsaz from /piX n hI lUkt xQnd
wiH a smFl Az hI braSt from hiz klOHz sam xT it hAd TrOn ap.
<p>
“n hQ'z it V'x not afrEd, sx, rWli nQ?” a red-fEst,
brYd-SOldxd sOlJx Askt /piX, wiH a grin HAt disklOzd a set
v sQnd, wFt tIT.
<p>
“R V afrEd, Hen?” sed /piX.
<p>
“wot els dM V iäpekt?” Ansxd H sOlJx. “SI hAz nO mxsi, V
nO! wen SI kamz splatxiN dQn, Qt gO jP inxdz. wan kAnt
help bIiN afrEd,” hI sed lAfiN.
<p>
sevxal v H men, wiH brFt kFndli fEsaz, stopt bisFd /piX.
HE sImd not t hAv iäpektad him t tYk lFk enibodi els, n H
diskavxi HAt hI did sO dilFtad Hem.
<p>
“it's H biznas v as sOlJxz. bat in a Jentalman it's wandxfal!
HX'z a Jentalman f V!”
<p>
“t jP plEsaz!” krFd H jaN ofisx t H men gAHxd rQnd
/piX.
<p>
H jaN ofisx woz evidentli eäxsFziN hiz dMtiz f H fxst P
sekand tFm n HXfP trItad bOT hiz sMpCCz n H men wiH
grEt prisiZan n fPmAliti.
<p>
H bMmiN kAnanEd n H fVzilEd v maskatri wx grOiN mP
intens Ovx H hOl fIld, ispeSali t H left wX /bygrytiOn'z
flecaz wx, bat wX /piX woz H smOk v H fFxiN mEd it
YlmOst imposabal t distiNgwiS eniTiN. mPOvx, hiz hOl
atenSan woz ingrOst bF wociN H fAmli sxkal—sepxEtad from Yl
els—fPmd bF H men in H bAtxi. hiz fxst ankonSas fIliN v
Jqfal AnimESan prOdMst bF H sFts n sQndz v H bAtalfIld
woz nQ riplEst bF anaHx, ispeSali sins hI hAd sIn HAt sOlJx
lFiN alOn in H hEfIld. nQ, sItad on H slOp v H trenc, hI
abzxvd H fEsaz v HOz xQnd him.
<p>
bF ten O'klok sam twenti men hAd Ylredi bin kArid awE from H
bAtxi; tM ganz wx smASt n kAnan bYlz fel mP n mP
frIkwantli on H bAtxi n spent bUlats bazd n wisald xQnd.
bat H men in H bAtxi sImd not t nOtis His, n meri vqsaz
n JOä wx hxd on Yl sFdz.
<p>
“a lFv wan!” SQtad a mAn Az a wisaliN Sel aprOct.
<p>
“not His wE! t H infantri!” Adad anaHx wiH lQd lAftx,
sIiN H Sel flF pAst n fYl intM H rANä v H sapPts.
<p>
“R V bQiN t a frend, E?” rimRkt anaHx, cAfiN a pezant
hM dakt lO Az a kAnan bYl flM Ovx.
<p>
sevxal sOlJxz gAHxd bF H wYl v H trenc, lUkiN Qt t sI
wot woz hApaniN in frant.
<p>
“HE'v wiHdrYn H frant lFn, it hAz ritFxd,” sed HE, pqntiN
Ovx H xTwxk.
<p>
“mFnd jP On biznas,” an Old sRJant SQtad At Hem. “if HE'v
ritFxd it's bikoz HX'z wxk f Hem t dM fRHx bAk.”
<p>
n H sRJant, tEkiN wan v H men bF H SOldxz, gEv him a
Sav wiH hiz nI. His woz folOd bF a bxst v lAftx.
<p>
“t H fifT gan, wIl it ap!” kEm SQts from wan sFd.
<p>
“nQ Hen, Yl tageHx, lFk bRJIz!” rOz H meri vqsaz v HOz
hM wx mMviN H gan.
<p>
“O, SI nCli nokt Qx Jentalman'z hAt of!” krFd H red-fEst
hVmxist, SOiN hiz tIT cAfiN /piX. “Ykwxd bAgiJ!” hI Adad
riprOcfali t a kAnan bYl HAt strak a kAnan wIl n a mAn'z
leg.
<p>
“nQ Hen, V foäaz!” sed anaHx, lAfiN At sam miliSamen hM,
stMpiN lO, entxd H bAtxi t kAri awE H wMndad mAn.
<p>
“sO His grMal izant t jP tEst? O, V krOz! V'x skXd!” HE
SQtad At H miliSamen hM stUd hezitEtiN bifP H mAn hMz leg
hAd bin tPn of.
<p>
“HX, lAdz... O, O!” HE mimikt H pezants, “HE dOnt lFk it
At Yl!”
<p>
/piX nOtist HAt Aftx evri bYl HAt hit H ridQt, n Aftx
evri los, H lFvlinas inkrIst mP n mP.
<p>
Az H flEmz v H fFx hidan wiHin kam mP n mP vividli n
rApidli from an aprOciN TandxklQd, sO, Az if in opaziSan t
wot woz tEkiN plEs, H lFtniN v hidan fFx grOiN mP n
mP intens glOd in H fEsaz v HIz men.
<p>
/piX did not lUk Qt At H bAtalfIld n woz not kansxnd t nO
wot woz hApaniN HX; hI woz intFxli absPbd in wociN His fFx
wic bxnd evx mP brFtli n wic hI felt woz flEmiN ap in H
sEm wE in hiz On sOl.
<p>
At ten O'klok H infantri HAt hAd bin amaN H bUSaz in frant v
H bAtxi n aloN H /kymenka strImlat ritrItad. from H bAtxi
HE kUd bI sIn raniN bAk pAst it kAriiN HX wMndad on
HX maskats. a Jenxal wiH hiz swIt kEm t H bAtxi, n Aftx
spIkiN t H kxnal gEv /piX an ANgri lUk n went awE agen
hAviN Pdxd H infantri sapPts bihFnd H bAtxi t lF dQn,
sO Az t bI les iäpOzd t fFx. Aftx His from amid H rANä v
infantri t H rFt v H bAtxi kEm H sQnd v a dram n SQts
v kamAnd, n from H bAtxi wan sY hQ HOz rANä v infantri
mMvd fPwxd.
<p>
/piX lUkt Ovx H wYl v H trenc n woz pxtikVlxli strak
bF a pEl jaN ofisx hM, letiN hiz sPd hAN dQn, woz wYkiN
bAkwxdz n kept glAnsiN anIzili xQnd.
<p>
H rANä v H infantri disapCd amid H smOk bat HX
loN-drYn SQt n rApid maskatri fFxiN kUd stil bI hxd. a fV
minits lEtx krQdz v wMndad men n strecx-bXxz kEm bAk from
HAt direkSan. praJektFlz bigAn t fYl stil mP frIkwantli in H
bAtxi. sevxal men wx lFiN abQt hM hAd not bin rimMvd. xQnd
H kAnan H men mMvd stil mP briskli n bizili. nO wan eni
loNgx tUk nOtis v /piX. wans P twFs hI woz SQtad At f bIiN
in H wE. H sInC ofisx mMvd wiH big, rApid strFdz from wan
gan t anaHx wiH a frQniN fEs. H jaN ofisx, wiH hiz fEs
stil mP flaSt, kamAndad H men mP skrMpVlasli HAn evx. H
sOlJxz hAndad ap H cRJaz, txnd, lOdad, n did HX biznas
wiH strEnd smRtnas. HE gEv lital Jamps Az HE wYkt, Az
HO HE wx on spriNz.
<p>
H stPmklQd hAd kam apon Hem, n in evri fEs H fFx wic
/piX hAd woct kindal bxnd ap brFtli. /piX stAndiN bisFd H
kamAndiN ofisx. H jaN ofisx, hiz hAnd t hiz SEkO, rAn ap t
hiz sMpCC.
<p>
“F hAv H onx t ripPt, sx, HAt Onli Et rQndz R left. R
wI t kantinV fFxiN?” hI Askt.
<p>
“grEpSot!” H sInC SQtad, wiHQt AnsxiN H kwescan, lUkiN
Ovx H wYl v H trenc.
<p>
sadanli samTiN hApand: H jaN ofisx gEv a gAsp n bendiN
dabal sAt dQn on H grQnd lFk a bxd Sot on H wiN. evriTiN
bikEm strEnJ, kanfVzd, n misti in /piX'z Fz.
<p>
wan kAnan bYl Aftx anaHx wisald bF n strak H xTwxk, a
sOlJx, P a gan. /piX, hM hAd not nOtist HIz sQndz bifP,
nQ hxd naTiN els. on H rFt v H bAtxi sOlJxz SQtiN
“hxy!” wx raniN not fPwxdz bat bAkwxdz, it sImd t /piX.
<p>
a kAnan bYl strak H veri end v H xT wxk bF wic hI woz
stAndiN, krambaliN dQn H xT; a blAk bYl flASt bifP hiz Fz
n At H sEm instant plampt intM samTiN. sam miliSamen hM wx
entxiN H bAtxi rAn bAk.
<p>
“Yl wiH grEpSot!” SQtad H ofisx.
<p>
H sRJant rAn ap t H ofisx n in a frFtand wispx infPmd
him (Az a batlx At dinx infPmz hiz mAstx HAt HX iz nO mP v
sam wFn Askt f) HAt HX wx nO mP cRJaz.
<p>
“H skQndralz! wot R HE dMiN?” SQtad H ofisx, txniN t
/piX.
<p>
H ofisx'z fEs woz red n pxspFxiN n hiz Fz glitxd andx
hiz frQniN brQ.
<p>
“ran t H rizxvz n briN ap H AmVniSan boäaz!” hI jeld,
ANgrili avqdiN /piX wiH hiz Fz n spIkiN t hiz men.
<p>
“F'l gO,” sed /piX.
<p>
H ofisx, wiHQt AnsxiN him, strOd akros t H opazit sFd.
<p>
“dOnt fFx.... wEt!” hI SQtad.
<p>
H mAn hM hAd bin Pdxd t gO f AmVniSan stambald agenst
/piX.
<p>
“E, sx, His iz nO plEs f V,” sed hI, n rAn dQn H slOp.
<p>
/piX rAn Aftx him, avqdiN H spot wX H jaN ofisx woz
sitiN.
<p>
wan kAnan bYl, anaHx, n a Txd flM Ovx him, fYliN in frant,
bisFd, n bihFnd him. /piX rAn dQn H slOp. “wX Am F gOiN?”
hI sadanli Askt himself wen hI woz Ylredi nC H grIn AmVniSan
wAganz. hI hYltad irezalMtli, not nOiN weHx t ritxn P gO on.
sadanli a teribal kankaSan TrM him bAkwxdz t H grQnd. At H
sEm instant hI woz dAzald bF a grEt flAS v flEm, n imIdWtli a
defaniN rP, krAkaliN, n wisaliN mEd hiz Cz tiNgal.
<p>
wen hI kEm t himself hI woz sitiN on H grQnd lIniN on hiz
hAndz; H AmVniSan wAganz hI hAd bin aprOciN nO loNgx iãistad,
Onli cRd grIn bPdz n rAã litxd H skPct grAs, n a
hPs, dANgaliN frAgmants v its SAft bihFnd it, gAlapt pAst, wFl
anaHx hPs lE, lFk /piX, on H grQnd, atxiN prOloNd n
pCsiN krFz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXII
<p>
/bisFd himself wiH terx /piX Jampt ap n rAn bAk t H bAtxi,
Az t H Onli refVJ from H horxz HAt sxQndad him.
<p>
on entxiN H xTwxk hI nOtist HAt HX wx men dMiN samTiN
HX bat HAt nO Sots wx bIiN fFxd from H bAtxi. hI hAd nO
tFm t rWlFz hM HIz men wx. hI sY H sInC ofisx lFiN on
H xT wYl wiH hiz bAk txnd Az if hI wx iãAminiN samTiN
dQn bilO n HAt wan v H sOlJxz hI hAd nOtist bifP woz
stragaliN fPwxd SQtiN “braHxz!” n trFiN t frI himself from
sam men hM wx hOldiN him bF H Rm. hI YlsO sY samTiN els
HAt woz strEnJ.
<p>
bat hI hAd not tFm t rWlFz HAt H kxnal hAd bin kild, HAt
H sOlJx SQtiN “braHxz!” woz a prizanx, n HAt anaHx mAn
hAd bin bEanetad in H bAk bifP hiz Fz, f hRdli hAd hI ran
intM H ridQt bifP a Tin, sAlO-fEst, pxspFxiN mAn in a blM
VnifPm raSt on him sPd in hAnd, SQtiN samTiN. instiNktivli
gRdiN agenst H Sok—f HE hAd bin raniN tageHx At fUl
spId bifP HE sY wan anaHx—/piX pUt Qt hiz hAndz n sIzd
H mAn (a /frenc ofisx) bF H SOldx wiH wan hAnd n bF H
TrOt wiH H aHx. H ofisx, dropiN hiz sPd, sIzd /piX bF
hiz kolx.
<p>
f sam sekandz HE gEzd wiH frFtand Fz At wan anaHx'z
anfamilC fEsaz n bOT wx pxpleät At wot HE hAd dan n
wot HE wx t dM neät. “Am F tEkan prizanx P hAv F tEkan him
prizanx?” Ic woz TiNkiN. bat H /frenc ofisx woz evidentli mP
inklFnd t TiNk hI hAd bin tEkan prizanx bikoz /piX'z stroN
hAnd, impeld bF instiNktiv fC, skwIzd hiz TrOt evx tFtx n
tFtx. H /frencman woz abQt t sE samTiN, wen Jast abav HX
hedz, teribal n lO, a kAnan bYl wisald, n it sImd t /piX
HAt H /frenc ofisx'z hed hAd bin tPn of, sO swiftli hAd hI
dakt it.
<p>
/piX tM bent hiz hed n let hiz hAndz fYl. wiHQt fxHx TYt
Az t hM hAd tEkan hMm prizanx, H /frencman rAn bAk t H bAtxi
n /piX rAn dQn H slOp stambaliN Ovx H ded n wMndad hM,
it sImd t him, kYt At hiz fIt. bat bifP hI rIct H fUt
v H nOl hI woz met bF a dens krQd v /raSan sOlJxz hM,
stambaliN, tripiN ap, n SQtiN, rAn merili n wFldli tPd
H bAtxi. (His woz H atAk f wic /jermOlOf klEmd H kredit,
diklXiN HAt Onli hiz kariJ n gUd lak mEd sac a fIt posabal:
it woz H atAk in wic hI woz sed t hAv TrOn sam /st /JPJ'az
/krosaz hI hAd in hiz pokat intM H bAtxi f H fxst sOlJxz t
tEk hM got HX.)
<p>
H /frenc hM hAd okVpFd H bAtxi fled, n Qx trMps SQtiN
“hxy!” pxsMd Hem sO fR bijond H bAtxi HAt it woz difikalt
t kYl Hem bAk.
<p>
H prizanxz wx brYt dQn from H bAtxi n amaN Hem woz
a wMndad /frenc Jenxal, hMm H ofisxz sxQndad. krQdz v
wMndad—sam nOn t /piX n sam annOn—/raSanz n /frenc,
wiH fEsaz distPtad bF safxiN, wYkt, krYld, n wx kArid on
strecxz from H bAtxi. /piX agen went ap ontM H nOl wX
hI hAd spent Ovx an Qx, n v HAt fAmli sxkal wic hAd risIvd
him Az a membx hI did not fFnd a siNgal wan. HX wx meni ded hMm
hI did not nO, bat sam hI rekagnFzd. H jaN ofisx stil sAt in
H sEm wE, bent dabal, in a pMl v blad At H eJ v H xT
wYl. H red-fEst mAn woz stil twiciN, bat HE did not kAri him
awE.
<p>
/piX rAn dQn H slOp wans mP.
<p>
“nQ HE wil stop it, nQ HE wil bI horifFd At wot HE hAv
dan!” hI TYt, Emlasli gOiN tPd a krQd v strecx bXxz
mMviN from H bAtalfIld.
<p>
bat bihFnd H vEl v smOk H san woz stil hF, n in frant n
ispeSali t H left, nC /semjOnOfsk, samTiN sImd t bI sIHiN
in H smOk, n H rP v kAnan n maskatri did not diminiS, bat
Ivan inkrIst t despxESan lFk a mAn hM, strEniN himself, SrIä
wiH Yl hiz rimEniN streNT.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXIII
<p>
H cIf AkSan v H bAtal v /bPOdinO woz fYt wiHin H sevan
TQzand fIt bitwIn /bPOdinO n /bygrytiOn'z flecaz. bijond HAt
spEs HX woz, on H wan sFd, a demanstrESan mEd bF H /raSanz
wiH /MvROf's kAvalri At middE, n on H aHx sFd, bijond /Vtitsa,
/pOnjatofski'z kaliZan wiH /tMckOf; bat HIz tM wx ditAct n
fIbal AkSanz in kampArisan wiH wot tUk plEs in H sentx v H
bAtalfIld. on H fIld bitwIn /bPOdinO n H flecaz, bisFd H
wUd, H cIf AkSan v H dE tUk plEs on an Opan spEs vizabal
from bOT sFdz n woz fYt in H simpalast n mOst Rtlas wE.
<p>
H bAtal bigAn on bOT sFdz wiH a kAnanEd from sevxal handrad
ganz.
<p>
Hen wen H hOl fIld woz kavxd wiH smOk, tM diviZanz,
/kympyn'z n /dUse'z, advAnst from H /frenc rFt, wFl /mMryt's
trMps advAnst on /bPOdinO from HX left.
<p>
from H /SevRdinO /ridQt wX /napOlWn woz stAndiN H flecaz wx
tM Txdz v a mFl awE, n it woz mP HAn a mFl Az H krO flFz
t /bPOdinO, sO HAt /napOlWn kUd not sI wot woz hApaniN HX,
ispeSali Az H smOk miNgaliN wiH H mist hid H hOl lOkAliti.
H sOlJxz v /dUse'z diviZan advAnsiN agenst H flecaz kUd
Onli bI sIn til HE hAd entxd H holO HAt lE bitwIn Hem n
H flecaz. Az sMn Az HE hAd disendad intM HAt holO, H smOk
v H ganz n maskatri on H flecaz grM sO dens HAt it kavxd
H hOl aprOc on HAt sFd v it. TrM H smOk glimpsaz kUd
bI kYt v samTiN blAk—probabli men—n At tFmz H glint v
bEanets. bat weHx HE wx mMviN P stESanXi, weHx HE wx
/frenc P /raSan, kUd not bI diskavxd from H /SevRdinO /ridQt.
<p>
H san hAd rizan brFtli n its slAntiN rEz strak strEt intM
/napOlWn'z fEs Az, SEdiN hiz Fz wiH hiz hAnd, hI lUkt At H
flecaz. H smOk spred Qt bifP Hem, n At tFmz it lUkt Az if
H smOk wx mMviN, At tFmz Az if H trMps mMvd. samtFmz SQts
wx hxd TrM H fFxiN, bat it woz imposabal t tel wot woz
bIiN dan HX.
<p>
/napOlWn, stAndiN on H nOl, lUkt TrM a fIld glAs, n in
its smYl sxklat sY smOk n men, samtFmz hiz On n samtFmz
/raSanz, bat wen hI lUkt agen wiH H nEkad F, hI kUd not tel
wX wot hI hAd sIn woz.
<p>
hI disendad H nOl n bigAn wYkiN ap n dQn bifP it.
<p>
akEZanali hI stopt, lisand t H fFxiN, n gEzd intentli At
H bAtalfIld.
<p>
bat not Onli woz it imposabal t mEk Qt wot woz hApaniN from wX
hI woz stAndiN dQn bilO, P from H nOl abav on wic sam v hiz
Jenxalz hAd tEkan HX stAnd, bat Ivan from H flecaz Hemselvz—in
wic bF His tFm HX wx nQ /raSan n nQ /frenc sOlJxz,
Yltxnatli P tageHx, ded, wMndad, alFv, frFtand, P
mAdand—Ivan At HOz flecaz Hemselvz it woz imposabal t mEk Qt
wot woz tEkiN plEs. HX f sevxal Qxz amid insesant kAnan n
maskatri fFx, nQ /raSanz wx sIn alOn, nQ /frencmen alOn, nQ
infantri, n nQ kAvalri: HE apCd, fFxd, fel, kalFdad, not
nOiN wot t dM wiH wan anaHx, skrImd, n rAn bAk agen.
<p>
from H bAtalfIld AJUtants hI hAd sent Qt, n Pdxliz from hiz
mRSalz, kept gAlapiN ap t /napOlWn wiH ripPts v H progres
v H AkSan, bat Yl HIz ripPts wx fYls, bOT bikoz it woz
imposabal in H hIt v bAtal t sE wot woz hApaniN At eni givan
mOment n bikoz meni v H AJUtants did not gO t H AkcMal plEs
v konflikt bat ripPtad wot HE hAd hxd from aHxz; n YlsO
bikoz wFl an AJUtant woz rFdiN mP HAn a mFl t /napOlWn
sxkamstAnsaz cEnJd n H nMz hI brYt woz Ylredi bikamiN
fYls. Has an AJUtant gAlapt ap from /mMryt wiH tFdiNz HAt
/bPOdinO hAd bin okVpFd n H briJ Ovx H /kOlOca woz in H
hAndz v H /frenc. H AJUtant Askt weHx /napOlWn wiSt H
trMps t kros it? /napOlWn gEv Pdxz HAt H trMps SUd fPm ap
on H fRHx sFd n wEt. bat bifP HAt Pdx woz givan—YlmOst
Az sMn in fAkt Az H AJUtant hAd left /bPOdinO—H briJ hAd bin
rItEkan bF H /raSanz n bxnd, in H veri skxmiS At wic /piX
hAd bin prezant At H biginiN v H bAtal.
<p>
an AJUtant gAlapt ap from H flecaz wiH a pEl n frFtand fEs
n ripPtad t /napOlWn HAt HX atAk hAd bin ripalst, /kympyn
wMndad, n /dyvM kild; jet At H veri tFm H AJUtant hAd bin
tOld HAt H /frenc hAd bin ripalst, H flecaz hAd in fAkt bin
rIkApcxd bF aHx /frenc trMps, n /dyvM woz alFv n Onli
slFtli brMzd. on H bEsis v HIz nesisXili antrastwxHi
ripPts /napOlWn gEv hiz Pdxz, wic hAd FHx bin eäikVtad bifP
hI gEv Hem P kUd not bI n wx not eäikVtad.
<p>
H mRSalz n Jenxalz, hM wx nCx t H fIld v bAtal
bat, lFk /napOlWn, did not tEk pRt in H AkcMal fFtiN n Onli
akEZanali went wiHin maskat rEnJ, mEd HX On xEnJmants
wiHQt AskiN /napOlWn n iSVd Pdxz wX n in wot direkSan t
fFx n wX kAvalri SUd gAlap n infantri SUd ran. bat Ivan
HX Pdxz, lFk /napOlWn'z, wx seldam kArid Qt, n Hen bat
pRSali. f H mOst pRt TiNz hApand kontrXi t HX Pdxz.
sOlJxz Pdxd t advAns rAn bAk on mItiN grEpSot; sOlJxz
Pdxd t rimEn wX HE wx, sadanli, sIiN /raSanz
aniäpektadli bifP Hem, samtFmz raSt bAk n samtFmz fPwxd,
n H kAvalri dASt wiHQt Pdxz in pxsMt v H flFiN /raSanz.
in His wE tM kAvalri reJimants gAlapt TrM H /semjOnOfsk holO
n Az sMn Az HE rIct H top v H inklFn txnd rQnd n
gAlapt fUl spId bAk agen. H infantri mMvd in H sEm wE,
samtFmz raniN t kwFt aHx plEsaz HAn HOz HE wx Pdxd t
gO t. Yl Pdxz Az t wX n wen t mMv H ganz, wen t send
infantri t SMt P hPsmen t rFd dQn H /raSan infantri—Yl
sac Pdxz wx givan bF H ofisxz on H spot nCast t H
Vnits kansxnd, wiHQt AskiN FHx /nE, /dyvM, P /mMryt, mac les
/napOlWn. HE did not fC getiN intM trabal f not fUlfiliN
Pdxz P f AktiN on HX On iniSativ, f in bAtal wot iz At
stEk iz wot iz dCast t mAn—hiz On lFf—n it samtFmz sImz HAt
sEfti lFz in raniN bAk, samtFmz in raniN fPwxd; n HIz men
hM wx rFt in H hIt v H bAtal Aktad akPdiN t H mMd
v H mOment. in riAliti, hQevx, Yl HIz mMvmants fPwxd n
bAkwxd did not imprMv P Yltx H paziSan v H trMps. Yl
HX raSiN n gAlapiN At wan anaHx did lital hRm, H hRm v
disEbalmant n deT woz kYzd bF H bYlz n bUlats HAt flM Ovx
H fIldz on wic HIz men wx flQndxiN abQt. Az sMn Az HE
left H plEs wX H bYlz n bUlats wx flFiN abQt, HX
sMpCCz, lOkEtad in H bAkgrQnd, rI-fPmd Hem n brYt Hem
andx disiplin n andx H inflMans v HAt disiplin led Hem
bAk t H zOn v fFx, wX andx H inflMans v fC v deT
HE lost HX disiplin n raSt abQt akPdiN t H cAns
promptiNz v H TroN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXIV
<p>
/napOlWn'z Jenxalz—/dyvM, /nE, n /mMryt, hM wx nC HAt rIJan v
fFx n samtFmz Ivan entxd it—ripItadli led intM it hVJ mAsaz v
wel-Pdxd trMps. bat kontrXi t wot hAd YlwEz hApand in HX
fPmx bAtalz, insted v H nMz HE iäpektad v H enami'z flFt,
HIz Pdxli mAsaz ritxnd Hens Az disPganFzd n terifFd mobz.
H Jenxalz rI-fPmd Hem, bat HX nambxz konstantli dikrIst.
in H midal v H dE /mMryt sent hiz AJUtant t /napOlWn t dimAnd
rIinfPsmants.
<p>
/napOlWn sAt At H fUt v H nOl, driNkiN panc, wen /mMryt's
AJUtant gAlapt ap wiH an aSUxans HAt H /raSanz wUd bI rQtad
if /hiz /mAJasti wUd let him hAv anaHx diviZan.
<p>
“rIinfPsmants?” sed /napOlWn in a tOn v stxn sxprFz, lUkiN At
H AJUtant—a hAndsam lAd wiH loN blAk kxlz xEnJd lFk /mMryt's
On—Az HO hI did not andxstAnd hiz wxdz.
<p>
“rIinfPsmants!” TYt /napOlWn t himself. “hQ kAn HE nId
rIinfPsmants wen HE Ylredi hAv hAf H Rmi direktad agenst a
wIk, anintrenct /raSan wiN?”
<p>
“tel H /kiN v /nEpalz,” sed hI stxnli, “HAt it iz not nMn jet,
n F dOnt jet sI mF cesbPd klCli. gO!...”
<p>
H hAndsam bq AJUtant wiH H loN hX sFd dIpli wiHQt
rimMviN hiz hAnd from hiz hAt n gAlapt bAk t wX men wx bIiN
slYtxd.
<p>
/napOlWn rOz n hAviN samand /kOlynkUx n /bertiX bigAn
tYkiN t Hem abQt mAtxz ankanektad wiH H bAtal.
<p>
in H midst v His konvxsESan, wic woz biginiN t intxast
/napOlWn, /bertiX'z Fz txnd t lUk At a Jenxal wiH a swIt, hM
woz gAlapiN tPd H nOl on a lAHxiN hPs. it woz /beliRd.
hAviN dismQntad hI went ap t H /empxx wiH rApid strFdz n in
a lQd vqs bigAn bOldli demanstrEtiN H nisesiti v sendiN
rIinfPsmants. hI swP on hiz onx HAt H /raSanz wx lost if H
/empxx wUd giv anaHx diviZan.
<p>
/napOlWn Sragd hiz SOldxz n kantinVd t pEs ap n dQn
wiHQt riplFiN. beliRd bigAn tYkiN lQdli n Igxli t H
Jenxalz v H swIt xQnd him.
<p>
“V R veri fFxi, /beliRd,” sed /napOlWn, wen hI agen kEm ap t
H Jenxal. “in H hIt v a bAtal it iz Izi t mEk a mistEk. gO
n hAv anaHx lUk n Hen kam bAk t mI.”
<p>
bifP /beliRd woz Qt v sFt, a mesinJx from anaHx pRt v H
bAtalfIld gAlapt ap.
<p>
“nQ Hen, wot dM V wont?” Askt /napOlWn in H tOn v a mAn
iritEtad At bIiN kantinVali distxbd.
<p>
“sFx, H prins...” bigAn H AJUtant.
<p>
“Asä f rIinfPsmants?” sed /napOlWn wiH an ANgri Jescx.
<p>
H AJUtant bent hiz hed afxmativli n bigAn t ripPt, bat H
/empxx txnd from him, tUk a kapal v steps, stopt, kEm bAk, n
kYld /bertiX.
<p>
“wI mast giv rizxvz,” hI sed, mMviN hiz Rmz slFtli apRt.
“hM dM V TiNk SUd bI sent HX?” hI Askt v /bertiX (hMm hI
sabsikwantli txmd “HAt gozliN F hAv mEd an Igal”).
<p>
“send /klypRed'z diviZan, sFx,” riplFd /bertiX, hM nM Yl H
diviZan'z reJimants, n batAlWnz bF hRt.
<p>
/napOlWn nodad asent.
<p>
H AJUtant gAlapt t /klypRed'z diviZan n a fV minits lEtx
H /jaN /gRdz stESand bihFnd H nOl mMvd fPwxd. /napOlWn
gEzd sFlantli in HAt direkSan.
<p>
“nO!” hI sadanli sed t /bertiX. “F kAnt send /klypRed. send
/friyn'z diviZan.”
<p>
HO HX woz nO advAntiJ in sendiN /friyn'z diviZan insted v
/klypRed'z, n Ivan an obvWs inkanvInWns n dilE in stopiN
/klypRed n sendiN /friyn nQ, H Pdx woz kArid Qt iãAktli.
/napOlWn did not nOtis HAt in rigRd t hiz Rmi hI woz plEiN
H pRt v a doktx hM hindxz bF hiz medisinz—a rOl hI sO Jastli
andxstUd n kandemd.
<p>
/friyn'z diviZan disapCd Az H aHxz hAd dan intM H smOk
v H bAtalfIld. from Yl sFdz AJUtants kantinVd t xFv At a
gAlap n Az if bF agrImant Yl sed H sEm TiN. HE Yl Askt
f rIinfPsmants n Yl sed HAt H /raSanz wx hOldiN HX
paziSanz n mEntEniN a heliS fFx andx wic H /frenc Rmi woz
meltiN awE.
<p>
/napOlWn sAt on a kAmpstMl, rApt in TYt.
<p>
M. de /bOse, H mAn sO fond v trAval, hAviN fAstad sins mPniN,
kEm ap t H /empxx n vencxd rispektfali t saJest lanc t /hiz
/mAJasti.
<p>
“F hOp F mE nQ kangrAcalEt jP /mAJasti on a viktxi?” sed hI.
<p>
/napOlWn sFlantli SUk hiz hed in negESan. asMmiN H negESan t
rifx Onli t H viktxi n not t H lanc, M. de /bOse vencxd
wiH rispektfal JokVlAriti t rimRk HAt HX iz nO rIzan f not
hAviN lanc wen wan kAn get it.
<p>
“gO awE...” iäklEmd /napOlWn sadanli n mxOsli, n txnd asFd.
<p>
a bWtifik smFl v rigret, ripentans, n eätasi bImd on M. de
/bOse'z fEs n hI glFdad awE t H aHx Jenxalz.
<p>
/napOlWn woz iäpCWnsiN a fIliN v dipreSan lFk HAt v an
evx-laki gAmbalx hM, Aftx reklasli fliNiN mani abQt n YlwEz
winiN, sadanli Jast wen hI hAz kAlkVlEtad Yl H cAnsaz v H
gEm, fFndz HAt H mP hI kansidxz hiz plE H mP SUxli hI
lMzaz.
<p>
hiz trMps wx H sEm, hiz Jenxalz H sEm, H sEm prepxESanz
hAd bin mEd, H sEm dispaziSanz, n H sEm proklamESan courte
et energique, hI himself woz stil H sEm: hI nM HAt n nM HAt
hI woz nQ Ivan mP iäpCWnst n skilfal HAn bifP. Ivan H
enami woz H sEm Az At /Qstxlits n /frIdlynd—jet H teribal
strOk v hiz Rm hAd sMpxnAcxali bikam impatant.
<p>
Yl H Old meTadz HAt hAd bin anfEliNli krQnd wiH saäes: H
konsantrESan v bAtxiz on wan pqnt, an atAk bF rizxvz t brEk
H enami'z lFn, n a kAvalri atAk bF “H men v Fxn,” Yl HIz
meTadz hAd Ylredi bin implqd, jet not Onli woz HX nO viktxi,
bat from Yl sFdz kEm H sEm nMz v Jenxalz kild n wMndad,
v rIinfPsmants nIdad, v H imposabiliti v drFviN bAk H
/raSanz, n v disPganizESan amaN hiz On trMps.
<p>
fPmxli, Aftx hI hAd givan tM P TrI Pdxz n atxd a
fV frEzaz, mRSalz n AJUtants hAd kam gAlapiN ap wiH
kangrAcalESanz n hApi fEsaz, anQnsiN H trOfiz tEkan, H
kP v prizanxz, bandalz v enami Igalz n stAndxdz, kAnan n
stPz, n /mMryt hAd Onli begd lIv t lMs H kAvalri t gAHx
in H bAgiJ wAganz. sO it hAd bin At /lOdi, /mReNgO, /RkOla, /Jena,
/Qstxlits, /vygrym, n sO on. bat nQ samTiN strEnJ woz hApaniN
t hiz trMps.
<p>
dispFt nMz v H kApcx v H flecaz, /napOlWn sY HAt His woz
not H sEm, not At Yl H sEm, Az wot hAd hApand in hiz fPmx
bAtalz. hI sY HAt wot hI woz fIliN woz felt bF Yl H men abQt
him iäpCWnst in H Rt v wP. Yl HX fEsaz lUkt diJektad, n
HE Yl Sand wan anaHx'z Fz—Onli a de /bOse kUd fEl t
grAsp H mIniN v wot woz hApaniN.
<p>
bat /napOlWn wiH hiz loN iäpCWns v wP wel nM H mIniN v
a bAtal not gEnd bF H atAkiN sFd in Et Qxz, Aftx Yl
efxts hAd bin iäpendad. hI nM HAt it woz a lost bAtal n HAt
H lIst Aäidant mFt nQ—wiH H fFt bAlanst on sac a strEnd
sentx—distrq him n hiz Rmi.
<p>
wen hI rAn hiz mFnd Ovx H hOl v His strEnJ /raSan kAmpEn in
wic not wan bAtal hAd bin wan, n in wic not a flAg, P kAnan,
P Rmi kP hAd bin kApcxd in tM manTs, wen hI lUkt At H
kansIld dipreSan on H fEsaz xQnd him n hxd ripPts v H
/raSanz stil hOldiN HX grQnd—a teribal fIliN lFk a nFtmX
tUk pazeSan v him, n Yl H anlaki Aäidants HAt mFt distrq
him akxd t hiz mFnd. H /raSanz mFt fYl on hiz left wiN,
mFt brEk TrM hiz sentx, hI himself mFt bI kild bF a strE
kAnan bYl. Yl His woz posabal. in fPmx bAtalz hI hAd Onli
kansidxd H posabilitiz v saäes, bat nQ inMmxabal anlaki
cAnsaz prizentad Hemselvz, n hI iäpektad Hem Yl. jes, it woz lFk
a drIm in wic a mAn fAnsiz HAt a rafWn iz kamiN t atAk him,
n rEzaz hiz Rm t strFk HAt rafWn a teribal blO wic hI nOz
SUd anFalEt him, bat Hen fIlz HAt hiz Rm drops pQxlas n
limp lFk a rAg, n H horx v anavqdabal distrakSan sIzaz him in
hiz helplasnas.
<p>
H nMz HAt H /raSanz wx atAkiN H left flANk v H /frenc
Rmi xQzd HAt horx in /napOlWn. hI sAt sFlantli on a kAmpstMl
bilO H nOl, wiH hed bQd n elbOz on hiz nIz. /bertiX
aprOct n saJestad HAt HE SUd rFd aloN H lFn t
AsxtEn H paziSan v afXz.
<p>
“wot? wot dM V sE?” Askt /napOlWn. “jes, tel Hem t briN mI mF
hPs.”
<p>
hI mQntad n rOd tPd /semjOnOfsk.
<p>
amid H pQdx smOk, slOli dispxsiN Ovx H hOl spEs TrM
wic /napOlWn rOd, hPsaz n men wx lFiN in pMlz v blad, siNgli
P in hIps. nFHx /napOlWn nP eni v hiz Jenxalz hAd evx bifP
sIn sac horxz P sO meni slEn in sac a smYl XW. H rP v
ganz, HAt hAd not sIst f ten Qxz, wCid H C n gEv
a pikVlC signifikans t H spektakal, Az mVzik daz t tAblOz
vivonts. /napOlWn rOd ap H hF grQnd At /semjOnOfsk, n TrM H
smOk sY rANä v men in VnifPmz v a kalx anfamilC t him. HE
wx /raSanz.
<p>
H /raSanz stUd in serid rANä bihFnd /semjOnOfsk viliJ n its
nOl, n HX ganz bMmd insesantli aloN HX lFn n sent
fPT klQdz v smOk. it woz nO loNgx a bAtal: it woz a kantinVas
slYtx wic kUd bI v nO avEl FHx t H /frenc P H
/raSanz. /napOlWn stopt hiz hPs n agen fel intM H revxi
from wic /bertiX hAd xQzd him. hI kUd not stop wot woz gOiN on
bifP him n xQnd him n woz sapOst t bI direktad bF him n t
dipend on him, n from its lAk v saäes His afX, f H fxst
tFm, sImd t him annesisXi n horibal.
<p>
wan v H Jenxalz rOd ap t /napOlWn n vencxd t ofx t lId
H /Old /gRd intM AkSan. /nE n /bertiX, stAndiN nC /napOlWn,
iäcEnJd lUä n smFld kantempcMasli At His Jenxal'z senslas
ofx.
<p>
/napOlWn bQd hiz hed n rimEnd sFlant a loN tFm.
<p>
“At Et handrad lIã from /fryns, F wil not hAv mF /gRd
distrqd!” hI sed, n txniN hiz hPs rOd bAk t /SevRdinO.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXV
<p>
on H rag-kavxd benc wX /piX hAd sIn him in H mPniN sAt
/kMtMzOf, hiz grE hed hANiN, hiz hevi bodi rilAät. hI gEv nO
Pdxz, bat Onli asentad t P disentad from wot aHxz saJestad.
<p>
“jes, jes, dM HAt,” hI riplFd t vXWs prapOzalz. “jes, jes: gO,
dC bq, n hAv a lUk,” hI wUd sE t wan P anaHx v HOz
abQt him; P, “nO, dOnt, wI'd betx wEt!” hI lisand t H ripPts
HAt wx brYt him n gEv direkSanz wen hiz sabPdinats dimAndad
HAt v him; bat wen lisaniN t H ripPts it sImd Az if hI
wx not intxastad in H impPt v H wxdz spOkan, bat rAHx in
samTiN els—in H iäpreSan v fEs n tOn v vqs v HOz hM
wx ripPtiN. bF loN jCz v militXi iäpCWns hI nM, n wiH
H wizdam v EJ andxstUd, HAt it iz imposabal f wan mAn t
direkt handradz v TQzandz v aHxz stragaliN wiH deT, n hI
nM HAt H rizalt v a bAtal iz disFdad not bF H Pdxz v a
kamAndx in cIf, nP H plEs wX H trMps R stESand, nP bF
H nambx v kAnan P v slYtxd men, bat bF HAt intAnJabal fPs
kYld H spirit v H Rmi, n hI woct His fPs n gFdad it
in Az fR Az HAt woz in hiz pQx.
<p>
/kMtMzOf's Jenxal iäpreSan woz wan v konsantrEtad kwFat atenSan,
n hiz fEs wP a strEnd lUk Az if hI fQnd it difikalt t mAstx
H fatIg v hiz Old n fIbal bodi.
<p>
At ilevan O'klok HE brYt him nMz HAt H flecaz kApcxd bF H
/frenc hAd bin rItEkan, bat HAt /prins /bygrytiOn woz wMndad. /kMtMzOf
grOnd n swEd hiz hed.
<p>
“rFd Ovx t /prins /pItx /ivynOvic n fFnd Qt abQt it iãAktli,” hI
sed t wan v hiz AJUtants, n Hen txnd t H /dMk v /vxtambxg
hM woz stAndiN bihFnd him.
<p>
“wil jP /hFnas plIz tEk kamAnd v H fxst Rmi?”
<p>
sMn Aftx H dMk's dipRcx—bifP hI kUd posabli hAv rIct
/semjOnOfsk—hiz AJUtant kEm bAk from him n tOld /kMtMzOf HAt H dMk
Askt f mP trMps.
<p>
/kMtMzOf mEd a grimas n sent an Pdx t /dOâtMrOf t tEk Ovx H
kamAnd v H fxst Rmi, n a rikwest t H dMk—hMm hI sed hI
kUd not spX At sac an impPtant mOment—t ritxn t him. wen
HE brYt him nMz HAt /mMryt hAd bin tEkan prizanx, n H stAf
ofisxz kangrAcalEtad him, /kMtMzOf smFld.
<p>
“wEt a lital, Jentalmen,” sed hI. “H bAtal iz wan, n HX iz
naTiN iätrPdinXi in H kApcx v /mMryt. stil, it iz betx t
wEt bifP wI riJqs.”
<p>
bat hI sent an AJUtant t tEk H nMz rQnd H Rmi.
<p>
wen /Serbinin kEm gAlapiN from H left flANk wiH nMz HAt H
/frenc hAd kApcxd H flecaz n H viliJ v /semjOnOfsk, /kMtMzOf,
gesiN bF H sQndz v H bAtal n bF /Serbinin'z lUä HAt H
nMz woz bAd, rOz Az if t strec hiz leã n, tEkiN /Serbinin'z
Rm, led him asFd.
<p>
“gO, mF dC felO,” hI sed t /jermOlOf, “n sI weHx samTiN
kAnt bI dan.”
<p>
/kMtMzOf woz in /gPki, nC H sentx v H /raSan paziSan. H
atAk direktad bF /napOlWn agenst Qx left flANk hAd bin sevxal
tFmz ripalst. in H sentx H /frenc hAd not got bijond /bPOdinO,
n on HX left flANk /MvROf's kAvalri hAd pUt H /frenc t flFt.
<p>
tPd TrI O'klok H /frenc atAä sIst. on H fEsaz v Yl
hM kEm from H fIld v bAtal, n v HOz hM stUd xQnd him,
/kMtMzOf nOtist an iäpreSan v iätrIm tenSan. hI woz sAtisfFd wiH
H dE'z saäes—a saäes iäIdiN hiz eäpektESanz, bat H Old
mAn'z streNT woz fEliN him. sevxal tFmz hiz hed dropt lO Az if
it wx fYliN n hI dOzd of. dinx woz brYt him.
<p>
AJUtant /Jenxal /wolzaJan, H mAn hM wen rFdiN pAst /prins /AndrM
hAd sed, “H wP SUd bI iätendad wFdli,” n hMm /bygrytiOn sO
ditestad, rOd ap wFl /kMtMzOf woz At dinx. /wolzaJan hAd kam from
/bRklE de /toli t ripPt on H progres v afXz on H left flANk.
H sagESas /bRklE de /toli, sIiN krQdz v wMndad men raniN
bAk n H disPdxd rC v H Rmi, wEd Yl H sxkamstAnsaz,
kanklMdad HAt H bAtal woz lost, n sent hiz fEvxit ofisx t H
kamAndx in cIf wiH HAt nMz.
<p>
/kMtMzOf woz cMiN a pIs v rOst cikin wiH difikalti n glAnst
At /wolzaJan wiH Fz HAt brFtand andx HX pakxiN lidz.
<p>
/wolzaJan, nonSalyntli streciN hiz leã, aprOct /kMtMzOf wiH a
hAf-kantempcMas smFl on hiz lips, skXsli taciN H pIk v hiz
kAp.
<p>
hI trItad hiz /sxIn /hFnas wiH a samwot afektad nonSalyns
intendad t SO HAt, Az a hFli trEnd militXi mAn, hI left it t
/raSanz t mEk an Fdal v His Vslas Old mAn, bat HAt hI nM hMm
hI woz dIliN wiH. “der alte /her” (Az in HX On set H /Jxmanz
kYld /kMtMzOf) “iz mEkiN himself veri kamfxtabal,” TYt /wolzaJan,
n lUkiN sivCli At H diSaz in frant v /kMtMzOf hI bigAn t
ripPt t “H Old Jentalman” H paziSan v afXz on H left flANk
Az /bRklE hAd Pdxd him t n Az hI himself hAd sIn n andxstUd
it.
<p>
“Yl H pqnts v Qx paziSan R in H enami'z hAndz n wI kAnot
disloJ Hem f lAk v trMps, H men R raniN awE n it iz
imposabal t stop Hem,” hI ripPtad.
<p>
/kMtMzOf sIst cMiN n fiät an astoniSt gEz on /wolzaJan, Az
if not andxstAndiN wot woz sed t him. /wolzaJan, nOtisiN “H Old
Jentalman'z” AJitESan, sed wiH a smFl:
<p>
“F hAv not kansidxd it rFt t kansIl from jP /sxIn /hFnas
wot F hAv sIn. H trMps R in kamplIt disPdx....”
<p>
“V hAv sIn? V hAv sIn?...” /kMtMzOf SQtad. frQniN n rFziN
kwikli, hI went ap t /wolzaJan.
<p>
“hQ... hQ dX V!...” hI SQtad, cOkiN n mEkiN a TretaniN
Jescx wiH hiz trembaliN Rmz: “hQ dX V, sx, sE HAt t mI? V
nO naTiN abQt it. tel /Jenxal /bRklE from mI HAt hiz infxmESan
iz inkxekt n HAt H rWl kPs v H bAtal iz betx nOn t
mI, H kamAndx in cIf, HAn t him.”
<p>
/wolzaJan woz abQt t mEk a riJqndx, bat /kMtMzOf intxaptad him.
<p>
“H enami hAz bin ripalst on H left n difItad on H rFt
flANk. if V hAv sIn amis, sx, dM not alQ jPself t sE wot
V dOnt nO! bI sO gUd Az t rFd t /Jenxal /bRklE n infPm
him v mF fxm intenSan t atAk H enami tamorO,” sed /kMtMzOf
stxnli.
<p>
Yl wx sFlant, n H Onli sQnd Ydabal woz H hevi brIHiN v
H pAntiN Old Jenxal.
<p>
“HE R ripalst evriwX, f wic F TANk /god n Qx brEv Rmi!
H enami iz bItan, n tamorO wI SAl drFv him from H sEkrad
sql v /raSa,” sed /kMtMzOf krosiN himself, n hI sadanli sobd
Az hiz Fz fild wiH tCz.
<p>
/wolzaJan, SragiN hiz SOldxz n kxliN hiz lips, stept sFlantli
asFd, mRvaliN At “H Old Jentalman'z” kansItad stMpiditi.
<p>
“y, hC hI iz, mF hCO!” sed /kMtMzOf t a pPtli, hAndsam,
dRk-hXd Jenxal hM woz Jast asendiN H nOl.
<p>
His woz /rFefski, hM hAd spent H hOl dE At H mOst impPtant pRt
v H fIld v /bPOdinO.
<p>
/rFefski ripPtad HAt H trMps wx fxmli hOldiN HX grQnd n
HAt H /frenc nO loNgx vencxd t atAk.
<p>
Aftx hCiN him, /kMtMzOf sed in /frenc:
<p>
“Hen V dM not TiNk, lFk sam aHxz, HAt wI mast ritrIt?”
<p>
“on H kontrXi, jP /hFnas, in indisFsiv AkSanz it iz YlwEz
H mOst stabxn hM rimEn viktxz,” riplFd /rFefski, “n in mF
apinjan...”
<p>
“/kFsROf!” /kMtMzOf kYld t hiz AJUtant. “sit dQn n rFt Qt
H Pdx v H dE f tamorO. n V,” hI kantinVd, adresiN
anaHx, “rFd aloN H lFn n anQns HAt tamorO wI atAk.”
<p>
wFl /kMtMzOf woz tYkiN t /rFefski n diktEtiN H Pdx v H dE,
/wolzaJan ritxnd from /bRklE n sed HAt /Jenxal /bRklE wiSt t
hAv ritan konfxmESan v H Pdx H fIld mRSal hAd givan.
<p>
/kMtMzOf, wiHQt lUkiN At /wolzaJan, gEv direkSanz f H Pdx t
bI ritan Qt wic H fPmx kamAndx in cIf, t avqd pxsanal
risponsabiliti, veri JMdiSasli wiSt t risIv.
<p>
n bF mInz v HAt mistCWs indifFnabal bond wic mEntEnz
TrMQt an Rmi wan n H sEm tempx, nOn Az “H spirit v
H Rmi,” n wic konstitMts H sinV v wP, /kMtMzOf's wxdz, hiz
Pdx f a bAtal neät dE, imIdWtli bikEm nOn from wan end v
H Rmi t H aHx.
<p>
it woz fR from bIiN H sEm wxdz P H sEm Pdx HAt rIct H
fRHast liNä v HAt cEn. H tElz pAsiN from mQT t mQT At
difxant endz v H Rmi did not Ivan rizembal wot /kMtMzOf hAd sed,
bat H sens v hiz wxdz spred evriwX bikoz wot hI sed woz
not H Qtkam v kaniN kAlkVlESanz, bat v a fIliN HAt lE in
H kamAndx in cIf's sOl Az in HAt v evri /raSan.
<p>
n on lxniN HAt tamorO HE wx t atAk H enami, n hCiN
from H hFast kwPtxz a konfxmESan v wot HE wontad t bilIv,
H iãYstad, wEvxiN men felt kamfxtad n inspiritad.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXVI
<p>
/prins /AndrM'z reJimant woz amaN H rizxvz wic til Aftx wan
O'klok wx stESand inAktiv bihFnd /semjOnOfsk, andx hevi Rtilxi
fFx. tPd tM O'klok H reJimant, hAviN Ylredi lost mP HAn
tM handrad men, woz mMvd fPwxd intM a trAmpald OtfIld in H gAp
bitwIn /semjOnOfsk n H /nOl /bAtxi, wX TQzandz v men periSt
HAt dE n on wic an intens, konsantrEtad fFx from sevxal handrad
enami ganz woz direktad bitwIn wan n tM O'klok.
<p>
wiHQt mMviN from HAt spot P fFxiN a siNgal Sot H reJimant hC
lost anaHx Txd v its men. from in frant n ispeSali from H
rFt, in H anliftiN smOk H ganz bMmd, n Qt v H mistCWs
dOmEn v smOk HAt OvxlE H hOl spEs in frant, kwik hisiN
kAnan bYlz n slO wisaliN Selz flM ansIsiNli. At tFmz, Az
if t alQ Hem a respit, a kwPtx v an Qx pAst dxiN wic
H kAnan bYlz n Selz Yl flM Ovxhed, bat samtFmz sevxal men
wx tPn from H reJimant in a minit n H slEn wx kantinVali
bIiN drAgd awE n H wMndad kArid of.
<p>
wiH Ic freS blO les n les cAns v lFf rimEnd f HOz not
jet kild. H reJimant stUd in kolamz v batAlWn, TrI handrad
pEsaz apRt, bat nevxHales H men wx YlwEz in wan n H sEm
mMd. Yl alFk wx tAsitxn n mxOs. tYk woz rXli hxd in H
rANä, n it sIst YltageHx evri tFm H Tad v a saäesfal
Sot n H krF v “strecxz!” woz hxd. mOst v H tFm, bF HX
ofisxz' Pdx, H men sAt on H grQnd. wan, hAviN tEkan of hiz
SEkO, kXfali lMsand H gAHxz v its lFniN n drM Hem tFt
agen; anaHx, rabiN sam drF klE bitwIn hiz pymz, poliSt
hiz bEanet; anaHx fiNgxd H strAp n pUld H bakal v hiz
bAndalC, wFl anaHx smMHd n rIfOldad hiz leg bAndz n pUt
hiz bMts on agen. sam bilt lital hQzaz v H tafts in H plQd
grQnd, P plEtad bAskats from H strY in H kPnfIld. Yl sImd
fUli absPbd in HIz pxsMts. wen men wx kild P wMndad, wen
rOz v strecxz went pAst, wen sam trMps ritrItad, n wen grEt
mAsaz v H enami kEm intM vV TrM H smOk, nO wan pEd eni
atenSan t HIz TiNz. bat wen Qx Rtilxi P kAvalri advAnst P
sam v Qx infantri wx sIn t mMv fPwxd, wxdz v aprMval
wx hxd on Yl sFdz. bat H lFvlWst atenSan woz atrAktad bF
akxansaz kwFt apRt from, n ankanektad wiH, H bAtal. it woz
Az if H mFndz v HIz mPali iãYstad men fQnd rilIf in evridE,
komanplEs akxansaz. a bAtxi v Rtilxi woz pAsiN in frant v
H reJimant. H hPs v an AmVniSan kRt pUt its leg Ovx a trEs.
“hE, lUk At H trEs hPs!... get hx leg Qt! SI'l fYl.... y,
HE dOnt sI it!” kEm Fdentikal SQts from H rANä Yl aloN H
reJimant. anaHx tFm, Jenxal atenSan woz atrAktad bF a smYl brQn
dog, kamiN hevan nOz wens, wic trotad in a prIokVpFd mAnx
in frant v H rANä wiH tEl stifli irekt til sadanli a Sel fel
klOs bF, wen it jelpt, takt its tEl bitwIn its leã, n dRtad
asFd. jelz n SrIä v lAftx rOz from H hOl reJimant. bat
sac distrAkSanz lAstad Onli a mOment, n f Et Qxz H men hAd
bin inAktiv, wiHQt fMd, in konstant fC v deT, n HX pEl
n glMmi fEsaz grM evx pElx n glMmC.
<p>
prins /AndrM, pEl n glMmi lFk evriwan in H reJimant, pEst ap
n dQn from H bPdx v wan pAc t anaHx, At H eJ v H
medO bisFd an OtfIld, wiH hed bQd n Rmz bihFnd hiz bAk.
HX woz naTiN f him t dM n nO Pdxz t bI givan. evriTiN
went on v itself. H kild wx drAgd from H frant, H wMndad
kArid awE, n H rANä klOzd ap. if eni sOlJxz rAn t H
rC HE ritxnd imIdWtli n hEstili. At fxst /prins /AndrM,
kansidxiN it hiz dMti t rQz H kariJ v H men n t set Hem
an iãAmpal, wYkt abQt amaN H rANä, bat hI sMn bikEm kanvinst
HAt His woz annesisXi n HAt HX woz naTiN hI kUd tIc
Hem. Yl H pQxz v hiz sOl, Az v evri sOlJx HX, wx
ankonSasli bent on avqdiN H kontamplESan v H horxz v HX
sicMESan. hI wYkt aloN H medO, drAgiN hiz fIt, rasaliN H
grAs, n gEziN At H dast HAt kavxd hiz bMts; nQ hI tUk big
strFdz trFiN t kIp t H fUtprints left on H medO bF H
mOxz, Hen hI kQntad hiz steps, kAlkVlEtiN hQ oftan hI mast wYk
from wan strip t anaHx t wYk a mFl, Hen hI stript H flQxz
from H wxmwUd HAt grM aloN a bQndri rat, rabd Hem in hiz
pymz, n smeld HX panJant, swItli bitx sent. naTiN rimEnd
v H prIvWs dE'z TYts. hI TYt v naTiN. hI lisand wiH
wCi Cz t H evx-rikxiN sQndz, distiNgwiSiN H wisal
v flFiN praJektFlz from H bMmiN v H ripPts, glAnst At H
tFxsamli familC fEsaz v H men v H fxst batAlWn, n
wEtad. “hC it kamz... His wan iz kamiN Qx wE agen!” hI TYt,
lisaniN t an aprOciN wisal in H hidan rIJan v smOk. “wan,
anaHx! agen! it hAz hit....” hI stopt n lUkt At H rANä. “nO,
it hAz gon Ovx. bat His wan hAz hit!” n agen hI stRtad trFiN
t rIc H bQndri strip in siätIn pEsaz. a wiz n a Tad! fFv
pEsaz from him, a kAnan bYl tP ap H drF xT n disapCd. a
cil rAn dQn hiz bAk. agen hI glAnst At H rANä. probabli meni
hAd bin hit—a lRJ krQd hAd gAHxd nC H sekand batAlWn.
<p>
“AJUtant!” hI SQtad. “Pdx Hem not t krQd tageHx.”
<p>
H AJUtant, hAviN ObEd His instrakSan, aprOct /prins /AndrM.
from H aHx sFd a batAlWn kamAndx rOd ap.
<p>
“lUk Qt!” kEm a frFtand krF from a sOlJx n, lFk a bxd
wxiN in rApid flFt n alFtiN on H grQnd, a Sel dropt
wiH lital nqz wiHin tM steps v /prins /AndrM n klOs t H
batAlWn kamAndx'z hPs. H hPs fxst, rigRdlas v weHx it
woz rFt P roN t SO fC, snPtad, rCd YlmOst TrOiN H
mEJx, n gAlapt asFd. H hPs'az terx infektad H men.
<p>
“lF dQn!” krFd H AJUtant, TrOiN himself flAt on H grQnd.
<p>
prins /AndrM hezitEtad. H smOkiN Sel span lFk a top bitwIn him
n H prostrEt AJUtant, nC a wxmwUd plAnt bitwIn H fIld n
H medO.
<p>
“kAn His bI deT?” TYt /prins /AndrM, lUkiN wiH a kwFt nM,
envWs glAns At H grAs, H wxmwUd, n H strImlat v smOk
HAt kxld ap from H rOtEtiN blAk bYl. “F kAnot, F dM not wiS t
dF. F lav lFf—F lav His grAs, His xT, His X....” hI TYt
His, n At H sEm tFm rimembxd HAt pIpal wx lUkiN At him.
<p>
“it's SEmfal, sx!” hI sed t H AJUtant. “wot...”
<p>
hI did not finiS spIkiN. At wan n H sEm mOment kEm H sQnd v
an iäplOZan, a wisal v splintxz Az from a brEkiN windO frEm,
a safakEtiN smel v pQdx, n /prins /AndrM stRtad t wan sFd,
rEziN hiz Rm, n fel on hiz cest. sevxal ofisxz rAn ap t him.
from H rFt sFd v hiz Abdaman, blad woz weliN Qt mEkiN a lRJ
stEn on H grAs.
<p>
H miliSamen wiH strecxz hM wx kYld ap stUd bihFnd H
ofisxz. prins /AndrM lE on hiz cest wiH hiz fEs in H grAs,
brIHiN hevili n nqzili.
<p>
“wot R V wEtiN f? kam aloN!”
<p>
H pezants went ap n tUk him bF hiz SOldxz n leã, bat hI
mOnd pitWsli n, iäcEnJiN lUä, HE set him dQn agen.
<p>
“pik him ap, lift him, it's Yl H sEm!” krFd samwan.
<p>
HE agen tUk him bF H SOldxz n lEd him on H strecx.
<p>
“y, /god! mF /god! wot iz it? H stamak? HAt mInz deT! mF
/god!”—vqsaz amaN H ofisxz wx hxd sEiN.
<p>
“it flM a hX'z bredT pAst mF C,” sed H AJUtant.
<p>
H pezants, aJastiN H strecx t HX SOldxz, stRtad
haridli aloN H pAT HE hAd trodan dQn, t H dresiN stESan.
<p>
“kIp in step! y... HOz pezants!” SQtad an ofisx, sIziN bF
HX SOldxz n cekiN H pezants, hM wx wYkiN anIvanli n
JOltiN H strecx.
<p>
“get intM step, /fjOdP... F sE, /fjOdP!” sed H fPmOst pezant.
<p>
“nQ HAt's rFt!” sed H wan bihFnd Jqfali, wen hI hAd got intM
step.
<p>
“jP eäalansi! E, /prins!” sed H trembaliN vqs v /timOâin, hM
hAd ran ap n woz lUkiN dQn on H strecx.
<p>
prins /AndrM Opand hiz Fz n lUkt ap At H spIkx from H
strecx intM wic hiz hed hAd saNk dIp n agen hiz Flidz
drMpt.
<p>
<p>
H miliSamen kArid /prins /AndrM t H dresiN stESan bF H
wUd, wX wAganz wx stESand. H dresiN stESan kansistad v
TrI tents wiH flAps txnd bAk, pict At H eJ v a bxc wUd.
in H wUd, wAganz n hPsaz wx stAndiN. H hPsaz wx ItiN
Ots from HX mMvabal trofs n spArOz flM dQn n pekt H
grEnz HAt fel. sam krOz, sentiN blad, flM amaN H bxc
trIz kYiN impESantli. xQnd H tents, Ovx mP HAn fFv Ekxz,
bladstEnd men in vXWs gRbz stUd, sAt, P lE. xQnd H wMndad
stUd krQdz v sOlJx strecx-bXxz wiH dizmal n atentiv
fEsaz, hMm H ofisxz kIpiN Pdx trFd in vEn t drFv from H
spot. disrigRdiN H ofisxz' Pdxz, H sOlJxz stUd lIniN
agenst HX strecxz n gEziN intentli, Az if trFiN t komprihend
H difikalt problam v wot woz tEkiN plEs bifP Hem. from H
tents kEm nQ lQd ANgri krFz n nQ plEntiv grOnz. akEZanali
dresxz rAn Qt t fec wYtx, P t pqnt Qt HOz hM wx t bI
brYt in neät. H wMndad men awEtiN HX txn QtsFd H tents
grOnd, sFd, wept, skrImd, swP, P Askt f vodka. sam wx
dilirWs. prins /AndrM'z bXxz, stepiN Ovx H wMndad hM hAd
not jet bin bAndiJd, tUk him, Az a reJimental kamAndx, klOz ap t
wan v H tents n HX stopt, awEtiN instrakSanz. prins /AndrM
Opand hiz Fz n f a loN tFm kUd not mEk Qt wot woz gOiN
on xQnd him. hI rimembxd H medO, H wxmwUd, H fIld, H
wxliN blAk bYl, n hiz sadan raS v pASanat lav v lFf.
tM steps from him, lIniN agenst a brAnc n tYkiN lQdli n
atrAktiN Jenxal atenSan, stUd a tYl, hAndsam, blAk-hXd
nonkamiSand ofisx wiH a bAndiJd hed. hI hAd bin wMndad in H
hed n leg bF bUlats. xQnd him, Igxli lisaniN t hiz tYk, a
krQd v wMndad n strecx-bXxz woz gAHxd.
<p>
“wI kikt him Qt from HX sO HAt hI cakt evriTiN, wI grAbd
H /kiN himself!” krFd hI, lUkiN xQnd him wiH Fz HAt glitxd
wiH fIvx. “if Onli rizxvz hAd kam ap Jast Hen, lAdz, HX
wUdant hAv bin naTiN left v him! F tel V SUxli....”
<p>
lFk Yl H aHxz nC H spIkx, /prins /AndrM lUkt At him wiH
SFniN Fz n iäpCWnst a sens v kamfxt. “bat izant it Yl H
sEm nQ?” TYt hI. “n wot wil bI HX, n wot hAz HX bin
hC? wF woz F sO rilaktant t pRt wiH lFf? HX woz samTiN in
His lFf F did not n dM not andxstAnd.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXVII
<p>
/wan v H doktxz kEm Qt v H tent in a bladstEnd Epran,
hOldiN a sigR bitwIn H Tam n lital fiNgx v wan v hiz smYl
bladstEnd hAndz, sO Az not t smC it. hI rEzd hiz hed n lUkt
abQt him, bat abav H leval v H wMndad men. hI evidentli wontad a
lital respit. Aftx txniN hiz hed from rFt t left f sam tFm,
hI sFd n lUkt dQn.
<p>
“Yl rFt, imIdWtli,” hI riplFd t a dresx hM pqntad /prins
/AndrM Qt t him, n hI tOld Hem t kAri him intM H tent.
<p>
mxmxz xOz amaN H wMndad hM wx wEtiN.
<p>
“it sImz HAt Ivan in H neät wxld Onli H Jentri R t hAv a
cAns!” rimRkt wan.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz kArid in n lEd on a tEbal HAt hAd Onli Jast bin
klCd n wic a dresx woz woSiN dQn. prins /AndrM kUd not
mEk Qt distiNktli wot woz in HAt tent. H pitifal grOnz from Yl
sFdz n H tPcxiN pEn in hiz TF, stamak, n bAk distrAktad
him. Yl hI sY abQt him mxJd intM a Jenxal impreSan v nEkad,
blIdiN hVman bodiz HAt sImd t fil H hOl v H lO tent, Az
a fV wIä prIvWsli, on HAt hot Ygast dE, sac bodiz hAd fild
H dxti pond bisFd H /smOlensk rOd. jes, it woz H sEm fleS,
H sEm cX a kAnan, H sFt v wic hAd Ivan Hen fild him wiH
horx, Az bF a prizentimant.
<p>
HX wx TrI opxEtiN tEbalz in H tent. tM wx okVpFd, n
on H Txd HE plEst /prins /AndrM. f a lital wFl hI woz left
alOn n involantXili witnast wot woz tEkiN plEs on H aHx tM
tEbalz. on H nCast wan sAt a /tRtx, probabli a /kosAk, JaJiN bF
H VnifPm TrOn dQn bisFd him. fP sOlJxz wx hOldiN him, n
a spektakald doktx woz katiN intM hiz maskVlx brQn bAk.
<p>
“M, M, M!” grantad H /tRtx, n sadanli liftiN ap hiz swPHi
snab-nOzd fEs wiH its hF cIkbOnz, n bXiN hiz wFt tIT,
hI bigAn t rigal n twic hiz bodi n atx pCsiN, riNiN,
n prOloNd jelz. on H aHx tEbal, rQnd wic meni pIpal wx
krQdiN, a tYl wel-fed mAn lE on hiz bAk wiH hiz hed TrOn bAk.
hiz kxli hX, its kalx, n H SEp v hiz hed sImd strEnJli
familC t /prins /AndrM. sevxal dresxz wx presiN on hiz cest
t hOld him dQn. wan lRJ, wFt, plamp leg twict rApidli Yl
H tFm wiH a fIvxiS tremx. H mAn woz sobiN n cOkiN
kanvalsivli. tM doktxz—wan v hMm woz pEl n trembaliN—wx
sFlantli dMiN samTiN t His mAn'z aHx, gPi leg. wen hI hAd
finiSt wiH H /tRtx, hMm HE kavxd wiH an OvxkOt, H
spektakald doktx kEm ap t /prins /AndrM, wFpiN hiz hAndz.
<p>
hI glAnst At /prins /AndrM'z fEs n kwikli txnd awE.
<p>
“andres him! wot R V wEtiN f?” hI krFd ANgrili t H
dresxz.
<p>
hiz veri fxst, rimOtast rekalekSanz v cFldhUd kEm bAk t /prins
/AndrM'z mFnd wen H dresx wiH slIvz rOld ap bigAn hEstili t
andM H batanz v hiz klOHz n andrest him. H doktx bent
dQn Ovx H wMnd, felt it, n sFd dIpli. Hen hI mEd a sFn t
samwan, n H tPcxiN pEn in hiz Abdaman kYzd /prins /AndrM t
lMz konSasnas. wen hI kEm t himself H splintxd pPSanz v
hiz TFbOn hAd bin iätrAktad, H tPn fleS kat awE, n H
wMnd bAndiJd. wYtx woz bIiN spriNkald on hiz fEs. Az sMn Az /prins
/AndrM Opand hiz Fz, H doktx bent Ovx, kist him sFlantli on H
lips, n harid awE.
<p>
Aftx H safxiNz hI hAd bin indxiN, /prins /AndrM inJqd a
blisfal fIliN sac Az hI hAd not iäpCWnst f a loN tFm. Yl H
best n hApWst mOments v hiz lFf—ispeSali hiz xlWst cFldhUd,
wen hI Vst t bI andrest n pUt t bed, n wen lIniN Ovx him
hiz nxs sAN him t slIp n hI, beriiN hiz hed in H pilO,
felt hApi in H mC konSasnas v lFf—ritxnd t hiz memxi, not
mCli Az samTiN pAst bat Az samTiN prezant.
<p>
H doktxz wx bizili ingEJd wiH H wMndad mAn H SEp v hMz
hed sImd familC t /prins /AndrM: HE wx liftiN him ap n
trFiN t kwFat him.
<p>
“SO it t mI.... O, M... O! O, M!” hiz frFtand mOnz kUd
bI hxd, sabdMd bF safxiN n brOkan bF sobz.
<p>
hCiN HOz mOnz /prins /AndrM wontad t wIp. weHx bikoz hI
woz dFiN wiHQt glPi, P bikoz hI woz sori t pRt wiH lFf,
P bikoz v HOz memxiz v a cFldhUd HAt kUd not ritxn, P
bikoz hI woz safxiN n aHxz wx safxiN n HAt mAn nC him
woz grOniN sO pitWsli—hI felt lFk wIpiN cFldlFk, kFndli, n
YlmOst hApi tCz.
<p>
H wMndad mAn woz SOn hiz AmpVtEtad leg stEnd wiH klotad blad
n wiH H bMt stil on.
<p>
“O! O, M!” hI sobd, lFk a wUman.
<p>
H doktx hM hAd bin stAndiN bisFd him, priventiN /prins /AndrM
from sIiN hiz fEs, mMvd awE.
<p>
“mF /god! wot iz His? wF iz hI hC?” sed /prins /AndrM t himself.
<p>
in H mizxabal, sobiN, infIbald mAn hMz leg hAd Jast bin
AmpVtEtad, hI rekagnFzd /ynatOl /kMrygin. men wx sapPtiN him in
HX Rmz n ofxiN him a glAs v wYtx, bat hiz trembaliN, swOlan
lips kUd not grAsp its rim. /ynatOl woz sobiN pEnfali. “jes, it iz
hI! jes, HAt mAn iz samhQ klOsli n pEnfali kanektad wiH mI,”
TYt /prins /AndrM, not jet klCli grAspiN wot hI sY bifP him.
“wot iz H kanekSan v HAt mAn wiH mF cFldhUd n lFf?” hI
Askt himself wiHQt fFndiN an Ansx. n sadanli a nM aniäpektad
memxi from HAt relm v pjUx n laviN cFldhUd prizentad itself t
him. hI rimembxd /nytySa Az hI hAd sIn hx f H fxst tFm At H
bYl in 1810, wiH hx slendx nek n Rmz n wiH a frFtand hApi
fEs redi f rApcx, n lav n tendxnas f hx, stroNgx
n mP vivid HAn evx, awOk in hiz sOl. hI nQ rimembxd H
kanekSan HAt iãistad bitwIn himself n His mAn hM woz dimli
gEziN At him TrM tCz HAt fild hiz swOlan Fz. hI rimembxd
evriTiN, n iätAtik piti n lav f HAt mAn OvxflOd hiz hApi
hRt.
<p>
prins /AndrM kUd nO loNgx ristrEn himself n wept tendx laviN
tCz f hiz felO men, f himself, n f hiz On n HX erxz.
<p>
“kampASan, lav v Qx braHxz, f HOz hM lav as n f HOz
hM hEt as, lav v Qx enamiz; jes, HAt lav wic /god prIct on
xT n wic /prinsas /mXi tYt mI n F did not andxstAnd—HAt iz
wot mEd mI sori t pRt wiH lFf, HAt iz wot rimEnd f mI hAd F
livd. bat nQ it iz tM lEt. F nO it!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXVIII
<p>
H teribal spektakal v H bAtalfIld kavxd wiH ded n wMndad,
tageHx wiH H hevinas v hiz hed n H nMz HAt sam twenti
Jenxalz hI nM pxsanali hAd bin kild P wMndad, n H
konSasnas v H impatans v hiz wans mFti Rm, prOdMst an
aniäpektad impreSan on /napOlWn hM VZMali lFkt t lUk At H
kild n wMndad, HXbF, hI kansidxd, testiN hiz streNT v
mFnd. His dE H horibal apCans v H bAtalfIld OvxkEm
HAt streNT v mFnd wic hI TYt konstitMtad hiz merit n hiz
grEtnas. hI rOd haridli from H bAtalfIld n ritxnd t H
/SevRdinO nOl, wX hI sAt on hiz kAmpstMl, hiz sAlO fEs
swOlan n hevi, hiz Fz dim, hiz nOz red, n hiz vqs hPs,
involantXili lisaniN, wiH dQnkAst Fz, t H sQndz v fFxiN.
wiH pEnfal diJekSan hI awEtad H end v His AkSan, in wic hI
rigRdad himself Az a pRtisipant n wic hI woz anEbal t xest.
a pxsanal, hVman fIliN f a brIf mOment got H betx v H
RtifiSal fAntAzam v lFf hI hAd sxvd sO loN. hI felt in hiz On
pxsan H safxiNz n deT hI hAd witnast on H bAtalfIld.
H hevinas v hiz hed n cest rimFndad him v H posabiliti
v safxiN n deT f himself. At HAt mOment hI did not dizFx
/moskQ, P viktxi, P glPi (wot nId hAd hI f eni mP glPi?). H
wan TiN hI wiSt f woz rest, trANkwiliti, n frIdam. bat wen hI
hAd bin on H /semjOnOfsk hFts H Rtilxi kamAndx hAd prapOzd
t him t briN sevxal bAtxiz v Rtilxi ap t HOz hFts t
streNTan H fFx on H /raSan trMps krQdad in frant v /knjyzkOvO.
/napOlWn hAd asentad n hAd givan Pdxz HAt nMz SUd bI brYt
t him v H ifekt HOz bAtxiz prOdMst.
<p>
an AJUtant kEm nQ t infPm him HAt H fFx v tM handrad ganz
hAd bin konsantrEtad on H /raSanz, Az hI hAd Pdxd, bat HAt HE
stil held HX grQnd.
<p>
“Qx fFx iz mOiN Hem dQn bF rOz, bat stil HE hOld on,” sed H
AJUtant.
<p>
“HE wont mP!...” sed /napOlWn in a hPs vqs.
<p>
“sFx?” Askt H AJUtant hM hAd not hxd H rimRk.
<p>
“HE wont mP!” krOkt /napOlWn frQniN. “let Hem hAv it!”
<p>
Ivan bifP hI gEv HAt Pdx H TiN hI did not dizFx, n f
wic hI gEv H Pdx Onli bikoz hI TYt it woz iäpektad v him,
woz bIiN dan. n hI fel bAk intM HAt RtifiSal relm v imAJinXi
grEtnas, n agen—Az a hPs wYkiN a tredmil TiNä it iz dMiN
samTiN f itself—hI sabmisivli fUlfild H krMal, sAd, glMmi,
n inhVman rOl prIdestind f him.
<p>
n not f HAt dE n Qx alOn wx H mFnd n konSans
dRkand v His mAn on hMm H risponsabiliti f wot woz hApaniN
lE mP HAn on Yl H aHxz hM tUk pRt in it. nevx t H end
v hiz lFf kUd hI andxstAnd gUdnas, bVti, P trMT, P H
signifikans v hiz AkSanz wic wx tM kontrXi t gUdnas n
trMT, tM rimOt from evriTiN hVman, f him evx t bI Ebal t
grAsp HX mIniN. hI kUd not disavQ hiz AkSanz, bilYdad Az HE
wx bF hAf H wxld, n sO hI hAd t ripVdiEt trMT, gUdnas, n
Yl hVmAniti.
<p>
not Onli on HAt dE, Az hI rOd Ovx H bAtalfIld strMn wiH men
kild n mEmd (bF hiz wil Az hI bilIvd), did hI rekan Az hI
lUkt At Hem hQ meni /raSanz HX wx f Ic /frencman n,
disIviN himself, fFnd rIzan f riJqsiN in H kAlkVlESan HAt
HX wx fFv /raSanz f evri /frencman. not on HAt dE alOn
did hI rFt in a letx t /pAris HAt “H bAtal fIld woz sMpxb,”
bikoz fifti TQzand kPpsaz lE HX, bat Ivan on H Fland v /st
/helena in H pIsfal solitMd wX hI sed hI intendad t divOt hiz
lIZx t an akQnt v H grEt dIdz hI hAd dan, hI rOt:
<p>
H /raSan wP SUd hAv bin H mOst popVlx wP v modxn tFmz:
it woz a wP v gUd sens, f rWl intxasts, f H trANkwiliti n
sikjUxiti v Yl; it woz pjUxli pasifik n kansxvativ.
<p>
it woz a wP f a grEt kYz, H end v ansxtantiz n H
biginiN v sikjUxiti. a nM hxFzan n nM lEbxz wx OpaniN Qt,
fUl v wel-bIiN n prosperiti f Yl. H /jUxapWn sistam woz
Ylredi fQndad; Yl HAt rimEnd woz t PganFz it.
<p>
sAtisfFd on HIz grEt pqnts n wiH trANkwiliti evriwX, F
tM SUd hAv hAd mF /koNgres n mF /hOli /alFans. HOz FdWz wx
stOlan from mI. in HAt rIVnWn v grEt sovranz wI SUd hAv
diskast Qx intxasts lFk wan fAmli, n hAv rendxd akQnt t
H pIpalz Az klxk t mAstx.
<p>
/jUxap wUd in His wE sMn hAv bin, in fAkt, bat wan pIpal, n
eniwan hM trAvald eniwX wUd hAv fQnd himself YlwEz in H
koman fyHxlAnd. F SUd hAv dimAndad H frIdam v Yl nAvigabal
rivxz f evribodi, HAt H sIz SUd bI koman t Yl, n HAt
H grEt stAndiN Rmiz SUd bI ridMst hensfPT t mC gRdz
f H sovranz.
<p>
on ritxniN t /fryns, t H bUzam v H grEt, stroN, mAgnifisant,
pIsfal, n glPWs fyHxlAnd, F SUd hAv prOklEmd
hx frantCz imVtabal; Yl fVcx wPz pjUxli difensiv, Yl
agrAndFzmant AntinASanal. F SUd hAv asOSiEtad mF san in H
/empFx; mF diktEtxSip wUd hAv bin finiSt, n hiz konstitMSanal
rEn wUd hAv bigan.
<p>
/pAris wUd hAv bin H kApital v H wxld, n H /frenc H envi
v H nESanz!
<p>
mF lIZx Hen, n mF Old EJ, wUd hAv bin divOtad, in kampani
wiH H /empres n dxiN H rqal aprentisSip v mF san, t
lIZxli vizitiN, wiH Qx On hPsaz n lFk a trM kantri kapal,
evri kPnx v H /empFx, risIviN kamplEnts, ridresiN roNz,
n skAtxiN pablik bildiNz n benifAkSanz on Yl sFdz n
evriwX.
<p>
/napOlWn, prIdestind bF /providans f H glMmi rOl v eäikVSanx
v H pIpalz, aSUxd himself HAt H Em v hiz AkSanz hAd bin H
pIpalz' welfX n HAt hI kUd kantrOl H fEt v milWnz n bF
H implqmant v pQx kanfx benifAkSanz.
<p>
“v fP handrad TQzand hM krost H /vistVla,” hI rOt fxHx
v H /raSan wP, “hAf wx /ostrWnz, /praSanz, /sAäanz, /pOlz,
/bavXWnz, /vxtambxgxz, /meklanbxgxz, /spAnjxdz, /itAlWnz, n
/nWpolitanz. H /impCWl Rmi, striktli spIkiN, woz wan Txd
kampOzd v /dac, /belJanz, men from H bPdxz v H /rFn,
/pIdmontIz, /swis, /ZenevIz, /taskanz, /rOmanz, inhAbitants v H
/Txti-sekand /militXi /diviZan, v /brEman, v /hAmbxg, n sO on: it
inklMdad skXsli a handrad n fPti TQzand hM spOk /frenc. H
/raSan eäpidiSan AkcMali kost /fryns les HAn fifti TQzand men;
H /raSan Rmi in its ritrIt from /vilna t /moskQ lost in H vXWs
bAtalz fP tFmz mP men HAn H /frenc Rmi; H bxniN v /moskQ
kost H lFvz v a handrad TQzand /raSanz hM dFd v kOld n wont
in H wUdz; fFnali, in its mRc from /moskQ t H /Odx H /raSan
Rmi YlsO safxd from H siveriti v H sIzan; sO HAt bF H tFm
it rIct /vilna it nambxd Onli fifti TQzand, n At /kyliS les
HAn EtIn TQzand.”
<p>
hI imAJind HAt H wP wiH /raSa kEm abQt bF hiz wil, n H
horxz HAt akxd did not stAgx hiz sOl. hI bOldli tUk H
hOl risponsabiliti f wot hApand, n hiz dRkand mFnd fQnd
JastifikESan in H bilIf HAt amaN H handradz v TQzandz hM
periSt HX wx fVx /frencmen HAn /heSanz n /bavXWnz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXIX
<p>
/sevxal tenz v TQzandz v H slEn lE in dFvxs poscxz n
vXWs VnifPmz on H fIldz n medOz biloNiN t H /dyvidOf
fAmli n t H krQn sxfs—HOz fIldz n medOz wX f
handradz v jCz H pezants v /bPOdinO, /gPki, /SevRdinO, n
/semjOnOfsk hAd rIpt HX hRvists n pAscxd HX kAtal. At H
dresiN stESanz H grAs n xT wx sOkt wiH blad f a spEs
v sam TrI Ekxz xQnd. krQdz v men v vXWs Rmz, wMndad n
anwQndad, wiH frFtand fEsaz, drAgd Hemselvz bAk t /mOZFsk
from H wan Rmi n bAk t /vylMevO from H aHx. aHx krQdz,
iãYstad n haNgri, went fPwxd led bF HX ofisxz. aHxz held
HX grQnd n kantinVd t fFx.
<p>
Ovx H hOl fIld, prIvWsli sO gEli bVtifal wiH H glitx v
bEanets n klQdlats v smOk in H mPniN san, HX nQ spred a
mist v dAmp n smOk n a strEnJ Asid smel v sYltpItx n blad.
klQdz gAHxd n drops v rEn bigAn t fYl on H ded n wMndad,
on H frFtand, iãYstad, n hezitEtiN men, Az if t sE: “inaf,
men! inaf! sIs... biTiNk jPselvz! wot R V dMiN?”
<p>
t H men v bOT sFdz alFk, wPn Qt bF wont v fMd n rest,
it bigAn Ikwali t apC dQtfal weHx HE SUd kantinV t
slYtx wan anaHx; Yl H fEsaz iäprest hezitESan, n H
kwescan xOz in evri sOl: “f wot, f hMm, mast F kil n bI
kild?... V mE gO n kil hMm V plIz, bat F dOnt wont t dM
sO eni mP!” bF IvniN His TYt hAd rFpand in evri sOl. At eni
mOment HIz men mFt hAv bin sIzd wiH horx At wot HE wx
dMiN n mFt hAv TrOn ap evriTiN n ran awE eniwX.
<p>
bat HO tPd H end v H bAtal H men felt Yl H horx v
wot HE wx dMiN, HO HE wUd hAv bin glAd t lIv of,
sam inkomprihensabal, mistCWs pQx kantinVd t kantrOl Hem, n
HE stil brYt ap H cRJaz, lOdad, Emd, n aplFd H mAc,
HO Onli wan RtilximAn sxvFvd Qt v evri TrI, n HO
HE stambald n pAntad wiH fatIg, pxspFxiN n stEnd wiH blad
n pQdx. H kAnan bYlz flM Jast Az swiftli n krMali from bOT
sFdz, kraSiN hVman bodiz, n HAt teribal wxk wic woz not dan
bF H wil v a mAn bat At H wil v /him hM gavxnz men n wxldz
kantinVd.
<p>
eniwan lUkiN At H disPganFzd rC v H /raSan Rmi wUd hAv
sed HAt, if Onli H /frenc mEd wan mP slFt efxt, it wUd
disapC; n eniwan lUkiN At H rC v H /frenc Rmi wUd hAv
sed HAt H /raSanz nId Onli mEk wan mP slFt efxt n H
/frenc wUd bI distrqd. bat nFHx H /frenc nP H /raSanz mEd
HAt efxt, n H flEm v bAtal bxnd slOli Qt.
<p>
H /raSanz did not mEk HAt efxt bikoz HE wx not atAkiN
H /frenc. At H biginiN v H bAtal HE stUd blokiN H
wE t /moskQ n HE stil did sO At H end v H bAtal Az At H
biginiN. bat Ivan hAd H Em v H /raSanz bin t drFv H /frenc
from HX paziSanz, HE kUd not hAv mEd His lAst efxt, f Yl
H /raSan trMps hAd bin brOkan ap, HX woz nO pRt v H /raSan
Rmi HAt hAd not safxd in H bAtal, n HO stil hOldiN HX
paziSanz HE hAd lost /wan /hAf v HX Rmi.
<p>
H /frenc, wiH H memxi v Yl HX fPmx viktxiz dxiN
fiftIn jCz, wiH H aSUxans v /napOlWn'z invinsabiliti, wiH H
konSasnas HAt HE hAd kApcxd pRt v H bAtalfIld n hAd
lost Onli a kwPtx v HX men n stil hAd HX /gRdz intAkt,
twenti TQzand stroN, mFt Izili hAv mEd HAt efxt. H /frenc
hM hAd atAkt H /raSan Rmi in Pdx t drFv it from its paziSan
Yt t hAv mEd HAt efxt, f Az loN Az H /raSanz kantinVd t
blok H rOd t /moskQ Az bifP, H Em v H /frenc hAd not bin
atEnd n Yl HX efxts n losaz wx in vEn. bat H /frenc
did not mEk HAt efxt. sam histPWnz sE HAt /napOlWn nId Onli
hAv Vzd hiz /Old /gRdz, hM wx intAkt, n H bAtal wUd hAv
bin wan. t spIk v wot wUd hAv hApand hAd /napOlWn sent hiz
/gRdz iz lFk tYkiN v wot wUd hApan if Ytam bikEm spriN. it
kUd not bI. /napOlWn did not giv hiz /gRdz, not bikoz hI did not
wont t, bat bikoz it kUd not bI dan. Yl H Jenxalz, ofisxz,
n sOlJxz v H /frenc Rmi nM it kUd not bI dan, bikoz H
flAgiN spirit v H trMps wUd not pxmit it.
<p>
it woz not /napOlWn alOn hM hAd iäpCWnst HAt nFtmX fIliN
v H mFti Rm bIiN strikan pQxlas, bat Yl H Jenxalz n
sOlJxz v hiz Rmi weHx HE hAd tEkan pRt in H bAtal P not,
Aftx Yl HX iäpCWns v prIvWs bAtalz—wen Aftx wan tenT v
sac efxts H enami hAd fled—iäpCWnst a similx fIliN v terx
bifP an enami hM, Aftx lMziN /hAf hiz men, stUd Az TretaniNli
At H end Az At H biginiN v H bAtal. H mPal fPs v H
atAkiN /frenc Rmi woz iãYstad. not HAt sPt v viktxi wic iz
difFnd bF H kApcx v pIsaz v matCWl fAsand t stiä, kYld
stAndxdz, n v H grQnd on wic H trMps hAd stUd n wx
stAndiN, bat a mPal viktxi HAt kanvinsaz H enami v H mPal
sMpCiPiti v hiz apOnant n v hiz On impatans woz gEnd bF H
/raSanz At /bPOdinO. H /frenc invEdxz, lFk an infjUxiEtad Animal
HAt hAz in its onslYt risIvd a mPtal wMnd, felt HAt HE wx
periSiN, bat kUd not stop, eni mP HAn H /raSan Rmi, wIkx
bF wan hAf, kUd help swxviN. bF impitas gEnd, H /frenc Rmi woz
stil Ebal t rOl fPwxd t /moskQ, bat HX, wiHQt fxHx efxt
on H pRt v H /raSanz, it hAd t periS, blIdiN from H mPtal
wMnd it hAd risIvd At /bPOdinO. H direkt konsikwans v H bAtal
v /bPOdinO woz /napOlWn'z senslas flFt from /moskQ, hiz ritrIt
aloN H Old /smOlensk rOd, H distrakSan v H invEdiN Rmi v
fFv handrad TQzand men, n H dQnfYl v /napOlionik /fryns, on
wic At /bPOdinO f H fxst tFm H hAnd v an apOnant v stroNgx
spirit hAd bin lEd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /ilevan: 1812
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/AbsalMt kontinMiti v mOSan iz not komprihensabal t H hVman mFnd.
lYz v mOSan v eni kFnd bikam komprihensabal t mAn Onli wen hI
iãAminz RbitrXili silektad elimants v HAt mOSan; bat At H
sEm tFm, a lRJ prapPSan v hVman erx kamz from H RbitrXi
diviZan v kantinVas mOSan intM diskantinVas elimants. HX iz a
wel-nOn, sO-kYld sofizam v H Encants kansistiN in His, HAt
/akilIz kUd nevx kAc ap wiH a tPtas hI woz folOiN, in spFt
v H fAkt HAt hI trAvald ten tFmz Az fAst Az H tPtas. bF
H tFm /akilIz hAz kavxd H distans HAt sepxEtad him from H
tPtas, H tPtas hAz kavxd wan tenT v HAt distans ahed
v him: wen /akilIz hAz kavxd HAt tenT, H tPtas hAz kavxd
anaHx wan handradT, n sO on fxevx. His problam sImd t
H Encants insolVbal. H absxd Ansx (HAt /akilIz kUd nevx
OvxtEk H tPtas) rizaltad from His: HAt mOSan woz RbitrXili
divFdad intM diskantinVas elimants, wXAz H mOSan bOT v /akilIz
n v H tPtas woz kantinVas.
<p>
bF adoptiN smYlx n smYlx elimants v mOSan wI Onli aprOc a
salMSan v H problam, bat nevx rIc it. Onli wen wI hAv admitad
H kansepSan v H infinitli smYl, n H rizaltiN JWmetrikal
pragreSan wiH a koman rESiO v wan tenT, n hAv fQnd H sam v
His pragreSan t infiniti, dM wI rIc a salMSan v H problam.
<p>
a modxn brAnc v mATamAtiä hAviN acIvd H Rt v dIliN wiH
H infinitli smYl kAn nQ jIld salMSanz in aHx mP kompleä
problamz v mOSan wic Vst t apC insolVbal.
<p>
His modxn brAnc v mATamAtiä, annOn t H Encants, wen dIliN
wiH problamz v mOSan admits H kansepSan v H infinitli smYl,
n sO kanfPmz t H cIf kandiSan v mOSan (AbsalMt kontinMiti)
n HXbF kxekts H inevitabal erx wic H hVman mFnd kAnot
avqd wen it dIlz wiH sepxat elimants v mOSan insted v
iãAminiN kantinVas mOSan.
<p>
in sIkiN H lYz v histPikal mMvmant Jast H sEm TiN hApanz.
H mMvmant v hVmAniti, xFziN Az it daz from inMmxabal RbitrXi
hVman wilz, iz kantinVas.
<p>
t andxstAnd H lYz v His kantinVas mMvmant iz H Em v
histxi. bat t xFv At HIz lYz, rizaltiN from H sam v Yl
HOz hVman wilz, mAn'z mFnd poscalEts RbitrXi n diskanektad
Vnits. H fxst meTad v histxi iz t tEk an RbitrXili silektad
sCIz v kantinVas ivents n iãAmin it apRt from aHxz, HO
HX iz n kAn bI nO biginiN t eni ivent, f wan ivent YlwEz
flOz anintxaptadli from anaHx.
<p>
H sekand meTad iz t kansidx H AkSanz v sam wan mAn—a kiN P a
kamAndx—Az ikwivalant t H sam v meni indiviJMal wilz; wXAz H
sam v indiviJMal wilz iz nevx iäprest bF H Aktiviti v a siNgal
histPik pxsaniJ.
<p>
histPikal sFans in its indevx t drY nCx t trMT kantinVali
tEä smYlx n smYlx Vnits f iãAminESan. bat hQevx smYl H
Vnits it tEä, wI fIl HAt t tEk eni Vnit diskanektad from aHxz,
P t asMm a biginiN v eni finominon, P t sE HAt H wil v
meni men iz iäprest bF H AkSanz v eni wan histPik pxsaniJ, iz
in itself fYls.
<p>
it nIdz nO kritikal iãxSan t ridMs atxli t dast eni didakSanz
drYn from histxi. it iz mCli nesisXi t silekt sam lRJx P
smYlx Vnit Az H sabJekt v obzxvESan—Az kritisizam hAz evri
rFt t dM, sIiN HAt wotevx Vnit histxi abzxvz mast YlwEz bI
RbitrXili silektad.
<p>
Onli bF tEkiN infinitesimali smYl Vnits f obzxvESan (H
difxenSal v histxi, HAt iz, H indiviJMal tendansiz v men) n
atEniN t H Rt v intigrEtiN Hem (HAt iz, fFndiN H sam v
HIz infinitesimalz) kAn wI hOp t xFv At H lYz v histxi.
<p>
H fxst fiftIn jCz v H nFntInT sencxi in /jUxap prizent an
iätrPdinXi mMvmant v milWnz v pIpal. men lIv HX kastamXi
pxsMts, hEsan from wan sFd v /jUxap t H aHx, plandx n
slYtx wan anaHx, trFamf n R planJd in dispX, n f sam
jCz H hOl kPs v lFf iz Yltxd n prizents an intensiv
mMvmant wic fxst inkrIsaz n Hen slAkanz. wot woz H kYz v
His mMvmant, bF wot lYz woz it gavxnd? Asä H mFnd v mAn.
<p>
H histPWnz, riplFiN t His kwescan, lE bifP as H sEiNz n
dMiNz v a fV dazan men in a bildiN in H siti v /pAris, kYliN
HIz sEiNz n dMiNz “H /revalMSan”; Hen HE giv a dItEld
bFografi v /napOlWn n v sxtan pIpal fEvxabal P hostFl t him;
tel v H inflMans sam v HIz pIpal hAd on aHxz, n sE: HAt
iz wF His mMvmant tUk plEs n HOz R its lYz.
<p>
bat H mFnd v mAn not Onli rifVzaz t bilIv His eäplanESan, bat
plEnli sez HAt His meTad v eäplanESan iz falESas, bikoz in
it a wIkx finominon iz tEkan Az H kYz v a stroNgx. H sam v
hVman wilz prOdMst H /revalMSan n /napOlWn, n Onli H sam v
HOz wilz fxst tolxEtad n Hen distrqd Hem.
<p>
“bat evri tFm HX hAv bin koNkwests HX hAv bin koNkxxz;
evri tFm HX hAz bin a revalMSan in eni stEt HX hAv bin
grEt men,” sez histxi. n, indId, hVman rIzan riplFz: evri tFm
koNkxxz apC HX hAv bin wPz, bat His daz not prMv HAt H
koNkxxz kYzd H wPz n HAt it iz posabal t fFnd H lYz v
a wP in H pxsanal Aktiviti v a siNgal mAn. wenevx F lUk At mF
woc n its hAndz pqnt t ten, F hC H belz v H nEbxiN
cxc; bat bikoz H belz bigin t riN wen H hAndz v H klok
rIc ten, F hAv nO rFt t asMm HAt H mMvmant v H belz iz
kYzd bF H paziSan v H hAndz v H woc.
<p>
wenevx F sI H mMvmant v a lOkamOtiv F hC H wisal n sI
H vAlvz OpaniN n wIlz txniN; bat F hAv nO rFt t kanklMd
HAt H wisaliN n H txniN v wIlz R H kYz v H
mMvmant v H enJin.
<p>
H pezants sE HAt a kOld wind blOz in lEt spriN bikoz H Oä
R badiN, n rWli evri spriN kOld windz dM blO wen H Ok
iz badiN. bat HO F dM not nO wot kYzaz H kOld windz t blO
wen H Ok badz anfOld, F kAnot agrI wiH H pezants HAt H
anfOldiN v H Ok badz iz H kYz v H kOld wind, f H
fPs v H wind iz bijond H inflMans v H badz. F sI Onli a
kOinsidans v akxansaz sac Az hApanz wiH Yl H finomina v
lFf, n F sI HAt hQevx mac n hQevx kXfali F abzxv H
hAndz v H woc, n H vAlvz n wIlz v H enJin, n H
Ok, F SAl not diskavx H kYz v H belz riNiN, H enJin
mMviN, P v H windz v spriN. t HAt F mast intFxli cEnJ mF
pqnt v vV n stadi H lYz v H mMvmant v stIm, v H
belz, n v H wind. histxi mast dM H sEm. n atempts in His
direkSan hAv Ylredi bin mEd.
<p>
t stadi H lYz v histxi wI mast kamplItli cEnJ H sabJekt v
Qx obzxvESan, mast lIv asFd kiNz, ministxz, n Jenxalz, n
stadi H koman, infinitesimali smYl elimants bF wic H mAsaz R
mMvd. nO wan kAn sE in hQ fR it iz posabal f mAn t advAns
in His wE tPd an andxstAndiN v H lYz v histxi; bat it iz
evidant HAt Onli aloN HAt pAT daz H posabiliti v diskavxiN
H lYz v histxi lF, n HAt Az jet not a milWnT pRt Az mac
mental efxt hAz bin aplFd in His direkSan bF histPWnz Az hAz
bin divOtad t diskrFbiN H AkSanz v vXWs kiNz, kamAndxz,
n ministxz n prapQndiN H histPWnz' On riflekSanz kansxniN
HIz AkSanz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
H fPsaz v a dazan /jUxapWn nESanz bxst intM /raSa. H /raSan
Rmi n pIpal avqdad a kaliZan til /smOlensk woz rIct, n agen
from /smOlensk t /bPOdinO. H /frenc Rmi pUSt on t /moskQ, its
gOl, its impitas evx inkrIsiN Az it nCd its Em, Jast Az H
vilositi v a fYliN bodi inkrIsaz Az it aprOcaz H xT. bihFnd
it wx sevan handrad mFlz v haNgx-strikan, hostFl kantri; ahed
wx a fV dazan mFlz sepxEtiN it from its gOl. evri sOlJx in
/napOlWn'z Rmi felt His n H invEZan mMvd on bF its On mOmentam.
<p>
H mP H /raSan Rmi ritrItad H mP fCsli a spirit v hEtrad
v H enami flXd ap, n wFl it ritrItad H Rmi inkrIst n
kansolidEtad. At /bPOdinO a kaliZan tUk plEs. nFHx Rmi woz
brOkan ap, bat H /raSan Rmi ritrItad imIdWtli Aftx H
kaliZan Az inevitabli Az a bYl rikqlz Aftx kalFdiN wiH anaHx
hAviN a grEtx mOmentam, n wiH Ikwal inevitabiliti H bYl
v invEZan HAt hAd advAnst wiH sac mOmentam rOld on f sam
distans, HO H kaliZan hAd diprFvd it v Yl its fPs.
<p>
H /raSanz ritrItad Eti mFlz—t bijond /moskQ—n H /frenc
rIct /moskQ n HX kEm t a stAndstil. f fFv wIä Aftx HAt
HX woz not a siNgal bAtal. H /frenc did not mMv. Az a blIdiN,
mPtali wMndad Animal liä its wMndz, HE rimEnd inxt in /moskQ
f fFv wIä, n Hen sadanli, wiH nO freS rIzan, fled bAk:
HE mEd a dAS f H /kylMga rOd, n (Aftx a viktxi—f At
/mylO-/jROslyvats H fIld v konflikt agen rimEnd HXz) wiHQt
andxtEkiN a siNgal sCWs bAtal, HE fled stil mP rApidli bAk
t /smOlensk, bijond /smOlensk, bijond H /berezIna, bijond /vilna, n
fRHx stil.
<p>
on H IvniN v H twenti-siäT v Ygast, /kMtMzOf n H hOl
/raSan Rmi wx kanvinst HAt H bAtal v /bPOdinO woz a viktxi.
/kMtMzOf ripPtad sO t H /empxx. hI gEv Pdxz t pripX f a
freS konflikt t finiS H enami n did His not t disIv eniwan,
bat bikoz hI nM HAt H enami woz bItan, Az evriwan hM hAd tEkan
pRt in H bAtal nM it.
<p>
bat Yl HAt IvniN n neät dE ripPts kEm in wan Aftx anaHx
v anhxd-v losaz, v H los v hAf H Rmi, n a freS bAtal
prMvd fizikli imposabal.
<p>
it woz imposabal t giv bAtal bifP infxmESan hAd bin kalektad,
H wMndad gAHxd in, H saplFz v AmVniSan ripleniSt, H
slEn rekand ap, nM ofisxz apqntad t riplEs HOz hM hAd bin
kild, n bifP H men hAd hAd fMd n slIp. n mInwFl, H
veri neät mPniN Aftx H bAtal, H /frenc Rmi advAnst v itself
apon H /raSanz, kArid fPwxd bF H fPs v its On mOmentam nQ
sImiNli inkrIst in invxs prapPSan t H skwX v H distans
from its Em. /kMtMzOf's wiS woz t atAk neät dE, n H hOl
Rmi dizFxd t dM sO. bat t mEk an atAk H wiS t dM sO iz not
safiSant, HX mast YlsO bI a posabiliti v dMiN it, n HAt
posabiliti did not iãist. it woz imposabal not t ritrIt a dE'z
mRc, n Hen in H sEm wE it woz imposabal not t ritrIt anaHx
n a Txd dE'z mRc, n At lAst, on H fxst v septembx wen
H Rmi drM nC /moskQ—dispFt H streNT v H fIliN HAt hAd
xizan in Yl rANä—H fPs v sxkamstAnsaz kampeld it t ritFx
bijond /moskQ. n H trMps ritFxd wan mP, lAst, dE'z mRc, n
abAndand /moskQ t H enami.
<p>
f pIpal akastamd t TiNk HAt plAnz v kAmpEn n bAtalz R
mEd bF Jenxalz—Az eniwan v as sitiN Ovx a mAp in hiz stadi mE
imAJin hQ hI wUd hAv xEnJd TiNz in His P HAt bAtal—H
kwescanz prizent Hemselvz: wF did /kMtMzOf dxiN H ritrIt not dM
His P HAt? wF did hI not tEk ap a paziSan bifP rIciN /fili?
wF did hI not ritFx At wans bF H /kylMga rOd, abAndaniN /moskQ? n
sO on. pIpal akastamd t TiNk in HAt wE fxget, P dM not nO,
H inevitabal kandiSanz wic YlwEz limit H Aktivitiz v eni
kamAndx in cIf. H Aktiviti v a kamAndx in cIf daz not At Yl
rizembal H Aktiviti wI imAJin t Qxselvz wen wI sit At Iz in
Qx stadiz iãAminiN sam kAmpEn on H mAp, wiH a sxtan nambx v
trMps on His n HAt sFd in a sxtan nOn lOkAliti, n bigin Qx
plAnz from sam givan mOment. a kamAndx in cIf iz nevx dIliN wiH
H biginiN v eni ivent—H paziSan from wic wI YlwEz kontamplEt
it. H kamAndx in cIf iz YlwEz in H midst v a sCIz v
SiftiN ivents n sO hI nevx kAn At eni mOment kansidx H hOl
impPt v an ivent HAt iz akxiN. mOment bF mOment H ivent iz
impxseptabli SEpiN itself, n At evri mOment v His kantinVas,
anintxaptad SEpiN v ivents H kamAndx in cIf iz in H
midst v a mOst kompleä plE v intrIã, wariz, kantinJansiz,
YToritiz, proJekts, kQnsalz, Trets, n disepSanz n iz
kantinVali ablFJd t riplF t inMmxabal kwescanz adrest t him,
wic konstantli kanflikt wiH wan anaHx.
<p>
lxnd militXi YToritiz kwFt sCWsli tel as HAt /kMtMzOf SUd
hAv mMvd hiz Rmi t H /kylMga rOd loN bifP rIciN /fili, n
HAt sambodi AkcMali sabmitad sac a prapOzal t him. bat a kamAndx
in cIf, ispeSali At a difikalt mOment, hAz YlwEz bifP him not
wan prapOzal bat dazanz sFmaltEnWsli. n Yl HIz prapOzalz, bEst
on stratIJiä n tAktiä, kontradikt Ic aHx.
<p>
a kamAndx in cIf's biznas, it wUd sIm, iz simpli t cMz wan
v HIz proJekts. bat Ivan HAt hI kAnot dM. ivents n tFm dM not
wEt. f instans, on H twenti-EtT it iz saJestad t him t
kros t H /kylMga rOd, bat Jast Hen an AJUtant gAlaps ap from
/milPydOvic AskiN weHx hI iz t ingEJ H /frenc P ritFx. an
Pdx mast bI givan him At wans, HAt instant. n H Pdx t ritrIt
kAriz as pAst H txn t H /kylMga rOd. n Aftx H AJUtant
kamz H komisXi Jenxal AskiN wX H stPz R t bI tEkan,
n H cIf v H hospitalz Asä wX H wMndad R t gO, n a
kUrC from /pItxzbxg briNz a letx from H sovran wic daz
not admit v H posabiliti v abAndaniN /moskQ, n H kamAndx in
cIf's rFval, H mAn hM iz andxmFniN him (n HX R YlwEz
not mCli wan bat sevxal sac), prizents a nM proJekt dFametrikli
apOzd t HAt v txniN t H /kylMga rOd, n H kamAndx in
cIf himself nIdz slIp n rifreSmant t mEntEn hiz enxJi n
a rispektabal Jenxal hM hAz bin OvxlUkt in H distribVSan v
riwPdz kamz t kamplEn, n H inhAbitants v H distrikt prE t
bI difendad, n an ofisx sent t inspekt H lOkAliti kamz in n
givz a ripPt kwFt kontrXi t wot woz sed bF H ofisx
prIvWsli sent; n a spF, a prizanx, n a Jenxal hM hAz bin
on rikonisans, Yl diskrFb H paziSan v H enami'z Rmi
difxantli. pIpal akastamd t misandxstAnd P t fxget HIz
inevitabal kandiSanz v a kamAndx in cIf's AkSanz diskrFb t
as, f instans, H paziSan v H Rmi At /fili n asMm HAt H
kamAndx in cIf kUd, on H fxst v septembx, kwFt frIli disFd
weHx t abAndan /moskQ P difend it; wXAz, wiH H /raSan Rmi
les HAn fP mFlz from /moskQ, nO sac kwescan iãistad. wen hAd
HAt kwescan bin setald? At /drisa n At /smOlensk n mOst
pAlpabli v Yl on H twenti-fPT v Ygast At /SevRdinO n on
H twenti-siäT At /bPOdinO, n Ic dE n Qx n minit v H
ritrIt from /bPOdinO t /fili.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
wen /jermOlOf, hAviN bin sent bF /kMtMzOf t inspekt H paziSan, tOld
H fIld mRSal HAt it woz imposabal t fFt HX bifP /moskQ
n HAt HE mast ritrIt, /kMtMzOf lUkt At him in sFlans.
<p>
“giv mI jP hAnd,” sed hI n, txniN it Ovx sO Az t fIl H
pals, Adad: “V R not wel, mF dC felO. TiNk wot V R
sEiN!”
<p>
/kMtMzOf kUd not jet admit H posabiliti v ritrItiN bijond /moskQ
wiHQt a bAtal.
<p>
on H /pOklOni /hil, fP mFlz from H /dPOgOmilOf gEt v /moskQ,
/kMtMzOf got Qt v hiz kAriJ n sAt dQn on a benc bF H rOdsFd.
a grEt krQd v Jenxalz gAHxd rQnd him, n /kQnt /rOstOpcin, hM
hAd kam Qt from /moskQ, Jqnd Hem. His brilWnt kampani sepxEtad
intM sevxal grMps hM Yl diskast H advAntiJaz n disadvAntiJaz
v H paziSan, H stEt v H Rmi, H plAnz saJestad, H
sicMESan v /moskQ, n militXi kwescanz Jenxali. HO HE hAd
not bin samand f H pxpas, n HO it woz not sO kYld, HE
Yl felt HAt His woz rWli a kQnsal v wP. H konvxsESanz Yl
delt wiH pablik kwescanz. if eniwan gEv P Askt f pxsanal
nMz, it woz dan in a wispx n HE imIdWtli rivxtad t Jenxal
mAtxz. nO JOä, P lAftx, P smFlz Ivan, wx sIn amaN Yl
HIz men. HE evidentli Yl mEd an efxt t hOld Hemselvz At H
hFt H sicMESan dimAndad. n Yl HIz grMps, wFl tYkiN
amaN Hemselvz, trFd t kIp nC H kamAndx in cIf (hMz
benc fPmd H sentx v H gAHxiN) n t spIk sO HAt hI mFt
OvxhC Hem. H kamAndx in cIf lisand t wot woz bIiN sed
n samtFmz Askt Hem t ripIt HX rimRä, bat did not himself
tEk pRt in H konvxsESanz P iäpres eni apinjan. Aftx hCiN
wot woz bIiN sed bF wan P aHx v HIz grMps hI Jenxali txnd
awE wiH an X v disapqntmant, Az HO HE wx not spIkiN v
eniTiN hI wiSt t hC. sam diskast H paziSan HAt hAd bin
cOzan, kritisFziN not H paziSan itself sO mac Az H mental
kapAsiti v HOz hM hAd cOzan it. aHxz RgVd HAt a mistEk hAd
bin mEd xlC n HAt a bAtal SUd hAv bin fYt tM dEz
bifP. aHxz agen spOk v H bAtal v /sylamynka, wic woz
diskrFbd bF /krOzR, a nMli xFvd /frencman in a /spAniS VnifPm.
(His /frencman n wan v H /Jxman prinsaz sxviN wiH H /raSan
Rmi wx diskasiN H sIJ v /sRagOsa n kansidxiN H
posabiliti v difendiN /moskQ in a similx mAnx.) kQnt /rOstOpcin
woz teliN a fPT grMp HAt hI woz pripXd t dF wiH H siti
trEn bAndz andx H wYlz v H kApital, bat HAt hI stil kUd not
help rigretiN hAviN bin left in ignxans v wot woz hApaniN, n
HAt hAd hI nOn it sMnx TiNz wUd hAv bin difxant.... a
fifT grMp, displEiN H prafanditi v HX stratIJik pxsepSanz,
diskast H direkSan H trMps wUd nQ hAf t tEk. a siäT grMp
woz tYkiN AbsalMt nonsens. /kMtMzOf's iäpreSan grM mP n mP
prIokVpFd n glMmi. from Yl His tYk hI sY Onli wan TiN: HAt
t difend /moskQ woz a fizikal imposabiliti in H fUl mIniN v
HOz wxdz, HAt iz t sE, sO atxli imposabal HAt if eni senslas
kamAndx wx t giv Pdxz t fFt, kanfVZan wUd rizalt bat H
bAtal wUd stil not tEk plEs. it wUd not tEk plEs bikoz H
kamAndxz not mCli Yl rekagnFzd H paziSan t bI imposabal, bat
in HX konvxsESanz wx Onli diskasiN wot wUd hApan Aftx its
inevitabal abAndanmant. hQ kUd H kamAndxz lId HX trMps t
a fIld v bAtal HE kansidxd imposabal t hOld? H lOx-grEd
ofisxz n Ivan H sOlJxz (hM tM rIzan) YlsO kansidxd H
paziSan imposabal n HXfP kUd not gO t fFt, fUli kanvinst
Az HE wx v difIt. if /benigsan insistad on H paziSan bIiN
difendad n aHxz stil diskast it, H kwescan woz nO loNgx
impPtant in itself bat Onli Az a prIteät f dispVts n intrIg.
His /kMtMzOf nM wel.
<p>
benigsan, hM hAd cOzan H paziSan, wPmli displEd hiz /raSan
pEtrWtizam (/kMtMzOf kUd not lisan t His wiHQt winsiN) bF
insistiN HAt /moskQ mast bI difendad. hiz Em woz Az klC Az dElFt
t /kMtMzOf: if H difens fEld, t TrO H blEm on /kMtMzOf hM hAd
brYt H Rmi Az fR Az H /spArO /hilz wiHQt giviN bAtal; if
it saäIdad, t klEm H saäes Az hiz On; P if bAtal wx not
givan, t klC himself v H krFm v abAndaniN /moskQ. bat His
intrIg did not nQ okVpF H Old mAn'z mFnd. wan teribal kwescan
absPbd him n t HAt kwescan hI hxd nO riplF from eniwan. H
kwescan f him nQ woz: “hAv F rWli alQd /napOlWn t rIc
/moskQ, n wen did F dM sO? wen woz it disFdad? kAn it hAv bin
jestxdE wen F Pdxd /plytOf t ritrIt, P woz it H IvniN
bifP, wen F hAd a nAp n tOld /benigsan t iSV Pdxz? P woz it
xlC stil?... wen, wen woz His teribal afX disFdad? /moskQ
mast bI abAndand. H Rmi mast ritrIt n H Pdx t dM sO mast
bI givan.” t giv HAt teribal Pdx sImd t him ikwivalant t
rizFniN H kamAnd v H Rmi. n not Onli did hI lav pQx t
wic hI woz akastamd (H onxz awPdad t /prins /prOzPOvski,
andx hMm hI hAd sxvd in /txki, gYld him), bat hI woz kanvinst
HAt hI woz destind t sEv /raSa n HAt HAt woz wF, agenst
H /empxx'z wiS n bF H wil v H pIpal, hI hAd bin cOzan
kamAndx in cIf. hI woz kanvinst HAt hI alOn kUd mEntEn
kamAnd v H Rmi in HIz difikalt sxkamstAnsaz, n HAt in Yl
H wxld hI alOn kUd inkQntx H invinsabal /napOlWn wiHQt fC,
n hI woz horifFd At H TYt v H Pdx hI hAd t iSV. bat
samTiN hAd t bI disFdad, n HIz konvxsESanz xQnd him wic
wx asMmiN tM frI a kAraktx mast bI stopt.
<p>
hI kYld H mOst impPtant Jenxalz t him.
<p>
“mF hed, bI it gUd P bAd, mast dipend on itself,” sed hI, rFziN
from H benc, n hI rOd t /fili wX hiz kAriJaz wx wEtiN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
H /kQnsal v /wP bigAn t asembal At tM in H AftxnMn in H
betx n rMmC pRt v /AndrM /syvOstjynOf's hat. H men, wimin, n
cildran v H lRJ pezant fAmli krQdad intM H bAk rMm akros
H pAsiJ. Onli /mylySa, /AndrM'z siä-jC-Old grAnddYtx hMm
hiz /sxIn /hFnas hAd petad n t hMm hI hAd givan a lamp v SUgx
wFl driNkiN hiz tI, rimEnd on H top v H brik avan in H
lRJx rMm. /mylySa lUkt dQn from H avan wiH SF dilFt At H
fEsaz, VnifPmz, n dekxESanz v H Jenxalz, hM wan Aftx anaHx
kEm intM H rMm n sAt dQn on H brYd bencaz in H kPnx
andx H Fkonz. “grAndAd” himself, Az /mylySa in hx On mFnd kYld
/kMtMzOf, sAt apRt in a dRk kPnx bihFnd H avan. hI sAt, saNk dIp
in a fOldiN RmcX, n kantinVali klCd hiz TrOt n pUld At
H kolx v hiz kOt wic, HO it woz anbatand, stil sImd
t pinc hiz nek. HOz hM entxd went ap wan bF wan t H fIld
mRSal; hI prest H hAndz v sam n nodad t aHxz. hiz AJUtant
/kFsROf woz abQt t drY bAk H kxtan v H windO fEsiN
/kMtMzOf, bat H lAtx mMvd hiz hAnd ANgrili n /kFsROf andxstUd
HAt hiz /sxIn /hFnas did not wiS hiz fEs t bI sIn.
<p>
rQnd H pezant's dIl tEbal, on wic lE mAps, plAnz, pensilz, n
pEpxz, sO meni pIpal gAHxd HAt H Pdxliz brYt in anaHx
benc n pUt it bisFd H tEbal. xmOlOf, /kFsROf, n /tOl, hM hAd
Jast xFvd, sAt dQn on His benc. in H fPmOst plEs, imIdWtli
andx H Fkonz, sAt /bRklE de /toli, hiz hF fPhed mxJiN intM
hiz bYld krQn. hI hAd a /st /JPJ'az /kros rQnd hiz nek n lUkt
pEl n il. hI hAd bin fIvxiS f tM dEz n woz nQ SivxiN
n in pEn. bisFd him sAt /MvROf, hM wiH rApid JestikVlESanz woz
giviN him sam infxmESan, spIkiN in lO tOnz Az HE Yl did.
cabi lital /dOâtMrOf woz lisaniN atentivli wiH FbrQz
rEzd n Rmz fOldad on hiz stamak. on H aHx sFd sAt /kQnt
/ostCman-/tOlstq, sImiNli absPbd in hiz On TYts. hiz brYd
hed wiH its bOld fIcxz n glitxiN Fz woz restiN on hiz hAnd.
/rFefski, twiciN fPwxd H blAk hX on hiz tempalz Az woz hiz
hAbit, glAnst nQ At /kMtMzOf n nQ At H dP wiH a lUk v
impESans. /kOnOvnitsin'z fxm, hAndsam, n kFndli fEs woz lit ap bF
a tendx, slF smFl. hiz glAns met /mylySa'z, n H iäpreSan v hiz
Fz kYzd H lital gxl t smFl.
<p>
HE wx Yl wEtiN f /benigsan, hM on H prIteät v inspektiN
H paziSan woz finiSiN hiz sEvxi dinx. HE wEtad f him from
fP til siä O'klok n did not bigin HX dilibxESanz Yl HAt
tFm bat tYkt in lO tOnz v aHx mAtxz.
<p>
Onli wen /benigsan hAd entxd H hat did /kMtMzOf lIv hiz kPnx n
drY tPd H tEbal, bat not nC inaf f H kAndalz HAt hAd bin
plEst HX t lFt ap hiz fEs.
<p>
benigsan Opand H kQnsal wiH H kwescan: “R wI t abAndan
/raSa'z Encant n sEkrad kApital wiHQt a stragal, P R wI t
difend it?” a prOloNd n Jenxal sFlans folOd. HX woz a frQn
on evri fEs n Onli /kMtMzOf's ANgri grants n akEZanal kof
brOk H sFlans. Yl Fz wx gEziN At him. /mylySa tM lUkt At
“grAndAd.” SI woz nCast t him n sY hQ hiz fEs pakxd; hI
sImd abQt t krF, bat His did not lAst loN.
<p>
“/raSa'z Encant n sEkrad kApital!” hI sadanli sed, ripItiN
/benigsan'z wxdz in an ANgri vqs n HXbF drYiN atenSan t H
fYls nOt in Hem. “alQ mI t tel V, jP eäalansi, HAt HAt
kwescan hAz nO mIniN f a /raSan.” (hI lxct hiz hevi bodi
fPwxd.) “sac a kwescan kAnot bI pUt; it iz senslas! H kwescan
F hAv Askt HIz Jentalmen t mIt t diskas iz a militXi wan.
H kwescan iz HAt v sEviN /raSa. iz it betx t giv ap /moskQ
wiHQt a bAtal, P bF aäeptiN bAtal t risk lMziN H Rmi Az wel
Az /moskQ? HAt iz H kwescan on wic F wont jP apinjan,” n hI
sANk bAk in hiz cX.
<p>
H diskaSan bigAn. benigsan did not jet kansidx hiz gEm lost.
admitiN H vV v /bRklE n aHxz HAt a difensiv bAtal At
/fili woz imposabal, bat imbVd wiH /raSan pEtrWtizam n H lav
v /moskQ, hI prapOzd t mMv trMps from H rFt t H left flANk
dxiN H nFt n atAk H /frenc rFt flANk H folOiN dE.
apinjanz wx divFdad, n RgVmants wx advAnst f n agenst HAt
proJekt. xmOlOf, /dOâtMrOf, n /rFefski agrId wiH /benigsan. weHx
fIliN it nesisXi t mEk a sAkrifFs bifP abAndaniN H kApital
P gFdad bF aHx, pxsanal kansidxESanz, HIz Jenxalz sImd not
t andxstAnd HAt His kQnsal kUd not Yltx H inevitabal kPs
v ivents n HAt /moskQ woz in ifekt Ylredi abAndand. H aHx
Jenxalz, hQevx, andxstUd it n, lIviN asFd H kwescan v
/moskQ, spOk v H direkSan H Rmi SUd tEk in its ritrIt.
/mylySa, hM kept hx Fz fiät on wot woz gOiN on bifP hx,
andxstUd H mIniN v H kQnsal difxantli. it sImd t hx HAt
it woz Onli a pxsanal stragal bitwIn “grAndAd” n “loN-kOt” Az
SI txmd /benigsan. SI sY HAt HE grM spFtfal wen HE spOk t
wan anaHx, n in hx hRt SI sFdad wiH “grAndAd.” in H midst v
H konvxsESan SI nOtist “grAndAd” giv /benigsan a kwik, satal
glAns, n Hen t hx Jqz SI sY HAt “grAndAd” sed samTiN t
“loN-kOt” wic setald him. benigsan sadanli redand n pEst
ANgrili ap n dQn H rMm. wot sO afektad him woz /kMtMzOf's kym
n kwFat koment on H advAntiJ P disadvAntiJ v /benigsan'z
prapOzal t mMv trMps bF nFt from H rFt t H left flANk t
atAk H /frenc rFt wiN.
<p>
“Jentalmen,” sed /kMtMzOf, “F kAnot aprMv v H kQnt's plAn. mMviN
trMps in klOs proäimiti t an enami iz YlwEz dEnJxas, n militXi
histxi sapPts HAt vV. f instans...” /kMtMzOf sImd t riflekt,
sxciN f an iãAmpal, Hen wiH a klC, nFIv lUk At /benigsan hI
Adad: “O jes; tEk H bAtal v /frIdlynd, wic F TiNk H kQnt
wel rimembxz, n wic woz... not fUli saäesfal, Onli bikoz Qx
trMps wx rIxEnJd tM nC H enami....”
<p>
HX folOd a mOmentXi pYz, wic sImd veri loN t Hem Yl.
<p>
H diskaSan rIkamenst, bat pYzaz frIkwantli akxd n HE Yl
felt HAt HX woz nO mP t bI sed.
<p>
dxiN wan v HIz pYzaz /kMtMzOf hIvd a dIp sF Az if pripXiN t
spIk. HE Yl lUkt At him.
<p>
“wel, Jentalmen, F sI HAt it iz F hM wil hAf t pE f H brOkan
krokxi,” sed hI, n rFziN slOli hI mMvd t H tEbal. “Jentalmen,
F hAv hxd jP vVz. sam v V wil not agrI wiH mI. bat F,” hI
pYzd, “bF H YToriti intrastad t mI bF mF /sovran n kantri,
Pdx a ritrIt.”
<p>
Aftx HAt H Jenxalz bigAn t dispxs wiH H salemniti n
sxkamspekt sFlans v pIpal hM R lIviN, Aftx a fVnxal.
<p>
sam v H Jenxalz, in lO tOnz n in a strEn veri difxant from
H wE HE hAd spOkan dxiN H kQnsal, kamVnikEtad samTiN t
HX kamAndx in cIf.
<p>
/mylySa, hM hAd loN bin iäpektad f sapx, klFmd kXfali
bAkwxdz dQn from H avan, hx bX lital fIt kAciN At its
praJekSanz, n slipiN bitwIn H leã v H Jenxalz SI dRtad
Qt v H rMm.
<p>
wen hI hAd dismist H Jenxalz /kMtMzOf sAt a loN tFm wiH hiz
elbOz on H tEbal, TiNkiN YlwEz v H sEm teribal kwescan:
“wen, wen did H abAndanmant v /moskQ bikam inevitabal? wen woz
HAt dan wic setald H mAtx? n hM woz t blEm f it?”
<p>
“F did not iäpekt His,” sed hI t hiz AJUtant /SnFdx wen H
lAtx kEm in lEt HAt nFt. “F did not iäpekt His! F did not TiNk
His wUd hApan.”
<p>
“V SUd tEk sam rest, jP /sxIn /hFnas,” riplFd /SnFdx.
<p>
“bat nO! HE SAl It hPsfleS jet, lFk H /txä!” iäklEmd
/kMtMzOf wiHQt riplFiN, strFkiN H tEbal wiH hiz poJi fist. “HE
SAl tM, if Onli...”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
At HAt veri tFm, in sxkamstAnsaz Ivan mP impPtant HAn ritrItiN
wiHQt a bAtal, nEmli H ivAkVESan n bxniN v /moskQ,
/rOstOpcin, hM iz VZMali reprizentad Az bIiN H instigEtx v HAt
ivent, Aktad in an YltageHx difxant mAnx from /kMtMzOf.
<p>
Aftx H bAtal v /bPOdinO H abAndanmant n bxniN v /moskQ woz
Az inevitabal Az H ritrIt v H Rmi bijond /moskQ wiHQt fFtiN.
<p>
evri /raSan mFt hAv pridiktad it, not bF rIzaniN bat bF H
fIliN implAntad in Ic v as n in Qx fyHxz.
<p>
H sEm TiN HAt tUk plEs in /moskQ hAd hApand in Yl H tQnz
n viliJaz on /raSan sql biginiN wiH /smOlensk, wiHQt H
pRtisipESan v /kQnt /rOstOpcin n hiz brYdSIts. H pIpal
awEtad H enami ankansxnadli, did not rFat P bikam iäFtad P tX
eniwan t pIsaz, bat fEst its fEt, fIliN wiHin it H streNT t
fFnd wot it SUd dM At HAt mOst difikalt mOment. n Az sMn Az H
enami drM nC H welTi klAsaz went awE abAndaniN HX propxti,
wFl H pUxx rimEnd n bxnd n distrqd wot woz left.
<p>
H konSasnas HAt His wUd bI sO n wUd YlwEz bI sO woz n
iz prezant in H hRt v evri /raSan. n a konSasnas v His,
n a fPbOdiN HAt /moskQ wUd bI tEkan, woz prezant in /raSan
/moskQ sasFati in 1812. HOz hM hAd kwitad /moskQ Ylredi in JalF
n At H biginiN v Ygast SOd HAt HE iäpektad His. HOz hM
went awE, tEkiN wot HE kUd n abAndaniN HX hQzaz n hAf
HX biloNiNz, did sO from H lEtant pEtrWtizam wic iäpresaz
itself not bF frEzaz P bF giviN wan'z cildran t sEv H fyHxlAnd
n similx annAcxal eäplqts, bat anabtrMsivli, simpli, PgAnikli,
n HXfP in H wE HAt YlwEz prOdMsaz H mOst pQxfal rizalts.
<p>
“it iz disgrEsfal t ran awE from dEnJx; Onli kQxdz R raniN
awE from /moskQ,” HE wx tOld. in hiz brYdSIts /rOstOpcin
imprest on Hem HAt t lIv /moskQ woz SEmfal. HE wx aSEmd
t bI kYld kQxdz, aSEmd t lIv, bat stil HE left, nOiN
it hAd t bI dan. wF did HE gO? it iz imposabal t sapOz HAt
/rOstOpcin hAd skXd Hem bF hiz akQnts v horxz /napOlWn hAd
kamitad in koNkxd kantriz. H fxst pIpal t gO awE wx H
ric eJakEtad pIpal hM nM kwFt wel HAt /viena n /bxlin hAd
rimEnd intAkt n HAt dxiN /napOlWn'z okVpESan H inhAbitants
hAd spent HX tFm plezantli in H kampani v H cRmiN /frencmen
hMm H /raSanz, n ispeSali H /raSan lEdiz, Hen lFkt sO
mac.
<p>
HE went awE bikoz f /raSanz HX kUd bI nO kwescan Az t
weHx TiNz wUd gO wel P il andx /frenc rMl in /moskQ. it woz
Qt v H kwescan t bI andx /frenc rMl, it wUd bI H wxst TiN
HAt kUd hApan. HE went awE Ivan bifP H bAtal v /bPOdinO n
stil mP rApidli Aftx it, dispFt /rOstOpcin'z kYlz t difend /moskQ
P H anQnsmant v hiz intenSan t tEk H wandx-wxkiN Fkon v
H /FbCWn /maHx v /god n gO t fFt, P v H balMnz HAt wx
t distrq H /frenc, n dispFt Yl H nonsens /rOstOpcin rOt in
hiz brYdSIts. HE nM HAt it woz f H Rmi t fFt, n HAt
if it kUd not saäId it wUd not dM t tEk jaN lEdiz n hQs
sxfs t H /TrI /hilz kwPtx v /moskQ t fFt /napOlWn, n HAt
HE mast gO awE, sori Az HE wx t abAndan HX propxti
t distrakSan. HE went awE wiHQt TiNkiN v H trimendas
signifikans v HAt imens n welTi siti bIiN givan Ovx t
distrakSan, f a grEt siti wiH wUdan bildiNz woz sxtan wen
abAndand bF its inhAbitants t bI bxnd. HE went awE Ic on hiz
On akQnt, n jet it woz Onli in konsikwans v HX gOiN awE
HAt H mOmentas ivent woz akompliSt HAt wil YlwEz rimEn H
grEtast glPi v H /raSan pIpal. H lEdi hM, afrEd v bIiN
stopt bF /kQnt /rOstOpcin'z Pdxz, hAd Ylredi in JMn mMvd wiH hx
/nIgrOz n hx wimin Jestxz from /moskQ t hx /sRytOf istEt, wiH
a vEg konSasnas HAt SI woz not /bOnapRt's sxvant, woz rWli,
simpli, n trMli kAriiN Qt H grEt wxk wic sEvd /raSa. bat
/kQnt /rOstOpcin, hM nQ tYntad HOz hM left /moskQ n nQ hAd H
gavxnmant ofisaz rimMvd; nQ distribVtad kwFt Vslas wepanz t
H draNkan rAbal; nQ hAd praseSanz displEiN H Fkonz, n nQ
fxbEd /fyHx /OgMstin t rimMv Fkonz P H reliä v sEnts; nQ
sIzd Yl H prFvat kRts in /moskQ n on wan handrad n Txti-siä
v Hem rimMvd H balMn HAt woz bIiN kanstraktad bF /lepic; nQ
hintad HAt hI wUd bxn /moskQ n rilEtad hQ hI hAd set fFx t hiz
On hQs; nQ rOt a proklamESan t H /frenc solamli apbrEdiN
Hem f hAviN distrqd hiz /PfaniJ; nQ klEmd H glPi v
hAviN hintad HAt hI wUd bxn /moskQ n nQ ripVdiEtad H dId;
nQ Pdxd H pIpal t kAc Yl spFz n briN Hem t him, n nQ
riprOct Hem f dMiN sO; nQ iäpeld Yl H /frenc rezidants from
/moskQ, n nQ alQd /madym /ObX-/Sylm (H sentx v H hOl
/frenc kolani in /moskQ) t rimEn, bat Pdxd H venxabal Old
pOstmAstx /klVcRef t bI xestad n eäFld f nO pxtikVlx
afens; nQ asembald H pIpal At H /TrI /hilz t fFt H /frenc
n nQ, t get rid v Hem, hAndad Ovx t Hem a mAn t bI kild
n himself drOv awE bF a bAk gEt; nQ diklXd HAt hI wUd
not sxvFv H fYl v /moskQ, n nQ rOt /frenc vxsaz in Albamz
kansxniN hiz SX in H afX—His mAn did not andxstAnd H
mIniN v wot woz hApaniN bat mCli wontad t dM samTiN himself
HAt wUd astoniS pIpal, t pxfPm sam pEtriotikli hirOik
fIt; n lFk a cFld hI mEd spPt v H mOmentas, n anavqdabal
ivent—H abAndanmant n bxniN v /moskQ—n trFd wiH hiz pVni hAnd
nQ t spId n nQ t stE H inPmas, popVlx tFd HAt bP him
aloN wiH it.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/helIn, hAviN ritxnd wiH H kPt from /vilna t /pItxzbxg, fQnd
hxself in a difikalt paziSan.
<p>
in /pItxzbxg SI hAd inJqd H speSal pratekSan v a grAndI hM
okVpFd wan v H hFast pOsts in H /empFx. in /vilna SI hAd fPmd
an intimasi wiH a jaN forin prins. wen SI ritxnd t /pItxzbxg
bOT H mAgnEt n H prins wx HX, n bOT klEmd HX
rFts. /helIn woz fEst bF a nM problam—hQ t prizxv hx intimasi
wiH bOT wiHQt afendiN FHx.
<p>
wot wUd hAv sImd difikalt P Ivan imposabal t anaHx wUman did
not kYz H lIst imbArasmant t /kQntas /bezMâOva, hM evidentli
dizxvd hx repVtESan v bIiN a veri klevx wUman. hAd SI atemptad
kansIlmant, P trFd t eätrikEt hxself from hx Ykwxd paziSan
bF kaniN, SI wUd hAv spqld hx kEs bF aknoliJiN hxself
gilti. bat /helIn, lFk a rWli grEt mAn hM kAn dM wotevx
hI plIzaz, At wans asMmd hx On paziSan t bI kxekt, Az SI
sinsCli bilIvd it t bI, n HAt evriwan els woz t blEm.
<p>
H fxst tFm H jaN forinx alQd himself t riprOc hx, SI
liftad hx bVtifal hed n, hAf txniN t him, sed fxmli: “HAt's
Jast lFk a mAn—selfiS n krMal! F iäpektad naTiN els. a wUman
sAkrifFsaz hxself f V, SI safxz, n His iz hx riwPd! wot
rFt hAv V, monsinjUx, t dimAnd an akQnt v mF atAcmants n
frendSips? hI iz a mAn hM hAz bin mP HAn a fyHx t mI!” H
prins woz abQt t sE samTiN, bat /helIn intxaptad him.
<p>
“wel, jes,” sed SI, “it mE bI HAt hI hAz aHx sentimants f mI
HAn HOz v a fyHx, bat HAt iz not a rIzan f mI t Sat mF dP
on him. F Am not a mAn, HAt F SUd rIpE kFndnas wiH ingrAtitMd!
nO, monsinjUx, HAt in Yl HAt rilEts t mF intimat fIliNz F
rendx akQnt Onli t /god n t mF konSans,” SI kanklMdad, lEiN
hx hAnd on hx bVtifal, fUli iäpAndad bUzam n lUkiN ap t
hevan.
<p>
“bat f hevan'z sEk lisan t mI!”
<p>
“mAri mI, n F wil bI jP slEv!”
<p>
“bat HAt's imposabal.”
<p>
“V wOnt dEn t dimIn jPself bF mAriiN mI, V...” sed /helIn,
biginiN t krF.
<p>
H prins trFd t kamfxt hx, bat /helIn, Az if kwFt distrYt,
sed TrM hx tCz HAt HX woz naTiN t privent hx mAriiN,
HAt HX wx presidants (HX wx ap t HAt tFm veri fV, bat
SI menSand /napOlWn n sam aHx iãYltad pxsaniJaz), HAt SI hAd
nevx bin hx hazband'z wFf, n HAt SI hAd bin sAkrifFst.
<p>
“bat H lY, riliJan...” sed H prins, Ylredi jIldiN.
<p>
“H lY, riliJan... wot hAv HE bin inventad f if HE kAnt
xEnJ HAt?” sed /helIn.
<p>
H prins woz sxprFzd HAt sO simpal an FdW hAd not akxd t him,
n hI aplFd f advFs t H hOli breHran v H /sasFati v /JIzas,
wiH hMm hI woz on intimat txmz.
<p>
a fV dEz lEtx At wan v HOz incAntiN fEts wic /helIn gEv At
hx kantri hQs on H /stOn /Fland, H cRmiN /masjx de /ZObX,
a mAn nO loNgx jaN, wiH snO wFt hX n brilWnt blAk Fz,
a /JezMit a rOb courte * woz prizentad t hx, n in H gRdan bF H
lFt v H ilMminESanz n t H sQnd v mVzik tYkt t hx f a
loN tFm v H lav v /god, v /krFst, v H /sEkrad /hRt, n v H
konsalESanz H wan trM /kATalik riliJan afPdz in His wxld n
H neät. /helIn woz tact, n mP HAn wans tCz rOz t hx Fz
n t HOz v /masjx de /ZObX n HX vqsaz trembald. a dAns,
f wic hx pRtnx kEm t sIk hx, pUt an end t hx diskPs wiH
hx fVcx direktx de konSans, bat H neät IvniN /masjx de
/ZObX kEm t sI /helIn wen SI woz alOn, n Aftx HAt oftan kEm
agen.
<p>
    * lE membx v H /sasFati v /JIzas.
<p>
wan dE hI tUk H kQntas t a /rOman /kATalik cxc, wX SI nelt
dQn bifP H Yltx t wic SI woz led. H incAntiN, midal-EJd
/frencman lEd hiz hAndz on hx hed n, Az SI hxself Aftxwxd
diskrFbd it, SI felt samTiN lFk a freS brIz woftad intM hx
sOl. it woz iäplEnd t hx HAt His woz ly grEs.
<p>
Aftx HAt a loN-frokt AbE woz brYt t hx. SI kanfest t
him, n hI abzolvd hx from hx sinz. neät dE SI risIvd a boä
kantEniN H /sEkrad /hOst, wic woz left At hx hQs f hx t
pRtEk v. a fV dEz lEtx /helIn lxnd wiH pleZx HAt SI hAd
nQ bin admitad t H trM /kATalik /cxc n HAt in a fV dEz H
/pOp himself wUd hC v hx n wUd send hx a sxtan dokVment.
<p>
Yl HAt woz dan xQnd hx n t hx At His tFm, Yl H atenSan
divOtad t hx bF sO meni klevx men n iäprest in sac plezant,
rifFnd wEz, n H stEt v dav-lFk pjUxiti SI woz nQ in (SI wP
Onli wFt dresaz n wFt ribanz Yl HAt tFm) gEv hx pleZx,
bat hx pleZx did not kYz hx f a mOment t fxget hx Em. n
Az it YlwEz hApanz in kontests v kaniN HAt a stMpid pxsan gets
H betx v klevxx wanz, /helIn—hAviN rWlFzd HAt H mEn obJekt
v Yl HIz wxdz n Yl His trabal woz, Aftx kanvxtiN hx t
/kATolisizam, t abtEn mani from hx f /JezMit institMSanz (Az t
wic SI risIvd indikESanz)—bifP pRtiN wiH hx mani insistad
HAt H vXWs opxESanz nesisXi t frI hx from hx hazband
SUd bI pxfPmd. in hx vV H Em v evri riliJan woz mCli
t prizxv sxtan praprFatiz wFl afPdiN sAtisfAkSan t
hVman dizFxz. n wiH His Em, in wan v hx tYä wiH hx /fyHx
/kanfesx, SI insistad on an Ansx t H kwescan, in hQ fR woz SI
bQnd bF hx mAriJ?
<p>
HE wx sitiN in H twFlFt bF a windO in H drYiN rMm.
H sent v flQxz kEm in At H windO. /helIn woz wXiN a wFt
dres, trAnspArant Ovx hx SOldxz n bUzam. H AbE, a wel-fed
mAn wiH a plamp, klIn-SEvan cin, a plezant fxm mQT, n wFt
hAndz mIkli fOldad on hiz nIz, sAt klOs t /helIn n, wiH a
satal smFl on hiz lips n a pIsfal lUk v dilFt At hx bVti,
akEZanali glAnst At hx fEs Az hI iäplEnd hiz apinjan on H
sabJekt. /helIn wiH an anIzi smFl lUkt At hiz kxli hX n hiz
plamp, klIn-SEvan, blAkiS cIä n evri mOment iäpektad H
konvxsESan t tEk a freS txn. bat H AbE, HO hI evidentli
inJqd H bVti v hiz kampAnjan, woz absPbd in hiz mAstxi v H
mAtx.
<p>
H kPs v H /fyHx /kanfesx'z RgVmants rAn Az folOz: “ignxant
v H impPt v wot V wx andxtEkiN, V mEd a vQ v konJagal
fideliti t a mAn hM on hiz pRt, bF entxiN H mArid stEt wiHQt
fET in H riliJas signifikans v mAriJ, kamitad an Akt v
sAkriliJ. HAt mAriJ lAkt H dMal signifikans it SUd hAv
hAd. jet in spFt v His jP vQ woz bFndiN. V swxvd from it.
wot did V kamit bF sO AktiN? a vInWl, P a mPtal, sin? a vInWl
sin, f V Aktad wiHQt Ival intenSan. if nQ V mArid agen
wiH H obJekt v bXiN cildran, jP sin mFt bI fxgivan. bat H
kwescan iz agen a tMfOld wan: fxstli...”
<p>
bat sadanli /helIn, hM woz getiN bPd, sed wiH wan v hx
biwiciN smFlz: “bat F TiNk HAt hAviN ispQzd H trM riliJan F
kAnot bI bQnd bF wot a fYls riliJan lEd apon mI.”
<p>
H direktx v hx konSans woz astQndad At hAviN H kEs
prizentad t him Has wiH H simplisiti v /kalambas' eg. hI woz
dilFtad At H aniäpektad rapiditi v hiz pVpal'z progres, bat kUd
not abAndan H edifis v RgVmant hI hAd labPWsli kanstraktad.
<p>
“let as andxstAnd wan anaHx, /kQntas,” sed hI wiH a smFl, n
bigAn rifVtiN hiz spiricMal dYtx'z RgVmants.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/helIn andxstUd HAt H kwescan woz veri simpal n Izi from
H iklIziAstikal pqnt v vV, n HAt hx direktxz wx mEkiN
difikaltiz Onli bikoz HE wx Aprihensiv Az t hQ H mAtx
wUd bI rigRdad bF H sekVlx YToritiz.
<p>
sO SI disFdad HAt it woz nesisXi t pripX H apinjan v sasFati.
SI pravOkt H Jelasi v H eldxli mAgnEt n tOld him wot SI
hAd tOld hx aHx sMtx; HAt iz, SI pUt H mAtx sO HAt H Onli
wE f him t abtEn a rFt Ovx hx woz t mAri hx. H eldxli
mAgnEt woz At fxst Az mac tEkan abAk bF His saJescan v mAriJ
wiH a wUman hMz hazband woz alFv, Az H jaNgx mAn hAd bin, bat
/helIn'z impxtxbabal kanvikSan HAt it woz Az simpal n nAcxal Az
mAriiN a mEdan hAd its ifekt on him tM. hAd /helIn hxself SOn
H lIst sFn v hezitESan, SEm, P sIkrasi, hx kYz wUd
sxtanli hAv bin lost; bat not Onli did SI SO nO sFnz v sIkrasi
P SEm, on H kontrXi, wiH gUd-nEcxd nFIvitE SI tOld hx
intimat frendz (n HIz wx Yl /pItxzbxg) HAt bOT H prins
n H mAgnEt hAd prapOzd t hx n HAt SI lavd bOT n woz
afrEd v grIviN FHx.
<p>
a rMmx imIdWtli spred in /pItxzbxg, not HAt /helIn wontad t
bI divPst from hx hazband (hAd sac a ripPt spred meni wUd hAv
apOzd sO ilIgal an intenSan) bat simpli HAt H anfPcanat n
intxastiN /helIn woz in dQt wic v H tM men SI SUd mAri.
H kwescan woz nO loNgx weHx His woz posabal, bat Onli wic woz
H betx mAc n hQ H mAtx wUd bI rigRdad At kPt. HX
wx, it iz trM, sam riJid indiviJMalz anEbal t rFz t H hFt v
sac a kwescan, hM sY in H proJekt a desikrESan v H sAkramant
v mAriJ, bat HX wx not meni sac n HE rimEnd sFlant,
wFl H maJPiti wx intxastad in /helIn'z gUd fPcMn n in H
kwescan wic mAc wUd bI H mP AdvantEJas. weHx it woz
rFt P roN t rImAri wFl wan hAd a hazband liviN HE did not
diskas, f HAt kwescan hAd evidentli bin setald bF pIpal “wFzx
HAn V P mI,” Az HE sed, n t dQt H kxektnas v HAt
disiZan wUd bI t risk iäpOziN wan'z stMpiditi n inkapAsiti t
liv in sasFati.
<p>
Onli /mRja /dmItrievna /yârOsimOva, hM hAd kam t /pItxzbxg HAt
samx t sI wan v hx sanz, alQd hxself plEnli t iäpres
an apinjan kontrXi t H Jenxal wan. mItiN /helIn At a bYl SI
stopt hx in H midal v H rMm n, amid Jenxal sFlans, sed
in hx graf vqs: “sO wFvz v liviN men hAv stRtad mAriiN
agen! pxhAps V TiNk V hAv inventad a novalti? V hAv bin
fPstYld, mF dC! it woz TYt v loN agO. it iz dan in Yl H
broTalz,” n wiH HIz wxdz /mRja /dmItrievna, txniN ap hx wFd
slIvz wiH hx VZMal TretaniN Jescx n glAnsiN stxnli rQnd,
mMvd akros H rMm.
<p>
HO pIpal wx afrEd v /mRja /dmItrievna SI woz rigRdad in
/pItxzbxg Az a bafMn, n sO v wot SI hAd sed HE Onli nOtist,
n ripItad in a wispx, H wan kPs wxd SI hAd Vzd, sapOziN
H hOl stiN v hx rimRk t lF in HAt wxd.
<p>
prins /vysili, hM v lEt veri oftan fxgot wot hI hAd sed n
ripItad wan n H sEm TiN a handrad tFmz, rimRkt t hiz
dYtx wenevx hI cAnst t sI hx:
<p>
“/helIn, F hAv a wxd t sE t V,” n hI wUd lId hx
asFd, drYiN hx hAnd dQnwxd. “F hAv hxd v sxtan proJekts
kansxniN... V nO. wel mF dC cFld, V nO hQ jP fyHx'z
hRt riJqsaz t nO HAt V... V hAv safxd sO mac.... bat, mF
dC cFld, kansalt Onli jP On hRt. HAt iz Yl F hAf t sE,” n
kansIliN hiz anvXiiN imOSan hI wUd pres hiz cIk agenst hiz
dYtx'z n mMv awE.
<p>
/bilibin, hM hAd not lost hiz repVtESan v an iäIdiNli klevx mAn,
n hM woz wan v H disintxastad frendz sO brilWnt a wUman Az
/helIn YlwEz hAz—men frendz hM kAn nevx cEnJ intM lavxz—wans gEv
hx hiz vV v H mAtx At a smYl n intimat gAHxiN.
<p>
“lisan, /bilibin,” sed /helIn (SI YlwEz kYld frendz v HAt sPt
bF HX sxnEmz), n SI tact hiz kOt slIv wiH hx wFt,
/bXiNd fiNgxz. “tel mI, Az V wUd a sistx, wot F Yt t dM.
wic v H tM?”
<p>
/bilibin riNkald ap H skin Ovx hiz FbrQz n pondxd, wiH a
smFl on hiz lips.
<p>
“V R not tEkiN mI anawXz, V nO,” sed hI. “Az a trM frend,
F hAv TYt n TYt agen abQt jP afX. V sI, if V
mAri H prins”—hI ment H jaNgx mAn—n hI krUkt wan fiNgx,
“V fxevx lMz H cAns v mAriiN H aHx, n V wil
displIz H kPt bisFdz. (V nO HX iz sam kFnd v
kanekSan.) bat if V mAri H Old kQnt V wil mEk hiz lAst dEz
hApi, n Az widO v H /grAnd... H prins wUd nO loNgx bI mEkiN
a mEzAlWns bF mAriiN V,” n /bilibin smMHd Qt hiz fPhed.
<p>
“HAt's a trM frend!” sed /helIn bImiN, n agen taciN
/bilibin'z slIv. “bat F lav Hem, V nO, n dOnt wont t distres
FHx v Hem. F wUd giv mF lFf f H hApinas v Hem bOT.”
<p>
/bilibin Sragd hiz SOldxz, Az mac Az t sE HAt not Ivan hI kUd
help in HAt difikalti.
<p>
“Un maitresse-fem! * HAt's wot iz kYld pUtiN TiNz skwXli.
SI wUd lFk t bI mArid t Yl TrI At H sEm tFm,” TYt hI.
<p>
    * a mAstxli wUman.
<p>
“bat tel mI, hQ wil jP hazband lUk At H mAtx?” /bilibin Askt,
hiz repVtESan bIiN sO wel istAbliSt HAt hI did not fC t Ask sO
nFIv a kwescan. “wil hI agrI?”
<p>
“O, hI lavz mI sO!” sed /helIn, hM f sam rIzan imAJind HAt
/piX tM lavd hx. “hI wil dM eniTiN f mI.”
<p>
/bilibin pakxd hiz skin in prepxESan f samTiN witi.
<p>
“Ivan divPs V?” sed hI.
<p>
/helIn lAft.
<p>
amaN HOz hM vencxd t dQt H JastifFabiliti v H prapOzd
mAriJ woz /helIn'z maHx, /prinsas /kMrygIna. SI woz kantinVali
tPmentad bF Jelasi v hx dYtx, n nQ HAt Jelasi kansxnd
a sabJekt nC t hx On hRt, SI kUd not rekansFl hxself t H
FdW. SI kansaltad a /raSan prIst Az t H posabiliti v divPs
n rImAriJ dxiN a hazband'z lFftFm, n H prIst tOld hx HAt
it woz imposabal, n t hx dilFt SOd hx a teät in H /gospal
wic (Az it sImd t him) plEnli fxbidz rImAriJ wFl H hazband
iz alFv.
<p>
Rmd wiH HIz RgVmants, wic apCd t hx anAnsxabal, SI
drOv t hx dYtx'z xli wan mPniN sO Az t fFnd hx alOn.
<p>
hAviN lisand t hx maHx'z abJekSanz, /helIn smFld blAndli n
Fronikli.
<p>
“bat it sez plEnli: 'hMsOevx SAl mAri hx HAt iz divPst...'”
sed H Old prinsas.
<p>
“y, /mymyn, nE dFts py de betFzaz. vM nE comprenez rion. dAnz my
paziSan j'ai /de dIvwRz,” * sed /helIn cEnJiN from /raSan, in
wic lANgwiJ SI YlwEz felt HAt hx kEs did not sQnd kwFt klC,
intM /frenc wic sMtad it betx.
<p>
     * “O, /mymy, dOnt tYk nonsens! V dOnt andxstAnd
     eniTiN. in mF paziSan F hAv obligESanz.”
<p>
<p>
“bat, mF dC....”
<p>
“O, /mymy, hQ iz it V dOnt andxstAnd HAt H /hOli /fyHx, hM hAz
H rFt t grAnt dispensESanz...”
<p>
Jast Hen H lEdi kampAnjan hM livd wiH /helIn kEm in t anQns
HAt /hiz /hFnas woz in H bYlrMm n wiSt t sI hx.
<p>
“non, dFts-/lMi kE Ze nE viMeä py lU vwR, kE Ze swI furieuse /kontra
/lMi, /pRsa kw'il m'a moNk pxOl.” *
<p>
     * “nO, tel him F dOnt wiS t sI him, F Am fjUxWs wiH
     him f not kIpiN hiz wxd t mI.”
<p>
<p>
“/kOmtes, a tQt peche misericorde,” * sed a fX-hXd jaN mAn
wiH a loN fEs n nOz, Az hI entxd H rMm.
<p>
    * “kQntas, HX iz mxsi f evri sin.”
<p>
<p>
H Old prinsas rOz rispektfali n kxtsid. H jaN mAn hM hAd
entxd tUk nO nOtis v hx. H prinsas nodad t hx dYtx n
sFdald Qt v H rMm.
<p>
“jes, SI iz rFt,” TYt H Old prinsas, Yl hx kanvikSanz
disipEtad bF H apCans v /hiz /hFnas. “SI iz rFt, bat hQ
iz it HAt wI in Qx irikavxabal VT did not nO it? jet it iz sO
simpal,” SI TYt Az SI got intM hx kAriJ.
<p>
<p>
bF H biginiN v Ygast /helIn'z afXz wx klCli difFnd n
SI rOt a letx t hx hazband—hM, Az SI imAJind, lavd hx veri
mac—infPmiN him v hx intenSan t mAri N.N. n v hx hAviN
imbrEst H wan trM fET, n AskiN him t kAri Qt Yl H
fPmAlitiz nesisXi f a divPs, wic wUd bI iäplEnd t him bF
H bXx v H letx.
<p>
n sO F prE /god t hAv V, mF frend, in /hiz hOli n pQxfal
kIpiN—jP frend /helIn.
<p>
His letx woz brYt t /piX'z hQs wen hI woz on H fIld v
/bPOdinO.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/tPd H end v H bAtal v /bPOdinO, /piX, hAviN ran dQn
from /rFefski'z bAtxi a sekand tFm, mEd hiz wE TrM a gali t
/knjyzkOvO wiH a krQd v sOlJxz, rIct H dresiN stESan, n
sIiN blad n hCiN krFz n grOnz harid on, stil intANgald in
H krQdz v sOlJxz.
<p>
H wan TiN hI nQ dizFxd wiH hiz hOl sOl woz t get awE kwikli
from H teribal sensESanz amid wic hI hAd livd HAt dE n ritxn
t PdinXi kandiSanz v lFf n slIp kwFatli in a rMm in hiz On
bed. hI felt HAt Onli in H PdinXi kandiSanz v lFf wUd hI
bI Ebal t andxstAnd himself n Yl hI hAd sIn n felt. bat sac
PdinXi kandiSanz v lFf wx nOwX t bI fQnd.
<p>
HO Selz n bUlats did not wisal Ovx H rOd aloN wic hI
woz gOiN, stil on Yl sFdz HX woz wot HX hAd bin on H fIld
v bAtal. HX wx stil H sEm safxiN, iãYstad, n samtFmz
strEnJli indifxant fEsaz, H sEm blad, H sEm sOlJxz'
OvxkOts, H sEm sQndz v fFxiN wic, HO distant nQ, stil
xQzd terx, n bisFdz His HX wx H fQl X n H dast.
<p>
hAviN gon a kapal v mFlz aloN H /mOZFsk rOd, /piX sAt dQn
bF H rOdsFd.
<p>
dask hAd fYlan, n H rP v ganz dFd awE. /piX lE lIniN on
hiz elbO f a loN tFm, gEziN At H SAdOz HAt mMvd pAst him in
H dRknas. hI woz kantinVali imAJiniN HAt a kAnan bYl woz flFiN
tPd him wiH a txifik wiz, n Hen hI Sadxd n sAt ap. hI
hAd nO FdW hQ loN hI hAd bin HX. in H midal v H nFt TrI
sOlJxz, hAviN brYt sam fFxwUd, setald dQn nC him n bigAn
lFtiN a fFx.
<p>
H sOlJxz, hM TrM sFdloN glAnsaz At /piX, got H fFx t bxn
n plEst an Fxn pot on it intM wic HE brOk sam drFd bred n
pUt a lital dripiN. H plezant Odx v grIsi vFandz miNgald wiH
H smel v smOk. /piX sAt ap n sFd. H TrI sOlJxz wx
ItiN n tYkiN amaN Hemselvz, tEkiN nO nOtis v him.
<p>
“n hM mE V bI?” wan v Hem sadanli Askt /piX, evidentli
mIniN wot /piX himself hAd in mFnd, nEmli: “if V wont t It
wI'l giv V sam fMd, Onli let as nO weHx V R an onast
mAn.”
<p>
“F, F...” sed /piX, fIliN it nesisXi t minimFz hiz sOSal
paziSan Az mac Az posabal sO Az t bI nCx t H sOlJxz n
betx andxstUd bF Hem. “bF rFts F Am a miliSa ofisx, bat mF men
R not hC. F kEm t H bAtal n hAv lost Hem.”
<p>
“HX nQ!” sed wan v H sOlJxz.
<p>
anaHx SUk hiz hed.
<p>
“wUd V lFk a lital mAS?” H fxst sOlJx Askt, n hAndad
/piX a wUdan spMn Aftx likiN it klIn.
<p>
/piX sAt dQn bF H fFx n bigAn ItiN H mAS, Az HE kYld
H fMd in H kYldran, n hI TYt it mP diliSas HAn eni fMd
hI hAd evx tEstad. Az hI sAt bendiN grIdili Ovx it, helpiN himself
t lRJ spMnfUlz n cMiN wan Aftx anaHx, hiz fEs woz lit ap bF
H fFx n H sOlJxz lUkt At him in sFlans.
<p>
“wX hAv V t gO t? tel as!” sed wan v Hem.
<p>
“t /mOZFsk.”
<p>
“V'x a Jentalman, Rnt V?”
<p>
“jes.”
<p>
“n wot's jP nEm?”
<p>
“pItx /kCilic.”
<p>
“wel Hen, /pItx /kCilic, kam aloN wiH as, wI'l tEk V HX.”
<p>
in H tOtal dRknas H sOlJxz wYkt wiH /piX t /mOZFsk.
<p>
bF H tFm HE got nC /mOZFsk n bigAn asendiN H stIp hil
intM H tQn, H koä wx Ylredi krOiN. /piX went on wiH H
sOlJxz, kwFt fxgetiN HAt hiz in woz At H botam v H hil
n HAt hI hAd Ylredi pAst it. hI wUd not sMn hAv rimembxd
His, sac woz hiz stEt v fxgetfalnas, hAd hI not hAfwE ap H
hil stambald apon hiz grMm, hM hAd bin t lUk f him in H
tQn n woz ritxniN t H in. H grMm rekagnFzd /piX in H
dRknas bF hiz wFt hAt.
<p>
“jP eäalansi!” hI sed. “wF, wI wx biginiN t dispX! hQ iz
it V R on fUt? n wX R V gOiN, plIz?”
<p>
“O, jes!” sed /piX.
<p>
H sOlJxz stopt.
<p>
“sO V'v fQnd jP fOk?” sed wan v Hem. “wel, gUd-bF, /pItx
/kCilic—izant it?”
<p>
“gUd-bF, /pItx /kCilic!” /piX hxd H aHx vqsaz ripIt.
<p>
“gUd-bF!” hI sed n txnd wiH hiz grMm tPd H in.
<p>
“F Yt t giv Hem samTiN!” hI TYt, n felt in hiz pokat.
“nO, betx not!” sed anaHx, inx vqs.
<p>
HX woz not a rMm t bI hAd At H in, HE wx Yl okVpFd.
/piX went Qt intM H jRd n, kavxiN himself ap hed n Yl, lE
dQn in hiz kAriJ.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
/skXsli hAd /piX lEd hiz hed on H pilO bifP hI felt himself
fYliN aslIp, bat sadanli, YlmOst wiH H distiNktnas v riAliti,
hI hxd H bMm, bMm, bMm v fFxiN, H Tad v praJektFlz, grOnz
n krFz, n smeld blad n pQdx, n a fIliN v horx n
dred v deT sIzd him. fild wiH frFt hI Opand hiz Fz n
liftad hiz hed from andx hiz klOk. Yl woz trANkwil in H jRd. Onli
samwan'z Pdxli pAst TrM H gEtwE, splASiN TrM H mad,
n tYkt t H inkIpx. abav /piX'z hed sam piJanz, distxbd
bF H mMvmant hI hAd mEd in sitiN ap, flatxd andx H dRk rMf
v H penthQs. H hOl kPtjRd woz pxmiEtad bF a stroN pIsfal
smel v stEbal jRdz, dilFtfal t /piX At HAt mOment. hI kUd sI
H klC stRi skF bitwIn H dRk rMfs v tM penthQzaz.
<p>
“TANk /god, HX iz nO mP v HAt!” hI TYt, kavxiN ap hiz hed
agen. “O, wot a teribal TiN iz fC, n hQ SEmfali F jIldad
t it! bat HE... HE wx stedi n kym Yl H tFm, t H
end...” TYt hI.
<p>
HE, in /piX'z mFnd, wx H sOlJxz, HOz hM hAd bin At H
bAtxi, HOz hM hAd givan him fMd, n HOz hM hAd prEd bifP
H Fkon. HE, HOz strEnJ men hI hAd not prIvWsli nOn, stUd Qt
klCli n SRpli from evriwan els.
<p>
“t bI a sOlJx, Jast a sOlJx!” TYt /piX Az hI fel aslIp,
“t entx komVnal lFf kamplItli, t bI imbVd bF wot mEä Hem wot
HE R. bat hQ t kAst of Yl H sMpxflMas, devaliS bxdan v mF
Qtx mAn? HX woz a tFm wen F kUd hAv dan it. F kUd hAv ran
awE from mF fyHx, Az F wontad t. P F mFt hAv bin sent t sxv
Az a sOlJx Aftx H dMal wiH /dOlOâOf.” n H memxi v H dinx
At H /iNgliS /klab wen hI hAd cAlanJd /dOlOâOf flASt TrM
/piX'z mFnd, n Hen hI rimembxd hiz benifAktx At /tPZOk. n nQ
a pikcx v a solam mItiN v H loJ prizentad itself t hiz mFnd.
it woz tEkiN plEs At H /iNgliS /klab n samwan nC n dC t him
sAt At H end v H tEbal. “jes, HAt iz hI! it iz mF benifAktx.
bat hI dFd!” TYt /piX. “jes, hI dFd, n F did not nO hI woz
alFv. hQ sori F Am HAt hI dFd, n hQ glAd F Am HAt hI iz alFv
agen!” on wan sFd v H tEbal sAt /ynatOl, /dOlOâOf, /nesvitski,
/denisOf, n aHxz lFk Hem (in hiz drIm H kAtagPi t wic HIz
men biloNd woz Az klCli difFnd in hiz mFnd Az H kAtagPi v
HOz hI txmd HE), n hI hxd HOz pIpal, /ynatOl n /dOlOâOf,
SQtiN n siNiN lQdli; jet TrM HX SQtiN H vqs v hiz
benifAktx woz hxd spIkiN Yl H tFm n H sQnd v hiz wxdz
woz Az wEti n anintxaptad Az H bMmiN on H bAtalfIld, bat
plezant n kamfxtiN. /piX did not andxstAnd wot hiz benifAktx
woz sEiN, bat hI nM (H kAtagPiz v TYts wx YlsO kwFt
distiNkt in hiz drIm) HAt hI woz tYkiN v gUdnas n H
posabiliti v bIiN wot HE wx. n HE wiH HX simpal, kFnd,
fxm fEsaz sxQndad hiz benifAktx on Yl sFdz. bat HO HE wx
kFndli HE did not lUk At /piX n did not nO him. wiSiN t
spIk n t atrAkt HX atenSan, hI got ap, bat At HAt mOment hiz
leã grM kOld n bX.
<p>
hI felt aSEmd, n wiH wan Rm kavxd hiz leã from wic hiz klOk
hAd in fAkt slipt. f a mOment Az hI woz rIxEnJiN hiz klOk /piX
Opand hiz Fz n sY H sEm penthQs rMfs, pOsts, n jRd, bat
nQ HE wx Yl blMiS, lit ap, n glitxiN wiH frost P dM.
<p>
“it iz dYn,” TYt /piX. “bat HAt's not wot F wont. F wont t
hC n andxstAnd mF benifAktx'z wxdz.” agen hI kavxd himself ap
wiH hiz klOk, bat nQ nFHx H loJ nP hiz benifAktx woz HX.
HX wx Onli TYts klCli iäprest in wxdz, TYts HAt
samwan woz atxiN P HAt hI himself woz fPmVlEtiN.
<p>
Aftxwxdz wen hI rikYld HOz TYts /piX woz kanvinst HAt
samwan QtsFd himself hAd spOkan Hem, HO H impreSanz v HAt
dE hAd ivOkt Hem. hI hAd nevx, it sImd t him, bin Ebal t TiNk
n iäpres hiz TYts lFk HAt wen awEk.
<p>
“t indx wP iz H mOst difikalt sabPdinESan v mAn'z frIdam t
H lY v /god,” H vqs hAd sed. “simplisiti iz sabmiSan t H
wil v /god; V kAnot iskEp from /him. n HE R simpal. HE dM
not tYk, bat Akt. H spOkan wxd iz silvx bat H anspOkan iz gOldan.
mAn kAn bI mAstx v naTiN wFl hI fCz deT, bat hI hM daz not
fC it pazesaz Yl. if HX wx nO safxiN, mAn wUd not nO
hiz limitESanz, wUd not nO himself. H hRdast TiN (/piX went
on TiNkiN, P hCiN, in hiz drIm) iz t bI Ebal in jP sOl t
VnFt H mIniN v Yl. t VnFt Yl?” hI Askt himself. “nO, not
t VnFt. TYts kAnot bI VnFtad, bat t hRnas Yl HIz TYts
tageHx iz wot wI nId! jes, wan mast hRnas Hem, mast hRnas
Hem!” hI ripItad t himself wiH inwxd rApcx, fIliN HAt HIz
wxdz n HE alOn iäprest wot hI wontad t sE n solvd H
kwescan HAt tPmentad him.
<p>
“jes, wan mast hRnas, it iz tFm t hRnas.”
<p>
“tFm t hRnas, tFm t hRnas, jP eäalansi! jP eäalansi!”
sam vqs woz ripItiN. “wI mast hRnas, it iz tFm t hRnas....”
<p>
it woz H vqs v H grMm, trFiN t wEk him. H san SOn
strEt intM /piX'z fEs. hI glAnst At H dxti injRd in H
midal v wic sOlJxz wx wYtxiN HX lIn hPsaz At H pamp
wFl kRts wx pAsiN Qt v H gEt. /piX txnd awE wiH
ripagnans, n klOziN hiz Fz kwikli fel bAk on H kAriJ sIt.
“nO, F dOnt wont HAt, F dOnt wont t sI n andxstAnd HAt. F wont
t andxstAnd wot woz rivIliN itself t mI in mF drIm. wan sekand
mP n F SUd hAv andxstUd it Yl! bat wot Am F t dM? hRnas,
bat hQ kAn F hRnas evriTiN?” n /piX felt wiH horx HAt H
mIniN v Yl hI hAd sIn n TYt in H drIm hAd bin distrqd.
<p>
H grMm, H kOcman, n H inkIpx tOld /piX HAt an ofisx
hAd kam wiH nMz HAt H /frenc wx Ylredi nC /mOZFsk n HAt
Qx men wx lIviN it.
<p>
/piX got ap n, hAviN tOld Hem t hRnas n OvxtEk him, went on
fUt TrM H tQn.
<p>
H trMps wx mMviN on, lIviN abQt ten TQzand wMndad bihFnd
Hem. HX wx wMndad in H jRdz, At H windOz v H hQzaz, n
H strIts wx krQdad wiH Hem. in H strIts, xQnd kRts HAt
wx t tEk sam v H wMndad awE, SQts, kxsaz, n blOz kUd
bI hxd. /piX ofxd H Vs v hiz kAriJ, wic hAd OvxtEkan
him, t a wMndad Jenxal hI nM, n drOv wiH him t /moskQ. on H
wE /piX woz tOld v H deT v hiz braHx-in-lY /ynatOl n v
HAt v /prins /AndrM.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
on H TxtWT v Ygast /piX rIct /moskQ. klOs t H gEts v
H siti hI woz met bF /kQnt /rOstOpcin'z AJUtant.
<p>
“wI hAv bin lUkiN f V evriwX,” sed H AJUtant. “H kQnt
wonts t sI V pxtikVlxli. hI Asä V t kam t him At wans on a
veri impPtant mAtx.”
<p>
wiHQt gOiN hOm, /piX tUk a kAb n drOv t sI H /moskQ
kamAndx in cIf.
<p>
kQnt /rOstOpcin hAd Onli HAt mPniN ritxnd t tQn from hiz samx
vila At /sOkOlniki. H AntirMm n risepSan rMm v hiz hQs
wx fUl v afiSalz hM hAd bin samand P hAd kam f Pdxz.
/vysilcikOf n /plytOf hAd Ylredi sIn H kQnt n iäplEnd t him
HAt it woz imposabal t difend /moskQ n HAt it wUd hAf t bI
sxendxd. HO His nMz woz bIiN kansIld from H inhAbitants,
H afiSalz—H hedz v H vXWs gavxnmant dipRtmants—nM HAt
/moskQ wUd sMn bI in H enami'z hAndz, Jast Az /kQnt /rOstOpcin
himself nM it, n t iskEp pxsanal risponsabiliti HE hAd Yl
kam t H gavxnx t Ask hQ HE wx t dIl wiH HX vXWs
dipRtmants.
<p>
Az /piX woz entxiN H risepSan rMm a kUrC from H Rmi kEm
Qt v /rOstOpcin'z prFvat rMm.
<p>
in Ansx t kwescanz wiH wic hI woz grItad, H kUrC mEd a
dispXiN Jescx wiH hiz hAnd n pAst TrM H rMm.
<p>
wFl wEtiN in H risepSan rMm /piX wiH wCi Fz woct H
vXWs afiSalz, Old n jaN, militXi n sivilWn, hM wx HX.
HE Yl sImd dissAtisfFd n anIzi. /piX went ap t a grMp v
men, wan v hMm hI nM. Aftx grItiN /piX HE kantinVd HX
konvxsESan.
<p>
“if HE'x sent Qt n brYt bAk agen lEtx on it wil dM nO hRm,
bat Az TiNz R nQ wan kAnt Ansx f eniTiN.”
<p>
“bat V sI wot hI rFts...” sed anaHx, pqntiN t a printad
SIt hI held in hiz hAnd.
<p>
“HAt's anaHx mAtx. HAt's nesisXi f H pIpal,” sed H
fxst.
<p>
“wot iz it?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“O, it's a freS brYdSIt.”
<p>
/piX tUk it n bigAn rIdiN.
<p>
hiz /sxIn /hFnas hAz pAst TrM /mOZFsk in Pdx t Jqn ap wiH
H trMps mMviN tPd him n hAz tEkan ap a stroN paziSan wX
H enami wil not sMn atAk him. fPti-Et ganz wiH AmVniSan
hAv bin sent him from hC, n hiz /sxIn /hFnas sez hI wil
difend /moskQ t H lAst drop v blad n iz Ivan redi t fFt in
H strIts. dM not bI apset, braHxz, HAt H lY kPts R klOzd;
TiNz hAf t bI pUt in Pdx, n wI wil dIl wiH vilanz in Qx
On wE! wen H tFm kamz F SAl wont bOT tQn n pezant lAdz n
wil rEz H krF a dE P tM bifPhAnd, bat HE R not wontad jet
sO F hOld mF pIs. an Aä wil bI Vsfal, a hantiN spC not bAd, bat a
TrI-proNd fPk wil bI best v Yl: a /frencman iz nO hevC HAn a
SIf v rF. tamorO Aftx dinx F SAl tEk H /FbCWn Fkon v
H /maHx v /god t H wMndad in H /kATxin /hospital wX wI wil
hAv sam wYtx blest. HAt wil help Hem t get wel kwikx. F,
tM, Am wel nQ: wan v mF Fz woz sP bat nQ F Am on H lUkQt
wiH bOT.
<p>
“bat militXi men hAv tOld mI HAt it iz imposabal t fFt in H
tQn,” sed /piX, “n HAt H paziSan...”
<p>
“wel, v kPs! HAt's wot wI wx sEiN,” riplFd H fxst
spIkx.
<p>
“n wot daz hI mIn bF '/wan v mF Fz woz sP bat nQ F Am on H
lUkQt wiH bOT'?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“H kQnt hAd a stF,” riplFd H AJUtant smFliN, “n woz veri mac
apset wen F tOld him pIpal hAd kam t Ask wot woz H mAtx wiH
him. bF H bF, /kQnt,” hI Adad sadanli, adresiN /piX wiH a
smFl, “wI hxd HAt V hAv fAmli trabalz n HAt H kQntas,
jP wFf...”
<p>
“F hAv hxd naTiN,” /piX riplFd ankansxnadli. “bat wot hAv V
hxd?”
<p>
“O, wel, V nO pIpal oftan invent TiNz. F Onli sE wot F
hxd.”
<p>
“bat wot did V hC?”
<p>
“wel, HE sE,” kantinVd H AJUtant wiH H sEm smFl, “HAt
H kQntas, jP wFf, iz pripXiN t gO abrYd. F iäpekt it's
nonsens....”
<p>
“posabli,” rimRkt /piX, lUkiN abQt him Absant-mFndadli. “n hM
iz HAt?” hI Askt, indikEtiN a SPt Old mAn in a klIn blM pezant
OvxkOt, wiH a big snO-wFt bCd n FbrQz n a radi fEs.
<p>
“hI? HAt's a trEdzman, HAt iz t sE, hI'z H restxont
kIpx, /vereScygin. pxhAps V hAv hxd v HAt afX wiH H
proklamESan.”
<p>
“O, sO HAt iz /vereScygin!” sed /piX, lUkiN At H fxm, kym
fEs v H Old mAn n sIkiN eni indikESan v hiz bIiN a trEtx.
<p>
“HAt's not hI himself, HAt's H fyHx v H felO hM rOt H
proklamESan,” sed H AJUtant. “H jaN mAn iz in prizan n F
iäpekt it wil gO hRd wiH him.”
<p>
an Old Jentalman wXiN a stR n anaHx afiSal, a /Jxman wXiN a
kros rQnd hiz nek, aprOct H spIkx.
<p>
“it's a komplikEtad stPi, V nO,” sed H AJUtant. “HAt
proklamESan apCd abQt tM manTs agO. H kQnt woz infPmd v
it. hI gEv Pdxz t investigEt H mAtx. /gEbrWl /ivynOvic
hC mEd H inkwFxiz. H proklamESan hAd pAst TrM iãAktli
siäti-TrI hAndz. hI Askt wan, 'from hMm did V get it?' 'from
sO-n-sO.' hI went t H neät wan. 'from hMm did V get it?' n sO
on til hI rIct /vereScygin, a hAf eJakEtad trEdzman, V nO, 'a
pet v a trEdx,'” sed H AJUtant smFliN. “HE Askt him, 'hM gEv
it V?' n H pqnt iz HAt wI nM hMm hI hAd it from. hI kUd
Onli hAv hAd it from H /pOstmAstx. bat evidentli HE hAd kam t
sam andxstAndiN. hI riplFd: 'from nO wan; F mEd it ap mFself.'
HE Tretand n kwescand him, bat hI stak t HAt: 'F mEd it
ap mFself.' n sO it woz ripPtad t H kQnt, hM sent f H mAn.
'from hMm did V get H proklamESan?' 'F rOt it mFself.' wel, V
nO H kQnt,” sed H AJUtant cCfali, wiH a smFl v prFd,
“hI flXd ap dredfali—n Jast TiNk v H felO'z YdAsiti, lFiN,
n obstinasi!”
<p>
“n H kQnt wontad him t sE it woz from /klVcRef? F andxstAnd!”
sed /piX.
<p>
“not At Yl,” rIJqnd H AJUtant in dismE. “/klVcRef hAd hiz On
sinz t Ansx f wiHQt HAt n HAt iz wF hI hAz bin bAniSt.
bat H pqnt iz HAt H kQnt woz mac anqd. 'hQ kUd V hAv
ritan it jPself?' sed hI, n hI tUk ap H /hAmbxg /gazet HAt
woz lFiN on H tEbal. 'hC it iz! V did not rFt it jPself bat
trAnzlEtad it, n trAnzlEtad it abominabli, bikoz V dOnt Ivan nO
/frenc, V fMl.' n wot dM V TiNk? 'nO,' sed hI, 'F hAv not
red eni pEpxz, F mEd it ap mFself.' 'if HAt's sO, V'x a trEtx
n F'l hAv V trFd, n V'l bI hANd! sE from hMm V hAd
it.' 'F hAv sIn nO pEpxz, F mEd it ap mFself.' n HAt woz H end
v it. H kQnt hAd H fyHx fect, bat H felO stak t it.
hI woz sent f trFal n kandemd t hRd lEbx, F bilIv. nQ H
fyHx hAz kam t intxsId f him. bat hI'z a gUd-f-naTiN lAd!
V nO HAt sPt v trEdzman'z san, a dAndi n lEdi-kilx. hI
atendad sam lekcxz samwX n imAJinz HAt H deval iz nO mAc
f him. HAt's H sPt v felO hI iz. hiz fyHx kIps a kUkSop
hC bF H /stOn /briJ, n V nO HX woz a lRJ Fkon v /god
/YlmFti pEntad wiH a septx in wan hAnd n an Pb in H aHx.
wel, hI tUk HAt Fkon hOm wiH him f a fV dEz n wot did hI dM?
hI fQnd sam skQndral v a pEntx...”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
in H midal v His freS tEl /piX woz samand t H kamAndx in
cIf.
<p>
wen hI entxd H prFvat rMm /kQnt /rOstOpcin, pakxiN hiz fEs,
woz rabiN hiz fPhed n Fz wiH hiz hAnd. a SPt mAn woz sEiN
samTiN, bat wen /piX entxd hI stopt spIkiN n went Qt.
<p>
“y, hQ dM V dM, grEt wPC?” sed /rOstOpcin Az sMn Az H SPt
mAn hAd left H rMm. “wI hAv hxd v jP prQas. bat HAt's not
H pqnt. bitwIn Qxselvz, man /Ser, dM V biloN t H /mEsanz?” hI
went on sivCli, Az HO HX wx samTiN roN abQt it wic
hI nevxHales intendad t pRdan. /piX rimEnd sFlant. “F Am wel
infPmd, mF frend, bat F Am awX HAt HX R /mEsanz n F hOp
HAt V R not wan v HOz hM on prItens v sEviN mAnkFnd wiS t
rMin /raSa.”
<p>
“jes, F Am a /mEsan,” /piX riplFd.
<p>
“HX, V sI, man /Ser! F iäpekt V nO HAt /mesz. /sperynski n
/mygnitski hAv bin dipPtad t HX propx plEs. /mx /klVcRef hAz
bin trItad in H sEm wE, n sO hAv aHxz hM on H plI v
bildiN ap H tempal v /solaman hAv trFd t distrq H tempal v
HX fyHxlAnd. V kAn andxstAnd HAt HX R rIzanz f His n
HAt F kUd not hAv eäFld H /pOstmAstx hAd hI not bin a hRmfal
pxsan. it hAz nQ kam t mF noliJ HAt V lent him jP kAriJ
f hiz rimMval from tQn, n HAt V hAv Ivan aäeptad pEpxz from
him f sEf kastadi. F lFk V n dOnt wiS V eni hRm n—Az
V R Onli hAf mF EJ—F advFz V, Az a fyHx wUd, t sIs
Yl kamVnikESan wiH men v HAt stAmp n t lIv hC Az sMn Az
posabal.”
<p>
“bat wot did /klVcRef dM roN, /kQnt?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“HAt iz f mI t nO, bat not f V t Ask,” SQtad /rOstOpcin.
<p>
“if hI iz akVzd v sxkVlEtiN /napOlWn'z proklamESan it iz not
prMvd HAt hI did sO,” sed /piX wiHQt lUkiN At /rOstOpcin, “n
/vereScygin...”
<p>
“HX wI R!” /rOstOpcin SQtad At /piX lQdx HAn bifP,
frQniN sadanli. “/vereScygin iz a renigEd n a trEtx hM wil
bI paniSt Az hI dizxvz,” sed hI wiH H vindiktiv hIt wiH wic
pIpal spIk wen rikYliN an insalt. “bat F did not saman V t
diskas mF AkSanz, bat t giv V advFs—P an Pdx if V prifx it.
F beg V t lIv H tQn n brEk of Yl kamVnikESan wiH sac
men Az /klVcRef. n F wil nok H nonsens Qt v enibodi”—bat
probabli rWlFziN HAt hI woz SQtiN At /bezMâOf hM sO fR woz not
gilti v eniTiN, hI Adad, tEkiN /piX'z hAnd in a frendli mAnx,
“wI R on H Iv v a pablik dizAstx n F hAvant tFm t bI palFt
t evribodi hM hAz biznas wiH mI. mF hed iz samtFmz in a wxl.
wel, man /Ser, wot R V dMiN pxsanali?”
<p>
“wF, naTiN,” Ansxd /piX wiHQt rEziN hiz Fz P cEnJiN H
TYtfal iäpreSan v hiz fEs.
<p>
H kQnt frQnd.
<p>
“a wxd v frendli advFs, man /Ser. bI of Az sMn Az V kAn, HAt's
Yl F hAf t tel V. hApi hI hM hAz Cz t hC. gUd-bF, mF dC
felO. O, bF H bF!” hI SQtad TrM H dPwE Aftx /piX,
“iz it trM HAt H kQntas hAz fYlan intM H klacaz v H hOli
fyHxz v H /sasFati v /JIzas?”
<p>
/piX did not Ansx n left /rOstOpcin'z rMm mP salan n ANgri
HAn hI hAd evx bifP SOn himself.
<p>
wen hI rIct hOm it woz Ylredi getiN dRk. sam Et pIpal hAd
kam t sI him HAt IvniN: H sekratXi v a kamiti, H kxnal
v hiz batAlWn, hiz stMxd, hiz mEJx-dOmO, n vXWs patiSanxz.
HE Yl hAd biznas wiH /piX n wontad disiZanz from him. /piX
did not andxstAnd n woz not intxastad in eni v HIz kwescanz n
Onli Ansxd Hem in Pdx t get rid v HIz pIpal. wen left alOn
At lAst hI Opand n red hiz wFf's letx.
<p>
“HE, H sOlJxz At H bAtxi, /prins /AndrM kild... HAt Old
mAn... simplisiti iz sabmiSan t /god. safxiN iz nesisXi... H
mIniN v Yl... wan mast hRnas... mF wFf iz getiN mArid... wan
mast fxget n andxstAnd...” n gOiN t hiz bed hI TrM himself on
it wiHQt andresiN n imIdWtli fel aslIp.
<p>
wen hI awOk neät mPniN H mEJx-dOmO kEm t infPm him HAt a
speSal mesinJx, a palIs ofisx, hAd kam from /kQnt /rOstOpcin t
nO weHx /kQnt /bezMâOf hAd left P woz lIviN H tQn.
<p>
a dazan pxsanz hM hAd biznas wiH /piX wx awEtiN him in H
drYiN rMm. /piX drest haridli n, insted v gOiN t sI
Hem, went t H bAk pPc n Qt TrM H gEt.
<p>
from HAt tFm til H end v H distrakSan v /moskQ nO wan v
/bezMâOf's hQshOld, dispFt Yl H sxc HE mEd, sY /piX agen
P nM wX hI woz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
H /rOstOfs rimEnd in /moskQ til H fxst v septembx, HAt iz,
til H Iv v H enami'z entri intM H siti.
<p>
Aftx /petja hAd Jqnd /ObOlenski'z reJimant v /kosAä n left f
/bjelFa /tserkOf wX HAt reJimant woz fPmiN, H kQntas woz sIzd
wiH terx. H TYt HAt bOT hx sanz wx At H wP, hAd bOT
gon from andx hx wiN, HAt tadE P tamorO FHx P bOT v Hem
mFt bI kild lFk H TrI sanz v wan v hx akwEntansaz, strak
hx HAt samx f H fxst tFm wiH krMal klCnas. SI trFd t
get /nikalas bAk n wiSt t gO hxself t Jqn /petja, P t get
him an apqntmant samwX in /pItxzbxg, bat nFHx v HIz prMvd
posabal. /petja kUd not ritxn anles hiz reJimant did sO P anles
hI woz trAnsfxd t anaHx reJimant on Aktiv sxvis. /nikalas woz
samwX wiH H Rmi n hAd not sent a wxd sins hiz lAst letx,
in wic hI hAd givan a dItEld akQnt v hiz mItiN wiH /prinsas
/mXi. H kQntas did not slIp At nFt, P wen SI did fYl aslIp
drImd HAt SI sY hx sanz lFiN ded. Aftx meni konsaltESanz n
konvxsESanz, H kQnt At lAst divFzd mInz t trANkwilFz hx. hI
got /petja trAnsfxd from /ObOlenski'z reJimant t /bezMâOf's, wic woz
in trEniN nC /moskQ. HO /petja wUd rimEn in H sxvis, His
trAnsfx wUd giv H kQntas H konsalESan v sIiN At lIst wan
v hx sanz andx hx wiN, n SI hOpt t xEnJ mAtxz f hx
/petja sO Az not t let him gO agen, bat YlwEz get him apqntad t
plEsaz wX hI kUd not posabli tEk pRt in a bAtal. Az loN Az
/nikalas alOn woz in dEnJx H kQntas imAJind HAt SI lavd hx
fxst-bPn mP HAn Yl hx aHx cildran n Ivan riprOct hxself
f it; bat wen hx jaNgast: H skEpgrEs hM hAd bin bAd At
lesanz, woz YlwEz brEkiN TiNz in H hQs n mEkiN himself a
nMsans t evribodi, HAt snab-nOzd /petja wiH hiz meri blAk Fz
n freS rOzi cIä wX soft dQn woz Jast biginiN t SO—wen
hI woz TrOn amid HOz big, dredfal, krMal men hM wx fFtiN
samwX abQt samTiN n apArantli fFndiN pleZx in it—Hen
hiz maHx TYt SI lavd him mP, mac mP, HAn Yl hx aHx
cildran. H nCx H tFm kEm f /petja t ritxn, H mP anIzi
grM H kQntas. SI bigAn t TiNk SI wUd nevx liv t sI sac
hApinas. H prezans v /sonja, v hx bilavad /nytySa, P Ivan v
hx hazband iritEtad hx. “wot dM F wont wiH Hem? F wont nO wan bat
/petja,” SI TYt.
<p>
At H end v Ygast H /rOstOfs risIvd anaHx letx from /nikalas.
hI rOt from H provins v /vPOneZ wX hI hAd bin sent t prakjUx
rImQnts, bat HAt letx did not set H kQntas At Iz. nOiN HAt
wan san woz Qt v dEnJx SI bikEm H mP ANkSas abQt /petja.
<p>
HO bF H twentWT v Ygast nCli Yl H /rOstOfs' akwEntansaz
hAd left /moskQ, n HO evribodi trFd t pxswEd H kQntas t
get awE Az kwikli Az posabal, SI wUd not hC v lIviN bifP
hx treZx, hx adPd /petja, ritxnd. on H twenti-EtT v Ygast
hI xFvd. H pASanat tendxnas wiH wic hiz maHx risIvd him
did not plIz H siätIn-jC-Old ofisx. HO SI kansIld from
him hx intenSan v kIpiN him andx hx wiN, /petja gest hx
dizFnz, n instiNktivli fCiN HAt hI mFt giv wE t imOSan
wen wiH hx—mFt “bikam wUmaniS” Az hI txmd it t himself—hI
trItad hx kOldli, avqdad hx, n dxiN hiz stE in /moskQ atAct
himself iäklMsivli t /nytySa f hMm hI hAd YlwEz hAd a pxtikVlxli
braHxli tendxnas, YlmOst lavx-lFk.
<p>
OiN t H kQnt's kastamXi kXlasnas naTiN woz redi f HX
dipRcx bF H twenti-EtT v Ygast n H kRts HAt wx t
kam from HX /rjyzyn n /moskQ istEts t rimMv HX hQshOld
biloNiNz did not xFv til H TxtWT.
<p>
from H twenti-EtT til H Txti-fxst Yl /moskQ woz in a basal
n kamOSan. evri dE TQzandz v men wMndad At /bPOdinO wx
brYt in bF H /dPOgOmilOf gEt n tEkan t vXWs pRts v /moskQ,
n TQzandz v kRts kanvEd H inhAbitants n HX pazeSanz
Qt bF H aHx gEts. in spFt v /rOstOpcin'z brYdSIts, P bikoz
v Hem P indipendantli v Hem, H strEnJast n mOst kontradiktxi
rMmxz wx karant in H tQn. sam sed HAt nO wan woz t bI alQd
t lIv H siti, aHxz on H kontrXi sed HAt Yl H Fkonz hAd
bin tEkan Qt v H cxcaz n evribodi woz t bI Pdxd t lIv.
sam sed HX hAd bin anaHx bAtal Aftx /bPOdinO At wic H
/frenc hAd bin rQtad, wFl aHxz on H kontrXi ripPtad HAt H
/raSan Rmi hAd bin distrqd. sam tYkt abQt H /moskQ miliSa
wic, prisIdad bF H klxJi, wUd gO t H /TrI /hilz; aHxz
wispxd HAt /OgMstin hAd bin fxbidan t lIv, HAt trEtxz hAd
bin sIzd, HAt H pezants wx rFatiN n robiN pIpal on HX
wE from /moskQ, n sO on. bat Yl His woz Onli tYk; in riAliti
(HO H /kQnsal v /fili, At wic it woz disFdad t abAndan /moskQ,
hAd not jet bin held) bOT HOz hM went awE n HOz hM rimEnd
bihFnd felt, HO HE did not SO it, HAt /moskQ wUd sxtanli
bI abAndand, n HAt HE Yt t get awE Az kwikli Az posabal n
sEv HX biloNiNz. it woz felt HAt evriTiN wUd sadanli brEk
ap n cEnJ, bat ap t H fxst v septembx naTiN hAd dan sO.
Az a kriminal hM iz bIiN led t eäikVSan nOz HAt hI mast dF
imIdWtli, bat jet lUä abQt him n strEtanz H kAp HAt iz
xF on hiz hed, sO /moskQ involantXili kantinVd its wontad lFf,
HO it nM HAt H tFm v its distrakSan woz nC wen H
kandiSanz v lFf t wic its pIpal wx akastamd t sabmit wUd
bI kamplItli apset.
<p>
dxiN H TrI dEz prisIdiN H okVpESan v /moskQ H hOl
/rOstOf fAmli woz absPbd in vXWs Aktivitiz. H hed v H
fAmli, /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf, kantinVali drOv abQt H siti kalektiN
H karant rMmxz from Yl sFdz n gEv sMpxfiSal n hEsti Pdxz
At hOm abQt H prepxESanz f HX dipRcx.
<p>
H kQntas woct H TiNz bIiN pAkt, woz dissAtisfFd wiH
evriTiN, woz konstantli in pxsMt v /petja hM woz YlwEz raniN
awE from hx, n woz Jelas v /nytySa wiH hMm hI spent Yl hiz
tFm. /sonja alOn direktad H prAktikal sFd v mAtxz bF getiN
TiNz pAkt. bat v lEt /sonja hAd bin pxtikVlxli sAd n sFlant.
/nikalas' letx in wic hI menSand /prinsas /mXi hAd ilisitad, in
hx prezans, Jqas koments from H kQntas, hM sY an intxvenSan
v /providans in His mItiN v H prinsas n /nikalas.
<p>
“F woz nevx plIzd At /bOlkOnski'z ingEJmant t /nytySa,” sed H
kQntas, “bat F YlwEz wontad /nikalas t mAri H prinsas, n hAd a
prizentimant HAt it wUd hApan. wot a gUd TiN it wUd bI!”
<p>
/sonja felt HAt His woz trM: HAt H Onli posabiliti v ritrIviN
H /rOstOfs' afXz woz bF /nikalas mAriiN a ric wUman, n HAt H
prinsas woz a gUd mAc. it woz veri bitx f hx. bat dispFt
hx grIf, P pxhAps Jast bikoz v it, SI tUk on hxself Yl H
difikalt wxk v direktiN H stPiN n pAkiN v HX TiNz n
woz bizi f hOl dEz. H kQnt n kQntas txnd t hx wen HE
hAd eni Pdxz t giv. /petja n /nytySa on H kontrXi, fR from
helpiN HX pXants, wx Jenxali a nMsans n a hindrans t
evriwan. YlmOst Yl dE loN H hQs rizQndad wiH HX raniN
fIt, HX krFz, n HX spontEnWs lAftx. HE lAft n wx
gE not bikoz HX woz eni rIzan t lAf, bat bikoz gEiti n
mxT wx in HX hRts n sO evriTiN HAt hApand woz a kYz
f gEiti n lAftx t Hem. /petja woz in hF spirits bikoz
hAviN left hOm a bq hI hAd ritxnd (Az evribodi tOld him) a fFn
jaN mAn, bikoz hI woz At hOm, bikoz hI hAd left /bjelFa /tserkOf
wX HX woz nO hOp v sMn tEkiN pRt in a bAtal n hAd kam t
/moskQ wX HX woz t bI fFtiN in a fV dEz, n cIfli bikoz
/nytySa, hMz lId hI YlwEz folOd, woz in hF spirits. /nytySa woz
gE bikoz SI hAd bin sAd tM loN n nQ naTiN rimFndad hx v
H kYz v hx sAdnas, n bikoz SI woz fIliN wel. SI woz YlsO
hApi bikoz SI hAd samwan t adP hx: H AdxESan v aHxz woz
a lMbrikant H wIlz v hx maSIn nIdad t mEk Hem ran frIli—n
/petja adPd hx. abav Yl, HE wx gE bikoz HX woz a wP nC
/moskQ, HX wUd bI fFtiN At H tQn gEts, Rmz wx bIiN
givan Qt, evribodi woz iskEpiN—gOiN awE samwX, n in Jenxal
samTiN iätrPdinXi woz hApaniN, n HAt iz YlwEz iäFtiN,
ispeSali t H jaN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
on sAtxdE, H Txti-fxst v Ygast, evriTiN in H /rOstOfs'
hQs sImd topsi-txvi. Yl H dPz wx Opan, Yl H fxnicx woz
bIiN kArid Qt P mMvd abQt, n H mirxz n pikcxz hAd bin
tEkan dQn. HX wx traNä in H rMmz, n hE, rApiN pEpx, n
rOps wx skAtxd abQt. H pezants n hQs sxfs kAriiN Qt
H TiNz wx trediN hevili on H pRkE flPz. H jRd woz
krQdad wiH pezant kRts, sam lOdad hF n Ylredi kPdad ap,
aHxz stil empti.
<p>
H vqsaz n fUtsteps v H meni sxvants n v H pezants hM
hAd kam wiH H kRts rizQndad Az HE SQtad t wan anaHx in
H jRd n in H hQs. H kQnt hAd bin Qt sins mPniN. H
kQntas hAd a hedEk brYt on bF Yl H nqz n txmql n woz
lFiN dQn in H nM sitiN rMm wiH a vinigx kompres on hx hed.
/petja woz not At hOm, hI hAd gon t vizit a frend wiH hMm hI ment
t abtEn a trAnsfx from H miliSa t H Aktiv Rmi. /sonja woz in
H bYlrMm lUkiN Aftx H pAkiN v H glAs n cFna. /nytySa
woz sitiN on H flP v hx dismAntald rMm wiH dresaz, ribanz,
n skRvz strMn Yl abQt hx, gEziN fiäadli At H flP n
hOldiN in hx hAndz H Old bYl dres (Ylredi Qt v fASan) wic
SI hAd wPn At hx fxst /pItxzbxg bYl.
<p>
/nytySa woz aSEmd v dMiN naTiN wen evriwan els woz sO bizi, n
sevxal tFmz HAt mPniN hAd trFd t set t wxk, bat hx hRt woz
not in it, n SI kUd not n did not nO hQ t dM eniTiN iäept
wiH Yl hx hRt n Yl hx mFt. f a wFl SI hAd stUd bisFd
/sonja wFl H cFna woz bIiN pAkt n trFd t help, bat sMn gEv
it ap n went t hx rMm t pAk hx On TiNz. At fxst SI fQnd it
amVziN t giv awE dresaz n ribanz t H mEdz, bat wen HAt woz
dan n wot woz left hAd stil t bI pAkt, SI fQnd it dal.
<p>
“/dMnjySa, V pAk! V wil, wOnt V, dC?” n wen /dMnjySa
wiliNli promist t dM it Yl f hx, /nytySa sAt dQn on H flP,
tUk hx Old bYl dres, n fel intM a revxi kwFt anrilEtad t wot
Yt t hAv okVpFd hx TYts nQ. SI woz rQzd from hx revxi
bF H tYk v H mEdz in H neät rMm (wic woz HXz) n bF H
sQnd v HX harid fUtsteps gOiN t H bAk pPc. /nytySa got
ap n lUkt Qt v H windO. an inPmasli loN rO v kRts fUl v
wMndad men hAd stopt in H strIt.
<p>
H hQskIpx, H Old nxs, H kUä, kOcmen, mEdz, fUtmen,
postilWnz, n skalWnz stUd At H gEt, stXiN At H wMndad.
<p>
/nytySa, TrOiN a klIn pokat hANkxcif Ovx hx hX n hOldiN
an end v it in Ic hAnd, went Qt intM H strIt.
<p>
H fPmx hQskIpx, Old /myvra /kMzminicna, hAd stept Qt v H
krQd bF H gEt, gon ap t a kRt wiH a hUd kanstraktad v /bAst
mAts, n woz spIkiN t a pEl jaN ofisx hM lE insFd.
/nytySa mMvd a fV steps fPwxd n stopt SFli, stil hOldiN hx
hANkxcif, n lisand t wot H hQskIpx woz sEiN.
<p>
“Hen V hAv nObodi in /moskQ?” SI woz sEiN. “V wUd bI mP
kamfxtabal samwX in a hQs... in Qxz, f instans... H fAmli
R lIviN.”
<p>
“F dOnt nO if it wUd bI alQd,” riplFd H ofisx in a wIk
vqs. “hC iz Qx kamAndiN ofisx... Ask him,” n hI pqntad t a
stQt mEJx hM woz wYkiN bAk aloN H strIt pAst H rO v kRts.
<p>
/nytySa glAnst wiH frFtand Fz At H fEs v H wMndad ofisx
n At wans went t mIt H mEJx.
<p>
“mE H wMndad men stE in Qx hQs?” SI Askt.
<p>
H mEJx rEzd hiz hAnd t hiz kAp wiH a smFl.
<p>
“wic wan dM V wont, /mAm'zel?” sed hI, skrMiN ap hiz Fz n
smFliN.
<p>
/nytySa kwFatli ripItad hx kwescan, n hx fEs n hOl
mAnx wx sO sCWs, HO SI woz stil hOldiN H endz v hx
hANkxcif, HAt H mEJx sIst smFliN n Aftx sam riflekSan—Az
if kansidxiN in hQ fR H TiN woz posabal—riplFd in H
afxmativ.
<p>
“O jes, wF not? HE mE,” hI sed.
<p>
wiH a slFt inklinESan v hx hed, /nytySa stept bAk kwikli t
/myvra /kMzminicna, hM stUd tYkiN kampASanatli t H ofisx.
<p>
“HE mE. hI sez HE mE!” wispxd /nytySa.
<p>
H kRt in wic H ofisx lE woz txnd intM H /rOstOfs' jRd,
n dazanz v kRts wiH wMndad men bigAn At H invitESan v H
tQnzfOk t txn intM H jRdz n t drY ap At H entransaz v H
hQzaz in /pOvRskFa /strIt. /nytySa woz evidentli plIzd t bI dIliN
wiH nM pIpal QtsFd H PdinXi rMtIn v hx lFf. SI n /myvra
/kMzminicna trFd t get Az meni v H wMndad Az posabal intM HX
jRd.
<p>
“jP /pypy mast bI tOld, HO,” sed /myvra /kMzminicna.
<p>
“nevx mFnd, nevx mFnd, wot daz it mAtx? f wan dE wI kAn mMv
intM H drYiN rMm. HE kAn hAv Yl Qx hAf v H hQs.”
<p>
“HX nQ, jaN lEdi, V dM tEk TiNz intM jP hed! Ivan if wI
pUt Hem intM H wiN, H men'z rMm, P H nxs'az rMm, wI mast Ask
pxmiSan.”
<p>
“wel, F'l Ask.”
<p>
/nytySa rAn intM H hQs n went on tiptO TrM H hAf-Opan dP
intM H sitiN rMm, wX HX woz a smel v vinigx n /hofman'z
drops.
<p>
“R V aslIp, /mymy?”
<p>
“O, wot slIp—?” sed H kQntas, wEkiN ap Jast Az SI woz dropiN
intM a dOz.
<p>
“mymy dRliN!” sed /nytySa, nIliN bF hx maHx n briNiN hx
fEs klOs t hx maHx'z, “F Am sori, fxgiv mI, F'l nevx dM it
agen; F wOk V ap! /myvra /kMzminicna hAz sent mI: HE hAv brYt
sam wMndad hC—ofisxz. wil V let Hem kam? HE hAv nOwX t
gO. F nM V'd let Hem kam!” SI sed kwikli Yl in wan breT.
<p>
“wot ofisxz? hMm hAv HE brYt? F dOnt andxstAnd eniTiN
abQt it,” sed H kQntas.
<p>
/nytySa lAft, n H kQntas tM smFld slFtli.
<p>
“F nM V'd giv pxmiSan... sO F'l tel Hem,” n, hAviN kist
hx maHx, /nytySa got ap n went t H dP.
<p>
in H hYl SI met hx fyHx, hM hAd ritxnd wiH bAd nMz.
<p>
“wI'v stEd tM loN!” sed H kQnt wiH involantXi veäESan. “H
/klab iz klOzd n H palIs R lIviN.”
<p>
“pypy, iz it Yl rFt—F'v invFtad sam v H wMndad intM H hQs?”
sed /nytySa.
<p>
“v kPs it iz,” hI Ansxd Absantli. “HAt's not H pqnt. F beg
V not t indalJ in trFfalz nQ, bat t help t pAk, n tamorO wI
mast gO, gO, gO!...”
<p>
n H kQnt gEv a similx Pdx t H mEJx-dOmO n H sxvants.
<p>
At dinx /petja hAviN ritxnd hOm tOld Hem H nMz hI hAd hxd.
hI sed H pIpal hAd bin getiN Rmz in H /kremlin, n HAt HO
/rOstOpcin'z brYdSIt hAd sed HAt hI wUd sQnd a kYl tM P TrI
dEz in advAns, H Pdx hAd sxtanli Ylredi bin givan f evriwan
t gO Rmd t H /TrI /hilz tamorO, n HAt HX wUd bI a big
bAtal HX.
<p>
H kQntas lUkt wiH timid horx At hx san'z Igx, iäFtad fEs
Az hI sed His. SI rWlFzd HAt if SI sed a wxd abQt hiz not
gOiN t H bAtal (SI nM hI inJqd H TYt v H impendiN
ingEJmant) hI wUd sE samTiN abQt men, onx, n H
fyHxlAnd—samTiN senslas, mAskVlin, n obstinat wic HX
wUd bI nO kontradiktiN, n hx plAnz wUd bI spqld; n sO,
hOpiN t xEnJ t lIv bifP Hen n tEk /petja wiH hx Az HX
pratektx n difendx, SI did not Ansx him, bat Aftx dinx kYld
H kQnt asFd n implPd him wiH tCz t tEk hx awE kwikli,
HAt veri nFt if posabal. wiH a wUman'z involantXi laviN kaniN
SI, hM til Hen hAd not SOn eni alRm, sed HAt SI wUd dF v
frFt if HE did not lIv HAt veri nFt. wiHQt eni prItens SI
woz nQ afrEd v evriTiN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
/madym /Sos, hM hAd bin Qt t vizit hx dYtx, inkrIst H
kQntas' fCz stil mP bF teliN wot SI hAd sIn At a spirit
dIlx'z in /mjysnitski /strIt. wen ritxniN bF HAt strIt SI hAd
bin anEbal t pAs bikoz v a draNkan krQd rFatiN in frant v
H Sop. SI hAd tEkan a kAb n drivan hOm bF a sFd strIt n H
kAbman hAd tOld hx HAt H pIpal wx brEkiN Opan H bAralz At
H driNk stP, hAviN risIvd Pdxz t dM sO.
<p>
Aftx dinx H hOl /rOstOf hQshOld set t wxk wiH inTVziAstik
hEst pAkiN HX biloNiNz n pripXiN f HX dipRcx. H
Old kQnt, sadanli setiN t wxk, kept pAsiN from H jRd t H
hQs n bAk agen, SQtiN kanfVzd instrakSanz t H hariiN
pIpal, n flariiN Hem stil mP. /petja direktad TiNz in H
jRd. /sonja, OiN t H kQnt's kontradiktxi Pdxz, lost hx hed
n did not nO wot t dM. H sxvants rAn nqzili abQt H hQs
n jRd, SQtiN n dispVtiN. /nytySa, wiH H Rdx kAraktxistik
v Yl SI did sadanli set t wxk tM. At fxst hx intxvenSan in
H biznas v pAkiN woz risIvd skeptikli. evribodi iäpektad
sam prANk from hx n did not wiS t ObE hx; bat SI rezalMtli
n pASanatli dimAndad ObIdWns, grM ANgri n nCli krFd bikoz
HE did not hId hx, n At lAst saäIdad in mEkiN Hem bilIv hx.
hx fxst eäplqt, wic kost hx imens efxt n istAbliSt hx
YToriti, woz H pAkiN v H kRpats. H kQnt hAd vAlVabal
/gobelin tApistriz n /pxZan kRpats in H hQs. wen /nytySa set
t wxk tM kEsaz wx stAndiN Opan in H bYlrMm, wan YlmOst fUl
ap wiH krokxi, H aHx wiH kRpats. HX woz YlsO mac cFna
stAndiN on H tEbalz, n stil mP woz bIiN brYt in from H
stPrMm. a Txd kEs woz nIdad n sxvants hAd gon t fec it.
<p>
“/sonja, wEt a bit—wI'l pAk evriTiN intM HIz,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
“V kAnt, /mis, wI hAv trFd t,” sed H batlx'z asistant.
<p>
“nO, wEt a minit, plIz.”
<p>
n /nytySa bigAn rApidli tEkiN Qt v H kEs diSaz n plEts
rApt in pEpx.
<p>
“H diSaz mast gO in hC amaN H kRpats,” sed SI.
<p>
“wF, it's a mxsi if wI kAn get H kRpats alOn intM TrI kEsaz,”
sed H batlx'z asistant.
<p>
“O, wEt, plIz!” n /nytySa bigAn rApidli n deftli sPtiN Qt H
TiNz. “HIz Rnt nIdad,” sed SI, pUtiN asFd sam plEts
v /kIev wX. “HIz—jes, HIz mast gO amaN H kRpats,” SI sed,
rifxiN t H /sAäani cFna diSaz.
<p>
“dOnt, /nytySa! lIv it alOn! wI'l get it Yl pAkt,” xJd /sonja
riprOcfali.
<p>
“wot a jaN lEdi SI iz!” rimRkt H mEJx-dOmO.
<p>
bat /nytySa wUd not giv in. SI txnd evriTiN Qt n bigAn
kwikli rIpAkiN, disFdiN HAt H infCC /raSan kRpats n
annesisXi krokxi SUd not bI tEkan At Yl. wen evriTiN hAd
bin tEkan Qt v H kEsaz, HE rIkamenst pAkiN, n it txnd
Qt HAt wen H cIpx TiNz not wxT tEkiN hAd nCli Yl bin
riJektad, H vAlVabal wanz rWli did Yl gO intM H tM kEsaz. Onli
H lid v H kEs kantEniN H kRpats wUd not Sat dQn. a fV
mP TiNz mFt hAv bin tEkan Qt, bat /nytySa insistad on hAviN
hx On wE. SI pAkt, rIpAkt, prest, mEd H batlx'z asistant
n /petja—hMm SI hAd drYn intM H biznas v pAkiN—pres on H
lid, n mEd despxat efxts hxself.
<p>
“HAt's inaf, /nytySa,” sed /sonja. “F sI V wx rFt, bat Jast
tEk Qt H top wan.”
<p>
“F wOnt!” krFd /nytySa, wiH wan hAnd hOldiN bAk H hX HAt haN
Ovx hx pxspFxiN fEs, wFl wiH H aHx SI prest dQn H
kRpats. “nQ pres, /petja! pres, /vysilic, pres hRd!” SI krFd.
<p>
H kRpats jIldad n H lid klOzd; /nytySa, klApiN hx hAndz,
skrImd wiH dilFt n tCz fel from hx Fz. bat His Onli
lAstad a mOment. SI At wans set t wxk afreS n HE nQ trastad hx
kamplItli. H kQnt woz not ANgri Ivan wen HE tOld him HAt /nytySa
hAd kQntxmAndad an Pdx v hiz, n H sxvants nQ kEm t hx
t Ask weHx a kRt woz safiSantli lOdad, n weHx it mFt
bI kPdad ap. TANä t /nytySa'z direkSanz H wxk nQ went on
eäpidiSasli, annesisXi TiNz wx left, n H mOst vAlVabal
pAkt Az kampAktli Az posabal.
<p>
bat hRd Az HE Yl wxkt til kwFt lEt HAt nFt, HE kUd not
get evriTiN pAkt. H kQntas hAd fYlan aslIp n H kQnt,
hAviN pUt of HX dipRcx til neät mPniN, went t bed.
<p>
/sonja n /nytySa slept in H sitiN rMm wiHQt andresiN.
<p>
HAt nFt anaHx wMndad mAn woz drivan dQn H /pOvRskFa, n /myvra
/kMzminicna, hM woz stAndiN At H gEt, hAd him brYt intM H
/rOstOfs' jRd. /myvra /kMzminicna kanklMdad HAt hI woz a veri impPtant
mAn. hI woz bIiN kanvEd in a kyleS wiH a rEzd hUd, n woz
kwFt kavxd bF an Epran. on H boä bisFd H drFvx sAt a venxabal
Old atendant. a doktx n tM sOlJxz folOd H kAriJ in a
kRt.
<p>
“plIz kam in hC. H mAstxz R gOiN awE n H hOl hQs
wil bI empti,” sed H Old wUman t H Old atendant.
<p>
“wel, pxhAps,” sed hI wiH a sF. “wI dOnt iäpekt t get him hOm
alFv! wI hAv a hQs v Qx On in /moskQ, bat it's a loN wE from
hC, n HX'z nObodi liviN in it.”
<p>
“dM as H onx t kam in, HX'z plenti v evriTiN in H
mAstx'z hQs. kam in,” sed /myvra /kMzminicna. “iz hI veri il?” SI
Askt.
<p>
H atendant mEd a hOplas Jescx.
<p>
“wI dOnt iäpekt t get him hOm! wI mast Ask H doktx.”
<p>
n H Old sxvant got dQn from H boä n went ap t H kRt.
<p>
“Yl rFt!” sed H doktx.
<p>
H Old sxvant ritxnd t H kyleS, lUkt intM it, SUk hiz
hed diskonsalatli, tOld H drFvx t txn intM H jRd, n stopt
bisFd /myvra /kMzminicna.
<p>
“O, /lPd /JIzas /krFst!” SI mxmxd.
<p>
SI invFtad Hem t tEk H wMndad mAn intM H hQs.
<p>
“H mAstxz wOnt abJekt...” SI sed.
<p>
bat HE hAd t avqd kAriiN H mAn apstXz, n sO HE tUk him
intM H wiN n pUt him in H rMm HAt hAd bin /madym /Sos'.
<p>
His wMndad mAn woz /prins /AndrM /bOlkOnski.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
/moskQ'z lAst dE hAd kam. it woz a klC brFt Ytam dE, a sandE.
H cxc belz evriwX wx riNiN f sxvis, Jast Az VZMal on
sandEz. nObodi sImd jet t rWlFz wot awEtad H siti.
<p>
Onli tM TiNz indikEtad H sOSal kandiSan v /moskQ—H rAbal,
HAt iz H pUx pIpal, n H prFs v kamoditiz. an inPmas krQd
v fAktxi hAndz, hQs sxfs, n pezants, wiH hMm sam afiSalz,
seminxists, n Jentri wx miNgald, hAd gon xli HAt mPniN t
H /TrI /hilz. hAviN wEtad HX f /rOstOpcin hM did not txn
ap, HE bikEm kanvinst HAt /moskQ wUd bI sxendxd, n Hen
dispxst Yl abQt H tQn t H pablik hQzaz n kUkSops. prFsaz
tM HAt dE indikEtad H stEt v afXz. H prFs v wepanz, v
gOld, v kRts n hPsaz, kept rFziN, bat H vAlV v pEpx mani n
siti Rtikalz kept fYliN, sO HAt bF middE HX wx instansaz v
kRtxz rimMviN vAlVabal gUdz, sac Az kloT, n risIviN in pEmant
a hAf v wot HE kRtad, wFl pezant hPsaz wx feciN fFv
handrad rMbalz Ic, n fxnicx, mirxz, n bronzaz wx bIiN
givan awE f naTiN.
<p>
in H /rOstOfs' stEd Old-fASand hQs H disalMSan v fPmx
kandiSanz v lFf woz bat lital nOtisabal. Az t H sxfs H Onli
indikESan woz HAt TrI Qt v HX hVJ retinM disapCd
dxiN H nFt, bat naTiN woz stOlan; n Az t H vAlV v HX
pazeSanz, H Txti pezant kRts HAt hAd kam in from HX
istEts n wic meni pIpal envid prMvd t bI iätrImli vAlVabal n
HE wx ofxd inPmas samz v mani f Hem. not Onli wx hVJ
samz ofxd f H hPsaz n kRts, bat on H prIvWs IvniN n
xli in H mPniN v H fxst v septembx, Pdxliz n sxvants
sent bF wMndad ofisxz kEm t H /rOstOfs' n wMndad men drAgd
Hemselvz HX from H /rOstOfs' n from nEbxiN hQzaz wX
HE wx akomadEtad, intrItiN H sxvants t trF t get Hem
a lift Qt v /moskQ. H mEJx-dOmO t hMm HIz intrItiz wx
adrest, HO hI woz sori f H wMndad, rezalMtli rifVzd,
sEiN HAt hI dX not Ivan menSan H mAtx t H kQnt. piti HIz
wMndad men Az wan mFt, it woz evidant HAt if HE wx givan wan
kRt HX wUd bI nO rIzan t rifVz anaHx, P Yl H kRts n
wan'z On kAriJaz Az wel. Txti kRts kUd not sEv Yl H wMndad
n in H Jenxal katAstrafi wan kUd not disrigRd wanself n wan'z
On fAmli. sO TYt H mEJx-dOmO on hiz mAstx'z bihAf.
<p>
on wEkiN ap HAt mPniN /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf left hiz bedrMm softli, sO
Az not t wEk H kQntas hM hAd fYlan aslIp Onli tPd mPniN,
n kEm Qt t H pPc in hiz lFlAk silk dresiN gQn. in H jRd
stUd H kRts redi kPdad. H kAriJaz wx At H frant pPc.
H mEJx-dOmO stUd At H pPc tYkiN t an eldxli Pdxli n t
a pEl jaN ofisx wiH a bAndiJd Rm. on sIiN H kQnt H
mEJx-dOmO mEd a signifikant n stxn Jescx t Hem bOT t gO awE.
<p>
“wel, /vysilic, iz evriTiN redi?” Askt H kQnt, n strOkiN hiz
bYld hed hI lUkt gUd-nEcxdli At H ofisx n H Pdxli n
nodad t Hem. (hI lFkt t sI nM fEsaz.)
<p>
“wI kAn hRnas At wans, jP eäalansi.”
<p>
“wel, HAt's rFt. Az sMn Az H kQntas wEä wI'l bI of, /god
wiliN! wot iz it, Jentalmen?” hI Adad, txniN t H ofisx. “R
V stEiN in mF hQs?”
<p>
H ofisx kEm nCx n sadanli hiz fEs flaSt krimzan.
<p>
“kQnt, bI sO gUd Az t alQ mI... f /god'z sEk, t get intM sam
kPnx v wan v jP kRts! F hAv naTiN hC wiH mI.... F SAl bI
Yl rFt on a lOdad kRt....”
<p>
bifP H ofisx hAd finiSt spIkiN H Pdxli mEd H sEm
rikwest on bihAf v hiz mAstx.
<p>
“O, jes, jes, jes!” sed H kQnt hEstili. “F SAl bI veri plIzd,
veri plIzd. /vysilic, V'l sI t it. Jast anlOd wan P tM kRts.
wel, wot v it... dM wot's nesisXi...” sed H kQnt, matxiN
sam indefinit Pdx.
<p>
bat At H sEm mOment an iäpreSan v wPm grAtitMd on H ofisx'z
fEs hAd Ylredi sIld H Pdx. H kQnt lUkt xQnd him. in H
jRd, At H gEts, At H windO v H wiNz, wMndad ofisxz n
HX Pdxliz wx t bI sIn. HE wx Yl lUkiN At H kQnt n
mMviN tPd H pPc.
<p>
“plIz step intM H gAlxi, jP eäalansi,” sed H mEJx-dOmO.
“wot R jP Pdxz abQt H pikcxz?”
<p>
H kQnt went intM H hQs wiH him, ripItiN hiz Pdx not t
rifVz H wMndad hM Askt f a lift.
<p>
“wel, nevx mFnd, sam v H TiNz kAn bI anlOdad,” hI Adad in a
soft, konfidenSal vqs, Az HO afrEd v bIiN Ovxhxd.
<p>
At nFn O'klok H kQntas wOk ap, n /mytrjOna /timOfEevna, hM hAd
bin hx lEdi'z mEd bifP hx mAriJ n nQ pxfPmd a sPt v
cIf ZondRm'z dMti f hx, kEm t sE HAt /madym /Sos woz mac
afendad n H jaN lEdiz' samx dresaz kUd not bI left bihFnd.
on inkwFxi, H kQntas lxnd HAt /madym /Sos woz afendad bikoz
hx traNk hAd bin tEkan dQn from its kRt, n Yl H lOdz wx
bIiN ankPdad n H lagiJ tEkan Qt v H kRts t mEk rMm f
wMndad men hMm H kQnt in H simplisiti v hiz hRt hAd Pdxd
HAt HE SUd tEk wiH Hem. H kQntas sent f hx hazband.
<p>
“wot iz His, mF dC? F hC HAt H lagiJ iz bIiN anlOdad.”
<p>
“V nO, lav, F wontad t tel V... kQntas dC... an ofisx
kEm t mI t Ask f a fV kRts f H wMndad. Aftx Yl, Qxz R
TiNz HAt kAn bI bYt bat TiNk wot bIiN left bihFnd mInz t
Hem!... rWli nQ, in Qx On jRd—wI Askt Hem in Qxselvz n
HX R ofisxz amaN Hem.... V nO, F TiNk, mF dC... let Hem
bI tEkan... wX'z H hari?”
<p>
H kQnt spOk timidli, Az hI YlwEz did wen tYkiN v mani mAtxz.
H kQntas woz akastamd t His tOn Az a prIkxsx v nMz v
samTiN detrimental t H cildran'z intxasts, sac Az H bildiN
v a nM gAlxi P kansxvatPi, H inYgjxESan v a prFvat TWtx
P an Pkistra. SI woz akastamd YlwEz t apOz eniTiN anQnst
in HAt timid tOn n kansidxd it hx dMti t dM sO.
<p>
SI asMmd hx dOlfali sabmisiv mAnx n sed t hx hazband:
“lisan t mI, /kQnt, V hAv mAniJd mAtxz sO HAt wI R getiN
naTiN f H hQs, n nQ V wiS t TrO awE Yl Qx—Yl H
cildran'z propxti! V sed jPself HAt wI hAv a handrad TQzand
rMbalz' wxT v TiNz in H hQs. F dOnt kansent, mF dC, F dOnt!
dM Az V plIz! it's H gavxnmant's biznas t lUk Aftx H
wMndad; HE nO HAt. lUk At H /lOpMâinz opazit, HE klCd
Qt evriTiN tM dEz agO. HAt's wot aHx pIpal dM. it's Onli
wI hM R sac fMlz. if V hAv nO piti on mI, hAv sam f H
cildran.”
<p>
flariSiN hiz Rmz in dispX H kQnt left H rMm wiHQt
riplFiN.
<p>
“pypy, wot R V dMiN HAt f?” Askt /nytySa, hM hAd folOd him
intM hx maHx'z rMm.
<p>
“naTiN! wot biznas iz it v jPz?” matxd H kQnt ANgrili.
<p>
“bat F hxd,” sed /nytySa. “wF daz /mymy abJekt?”
<p>
“wot biznas iz it v jPz?” krFd H kQnt.
<p>
/nytySa stept ap t H windO n pondxd.
<p>
“pypy! hC'z /bxg kamiN t sI as,” sed SI, lUkiN Qt v H
windO.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
/bxg, H /rOstOfs' san-in-lY, woz Ylredi a kxnal wXiN H Pdxz
v /vlydimC n /Ana, n hI stil fild H kwFat n agrIabal pOst
v asistant t H hed v H stAf v H asistant kamAndx v H
fxst diviZan v H /sekand /Rmi.
<p>
on H fxst v septembx hI hAd kam t /moskQ from H Rmi.
<p>
hI hAd naTiN t dM in /moskQ, bat hI hAd nOtist HAt evriwan in H
Rmi woz AskiN f lIv t vizit /moskQ n hAd samTiN t dM HX.
sO hI kansidxd it nesisXi t Ask f lIv v Absans f fAmli n
damestik rIzanz.
<p>
bxg drOv ap t hiz fyHx-in-lY'z hQs in hiz sprMs lital trAp
wiH a pX v slIk rOnz, iãAktli lFk HOz v a sxtan prins. hI
lUkt atentivli At H kRts in H jRd n wFl gOiN ap t H
pPc tUk Qt a klIn pokat hANkxcif n tFd a not in it.
<p>
from H AntirMm /bxg rAn wiH smMH HO impESant steps intM H
drYiN rMm, wX hI imbrEst H kQnt, kist H hAndz v /nytySa
n /sonja, n hEsand t inkwFx Aftx “mymy'z” helT.
<p>
“helT, At a tFm lFk His?” sed H kQnt. “kam, tel as H nMz!
iz H Rmi ritrItiN P wil HX bI anaHx bAtal?”
<p>
“god /YlmFti alOn kAn disFd H fEt v Qx fyHxlAnd, /pypy,” sed
/bxg. “H Rmi iz bxniN wiH a spirit v herOizam n H lIdxz, sO
t sE, hAv nQ asembald in kQnsal. nO wan nOz wot iz kamiN. bat
in Jenxal F kAn tel V, /pypy, HAt sac a hirOik spirit, H trMli
AntIk vAlx v H /raSan Rmi, wic HE—wic it” (hI kxektad
himself) “hAz SOn P displEd in H bAtal v H twenti-siäT—HX
R nO wxdz wxHi t dM it Jastis! F tel V, /pypy” (hI smOt
himself on H brest Az a Jenxal hI hAd hxd spIkiN hAd dan, bat
/bxg did it a trFfal lEt f hI SUd hAv strak hiz brest At H
wxdz “/raSan Rmi”), “F tel V frANkli HAt wI, H kamAndxz, fR
from hAviN t xJ H men on P eniTiN v HAt kFnd, kUd hRdli
ristrEn HOz... HOz... jes, HOz eäplqts v AntIk vAlx,” hI
went on rApidli. “Jenxal /bRklE de /toli riskt hiz lFf evriwX At
H hed v H trMps, F kAn aSUx V. Qx kP woz stESand on a
hilsFd. V kAn imAJin!”
<p>
n /bxg rilEtad Yl HAt hI rimembxd v H vXWs tElz hI hAd
hxd HOz dEz. /nytySa woct him wiH an intent gEz HAt kanfVzd
him, Az if SI wx trFiN t fFnd in hiz fEs H Ansx t sam
kwescan.
<p>
“YltageHx sac herOizam Az woz displEd bF H /raSan wPCz
kAnot bI imAJind P Adikwatli prEzd!” sed /bxg, glAnsiN rQnd
At /nytySa, n Az if ANkSas t kansiliEt hx, riplFiN t hx intent
lUk wiH a smFl. “'/raSa iz not in /moskQ, SI livz in H hRts v
hx sanz!' izant it sO, /pypy?” sed hI.
<p>
Jast Hen H kQntas kEm in from H sitiN rMm wiH a wCi n
dissAtisfFd iäpreSan. bxg haridli Jampt ap, kist hx hAnd,
Askt abQt hx helT, n, swEiN hiz hed from sFd t sFd t
iäpres simpaTi, rimEnd stAndiN bisFd hx.
<p>
“jes, /mymy, F tel V sinsCli HAt HIz R hRd n sAd tFmz f
evri /raSan. bat wF R V sO ANkSas? V hAv stil tFm t get
awE....”
<p>
“F kAnt TiNk wot H sxvants R abQt,” sed H kQntas, txniN
t hx hazband. “F hAv Jast bin tOld HAt naTiN iz redi jet.
sambodi Aftx Yl mast sI t TiNz. wan misaz /mitenka At sac tFmz.
HX wOnt bI eni end t it.”
<p>
H kQnt woz abQt t sE samTiN, bat evidentli ristrEnd himself.
hI got ap from hiz cX n went t H dP.
<p>
At HAt mOment /bxg drM Qt hiz hANkxcif Az if t blO hiz nOz
n, sIiN H not in it, pondxd, SEkiN hiz hed sAdli n
signifikantli.
<p>
“n F hAv a grEt fEvx t Ask v V, /pypy,” sed hI.
<p>
“hm...” sed H kQnt, n stopt.
<p>
“F woz drFviN pAst /VsMpOf's hQs Jast nQ,” sed /bxg wiH a lAf,
“wen H stMxd, a mAn F nO, rAn Qt n Askt mI weHx F wUdant
bF samTiN. F went in Qt v kjUxiositi, V nO, n HX iz a
smYl SifanC n a dresiN tEbal. V nO hQ dC /vCa wontad a
SifanC lFk HAt n hQ wI hAd a dispVt abQt it.” (At H menSan
v H SifanC n dresiN tEbal /bxg involantXili cEnJd hiz tOn
t wan v pleZx At hiz Admxabal damestik xEnJmants.) “n it's
sac a bVti! it pUlz Qt n hAz a sIkrat /iNgliS drYx, V nO!
n dC /vCa hAz loN wontad wan. F wiS t giv hx a sxprFz, V
sI. F sY sO meni v HOz pezant kRts in jP jRd. plIz let mI
hAv wan, F wil pE H mAn wel, n...”
<p>
H kQnt frQnd n koft.
<p>
“Ask H kQntas, F dOnt giv Pdxz.”
<p>
“if it's inkanvInWnt, plIz dOnt,” sed /bxg. “Onli F sO wontad it,
f dC /vCa'z sEk.”
<p>
“O, gO t H deval, Yl v V! t H deval, H deval, H deval...”
krFd H Old kQnt. “mF hed'z in a wxl!”
<p>
n hI left H rMm. H kQntas bigAn t krF.
<p>
“jes, /mymy! jes, HIz R veri hRd tFmz!” sed /bxg.
<p>
/nytySa left H rMm wiH hx fyHx n, Az if fFndiN it difikalt t
rIc sam disiZan, fxst folOd him n Hen rAn dQnstXz.
<p>
/petja woz in H pPc, ingEJd in giviN Qt wepanz t H sxvants
hM wx t lIv /moskQ. H lOdad kRts wx stil stAndiN in H
jRd. tM v Hem hAd bin ankPdad n a wMndad ofisx woz klFmiN
intM wan v Hem helpt bF an Pdxli.
<p>
“dM V nO wot it's abQt?” /petja Askt /nytySa.
<p>
SI andxstUd HAt hI ment wot wx HX pXants kworaliN abQt.
SI did not Ansx.
<p>
“it's bikoz /pypy wontad t giv ap Yl H kRts t H wMndad,” sed
/petja. “/vysilic tOld mI. F kansidx...”
<p>
“F kansidx,” /nytySa sadanli YlmOst SQtad, txniN hx ANgri fEs t
/petja, “F kansidx it sO horid, sO abominabal, sO... F dOnt nO wot.
R wI dispikabal /Jxmanz?”
<p>
hx TrOt kwivxd wiH kanvalsiv sobz n, afrEd v wIkaniN n
letiN H fPs v hx ANgx ran t wEst, SI txnd n raSt
hedloN ap H stXz.
<p>
bxg woz sitiN bisFd H kQntas kansOliN hx wiH H rispektfal
atenSan v a relativ. H kQnt, pFp in hAnd, woz pEsiN ap n dQn
H rMm, wen /nytySa, hx fEs distPtad bF ANgx, bxst in lFk a
tempist n aprOct hx maHx wiH rApid steps.
<p>
“it's horid! it's abominabal!” SI skrImd. “V kAnt posabli hAv
Pdxd it!”
<p>
bxg n H kQntas lUkt At hx, pxpleät n frFtand. H kQnt
stUd stil At H windO n lisand.
<p>
“mymy, it's imposabal: sI wot iz gOiN on in H jRd!” SI krFd.
“HE wil bI left!...”
<p>
“wot's H mAtx wiH V? hM R 'HE'? wot dM V wont?”
<p>
“wF, H wMndad! it's imposabal, /mymy. it's monstras!... nO, /mymy
dRliN, it's not H TiN. plIz fxgiv mI, dRliN.... mymy, wot
daz it mAtx wot wI tEk awE? Onli lUk wot iz gOiN on in H
jRd... mymy!... it's imposabal!”
<p>
H kQnt stUd bF H windO n lisand wiHQt txniN rQnd.
sadanli hI snift n pUt hiz fEs klOsx t H windO.
<p>
H kQntas glAnst At hx dYtx, sY hx fEs fUl v SEm f hx
maHx, sY hx AJitESan, n andxstUd wF hx hazband did not txn
t lUk At hx nQ, n SI glAnst rQnd kwFt diskansxtad.
<p>
“O, dM Az V lFk! Am F hindxiN eniwan?” SI sed, not sxendxiN
At wans.
<p>
“mymy, dRliN, fxgiv mI!”
<p>
bat H kQntas pUSt hx dYtx awE n went ap t hx hazband.
<p>
“mF dC, V Pdx wot iz rFt.... V nO F dOnt andxstAnd abQt
it,” sed SI, dropiN hx Fz SEmfEsadli.
<p>
“H eã... H eã R tIciN H hen,” matxd H kQnt TrM
tCz v Jq, n hI imbrEst hiz wFf hM woz glAd t hFd hx lUk v
SEm on hiz brest.
<p>
“pypy! mymy! mE F sI t it? mE F?...” Askt /nytySa. “wI wil stil
tEk Yl H mOst nesisXi TiNz.”
<p>
H kQnt nodad afxmativli, n /nytySa, At H rApid pEs At wic
SI Vst t ran wen plEiN At tAg, rAn TrM H bYlrMm t H
AntirMm n dQnstXz intM H jRd.
<p>
H sxvants gAHxd rQnd /nytySa, bat kUd not bilIv H strEnJ
Pdx SI brYt Hem antil H kQnt himself, in hiz wFf's nEm,
kanfxmd H Pdx t giv ap Yl H kRts t H wMndad n tEk H
traNä t H stPrMmz. wen HE andxstUd HAt Pdx H sxvants
set t wxk At His nM tAsk wiH pleZx n zIl. it nO loNgx sImd
strEnJ t Hem bat on H kontrXi it sImd H Onli TiN HAt kUd
bI dan, Jast Az a kwPtx v an Qx bifP it hAd not sImd strEnJ
t eniwan HAt H wMndad SUd bI left bihFnd n H gUdz kRtad
awE bat HAt hAd sImd H Onli TiN t dM.
<p>
H hOl hQshOld, Az if t atOn f not hAviN dan it sMnx, set
Igxli t wxk At H nM tAsk v plEsiN H wMndad in H kRts. H
wMndad drAgd Hemselvz Qt v HX rMmz n stUd wiH pEl bat
hApi fEsaz rQnd H kRts. H nMz HAt kRts wx t bI hAd spred
t H nEbxiN hQzaz, from wic wMndad men bigAn t kam intM H
/rOstOfs' jRd. meni v H wMndad Askt Hem not t anlOd H kRts
bat Onli t let Hem sit on H top v H TiNz. bat H wxk v
anlOdiN, wans stRtad, kUd not bI xestad. it sImd not t mAtx
weHx Yl P Onli hAf H TiNz wx left bihFnd. kEsaz fUl v
cFna, bronzaz, pikcxz, n mirxz HAt hAd bin sO kXfali
pAkt H nFt bifP nQ lE abQt H jRd, n stil HE went on
sxciN f n fFndiN posabilitiz v anlOdiN His P HAt n
letiN H wMndad hAv anaHx n jet anaHx kRt.
<p>
“wI kAn tEk fP mP men,” sed H stMxd. “HE kAn hAv mF trAp,
P els wot iz t bikam v Hem?”
<p>
“let Hem hAv mF wPdrOb kRt,” sed H kQntas. “/dMnjySa kAn gO
wiH mI in H kAriJ.”
<p>
HE anlOdad H wPdrOb kRt n sent it t tEk wMndad men from a
hQs tM dPz of. H hOl hQshOld, sxvants inklMdad, woz brFt
n AnimEtad. /nytySa woz in a stEt v rApcxas iäFtmant sac Az SI
hAd not nOn f a loN tFm.
<p>
“wot kUd wI fAsan His ontM?” Askt H sxvants, trFiN t fiä a
traNk on H nArO fUtbPd bihFnd a kAriJ. “wI mast kIp At lIst
wan kRt.”
<p>
“wot's in it?” Askt /nytySa.
<p>
“H kQnt's bUä.”
<p>
“lIv it, /vysilic wil pUt it awE. it's not wontad.”
<p>
H fEtan woz fUl v pIpal n HX woz a dQt Az t wX /kQnt
/pItx kUd sit.
<p>
“on H boä. V'l sit on H boä, wOnt V, /petja?” krFd /nytySa.
<p>
/sonja tM woz bizi Yl His tFm, bat H Em v hx efxts woz kwFt
difxant from /nytySa'z. SI woz pUtiN awE H TiNz HAt hAd t
bI left bihFnd n mEkiN a list v Hem Az H kQntas wiSt, n SI
trFd t get Az mac tEkan awE wiH Hem Az posabal.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/bifP tM O'klok in H AftxnMn H /rOstOfs' fP kAriJaz, pAkt
fUl n wiH H hPsaz hRnast, stUd At H frant dP. wan bF wan
H kRts wiH H wMndad hAd mMvd Qt v H jRd.
<p>
H kyleS in wic /prins /AndrM woz bIiN tEkan atrAktad /sonja'z
atenSan Az it pAst H frant pPc. wiH H help v a mEd SI woz
xEnJiN a sIt f H kQntas in H hVJ hF kOc HAt stUd At
H entrans.
<p>
“hMz kyleS iz HAt?” SI inkwFxd, lIniN Qt v H kAriJ
windO.
<p>
“wF, didant V nO, /mis?” riplFd H mEd. “H wMndad prins: hI
spent H nFt in Qx hQs n iz gOiN wiH as.”
<p>
“bat hM iz it? wot's hiz nEm?”
<p>
“it's Qx intendad HAt woz—/prins /bOlkOnski himself! HE sE hI iz
dFiN,” riplFd H mEd wiH a sF.
<p>
/sonja Jampt Qt v H kOc n rAn t H kQntas. H kQntas,
tFxd Qt n Ylredi drest in SYl n bonat f hx Jxni,
woz pEsiN ap n dQn H drYiN rMm, wEtiN f H hQshOld t
asembal f H VZMal sFlant prEx wiH klOzd dPz bifP stRtiN.
/nytySa woz not in H rMm.
<p>
“mymy,” sed /sonja, “prins /AndrM iz hC, mPtali wMndad. hI iz
gOiN wiH as.”
<p>
H kQntas Opand hx Fz in dismE n, sIziN /sonja'z Rm, glAnst
xQnd.
<p>
“/nytySa?” SI mxmxd.
<p>
At HAt mOment His nMz hAd Onli wan signifikans f bOT v Hem.
HE nM HX /nytySa, n alRm Az t wot wUd hApan if SI hxd
His nMz stFfald Yl simpaTi f H mAn HE bOT lFkt.
<p>
“/nytySa daz not nO jet, bat hI iz gOiN wiH as,” sed /sonja.
<p>
“V sE hI iz dFiN?”
<p>
/sonja nodad.
<p>
H kQntas pUt hx Rmz xQnd /sonja n bigAn t krF.
<p>
“H wEz v /god R pAst fFndiN Qt!” SI TYt, fIliN HAt H
/YlmFti /hAnd, hiHxtM ansIn, woz bikamiN mAnifest in Yl HAt woz
nQ tEkiN plEs.
<p>
“wel, /mymy? evriTiN iz redi. wot's H mAtx?” Askt /nytySa, Az
wiH AnimEtad fEs SI rAn intM H rMm.
<p>
“naTiN,” Ansxd H kQntas. “if evriTiN iz redi let as stRt.”
<p>
n H kQntas bent Ovx hx retikVl t hFd hx AJitEtad fEs. /sonja
imbrEst /nytySa n kist hx.
<p>
/nytySa lUkt At hx inkwFxiNli.
<p>
“wot iz it? wot hAz hApand?”
<p>
“naTiN... nO...”
<p>
“iz it samTiN veri bAd f mI? wot iz it?” pxsistad /nytySa wiH
hx kwik intMiSan.
<p>
/sonja sFd n mEd nO riplF. H kQnt, /petja, /madym /Sos, /myvra
/kMzminicna, n /vysilic kEm intM H drYiN rMm n, hAviN klOzd
H dPz, HE Yl sAt dQn n rimEnd f sam mOments sFlantli
sItad wiHQt lUkiN At wan anaHx.
<p>
H kQnt woz H fxst t rFz, n wiH a lQd sF krost himself
bifP H Fkon. Yl H aHxz did H sEm. Hen H kQnt imbrEst
/myvra /kMzminicna n /vysilic, hM wx t rimEn in /moskQ, n wFl
HE kYt At hiz hAnd n kist hiz SOldx hI pAtad HX bAä
lFtli wiH sam vEgli afekSanat n kamfxtiN wxdz. H
kQntas went intM H PatPi n HX /sonja fQnd hx on hx nIz
bifP H Fkonz HAt hAd bin left hC n HX hANiN on H wYl.
(H mOst preSas wanz, wiH wic sam fAmli tradiSan woz kanektad,
wx bIiN tEkan wiH Hem.)
<p>
in H pPc n in H jRd H men hMm /petja hAd Rmd wiH sPdz
n dAgxz, wiH trQzxz takt insFd HX hF bMts n wiH belts
n gxdalz tFtand, wx tEkiN lIv v HOz rimEniN bihFnd.
<p>
Az iz YlwEz H kEs At a dipRcx, mac hAd bin fxgotan P pUt in
H roN plEs, n f a loN tFm tM mensxvants stUd wan on
Ic sFd v H Opan dP n H kAriJ steps wEtiN t help H
kQntas in, wFl mEdz raSt wiH kUSanz n bandalz from H hQs
t H kAriJaz, H kyleS, H fEtan, n bAk agen.
<p>
“HE YlwEz wil fxget evriTiN!” sed H kQntas. “dOnt V nO
F kAnt sit lFk HAt?”
<p>
n /dMnjySa, wiH klenct tIT, wiHQt riplFiN bat wiH an
agrIvd lUk on hx fEs, hEstili got intM H kOc t rIxEnJ H
sIt.
<p>
“O, HOz sxvants!” sed H kQnt, swEiN hiz hed.
<p>
/jefim, H Old kOcman, hM woz H Onli wan H kQntas trastad t
drFv hx, sAt pxct ap hF on H boä n did not sO mac Az glAns
rQnd At wot woz gOiN on bihFnd him. from Txti jCz' iäpCWns
hI nM it wUd bI sam tFm jet bifP H Pdx, “bI of, in /god'z
nEm!” wUd bI givan him: n hI nM HAt Ivan wen it woz sed
hI wUd bI stopt wans P twFs mP wFl HE sent bAk t fec
samTiN HAt hAd bin fxgotan, n Ivan Aftx HAt hI wUd agen
bI stopt n H kQntas hxself wUd lIn Qt v H windO n beg
him f H lav v hevan t drFv kXfali dQn H hil. hI nM
Yl His n HXfP wEtad kymli f wot wUd hApan, wiH mP
pESans HAn H hPsaz, ispeSali H nC wan, H cestnat /fAlkan,
hM woz pYiN H grQnd n cAmpiN hiz bit. At lAst Yl wx
sItad, H kAriJ steps wx fOldad n pUld ap, H dP woz Sat,
sambodi woz sent f a trAvaliN kEs, n H kQntas lInd Qt
n sed wot SI hAd t sE. Hen /jefim dilibxatli doft hiz hAt n
bigAn krosiN himself. H postilWn n Yl H aHx sxvants did H
sEm. “of, in /god'z nEm!” sed /jefim, pUtiN on hiz hAt. “stRt!” H
postilWn stRtad H hPsaz, H of pOl hPs tagd At hiz kolx,
H hF spriNz krIkt, n H bodi v H kOc swEd. H fUtman
sprAN ontM H boä v H mMviN kOc wic JOltad Az it pAst Qt
v H jRd ontM H anIvan rOdwE; H aHx vIikalz JOltad in
HX txn, n H praseSan v kAriJaz mMvd ap H strIt. in H
kAriJaz, H kyleS, n H fEtan, Yl krost Hemselvz Az HE
pAst H cxc opazit H hQs. HOz hM wx t rimEn in /moskQ
wYkt on FHx sFd v H vIikalz sIiN H trAvalxz of.
<p>
rXli hAd /nytySa iäpCWnst sO Jqfal a fIliN Az nQ, sitiN in
H kAriJ bisFd H kQntas n gEziN At H slOli risIdiN
wYlz v fxsEkan, AJitEtad /moskQ. akEZanali SI lInd Qt v H
kAriJ windO n lUkt bAk n Hen fPwxd At H loN trEn v
wMndad in frant v Hem. YlmOst At H hed v H lFn SI kUd sI
H rEzd hUd v /prins /AndrM'z kyleS. SI did not nO hM woz
in it, bat Ic tFm SI lUkt At H praseSan hx Fz sYt HAt
kyleS. SI nM it woz rFt in frant.
<p>
in /kMdrinO, from H /nikitski, /presnW, n /pOdnOvinsk /strIts kEm
sevxal aHx trEnz v vIikalz similx t H /rOstOfs', n Az HE
pAst aloN H /sydOvFa /strIt H kAriJaz n kRts fPmd tM rOz
abrest.
<p>
Az HE wx gOiN rQnd H /sMâRef wYtx tQx /nytySa, hM woz
inkwizitivli n alxtli skrMtinFziN H pIpal drFviN P wYkiN
pAst, sadanli krFd Qt in Jqfal sxprFz:
<p>
“dC mI! mymy, /sonja, lUk, it's hI!”
<p>
“hM? hM?”
<p>
“lUk! jes, on mF wxd, it's /bezMâOf!” sed /nytySa, pUtiN hx hed
Qt v H kAriJ n stXiN At a tYl, stQt mAn in a kOcman'z
loN kOt, hM from hiz mAnx v wYkiN n mMviN woz evidentli
a Jentalman in disgFz, n hM woz pAsiN andx H Rc v H
/sMâRef tQx akampanid bF a smYl, sAlO-fEst, bCdlas Old mAn
in a frIz kOt.
<p>
“jes, it rWli iz /bezMâOf in a kOcman'z kOt, wiH a kwC-lUkiN
Old bq. rWli,” sed /nytySa, “lUk, lUk!”
<p>
“nO, it's not hI. hQ kAn V tYk sac nonsens?”
<p>
“mymy,” skrImd /nytySa, “F'l stEk mF hed it's hI! F aSUx V!
stop, stop!” SI krFd t H kOcman.
<p>
bat H kOcman kUd not stop, f from H /meScynski /strIt kEm
mP kRts n kAriJaz, n H /rOstOfs wx bIiN SQtad At t mMv
on n not blok H wE.
<p>
in fAkt, hQevx, HO nQ mac fRHx of HAn bifP, H /rOstOfs
Yl sY /piX—P samwan iätrPdinXili lFk him—in a kOcman'z kOt,
gOiN dQn H strIt wiH hed bent n a sCWs fEs bisFd a smYl,
bCdlas Old mAn hM lUkt lFk a fUtman. HAt Old mAn nOtist a
fEs Trast Qt v H kAriJ windO gEziN At Hem, n rispektfali
taciN /piX'z elbO sed samTiN t him n pqntad t H
kAriJ. /piX, evidentli ingrOst in TYt, kUd not At fxst
andxstAnd him. At leNT wen hI hAd andxstUd n lUkt in H
direkSan H Old mAn indikEtad, hI rekagnFzd /nytySa, n folOiN
hiz fxst impals stept instantli n rApidli tPd H kOc. bat
hAviN tEkan a dazan steps hI sImd t rimembx samTiN n stopt.
<p>
/nytySa'z fEs, lIniN Qt v H windO, bImd wiH kwizikal
kFndlinas.
<p>
“pItx /kCilOvic, kam hC! wI hAv rekagnFzd V! His iz
wandxfal!” SI krFd, hOldiN Qt hx hAnd t him. “wot R V dMiN?
wF R V lFk His?”
<p>
/piX tUk hx Qtstrect hAnd n kist it Ykwxdli Az hI wYkt
aloN bisFd hx wFl H kOc stil mMvd on.
<p>
“wot iz H mAtx, /kQnt?” Askt H kQntas in a sxprFzd n
kamizxEtiN tOn.
<p>
“wot? wot? wF? dOnt Ask mI,” sed /piX, n lUkt rQnd At
/nytySa hMz rEdWnt, hApi iäpreSan—v wic hI woz konSas
wiHQt lUkiN At hx—fild him wiH incAntmant.
<p>
“R V rimEniN in /moskQ, Hen?”
<p>
/piX hezitEtad.
<p>
“in /moskQ?” hI sed in a kwescaniN tOn. “jes, in /moskQ. gUd-bF!”
<p>
“y, if Onli F wx a mAn! F'd sxtanli stE wiH V. hQ splendid!”
sed /nytySa. “mymy, if V'l let mI, F'l stE!”
<p>
/piX glAnst Absantli At /nytySa n woz abQt t sE samTiN, bat
H kQntas intxaptad him.
<p>
“V wx At H bAtal, wI hxd.”
<p>
“jes, F woz,” /piX Ansxd. “HX wil bI anaHx bAtal
tamorO...” hI bigAn, bat /nytySa intxaptad him.
<p>
“bat wot iz H mAtx wiH V, /kQnt? V R not lFk jPself....”
<p>
“O, dOnt Ask mI, dOnt Ask mI! F dOnt nO mFself. tamorO... bat
nO! gUd-bF, gUd-bF!” hI matxd. “it's an Yfal tFm!” n dropiN
bihFnd H kAriJ hI stept ontM H pEvmant.
<p>
/nytySa kantinVd t lIn Qt v H windO f a loN tFm, bImiN At
him wiH hx kFndli, slFtli kwizikal, hApi smFl.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
f H lAst tM dEz, evx sins lIviN hOm, /piX hAd bin liviN
in H empti hQs v hiz disIst benifAktx, /byzdEef. His iz hQ it
hApand.
<p>
wen hI wOk ap on H mPniN Aftx hiz ritxn t /moskQ n hiz
intxvV wiH /kQnt /rOstOpcin, hI kUd not f sam tFm mEk Qt
wX hI woz n wot woz iäpektad v him. wen hI woz infPmd HAt
amaN aHxz awEtiN him in hiz risepSan rMm HX woz a /frencman
hM hAd brYt a letx from hiz wFf, H /kQntas /helIn, hI felt
sadanli Ovxkam bF HAt sens v kanfVZan n hOplasnas t wic
hI woz Apt t sakam. hI felt HAt evriTiN woz nQ At an end, Yl
woz in kanfVZan n krambaliN t pIsaz, HAt nObodi woz rFt P
roN, H fVcx held naTiN, n HX woz nO iskEp from His
paziSan. smFliN annAcxali n matxiN t himself, hI fxst sAt
dQn on H sOfa in an AtitMd v dispX, Hen rOz, went t H dP
v H risepSan rMm n pIpt TrM H krAk, ritxnd flariSiN
hiz Rmz, n tUk ap a bUk. hiz mEJx-dOmO kEm in a sekand tFm t
sE HAt H /frencman hM hAd brYt H letx from H kQntas
woz veri ANkSas t sI him if Onli f a minit, n HAt samwan from
/byzdEef's widO hAd kYld t Ask /piX t tEk cRJ v hx hazband'z
bUä, Az SI hxself woz lIviN f H kantri.
<p>
“O, jes, in a minit; wEt... P nO! nO, v kPs... gO n sE F wil
kam direktli,” /piX riplFd t H mEJx-dOmO.
<p>
bat Az sMn Az H mAn hAd left H rMm /piX tUk ap hiz hAt wic
woz lFiN on H tEbal n went Qt v hiz stadi bF H aHx dP.
HX woz nO wan in H pAsiJ. hI went aloN H hOl leNT v His
pAsiJ t H stXz n, frQniN n rabiN hiz fPhed wiH
bOT hAndz, went dQn Az fR Az H fxst lAndiN. H hYl pPtx woz
stAndiN At H frant dP. from H lAndiN wX /piX stUd HX
woz a sekand stXkEs lIdiN t H bAk entrans. hI went dQn HAt
stXkEs n Qt intM H jRd. nO wan hAd sIn him. bat HX wx
sam kAriJaz wEtiN, n Az sMn Az /piX stept Qt v H gEt
H kOcmen n H jRd pPtx nOtist him n rEzd HX kAps t
him. wen hI felt hI woz bIiN lUkt At hI bihEvd lFk an ostric
wic hFdz its hed in a bUS in Pdx not t bI sIn: hI haN hiz hed
n kwikaniN hiz pEs went dQn H strIt.
<p>
v Yl H afXz awEtiN /piX HAt dE H sPtiN v /JOzif
/byzdEef's bUä n pEpxz apCd t him H mOst nesisXi.
<p>
hI hFxd H fxst kAb hI met n tOld H drFvx t gO t H
/pEtriRk's /pondz, wX H widO /byzdEef's hQs woz.
<p>
kantinVali txniN rQnd t lUk At H rOz v lOdad kRts HAt wx
mEkiN HX wE from Yl sFdz Qt v /moskQ, n bAlansiN hiz balki
bodi sO Az not t slip Qt v H rAmSAkal Old vIikal, /piX,
iäpCWnsiN H Jqfal fIliN v a bq iskEpiN from skMl, bigAn t
tYk t hiz drFvx.
<p>
H mAn tOld him HAt Rmz wx bIiN distribVtad tadE At H /kremlin
n HAt tamorO evriwan wUd bI sent Qt bijond H /TrI /hilz
gEts n a grEt bAtal wUd bI fYt HX.
<p>
hAviN rIct H /pEtriRk's /pondz /piX fQnd H /byzdEefs' hQs,
wX hI hAd not bin f a loN tFm pAst. hI went ap t H gEt.
/gerysim, HAt sAlO bCdlas Old mAn /piX hAd sIn At /tPZOk fFv
jCz bifP wiH /JOzif /byzdEef, kEm Qt in Ansx t hiz nok.
<p>
“At hOm?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“OiN t H prezant stEt v TiNz /sOfW /dynilOvna hAz gon t H
/tPZOk istEt wiH H cildran, jP eäalansi.”
<p>
“F wil kam in Yl H sEm, F hAf t lUk TrM H bUä,” sed
/piX.
<p>
“bI sO gUd Az t step in. /mykR /yleäEevic, H braHx v mF lEt
mAstx—mE H kiNdam v hevan bI hiz—hAz rimEnd hC, bat hI iz in
a wIk stEt Az V nO,” sed H Old sxvant.
<p>
/piX nM HAt /mykR /yleäEevic woz /JOzif /byzdEef's hAf-insEn
braHx n a hRd driNkx.
<p>
“jes, jes, F nO. let as gO in...” sed /piX n entxd H hQs.
<p>
a tYl, bYld-hedad Old mAn wiH a red nOz, wXiN a dresiN gQn n
wiH galoSaz on hiz bX fIt, stUd in H AntirMm. on sIiN /piX
hI matxd samTiN ANgrili n went awE aloN H pAsiJ.
<p>
“hI woz a veri klevx mAn bat hAz nQ grOn kwFt fIbal, Az jP onx
sIz,” sed /gerysim. “wil V step intM H stadi?” /piX nodad. “Az
it woz sIld ap sO it hAz rimEnd, bat /sOfW /dynilOvna gEv Pdxz
HAt if eniwan SUd kam from V HE wx t hAv H bUä.”
<p>
/piX went intM HAt glMmi stadi wic hI hAd entxd wiH sac
trepidESan in hiz benifAktx'z lFftFm. H rMm, dasti n antact
sins H deT v /JOzif /byzdEef woz nQ Ivan glMmC.
<p>
/gerysim Opand wan v H Satxz n left H rMm on tiptO. /piX
went rQnd H stadi, aprOct H kabxd in wic H mAnVskripts
wx kept, n tUk Qt wot hAd wans bin wan v H mOst impPtant,
H hOli v hOliz v H Pdx. His woz H YTentik /skoc /Akts
wiH /byzdEef's nOts n eäplanESanz. hI sAt dQn At H dasti rFtiN
tEbal, n, hAviN lEd H mAnVskripts bifP him, Opand Hem Qt,
klOzd Hem, fFnali pUSt Hem awE, n restiN hiz hed on hiz hAnd
sANk intM meditESan.
<p>
/gerysim lUkt kYSasli intM H stadi sevxal tFmz n sY /piX
YlwEz sitiN in H sEm AtitMd.
<p>
mP HAn tM Qxz pAst n /gerysim tUk H libxti v mEkiN a
slFt nqz At H dP t atrAkt hiz atenSan, bat /piX did not
hC him.
<p>
“iz H kAbman t bI discRJd, jP onx?”
<p>
“O jes!” sed /piX, rQziN himself n rFziN haridli. “lUk
hC,” hI Adad, tEkiN /gerysim bF a batan v hiz kOt n lUkiN dQn
At H Old mAn wiH mqst, SFniN, n iätAtik Fz, “F sE, dM V
nO HAt HX iz gOiN t bI a bAtal tamorO?”
<p>
“wI hxd sO,” riplFd H mAn.
<p>
“F beg V not t tel eniwan hM F Am, n t dM wot F Ask V.”
<p>
“jes, jP eäalansi,” riplFd /gerysim. “wil V hAv samTiN t
It?”
<p>
“nO, bat F wont samTiN els. F wont pezant klOHz n a pistal,”
sed /piX, aniäpektadli blaSiN.
<p>
“jes, jP eäalansi,” sed /gerysim Aftx TiNkiN f a mOment.
<p>
Yl H rest v HAt dE /piX spent alOn in hiz benifAktx'z stadi,
n /gerysim hxd him pEsiN restlasli from wan kPnx t anaHx n
tYkiN t himself. n hI spent H nFt on a bed mEd ap f him
HX.
<p>
/gerysim, bIiN a sxvant hM in hiz tFm hAd sIn meni strEnJ TiNz,
aäeptad /piX'z tEkiN ap hiz rezidans in H hQs wiHQt sxprFz,
n sImd plIzd t hAv samwan t wEt on. HAt sEm IvniN—wiHQt
Ivan AskiN himself wot HE wx wontad f—hI prakjUxd a kOcman'z
kOt n kAp f /piX, n promist t get him H pistal neät dE.
/mykR /yleäEevic kEm twFs HAt IvniN SafaliN aloN in hiz galoSaz
Az fR Az H dP n stopt n lUkt ingrESiEtiNli At /piX. bat
Az sMn Az /piX txnd tPd him hI rApt hiz dresiN gQn xQnd
him wiH a SEmfEst n ANgri lUk n harid awE. it woz wen
/piX (wXiN H kOcman'z kOt wic /gerysim hAd prakjUxd f him
n hAd disinfektad bF stIm) woz on hiz wE wiH H Old mAn t bF H
pistal At H /sMâRef mRkat HAt hI met H /rOstOfs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
/kMtMzOf's Pdx t ritrIt TrM /moskQ t H /rjyzyn rOd woz iSVd
At nFt on H fxst v septembx.
<p>
H fxst trMps stRtad At wans, n dxiN H nFt HE mRct
slOli n stedili wiHQt hari. At dEbrEk, hQevx, HOz nCiN
H tQn At H /dPOgOmilOf briJ sY ahed v Hem mAsaz v sOlJxz
krQdiN n hariiN akros H briJ, asendiN on H opazit sFd
n blokiN H strIts n Aliz, wFl endlas mAsaz v trMps wx
bXiN dQn on Hem from bihFnd, n an anrIzaniN hari n alRm
OvxkEm Hem. HE Yl raSt fPwxd t H briJ, ontM it, n
t H fPdz n H bOts. /kMtMzOf himself hAd drivan rQnd bF sFd
strIts t H aHx sFd v /moskQ.
<p>
bF ten O'klok in H mPniN v H sekand v septembx, Onli H rC
gRd rimEnd in H /dPOgOmilOf sabxb, wX HE hAd Ampal rMm. H
mEn Rmi woz on H aHx sFd v /moskQ P bijond it.
<p>
At HAt veri tFm, At ten in H mPniN v H sekand v septembx,
/napOlWn woz stAndiN amaN hiz trMps on H /pOklOni /hil lUkiN At
H pAnxAma spred Qt bifP him. from H twenti-siäT v Ygast
t H sekand v septembx, HAt iz from H bAtal v /bPOdinO t H
entri v H /frenc intM /moskQ, dxiN H hOl v HAt AJitEtiN,
memxabal wIk, HX hAd bin H iätrPdinXi Ytam weHx HAt
YlwEz kamz Az a sxprFz, wen H san hANz lO n givz mP hIt
HAn in spriN, wen evriTiN SFnz sO brFtli in H rX klC
AtmasfC HAt H Fz smRt, wen H laNz R streNTand n
rifreSt bF inhEliN H AramAtik Ytam X, wen Ivan H nFts
R wPm, n wen in HOz dRk wPm nFts, gOldan stRz stRtal n
dilFt as kantinVali bF fYliN from H skF.
<p>
At ten in H mPniN v H sekand v septembx His weHx stil
held.
<p>
H brFtnas v H mPniN woz mAJikal. /moskQ sIn from H /pOklOni
/hil lE spESasli spred Qt wiH hx rivx, hx gRdanz, n hx
cxcaz, n SI sImd t bI liviN hx VZMal lFf, hx kVpalaz
glitxiN lFk stRz in H sanlFt.
<p>
H vV v H strEnJ siti wiH its pikVlC Rkitekcx, sac Az
hI hAd nevx sIn bifP, fild /napOlWn wiH H rAHx envWs n
anIzi kjUxiositi men fIl wen HE sI an ElWn fPm v lFf HAt hAz
nO noliJ v Hem. His siti woz evidentli liviN wiH H fUl fPs
v its On lFf. bF H indefinit sFnz wic, Ivan At a distans,
distiNgwiS a liviN bodi from a ded wan, /napOlWn from H /pOklOni
/hil pxsIvd H Trob v lFf in H tQn n felt, Az it wx, H
brIHiN v HAt grEt n bVtifal bodi.
<p>
evri /raSan lUkiN At /moskQ fIlz hx t bI a maHx; evri
forinx hM sIz hx, Ivan if ignxant v hx signifikans Az H
maHx siti, mast fIl hx feminin kAraktx, n /napOlWn felt it.
<p>
“set vil asiatique Yä innombrables /egalFzaz, /mOskM ly /synt. ly
vwyly donc infin, set fameuse vil! il /ItEt temps,” * sed hI, n
dismQntiN hI Pdxd a plAn v /moskQ t bI spred Qt bifP him, n
samand /lUlPnja /d'Idevil, H intxpratx.
<p>
     * “HAt /EZiAtik siti v H inMmxabal cxcaz, hOli
     /moskQ! hC it iz Hen At lAst, HAt fEmas siti. it woz
     hF tFm.”
<p>
<p>
“a tQn kApcxd bF H enami iz lFk a mEd hM hAz lost hx onx,”
TYt hI (hI hAd sed sO t /tMckOf At /smOlensk). from HAt pqnt v
vV hI gEzd At H /Piental bVti hI hAd not sIn bifP. it sImd
strEnJ t him HAt hiz loN-felt wiS, wic hAd sImd anatEnabal,
hAd At lAst bin rWlFzd. in H klC mPniN lFt hI gEzd nQ At
H siti n nQ At H plAn, kansidxiN its dItElz, n H aSUxans
v pazesiN it AJitEtad n Yd him.
<p>
“bat kUd it bI aHxwFz?” hI TYt. “hC iz His kApital At mF
fIt. wX iz /AliãAndx nQ, n v wot iz hI TiNkiN? a strEnJ,
bVtifal, n maJestik siti; n a strEnJ n maJestik mOment! in wot
lFt mast F apC t Hem!” TYt hI, TiNkiN v hiz trMps.
“hC SI iz, H riwPd f Yl HOz fEnthRtad men,” hI riflektad,
glAnsiN At HOz nC him n At H trMps hM wx aprOciN n
fPmiN ap. “wan wxd from mI, wan mMvmant v mF hAnd, n HAt Encant
kApital v H /tsRz wUd periS. bat mF klemansi iz YlwEz redi t
disend apon H vANkwiSt. F mast bI mAgnAnimas n trMli grEt. bat
nO, it kAnt bI trM HAt F Am in /moskQ,” hI sadanli TYt.
“jet hC SI iz lFiN At mF fIt, wiH hx gOldan dOmz n krosaz
sintilEtiN n twiNkaliN in H sanSFn. bat F SAl spX hx. on
H Encant monVmants v bRbxizam n despatizam F wil inskrFb grEt
wxdz v Jastis n mxsi.... it iz Jast His wic /AliãAndx wil
fIl mOst pEnfali, F nO him.” (it sImd t /napOlWn HAt H cIf
impPt v wot woz tEkiN plEs lE in H pxsanal stragal bitwIn
himself n /AliãAndx.) “from H hFt v H /kremlin—jes, HX
iz H /kremlin, jes—F wil giv Hem Jast lYz; F wil tIc Hem H
mIniN v trM sivilizESan, F wil mEk JenxESanz v bqxz rimembx
HX koNkxx wiH lav. F wil tel H depVtESan HAt F did not,
n dM not, dizFx wP, HAt F hAv wEJd wP Onli agenst H fYls
polasi v HX kPt; HAt F lav n rispekt /AliãAndx n HAt in
/moskQ F wil aäept txmz v pIs wxHi v mFself n v mF pIpal.
F dM not wiS t VtilFz H fPcMnz v wP t hVmiliEt an onxd
monRk. 'bqxz,' F wil sE t Hem, 'F dM not dizFx wP, F dizFx
H pIs n welfX v Yl mF sabJekts.' hQevx, F nO HX
prezans wil inspFx mI, n F SAl spIk t Hem Az F YlwEz dM:
klCli, impresivli, n maJestikli. bat kAn it bI trM HAt F Am in
/moskQ? jes, HX SI lFz.”
<p>
“kw'an m'amene /lez bqxz,” * sed hI t hiz swIt.
<p>
    * “briN H bqxz t mI.”
<p>
<p>
a Jenxal wiH a brilWnt swIt gAlapt of At wans t fec H
bqxz.
<p>
tM Qxz pAst. /napOlWn hAd lanct n woz agen stAndiN in H
sEm plEs on H /pOklOni /hil awEtiN H depVtESan. hiz spIc t
H bqxz hAd Ylredi tEkan definit SEp in hiz imAJinESan. HAt
spIc woz fUl v digniti n grEtnas Az /napOlWn andxstUd it.
<p>
hI woz himself kArid awE bF H tOn v mAgnanimiti hI intendad t
adopt tPd /moskQ. in hiz imAJinESan hI apqntad dEz f asembliz
At H pAlas v H /tsRz, At wic /raSan nOtabalz n hiz On wUd
miNgal. hI mentali apqntad a gavxnx, wan hM wUd win H
hRts v H pIpal. hAviN lxnd HAt HX wx meni cAritabal
institMSanz in /moskQ hI mentali disFdad HAt hI wUd SQx fEvxz
on Hem Yl. hI TYt HAt, Az in /Afrika hI hAd t pUt on a bxnMs
n sit in a mosk, sO in /moskQ hI mast bI binefisant lFk H /tsRz.
n in Pdx fFnali t tac H hRts v H /raSanz—n bIiN lFk
Yl /frencmen anEbal t imAJin eniTiN sentimental wiHQt a refxans
t my Ser, my tondr, my pOvra mC * —hI disFdad HAt hI wUd
plEs an inskripSan on Yl HIz istAbliSmants in lRJ letxz:
“His istAbliSmant iz dedikEtad t mF dC maHx.” P nO, it SUd
bI simpli: /mFsan de my /mC, *(2) hI kanklMdad. “bat Am F rWli in
/moskQ? jes, hC it lFz bifP mI, bat wF iz H depVtESan from H
siti sO loN in apCiN?” hI wandxd.
<p>
     * “mF dC, mF tendx, mF pUx maHx.”
<p>
     * (2) “hQs v mF /maHx.”
<p>
<p>
mInwFl an AJitEtad konsaltESan woz bIiN kArid on in wispxz
amaN hiz Jenxalz n mRSalz At H rC v hiz swIt. HOz sent t
fec H depVtESan hAd ritxnd wiH H nMz HAt /moskQ woz empti,
HAt evriwan hAd left it. H fEsaz v HOz hM wx not kanfxiN
tageHx wx pEl n pxtxbd. HE wx not alRmd bF H fAkt
HAt /moskQ hAd bin abAndand bF its inhAbitants (grEv Az HAt fAkt
sImd), bat bF H kwescan hQ t tel H /empxx—wiHQt pUtiN
him in H teribal paziSan v apCiN ridikVlas—HAt hI hAd bin
awEtiN H bqxz sO loN in vEn: HAt HX wx draNkan mobz left
in /moskQ bat nO wan els. sam sed HAt a depVtESan v sam sPt mast
bI skrEpt tageHx, aHxz dispVtad HAt apinjan n mEntEnd HAt
H /empxx SUd fxst bI kXfali n skilfali pripXd, n Hen
tOld H trMT.
<p>
“hI wil hAf t bI tOld, Yl H sEm,” sed sam Jentalmen v H
swIt. “bat, Jentalmen...”
<p>
H paziSan woz H mP Ykwxd bikoz H /empxx, meditEtiN apon
hiz mAgnAnimas plAnz, woz pEsiN pESantli ap n dQn bifP H
Qtspred mAp, akEZanali glAnsiN aloN H rOd t /moskQ from andx
hiz liftad hAnd wiH a brFt n prQd smFl.
<p>
“bat it's imposabal...” diklXd H Jentalmen v H swIt, SragiN
HX SOldxz bat not vencxiN t atx H implFd wxd—lU
ridikVl....
<p>
At lAst H /empxx, tFxd v fVtFl eäpektESan, hiz Aktx'z instiNkt
saJestiN t him HAt H sablFm mOment hAviN bin tM loN drYn Qt
woz biginiN t lMz its sablimiti, gEv a sFn wiH hiz hAnd. a siNgal
ripPt v a signaliN gan folOd, n H trMps, hM wx Ylredi
spred Qt on difxant sFdz v /moskQ, mMvd intM H siti TrM H
/tver, /kylMga, n /dPOgOmilOf gEts. fAstx n fAstx, vFiN wiH
wan anaHx, HE mMvd At H dabal P At a trot, vAniSiN amid H
klQdz v dast HE rEzd n mEkiN H X riN wiH a defaniN rP
v miNgaliN SQts.
<p>
drYn on bF H mMvmant v hiz trMps /napOlWn rOd wiH Hem Az fR Az
H /dPOgOmilOf gEt, bat HX agen stopt n, dismQntiN from hiz
hPs, pEst f a loN tFm bF H /kymx-/kOleZski rAmpRt, awEtiN
H depVtESan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
/mInwFl /moskQ woz empti. HX wx stil pIpal in it, pxhAps a
fiftWT pRt v its fPmx inhAbitants hAd rimEnd, bat it woz empti.
it woz empti in H sens HAt a dFiN kwInlas hFv iz empti.
<p>
in a kwInlas hFv nO lFf iz left HO t a sMpxfiSal glAns it
sImz Az mac alFv Az aHx hFvz.
<p>
H bIz sxkal rQnd a kwInlas hFv in H hot bImz v H middE
san Az gEli Az xQnd H liviN hFvz; from a distans it smelz v
hani lFk H aHxz, n bIz flF in n Qt in H sEm wE. bat wan
hAz Onli t abzxv HAt hFv t rWlFz HAt HX iz nO loNgx eni
lFf in it. H bIz dM not flF in H sEm wE, H smel n H sQnd
HAt mIt H bIkIpx R not H sEm. t H bIkIpx'z tAp on H
wYl v H sik hFv, insted v H fPmx instant VnAnimas
hamiN v tenz v TQzandz v bIz wiH HX Abdamanz TretaniNli
kamprest, n prOdMsiN bF H rApid vFbrESan v HX wiNz an
XWl liviN sQnd, H Onli riplF iz a diskanektad baziN from
difxant pRts v H dizxtad hFv. from H alFtiN bPd, insted
v H fPmx spiricMas frEgrant smel v hani n venam, n H wPm
wifs v krQdad lFf, kamz an Odx v emptinas n dikE miNgaliN
wiH H smel v hani. HX R nO loNgx sentinalz sQndiN H
alRm wiH HX Abdamanz rEzd, n redi t dF in difens v H
hFv. HX iz nO loNgx H meZxd kwFat sQnd v TrobiN Aktiviti,
lFk H sQnd v bqliN wYtx, bat dFvxs diskPdant sQndz v
disPdx. in n Qt v H hFv loN blAk robx bIz smCd wiH
hani flF timidli n Siftili. HE dM not stiN, bat krYl awE from
dEnJx. fPmxli Onli bIz lEdan wiH hani flM intM H hFv, n HE
flM Qt empti; nQ HE flF Qt lEdan. H bIkIpx Opanz H lOx
pRt v H hFv n pCz in. insted v blAk, glosi bIz—tEmd bF
tql, kliNiN t wan anaHx'z leã n drYiN Qt H wAä, wiH a
sIslas ham v lEbx—HAt Vst t hAN in loN klastxz dQn t H
flP v H hFv, drQzi Srivald bIz krYl abQt sepxatli in
vXWs direkSanz on H flP n wYlz v H hFv. insted v a
nItli glMd flP, swept bF H bIz wiH H fAniN v HX wiNz,
HX iz a flP litxd wiH bits v wAä, eäkramant, dFiN bIz
skXsli mMviN HX leã, n ded wanz HAt hAv not bin klCd
awE.
<p>
H bIkIpx Opanz H apx pRt v H hFv n iãAminz H sMpx.
insted v serid rOz v bIz sIliN ap evri gAp in H kOmz n
kIpiN H brMd wPm, hI sIz H skilfal kompleä strakcxz v H
kOmz, bat nO loNgx in HX fPmx stEt v pjUxiti. Yl iz niglektad
n fQl. blAk robx bIz R swiftli n stelTili prQliN abQt
H kOmz, n H SPt hOm bIz, Srivald n listlas Az if HE
wx Old, krIp slOli abQt wiHQt trFiN t hindx H robxz,
hAviN lost Yl mOtiv n Yl sens v lFf. drOnz, bambalbIz, wosps,
n batxflFz nok Ykwxdli agenst H wYlz v H hFv in HX
flFt. hC n HX amaN H selz kantEniN ded brMd n hani
an ANgri baziN kAn samtFmz bI hxd. hC n HX a kapal v
bIz, bF fPs v hAbit n kastam klIniN Qt H brMd selz, wiH
efxts bijond HX streNT labPWsli drAg awE a ded bI P
bambalbI wiHQt nOiN wF HE dM it. in anaHx kPnx tM Old bIz
R lANgwidli fFtiN, P klIniN Hemselvz, P fIdiN wan anaHx,
wiHQt Hemselvz nOiN weHx HE dM it wiH frendli P hostFl
intent. in a Txd plEs a krQd v bIz, kraSiN wan anaHx, atAk
sam viktim n fFt n smaHx it, n H viktim, infIbald P
kild, drops from abav slOli n lFtli Az a feHx, amaN H hIp
v kPpsaz. H kIpx Opanz H tM sentx pRtiSanz t iãAmin
H brMd selz. in plEs v H fPmx klOs dRk sxkalz fPmd bF
TQzandz v bIz sitiN bAk t bAk n gRdiN H hF mistxi
v JenxESan, hI sIz handradz v dal, listlas, n slIpi Selz v
bIz. HE hAv YlmOst Yl dFd anawXz, sitiN in H sANkcMXi HE
hAd gRdad n wic iz nQ nO mP. HE rIk v dikE n deT. Onli
a fV v Hem stil mMv, rFz, n fIbli flF t setal on H enami'z
hAnd, lAkiN H spirit t dF stiNiN him; H rest R ded n fYl
Az lFtli Az fiS skElz. H bIkIpx klOzaz H hFv, cYä a mRk
on it, n wen hI hAz tFm tXz Qt its kontents n bxnz it klIn.
<p>
sO in H sEm wE /moskQ woz empti wen /napOlWn, wCi, anIzi, n
mxOs, pEst ap n dQn in frant v H /kymx-/kOleZski rAmpRt,
awEtiN wot t hiz mFnd woz a nesisXi, if bat fPmal, abzxvans v
H praprFatiz—a depVtESan.
<p>
in vXWs kPnxz v /moskQ HX stil rimEnd a fV pIpal Emlasli
mMviN abQt, folOiN HX Old hAbits n hRdli awX v wot HE
wx dMiN.
<p>
wen wiH dM sxkamspekSan /napOlWn woz infPmd HAt /moskQ woz
empti, hI lUkt ANgrili At hiz infPmant, txnd awE, n sFlantli
kantinVd t wYk t n frO.
<p>
“mF kAriJ!” hI sed.
<p>
hI tUk hiz sIt bisFd H Ed-dI-kAmp on dMti n drOv intM H
sabxb. “/moskQ dizxtad!” hI sed t himself. “wot an inkredabal
ivent!”
<p>
hI did not drFv intM H tQn, bat pUt ap At an in in H /dPOgOmilOf
sabxb.
<p>
H kM de TWtx hAd not kam of.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXI
<p>
H /raSan trMps wx pAsiN TrM /moskQ from tM O'klok At nFt
til tM in H AftxnMn n bP awE wiH Hem H wMndad n H
lAst v H inhAbitants hM wx lIviN.
<p>
H grEtast kraS dxiN H mMvmant v H trMps tUk plEs At H
/stOn, /mOskva, n /jQza briJaz.
<p>
wFl H trMps, divFdiN intM tM pRts wen pAsiN xQnd H
/kremlin, wx TroNiN H /mOskva n H /stOn briJaz, a grEt meni
sOlJxz, tEkiN advAntiJ v H stopiJ n kanJescan, txnd bAk
from H briJaz n slipt stelTili n sFlantli pAst H cxc v
/vysili H /biAtifFd n andx H /bPOvitski gEt, bAk ap H hil
t H /red /skwX wX sam instiNkt tOld Hem HE kUd Izili tEk
TiNz not biloNiN t Hem. krQdz v H kFnd sIn At cIp sElz
fild Yl H pAsiJaz n Aliz v H /bazR. bat HX wx nO
dIlxz wiH vqsaz v ingrESiEtiN Afabiliti invFtiN kastamxz t
entx; HX wx nO hYkxz, nP H VZMal motli krQd v fImEl
pxcasxz—bat Onli sOlJxz, in VnifPmz n OvxkOts HO wiHQt
maskats, entxiN H /bazR empti-hAndad n sFlantli mEkiN HX wE
Qt TrM its pAsiJaz wiH bandalz. trEdzmen n HX asistants
(v hMm HX wx bat fV) mMvd abQt amaN H sOlJxz kwFt
biwildxd. HE anlokt HX Sops n lokt Hem ap agen, n
Hemselvz kArid gUdz awE wiH H help v HX asistants. on H
skwX in frant v H /bazR wx dramxz bItiN H mastx kYl.
bat H rOl v H dramz did not mEk H lMtiN sOlJxz ran in H
direkSan v H dram Az fPmxli, bat mEd Hem, on H kontrXi, ran
fRHx awE. amaN H sOlJxz in H Sops n pAsiJaz sam men wx
t bI sIn in grE kOts, wiH klOsli SEvan hedz. tM ofisxz, wan
wiH a skRf Ovx hiz VnifPm n mQntad on a lIn, dRk-grE hPs,
H aHx in an OvxkOt n on fUt, stUd At H kPnx v /iljiNka
/strIt, tYkiN. a Txd ofisx gAlapt ap t Hem.
<p>
“H Jenxal Pdxz Hem Yl t bI drivan Qt At wans, wiHQt fEl.
His iz QtrEJas! hAf H men hAv dispxst.”
<p>
“wX R V of t?... wX?...” hI SQtad t TrI infantrimen
wiHQt maskats hM, hOldiN ap H skxts v HX OvxkOts, wx
slipiN pAst him intM H /bazR pAsiJ. “stop, V ryskalz!”
<p>
“bat hQ R V gOiN t stop Hem?” riplFd anaHx ofisx. “HX iz
nO getiN Hem tageHx. H Rmi SUd pUS on bifP H rest bOlt,
HAt's Yl!”
<p>
“hQ kAn wan pUS on? HE R stak HX, weJd on H briJ, n
dOnt mMv. SUdant wI pUt a kPdan rQnd t privent H rest from
raniN awE?”
<p>
“kam, gO in HX n drFv Hem Qt!” SQtad H sInC ofisx.
<p>
H ofisx in H skRf dismQntad, kYld ap a dramx, n went wiH
him intM H RkEd. sam sOlJxz stRtad raniN awE in a grMp. a
SopkIpx wiH red pimpalz on hiz cIä nC H nOz, n a kym,
pxsistant, kAlkVlEtiN iäpreSan on hiz plamp fEs, haridli n
ostentESasli aprOct H ofisx, swiNiN hiz Rmz.
<p>
“jP onx!” sed hI. “bI sO gUd Az t pratekt as! wI wOnt graJ
trFfalz, V R welkam t eniTiN—wI SAl bI dilFtad! prE!...
F'l fec a pIs v kloT At wans f sac an onxabal Jentalman,
P Ivan tM pIsaz wiH pleZx. f wI fIl hQ it iz; bat wot's Yl
His—SC robxi! if V plIz, kUd not gRdz bI plEst if Onli t
let as klOz H Sop....”
<p>
sevxal SopkIpxz krQdad rQnd H ofisx.
<p>
“E, wot twodal!” sed wan v Hem, a Tin, stxn-lUkiN mAn. “wen
wan'z hed iz gon wan dazant wIp f wan'z hX! tEk wot eni v V
lFk!” n flariSiN hiz Rm enxJetikli hI txnd sFdwEz t H
ofisx.
<p>
“it's Yl veri wel f V, /ivyn /sidPic, t tYk,” sed H fxst
trEdzman ANgrili. “plIz step insFd, jP onx!”
<p>
“tYk indId!” krFd H Tin wan. “in mF TrI Sops hC F hAv a
handrad TQzand rMbalz' wxT v gUdz. kAn HE bI sEvd wen H Rmi
hAz gon? E, wot pIpal! 'agenst /god'z mFt Qx hAndz kAnt fFt.'”
<p>
“kam insFd, jP onx!” ripItad H trEdzman, bQiN.
<p>
H ofisx stUd pxpleät n hiz fEs SOd indisiZan.
<p>
“it's not mF biznas!” hI iäklEmd, n strOd on kwikli dQn wan v
H pAsiJaz.
<p>
from wan Opan Sop kEm H sQnd v blOz n vitMpxESan, n Jast
Az H ofisx kEm ap t it a mAn in a grE kOt wiH a SEvan hed woz
flaN Qt vFalantli.
<p>
His mAn, bent dabal, raSt pAst H trEdzman n H ofisx. H
ofisx pQnst on H sOlJxz hM wx in H Sops, bat At HAt
mOment fCfal skrImz rIct Hem from H hVJ krQd on H /mOskva
briJ n H ofisx rAn Qt intM H skwX.
<p>
“wot iz it? wot iz it?” hI Askt, bat hiz komrAd woz Ylredi
gAlapiN of pAst /vysili H /biAtifFd in H direkSan from wic H
skrImz kEm.
<p>
H ofisx mQntad hiz hPs n rOd Aftx him. wen hI rIct H
briJ hI sY tM anlimbxd ganz, H infantri krosiN H briJ,
sevxal Ovxtxnd kRts, n frFtand n lAfiN fEsaz amaN H
trMps. bisFd H kAnan a kRt woz stAndiN t wic tM hPsaz wx
hRnast. fP bPzqz wiH kolxz wx presiN klOs t H wIlz.
H kRt woz lOdad hF, n At H veri top, bisFd a cFld'z cX
wiH its leã in H X, sAt a pezant wUman atxiN pCsiN n
despxat SrIä. hI woz tOld bF hiz felO ofisxz HAt H skrImz
v H krQd n H SrIä v H wUman wx dM t H fAkt HAt
/Jenxal /jermOlOf, kamiN ap t H krQd n lxniN HAt sOlJxz wx
dispxsiN amaN H Sops wFl krQdz v sivilWnz blokt H briJ,
hAd Pdxd tM ganz t bI anlimbxd n mEd a SO v fFxiN At H
briJ. H krQd, kraSiN wan anaHx, apsetiN kRts, n SQtiN
n skwIziN despxatli, hAd klCd of H briJ n H trMps
wx nQ mMviN fPwxd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXII
<p>
/mInwFl, H siti itself woz dizxtad. HX woz hRdli eniwan in H
strIts. H gEts n Sops wx Yl klOzd, Onli hC n HX rQnd
H tAvxnz solitXi SQts P draNkan soNz kUd bI hxd. nObodi
drOv TrM H strIts n fUtsteps wx rXli hxd. H
/pOvRskFa woz kwFt stil n dizxtad. H hVJ kPtjRd v H
/rOstOfs' hQs woz litxd wiH wisps v hE n wiH daN from H
hPsaz, n not a sOl woz t bI sIn HX. in H grEt drYiN
rMm v H hQs, wic hAd bin left wiH Yl it kantEnd, wx
tM pIpal. HE wx H jRd pPtx /ignyt, n H pEJ bq /miSka,
/vysilic'az grAndsan hM hAd stEd in /moskQ wiH hiz grAndfyHx.
miSka hAd Opand H klAvikPd n woz stramiN on it wiH
wan fiNgx. H jRd pPtx, hiz Rmz akimbO, stUd smFliN wiH
sAtisfAkSan bifP H lRJ mirx.
<p>
“izant it fFn, E, /aNkal /ignyt?” sed H bq, sadanli biginiN t
strFk H kIbPd wiH bOT hAndz.
<p>
“Onli fAnsi!” Ansxd /ignyt, sxprFzd At H brYdniN grin on hiz
fEs in H mirx.
<p>
“impVdans! impVdans!” HE hxd bihFnd Hem H vqs v /myvra
/kMzminicna hM hAd entxd sFlantli. “hQ hI'z griniN, H fAt mag!
iz HAt wot V'x hC f? naTiN'z klCd awE dQn HX n
/vysilic iz wPn Qt. Jast V wEt a bit!”
<p>
/ignyt left of smFliN, aJastad hiz belt, n went Qt v H rMm wiH
mIkli dQnkAst Fz.
<p>
“ynt, F did it Jentli,” sed H bq.
<p>
“F'l giv V samTiN Jentli, V maNki V!” krFd /myvra
/kMzminicna, rEziN hx Rm TretaniNli. “gO n get H sAmavR t
bql f jP grAndfyHx.”
<p>
/myvra /kMzminicna flikt H dast of H klAvikPd n klOzd it, n
wiH a dIp sF left H drYiN rMm n lokt its mEn dP.
<p>
gOiN Qt intM H jRd SI pYzd t kansidx wX SI SUd gO
neät—t driNk tI in H sxvants' wiN wiH /vysilic, P intM H
stPrMm t pUt awE wot stil lE abQt.
<p>
SI hxd H sQnd v kwik fUtsteps in H kwFat strIt. samwan
stopt At H gEt, n H lAc rAtald Az samwan trFd t Opan it.
/myvra /kMzminicna went t H gEt.
<p>
“hM dM V wont?”
<p>
“H kQnt—/kQnt /ilja /yndrEevic /rOstOf.”
<p>
“n hM R V?”
<p>
“an ofisx, F hAf t sI him,” kEm H riplF in a plezant, wel-bred
/raSan vqs.
<p>
/myvra /kMzminicna Opand H gEt n an ofisx v EtIn, wiH H
rQnd fEs v a /rOstOf, entxd H jRd.
<p>
“HE hAv gon awE, sx. went awE jestxdE At vespxtFm,” sed
/myvra /kMzminicna kPJali.
<p>
H jaN ofisx stAndiN in H gEtwE, Az if hezitEtiN weHx t
entx P not, klikt hiz taN.
<p>
“y, hQ anqiN!” hI matxd. “F SUd hAv kam jestxdE.... y,
wot a piti.”
<p>
mInwFl, /myvra /kMzminicna woz atentivli n simpaTetikli
iãAminiN H familC /rOstOf fIcxz v H jaN mAn'z fEs, hiz
tAtxd kOt n trodan-dQn bMts.
<p>
“wot did V wont t sI H kQnt f?” SI Askt.
<p>
“O wel... it kAnt bI helpt!” sed hI in a tOn v veäESan n
plEst hiz hAnd on H gEt Az if t lIv.
<p>
hI agen pYzd in indisiZan.
<p>
“V sI,” hI sadanli sed, “F Am a kinzman v H kQnt's n hI hAz
bin veri kFnd t mI. Az V sI” (hI glAnst wiH an amVzd X n
gUd-nEcxd smFl At hiz kOt n bMts) “mF TiNz R wPn Qt n F
hAv nO mani, sO F woz gOiN t Ask H kQnt...”
<p>
/myvra /kMzminicna did not let him finiS.
<p>
“Jast wEt a minit, sx. wan lital mOment,” sed SI.
<p>
n Az sMn Az H ofisx let gO v H gEt hAndal SI txnd n,
hariiN awE on hx Old leã, went TrM H bAk jRd t H
sxvants' kwPtxz.
<p>
wFl /myvra /kMzminicna woz raniN t hx rMm H ofisx wYkt abQt
H jRd gEziN At hiz wPn-Qt bMts wiH lOxd hed n a fEnt
smFl on hiz lips. “wot a piti F'v mist /aNkal! wot a nFs Old
wUman! wX hAz SI ran of t? n hQ Am F t fFnd H nCast wE
t OvxtEk mF reJimant, wic mast bF nQ bI getiN nC H /rOgOZski
gEt?” TYt hI. Jast Hen /myvra /kMzminicna apCd from bihFnd
H kPnx v H hQs wiH a frFtand jet rezalMt lUk, kAriiN a
rOld-ap cek kxcif in hx hAnd. wFl stil a fV steps from
H ofisx SI anfOldad H kxcif n tUk Qt v it a wFt
twenti-fFv-rMbal AsignAt n hEstili hAndad it t him.
<p>
“if hiz eäalansi hAd bin At hOm, Az a kinzman hI wUd v kPs...
bat Az it iz...”
<p>
/myvra /kMzminicna grM abASt n kanfVzd. H ofisx did not
diklFn, bat tUk H nOt kwFatli n TANkt hx.
<p>
“if H kQnt hAd bin At hOm...” /myvra /kMzminicna went on
apolaJetikli. “/krFst bI wiH V, sx! mE /god prizxv V!” sed
SI, bQiN Az SI sY him Qt.
<p>
swEiN hiz hed n smFliN Az if amVzd At himself, H ofisx rAn
YlmOst At a trot TrM H dizxtad strIts tPd H /jQza briJ t
OvxtEk hiz reJimant.
<p>
bat /myvra /kMzminicna stUd At H klOzd gEt f sam tFm wiH mqst
Fz, pensivli swEiN hx hed n fIliN an aniäpektad flO v
maHxli tendxnas n piti f H annOn jaN ofisx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIII
<p>
from an anfiniSt hQs on H /vRvRka, H grQnd flP v wic woz
a drAmSop, kEm draNkan SQts n soNz. on bencaz rQnd H tEbalz
in a dxti lital rMm sAt sam ten fAktxi hAndz. tipsi n pxspFxiN,
wiH dim Fz n wFd-Opan mQHz, HE wx Yl labPWsli siNiN
sam soN P aHx. HE wx siNiN diskPdantli, RJMasli, n wiH
grEt efxt, evidentli not bikoz HE wiSt t siN, bat bikoz
HE wontad t SO HE wx draNk n on a sprI. wan, a tYl,
fX-hXd lAd in a klIn blM kOt, woz stAndiN Ovx H aHxz. hiz
fEs wiH its fFn strEt nOz wUd hAv bin hAndsam hAd it not
bin f hiz Tin, kamprest, twiciN lips n dal, glMmi, fiät
Fz. evidentli pazest bF sam FdW, hI stUd Ovx HOz hM wx
siNiN, n solamli n Jxkili flariSt abav HX hedz hiz wFt
Rm wiH H slIv txnd ap t H elbO, trFiN annAcxali t spred
Qt hiz dxti fiNgxz. H slIv v hiz kOt kept slipiN dQn n hI
YlwEz kXfali rOld it ap agen wiH hiz left hAnd, Az if it wx
mOst impPtant HAt H sinVi wFt Rm hI woz flariSiN SUd bI
bX. in H midst v H soN krFz wx hxd, n fFtiN n blOz
in H pAsiJ n pPc. H tYl lAd wEvd hiz Rm.
<p>
“stop it!” hI iäklEmd pxemptxili. “HX'z a fFt, lAdz!” n,
stil rOliN ap hiz slIv, hI went Qt t H pPc.
<p>
H fAktxi hAndz folOd him. HIz men, hM andx H lIdxSip v
H tYl lAd wx driNkiN in H drAmSop HAt mPniN, hAd brYt H
pablikan sam skinz from H fAktxi n f His hAd hAd driNk sxvd
Hem. H blAämiTs from a nEbxiN smiTi, hCiN H sQndz v
revalri in H tAvxn n sapOziN it t hAv bin brOkan intM, wiSt
t fPs HX wE in tM n a fFt in H pPc hAd rizaltad.
<p>
H pablikan woz fFtiN wan v H smiTs At H dP, n wen H
wxkmen kEm Qt H smiT, renciN himself frI from H tAvxn
kIpx, fel fEs dQnwxd on H pEvmant.
<p>
anaHx smiT trFd t entx H dPwE, presiN agenst H pablikan
wiH hiz cest.
<p>
H lAd wiH H txnd-ap slIv gEv H smiT a blO in H fEs n
krFd wFldli: “HE'x fFtiN as, lAdz!”
<p>
At HAt mOment H fxst smiT got ap n, skrAciN hiz brMzd
fEs t mEk it blId, SQtad in a tCfal vqs: “palIs! mxdx!...
HE'v kild a mAn, lAdz!”
<p>
“O, grESas mI, a mAn bItan t deT—kild!...” skrImd a wUman
kamiN Qt v a gEt klOs bF.
<p>
a krQd gAHxd rQnd H bladstEnd smiT.
<p>
“hAvant V robd pIpal inaf—tEkiN HX lAst Sxts?” sed a
vqs adresiN H pablikan. “wot hAv V kild a mAn f, V
TIf?”
<p>
H tYl lAd, stAndiN in H pPc, txnd hiz blCd Fz from H
pablikan t H smiT n bAk agen Az if kansidxiN hMm hI Yt t
fFt nQ.
<p>
“mxdxx!” hI SQtad sadanli t H pablikan. “bFnd him, lAdz!”
<p>
“F dXsE V wUd lFk t bFnd mI!” SQtad H pablikan, pUSiN
awE H men advAnsiN on him, n snAciN hiz kAp from hiz hed hI
flaN it on H grQnd.
<p>
Az if His AkSan hAd sam mistCWs n menasiN signifikans, H
wxkmen sxQndiN H pablikan pYzd in indisiZan.
<p>
“F nO H lY veri wel, mEts! F'l tEk H mAtx t H kAptin
v palIs. V TiNk F wOnt get t him? robxi iz not pxmitad t
enibodi nQadEz!” SQtad H pablikan, pikiN ap hiz kAp.
<p>
“kam aloN Hen! kam aloN Hen!” H pablikan n H tYl jaN
felO ripItad wan Aftx H aHx, n HE mMvd ap H strIt
tageHx.
<p>
H bladstEnd smiT went bisFd Hem. H fAktxi hAndz n aHxz
folOd bihFnd, tYkiN n SQtiN.
<p>
At H kPnx v H /mPOsEka, opazit a lRJ hQs wiH klOzd
Satxz n bXiN a bMtmEkx'z sFnbPd, stUd a skP v Tin,
wPn-Qt, glMmi-fEst bMtmEkxz, wXiN OvxYlz n loN tAtxd
kOts.
<p>
“hI SUd pE fOä of propxli,” a Tin wxkiNmAn, wiH frQniN
brQz n a strAgli bCd, woz sEiN.
<p>
“bat hI'z sakt Qx blad n nQ hI TiNä hI'z kwit v as. hI'z bin
mislIdiN as Yl H wIk n nQ HAt hI'z brYt as t His pAs
hI'z mEd of.”
<p>
on sIiN H krQd n H bladstEnd mAn H wxkman sIst
spIkiN, n wiH Igx kjUxiositi Yl H bMtmEkxz Jqnd H mMviN
krQd.
<p>
“wX R Yl H fOä gOiN?”
<p>
“wF, t H palIs, v kPs!”
<p>
“F sE, iz it trM HAt wI hAv bin bItan?” “n wot did V TiNk?
lUk wot fOä R sEiN.”
<p>
kwescanz n Ansxz wx hxd. H pablikan, tEkiN advAntiJ v H
inkrIst krQd, dropt bihFnd n ritxnd t hiz tAvxn.
<p>
H tYl VT, not nOtisiN H disapCans v hiz fO, wEvd hiz
bX Rm n went on tYkiN insesantli, atrAktiN Jenxal atenSan
t himself. it woz xQnd him HAt H pIpal cIfli krQdad, iäpektiN
Ansxz from him t H kwescanz HAt okVpFd Yl HX mFndz.
<p>
“hI mast kIp Pdx, kIp H lY, HAt's wot H gavxnmant iz HX
f. Am F not rFt, gUd /kriscanz?” sed H tYl VT, wiH a
skXsli pxseptabal smFl. “hI TiNä HX'z nO gavxnmant! hQ kAn
wan dM wiHQt gavxnmant? P els HX wUd bI plenti hM'd rob as.”
<p>
“wF tYk nonsens?” rIJqnd vqsaz in H krQd. “wil HE giv
ap /moskQ lFk His? HE tOld V HAt f fan, n V bilIvd it!
Rnt HX plenti v trMps on H mRc? let him in, indId! HAt's
wot H gavxnmant iz f. V'd betx lisan t wot pIpal R
sEiN,” sed sam v H mob pqntiN t H tYl VT.
<p>
bF H wYl v /cFna-/tQn a smYlx grMp v pIpal wx gAHxd rQnd
a mAn in a frIz kOt hM held a pEpx in hiz hAnd.
<p>
“an VkEs, HE R rIdiN an VkEs! rIdiN an VkEs!” krFd vqsaz in
H krQd, n H pIpal raSt tPd H rIdx.
<p>
H mAn in H frIz kOt woz rIdiN H brYdSIt v Ygast 31. wen
H krQd kalektad rQnd him hI sImd kanfVzd, bat At H dimAnd
v H tYl lAd hM hAd pUSt hiz wE ap t him, hI bigAn in a rAHx
tremVlas vqs t rId H SIt from H biginiN.
<p>
“xli tamorO F SAl gO t hiz /sxIn /hFnas,” hI red (“/sirin
/hFnas,” sed H tYl felO wiH a trFamfant smFl on hiz lips n
a frQn on hiz brQ), “t kansalt wiH him t Akt, n t Ed H Rmi
t iätxminEt HIz skQndralz. wI tM wil tEk pRt...” H rIdx
went on, n Hen pYzd (“dM V sI,” SQtad H VT viktPWsli,
“hI'z gOiN t klC ap H hOl afX f V....”), “in distrqiN
Hem, n wil send HIz vizitxz t H deval. F wil kam bAk t
dinx, n wI'l set t wxk. wI wil dM, kamplItli dM, n andM HIz
skQndralz.”
<p>
H lAst wxdz wx red Qt in H midst v kamplIt sFlans. H tYl
lAd haN hiz hed glMmili. it woz evidant HAt nO wan hAd andxstUd
H lAst pRt. in pxtikVlx, H wxdz “F wil kam bAk t dinx,”
evidentli displIzd bOT rIdx n YdWns. H pIpal'z mFndz
wx tMnd t a hF pic n His woz tM simpal n nIdlasli
komprihensabal—it woz wot eni wan v Hem mFt hAv sed n HXfP
woz wot an VkEs emanEtiN from H hFast YToriti SUd not sE.
<p>
HE Yl stUd dispondant n sFlant. H tYl VT mMvd hiz lips n
swEd from sFd t sFd.
<p>
“wI SUd Ask him... HAt's hI himself?”... “jes, Ask him indId!...
wF not? hI'l iäplEn”... vqsaz in H rC v H krQd wx
sadanli hxd sEiN, n H Jenxal atenSan txnd t H palIs
sMpxintendant's trAp wic drOv intM H skwX atendad bF tM
mQntad dragMnz.
<p>
H sMpxintendant v palIs, hM hAd gon HAt mPniN bF /kQnt
/rOstOpcin'z Pdxz t bxn H bRJaz n hAd in kanekSan wiH HAt
mAtx akwFxd a lRJ sam v mani wic woz At HAt mOment in hiz
pokat, on sIiN a krQd bXiN dQn apon him tOld hiz kOcman t
stop.
<p>
“wot pIpal R HIz?” hI SQtad t H men, hM wx mMviN siNgli
n timidli in H direkSan v hiz trAp.
<p>
“wot pIpal R HIz?” hI SQtad agen, risIviN nO Ansx.
<p>
“jP onx...” riplFd H Sopman in H frIz kOt, “jP onx, in
akPd wiH H proklamESan v hiz hFast eäalansi H kQnt, HE
dizFx t sxv, not spXiN HX lFvz, n it iz not eni kFnd v
rFat, bat Az hiz hFast eäalans sed...”
<p>
“H kQnt hAz not left, hI iz hC, n an Pdx wil bI iSVd
kansxniN V,” sed H sMpxintendant v palIs. “gO on!” hI Pdxd
hiz kOcman.
<p>
H krQd hYltad, presiN xQnd HOz hM hAd hxd wot H
sMpxintendant hAd sed, n lUkiN At H dipRtiN trAp.
<p>
H sMpxintendant v palIs txnd rQnd At HAt mOment wiH a skXd
lUk, sed samTiN t hiz kOcman, n hiz hPsaz inkrIst HX
spId.
<p>
“it's a frYd, lAdz! lId H wE t him, himself!” SQtad H tYl
VT. “dOnt let him gO, lAdz! let him Ansx as! kIp him!” SQtad
difxant pIpal n H pIpal dASt in pxsMt v H trAp.
<p>
folOiN H sMpxintendant v palIs n tYkiN lQdli H krQd went
in H direkSan v H /lMbjynka /strIt.
<p>
“HX nQ, H Jentri n mxcants hAv gon awE n left as t
periS. dM HE TiNk wI'x doã?” vqsaz in H krQd wx hxd sEiN
mP n mP frIkwantli.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIV
<p>
on H IvniN v H fxst v septembx, Aftx hiz intxvV wiH
/kMtMzOf, /kQnt /rOstOpcin hAd ritxnd t /moskQ mPtifFd n afendad
bikoz hI hAd not bin invFtad t atend H kQnsal v wP, n
bikoz /kMtMzOf hAd pEd nO atenSan t hiz ofx t tEk pRt in H
difens v H siti; amEzd YlsO At H noval QtlUk rivIld t him
At H kAmp, wic trItad H trANkwiliti v H kApital n its
pEtriotik fxvx Az not mCli sekandXi bat kwFt irelavant n
animpPtant mAtxz. distrest, afendad, n sxprFzd bF Yl His,
/rOstOpcin hAd ritxnd t /moskQ. Aftx sapx hI lE dQn on a sOfa
wiHQt andresiN, n woz awEkand sMn Aftx midnFt bF a kUrC
briNiN him a letx from /kMtMzOf. His letx rikwestad H kQnt t
send palIs ofisxz t gFd H trMps TrM H tQn, Az H Rmi
woz ritrItiN t H /rjyzyn rOd bijond /moskQ. His woz not nMz t
/rOstOpcin. hI hAd nOn HAt /moskQ wUd bI abAndand not mCli sins
hiz intxvV H prIvWs dE wiH /kMtMzOf on H /pOklOni /hil bat
evx sins H bAtal v /bPOdinO, f Yl H Jenxalz hM kEm t
/moskQ Aftx HAt bAtal hAd sed VnAnimasli HAt it woz imposabal t
fFt anaHx bAtal, n sins Hen H gavxnmant propxti hAd bin
rimMvd evri nFt, n hAf H inhAbitants hAd left H siti
wiH /rOstOpcin'z On pxmiSan. jet Yl H sEm His infxmESan
astoniSt n iritEtad H kQnt, kamiN Az it did in H fPm v a
simpal nOt wiH an Pdx from /kMtMzOf, n risIvd At nFt, brEkiN
in on hiz bVti slIp.
<p>
wen lEtx on in hiz memwRz /kQnt /rOstOpcin iäplEnd hiz AkSanz At
His tFm, hI ripItadli sez HAt hI woz Hen AkcMEtad bF tM impPtant
kansidxESanz: t mEntEn trANkwiliti in /moskQ n eäpidFt H
dipRcx v H inhAbitants. if wan aäepts His tMfOld Em Yl
/rOstOpcin'z AkSanz apC iriprOcabal. “wF wx H hOli reliä,
H Rmz, AmVniSan, ganpQdx, n stPz v kPn not rimMvd? wF
wx TQzandz v inhAbitants disIvd intM bilIviN HAt /moskQ wUd
not bI givan ap—n HXbF rMind?” “t prizxv H trANkwiliti
v H siti,” iäplEnz /kQnt /rOstOpcin. “wF wx bandalz v Vslas
pEpxz from H gavxnmant ofisaz, n /lepic'az balMn n aHx
Rtikalz rimMvd?” “t lIv H tQn empti,” iäplEnz /kQnt /rOstOpcin.
wan nId Onli admit HAt pablik trANkwiliti iz in dEnJx n eni AkSan
fFndz a JastifikESan.
<p>
Yl H horxz v H rEn v terx wx bEst Onli on salisitMd f
pablik trANkwiliti.
<p>
on wot, Hen, woz /kQnt /rOstOpcin'z fC f H trANkwiliti v
/moskQ bEst in 1812? wot rIzan woz HX f asMmiN eni probabiliti
v an aprFziN in H siti? H inhAbitants wx lIviN it n H
ritrItiN trMps wx filiN it. wF SUd HAt kYz H mAsaz t
rFat?
<p>
nFHx in /moskQ nP eniwX in /raSa did eniTiN rizembaliN an
insxekSan evx akx wen H enami entxd a tQn. mP HAn
ten TQzand pIpal wx stil in /moskQ on H fxst n sekand v
septembx, n iäept f a mob in H gavxnx'z kPtjRd, asembald
HX At hiz bidiN, naTiN hApand. it iz obvWs HAt HX wUd
hAv bin Ivan les rIzan t iäpekt a distxbans amaN H pIpal
if Aftx H bAtal v /bPOdinO, wen H sxendx v /moskQ bikEm
sxtan P At lIst probabal, /rOstOpcin insted v iäFtiN H pIpal
bF distribVtiN Rmz n brYdSIts hAd tEkan steps t rimMv Yl
H hOli reliä, H ganpQdx, mVniSanz, n mani, n hAd tOld H
popVlESan plEnli HAt H tQn wUd bI abAndand.
<p>
/rOstOpcin, HO hI hAd pEtriotik sentimants, woz a sANgwin n
impalsiv mAn hM hAd YlwEz mMvd in H hFast administrativ sxkalz
n hAd nO andxstAndiN At Yl v H pIpal hI sapOzd himself t
bI gFdiN. evx sins H enami'z entri intM /smOlensk hI hAd in
imAJinESan bin plEiN H rOl v direktx v H popVlx fIliN
v “H hRt v /raSa.” not Onli did it sIm t him (Az t Yl
administrEtxz) HAt hI kantrOld H eätxnal AkSanz v /moskQ'z
inhAbitants, bat hI YlsO TYt hI kantrOld HX mental AtitMd bF
mInz v hiz brYdSIts n pOstxz, ritan in a kPs tOn wic H
pIpal dispFz in HX On klAs n dM not andxstAnd from HOz in
YToriti. /rOstOpcin woz sO plIzd wiH H fFn rOl v lIdx v
popVlx fIliN, n hAd grOn sO Vst t it, HAt H nisesiti v
riliNkwiSiN HAt rOl n abAndaniN /moskQ wiHQt eni hirOik displE
tUk him anawXz n hI sadanli felt H grQnd slip awE from andx
hiz fIt, sO HAt hI pozitivli did not nO wot t dM. HO hI nM
it woz kamiN, hI did not til H lAst mOment hOlhRtadli bilIv
HAt /moskQ wUd bI abAndand, n did not pripX f it. H
inhAbitants left agenst hiz wiSaz. if H gavxnmant ofisaz wx
rimMvd, His woz Onli dan on H dimAnd v afiSalz t hMm H kQnt
jIldad rilaktantli. hI woz absPbd in H rOl hI hAd kriEtad
f himself. Az iz oftan H kEs wiH HOz giftad wiH an Rdant
imAJinESan, HO hI hAd loN nOn HAt /moskQ wUd bI abAndand hI
nM it Onli wiH hiz intalekt, hI did not bilIv it in hiz hRt n
did not adApt himself mentali t His nM paziSan v afXz.
<p>
Yl hiz pEnztEkiN n enxJetik Aktiviti (in hQ fR it woz Vsfal
n hAd eni ifekt on H pIpal iz anaHx kwescan) hAd bin simpli
direktad tPd xQziN in H mAsaz hiz On fIliN v pEtriotik
hEtrad v H /frenc.
<p>
bat wen ivents asMmd HX trM histPikal kAraktx, wen iäpresiN
hEtrad f H /frenc in wxdz prMvd insafiSant, wen it woz not
Ivan posabal t iäpres HAt hEtrad bF fFtiN a bAtal, wen
self-konfidans woz v nO avEl in rilESan t H wan kwescan bifP
/moskQ, wen H hOl popVlESan strImd Qt v /moskQ Az wan mAn,
abAndaniN HX biloNiNz n prMviN bF HAt negativ AkSan Yl
H depT v HX nASanal fIliN, Hen H rOl cOzan bF /rOstOpcin
sadanli apCd senslas. hI aniäpektadli felt himself ridikVlas,
wIk, n alOn, wiH nO grQnd t stAnd on.
<p>
wen, awEkand from hiz slIp, hI risIvd HAt kOld, pxemptxi nOt
from /kMtMzOf, hI felt H mP iritEtad H mP hI felt himself
t blEm. Yl HAt hI hAd bin speSali pUt in cRJ v, H stEt
propxti wic hI SUd hAv rimMvd, woz stil in /moskQ n it woz nO
loNgx posabal t tEk H hOl v it awE.
<p>
“hM iz t blEm f it? hM hAz let TiNz kam t sac a pAs?” hI
rMminEtad. “not F, v kPs. F hAd evriTiN redi. F hAd /moskQ
fxmli in hAnd. n His iz wot HE hAv let it kam t! vilanz!
trEtxz!” hI TYt, wiHQt klCli difFniN hM H vilanz n
trEtxz wx, bat fIliN it nesisXi t hEt HOz trEtxz hMevx
HE mFt bI hM wx t blEm f H fYls n ridikVlas paziSan in
wic hI fQnd himself.
<p>
Yl HAt nFt /kQnt /rOstOpcin iSVd Pdxz, f wic pIpal kEm t
him from Yl pRts v /moskQ. HOz abQt him hAd nevx sIn H kQnt
sO mxOs n iritabal.
<p>
“jP eäalansi, H /direktx v H /reJistrR'z /dipRtmant hAz sent
f instrakSanz.... from H /kansistxi, from H /senat, from H
/Vnivxsiti, from H /fQndliN /hospital, H /safragan hAz sent...
AskiN f infxmESan.... wot R jP Pdxz abQt H /fFx /brigEd?
from H gavxnx v H prizan... from H sMpxintendant v H
lMnatik asFlam...” Yl nFt loN sac anQnsmants wx kantinVali
bIiN risIvd bF H kQnt.
<p>
t Yl HIz inkwFxiz hI gEv brIf n ANgri riplFz indikEtiN HAt
Pdxz from him wx not nQ nIdad, HAt H hOl afX, kXfali
pripXd bF him, hAd nQ bin rMind bF sambodi, n HAt HAt sambodi
wUd hAf t bX H hOl risponsabiliti f Yl HAt mFt hApan.
<p>
“O, tel HAt blokhed,” hI sed in riplF t H kwescan from H
/reJistrR'z /dipRtmant, “HAt hI SUd rimEn t gRd hiz dokVments.
nQ wF R V AskiN sili kwescanz abQt H /fFx /brigEd? HE hAv
hPsaz, let Hem bI of t /vlydimC, n not lIv Hem t H /frenc.”
<p>
“jP eäalansi, H sMpxintendant v H lMnatik asFlam hAz kam:
wot R jP kamAndz?”
<p>
“mF kamAndz? let Hem gO awE, HAt's Yl.... n let H lMnatiä
Qt intM H tQn. wen lMnatiä kamAnd Qx Rmiz /god evidentli mInz
HIz aHx mAdmen t bI frI.”
<p>
in riplF t an inkwFxi abQt H konvikts in H prizan, /kQnt
/rOstOpcin SQtad ANgrili At H gavxnx:
<p>
“dM V iäpekt mI t giv V tM batAlWnz—wic wI hAv not got—f a
konvq? rilIs Hem, HAt's Yl abQt it!”
<p>
“jP eäalansi, HX R sam politikal prizanxz, /meSkOf,
/vereScygin...”
<p>
“/vereScygin! hAzant hI bin hANd jet?” SQtad /rOstOpcin. “briN
him t mI!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXV
<p>
/tPd nFn O'klok in H mPniN, wen H trMps wx Ylredi mMviN
TrM /moskQ, nObodi kEm t H kQnt eni mP f instrakSanz.
HOz hM wx Ebal t get awE wx gOiN v HX On akPd, HOz
hM rimEnd bihFnd disFdad f Hemselvz wot HE mast dM.
<p>
H kQnt Pdxd hiz kAriJ HAt hI mFt drFv t /sOkOlniki, n sAt
in hiz stadi wiH fOldad hAndz, mxOs, sAlO, n tAsitxn.
<p>
in kwFat n antrabald tFmz it sImz t evri administrEtx HAt it
iz Onli bF hiz efxts HAt H hOl popVlESan andx hiz rMl iz
kept gOiN, n in His konSasnas v bIiN indispensabal evri
administrEtx fFndz H cIf riwPd v hiz lEbx n efxts. wFl H
sI v histxi rimEnz kym H rMlx-administrEtx in hiz frEl bRk,
hOldiN on wiH a bOt hUk t H Sip v H pIpal n himself
mMviN, nAcxali imAJinz HAt hiz efxts mMv H Sip hI iz hOldiN
on t. bat Az sMn Az a stPm xFzaz n H sI biginz t hIv n
H Sip t mMv, sac a dilMZan iz nO loNgx posabal. H Sip mMvz
indipendantli wiH its On inPmas mOSan, H bOt hUk nO loNgx
rIcaz H mMviN vesal, n sadanli H administrEtx, insted
v apCiN a rMlx n a sPs v pQx, bikamz an insignifikant,
Vslas, fIbal mAn.
<p>
/rOstOpcin felt His, n it woz His wic iãAspxEtad him.
<p>
H sMpxintendant v palIs, hMm H krQd hAd stopt, went in t
sI him At H sEm tFm Az an AJUtant hM infPmd H kQnt HAt H
hPsaz wx hRnast. HE wx bOT pEl, n H sMpxintendant v
palIs, Aftx ripPtiN HAt hI hAd eäikVtad H instrakSanz hI hAd
risIvd, infPmd H kQnt HAt an imens krQd hAd kalektad in H
kPtjRd n wiSt t sI him.
<p>
wiHQt sEiN a wxd /rOstOpcin rOz n wYkt hEstili t hiz lFt,
lagZUxWs drYiN rMm, went t H bAlkani dP, tUk hOld v H
hAndal, let it gO agen, n went t H windO from wic hI hAd a
betx vV v H hOl krQd. H tYl lAd woz stAndiN in frant,
flariSiN hiz Rm n sEiN samTiN wiH a stxn lUk. H
blad-stEnd smiT stUd bisFd him wiH a glMmi fEs. a drOn v
vqsaz woz Ydabal TrM H klOzd windO.
<p>
“iz mF kAriJ redi?” Askt /rOstOpcin, stepiN bAk from H windO.
<p>
“it iz, jP eäalansi,” riplFd H AJUtant.
<p>
/rOstOpcin went agen t H bAlkani dP.
<p>
“bat wot dM HE wont?” hI Askt H sMpxintendant v palIs.
<p>
“jP eäalansi, HE sE HE hAv got redi, akPdiN t jP
Pdxz, t gO agenst H /frenc, n HE SQtad samTiN abQt
trecxi. bat it iz a txbVlant krQd, jP eäalansi—F hRdli mAniJd
t get awE from it. jP eäalansi, F vencx t saJest...”
<p>
“V mE gO. F dOnt nId V t tel mI wot t dM!” iäklEmd
/rOstOpcin ANgrili.
<p>
hI stUd bF H bAlkani dP lUkiN At H krQd.
<p>
“His iz wot HE hAv dan wiH /raSa! His iz wot HE hAv dan
wiH mI!” TYt hI, fUl v an iripresabal fjUxi HAt weld ap
wiHin him agenst H samwan t hMm wot woz hApaniN mFt bI
atribVtad. Az oftan hApanz wiH pASanat pIpal, hI woz mAstxd bF
ANgx bat woz stil sIkiN an obJekt on wic t vent it. “hC iz
HAt mob, H dreã v H pIpal,” hI TYt Az hI gEzd At H krQd:
“His rAbal HE hAv rQzd bF HX foli! HE wont a viktim,”
hI TYt Az hI lUkt At H tYl lAd flariSiN hiz Rm. n His
TYt akxd t him Jast bikoz hI himself dizFxd a viktim,
samTiN on wic t vent hiz rEJ.
<p>
“iz H kAriJ redi?” hI Askt agen.
<p>
“jes, jP eäalansi. wot R jP Pdxz abQt /vereScygin? hI iz
wEtiN At H pPc,” sed H AJUtant.
<p>
“y!” iäklEmd /rOstOpcin, Az if strak bF an aniäpektad rekalekSan.
<p>
n rApidli OpaniN H dP hI went rezalMtli Qt ontM H bAlkani.
H tYkiN instantli sIst, hAts n kAps wx doft, n Yl Fz
wx rEzd t H kQnt.
<p>
“gUd mPniN, lAdz!” sed H kQnt briskli n lQdli. “TANk V f
kamiN. F'l kam Qt t V in a mOment, bat wI mast fxst setal
wiH H vilan. wI mast paniS H vilan hM hAz kYzd H rMin v
/moskQ. wEt f mI!”
<p>
n H kQnt stept Az briskli bAk intM H rMm n slAmd H dP
bihFnd him.
<p>
a mxmx v AprabESan n sAtisfAkSan rAn TrM H krQd. “hI'l
setal wiH Yl H vilanz, V'l sI! n V sed H /frenc...
hI'l SO V wot lY iz!” H mob wx sEiN Az if riprMviN wan
anaHx f HX lAk v konfidans.
<p>
a fV minits lEtx an ofisx kEm haridli Qt v H frant dP,
gEv an Pdx, n H dragMnz fPmd ap in lFn. H krQd mMvd
Igxli from H bAlkani tPd H pPc. /rOstOpcin, kamiN Qt HX
wiH kwik ANgri steps, lUkt hEstili xQnd Az if sIkiN samwan.
<p>
“wX iz hI?” hI inkwFxd. n Az hI spOk hI sY a jaN mAn kamiN
rQnd H kPnx v H hQs bitwIn tM dragMnz. hI hAd a loN Tin
nek, n hiz hed, HAt hAd bin hAf SEvd, woz agen kavxd bF
SPt hX. His jaN mAn woz drest in a TredbX blM kloT kOt
lFnd wiH foä fx, HAt hAd wans bin smRt, n dxti hempan konvikt
trQzxz, Ovx wic wx pUld hiz Tin, dxti, trodan-dQn bMts.
on hiz Tin, wIk leã wx hevi cEnz wic hAmpxd hiz irezalMt
mMvmants.
<p>
“y!” sed /rOstOpcin, haridli txniN awE hiz Fz from H jaN
mAn in H fx-lFnd kOt n pqntiN t H botam step v H pPc.
“pUt him HX.”
<p>
H jaN mAn in hiz klAtxiN cEnz stept klamzili t H spot
indikEtad, hOldiN awE wiH wan fiNgx H kOt kolx wic cEft
hiz nek, txnd hiz loN nek twFs His wE n HAt, sFd, n
sabmisivli fOldad bifP him hiz Tin hAndz, anVst t wxk.
<p>
f sevxal sekandz wFl H jaN mAn woz tEkiN hiz plEs on H step
H sFlans kantinVd. Onli amaN H bAk rOz v H pIpal, hM wx
Yl presiN tPd H wan spot, kUd sFz, grOnz, n H SafaliN
v fIt bI hxd.
<p>
wFl wEtiN f H jaN mAn t tEk hiz plEs on H step /rOstOpcin
stUd frQniN n rabiN hiz fEs wiH hiz hAnd.
<p>
“lAdz!” sed hI, wiH a mitAlik riN in hiz vqs. “His mAn,
/vereScygin, iz H skQndral bF hMz dMiN /moskQ iz periSiN.”
<p>
H jaN mAn in H fx-lFnd kOt, stMpiN a lital, stUd in a
sabmisiv AtitMd, hiz fiNgxz klAspt bifP him. hiz imESiEtad jaN
fEs, disfigjxd bF H hAf-SEvan hed, haN dQn hOplasli. At
H kQnt's fxst wxdz hI rEzd it slOli n lUkt ap At him Az if
wiSiN t sE samTiN P At lIst t mIt hiz F. bat /rOstOpcin did
not lUk At him. a vEn in H jaN mAn'z loN Tin nek sweld lFk a
kPd n went blM bihFnd H C, n sadanli hiz fEs flaSt.
<p>
Yl Fz wx fiät on him. hI lUkt At H krQd, n rendxd mP
hOpfal bF H iäpreSan hI red on H fEsaz HX, hI smFld sAdli
n timidli, n lOxiN hiz hed Siftad hiz fIt on H step.
<p>
“hI hAz bitrEd hiz /tsR n hiz kantri, hI hAz gon Ovx t
/bOnapRt. hI alOn v Yl H /raSanz hAz disgrEst H /raSan nEm,
hI hAz kYzd /moskQ t periS,” sed /rOstOpcin in a SRp, Ivan vqs,
bat sadanli hI glAnst dQn At /vereScygin hM kantinVd t stAnd in
H sEm sabmisiv AtitMd. Az if inflEmd bF H sFt, hI rEzd hiz
Rm n adrest H pIpal, YlmOst SQtiN:
<p>
“dIl wiH him Az V TiNk fit! F hAnd him Ovx t V.”
<p>
H krQd rimEnd sFlant n Onli prest klOsx n klOsx t
wan anaHx. t kIp wan anaHx bAk, t brIH in HAt stFfaliN
AtmasfC, t bI anEbal t stx, n t awEt samTiN annOn,
ankomprihendad, n teribal, woz bikamiN anbXabal. HOz stAndiN
in frant, hM hAd sIn n hxd wot hAd tEkan plEs bifP Hem, Yl
stUd wiH wFd-Opan Fz n mQHz, strEniN wiH Yl HX streNT,
n held bAk H krQd HAt woz pUSiN bihFnd Hem.
<p>
“bIt him!... let H trEtx periS n not disgrEs H /raSan nEm!”
SQtad /rOstOpcin. “kat him dQn. F kamAnd it.”
<p>
hCiN not sO mac H wxdz Az H ANgri tOn v /rOstOpcin'z vqs,
H krQd mOnd n hIvd fPwxd, bat agen pYzd.
<p>
“kQnt!” iäklEmd H timid jet TiAtrikal vqs v /vereScygin in H
midst v H mOmentXi sFlans HAt insMd, “kQnt! wan /god iz abav as
bOT....” hI liftad hiz hed n agen H Tik vEn in hiz Tin nek
fild wiH blad n H kalx rApidli kEm n went in hiz fEs.
<p>
hI did not finiS wot hI wiSt t sE.
<p>
“kat him dQn! F kamAnd it...” SQtad /rOstOpcin, sadanli grOiN
pEl lFk /vereScygin.
<p>
“drY sEbxz!” krFd H dragMn ofisx, drYiN hiz On.
<p>
anaHx stil stroNgx wEv flOd TrM H krQd n rIciN H
frant rANä kArid it swEiN t H veri steps v H pPc. H tYl
VT, wiH a stOni lUk on hiz fEs, n riJid n apliftad Rm, stUd
bisFd /vereScygin.
<p>
“sEbx him!” H dragMn ofisx YlmOst wispxd.
<p>
n wan v H sOlJxz, hiz fEs Yl At wans distPtad wiH fjUxi,
strak /vereScygin on H hed wiH H blant sFd v hiz sEbx.
<p>
“y!” krFd /vereScygin in mIk sxprFz, lUkiN rQnd wiH a
frFtand glAns Az if not andxstAndiN wF His woz dan t him. a
similx mOn v sxprFz n horx rAn TrM H krQd. “O /lPd!”
iäklEmd a sorOfal vqs.
<p>
bat Aftx H eäklamESan v sxprFz HAt hAd iskEpt from /vereScygin
hI atxd a plEntiv krF v pEn, n HAt krF woz fEtal. H bArC
v hVman fIliN, strEnd t H atmOst, HAt hAd held H krQd in
cek sadanli brOk. H krFm hAd bigan n mast nQ bI kamplItad. H
plEntiv mOn v riprOc woz drQnd bF H TretaniN n ANgri rP
v H krQd. lFk H sevanT n lAst wEv HAt SAtxz a Sip, HAt
lAst irizistabal wEv bxst from H rC n rIct H frant rANä,
kAriiN Hem of HX fIt n ingalfiN Hem Yl. H dragMn woz
abQt t ripIt hiz blO. /vereScygin wiH a krF v horx, kavxiN
hiz hed wiH hiz hAndz, raSt tPd H krQd. H tYl VT,
agenst hMm hI stambald, sIzd hiz Tin nek wiH hiz hAndz n,
jeliN wFldli, fel wiH him andx H fIt v H presiN, stragaliN
krQd.
<p>
sam bIt n tP At /vereScygin, aHxz At H tYl VT. n H
skrImz v HOz HAt wx bIiN trAmpald on n v HOz hM trFd t
reskV H tYl lAd Onli inkrIst H fjUxi v H krQd. it woz a loN
tFm bifP H dragMnz kUd eätrikEt H blIdiN VT, bItan
YlmOst t deT. n f a loN tFm, dispFt H fIvxiS hEst wiH
wic H mob trFd t end H wxk HAt hAd bin bigan, HOz hM wx
hitiN, TrotaliN, n tCiN At /vereScygin wx anEbal t kil
him, f H krQd prest from Yl sFdz, swEiN Az wan mAs wiH Hem
in H sentx n rendxiN it imposabal f Hem FHx t kil him P
let him gO.
<p>
“hit him wiH an Aä, E!... kraSt?... trEtx, hI sOld /krFst....
stil alFv... tinESas... sxvz him rFt! tPcx sxvz a TIf
rFt. Vz H hAcat!... wot—stil alFv?”
<p>
Onli wen H viktim sIst t stragal n hiz krFz cEnJd t a
loN-drYn, meZxd deT rAtal did H krQd xQnd hiz prostrEt,
blIdiN kPps bigin rApidli t cEnJ plEsaz. Ic wan kEm
ap, glAnst At wot hAd bin dan, n wiH horx, riprOc, n
astoniSmant pUSt bAk agen.
<p>
“O /lPd! H pIpal R lFk wFld bIsts! hQ kUd hI bI alFv?” vqsaz
in H krQd kUd bI hxd sEiN. “kwFt a jaN felO tM... mast
hAv bin a mxcant's san. wot men!... n HE sE hI'z not H rFt
wan.... hQ not H rFt wan?... O /lPd! n HX'z anaHx hAz bin
bItan tM—HE sE hI'z nCli dan f.... O, H pIpal... Rnt
HE afrEd v siniN?...” sed H sEm mob nQ, lUkiN wiH pEnd
distres At H ded bodi wiH its loN, Tin, hAf-sevxd nek n its
livid fEs stEnd wiH blad n dast.
<p>
a pEnztEkiN palIs ofisx, kansidxiN H prezans v a kPps in
hiz eäalansi'z kPtjRd ansImli, tOld H dragMnz t tEk it awE.
tM dragMnz tUk it bF its distPtad leã n drAgd it aloN H
grQnd. H gPi, dast-stEnd, hAf-SEvan hed wiH its loN nek
trEld twistiN aloN H grQnd. H krQd SrANk bAk from it.
<p>
At H mOment wen /vereScygin fel n H krQd klOzd in wiH sAviJ
jelz n swEd abQt him, /rOstOpcin sadanli txnd pEl n, insted
v gOiN t H bAk entrans wX hiz kAriJ awEtad him, went
wiH harid steps n bent hed, not nOiN wX n wF, aloN H
pAsiJ lIdiN t H rMmz on H grQnd flP. H kQnt's fEs woz
wFt n hI kUd not kantrOl H fIvxiS twiciN v hiz lOx JY.
<p>
“His wE, jP eäalansi... wX R V gOiN?... His wE,
plIz...” sed a trembaliN, frFtand vqs bihFnd him.
<p>
kQnt /rOstOpcin woz anEbal t riplF n, txniN ObIdWntli, went in
H direkSan indikEtad. At H bAk entrans stUd hiz kyleS. H
distant rP v H jeliN krQd woz Ydabal Ivan HX. hI hEstili
tUk hiz sIt n tOld H kOcman t drFv him t hiz kantri hQs in
/sOkOlniki.
<p>
wen HE rIct H /mjysnitski /strIt n kUd nO loNgx hC
H SQts v H mob, H kQnt bigAn t ripent. hI rimembxd wiH
dissAtisfAkSan H AJitESan n fC hI hAd bitrEd bifP hiz
sabPdinats. “H mob iz teribal—disgastiN,” hI sed t himself
in /frenc. “HE R lFk wUlvz hMm naTiN bat fleS kAn apIz.”
“kQnt! wan /god iz abav as bOT!”—/vereScygin'z wxdz sadanli
rikxd t him, n a disagrIabal Sivx rAn dQn hiz bAk. bat His
woz Onli a mOmentXi fIliN n /kQnt /rOstOpcin smFld disdEnfali
At himself. “F hAd aHx dMtiz,” TYt hI. “H pIpal hAd t bI
apIzd. meni aHx viktimz hAv periSt n R periSiN f H
pablik gUd”—n hI bigAn TiNkiN v hiz sOSal dMtiz t hiz fAmli
n t H siti intrastad t him, n v himself—not himself Az /TWdP
/vysiljevic /rOstOpcin (hI fAnsid HAt /TWdP /vysiljevic /rOstOpcin
woz sAkrifFsiN himself f H pablik gUd) bat himself Az gavxnx,
H reprizentativ v YToriti n v H /tsR. “hAd F bin simpli
/TWdP /vysiljevic mF kPs v AkSan wUd hAv bin kwFt
difxant, bat it woz mF dMti t sEfgRd mF lFf n digniti Az
kamAndx in cIf.”
<p>
lFtli swEiN on H fleäabal spriNz v hiz kAriJ n nO loNgx
hCiN H teribal sQndz v H krQd, /rOstOpcin grM fizikli
kym n, Az YlwEz hApanz, Az sMn Az hI bikEm fizikli trANkwil
hiz mFnd divFzd rIzanz wF hI SUd bI mentali trANkwil tM. H
TYt wic trANkwilFzd /rOstOpcin woz not a nM wan. sins H
wxld bigAn n men hAv kild wan anaHx nO wan hAz evx kamitad
sac a krFm agenst hiz felO mAn wiHQt kamfxtiN himself wiH
His sEm FdW. His FdW iz lU bien pablik, H hFpoTetikal welfX v
aHx pIpal.
<p>
t a mAn not swEd bF pASan HAt welfX iz nevx sxtan, bat hI
hM kamits sac a krFm YlwEz nOz Jast wX HAt welfX lFz. n
/rOstOpcin nQ nM it.
<p>
not Onli did hiz rIzan not riprOc him f wot hI hAd dan, bat
hI Ivan fQnd kYz f self-sAtisfAkSan in hAviN sO saäesfali
kantrFvd t avEl himself v a kanvInWnt opxtMniti t paniS a
kriminal n At H sEm tFm pAsifF H mob.
<p>
“/vereScygin woz trFd n kandemd t deT,” TYt /rOstOpcin
(HO H /senat hAd Onli kandemd /vereScygin t hRd lEbx), “hI
woz a trEtx n a spF. F kUd not let him gO anpaniSt n sO F hAv
kild tM bxdz wiH wan stOn: t apIz H mob F gEv Hem a viktim
n At H sEm tFm paniSt a miskrWnt.”
<p>
hAviN rIct hiz kantri hQs n bigan t giv Pdxz abQt damestik
xEnJmants, H kQnt grM kwFt trANkwil.
<p>
hAf an Qx lEtx hI woz drFviN wiH hiz fAst hPsaz akros H
/sOkOlniki fIld, nO loNgx TiNkiN v wot hAd akxd bat kansidxiN
wot woz t kam. hI woz drFviN t H /jQza briJ wX hI hAd hxd
HAt /kMtMzOf woz. kQnt /rOstOpcin woz mentali pripXiN H ANgri n
stiNiN riprOcaz hI ment t adres t /kMtMzOf f hiz disepSan. hI
wUd mEk HAt foäi Old kPtC fIl HAt H risponsabiliti f Yl
H kalAmitiz HAt wUd folO H abAndanmant v H siti n H
rMin v /raSa (Az /rOstOpcin rigRdad it) wUd fYl apon hiz dOtiN
Old hed. plAniN bifPhAnd wot hI wUd sE t /kMtMzOf, /rOstOpcin
txnd ANgrili in hiz kyleS n gEzd stxnli from sFd t sFd.
<p>
H /sOkOlniki fIld woz dizxtad. Onli At H end v it, in frant v H
ymzhQs n H lMnatik asFlam, kUd bI sIn sam pIpal in wFt
n aHxz lFk Hem wYkiN siNgli akros H fIld SQtiN n
JestikVlEtiN.
<p>
wan v HIz woz raniN t kros H pAT v /kQnt /rOstOpcin'z
kAriJ, n H kQnt himself, hiz kOcman, n hiz dragMnz
lUkt wiH vEg horx n kjUxiositi At HIz rilIst lMnatiä n
ispeSali At H wan raniN tPd Hem.
<p>
swEiN from sFd t sFd on hiz loN, Tin leã in hiz flatxiN
dresiN gQn, His lMnatik woz raniN impecMasli, hiz gEz fiät on
/rOstOpcin, SQtiN samTiN in a hPs vqs n mEkiN sFnz t him
t stop. H lMnatik's solam, glMmi fEs woz Tin n jelO, wiH
its bCd grOiN in anIvan tafts. hiz blAk, Agat pVpalz wiH
sAfron-jelO wFts mMvd restlasli nC H lOx Flidz.
<p>
“stop! pUl ap, F tel V!” hI krFd in a pCsiN vqs, n agen
SQtad samTiN breTlasli wiH imfAtik intanESanz n Jescxz.
<p>
kamiN abrest v H kyleS hI rAn bisFd it.
<p>
“TrFs hAv HE slEn mI, TrFs hAv F rizan from H ded. HE
stOnd mI, krMsifFd mI... F SAl rFz... SAl rFz... SAl rFz.
HE hAv tPn mF bodi. H kiNdam v /god wil bI OvxTrOn... TrFs
wil F OvxTrO it n TrFs rI-istAbliS it!” hI krFd, rEziN hiz
vqs hFx n hFx.
<p>
kQnt /rOstOpcin sadanli grM pEl Az hI hAd dan wen H krQd klOzd
in on /vereScygin. hI txnd awE. “gO fas... fAstx!” hI krFd in a
trembaliN vqs t hiz kOcman. H kyleS flM Ovx H grQnd Az
fAst Az H hPsaz kUd drY it, bat f a loN tFm /kQnt /rOstOpcin
stil hxd H insEn dispXiN skrImz grOiN fEntx in H
distans, wFl hiz Fz sY naTiN bat H astoniSt, frFtand,
bladstEnd fEs v “H trEtx” in H fx-lFnd kOt.
<p>
rIsant Az HAt mental pikcx woz, /rOstOpcin Ylredi felt HAt it hAd
kat dIp intM hiz hRt n drYn blad. Ivan nQ hI felt klCli HAt
H gPi trEs v HAt rekalekSan wUd not pAs wiH tFm, bat HAt
H teribal memxi wUd, on H kontrXi, dwel in hiz hRt evx mP
krMali n pEnfali t H end v hiz lFf. hI sImd stil t hC
H sQnd v hiz On wxdz: “kat him dQn! F kamAnd it....”
<p>
“wF did F atx HOz wxdz? it woz bF sam Aäidant F sed Hem....
F nId not hAv sed Hem,” hI TYt. “n Hen naTiN wUd hAv
hApand.” hI sY H frFtand n Hen infjUxiEtad fEs v H dragMn
hM delt H blO, H lUk v sFlant, timid riprOc HAt bq in H
fx-lFnd kOt hAd txnd apon him. “bat F did not dM it f mF On
sEk. F woz bQnd t Akt HAt wE.... H mob, H trEtx... H pablik
welfX,” TYt hI.
<p>
trMps wx stil krQdiN At H /jQza briJ. it woz hot. /kMtMzOf,
diJektad n frQniN, sAt on a benc bF H briJ tqiN wiH hiz
wip in H sAnd wen a kyleS dASt ap nqzili. a mAn in a Jenxal'z
VnifPm wiH plMmz in hiz hAt went ap t /kMtMzOf n sed samTiN
in /frenc. it woz /kQnt /rOstOpcin. hI tOld /kMtMzOf HAt hI hAd kam
bikoz /moskQ, H kApital, woz nO mP n Onli H Rmi rimEnd.
<p>
“TiNz wUd hAv bin difxant if jP /sxIn /hFnas hAd not tOld
mI HAt V wUd not abAndan /moskQ wiHQt anaHx bAtal; Yl His
wUd not hAv hApand,” hI sed.
<p>
/kMtMzOf lUkt At /rOstOpcin Az if, not grAspiN wot woz sed t him,
hI woz trFiN t rId samTiN pikVlC ritan At HAt mOment on H
fEs v H mAn adresiN him. /rOstOpcin grM kanfVzd n bikEm
sFlant. /kMtMzOf slFtli SUk hiz hed n not tEkiN hiz penitrEtiN
gEz from /rOstOpcin'z fEs matxd softli:
<p>
“nO! F SAl not giv ap /moskQ wiHQt a bAtal!”
<p>
weHx /kMtMzOf woz TiNkiN v samTiN intFxli difxant wen
hI spOk HOz wxdz, P atxd Hem pxpasli, nOiN Hem t bI
mIniNlas, At eni rEt /rOstOpcin mEd nO riplF n hEstili left him.
n strEnJ t sE, H /gavxnx v /moskQ, H prQd /kQnt /rOstOpcin,
tUk ap a /kosAk wip n went t H briJ wX hI bigAn wiH SQts
t drFv on H kRts HAt blokt H wE.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVI
<p>
/tPd fP O'klok in H AftxnMn /mMryt's trMps wx entxiN
/moskQ. in frant rOd a ditAcmant v /vxtambxg hMsRz n bihFnd
Hem rOd H /kiN v /nEpalz himself akampanid bF a nMmxas swIt.
<p>
abQt H midal v H /Rbyt /strIt, nC H /cxc v H /mirAkVlas
/Fkon v /st /nikalas, /mMryt hYltad t awEt nMz from H advAnst
ditAcmant Az t H kandiSan in wic HE hAd fQnd H sitadel, lU
/kremlin.
<p>
xQnd /mMryt gAHxd a grMp v HOz hM hAd rimEnd in /moskQ. HE
Yl stXd in timid biwildxmant At H strEnJ, loN-hXd kamAndx
drest ap in feHxz n gOld.
<p>
“iz HAt HX /tsR himself? hI'z not bAd!” lO vqsaz kUd bI hxd
sEiN.
<p>
an intxpratx rOd ap t H grMp.
<p>
“tEk of jP kAp... jP kAps!” HIz wxdz went from wan t anaHx
in H krQd. H intxpratx adrest an Old pPtx n Askt if
it woz fR t H /kremlin. H pPtx, lisaniN in pxpleäiti t H
anfamilC /pOliS Aäent n not rWlFziN HAt H intxpratx woz
spIkiN /raSan, did not andxstAnd wot woz bIiN sed t him n
slipt bihFnd H aHxz.
<p>
/mMryt aprOct H intxpratx n tOld him t Ask wX H /raSan
Rmi woz. wan v H /raSanz andxstUd wot woz Askt n sevxal
vqsaz At wans bigAn AnsxiN H intxpratx. a /frenc ofisx,
ritxniN from H advAnst ditAcmant, rOd ap t /mMryt n ripPtad
HAt H gEts v H sitadel hAd bin bArikEdad n HAt HX woz
probabli an AmbaskEd HX.
<p>
“gUd!” sed /mMryt n, txniN t wan v H Jentalmen in hiz swIt,
Pdxd fP lFt ganz t bI mMvd fPwxd t fFx At H gEts.
<p>
H ganz imxJd At a trot from H kolam folOiN /mMryt n advAnst
ap H /Rbyt. wen HE rIct H end v H /vOzdviZenka /strIt HE
hYltad n drM in H /skwX. sevxal /frenc ofisxz sMpxintendad H
plEsiN v H ganz n lUkt At H /kremlin TrM fIld glAsaz.
<p>
H belz in H /kremlin wx riNiN f vespxz, n His sQnd
trabald H /frenc. HE imAJind it t bI a kYl t Rmz. a fV
infantrimen rAn t H /kMtyfjef /gEt. bImz n wUdan skrInz hAd bin
pUt HX, n tM maskat Sots rAN Qt from andx H gEt Az sMn Az
an ofisx n men bigAn t ran tPd it. a Jenxal hM woz stAndiN
bF H ganz SQtad sam wxdz v kamAnd t H ofisx, n H lAtx
rAn bAk agen wiH hiz men.
<p>
H sQnd v TrI mP Sots kEm from H gEt.
<p>
wan Sot strak a /frenc sOlJx'z fUt, n from bihFnd H skrInz
kEm H strEnJ sQnd v a fV vqsaz SQtiN. instantli Az At a
wxd v kamAnd H iäpreSan v cCfal sxeniti on H fEsaz v
H /frenc Jenxal, ofisxz, n men cEnJd t wan v ditxmind
konsantrEtad redinas f strFf n safxiN. t Yl v Hem from
H mRSal t H lIst sOlJx, HAt plEs woz not H /vOzdviZenka,
/mOâyvFa, P /kMtyfjef /strIt, nP H /trqtsa /gEt (plEsaz familC in
/moskQ), bat a nM bAtalfIld wic wUd probabli prMv sANgwinXi.
n Yl mEd redi f HAt bAtal. H krFz from H gEts sIst. H
ganz wx advAnst, H Rtilximen blM H AS of HX linstoä,
n an ofisx gEv H wxd “fFx!” His woz folOd bF tM wisaliN
sQndz v kAnistx Sot, wan Aftx anaHx. H Sot rAtald agenst
H stOn v H gEt n apon H wUdan bImz n skrInz, n tM
wEvxiN klQdz v smOk rOz Ovx H /skwX.
<p>
a fV instants Aftx H ekO v H ripPts rizQndiN Ovx H
stOn-bilt /kremlin hAd dFd awE H /frenc hxd a strEnJ sQnd abav
HX hed. TQzandz v krOz rOz abav H wYlz n sxkald in H
X, kYiN n nqzili flApiN HX wiNz. tageHx wiH HAt sQnd
kEm a solitXi hVman krF from H gEtwE n amid H smOk apCd
H figjx v a bXhedad mAn in a pezant's kOt. hI grAspt a maskat
n tUk Em At H /frenc. “fFx!” ripItad H ofisx wans mP,
n H ripPts v a maskat n v tM kAnan Sots wx hxd
sFmaltEnWsli. H gEt woz agen hidan bF smOk.
<p>
naTiN mP stxd bihFnd H skrInz n H /frenc infantri sOlJxz
n ofisxz advAnst t H gEt. in H gEtwE lE TrI wMndad n
fP ded. tM men in pezant kOts rAn awE At H fUt v H wYl,
tPd H /znymenka.
<p>
“klC HAt awE!” sed H ofisx, pqntiN t H bImz n H
kPpsaz, n H /frenc sOlJxz, Aftx dispAciN H wMndad, TrM
H kPpsaz Ovx H pArapet.
<p>
hM HIz men wx nObodi nM. “klC HAt awE!” woz Yl HAt woz sed
v Hem, n HE wx TrOn Ovx H pArapet n rimMvd lEtx on HAt
HE mFt not stiNk. /tiX alOn dedikEts a fV elakwant lFnz t
HX memxi: “HIz recaz hAd okVpFd H sEkrad sitadel, hAviN
saplFd Hemselvz wiH ganz from H Rsanal, n fFxd” (H
recaz) “At H /frenc. sam v Hem wx sEbxd n H /kremlin woz
pxJd v HX prezans.”
<p>
/mMryt woz infPmd HAt H wE hAd bin klCd. H /frenc entxd
H gEts n bigAn piciN HX kAmp in H /senat /skwX. Qt v H
windOz v H /senat /hQs H sOlJxz TrM cXz intM H /skwX
f fVal n kindald fFxz HX.
<p>
aHx ditAcmants pAst TrM H /kremlin n inkAmpt aloN
H /mPOsEka, H /lMbjynka, n /pOkrOfka /strIts. aHxz kwPtxd
Hemselvz aloN H /vOzdviZenka, H /nikOlski, n H /tverskq
/strIts. nO mAstxz v H hQzaz bIiN fQnd eniwX, H /frenc wx
not bilatad on H inhAbitants Az iz VZMal in tQnz bat livd in it Az
in a kAmp.
<p>
HO tAtxd, haNgri, wPn Qt, n ridMst t a Txd v HX
xiJinal nambx, H /frenc entxd /moskQ in gUd mRciN Pdx. it
woz a wCi n fAmiSt, bat stil a fFtiN n menasiN Rmi. bat
it rimEnd an Rmi Onli antil its sOlJxz hAd dispxst intM HX
difxant loJiNz. Az sMn Az H men v H vXWs reJimants bigAn
t dispxs amaN H welTi n dizxtad hQzaz, H Rmi woz lost
fxevx n HX kEm intM bIiN samTiN nondiskript, nFHx
sitizanz nP sOlJxz bat wot R nOn Az mxYdxz. wen fFv wIä
lEtx HIz sEm men left /moskQ, HE nO loNgx fPmd an Rmi. HE
wx a mob v mxYdxz, Ic kAriiN a kwontiti v Rtikalz wic
sImd t him vAlVabal P Vsfal. H Em v Ic mAn wen hI left
/moskQ woz nO loNgx, Az it hAd bin, t koNkx, bat mCli t kIp
wot hI hAd akwFxd. lFk a maNki wic pUts its pY intM H nArO
nek v a Jag, n hAviN sIzd a hAndfUl v nats wil not Opan its
fist f fC v lMziN wot it hOldz, n HXfP periSaz, H
/frenc wen HE left /moskQ hAd inevitabli t periS bikoz HE
kArid HX lMt wiH Hem, jet t abAndan wot HE hAd stOlan woz Az
imposabal f Hem Az it iz f H maNki t Opan its pY n let
gO v its nats. ten minits Aftx Ic reJimant hAd entxd a /moskQ
distrikt, not a sOlJx P ofisx woz left. men in militXi VnifPmz
n /heSan bMts kUd bI sIn TrM H windOz, lAfiN n
wYkiN TrM H rMmz. in selxz n stPrMmz similx men wx
bizi amaN H praviZanz, n in H jRdz anlokiN P brEkiN Opan
kOc hQs n stEbal dPz, lFtiN fFxz in kicinz n nIdiN
n bEkiN bred wiH rOld-ap slIvz, n kUkiN; P frFtaniN,
amVziN, P kxesiN wimin n cildran. HX wx meni sac men bOT
in H Sops n hQzaz—bat HX woz nO Rmi.
<p>
Pdx Aftx Pdx woz iSVd bF H /frenc kamAndxz HAt dE
fxbidiN H men t dispxs abQt H tQn, stxnli fxbidiN eni
vFalans t H inhAbitants P eni lMtiN, n anQnsiN a rOl kYl
f HAt veri IvniN. bat dispFt Yl HIz meZxz H men, hM hAd
til Hen konstitMtad an Rmi, flOd Yl Ovx H welTi, dizxtad
siti wiH its kamfxts n plentifal saplFz. Az a haNgri hxd v
kAtal kIps wel tageHx wen krosiN a bAran fIld, bat gets Qt
v hAnd n At wans dispxsaz ankantrOlabli Az sMn Az it rIcaz ric
pAscxz, sO did H Rmi dispxs Yl Ovx H welTi siti.
<p>
nO rezidants wx left in /moskQ, n H sOlJxz—lFk wYtx
pxkalEtiN TrM sAnd—spred irizistabli TrM H siti in Yl
direkSanz from H /kremlin intM wic HE hAd fxst mRct. H
kAvalri, on entxiN a mxcant's hQs HAt hAd bin abAndand n
fFndiN HX stEbaliN mP HAn safiSant f HX hPsaz, went on,
Yl H sEm, t H neät hQs wic sImd t Hem betx. meni v
Hem aprOpriEtad sevxal hQzaz, cYkt HX nEmz on Hem, n
kworald n Ivan fYt wiH aHx kampaniz f Hem. bifP HE hAd
hAd tFm t sikjUx kwPtxz H sOlJxz rAn Qt intM H strIts t
sI H siti n, hCiN HAt evriTiN hAd bin abAndand, raSt
t plEsaz wX vAlVabalz wx t bI hAd f H tEkiN. H ofisxz
folOd t cek H sOlJxz n wx involantXili drYn intM dMiN
H sEm. in /kAriJ /rO kAriJaz hAd bin left in H Sops, n
Jenxalz flokt HX t silekt kyleSaz n kOcaz f Hemselvz.
H fV inhAbitants hM hAd rimEnd invFtad kamAndiN ofisxz t
HX hQzaz, hOpiN HXbF t sikjUx Hemselvz from bIiN plandxd.
HX wx mAsaz v welT n HX sImd nO end t it. Yl xQnd
H kwPtxz okVpFd bF H /frenc wx aHx rIJanz stil aniäplPd
n anokVpFd wX, HE TYt, jet grEtx ricaz mFt bI fQnd.
n /moskQ ingalft H Rmi evx dIpx n dIpx. wen wYtx iz
spild on drF grQnd bOT H drF grQnd n H wYtx disapC n
mad rizalts; n in H sEm wE H entri v H fAmiSt Rmi intM H
ric n dizxtad siti rizaltad in fFxz n lMtiN n H distrakSan
v bOT H Rmi n H welTi siti.
<p>
<p>
H /frenc atribVtad H /fFx v /moskQ O patriotisme ferOs de
/rOstOpcIn, * H /raSanz t H bRbAriti v H /frenc. in riAliti,
hQevx, it woz not, n kUd not bI, posabal t iäplEn H bxniN
v /moskQ bF mEkiN eni indiviJMal, P eni grMp v pIpal, risponsabal
f it. /moskQ woz bxnd bikoz it fQnd itself in a paziSan in wic
eni tQn bilt v wUd woz bQnd t bxn, kwFt apRt from weHx it
hAd, P hAd not, a handrad n Txti infCC fFx enJinz. dizxtad
/moskQ hAd t bxn Az inevitabli Az a hIp v SEviNz hAs t bxn on
wic spRä kantinVali fYl f sevxal dEz. a tQn bilt v wUd,
wX skXsli a dE pAsaz wiHQt konflagrESanz wen H hQs Onxz
R in rezidans n a palIs fPs iz prezant, kAnot help bxniN wen
its inhAbitants hAv left it n it iz okVpFd bF sOlJxz hM smOk
pFps, mEk kAmpfFxz v H /senat cXz in H /senat /skwX, n
kUk Hemselvz mIlz twFs a dE. in pIstFm it iz Onli nesisXi t
bilat trMps in H viliJaz v eni distrikt n H nambx v fFxz in
HAt distrikt imIdWtli inkrIsaz. hQ mac Hen mast H probabiliti
v fFx bI inkrIst in an abAndand, wUdan tQn wX forin trMps
R kwPtxd. “lU patriotisme ferOs de /rOstOpcIn” n H bRbAriti
v H /frenc wx not t blEm in H mAtx. /moskQ woz set on fFx bF
H sOlJxz' pFps, kicinz, n kAmpfFxz, n bF H kXlasnas v
enami sOlJxz okVpFiN hQzaz HE did not On. Ivan if HX woz eni
Rsan (wic iz veri dQtfal, f nO wan hAd eni rIzan t bxn H
hQzaz—in eni kEs a trabalsam n dEnJxas TiN t dM), Rsan
kAnot bI rigRdad Az H kYz, f H sEm TiN wUd hAv hApand
wiHQt eni insendCizam.
<p>
    * t /rOstOpcin'z fxOSas pEtrWtizam.
<p>
hQevx temptiN it mFt bI f H /frenc t blEm /rOstOpcin'z
fxositi n f /raSanz t blEm H skQndral /bOnapRt, P lEtx
on t plEs an hirOik tPc in H hAndz v HX On pIpal, it iz
imposabal not t sI HAt HX kUd bI nO sac direkt kYz v H
fFx, f /moskQ hAd t bxn Az evri viliJ, fAktxi, P hQs mast
bxn wic iz left bF its Onxz n in wic strEnJxz R alQd t
liv n kUk HX poriJ. /moskQ woz bxnd bF its inhAbitants, it
iz trM, bat bF HOz hM hAd abAndand it n not bF HOz hM rimEnd
in it. /moskQ wen okVpFd bF H enami did not rimEn intAkt lFk
/bxlin, /viena, n aHx tQnz, simpli bikoz its inhAbitants
abAndand it n did not welkam H /frenc wiH bred n sYlt, nP
briN Hem H kIz v H siti.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVII
<p>
H absPpSan v H /frenc bF /moskQ, rEdiEtiN stRwFz Az it did,
Onli rIct H kwPtx wX /piX woz stEiN bF H IvniN v H
sekand v septembx.
<p>
Aftx H lAst tM dEz spent in solitMd n anVZMal sxkamstAnsaz,
/piX woz in a stEt bPdxiN on insAniti. hI woz kamplItli absest
bF wan pxsistant TYt. hI did not nO hQ P wen His TYt hAd
tEkan sac pazeSan v him, bat hI rimembxd naTiN v H pAst,
andxstUd naTiN v H prezant, n Yl hI sY n hxd apCd t
him lFk a drIm.
<p>
hI hAd left hOm Onli t iskEp H intrikat tANgal v lFf's dimAndz
HAt inmeSt him, n wic in hiz prezant kandiSan hI woz anEbal
t anrAval. hI hAd gon t /JOzif /yleäEevic'az hQs, on H plI v
sPtiN H disIst's bUä n pEpxz, Onli in sxc v rest from
lFf's txmql, f in hiz mFnd H memxi v /JOzif /yleäEevic woz
kanektad wiH a wxld v itxnal, solam, n kym TYts, kwFt
kontrXi t H restlas kanfVZan intM wic hI felt himself bIiN
drYn. hI sYt a kwFat refVJ, n in /JOzif /yleäEevic'az stadi hI
rWli fQnd it. wen hI sAt wiH hiz elbOz on H dasti rFtiN tEbal
in H deTlFk stilnas v H stadi, kym n signifikant memxiz
v H lAst fV dEz rOz wan Aftx anaHx in hiz imAJinESan,
pxtikVlxli v H bAtal v /bPOdinO n v HAt vEg sens v hiz
On insignifikans n insinseriti kampXd wiH H trMT, simplisiti,
n streNT v H klAs v men hI mentali klAst Az HE. wen
/gerysim rQzd him from hiz revxi H FdW akxd t him v tEkiN
pRt in H popVlx difens v /moskQ wic hI nM woz praJektad. n
wiH HAt obJekt hI hAd Askt /gerysim t get him a pezant's kOt n
a pistal, kanfFdiN t him hiz intenSanz v rimEniN in /JOzif
/yleäEevic'az hQs n kIpiN hiz nEm sIkrat. Hen dxiN H fxst
dE spent in inAkSan n solitMd (hI trFd sevxal tFmz t fiä hiz
atenSan on H /masonik mAnVskripts, bat woz anEbal t dM sO) H FdW
HAt hAd prIvWsli akxd t him v H kabAlistik signifikans v
hiz nEm in kanekSan wiH /bOnapRt's mP HAn wans vEgli prizentad
itself. bat H FdW HAt hI, /l'rMs /besMhof, woz destind t set a
limit t H pQx v H /bIst woz Az jet Onli wan v H fAnsiz HAt
oftan pAst TrM hiz mFnd n left nO trEs bihFnd.
<p>
wen, hAviN bYt H kOt mCli wiH H obJekt v tEkiN pRt amaN
H pIpal in H difens v /moskQ, /piX hAd met H /rOstOfs n
/nytySa hAd sed t him: “R V rimEniN in /moskQ?... hQ splendid!”
H TYt flASt intM hiz mFnd HAt it rWli wUd bI a gUd TiN,
Ivan if /moskQ wx tEkan, f him t rimEn HX n dM wot hI woz
prIdestind t dM.
<p>
neät dE, wiH H sOl FdW v not spXiN himself n not lAgiN in
eni wE bihFnd Hem, /piX went t H /TrI /hilz gEt. bat wen hI
ritxnd t H hQs kanvinst HAt /moskQ wUd not bI difendad, hI
sadanli felt HAt wot bifP hAd sImd t him mCli a posabiliti
hAd nQ bikam AbsalMtli nesisXi n inevitabal. hI mast rimEn in
/moskQ, kansIliN hiz nEm, n mast mIt /napOlWn n kil him, n
FHx periS P pUt an end t H mizxi v Yl /jUxap—wic it sImd
t him woz sOli dM t /napOlWn.
<p>
/piX nM Yl H dItElz v H atempt on /bOnapRt's lFf in 1809
bF a /Jxman stMdant in /viena, n nM HAt H stMdant hAd bin Sot.
n H risk t wic hI wUd iäpOz hiz lFf bF kAriiN Qt hiz
dizFn iäFtad him stil mP.
<p>
tM Ikwali stroN fIliNz drM /piX irizistabli t His pxpas.
H fxst woz a fIliN v H nisesiti v sAkrifFs n safxiN in
vV v H koman kalAmiti, H sEm fIliN HAt hAd kYzd him t gO
t /mOZFsk on H twenti-fifT n t mEk hiz wE t H veri Tik
v H bAtal n hAd nQ kYzd him t ran awE from hiz hOm n, in
plEs v H lakSxi n kamfxt t wic hI woz akastamd, t slIp
on a hRd sOfa wiHQt andresiN n It H sEm fMd Az /gerysim.
H aHx woz HAt vEg n kwFt /raSan fIliN v kantempt f
evriTiN kanvenSanal, RtifiSal, n hVman—f evriTiN H
maJPiti v men rigRd Az H grEtast gUd in H wxld. /piX hAd
fxst iäpCWnst His strEnJ n fAsinEtiN fIliN At H /slObOda
/pAlas, wen hI hAd sadanli felt HAt welT, pQx, n lFf—Yl HAt
men sO pEnztEkiNli akwFx n gRd—if it hAz eni wxT hAz sO Onli
bF rIzan v H Jq wiH wic it kAn Yl bI rinQnst.
<p>
it woz H fIliN HAt indMsaz a volantC rikrMt t spend hiz lAst
peni on driNk, n a draNkan mAn t smAS mirxz P glAsaz f nO
apArant rIzan n nOiN HAt it wil kost him Yl H mani hI
pazesaz: H fIliN wic kYzaz a mAn t pxfPm AkSanz wic from
an PdinXi pqnt v vV R insEn, t test, Az it wx, hiz pxsanal
pQx n streNT, afxmiN H iãistans v a hFx, nonhVman
krFtCWn v lFf.
<p>
from H veri dE /piX hAd iäpCWnst His fIliN f H fxst tFm
At H /slObOda /pAlas hI hAd bin kantinVasli andx its inflMans, bat
Onli nQ fQnd fUl sAtisfAkSan f it. mPOvx, At His mOment /piX
woz sapPtad in hiz dizFn n priventad from rinQnsiN it bF wot hI
hAd Ylredi dan in HAt direkSan. if hI wx nQ t lIv /moskQ lFk
evriwan els, hiz flFt from hOm, H pezant kOt, H pistal, n
hiz anQnsmant t H /rOstOfs HAt hI wUd rimEn in /moskQ wUd Yl
bikam not mCli mIniNlas bat kantemptabal n ridikVlas, n t
His /piX woz veri sensitiv.
<p>
/piX'z fizikal kandiSan, Az iz YlwEz H kEs, korispondad t hiz
mental stEt. H anakastamd kPs fMd, H vodka hI drANk dxiN
HOz dEz, H Absans v wFn n sigRz, hiz dxti ancEnJd linin,
tM YlmOst slIplas nFts pAst on a SPt sOfa wiHQt bediN—Yl
His kept him in a stEt v iäFtmant bPdxiN on insAniti.
<p>
it woz tM O'klok in H AftxnMn. H /frenc hAd Ylredi entxd
/moskQ. /piX nM His, bat insted v AktiN hI Onli TYt abQt
hiz andxtEkiN, gOiN Ovx its mFnMtast dItElz in hiz mFnd. in hiz
fAnsi hI did not klCli pikcx t himself FHx H strFkiN v H
blO P H deT v /napOlWn, bat wiH iätrPdinXi vividnas n
melankoli inJqmant imAJind hiz On distrakSan n hirOik indxans.
<p>
“jes, alOn, f H sEk v Yl, F mast dM it P periS!” hI TYt.
“jes, F wil aprOc... n Hen sadanli... wiH pistal P dAgx?
bat HAt iz Yl H sEm! 'it iz not F bat H hAnd v /providans HAt
paniSaz HI,' F SAl sE,” TYt hI, imAJiniN wot hI wUd sE
wen kiliN /napOlWn. “wel Hen, tEk mI n eäikVt mI!” hI went on,
spIkiN t himself n bQiN hiz hed wiH a sAd bat fxm iäpreSan.
<p>
wFl /piX, stAndiN in H midal v H rMm, woz tYkiN t himself
in His wE, H stadi dP Opand n on H TreShOld apCd
H figjx v /mykR /yleäEevic, YlwEz sO timid bifP bat nQ kwFt
trAnsfPmd.
<p>
hiz dresiN gQn woz anfAsand, hiz fEs red n distPtad. hI
woz obvWsli draNk. on sIiN /piX hI grM kanfVzd At fxst, bat
nOtisiN imbArasmant on /piX'z fEs imIdWtli grM bOld n,
stAgxiN on hiz Tin leã, advAnst intM H midal v H rMm.
<p>
“HE'x frFtand,” hI sed konfidenSali in a hPs vqs. “F sE F
wOnt sxendx, F sE... Am F not rFt, sx?”
<p>
hI pYzd n Hen sadanli sIiN H pistal on H tEbal sIzd it
wiH aniäpektad rapiditi n rAn Qt intM H koridP.
<p>
/gerysim n H pPtx, hM hAd folOd /mykR /yleäEevic, stopt him
in H vestibVl n trFd t tEk H pistal from him. /piX, kamiN
Qt intM H koridP, lUkt wiH piti n ripalSan At H hAf-krEzi
Old mAn. /mykR /yleäEevic, frQniN wiH iãxSan, held on t H pistal
n skrImd hPsli, evidentli wiH sam hirOik fAnsi in hiz hed.
<p>
“t Rmz! bPd Hem! nO, V SAnt get it,” hI jeld.
<p>
“HAt wil dM, plIz, HAt wil dM. hAv H gUdnas—plIz, sx, t
let gO! plIz, sx...” plIdad /gerysim, trFiN kXfali t stC /mykR
/yleäEevic bF H elbOz bAk t H dP.
<p>
“hM R V? /bOnapRt!...” SQtad /mykR /yleäEevic.
<p>
“HAt's not rFt, sx. kam t jP rMm, plIz, n rest. alQ mI t
hAv H pistal.”
<p>
“bI of, HQ bEs slEv! tac mI not! sI His?” SQtad /mykR
/yleäEevic, brAndiSiN H pistal. “bPd Hem!”
<p>
“kAc hOld!” wispxd /gerysim t H pPtx.
<p>
HE sIzd /mykR /yleäEevic bF H Rmz n drAgd him t H dP.
<p>
H vestibVl woz fild wiH H diskPdant sQndz v a stragal n v
a tipsi, hPs vqs.
<p>
sadanli a freS sQnd, a pCsiN feminin skrIm, rivxbxEtad from
H pPc n H kUk kEm raniN intM H vestibVl.
<p>
“it's Hem! grESas hevanz! O /lPd, fP v Hem, hPsmen!” SI
krFd.
<p>
/gerysim n H pPtx let /mykR /yleäEevic gO, n in H nQ sFlant
koridP H sQnd v sevxal hAndz nokiN At H frant dP kUd bI
hxd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXVIII
<p>
/piX, hAviN disFdad HAt antil hI hAd kArid Qt hiz dizFn hI wUd
disklOz nFHx hiz Fdentiti nP hiz noliJ v /frenc, stUd At H
hAf-Opan dP v H koridP, intendiN t kansIl himself Az sMn
Az H /frenc entxd. bat H /frenc entxd n stil /piX did not
ritFx—an irizistabal kjUxiositi kept him HX.
<p>
HX wx tM v Hem. wan woz an ofisx—a tYl, sOlJxli, hAndsam
mAn—H aHx evidentli a prFvat P an Pdxli, sanbxnd, SPt, n
Tin, wiH saNkan cIä n a dal iäpreSan. H ofisx wYkt in
frant, lIniN on a stik n slFtli limpiN. wen hI hAd advAnst
a fV steps hI stopt, hAviN apArantli disFdad HAt HIz wx gUd
kwPtxz, txnd rQnd t H sOlJxz stAndiN At H entrans, n in
a lQd vqs v kamAnd Pdxd Hem t pUt ap H hPsaz. hAviN dan
HAt, H ofisx, liftiN hiz elbO wiH a smRt Jescx, strOkt hiz
mastAS n lFtli tact hiz hAt.
<p>
“bonZUx, ly kompAgni!” * sed hI gEli, smFliN n lUkiN abQt him.
<p>
    * “gUd dE, evribodi!”
<p>
<p>
nO wan gEv eni riplF.
<p>
“vM etes lU bUxZwy?” * H ofisx Askt /gerysim.
<p>
    * “R V H mAstx hC?”
<p>
<p>
/gerysim gEzd At H ofisx wiH an alRmd n inkwFxiN lUk.
<p>
“kwPtC, kwPtC, lOZmant!” sed H ofisx, lUkiN dQn At H
lital mAn wiH a kondisendiN n gUd-nEcxd smFl. “/lez /fransE
sant de bon onfon. kE dFabal! vqanz! nE nMs fachons py, man
/vV!” * Adad hI, klApiN H skXd n sFlant /gerysim on H
SOldx. “wel, daz nO wan spIk /frenc in His istAbliSmant?” hI
Askt agen in /frenc, lUkiN xQnd n mItiN /piX'z Fz. /piX
mMvd awE from H dP.
<p>
     * “kwPtxz, kwPtxz, loJiNz! H /frenc R gUd
     felOz. wot H deval! HX, dOnt let as bI kros, Old
     felO!”
<p>
<p>
agen H ofisx txnd t /gerysim n Askt him t SO him H rMmz
in H hQs.
<p>
“mAstx, not hC—dOnt andxstAnd... mI, V...” sed /gerysim, trFiN
t rendx hiz wxdz mP komprihensabal bF kantPtiN Hem.
<p>
stil smFliN, H /frenc ofisx spred Qt hiz hAndz bifP /gerysim'z
nOz, intimEtiN HAt hI did not andxstAnd him FHx, n mMvd,
limpiN, t H dP At wic /piX woz stAndiN. /piX wiSt t gO
awE n kansIl himself, bat At HAt mOment hI sY /mykR /yleäEevic
apCiN At H Opan kicin dP wiH H pistal in hiz hAnd. wiH
a mAdmAn'z kaniN, /mykR /yleäEevic Fd H /frencman, rEzd hiz
pistal, n tUk Em.
<p>
“bPd Hem!” jeld H tipsi mAn, trFiN t pres H trigx. hCiN
H jel H ofisx txnd rQnd, n At H sEm mOment /piX TrM
himself on H draNkxd. Jast wen /piX snAct At n strak ap H
pistal /mykR /yleäEevic At lAst got hiz fiNgxz on H trigx, HX
woz a defaniN ripPt, n Yl wx invelapt in a klQd v smOk. H
/frencman txnd pEl n raSt t H dP.
<p>
fxgetiN hiz intenSan v kansIliN hiz noliJ v /frenc, /piX,
snAciN awE H pistal n TrOiN it dQn, rAn ap t H ofisx
n adrest him in /frenc.
<p>
“V R not wMndad?” hI Askt.
<p>
“F TiNk not,” Ansxd H /frencman, fIliN himself Ovx. “bat F hAv
hAd a laki iskEp His tFm,” hI Adad, pqntiN t H dAmiJd plAstx
v H wYl. “hM iz HAt mAn?” sed hI, lUkiN stxnli At /piX.
<p>
“O, F Am rWli in dispX At wot hAz akxd,” sed /piX rApidli,
kwFt fxgetiN H pRt hI hAd intendad t plE. “hI iz an anfPcanat
mAdmAn hM did not nO wot hI woz dMiN.”
<p>
H ofisx went ap t /mykR /yleäEevic n tUk him bF H kolx.
<p>
/mykR /yleäEevic woz stAndiN wiH pRtad lips, swEiN, Az if abQt t
fYl aslIp, Az hI lInd agenst H wYl.
<p>
“brigand! V SAl pE f His,” sed H /frencman, letiN gO
v him. “wI /frenc R mxsifal Aftx viktxi, bat wI dM not pRdan
trEtxz,” hI Adad, wiH a lUk v glMmi digniti n a fFn enxJetik
Jescx.
<p>
/piX kantinVd, in /frenc, t pxswEd H ofisx not t hOld HAt
draNkan imbasil t akQnt. H /frencman lisand in sFlans wiH H
sEm glMmi iäpreSan, bat sadanli txnd t /piX wiH a smFl. f
a fV sekandz hI lUkt At him in sFlans. hiz hAndsam fEs asMmd a
meladramAtikli Jental iäpreSan n hI held Qt hiz hAnd.
<p>
“V hAv sEvd mF lFf. V R /frenc,” sed hI.
<p>
f a /frencman HAt didakSan woz indMbitabal. Onli a /frencman kUd
pxfPm a grEt dId, n t sEv hiz lFf—H lFf v M. /rombyla,
kAptin v H 13T /lFt /reJimant—woz andQtadli a veri grEt dId.
<p>
bat hQevx indMbitabal HAt kanklMZan n H ofisx'z kanvikSan
bEst apon it, /piX felt it nesisXi t disilMZan him.
<p>
“F Am /raSan,” hI sed kwikli.
<p>
“tat, tat, tat! tel HAt t aHxz,” sed H ofisx, wEviN hiz
fiNgx bifP hiz nOz n smFliN. “V SAl tel mI Yl abQt HAt
prezantli. F Am dilFtad t mIt a kompEtrWt. wel, n wot R wI
t dM wiH His mAn?” hI Adad, adresiN himself t /piX Az t a
braHx.
<p>
Ivan if /piX wx not a /frencman, hAviN wans risIvd HAt loftWst
v hVman ApalESanz hI kUd not rinQns it, sed H ofisx'z lUk
n tOn. in riplF t hiz lAst kwescan /piX agen iäplEnd hM /mykR
/yleäEevic woz n hQ Jast bifP HX xFval HAt draNkan imbasil
hAd sIzd H lOdad pistal wic HE hAd not hAd tFm t rikavx from
him, n begd H ofisx t let H dId gO anpaniSt.
<p>
H /frencman iäpAndad hiz cest n mEd a maJestik Jescx wiH hiz
Rm.
<p>
“V hAv sEvd mF lFf! V R /frenc. V Ask hiz pRdan? F grAnt it
V. lId HAt mAn awE!” sed hI kwikli n enxJetikli, n tEkiN
H Rm v /piX hMm hI hAd pramOtad t bI a /frencman f sEviN hiz
lFf, hI went wiH him intM H rMm.
<p>
H sOlJxz in H jRd, hCiN H Sot, kEm intM H pAsiJ AskiN
wot hAd hApand, n iäprest HX redinas t paniS H kalprits,
bat H ofisx stxnli cekt Hem.
<p>
“V wil bI kYld in wen V R wontad,” hI sed.
<p>
H sOlJxz went Qt agen, n H Pdxli, hM hAd mInwFl hAd tFm
t vizit H kicin, kEm ap t hiz ofisx.
<p>
“kAptin, HX iz sMp n a leg v matan in H kicin,” sed hI.
“SAl F sxv Hem ap?”
<p>
“jes, n sam wFn,” Ansxd H kAptin.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXIX
<p>
wen H /frenc ofisx went intM H rMm wiH /piX H lAtx agen
TYt it hiz dMti t aSUx him HAt hI woz not /frenc n wiSt t
gO awE, bat H ofisx wUd not hC v it. hI woz sO veri palFt,
EmWbal, gUd-nEcxd, n JenVinli grEtfal t /piX f sEviN hiz
lFf HAt /piX hAd not H hRt t rifVz, n sAt dQn wiH him in
H pRlx—H fxst rMm HE entxd. t /piX'z aSUxansaz HAt hI
woz not a /frencman, H kAptin, evidentli not andxstAndiN hQ eniwan
kUd diklFn sO flAtxiN an ApalESan, Sragd hiz SOldxz n
sed HAt if /piX AbsalMtli insistad on pAsiN f a /raSan let it
bI sO, bat f Yl HAt hI wUd bI fxevx bQnd t /piX bF grAtitMd
f sEviN hiz lFf.
<p>
hAd His mAn bin indQd wiH H slFtast kapAsiti f pxsIviN H
fIliNz v aHxz, n hAd hI At Yl andxstUd wot /piX'z fIliNz
wx, H lAtx wUd probabli hAv left him, bat H mAn'z AnimEtad
abtMsnas t evriTiN aHx HAn himself disRmd /piX.
<p>
“a /frencman P a /raSan prins inkognItO,” sed H ofisx, lUkiN
At /piX'z fFn HO dxti linin n At H riN on hiz fiNgx.
“F O mF lFf t V n ofx V mF frendSip. a /frencman nevx
fxgets FHx an insalt P a sxvis. F ofx V mF frendSip. HAt
iz Yl F kAn sE.”
<p>
HX woz sO mac gUd nEcx n nObiliti (in H /frenc sens v H
wxd) in H ofisx'z vqs, in H iäpreSan v hiz fEs n in
hiz Jescxz, HAt /piX, ankonSasli smFliN in rispons t H
/frencman'z smFl, prest H hAnd held Qt t him.
<p>
“kAptin /rombyla, v H 13T /lFt /reJimant, /SevyljE v H /lIJan
v /onx f H afX on H sevanT v septembx,” hI intradMst
himself, a self-sAtisfFd iripresabal smFl pakxiN hiz lips andx
hiz mastAS. “wil V nQ bI sO gUd Az t tel mI wiH hMm F hAv
H onx v kanvxsiN sO plezantli, insted v bIiN in H AmbVlans
wiH HAt mEniAk's bUlat in mF bodi?”
<p>
/piX riplFd HAt hI kUd not tel him hiz nEm n, blaSiN,
bigAn t trF t invent a nEm n t sE samTiN abQt hiz rIzan f
kansIliN it, bat H /frencman hEstili intxaptad him.
<p>
“O, plIz!” sed hI. “F andxstAnd jP rIzanz. V R an ofisx...
a sMpCC ofisx pxhAps. V hAv bPn Rmz agenst as. HAt's not
mF biznas. F O V mF lFf. HAt iz inaf f mI. F Am kwFt At
jP sxvis. V biloN t H Jentri?” hI kanklMdad wiH a SEd v
inkwFxi in hiz tOn. /piX bent hiz hed. “jP bAptizmal nEm, if V
plIz. HAt iz Yl F Ask. masjx /piX, V sE.... HAt's Yl F
wont t nO.”
<p>
wen H matan n an omlat hAd bin sxvd n a sAmavR n vodka
brYt, wiH sam wFn wic H /frenc hAd tEkan from a /raSan selx
n brYt wiH Hem, /rombyla invFtad /piX t SX hiz dinx, n
himself bigAn t It grIdili n kwikli lFk a helTi n haNgri mAn,
manciN hiz fMd rApidli wiH hiz stroN tIT, kantinVali smAkiN
hiz lips, n ripItiN—“eäalant! diliSas!” hiz fEs grM red n
woz kavxd wiH pxspxESan. /piX woz haNgri n SXd H dinx
wiH pleZx. /mxel, H Pdxli, brYt sam hot wYtx in a sYspan
n plEst a botal v klArat in it. hI YlsO brYt a botal v kvAs,
tEkan from H kicin f Hem t trF. HAt bevxiJ woz Ylredi nOn
t H /frenc n hAd bin givan a speSal nEm. HE kYld it lFmanEd
de kOcan (pig'z lemanEd), n /mxel spOk wel v H lFmanEd de
kOcan hI hAd fQnd in H kicin. bat Az H kAptin hAd H wFn HE
hAd tEkan wFl pAsiN TrM /moskQ, hI left H kvAs t /mxel n
aplFd himself t H botal v /bPdO. hI rApt H botal ap
t its nek in a tEbal nApkin n pPd Qt wFn f himself n f
/piX. H sAtisfAkSan v hiz haNgx n H wFn rendxd H kAptin
stil mP lFvli n hI cAtad insesantli Yl TrM dinx.
<p>
“jes, mF dC /masjx /piX, F O V a fFn vOtiv kAndal f
sEviN mI from HAt mEniAk.... V sI, F hAv bUlats inaf in mF
bodi Ylredi. hC iz wan F got At /vygrym” (hI tact hiz sFd) “n a
sekand At /smOlensk”—hI SOd a skR on hiz cIk—“n His leg wic Az
V sI daz not wont t mRc, F got HAt on H sevanT At H grEt
bAtal v ly /moskQa. sykre /dV! it woz splendid! HAt delVJ v fFx
woz wxT sIiN. it woz a taf Job V set as HX, mF wxd! V mE
bI prQd v it! n on mF onx, in spFt v H kof F kYt HX, F
SUd bI redi t bigin agen. F piti HOz hM did not sI it.”
<p>
“F woz HX,” sed /piX.
<p>
“by, rWli? sO mac H betx! V R sxtanli brEv fOz. H
grEt ridQt held Qt wel, bF mF pFp!” kantinVd H /frencman. “n
V mEd as pE dC f it. F woz At it TrI tFmz—SUx Az F sit hC.
TrI tFmz wI rIct H ganz n TrI tFmz wI wx TrOn bAk
lFk kRdbPd figjxz. O, it woz bVtifal, /masjx /piX! jP
grenadCz wx splendid, bF hevan! F sY Hem klOz ap HX rANä siä
tFmz in saäeSan n mRc Az if on pxEd. fFn felOz! Qx /kiN v
/nEpalz, hM nOz wot's wot, krFd '/bryvO!' hy, hy! sO V R wan v
as sOlJxz!” hI Adad, smFliN, Aftx a mOmentXi pYz. “sO mac
H betx, sO mac H betx, /masjx /piX! teribal in bAtal...
gAlant... wiH H fX” (hI wiNkt n smFld), “HAt's wot H
/frenc R, /masjx /piX, Rnt HE?”
<p>
H kAptin woz sO nFIvli n gUd-hVmxadli gE, sO rWl, n sO
plIzd wiH himself HAt /piX YlmOst wiNkt bAk Az hI lUkt merili
At him. probabli H wxd “gAlant” txnd H kAptin'z TYts t H
stEt v /moskQ.
<p>
“AprapO, tel mI plIz, iz it trM HAt H wimin hAv Yl left
/moskQ? wot a kwC FdW! wot hAd HE t bI afrEd v?”
<p>
“wUd not H /frenc lEdiz lIv /pAris if H /raSanz entxd it?”
Askt /piX.
<p>
“hy, hy, hy!” H /frencman imitad a meri, sANgwin cakal, pAtiN
/piX on H SOldx. “wot a TiN t sE!” hI iäklEmd. “/pAris?...
bat /pAris, /pAris...”
<p>
“/pAris—H kApital v H wxld,” /piX finiSt hiz rimRk f him.
<p>
H kAptin lUkt At /piX. hI hAd a hAbit v stopiN SPt in H
midal v hiz tYk n gEziN intentli wiH hiz lAfiN, kFndli Fz.
<p>
“wel, if V hAdant tOld mI V wx /raSan, F SUd hAv wEJxd
HAt V wx /pxiZan! V hAv HAt... F dOnt nO wot, HAt...” n
hAviN atxd His kompliment, hI agen gEzd At him in sFlans.
<p>
“F hAv bin in /pAris. F spent jCz HX,” sed /piX.
<p>
“O jes, wan sIz HAt plEnli. /pAris!... a mAn hM dazant nO /pAris
iz a sAviJ. V kAn tel a /pxiZan tM lIã of. /pAris iz /tylma, ly
/dMSenwy, /pOtiE, H /sPbyn, H bMlavRdz,” n nOtisiN HAt
hiz kanklMZan woz wIkx HAn wot hAd gon bifP, hI Adad kwikli:
“HX iz Onli wan /pAris in H wxld. V hAv bin t /pAris n hAv
rimEnd /raSan. wel, F dOnt istIm V H les f it.”
<p>
andx H inflMans v H wFn hI hAd draNk, n Aftx H dEz hI hAd
spent alOn wiH hiz dipresiN TYts, /piX involantXili inJqd
tYkiN wiH His cCfal n gUd-nEcxd mAn.
<p>
“t ritxn t jP lEdiz—F hC HE R lavli. wot a recad FdW
t gO n beri Hemselvz in H steps wen H /frenc Rmi iz in
/moskQ. wot a cAns HOz gxlz hAv mist! jP pezants, nQ—HAt's
anaHx TiN; bat V sivilFzd pIpal, V Yt t nO as betx
HAn HAt. wI tUk /viena, /bxlin, /madrid, /nEpalz, /rOm, /wPsY, Yl
H wxld'z kApitalz.... wI R fCd, bat wI R lavd. wI R nFs t
nO. n Hen H /empxx...” hI bigAn, bat /piX intxaptad him.
<p>
“H /empxx,” /piX ripItad, n hiz fEs sadanli bikEm sAd n
imbArast, “iz H /empxx...?”
<p>
“H /empxx? hI iz Jenxositi, mxsi, Jastis, Pdx, JInWs—HAt's
wot H /empxx iz! it iz F, /rombyla, hM tel V sO.... F aSUx V
F woz hiz enami Et jCz agO. mF fyHx woz an emigrant kQnt.... bat
HAt mAn hAz vANkwiSt mI. hI hAz tEkan hOld v mI. F kUd not rizist
H sFt v H grAnJx n glPi wiH wic hI hAz kavxd /fryns.
wen F andxstUd wot hI wontad—wen F sY HAt hI woz pripXiN a bed
v loralz f as, V nO, F sed t mFself: 'HAt iz a monRk,' n
F divOtad mFself t him! sO HX! O jes, man /Ser, hI iz H grEtast
mAn v H EJaz pAst P fVcx.”
<p>
“iz hI in /moskQ?” /piX stAmxd wiH a gilti lUk.
<p>
H /frencman lUkt At hiz gilti fEs n smFld.
<p>
“nO, hI wil mEk hiz entri tamorO,” hI riplFd, n kantinVd hiz
tYk.
<p>
HX konvxsESan woz intxaptad bF H krFz v sevxal vqsaz At
H gEt n bF /mxel, hM kEm t sE HAt sam /vxtambxg hMsRz hAd
kam n wontad t pUt ap HX hPsaz in H jRd wX H kAptin'z
hPsaz wx. His difikalti hAd xizan cIfli bikoz H hMsRz did
not andxstAnd wot woz sed t Hem in /frenc.
<p>
H kAptin hAd HX sInC sRJant kYld in, n in a stxn vqs
Askt him t wot reJimant hI biloNd, hM woz hiz kamAndiN ofisx,
n bF wot rFt hI alQd himself t klEm kwPtxz HAt wx Ylredi
okVpFd. H /Jxman hM nM lital /frenc, Ansxd H tM fxst
kwescanz bF giviN H nEmz v hiz reJimant n v hiz kamAndiN
ofisx, bat in riplF t H Txd kwescan wic hI did not andxstAnd
sed, intradMsiN brOkan /frenc intM hiz On /Jxman, HAt hI woz H
kwPtxmAstx v H reJimant n hiz kamAndx hAd Pdxd him t
okVpF Yl H hQzaz wan Aftx anaHx. /piX, hM nM /Jxman,
trAnzlEtad wot H /Jxman sed t H kAptin n gEv H kAptin'z
riplF t H /vxtambxg hMsR in /Jxman. wen hI hAd andxstUd wot
woz sed t him, H /Jxman sabmitad n tUk hiz men elswX. H
kAptin went Qt intM H pPc n gEv sam Pdxz in a lQd vqs.
<p>
wen hI ritxnd t H rMm /piX woz sitiN in H sEm plEs Az
bifP, wiH hiz hed in hiz hAndz. hiz fEs iäprest safxiN. hI
rWli woz safxiN At HAt mOment. wen H kAptin went Qt n hI
woz left alOn, sadanli hI kEm t himself n rWlFzd H paziSan
hI woz in. it woz not HAt /moskQ hAd bin tEkan P HAt H hApi
koNkxxz wx mAstxz in it n wx pEtranFziN him. pEnfal Az
HAt woz it woz not HAt wic tPmentad /piX At H mOment. hI woz
tPmentad bF H konSasnas v hiz On wIknas. H fV glAsaz v
wFn hI hAd draNk n H konvxsESan wiH His gUd-nEcxd mAn hAd
distrqd H mMd v konsantrEtad glMm in wic hI hAd spent H lAst
fV dEz n wic woz isenSal f H eäikVSan v hiz dizFn. H
pistal, dAgx, n pezant kOt wx redi. /napOlWn woz t entx H
tQn neät dE. /piX stil kansidxd HAt it wUd bI a Vsfal n
wxHi AkSan t slE H IvaldMx, bat nQ hI felt HAt hI wUd not
dM it. hI did not nO wF, bat hI felt a fPbOdiN HAt hI wUd not
kAri Qt hiz intenSan. hI stragald agenst H kanfeSan v hiz
wIknas bat dimli felt HAt hI kUd not Ovxkam it n HAt hiz
fPmx glMmi frEm v mFnd, kansxniN venJans, kiliN, n
self-sAkrifFs, hAd bin dispxst lFk dast bF kontAkt wiH H fxst
mAn hI met.
<p>
H kAptin ritxnd t H rMm, limpiN slFtli n wisaliN a tMn.
<p>
H /frencman'z cAtx wic hAd prIvWsli amVzd /piX nQ ripeld
him. H tMn hI woz wisaliN, hiz gEt, n H Jescx wiH wic
hI twxld hiz mastAS, Yl nQ sImd afensiv. “F wil gO awE
imIdWtli. F wOnt sE anaHx wxd t him,” TYt /piX. hI
TYt His, bat stil sAt in H sEm plEs. a strEnJ fIliN v
wIknas tFd him t H spot; hI wiSt t get ap n gO awE, bat
kUd not dM sO.
<p>
H kAptin, on H aHx hAnd, sImd veri cCfal. hI pEst ap n
dQn H rMm twFs. hiz Fz SOn n hiz mastAS twict Az if hI
wx smFliN t himself At sam amVziN TYt.
<p>
“H kxnal v HOz /vxtambxgxz iz dilFtfal,” hI sadanli sed.
“hI'z a /Jxman, bat a nFs felO Yl H sEm.... bat hI'z a /Jxman.”
hI sAt dQn fEsiN /piX. “bF H wE, V nO /Jxman, Hen?”
<p>
/piX lUkt At him in sFlans.
<p>
“wot iz H /Jxman f 'Seltx'?”
<p>
“Seltx?” /piX ripItad. “H /Jxman f Seltx iz /MntxkMnft.”
<p>
“hQ dM V sE it?” H kAptin Askt kwikli n dQtfali.
<p>
“/MntxkMnft,” /piX ripItad.
<p>
“ontxkof,” sed H kAptin n lUkt At /piX f sam sekandz wiH
lAfiN Fz. “HIz /Jxmanz R fxst-rEt fMlz, dOnt V TiNk sO,
/masjx /piX?” hI kanklMdad.
<p>
“wel, let's hAv anaHx botal v His /moskQ /bPdO, SAl wI?
/mxel wil wPm as ap anaHx lital botal. /mxel!” hI kYld Qt
gEli.
<p>
/mxel brYt kAndalz n a botal v wFn. H kAptin lUkt At /piX
bF H kAndallFt n woz evidentli strak bF H trabald iäpreSan
on hiz kampAnjan'z fEs. /rombyla, wiH JenVin distres n simpaTi in
hiz fEs, went ap t /piX n bent Ovx him.
<p>
“HX nQ, wI'x sAd,” sed hI, taciN /piX'z hAnd. “hAv F
apset V? nO, rWli, hAv V eniTiN agenst mI?” hI Askt /piX.
“pxhAps it's H stEt v afXz?”
<p>
/piX did not Ansx, bat lUkt kPJali intM H /frencman'z Fz
hMz iäpreSan v simpaTi woz plIziN t him.
<p>
“onastli, wiHQt spIkiN v wot F O V, F fIl frendSip f
V. kAn F dM eniTiN f V? dispOz v mI. it iz f lFf n deT.
F sE it wiH mF hAnd on mF hRt!” sed hI, strFkiN hiz cest.
<p>
“TANk V,” sed /piX.
<p>
H kAptin gEzd intentli At him Az hI hAd dan wen hI lxnd HAt
“Seltx” woz /MntxkMnft in /Jxman, n hiz fEs sadanli brFtand.
<p>
“wel, in HAt kEs, F driNk t Qx frendSip!” hI krFd gEli, filiN
tM glAsaz wiH wFn.
<p>
/piX tUk wan v H glAsaz n emptid it. /rombyla emptid hiz tM,
agen prest /piX'z hAnd, n lInd hiz elbOz on H tEbal in a
pensiv AtitMd.
<p>
“jes, mF dC frend,” hI bigAn, “sac iz fPcMn'z kaprIs. hM wUd
hAv sed HAt F SUd bI a sOlJx n a kAptin v dragMnz in H
sxvis v /bOnapRt, Az wI Vst t kYl him? jet hC F Am in /moskQ
wiH him. F mast tel V, man /Ser,” hI kantinVd in H sAd n
meZxd tOnz v a mAn hM intendz t tel a loN stPi, “HAt Qx nEm
iz wan v H mOst Encant in /fryns.”
<p>
n wiH a /frencman'z Izi n nFIv frANknas H kAptin tOld /piX
H stPi v hiz Ansestxz, hiz cFldhUd, VT, n mAnhUd, n Yl
abQt hiz rilESanz n hiz fFnAnSal n fAmli afXz, “my pOvra
mC” plEiN v kPs an impPtant pRt in H stPi.
<p>
“bat Yl HAt iz Onli lFf's setiN, H rWl TiN iz lav—lav! Am F
not rFt, /masjx /piX?” sed hI, grOiN AnimEtad. “anaHx glAs?”
<p>
/piX agen emptid hiz glAs n pPd himself Qt a Txd.
<p>
“O, wimin, wimin!” n H kAptin, lUkiN wiH glisaniN Fz At
/piX, bigAn tYkiN v lav n v hiz lav afXz.
<p>
HX wx veri meni v HIz, Az wan kUd Izili bilIv, lUkiN
At H ofisx'z hAndsam, self-sAtisfFd fEs, n nOtiN H Igx
inTVziAzam wiH wic hI spOk v wimin. HO Yl /rombyla'z lav
stPiz hAd H senSMal kAraktx wic /frencmen rigRd Az H speSal
cRm n pOatri v lav, jet hI tOld hiz stPi wiH sac sinsC
kanvikSan HAt hI alOn hAd iäpCWnst n nOn Yl H cRm v lav
n hI diskrFbd wimin sO alUxiNli HAt /piX lisand t him wiH
kjUxiositi.
<p>
it woz plEn HAt l'amUx wic H /frencman woz sO fond v woz not
HAt lO n simpal kFnd HAt /piX hAd wans felt f hiz wFf, nP
woz it H rOmAntik lav stimVlEtad bF himself HAt hI iäpCWnst f
/nytySa. (/rombyla dispFzd bOT HIz kFndz v lav Ikwali: H wan
hI kansidxd H “lav v klodhopxz” n H aHx H “lav
v simpaltanz.”) /l'amUx wic H /frencman wxSipt kansistad
prinsipali in H annAcxalnas v hiz rilESan t H wUman n in a
kombinESan v inkoNgrMitiz giviN H cIf cRm t H fIliN.
<p>
Has H kAptin taciNli rikQntad H stPi v hiz lav f a
fAsinEtiN mRkIz v Txti-fFv n At H sEm tFm f a cRmiN,
inasant cFld v sevantIn, dYtx v H biwiciN mRkIz. H
konflikt v mAgnanimiti bitwIn H maHx n H dYtx, endiN in
H maHx'z sAkrifFsiN hxself n ofxiN hx dYtx in mAriJ
t hx lavx, Ivan nQ AJitEtad H kAptin, HO it woz H memxi v
a distant pAst. Hen hI rikQntad an episOd in wic H hazband plEd
H pRt v H lavx, n hI—H lavx—asMmd H rOl v H hazband,
Az wel Az sevxal drOl insidants from hiz rekalekSanz v /Jxmani,
wX “Seltx” iz kYld /MntxkMnft n wX H hazbandz It
sQxkrQt n H jaN gxlz R “tM blond.”
<p>
fFnali, H lEtast episOd in /pOland stil freS in H kAptin'z
memxi, n wic hI nArEtad wiH rApid Jescxz n glOiN fEs, woz
v hQ hI hAd sEvd H lFf v a /pOl (in Jenxal, H sEviN v
lFf kantinVali akxd in H kAptin'z stPiz) n H /pOl hAd
intrastad t him hiz incAntiN wFf (/pxizien de /kP) wFl himself
entxiN H /frenc sxvis. H kAptin woz hApi, H incAntiN
/pOliS lEdi wiSt t ilOp wiH him, bat, promptad bF mAgnanimiti, H
kAptin ristPd H wFf t H hazband, sEiN Az hI did sO: “F hAv
sEvd jP lFf, n F sEv jP onx!” hAviN ripItad HIz wxdz H
kAptin wFpt hiz Fz n gEv himself a SEk, Az if drFviN awE H
wIknas wic asEld him At His taciN rekalekSan.
<p>
lisaniN t H kAptin'z tElz, /piX—Az oftan hApanz lEt in H
IvniN n andx H inflMans v wFn—folOd Yl HAt woz tOld him,
andxstUd it Yl, n At H sEm tFm folOd a trEn v pxsanal
memxiz wic, hI nM not wF, sadanli xOz in hiz mFnd. wFl
lisaniN t HIz lav stPiz hiz On lav f /nytySa aniäpektadli
rOz t hiz mFnd, n gOiN Ovx H pikcxz v HAt lav in hiz
imAJinESan hI mentali kampXd Hem wiH /rombyla'z tElz. lisaniN
t H stPi v H stragal bitwIn lav n dMti, /piX sY bifP
hiz Fz evri mFnMtast dItEl v hiz lAst mItiN wiH H obJekt v
hiz lav At H /sMâRef wYtx tQx. At H tFm v HAt mItiN it hAd
not prOdMst an ifekt apon him—hI hAd not Ivan wans rikYld it. bat
nQ it sImd t him HAt HAt mItiN hAd hAd in it samTiN veri
impPtant n pOetik.
<p>
“pItx /kCilOvic, kam hC! wI hAv rekagnFzd V,” hI nQ sImd
t hC H wxdz SI hAd atxd n t sI bifP him hx Fz, hx
smFl, hx trAvaliN hUd, n a strE lok v hx hX... n HX
sImd t him samTiN paTetik n taciN in Yl His.
<p>
hAviN finiSt hiz tEl abQt H incAntiN /pOliS lEdi, H kAptin
Askt /piX if hI hAd evx iäpCWnst a similx impals t sAkrifFs
himself f lav n a fIliN v envi v H liJitimat hazband.
<p>
cAlanJd bF His kwescan /piX rEzd hiz hed n felt a nId t
iäpres H TYts HAt fild hiz mFnd. hI bigAn t iäplEn HAt hI
andxstUd lav f a wUman samwot difxantli. hI sed HAt in Yl
hiz lFf hI hAd lavd n stil lavd Onli wan wUman, n HAt SI kUd
nevx bI hiz.
<p>
“/tiyn!” sed H kAptin.
<p>
/piX Hen iäplEnd HAt hI hAd lavd His wUman from hiz xlWst
jCz, bat HAt hI hAd not dXd t TiNk v hx bikoz SI woz tM
jaN, n bikoz hI hAd bin an iliJitimat san wiHQt a nEm.
Aftxwxdz wen hI hAd risIvd a nEm n welT hI dXd not TiNk v
hx bikoz hI lavd hx tM wel, plEsiN hx fR abav evriTiN in
H wxld, n ispeSali HXfP abav himself.
<p>
wen hI hAd rIct His pqnt, /piX Askt H kAptin weHx hI
andxstUd HAt.
<p>
H kAptin mEd a Jescx signifFiN HAt Ivan if hI did not andxstAnd
it hI begd /piX t kantinV.
<p>
“platonik lav, klQdz...” hI matxd.
<p>
weHx it woz H wFn hI hAd draNk, P an impals v frANknas, P H
TYt HAt His mAn did not, n nevx wUd, nO eni v HOz hM
plEd a pRt in hiz stPi, P weHx it woz Yl HIz TiNz tageHx,
samTiN lMsand /piX'z taN. spIkiN Tikli n wiH a fRawE
lUk in hiz SFniN Fz, hI tOld H hOl stPi v hiz lFf: hiz
mAriJ, /nytySa'z lav f hiz best frend, hx bitrEal v him, n
Yl hiz On simpal rilESanz wiH hx. xJd on bF /rombyla'z kwescanz
hI YlsO tOld wot hI hAd At fxst kansIld—hiz On paziSan n Ivan
hiz nEm.
<p>
mP HAn eniTiN els in /piX'z stPi H kAptin woz imprest bF
H fAkt HAt /piX woz veri ric, hAd tM mAnSanz in /moskQ, n HAt
hI hAd abAndand evriTiN n not left H siti, bat rimEnd HX
kansIliN hiz nEm n stESan.
<p>
wen it woz lEt At nFt HE went Qt tageHx intM H strIt. H
nFt woz wPm n lFt. t H left v H hQs on H /pOkrOfka a
fFx glOd—H fxst v HOz HAt wx biginiN in /moskQ. t H
rFt n hF ap in H skF woz H sikal v H wEniN mMn n
opazit t it haN HAt brFt komat wic woz kanektad in /piX'z
hRt wiH hiz lav. At H gEt stUd /gerysim, H kUk, n tM
/frencmen. HX lAftx n HX mVcMali inkomprihensabal rimRä in
tM lANgwiJaz kUd bI hxd. HE wx lUkiN At H glO sIn in H
tQn.
<p>
HX woz naTiN teribal in H wan smYl, distant fFx in H imens
siti.
<p>
gEziN At H hF stRi skF, At H mMn, At H komat, n At H
glO from H fFx, /piX iäpCWnst a Jqfal imOSan. “HX nQ,
hQ gUd it iz, wot mP daz wan nId?” TYt hI. n sadanli
rimembxiN hiz intenSan hI grM dizi n felt sO fEnt HAt hI lInd
agenst H fens t sEv himself from fYliN.
<p>
wiHQt tEkiN lIv v hiz nM frend, /piX left H gEt wiH
anstedi steps n ritxniN t hiz rMm lE dQn on H sOfa n
imIdWtli fel aslIp.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXX
<p>
H glO v H fxst fFx HAt bigAn on H sekand v septembx woz
woct from H vXWs rOdz bF H fVJativ /maskavFts n bF H
ritrItiN trMps, wiH meni difxant fIliNz.
<p>
H /rOstOf pRti spent H nFt At /mitiSi, fPtIn mFlz from
/moskQ. HE hAd stRtad sO lEt on H fxst v septembx, H rOd
hAd bin sO blokt bF vIikalz n trMps, sO meni TiNz hAd bin
fxgotan f wic sxvants wx sent bAk, HAt HE hAd disFdad t
spend HAt nFt At a plEs TrI mFlz Qt v /moskQ. H neät mPniN
HE wOk lEt n wx agen dilEd sO oftan HAt HE Onli got Az fR
Az /grEt /mitiSi. At ten O'klok HAt IvniN H /rOstOf fAmli n
H wMndad trAvaliN wiH Hem wx Yl distribVtad in H jRdz n
hats v HAt lRJ viliJ. H /rOstOfs' sxvants n kOcmen n H
Pdxliz v H wMndad ofisxz, Aftx atendiN t HX mAstxz, hAd
sapx, fed H hPsaz, n kEm Qt intM H pPcaz.
<p>
in a nEbxiN hat lE /rFefski'z AJUtant wiH a frAkcxd rist. H
Yfal pEn hI safxd mEd him mOn insesantli n pitWsli, n hiz
mOniN sQndad teribal in H dRknas v H Ytam nFt. hI hAd
spent H fxst nFt in H sEm jRd Az H /rOstOfs. H kQntas sed
SI hAd bin anEbal t klOz hx Fz on akQnt v hiz mOniN, n At
/mitiSi SI mMvd intM a wxs hat simpli t bI fRHx awE from H
wMndad mAn.
<p>
in H dRknas v H nFt wan v H sxvants nOtist, abav H hF
bodi v a kOc stAndiN bifP H pPc, H smYl glO v anaHx
fFx. wan glO hAd loN bin vizabal n evribodi nM HAt it woz
/lital /mitiSi bxniN—set on fFx bF /mymOnOf's /kosAä.
<p>
“bat lUk hC, braHxz, HX'z anaHx fFx!” rimRkt an Pdxli.
<p>
Yl txnd HX atenSan t H glO.
<p>
“bat HE tOld as /lital /mitiSi hAd bin set on fFx bF /mymOnOf's
/kosAä.”
<p>
“bat HAt's not /mitiSi, it's fRHx awE.”
<p>
“lUk, it mast bI in /moskQ!”
<p>
tM v H gEzxz went rQnd t H aHx sFd v H kOc n sAt dQn
on its steps.
<p>
“it's mP t H left, wF, /lital /mitiSi iz Ovx HX, n His iz
rFt on H aHx sFd.”
<p>
sevxal men Jqnd H fxst tM.
<p>
“sI hQ it's flXiN,” sed wan. “HAt's a fFx in /moskQ: FHx in
H /sMScefski P H /rOgOZski kwPtx.”
<p>
nO wan riplFd t His rimRk n f sam tFm HE Yl gEzd sFlantli
At H sprediN flEmz v H sekand fFx in H distans.
<p>
Old /dAnWl /terentic, H kQnt's vAlE (Az hI woz kYld), kEm ap t
H grMp n SQtad At /miSka.
<p>
“wot R V stXiN At, V gUd-f-naTiN?... H kQnt wil bI
kYliN n HX'z nObodi HX; gO n gAHx H klOHz tageHx.”
<p>
“F Onli rAn Qt t get sam wYtx,” sed /miSka.
<p>
“bat wot dM V TiNk, /dAnWl /terentic? dazant it lUk Az if HAt
glO wx in /moskQ?” rimRkt wan v H fUtmen.
<p>
/dAnWl /terentic mEd nO riplF, n agen f a loN tFm HE wx Yl
sFlant. H glO spred, rFziN n fYliN, fRHx n fRHx stil.
<p>
“god hAv mxsi.... it's windi n drF...” sed anaHx vqs.
<p>
“Jast lUk! sI wot it's dMiN nQ. O /lPd! V kAn Ivan sI H krOz
flFiN. lPd hAv mxsi on as sinxz!”
<p>
“HE'l pUt it Qt, nO fC!”
<p>
“hM'z t pUt it Qt?” /dAnWl /terentic, hM hAd hiHxtM bin sFlant,
woz hxd t sE. hiz vqs woz kym n dilibxat. “/moskQ it iz,
braHxz,” sed hI. “maHx /moskQ, H wFt...” hiz vqs fYltxd,
n hI gEv wE t an Old mAn'z sob.
<p>
n it woz Az if HE hAd Yl Onli wEtad f His t rWlFz H
signifikans f Hem v H glO HE wx wociN. sFz wx hxd,
wxdz v prEx, n H sobiN v H kQnt's Old vAlE.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXI
<p>
H vAlE, ritxniN t H kotiJ, infPmd H kQnt HAt /moskQ woz
bxniN. H kQnt dond hiz dresiN gQn n went Qt t lUk. /sonja
n /madym /Sos, hM hAd not jet andrest, went Qt wiH him. Onli
/nytySa n H kQntas rimEnd in H rMm. /petja woz nO loNgx
wiH H fAmli, hI hAd gon on wiH hiz reJimant wic woz mEkiN f
/trqtsa.
<p>
H kQntas, on hCiN HAt /moskQ woz on fFx, bigAn t krF. /nytySa,
pEl, wiH a fiät lUk, woz sitiN on H benc andx H Fkonz Jast
wX SI hAd sAt dQn on xFviN n pEd nO atenSan t hx fyHx'z
wxdz. SI woz lisaniN t H sIslas mOniN v H AJUtant, TrI
hQzaz of.
<p>
“O, hQ teribal,” sed /sonja ritxniN from H jRd cild n
frFtand. “F bilIv H hOl v /moskQ wil bxn, HX'z an Yfal
glO! /nytySa, dM lUk! V kAn sI it from H windO,” SI sed t hx
kazan, evidentli wiSiN t distrAkt hx mFnd.
<p>
bat /nytySa lUkt At hx Az if not andxstAndiN wot woz sed t hx
n agen fiät hx Fz on H kPnx v H stOv. SI hAd bin in
His kandiSan v stMpx sins H mPniN, wen /sonja, t H sxprFz
n anqans v H kQntas, hAd f sam anakQntabal rIzan fQnd
it nesisXi t tel /nytySa v /prins /AndrM'z wMnd n v hiz bIiN
wiH HX pRti. H kQntas hAd seldam bin sO ANgri wiH eniwan Az
SI woz wiH /sonja. /sonja hAd krFd n begd t bI fxgivan n nQ,
Az if trFiN t atOn f hx fYlt, pEd ansIsiN atenSan t hx
kazan.
<p>
“lUk, /nytySa, hQ dredfali it iz bxniN!” sed SI.
<p>
“wot's bxniN?” Askt /nytySa. “O, jes, /moskQ.”
<p>
n Az if in Pdx not t afend /sonja n t get rid v hx, SI txnd
hx fEs t H windO, lUkt Qt in sac a wE HAt it woz evidant
HAt SI kUd not sI eniTiN, n agen setald dQn in hx fPmx
AtitMd.
<p>
“bat V didant sI it!”
<p>
“jes, rWli F did,” /nytySa riplFd in a vqs HAt plIdad t bI left
in pIs.
<p>
bOT H kQntas n /sonja andxstUd HAt, nAcxali, nFHx /moskQ
nP H bxniN v /moskQ nP eniTiN els kUd sIm v impPtans t
/nytySa.
<p>
H kQnt ritxnd n lE dQn bihFnd H pRtiSan. H kQntas went
ap t hx dYtx n tact hx hed wiH H bAk v hx hAnd Az SI
woz wont t dM wen /nytySa woz il, Hen tact hx fPhed wiH hx
lips Az if t fIl weHx SI woz fIvxiS, n fFnali kist hx.
<p>
“V R kOld. V R trembaliN Yl Ovx. V'd betx lF dQn,” sed
H kQntas.
<p>
“lF dQn? Yl rFt, F wil. F'l lF dQn At wans,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
wen /nytySa hAd bin tOld HAt mPniN HAt /prins /AndrM woz sCWsli
wMndad n woz trAvaliN wiH HX pRti, SI hAd At fxst Askt meni
kwescanz: wX woz hI gOiN? hQ woz hI wMndad? woz it sCWs? n
kUd SI sI him? bat Aftx SI hAd bin tOld HAt SI kUd not sI
him, HAt hI woz sCWsli wMndad bat HAt hiz lFf woz not in dEnJx,
SI sIst t Ask kwescanz P t spIk At Yl, evidentli disbilIviN
wot HE tOld hx, n kanvinst HAt sE wot SI mFt SI wUd
stil bI tOld H sEm. Yl H wE SI hAd sAt mOSanlas in a kPnx
v H kOc wiH wFd Opan Fz, n H iäpreSan in Hem wic H
kQntas nM sO wel n fCd sO mac, n nQ SI sAt in H sEm
wE on H benc wX SI hAd sItad hxself on xFviN. SI woz
plAniN samTiN n FHx disFdiN P hAd Ylredi disFdad samTiN
in hx mFnd. H kQntas nM His, bat wot it mFt bI SI did not
nO, n His alRmd n tPmentad hx.
<p>
“/nytySa, andres, dRliN; lF dQn on mF bed.”
<p>
a bed hAd bin mEd on a bedsted f H kQntas Onli. madym /Sos
n H tM gxlz wx t slIp on sam hE on H flP.
<p>
“nO, /mymy, F wil lF dQn hC on H flP,” /nytySa riplFd
iritabli n SI went t H windO n Opand it. TrM H Opan
windO H mOnz v H AJUtant kUd bI hxd mP distiNktli. SI pUt
hx hed Qt intM H dAmp nFt X, n H kQntas sY hx slim nek
SEkiN wiH sobz n TrobiN agenst H windO frEm. /nytySa nM
it woz not /prins /AndrM hM woz mOniN. SI nM /prins /AndrM woz in
H sEm jRd Az Hemselvz n in a pRt v H hat akros H pAsiJ;
bat His dredfal insesant mOniN mEd hx sob. H kQntas iäcEnJd
a lUk wiH /sonja.
<p>
“lF dQn, dRliN; lF dQn, mF pet,” sed H kQntas, softli
taciN /nytySa'z SOldxz. “kam, lF dQn.”
<p>
“O, jes... F'l lF dQn At wans,” sed /nytySa, n bigAn haridli
andresiN, tagiN At H tEps v hx petikOt.
<p>
wen SI hAd TrOn of hx dres n pUt on a dresiN JAkat, SI sAt
dQn wiH hx fUt andx hx on H bed HAt hAd bin mEd ap on H
flP, Jxkt hx Tin n rAHx SPt plEt v hX t H frant,
n bigAn rIplEtiN it. hx loN, Tin, prAktist fiNgxz rApidli
anplEtad, rIplEtad, n tFd ap hx plEt. hx hed mMvd from sFd
t sFd from hAbit, bat hx Fz, fIvxiSli wFd, lUkt fiäadli bifP
hx. wen hx tqlat f H nFt woz finiSt SI sANk Jentli ontM H
SIt spred Ovx H hE on H sFd nCast H dP.
<p>
“/nytySa, V'd betx lF in H midal,” sed /sonja.
<p>
“F'l stE hC,” matxd /nytySa. “dM lF dQn,” SI Adad krosli,
n berid hx fEs in H pilO.
<p>
H kQntas, /madym /Sos, n /sonja andrest hEstili n lE dQn.
H smYl lAmp in frant v H Fkonz woz H Onli lFt left in
H rMm. bat in H jRd HX woz a lFt from H fFx At /lital
/mitiSi a mFl n a hAf awE, n TrM H nFt kEm H nqz
v pIpal SQtiN At a tAvxn /mymOnOf's /kosAä hAd set ap akros H
strIt, n H AJUtant's ansIsiN mOnz kUd stil bI hxd.
<p>
f a loN tFm /nytySa lisand atentivli t H sQndz HAt rIct
hx from insFd n QtsFd H rMm n did not mMv. fxst SI hxd
hx maHx prEiN n sFiN n H krIkiN v hx bed andx
hx, Hen /madym /Sos' familC wisaliN snP n /sonja'z Jental
brIHiN. Hen H kQntas kYld t /nytySa. /nytySa did not Ansx.
<p>
“F TiNk SI'z aslIp, /mymy,” sed /sonja softli.
<p>
Aftx a SPt sFlans H kQntas spOk agen bat His tFm nO wan
riplFd.
<p>
sMn Aftx HAt /nytySa hxd hx maHx'z Ivan brIHiN. /nytySa did
not mMv, HO hx lital bX fUt, Trast Qt from andx H kwilt,
woz grOiN kOld on H bX flP.
<p>
Az if t selabrEt a viktxi Ovx evribodi, a krikat cxpt in a
krAk in H wYl. a kok krOd fR of n anaHx riplFd nC
bF. H SQtiN in H tAvxn hAd dFd dQn; Onli H mOniN v H
AJUtant woz hxd. /nytySa sAt ap.
<p>
“/sonja, R V aslIp? mymy?” SI wispxd.
<p>
nO wan riplFd. /nytySa rOz slOli n kXfali, krost hxself, n
stept kYSasli on H kOld n dxti flP wiH hx slim, sapal,
bX fIt. H bPdz v H flP krIkt. stepiN kYSasli from wan
fUt t H aHx SI rAn lFk a kitan H fV steps t H dP n
grAspt H kOld dP hAndal.
<p>
it sImd t hx HAt samTiN hevi woz bItiN riHmikli agenst
Yl H wYlz v H rMm: it woz hx On hRt, siNkiN wiH alRm n
terx n OvxflOiN wiH lav.
<p>
SI Opand H dP n stept akros H TreShOld n ontM H kOld,
dAmp xTan flP v H pAsiJ. H kOld SI felt rifreSt hx. wiH
hx bX fIt SI tact a slIpiN mAn, stept Ovx him, n Opand
H dP intM H pRt v H hat wX /prins /AndrM lE. it woz dRk
in HX. in H fRHast kPnx, on a benc bisFd a bed on wic
samTiN woz lFiN, stUd a tAlO kAndal wiH a loN, Tik, n
smOldxiN wik.
<p>
from H mOment SI hAd bin tOld HAt mPniN v /prins /AndrM'z wMnd
n hiz prezans HX, /nytySa hAd rizolvd t sI him. SI did not
nO wF SI hAd t, SI nM H mItiN wUd bI pEnfal, bat felt H
mP kanvinst HAt it woz nesisXi.
<p>
Yl dE SI hAd livd Onli in hOp v sIiN him HAt nFt. bat nQ
HAt H mOment hAd kam SI woz fild wiH dred v wot SI mFt
sI. hQ woz hI mEmd? wot woz left v him? woz hI lFk HAt insesant
mOniN v H AJUtant's? jes, hI woz YltageHx lFk HAt. in hx
imAJinESan hI woz HAt teribal mOniN pxsonifFd. wen SI sY an
indistiNkt SEp in H kPnx, n mistUk hiz nIz rEzd andx H
kwilt f hiz SOldxz, SI imAJind a horibal bodi HX, n stUd
stil in terx. bat an irizistabal impals drM hx fPwxd. SI
kYSasli tUk wan step n Hen anaHx, n fQnd hxself in H
midal v a smYl rMm kantEniN bAgiJ. anaHx mAn—/timOâin—woz
lFiN in a kPnx on H bencaz binIT H Fkonz, n tM aHxz—H
doktx n a vAlE—lE on H flP.
<p>
H vAlE sAt ap n wispxd samTiN. /timOâin, kept awEk bF H
pEn in hiz wMndad leg, gEzd wiH wFd-Opan Fz At His strEnJ
ApxiSan v a gxl in a wFt SamIz, dresiN JAkat, n nFtkAp.
H vAlE'z slIpi, frFtand eäklamESan, “wot dM V wont? wot's
H mAtx?” mEd /nytySa aprOc mP swiftli t wot woz lFiN in H
kPnx. horibli anlFk a mAn Az HAt bodi lUkt, SI mast sI him.
SI pAst H vAlE, H snaf fel from H kAndal wik, n SI sY
/prins /AndrM klCli wiH hiz Rmz QtsFd H kwilt, n sac Az SI
hAd YlwEz sIn him.
<p>
hI woz H sEm Az evx, bat H fIvxiS kalx v hiz fEs, hiz
glitxiN Fz rApcxasli txnd tPd hx, n ispeSali hiz nek,
delikat Az a cFld'z, rivIld bF H txn-dQn kolx v hiz Sxt,
gEv him a pikVlCli inasant, cFldlFk lUk, sac Az SI hAd nevx
sIn on him bifP. SI went ap t him n wiH a swift, fleäabal,
VTfal mMvmant dropt on hx nIz.
<p>
hI smFld n held Qt hiz hAnd t hx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXII
<p>
/sevan dEz hAd pAst sins /prins /AndrM fQnd himself in H
AmbVlans stESan on H fIld v /bPOdinO. hiz fIvxiS stEt n H
inflamESan v hiz bQalz, wic wx inJxd, wx in H doktx'z
apinjan SUx t kAri him of. bat on H sevanT dE hI Et wiH
pleZx a pIs v bred wiH sam tI, n H doktx nOtist HAt hiz
tempxacx woz lOx. hI hAd rigEnd konSasnas HAt mPniN.
H fxst nFt Aftx HE left /moskQ hAd bin fXli wPm n hI hAd
rimEnd in H kyleS, bat At /mitiSi H wMndad mAn himself Askt
t bI tEkan Qt n givan sam tI. H pEn kYzd bF hiz rimMval intM
H hat hAd mEd him grOn alQd n agen lMz konSasnas. wen hI
hAd bin plEst on hiz kAmp bed hI lE f a loN tFm mOSanlas wiH
klOzd Fz. Hen hI Opand Hem n wispxd softli: “n H tI?”
hiz rimembxiN sac a smYl dItEl v evridE lFf astoniSt
H doktx. hI felt /prins /AndrM'z pals, n t hiz sxprFz n
dissAtisfAkSan fQnd it hAd imprMvd. hI woz dissAtisfFd bikoz hI
nM bF iäpCWns HAt if hiz pESant did not dF nQ, hI wUd dM sO
a lital lEtx wiH grEtx safxiN. /timOâin, H red-nOzd mEJx v
/prins /AndrM'z reJimant, hAd Jqnd him in /moskQ n woz bIiN
tEkan aloN wiH him, hAviN bin wMndad in H leg At H bAtal v
/bPOdinO. HE wx akampanid bF a doktx, /prins /AndrM'z vAlE, hiz
kOcman, n tM Pdxliz.
<p>
HE gEv /prins /AndrM sam tI. hI drANk it Igxli, lUkiN wiH
fIvxiS Fz At H dP in frant v him Az if trFiN t andxstAnd n
rimembx samTiN.
<p>
“F dOnt wont eni mP. iz /timOâin hC?” hI Askt.
<p>
/timOâin krept aloN H benc t him.
<p>
“F Am hC, jP eäalansi.”
<p>
“hQ'z jP wMnd?”
<p>
“mFn, sx? Yl rFt. bat hQ abQt V?”
<p>
prins /AndrM agen pondxd Az if trFiN t rimembx samTiN.
<p>
“kUdant wan get a bUk?” hI Askt.
<p>
“wot bUk?”
<p>
“H /gospalz. F hAvant wan.”
<p>
H doktx promist t prakjUx it f him n bigAn t Ask hQ hI
woz fIliN. prins /AndrM Ansxd Yl hiz kwescanz rilaktantli bat
rIzanabli, n Hen sed hI wontad a bOlstx plEst andx him Az hI woz
ankamfxtabal n in grEt pEn. H doktx n vAlE liftad H klOk
wiH wic hI woz kavxd n, mEkiN rF fEsaz At H nqsam smel v
mPtifFiN fleS HAt kEm from H wMnd, bigAn iãAminiN HAt dredfal
plEs. H doktx woz veri mac displIzd abQt samTiN n mEd a
cEnJ in H dresiNz, txniN H wMndad mAn Ovx sO HAt hI grOnd
agen n grM ankonSas n dilirWs from H Agani. hI kept AskiN
Hem t get him H bUk n pUt it andx him.
<p>
“wot trabal wUd it bI t V?” hI sed. “F hAv not got wan. plIz
get it f mI n pUt it andx f a mOment,” hI plIdad in a pitWs
vqs.
<p>
H doktx went intM H pAsiJ t woS hiz hAndz.
<p>
“V felOz hAv nO konSans,” sed hI t H vAlE hM woz pPiN
wYtx Ovx hiz hAndz. “f Jast wan mOment F didant lUk Aftx V...
it's sac pEn, V nO, HAt F wandx hQ hI kAn bX it.”
<p>
“bF H /lPd /JIzas /krFst, F TYt wI hAd pUt samTiN andx him!”
sed H vAlE.
<p>
H fxst tFm /prins /AndrM andxstUd wX hI woz n wot woz H
mAtx wiH him n rimembxd bIiN wMndad n hQ woz wen hI Askt
t bI kArid intM H hat Aftx hiz kyleS hAd stopt At /mitiSi.
Aftx grOiN kanfVzd from pEn wFl bIiN kArid intM H hat hI
agen rigEnd konSasnas, n wFl driNkiN tI wans mP rikYld
Yl HAt hAd hApand t him, n abav Yl vividli rimembxd H
mOment At H AmbVlans stESan wen, At H sFt v H safxiNz v
a mAn hI dislFkt, HOz nM TYts hAd kam t him wic promist him
hApinas. n HOz TYts, HO nQ vEg n indefinit, agen
pazest hiz sOl. hI rimembxd HAt hI hAd nQ a nM sPs v
hApinas n HAt His hApinas hAd samTiN t dM wiH H /gospalz.
HAt woz wF hI Askt f a kopi v Hem. H ankamfxtabal paziSan in
wic HE hAd pUt him n txnd him Ovx agen kanfVzd hiz TYts,
n wen hI kEm t himself a Txd tFm it woz in H kamplIt
stilnas v H nFt. evribodi nC him woz slIpiN. a krikat
cxpt from akros H pAsiJ; samwan woz SQtiN n siNiN in
H strIt; kokrOcaz rasald on H tEbal, on H Fkonz, n on
H wYlz, n a big flF flopt At H hed v H bed n xQnd H
kAndal bisFd him, H wik v wic woz cRd n hAd SEpt itself
lFk a maSrMm.
<p>
hiz mFnd woz not in a nPmal stEt. a helTi mAn VZMali TiNä v,
fIlz, n rimembxz inMmxabal TiNz sFmaltEnWsli, bat hAz H
pQx n wil t silekt wan sIkwans v TYts P ivents on wic t
fiä hiz hOl atenSan. a helTi mAn kAn tX himself awE from H
dIpast riflekSanz t sE a sivil wxd t samwan hM kamz in n kAn
Hen ritxn agen t hiz On TYts. bat /prins /AndrM'z mFnd woz not
in a nPmal stEt in HAt rispekt. Yl H pQxz v hiz mFnd wx mP
Aktiv n klCx HAn evx, bat HE Aktad apRt from hiz wil. mOst
dFvxs TYts n imiJaz okVpFd him sFmaltEnWsli. At tFmz hiz
brEn sadanli bigAn t wxk wiH a vigx, klCnas, n depT it hAd
nevx rIct wen hI woz in helT, bat sadanli in H midst v its
wxk it wUd txn t sam aniäpektad FdW n hI hAd not H streNT
t txn it bAk agen.
<p>
“jes, a nM hApinas woz rivIld t mI v wic mAn kAnot bI
diprFvd,” hI TYt Az hI lE in H semidRknas v H kwFat hat,
gEziN fiäadli bifP him wiH fIvxiS wFd Opan Fz. “a hApinas
lFiN bijond matCWl fPsaz, QtsFd H matCWl inflMansaz HAt Akt
on mAn—a hApinas v H sOl alOn, H hApinas v laviN. evri mAn
kAn andxstAnd it, bat t kansIv it n inJqn it woz posabal Onli
f /god. bat hQ did /god inJqn HAt lY? n wF woz H /san...?”
<p>
n sadanli H sIkwans v HIz TYts brOk of, n /prins /AndrM
hxd (wiHQt nOiN weHx it woz a dilMZan P riAliti) a
soft wispxiN vqs insesantli n riHmikli ripItiN
“piti-piti-piti,” n Hen “tFti,” n Hen agen “piti-piti-piti,” n
“tI-tI” wans mP. At H sEm tFm hI felt HAt abav hiz fEs, abav
H veri midal v it, sam strEnJ Xi strakcx woz bIiN irektad Qt
v slendx nIdalz P splintxz, t H sQnd v His wispxd mVzik.
hI felt HAt hI hAd t bAlans kXfali (HO it woz difikalt) sO
HAt His Xi strakcx SUd not kalAps; bat nevxHales it kept
kalApsiN n agen slOli rFziN t H sQnd v wispxd riHmik
mVzik—“it strecaz, strecaz, sprediN Qt n streciN,” sed
/prins /AndrM t himself. wFl lisaniN t His wispxiN n fIliN
H sensESan v His drYiN Qt n H kanstrakSan v His edifis
v nIdalz, hI YlsO sY bF glimpsaz a red hElO rQnd H kAndal, n
hxd H rasal v H kokrOcaz n H baziN v H flF HAt
flopt agenst hiz pilO n hiz fEs. Ic tFm H flF tact hiz
fEs it gEv him a bxniN sensESan n jet t hiz sxprFz it did not
distrq H strakcx, HO it nokt agenst H veri rIJan v hiz
fEs wX it woz rFziN. bat bisFdz His HX woz samTiN els v
impPtans. it woz samTiN wFt bF H dP—H stAcV v a sfiNä,
wic YlsO aprest him.
<p>
“bat pxhAps HAt's mF Sxt on H tEbal,” hI TYt, “n HAt's mF
leã, n HAt iz H dP, bat wF iz it YlwEz streciN n drYiN
itself Qt, n 'piti-piti-piti' n 'tI-tI' n 'piti-piti-piti'...?
HAt's inaf, plIz lIv of!” prins /AndrM pEnfali intrItad
samwan. n sadanli TYts n fIliNz agen swAm t H sxfis v
hiz mFnd wiH pikVlC klCnas n fPs.
<p>
“jes—lav,” hI TYt agen kwFt klCli. “bat not lav wic lavz
f samTiN, f sam kwoliti, f sam pxpas, P f sam rIzan,
bat H lav wic F—wFl dFiN—fxst iäpCWnst wen F sY mF enami
n jet lavd him. F iäpCWnst HAt fIliN v lav wic iz H veri
esans v H sOl n daz not rikwFx an obJekt. nQ agen F fIl
HAt blis. t lav wan'z nEbxz, t lav wan'z enamiz, t lav
evriTiN, t lav /god in Yl /hiz mAnifestESanz. it iz posabal t
lav samwan dC t V wiH hVman lav, bat an enami kAn Onli bI lavd
bF divFn lav. HAt iz wF F iäpCWnst sac Jq wen F felt HAt F
lavd HAt mAn. wot hAz bikam v him? iz hI alFv?...
<p>
“wen laviN wiH hVman lav wan mE pAs from lav t hEtrad, bat
divFn lav kAnot cEnJ. nO, nFHx deT nP eniTiN els kAn
distrq it. it iz H veri esans v H sOl. jet hQ meni pIpal hAv
F hEtad in mF lFf? n v Hem Yl, F lavd n hEtad nan Az F did
hx.” n hI vividli pikcxd t himself /nytySa, not Az hI hAd dan in
H pAst wiH naTiN bat hx cRmz wic gEv him dilFt, bat f
H fxst tFm pikcxiN t himself hx sOl. n hI andxstUd hx
fIliNz, hx safxiNz, SEm, n rimPs. hI nQ andxstUd f H
fxst tFm Yl H krMalti v hiz riJekSan v hx, H krMalti v hiz
rapcx wiH hx. “if Onli it wx posabal f mI t sI hx wans mP!
Jast wans, lUkiN intM HOz Fz t sE...”
<p>
“piti-piti-piti n tI-tI n piti-piti-piti bMm!” flopt H flF....
n hiz atenSan woz sadanli kArid intM anaHx wxld, a wxld v
riAliti n dilirWm in wic samTiN pxtikVlx woz hApaniN. in
HAt wxld sam strakcx woz stil bIiN irektad n did not fYl,
samTiN woz stil streciN Qt, n H kAndal wiH its red hElO
woz stil bxniN, n H sEm SxtlFk sfiNä lE nC H dP; bat
bisFdz Yl His samTiN krIkt, HX woz a wif v freS X, n
a nM wFt sfiNä apCd, stAndiN At H dP. n HAt sfiNä hAd
H pEl fEs n SFniN Fz v H veri /nytySa v hMm hI hAd Jast
bin TiNkiN.
<p>
“O, hQ apresiv His kantinVal dilirWm iz,” TYt /prins /AndrM,
trFiN t drFv HAt fEs from hiz imAJinESan. bat H fEs rimEnd
bifP him wiH H fPs v riAliti n drM nCx. prins /AndrM
wiSt t ritxn t HAt fPmx wxld v pjUx TYt, bat hI kUd not,
n dilirWm drM him bAk intM its dOmEn. H soft wispxiN vqs
kantinVd its riHmik mxmx, samTiN aprest him n strect
Qt, n H strEnJ fEs woz bifP him. prins /AndrM kalektad Yl
hiz streNT in an efxt t rikavx hiz sensaz, hI mMvd a lital, n
sadanli HX woz a riNiN in hiz Cz, a dimnas in hiz Fz, n
lFk a mAn planJd intM wYtx hI lost konSasnas. wen hI kEm t
himself, /nytySa, HAt sEm liviN /nytySa hMm v Yl pIpal hI mOst
loNd t lav wiH His nM pjUx divFn lav HAt hAd bin rivIld t
him, woz nIliN bifP him. hI rWlFzd HAt it woz H rWl liviN
/nytySa, n hI woz not sxprFzd bat kwFatli hApi. /nytySa, mOSanlas
on hx nIz (SI woz anEbal t stx), wiH frFtand Fz rivatad on
him, woz ristrEniN hx sobz. hx fEs woz pEl n riJid. Onli in H
lOx pRt v it samTiN kwivxd.
<p>
prins /AndrM sFd wiH rilIf, smFld, n held Qt hiz hAnd.
<p>
“V?” hI sed. “hQ fPcanat!”
<p>
wiH a rApid bat kXfal mMvmant /nytySa drM nCx t him on hx
nIz n, tEkiN hiz hAnd kXfali, bent hx fEs Ovx it n bigAn
kisiN it, Jast taciN it lFtli wiH hx lips.
<p>
“fxgiv mI!” SI wispxd, rEziN hx hed n glAnsiN At him.
“fxgiv mI!”
<p>
“F lav V,” sed /prins /AndrM.
<p>
“fxgiv...!”
<p>
“fxgiv wot?” hI Askt.
<p>
“fxgiv mI f wot F hy-vI dM-nE!” fYltxd /nytySa in a skXsli
Ydabal, brOkan wispx, n bigAn kisiN hiz hAnd mP rApidli, Jast
taciN it wiH hx lips.
<p>
“F lav V mP, betx HAn bifP,” sed /prins /AndrM, liftiN hx
fEs wiH hiz hAnd sO Az t lUk intM hx Fz.
<p>
HOz Fz, fild wiH hApi tCz, gEzd At him timidli,
kampASanatli, n wiH Jqas lav. /nytySa'z Tin pEl fEs, wiH
its swOlan lips, woz mP HAn plEn—it woz dredfal. bat /prins /AndrM
did not sI HAt, hI sY hx SFniN Fz wic wx bVtifal. HE
hxd H sQnd v vqsaz bihFnd Hem.
<p>
pItx H vAlE, hM woz nQ wFd awEk, hAd rQzd H doktx.
/timOâin, hM hAd not slept At Yl bikoz v H pEn in hiz leg, hAd
loN bin wociN Yl HAt woz gOiN on, kXfali kavxiN hiz bX
bodi wiH H SIt Az hI hadald ap on hiz benc.
<p>
“wot's His?” sed H doktx, rFziN from hiz bed. “plIz gO awE,
mAdam!”
<p>
At HAt mOment a mEd sent bF H kQntas, hM hAd nOtist hx
dYtx'z Absans, nokt At H dP.
<p>
lFk a somnAmbVlist xQzd from hx slIp /nytySa went Qt v H rMm
n, ritxniN t hx hat, fel sobiN on hx bed.
<p>
from HAt tFm, dxiN Yl H rest v H /rOstOfs' Jxni, At evri
hYltiN plEs n wXevx HE spent a nFt, /nytySa nevx left H
wMndad /bOlkOnski, n H doktx hAd t admit HAt hI hAd not iäpektad
from a jaN gxl FHx sac fxmnas P sac skil in nxsiN a
wMndad mAn.
<p>
dredfal Az H kQntas imAJind it wUd bI SUd /prins /AndrM dF
in hx dYtx'z Rmz dxiN H Jxni—Az, JaJiN bF wot H doktx
sed, it sImd mFt Izili hApan—SI kUd not apOz /nytySa. HO
wiH H intimasi nQ istAbliSt bitwIn H wMndad mAn n /nytySa
H TYt akxd HAt SUd hI rikavx HX fPmx ingEJmant
wUd bI rinMd, nO wan—lIst v Yl /nytySa n /prins /AndrM—spOk v
His: H ansetald kwescan v lFf n deT, wic haN not Onli Ovx
/bOlkOnski bat Ovx Yl /raSa, Sat Qt Yl aHx kansidxESanz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXIII
<p>
on H Txd v septembx /piX awOk lEt. hiz hed woz EkiN, H
klOHz in wic hI hAd slept wiHQt andresiN felt ankamfxtabal on
hiz bodi, n hiz mFnd hAd a dim konSasnas v samTiN SEmfal
hI hAd dan H dE bifP. HAt samTiN SEmfal woz hiz jestxdE'z
konvxsESan wiH /kAptin /rombyla.
<p>
it woz ilevan bF H klok, bat it sImd pikVlCli dRk Qt v dPz.
/piX rOz, rabd hiz Fz, n sIiN H pistal wiH an ingrEvd
stok wic /gerysim hAd riplEst on H rFtiN tEbal, hI rimembxd
wX hI woz n wot lE bifP him HAt veri dE.
<p>
“Am F not tM lEt?” hI TYt. “nO, probabli hI wOnt mEk hiz entri
intM /moskQ bifP nMn.”
<p>
/piX did not alQ himself t riflekt on wot lE bifP him, bat
hEsand t Akt.
<p>
Aftx xEnJiN hiz klOHz, hI tUk H pistal n woz abQt t gO Qt.
bat it Hen akxd t him f H fxst tFm HAt hI sxtanli kUd
not kAri H wepan in hiz hAnd TrM H strIts. it woz difikalt
t hFd sac a big pistal Ivan andx hiz wFd kOt. hI kUd not
kAri it annOtist in hiz belt P andx hiz Rm. bisFdz, it hAd bin
discRJd, n hI hAd not hAd tFm t rIlOd it. “nO mAtx, H dAgx
wil dM,” hI sed t himself, HO wen plAniN hiz dizFn hI hAd
mP HAn wans kam t H kanklMZan HAt H cIf mistEk mEd bF H
stMdant in 1809 hAd bin t trF t kil /napOlWn wiH a dAgx. bat Az
hiz cIf Em kansistad not in kAriiN Qt hiz dizFn, bat in prMviN
t himself HAt hI wUd not abAndan hiz intenSan n woz dMiN Yl hI
kUd t acIv it, /piX hEstili tUk H blant JAgad dAgx in a
grIn SIT wic hI hAd bYt At H /sMâRef mRkat wiH H pistal,
n hid it andx hiz wEstkOt.
<p>
hAviN tFd a gxdal Ovx hiz kOt n pUld hiz kAp lO on hiz hed,
/piX went dQn H koridP, trFiN t avqd mEkiN a nqz P mItiN
H kAptin, n pAst Qt intM H strIt.
<p>
H konflagrESan, At wic hI hAd lUkt wiH sO mac indifxans H
IvniN bifP, hAd grEtli inkrIst dxiN H nFt. /moskQ woz on
fFx in sevxal plEsaz. H bildiNz in /kAriJ /rO, akros H rivx,
in H /bazR n H /pOvRskq, Az wel Az H bRJaz on H /mOskva
/rivx n H timbx jRdz bF H /dPOgOmilOf /briJ, wx Yl ablEz.
<p>
/piX'z wE led TrM sFd strIts t H /pOvRskq n from HX
t H cxc v /st /nikalas on H /Rbyt, wX hI hAd loN bifP
disFdad HAt H dId SUd bI dan. H gEts v mOst v H hQzaz
wx lokt n H Satxz ap. H strIts n lEnz wx dizxtad.
H X woz fUl v smOk n H smel v bxniN. nQ n Hen hI met
/raSanz wiH ANkSas n timid fEsaz, n /frencmen wiH an X not v
H siti bat v H kAmp, wYkiN in H midal v H strIts. bOT
H /raSanz n H /frenc lUkt At /piX wiH sxprFz. bisFdz hiz
hFt n stQtnas, n H strEnJ mxOs lUk v safxiN in hiz
fEs n hOl figjx, H /raSanz stXd At /piX bikoz HE kUd
not mEk Qt t wot klAs hI kUd biloN. H /frenc folOd him wiH
astoniSmant in HX Fz cIfli bikoz /piX, anlFk Yl H
aHx /raSanz hM gEzd At H /frenc wiH fC n kjUxiositi, pEd nO
atenSan t Hem. At H gEt v wan hQs TrI /frencmen, hM wx
iäplEniN samTiN t sam /raSanz hM did not andxstAnd Hem,
stopt /piX AskiN if hI did not nO /frenc.
<p>
/piX SUk hiz hed n went on. in anaHx sFd strIt a sentinal
stAndiN bisFd a grIn kEson SQtad At him, bat Onli wen H SQt
woz TretaniNli ripItad n hI hxd H klik v H mAn'z maskat Az
hI rEzd it did /piX andxstAnd HAt hI hAd t pAs on H aHx sFd
v H strIt. hI hxd naTiN n sY naTiN v wot went on xQnd
him. hI kArid hiz rezalMSan wiHin himself in terx n hEst, lFk
samTiN dredfal n ElWn t him, f, Aftx H prIvWs nFt's
iäpCWns, hI woz afrEd v lMziN it. bat hI woz not destind t briN
hiz mMd sEfli t hiz destinESan. n Ivan hAd hI not bin hindxd bF
eniTiN on H wE, hiz intenSan kUd not nQ hAv bin kArid Qt,
f /napOlWn hAd pAst H /Rbyt mP HAn fP Qxz prIvWsli on hiz
wE from H /dPOgOmilOf sabxb t H /kremlin, n woz nQ sitiN in
a veri glMmi frEm v mFnd in a rqal stadi in H /kremlin, giviN
dItEld n iãAkt Pdxz Az t meZxz t bI tEkan imIdWtli
t iätiNgwiS H fFx, t privent lMtiN, n t rIaSUx H
inhAbitants. bat /piX did not nO His; hI woz intFxli absPbd
in wot lE bifP him, n woz tPcxd—Az HOz R hM obstinatli
andxtEk a tAsk HAt iz imposabal f Hem not bikoz v its
difikalti bat bikoz v its inkampAtabiliti wiH HX nEcxz—bF H
fC v wIkaniN At H disFsiv mOment n sO lMziN hiz self-istIm.
<p>
HO hI hxd n sY naTiN xQnd him hI fQnd hiz wE bF instiNkt
n did not gO roN in H sFd strIts HAt led t H /pOvRskq.
<p>
Az /piX aprOct HAt strIt H smOk bikEm densx n densx—hI
Ivan felt H hIt v H fFx. akEZanali kxli taNz v flEm rOz
from andx H rMfs v H hQzaz. hI met mP pIpal in H strIts
n HE wx mP iäFtad. bat /piX, HO hI felt HAt samTiN
anVZMal woz hApaniN xQnd him, did not rWlFz HAt hI woz
aprOciN H fFx. Az hI woz gOiN aloN a fUtpAT akros a
wFd-Opan spEs aJqniN H /pOvRskq on wan sFd n H gRdanz
v /prins /grMzinski'z hQs on H aHx, /piX sadanli hxd H
despxat wIpiN v a wUman klOs t him. hI stopt Az if awEkaniN
from a drIm n liftad hiz hed.
<p>
bF H sFd v H pAT, on H dasti drF grAs, Yl sPts v hQshOld
gUdz lE in a hIp: feHxbedz, a sAmavR, Fkonz, n traNä. on H
grQnd, bisFd H traNä, sAt a Tin wUman nO loNgx jaN, wiH loN,
prominant apx tIT, n wXiN a blAk klOk n kAp. His wUman,
swEiN t n frO n matxiN samTiN, woz cOkiN wiH sobz. tM
gxlz v abQt ten n twelv, drest in dxti SPt froä n klOä,
wx stXiN At HX maHx wiH a lUk v stMpifAkSan on HX pEl
frFtand fEsaz. H jaNgast cFld, a bq v abQt sevan, hM wP an
OvxkOt n an imens kAp evidentli not hiz On, woz krFiN in hiz
Old nxs'az Rmz. a dxti, bXfUtad mEd woz sitiN on a traNk,
n, hAviN andan hx pEl-kalxd plEt, woz pUliN it strEt
n snifiN At hx sinJd hX. H wUman'z hazband, a SPt,
rQnd-SOldxd mAn in H andres VnifPm v a sivilWn afiSal, wiH
sosiJ-SEpt wiskxz n SOiN andx hiz skwX-set kAp H hX
smMHli braSt fPwxd Ovx hiz tempalz, wiH iäpreSanlas fEs woz
mMviN H traNä, wic wx plEst wan on anaHx, n woz drAgiN
sam gRmants from andx Hem.
<p>
Az sMn Az SI sY /piX, H wUman YlmOst TrM hxself At hiz fIt.
<p>
“dC pIpal, gUd /kriscanz, sEv mI, help mI, dC frendz... help
as, sambodi,” SI matxd bitwIn hx sobz. “mF gxl... mF dYtx!
mF jaNgast dYtx iz left bihFnd. SI'z bxnd! M! woz it f His
F nxst V.... M!”
<p>
“dOnt, /mXi /nikOlFevna!” sed hx hazband t hx in a lO vqs,
evidentli Onli t JastifF himself bifP H strEnJx. “sistx mast hAv
tEkan hx, P els wX kAn SI bI?” hI Adad.
<p>
“monstx! vilan!” SQtad H wUman ANgrili, sadanli sIsiN t wIp.
“V hAv nO hRt, V dOnt fIl f jP On cFld! anaHx mAn wUd
hAv reskVd hx from H fFx. bat His iz a monstx n nFHx a
mAn nP a fyHx! V, onxd sx, R a nObal mAn,” SI went on,
adresiN /piX rApidli bitwIn hx sobz. “H fFx brOk Qt
aloNsFd, n blM Qx wE, H mEd kYld Qt '/fFx!' n wI raSt
t kalekt Qx TiNz. wI rAn Qt Jast Az wI wx.... His iz wot wI
hAv brYt awE.... H Fkonz, n mF dQxi bed, Yl H rest iz lost.
wI sIzd H cildran. bat not /kEti! M! O /lPd!...” n agen SI
bigAn t sob. “mF cFld, mF dC wan! bxnd, bxnd!”
<p>
“bat wX woz SI left?” Askt /piX.
<p>
from H iäpreSan v hiz AnimEtad fEs H wUman sY HAt His mAn
mFt help hx.
<p>
“O, dC sx!” SI krFd, sIziN him bF H leã. “mF benifAktx, set
mF hRt At Iz.... /yniska, gO, V horid gxl, SO him H wE!” SI
krFd t H mEd, ANgrili OpaniN hx mQT n stil fRHx iäpOziN
hx loN tIT.
<p>
“SO mI H wE, SO mI, F... F'l dM it,” gAspt /piX rApidli.
<p>
H dxti mEdsxvant stept from bihFnd H traNk, pUt ap hx plEt,
sFd, n went on hx SPt, bX fIt aloN H pAT. /piX felt
Az if hI hAd kam bAk t lFf Aftx a hevi swMn. hI held hiz hed
hFx, hiz Fz SOn wiH H lFt v lFf, n wiH swift steps
hI folOd H mEd, OvxtUk hx, n kEm Qt on H /pOvRskq. H
hOl strIt woz fUl v klQdz v blAk smOk. taNz v flEm hC
n HX brOk TrM HAt klQd. a grEt nambx v pIpal krQdad in
frant v H konflagrESan. in H midal v H strIt stUd a /frenc
Jenxal sEiN samTiN t HOz xQnd him. /piX, akampanid bF H
mEd, woz advAnsiN t H spot wX H Jenxal stUd, bat H /frenc
sOlJxz stopt him.
<p>
“on nE pAsE py!” * krFd a vqs.
<p>
    * “V kAnt pAs!”
<p>
<p>
“His wE, aNkal,” krFd H gxl. “wI'l pAs TrM H sFd strIt,
bF H /nikMlinz'!”
<p>
/piX txnd bAk, giviN a spriN nQ n Hen t kIp ap wiH hx.
SI rAn akros H strIt, txnd dQn a sFd strIt t H left, n,
pAsiN TrI hQzaz, txnd intM a jRd on H rFt.
<p>
“it's hC, klOs bF,” sed SI n, raniN akros H jRd, Opand a
gEt in a wUdan fens n, stopiN, pqntad Qt t him a smYl wUdan
wiN v H hQs, wic woz bxniN brFtli n fCsli. wan v its
sFdz hAd fYlan in, anaHx woz on fFx, n brFt flEmz iSVd from
H OpaniNz v H windOz n from andx H rMf.
<p>
Az /piX pAst TrM H fens gEt, hI woz invelapt bF hot X n
involantXili stopt.
<p>
“wic iz it? wic iz jP hQs?” hI Askt.
<p>
“M!” wEld H gxl, pqntiN t H wiN. “HAt's it, HAt woz Qx
loJiN. V'v bxnd t deT, Qx treZx, /kEti, mF preSas lital
misi! M!” lAmentad /yniska, hM At H sFt v H fFx felt HAt SI
tM mast giv iäpreSan t hx fIliNz.
<p>
/piX raSt t H wiN, bat H hIt woz sO grEt HAt hI
involantXili pAst rQnd in a kxv n kEm apon H lRJ hQs
HAt woz Az jet bxniN Onli At wan end, Jast bilO H rMf, n xQnd
wic swPmd a krQd v /frencmen. At fxst /piX did not rWlFz
wot HIz men, hM wx drAgiN samTiN Qt, wx abQt; bat sIiN
bifP him a /frencman hitiN a pezant wiH a blant sEbx n trFiN
t tEk from him a foä-fx kOt, hI vEgli andxstUd HAt lMtiN woz
gOiN on HX, bat hI hAd nO tFm t dwel on HAt FdW.
<p>
H sQndz v krAkaliN n H din v fYliN wYlz n sIliNz, H
wisal n his v H flEmz, H iäFtad SQts v H pIpal, n
H sFt v H swEiN smOk, nQ gAHxiN intM Tik blAk klQdz
n nQ sPiN ap wiH glitxiN spRä, wiH hC n HX dens
SIvz v flEm (nQ red n nQ lFk gOldan fiS skElz krIpiN aloN
H wYlz), n H hIt n smOk n rapiditi v mOSan, prOdMst
on /piX H VZMal AnimEtiN ifekts v a konflagrESan. it hAd a
pikVlCli stroN ifekt on him bikoz At H sFt v H fFx hI felt
himself sadanli frId from H FdWz HAt hAd wEd him dQn. hI felt
jaN, brFt, adrqt, n rezalMt. hI rAn rQnd t H aHx sFd v
H loJ n woz abQt t dAS intM HAt pRt v it wic woz stil
stAndiN, wen Jast abav hiz hed hI hxd sevxal vqsaz SQtiN
n Hen a krAkiN sQnd n H riN v samTiN hevi fYliN klOs
bisFd him.
<p>
/piX lUkt ap n sY At a windO v H lRJ hQs sam /frencmen
hM hAd Jast TrOn Qt H drYx v a cest, fild wiH metal
Rtikalz. aHx /frenc sOlJxz stAndiN bilO went ap t H drYx.
<p>
“wot daz His felO wont?” SQtad wan v Hem rifxiN t /piX.
<p>
“HX'z a cFld in HAt hQs. hAvant V sIn a cFld?” krFd /piX.
<p>
“wot's hI tYkiN abQt? get aloN!” sed sevxal vqsaz, n wan v
H sOlJxz, evidentli afrEd HAt /piX mFt wont t tEk from
Hem sam v H plEt n bronzaz HAt wx in H drYx, mMvd
TretaniNli tPd him.
<p>
“a cFld?” SQtad a /frencman from abav. “F did hC samTiN
skwIliN in H gRdan. pxhAps it's hiz brAt HAt H felO iz
lUkiN f. Aftx Yl, wan mast bI hVman, V nO....”
<p>
“wX iz it? wX?” sed /piX.
<p>
“HX! HX!” SQtad H /frencman At H windO, pqntiN t H
gRdan At H bAk v H hQs. “wEt a bit—F'm kamiN dQn.”
<p>
n a minit P tM lEtx H /frencman, a blAk-Fd felO wiH a spot
on hiz cIk, in Sxt slIvz, rWli did Jamp Qt v a windO on H
grQnd flP, n klApiN /piX on H SOldx rAn wiH him intM H
gRdan.
<p>
“hari ap, V aHxz!” hI kYld Qt t hiz komrAdz. “it's getiN
hot.”
<p>
wen HE rIct a grAval pAT bihFnd H hQs H /frencman pUld
/piX bF H Rm n pqntad t a rQnd, grAvald spEs wX a
TrI-jC-Old gxl in a piNk dres woz lFiN andx a sIt.
<p>
“HX iz jP cFld! O, a gxl, sO mac H betx!” sed H
/frencman. “gUd-bF, /fAti. wI mast bI hVman, wI R Yl mPtal V
nO!” n H /frencman wiH H spot on hiz cIk rAn bAk t hiz
komrAdz.
<p>
breTlas wiH Jq, /piX rAn t H lital gxl n woz gOiN t tEk
hx in hiz Rmz. bat sIiN a strEnJx H sikli, skrofVlas-lUkiN
cFld, anatrAktivli lFk hx maHx, bigAn t jel n ran awE.
/piX, hQevx, sIzd hx n liftad hx in hiz Rmz. SI skrImd
despxatli n ANgrili n trFd wiH hx lital hAndz t pUl /piX'z
hAndz awE n t bFt Hem wiH hx slobxiN mQT. /piX woz sIzd
bF a sens v horx n ripalSan sac Az hI hAd iäpCWnst wen
taciN sam nAsti lital Animal. bat hI mEd an efxt not t TrO
H cFld dQn n rAn wiH hx t H lRJ hQs. it woz nQ, hQevx,
imposabal t get bAk H wE hI hAd kam; H mEd, /yniska, woz nO
loNgx HX, n /piX wiH a fIliN v piti n disgast prest H
wet, pEnfali sobiN cFld t himself Az tendxli Az hI kUd n rAn
wiH hx TrM H gRdan sIkiN anaHx wE Qt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XXXIV
<p>
/hAviN ran TrM difxant jRdz n sFd strIts, /piX got bAk
wiH hiz lital bxdan t H /grMzinski gRdan At H kPnx v H
/pOvRskq. hI did not At fxst rekagnFz H plEs from wic hI hAd set
Qt t lUk f H cFld, sO krQdad woz it nQ wiH pIpal n gUdz
HAt hAd bin drAgd Qt v H hQzaz. bisFdz /raSan fAmliz hM
hAd tEkan refVJ hC from H fFx wiH HX biloNiNz, HX wx
sevxal /frenc sOlJxz in a vxFati v klOHiN. /piX tUk nO nOtis
v Hem. hI harid t fFnd H fAmli v HAt sivil sxvant in Pdx t
ristP H dYtx t hx maHx n gO t sEv samwan els. /piX
felt HAt hI hAd stil mac t dM n t dM kwikli. glOiN wiH H
hIt n from raniN, hI felt At HAt mOment mP stroNli HAn evx
H sens v VT, AnimESan, n ditxminESan HAt hAd kam on him
wen hI rAn t sEv H cFld. SI hAd nQ bikam kwFat n, kliNiN
wiH hx lital hAndz t /piX'z kOt, sAt on hiz Rm gEziN abQt
hx lFk sam lital wFld Animal. hI glAnst At hx akEZanali wiH a
slFt smFl. hI fAnsid hI sY samTiN paTetikli inasant in HAt
frFtand, sikli lital fEs.
<p>
hI did not fFnd H sivil sxvant P hiz wFf wX hI hAd left Hem. hI
wYkt amaN H krQd wiH rApid steps, skAniN H vXWs fEsaz hI
met. involantXili hI nOtist a /JPJan P /RmInWn fAmli
kansistiN v a veri hAndsam Old mAn v /Piental tFp, wXiN a nM,
kloT-kavxd, SIpskin kOt n nM bMts, an Old wUman v similx
tFp, n a jaN wUman. HAt veri jaN wUman sImd t /piX H
pxfekSan v /Piental bVti, wiH hx SRpli QtlFnd, Rct,
blAk FbrQz n H iätrPdinXili soft, brFt kalx v hx loN,
bVtifal, iäpreSanlas fEs. amid H skAtxd propxti n H
krQd on H Opan spEs, SI, in hx ric sAtin klOk wiH a brFt
lFlAk SYl on hx hed, saJestad a delikat iãotik plAnt TrOn Qt
ontM H snO. SI woz sitiN on sam bandalz a lital bihFnd H Old
wUman, n lUkt from andx hx loN lASaz wiH mOSanlas, lRJ,
ylmand-SEpt Fz At H grQnd bifP hx. evidentli SI woz awX
v hx bVti n fCfal bikoz v it. hx fEs strak /piX n,
hariiN aloN bF H fens, hI txnd sevxal tFmz t lUk At hx.
wen hI hAd rIct H fens, stil wiHQt fFndiN HOz hI sYt, hI
stopt n lUkt abQt him.
<p>
wiH H cFld in hiz Rmz hiz figjx woz nQ mP kanspikVas HAn
bifP, n a grMp v /raSanz, bOT men n wimin, gAHxd abQt him.
<p>
“hAv V lost eniwan, mF dC felO? V'x v H Jentri jPself,
Rnt V? hMz cFld iz it?” HE Askt him.
<p>
/piX riplFd HAt H cFld biloNd t a wUman in a blAk kOt hM
hAd bin sitiN HX wiH hx aHx cildran, n hI Askt weHx
eniwan nM wX SI hAd gon.
<p>
“wF, HAt mast bI H /ynferOfs,” sed an Old dIkan, adresiN a
pokmRkt pezant wUman. “lPd hAv mxsi, /lPd hAv mxsi!” hI Adad
in hiz kastamXi bEs.
<p>
“H /ynferOfs? nO,” sed H wUman. “HE left in H mPniN. HAt mast
bI FHx /mXi /nikOlFevna'z P H /ivynOfs'!”
<p>
“hI sez 'a wUman,' n /mXi /nikOlFevna iz a lEdi,” rimRkt a hQs
sxf.
<p>
“dM V nO hx? SI'z Tin, wiH loN tIT,” sed /piX.
<p>
“HAt's /mXi /nikOlFevna! HE went insFd H gRdan wen HIz wUlvz
swMpt dQn,” sed H wUman, pqntiN t H /frenc sOlJxz.
<p>
“O /lPd, hAv mxsi!” Adad H dIkan.
<p>
“gO Ovx HAt wE, HE'x HX. it's SI! SI kept on lAmentiN n
krFiN,” kantinVd H wUman. “it's SI. hC, His wE!”
<p>
bat /piX woz not lisaniN t H wUman. hI hAd f sam sekandz bin
intentli wociN wot woz gOiN on a fV steps awE. hI woz lUkiN At
H /RmInWn fAmli n At tM /frenc sOlJxz hM hAd gon ap t Hem.
wan v HIz, a nimbal lital mAn, woz wXiN a blM kOt tFd rQnd
H wEst wiH a rOp. hI hAd a nFtkAp on hiz hed n hiz fIt wx
bX. H aHx, hMz apCans pxtikVlxli strak /piX, woz a
loN, lANk, rQnd-SOldxd, fX-hXd mAn, slO in hiz mMvmants
n wiH an idiotik iäpreSan v fEs. hI wP a wUman'z lMs gQn
v frIz, blM trQzxz, n lRJ tPn /heSan bMts. H lital
bXfUtad /frencman in H blM kOt went ap t H /RmInWnz n,
sEiN samTiN, imIdWtli sIzd H Old mAn bF hiz leã n H Old
mAn At wans bigAn pUliN of hiz bMts. H aHx in H frIz gQn
stopt in frant v H bVtifal /RmInWn gxl n wiH hiz hAndz in
hiz pokats stUd stXiN At hx, mOSanlas n sFlant.
<p>
“hC, tEk H cFld!” sed /piX pxemptxili n haridli t H
wUman, hAndiN H lital gxl t hx. “giv hx bAk t Hem, giv hx
bAk!” hI YlmOst SQtad, pUtiN H cFld, hM bigAn skrImiN, on H
grQnd, n agen lUkiN At H /frencman n H /RmInWn fAmli.
<p>
H Old mAn woz Ylredi sitiN bXfUt. H lital /frencman hAd
sikjUxd hiz sekand bMt n woz slApiN wan bMt agenst H aHx.
H Old mAn woz sEiN samTiN in a vqs brOkan bF sobz, bat /piX
kYt bat a glimps v His, hiz hOl atenSan woz direktad t H
/frencman in H frIz gQn hM mInwFl, swEiN slOli from sFd t
sFd, hAd drYn nCx t H jaN wUman n tEkiN hiz hAndz from hiz
pokats hAd sIzd hx bF H nek.
<p>
H bVtifal /RmInWn stil sAt mOSanlas n in H sEm AtitMd,
wiH hx loN lASaz drMpiN Az if SI did not sI P fIl wot H
sOlJx woz dMiN t hx.
<p>
wFl /piX woz raniN H fV steps HAt sepxEtad him from H
/frencman, H tYl mxYdx in H frIz gQn woz Ylredi tCiN
from hx nek H neklas H jaN /RmInWn woz wXiN, n H jaN
wUman, klaciN At hx nek, skrImd pCsiNli.
<p>
“let HAt wUman alOn!” iäklEmd /piX hPsli in a fjUxWs vqs,
sIziN H sOlJx bF hiz rQnd SOldxz n TrOiN him asFd.
<p>
H sOlJx fel, got ap, n rAn awE. bat hiz komrAd, TrOiN dQn
H bMts n drYiN hiz sPd, mMvd TretaniNli tPd /piX.
<p>
“vqanz, py de betFzaz!” * hI krFd.
<p>
    * “lUk hC, nO nonsens!”
<p>
<p>
/piX woz in sac a trAnspPt v rEJ HAt hI rimembxd naTiN n
hiz streNT inkrIst tenfOld. hI raSt At H bXfUtad /frencman
n, bifP H lAtx hAd tFm t drY hiz sPd, nokt him of hiz
fIt n hAmxd him wiH hiz fists. SQts v aprMval wx hxd
from H krQd xQnd, n At H sEm mOment a mQntad patrOl v /frenc
/Mlynz apCd from rQnd H kPnx. H /Mlynz kEm ap At a trot t
/piX n H /frencman n sxQndad Hem. /piX rimembxd naTiN
v wot hApand Aftx HAt. hI Onli rimembxd bItiN samwan n
bIiN bItan n fFnali fIliN HAt hiz hAndz wx bQnd n HAt a
krQd v /frenc sOlJxz stUd xQnd him n wx sxciN him.
<p>
“lMtenant, hI hAz a dAgx,” wx H fxst wxdz /piX andxstUd.
<p>
“y, a wepan?” sed H ofisx n txnd t H bXfUtad sOlJx
hM hAd bin xestad wiH /piX. “Yl rFt, V kAn tel Yl abQt it
At H kPt-mRSal.” Hen hI txnd t /piX. “dM V spIk /frenc?”
<p>
/piX lUkt xQnd him wiH bladSot Fz n did not riplF. hiz
fEs probabli lUkt veri teribal, f H ofisx sed samTiN in
a wispx n fP mP /Mlynz left H rANä n plEst Hemselvz on
bOT sFdz v /piX.
<p>
“dM V spIk /frenc?” H ofisx Askt agen, kIpiN At a distans
from /piX. “kYl H intxpratx.”
<p>
a lital mAn in /raSan sivilWn klOHz rOd Qt from H rANä, n
bF hiz klOHz n mAnx v spIkiN /piX At wans nM him t bI a
/frenc sElzman from wan v H /moskQ Sops.
<p>
“hI daz not lUk lFk a koman mAn,” sed H intxpratx, Aftx a
sxciN lUk At /piX.
<p>
“y, hI lUä veri mac lFk an insendiXi,” rimRkt H ofisx. “n
Ask him hM hI iz,” hI Adad.
<p>
“hM R V?” Askt H intxpratx in pUx /raSan. “V mast Ansx
H cIf.”
<p>
“F wil not tel V hM F Am. F Am jP prizanx—tEk mI!” /piX
sadanli riplFd in /frenc.
<p>
“y, y!” matxd H ofisx wiH a frQn. “wel Hen, mRc!”
<p>
a krQd hAd kalektad rQnd H /Mlynz. nCast t /piX stUd H
pokmRkt pezant wUman wiH H lital gxl, n wen H patrOl
stRtad SI mMvd fPwxd.
<p>
“wX R HE tEkiN V t, V pUx dC?” sed SI. “n H lital
gxl, H lital gxl, wot Am F t dM wiH hx if SI'z not HXz?”
sed H wUman.
<p>
“wot daz HAt wUman wont?” Askt H ofisx.
<p>
/piX woz Az if intoäikEtad. hiz ilESan inkrIst At H sFt v H
lital gxl hI hAd sEvd.
<p>
“wot daz SI wont?” hI mxmxd. “SI iz briNiN mI mF dYtx hMm
F hAv Jast sEvd from H flEmz,” sed hI. “gUd-bF!” n wiHQt
nOiN hQ His Emlas lF hAd iskEpt him, hI went aloN wiH
rezalMt n trFamfant steps bitwIn H /frenc sOlJxz.
<p>
H /frenc patrOl woz wan v HOz sent Qt TrM H vXWs
strIts v /moskQ bF /dMrOnel'z Pdx t pUt a stop t H piliJ,
n ispeSali t kAc H insendiXiz hM, akPdiN t H Jenxal
apinjan wic hAd HAt dE xiJinEtad amaN H hFx /frenc ofisxz,
wx H kYz v H konflagrESanz. Aftx mRciN TrM a nambx
v strIts H patrOl xestad fFv mP /raSan saspekts: a smYl
SopkIpx, tM seminXi stMdants, a pezant, n a hQs sxf, bisFdz
sevxal lMtxz. bat v Yl HIz vXWs saspektad kAraktxz, /piX
woz kansidxd t bI H mOst saspiSas v Yl. wen HE hAd Yl bin
brYt f H nFt t a lRJ hQs on H /zMbOf /rAmpRt HAt woz
bIiN Vzd Az a gRdhQs, /piX woz plEst apRt andx strikt gRd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /twelv: 1812
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
in /pItxzbxg At HAt tFm a komplikEtad stragal woz bIiN kArid on
wiH grEtx hIt HAn evx in H hFast sxkalz, bitwIn H pRtiz
v /rMmjyntsef, H /frenc, /mRja /fjOdPOvna, H /tsRevic, n aHxz,
drQnd Az VZMal bF H baziN v H kPt drOnz. bat H kym,
lagZUxWs lFf v /pItxzbxg, kansxnd Onli abQt fAntamz n
riflekSanz v rWl lFf, went on in its Old wE n mEd it hRd,
iäept bF a grEt efxt, t rWlFz H dEnJx n H difikalt
paziSan v H /raSan pIpal. HX wx H sEm risepSanz n
bYlz, H sEm /frenc TWtx, H sEm kPt intxasts n sxvis
intxasts n intrIã Az VZMal. Onli in H veri hFast sxkalz wx
atempts mEd t kIp in mFnd H difikaltiz v H AkcMal paziSan.
stPiz wx wispxd v hQ difxantli H tM /empresaz bihEvd
in HIz difikalt sxkamstAnsaz. H /empres /mRja, kansxnd f
H welfX v H cAritabal n eJakESanal institMSanz andx hx
pEtraniJ, hAd givan direkSanz HAt HE SUd Yl bI rimMvd t
/kyzyn, n H TiNz biloNiN t HIz institMSanz hAd Ylredi bin
pAkt ap. H /empres /elizabeT, hQevx, wen Askt wot instrakSanz
SI wUd bI plIzd t giv—wiH hx kAraktxistik /raSan pEtrWtizam
hAd riplFd HAt SI kUd giv nO direkSanz abQt stEt institMSanz
f HAt woz H afX v H sovran, bat Az fR Az SI pxsanali
woz kansxnd SI wUd bI H lAst t kwit /pItxzbxg.
<p>
At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z on H twenti-siäT v Ygast, H veri dE v H
bAtal v /bPOdinO, HX woz a swRE, H cIf fIcx v wic woz
t bI H rIdiN v a letx from /hiz /lPdSip H /biSap wen sendiN
H /empxx an Fkon v H /venxabal /sxJWs. it woz rigRdad Az a modal
v iklIziAstikal, pEtriotik elakwans. prins /vysili himself, fEmd f
hiz elakVSan, woz t rId it. (hI Vst t rId At H /empres'.) H
Rt v hiz rIdiN woz sapOst t lF in rOliN Qt H wxdz, kwFt
indipendantli v HX mIniN, in a lQd n siNsoN vqs YltxnEtiN
bitwIn a dispXiN wEl n a tendx mxmx, sO HAt H wEl fel
kwFt At rAndam on wan wxd n H mxmx on anaHx. His rIdiN,
Az woz YlwEz H kEs At /Ana /pyvlOvna'z swREz, hAd a politikal
signifikans. HAt IvniN SI iäpektad sevxal impPtant pxsaniJaz hM
hAd t bI mEd aSEmd v HX vizits t H /frenc TWtx n xQzd
t a pEtriotik tempx. a gUd meni pIpal hAd Ylredi xFvd, bat /Ana
/pyvlOvna, not jet sIiN Yl HOz hMm SI wontad in hx drYiN rMm,
did not let H rIdiN bigin bat wQnd ap H spriNz v a Jenxal
konvxsESan.
<p>
H nMz v H dE in /pItxzbxg woz H ilnas v /kQntas /bezMâOva.
SI hAd fYlan il aniäpektadli a fV dEz prIvWsli, hAd mist
sevxal gAHxiNz v wic SI woz VZMali H Pnamant, n woz sed
t bI risIviN nO wan, n insted v H selabrEtad /pItxzbxg doktxz
hM VZMali atendad hx hAd intrastad hxself t sam /itAlWn doktx
hM woz trItiN hx in sam nM n anVZMal wE.
<p>
HE Yl nM veri wel HAt H incAntiN kQntas' ilnas xOz from
an inkanvInWns rizaltiN from mAriiN tM hazbandz At H sEm tFm,
n HAt H /itAlWn'z kjUx kansistad in rimMviN sac inkanvInWns;
bat in /Ana /pyvlOvna'z prezans nO wan dXd t TiNk v His P Ivan
apC t nO it.
<p>
“HE sE H pUx kQntas iz veri il. H doktx sez it iz AnJFna
pektxis.”
<p>
“AnJFna? O, HAt's a teribal ilnas!”
<p>
“HE sE HAt H rFvalz R rekansFld, TANä t H AnJFna...” n
H wxd AnJFna woz ripItad wiH grEt sAtisfAkSan.
<p>
“H kQnt iz paTetik, HE sE. hI krFd lFk a cFld wen H doktx
tOld him H kEs woz dEnJxas.”
<p>
“O, it wUd bI a teribal los, SI iz an incAntiN wUman.”
<p>
“V R spIkiN v H pUx kQntas?” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna, kamiN
ap Jast Hen. “F sent t Ask f nMz, n hC HAt SI iz a lital
betx. O, SI iz sxtanli H mOst cRmiN wUman in H wxld,” SI
went on, wiH a smFl At hx On inTVziAzam. “wI biloN t difxant
kAmps, bat HAt daz not privent mF istImiN hx Az SI dizxvz. SI
iz veri anfPcanat!” Adad /Ana /pyvlOvna.
<p>
sapOziN HAt bF HIz wxdz /Ana /pyvlOvna woz samwot liftiN H
vEl from H sIkrat v H kQntas' mAladi, an anwXi jaN mAn
vencxd t iäpres sxprFz HAt wel-nOn doktxz hAd not bin kYld
in n HAt H kQntas woz bIiN atendad bF a SRlatan hM mFt
implq dEnJxas remadiz.
<p>
“jP infxmESan mE bI betx HAn mFn,” Ana /pyvlOvna sadanli n
venamasli ritPtad on H iniäpCWnst jaN mAn, “bat F nO on gUd
YToriti HAt His doktx iz a veri lxnad n Ebal mAn. hI iz prFvat
fiziSan t H /kwIn v /spEn.”
<p>
n hAviN Has dimoliSt H jaN mAn, /Ana /pyvlOvna txnd t
anaHx grMp wX /bilibin woz tYkiN abQt H /ostrWnz: hAviN
riNkald ap hiz fEs hI woz evidentli pripXiN t smMH it Qt agen
n atx wan v hiz mOz.
<p>
“F TiNk it iz dilFtfal,” hI sed, rifxiN t a diplamAtik nOt HAt
hAd bin sent t /viena wiH sam /ostrWn bAnxz kApcxd from H
/frenc bF /vitgenStFn, “H hCO v /petrOpol” Az hI woz Hen kYld in
/pItxzbxg.
<p>
“wot? wot's HAt?” Askt /Ana /pyvlOvna, sikjUxiN sFlans f H mO,
wic SI hAd hxd bifP.
<p>
n /bilibin ripItad H AkcMal wxdz v H diplamAtik dispAc, wic
hI hAd himself kampOzd.
<p>
“H /empxx ritxnz HIz /ostrWn bAnxz,” sed /bilibin, “frendli
bAnxz gon astrE n fQnd on a roN pAT,” n hiz brQ bikEm
smMH agen.
<p>
“cRmiN, cRmiN!” abzxvd /prins /vysili.
<p>
“H pAT t /wPsY, pxhAps,” prins /ipOlIt rimRkt lQdli n
aniäpektadli. evribodi lUkt At him, andxstAndiN wot hI ment.
prins /ipOlIt himself glAnst xQnd wiH amVzd sxprFz. hI nM nO
mP HAn H aHxz wot hiz wxdz ment. dxiN hiz diplamAtik kxC
hI hAd mP HAn wans nOtist HAt sac atxansaz wx risIvd Az veri
witi, n At evri opxtMniti hI atxd in HAt wE H fxst wxdz
HAt entxd hiz hed. “it mE txn Qt veri wel,” hI TYt, “bat
if not, HE'l nO hQ t xEnJ mAtxz.” n rWli, dxiN H
Ykwxd sFlans HAt insMd, HAt insafiSantli pEtriotik pxsan
entxd hMm /Ana /pyvlOvna hAd bin wEtiN f n wiSt t kanvxt,
n SI, smFliN n SEkiN a fiNgx At /ipOlIt, invFtad /prins
/vysili t H tEbal n briNiN him tM kAndalz n H mAnVskript
begd him t bigin. evriwan bikEm sFlant.
<p>
“mOst /grESas /sovran n /empxx!” prins /vysili stxnli diklEmd,
lUkiN rQnd At hiz YdWns Az if t inkwFx weHx eniwan hAd
eniTiN t sE t H kontrXi. bat nO wan sed eniTiN. “/moskQ, Qx
Encant kApital, H /nM /JxMsalem, risIvz hx /krFst”—hI plEst a
sadan emfasis on H wxd hx—“Az a maHx risIvz hx zelas sanz
intM hx Rmz, n TrM H gAHxiN mists, fPsIiN H brilWnt
glPi v HF rMl, siNz in eãaltESan, '/hOzAna, blesad iz hI HAt
kamaT!'”
<p>
prins /vysili pranQnst HIz lAst wxdz in a tCfal vqs.
<p>
/bilibin atentivli iãAmind hiz nElz, n meni v HOz prezant
apCd intimidEtad, Az if AskiN in wot HE wx t blEm. Ana
/pyvlOvna wispxd H neät wxdz in advAns, lFk an Old wUman
matxiN H prEx At /kamVnWn: “let H bOld n insalant
/galFaT...” SI wispxd.
<p>
prins /vysili kantinVd.
<p>
“let H bOld n insalant /galFaT from H bPdxz v /fryns inkampas
H relmz v /raSa wiH deT-bXiN terxz; hambal /fET, H sliN
v H /raSan /dEvid, SAl sadanli smFt hiz hed in hiz bladTxsti
prFd. His Fkon v H /venxabal /sxJWs, H sxvant v /god n
zelas cAmpWn v Old v Qx kantri'z wIl, iz ofxd t jP
/impCWl /mAJasti. F grIv HAt mF wEniN streNT privents riJqsiN
in H sFt v jP mOst grESas prezans. F rEz fxvant prExz t
/hevan HAt H /YlmFti mE iãYlt H rEs v H Jast, n mxsifali
fUlfil H dizFxz v jP /mAJasti.”
<p>
“wot fPs! wot a stFl!” woz atxd in aprMval bOT v rIdx n
v YTx.
<p>
AnimEtad bF HAt adres /Ana /pyvlOvna'z gests tYkt f a loN tFm
v H stEt v H fyHxlAnd n ofxd vXWs kanJekcxz Az t H
rizalt v H bAtal t bI fYt in a fV dEz.
<p>
“V wil sI,” sed /Ana /pyvlOvna, “HAt tamorO, on H /empxx'z
bxTdE, wI SAl risIv nMz. F hAv a fEvxabal prizentimant!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
/Ana /pyvlOvna'z prizentimant woz in fAkt fUlfild. neät dE dxiN H
sxvis At H pAlas cxc in onx v H /empxx'z bxTdE, /prins
/vOlkOnski woz kYld Qt v H cxc n risIvd a dispAc from
/prins /kMtMzOf. it woz /kMtMzOf's ripPt, ritan from /tytRinOva on H
dE v H bAtal. /kMtMzOf rOt HAt H /raSanz hAd not ritrItad a
step, HAt H /frenc losaz wx mac hevC HAn Qxz, n HAt hI
woz rFtiN in hEst from H fIld v bAtal bifP kalektiN fUl
infxmESan. it folOd HAt HX mast hAv bin a viktxi. n At
wans, wiHQt lIviN H cxc, TANä wx rendxd t H /kriEtx
f /hiz help n f H viktxi.
<p>
Ana /pyvlOvna'z prizentimant woz JastifFd, n Yl HAt mPniN a
Jqasli festiv mMd rEnd in H siti. evriwan bilIvd H viktxi
t hAv bin kamplIt, n sam Ivan spOk v /napOlWn'z hAviN bin
kApcxd, v hiz depaziSan, n v H cqs v a nM rMlx f
/fryns.
<p>
it iz veri difikalt f ivents t bI riflektad in HX rWl streNT
n kamplItnas amid H kandiSanz v kPt lFf n fR from H
sIn v AkSan. Jenxal ivents involantXili grMp Hemselvz xQnd
sam pxtikVlx insidant. sO nQ H kPtCz' pleZx woz bEst Az
mac on H fAkt HAt H nMz hAd xFvd on H /empxx'z bxTdE Az
on H fAkt v H viktxi itself. it woz lFk a saäesfali xEnJd
sxprFz. menSan woz mEd in /kMtMzOf's ripPt v H /raSan losaz,
amaN wic figjxd H nEmz v /tMckOf, /bygrytiOn, n /kMtFsOf. in
H /pItxzbxg wxld His sAd sFd v H afX agen involantXili
sentxd rQnd a siNgal insidant: /kMtFsOf's deT. evribodi nM
him, H /empxx lFkt him, n hI woz jaN n intxastiN. HAt dE
evriwan met wiH H wxdz:
<p>
“wot a wandxfal kOinsidans! Jast dxiN H sxvis. bat wot a los
/kMtFsOf iz! hQ sori F Am!”
<p>
“wot did F tel abQt /kMtMzOf?” prins /vysili nQ sed wiH a
profat's prFd. “F YlwEz sed hI woz H Onli mAn kEpabal v difItiN
/napOlWn.”
<p>
bat neät dE nO nMz xFvd from H Rmi n H pablik mMd grM
ANkSas. H kPtCz safxd bikoz v H safxiN H saspens
akEZand H /empxx.
<p>
“fAnsi H /empxx'z paziSan!” sed HE, n insted v iätOliN
/kMtMzOf Az HE hAd dan H dE bifP, HE kandemd him Az H kYz
v H /empxx'z ANzFati. HAt dE /prins /vysili nO loNgx bOstad v
hiz prOtiZE /kMtMzOf, bat rimEnd sFlant wen H kamAndx in cIf woz
menSand. mPOvx, tPd IvniN, Az if evriTiN kanspFxd t mEk
/pItxzbxg sasFati ANkSas n anIzi, a teribal pIs v nMz woz
Adad. kQntas /helIn /bezMâOva hAd sadanli dFd v HAt teribal
mAladi it hAd bin sO agrIabal t menSan. afiSali, At lRJ
gAHxiNz, evriwan sed HAt /kQntas /bezMâOva hAd dFd v a
teribal atAk v AnJFna pektxis, bat in intimat sxkalz dItElz
wx menSand v hQ H prFvat fiziSan v H /kwIn v /spEn hAd
priskrFbd smYl dOsaz v a sxtan drag t pradMs a sxtan ifekt;
bat /helIn, tPcxd bF H fAkt HAt H Old kQnt saspektad hx n
HAt hx hazband t hMm SI hAd ritan (HAt recad, profligat
/piX) hAd not riplFd, hAd sadanli tEkan a veri lRJ dOs v H
drag, n hAd dFd in Agani bifP asistans kUd bI rendxd hx.
it woz sed HAt /prins /vysili n H Old kQnt hAd txnd apon H
/itAlWn, bat H lAtx hAd prOdMst sac letxz from H anfPcanat
disIst HAt HE hAd imIdWtli let H mAtx drop.
<p>
tYk in Jenxal sentxd rQnd TrI melankoli fAkts: H /empxx'z
lAk v nMz, H los v /kMtFsOf, n H deT v /helIn.
<p>
on H Txd dE Aftx /kMtMzOf's ripPt a kantri Jentalman xFvd from
/moskQ, n nMz v H sxendx v /moskQ t H /frenc spred TrM
H hOl tQn. His woz teribal! wot a paziSan f H /empxx t
bI in! /kMtMzOf woz a trEtx, n /prins /vysili dxiN H vizits v
kandOlans pEd t him on H akEZan v hiz dYtx'z deT sed v
/kMtMzOf, hMm hI hAd fPmxli prEzd (it woz iäkVzabal f him in hiz
grIf t fxget wot hI hAd sed), HAt it woz imposabal t iäpekt
eniTiN els from a blFnd n diprEvd Old mAn.
<p>
“F Onli wandx HAt H fEt v /raSa kUd hAv bin intrastad t sac
a mAn.”
<p>
Az loN Az His nMz rimEnd anafiSal it woz posabal t dQt it,
bat H neät dE H folOiN kamVnikESan woz risIvd from /kQnt
/rOstOpcin:
<p>
prins /kMtMzOf's AJUtant hAz brYt mI a letx in wic hI dimAndz
palIs ofisxz t gFd H Rmi t H /rjyzyn rOd. hI rFts HAt
hI iz rigretfali abAndaniN /moskQ. sFx! /kMtMzOf's AkSan disFdz H
fEt v H kApital n v jP empFx! /raSa wil Sadx t lxn v
H abAndanmant v H siti in wic hx grEtnas iz sentxd n in
wic lF H ASaz v jP Ansestxz! F SAl folO H Rmi. F hAv
hAd evriTiN rimMvd, n it Onli rimEnz f mI t wIp Ovx H fEt
v mF fyHxlAnd.
<p>
on risIviN His dispAc H /empxx sent /prins /vOlkOnski t /kMtMzOf
wiH H folOiN rIskript:
<p>
prins /mFkal /ilRiOnOvic! sins H twenti-nFnT v Ygast F hAv
risIvd nO kamVnikESan from V, jet on H fxst v septembx F
risIvd from H kamAndx in cIf v /moskQ, vFa /jROslyval, H sAd
nMz HAt V, wiH H Rmi, hAv disFdad t abAndan /moskQ. V kAn
jPself imAJin H ifekt His nMz hAz hAd on mI, n jP sFlans
inkrIsaz mF astoniSmant. F Am sendiN His bF /AJUtant-/Jenxal /prins
/vOlkOnski, t hC from V H sicMESan v H Rmi n H rIzanz
HAt hAv indMst V t tEk His melankoli disiZan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
/nFn dEz Aftx H abAndanmant v /moskQ, a mesinJx from /kMtMzOf
rIct /pItxzbxg wiH H afiSal anQnsmant v HAt ivent. His
mesinJx woz /miSO, a /frencman hM did not nO /raSan, bat hM woz
quoique etrANx, /rMs de /kP et d'ame, * Az hI sed v himself.
<p>
    * HO a forinx, /raSan in hRt n sOl.
<p>
H /empxx At wans risIvd His mesinJx in hiz stadi At H pAlas
on /stOn /Fland. /miSO, hM hAd nevx sIn /moskQ bifP H kAmpEn
n hM did not nO /raSan, jet felt dIpli mMvd (Az hI rOt) wen
hI apCd bifP nOtx tres grEsiMeä sMvxEn * wiH H nMz v H
bxniN v /moskQ, dOnt /lez flammes iklXEant /sy rQt. *(2)
<p>
     * Qx mOst grESas sovran.
<p>
     * (2) hMz flEmz ilMmind hiz rQt.
<p>
HO H sPs v M. /miSO'z SAgrin mast hAv bin difxant from
HAt wic kYzd /raSanz t grIv, hI hAd sac a sAd fEs wen SOn
intM H /empxx'z stadi HAt H lAtx At wans Askt:
<p>
“hAv V brYt mI sAd nMz, /kxnal?”
<p>
“veri sAd, sFx,” riplFd /miSO, lOxiN hiz Fz wiH a sF. “H
abAndanmant v /moskQ.”
<p>
“hAv HE sxendxd mF Encant kApital wiHQt a bAtal?” Askt H
/empxx kwikli, hiz fEs sadanli flaSiN.
<p>
/miSO rispektfali dilivxd H mesiJ /kMtMzOf hAd intrastad t him,
wic woz HAt it hAd bin imposabal t fFt bifP /moskQ, n HAt
Az H Onli rimEniN cqs woz bitwIn lMziN H Rmi Az wel Az
/moskQ, P lMziN /moskQ alOn, H fIld mRSal hAd t cMz H
lAtx.
<p>
H /empxx lisand in sFlans, not lUkiN At /miSO.
<p>
“hAz H enami entxd H siti?” hI Askt.
<p>
“jes, sFx, n /moskQ iz nQ in ASaz. F left it Yl in flEmz,”
riplFd /miSO in a disFdad tOn, bat glAnsiN At H /empxx hI woz
frFtand bF wot hI hAd dan.
<p>
H /empxx bigAn t brIH hevili n rApidli, hiz lOx lip
trembald, n tCz instantli apCd in hiz fFn blM Fz.
<p>
bat His lAstad Onli a mOment. hI sadanli frQnd, Az if blEmiN
himself f hiz wIknas, n rEziN hiz hed adrest /miSO in a
fxm vqs:
<p>
“F sI, /kxnal, from Yl HAt iz hApaniN, HAt /providans rikwFxz
grEt sAkrifFsaz v as... F Am redi t sabmit mFself in Yl TiNz t
/hiz wil; bat tel mI, /miSO, hQ did V lIv H Rmi wen it
sY mF Encant kApital abAndand wiHQt a bAtal? did V not nOtis
diskariJmant?...”
<p>
sIiN HAt hiz mOst grESas rMlx woz kym wans mP, /miSO YlsO
grM kym, bat woz not imIdWtli redi t riplF t H /empxx'z
direkt n relavant kwescan wic rikwFxd a direkt Ansx.
<p>
“sFx, wil V alQ mI t spIk frANkli Az bifits a lqal sOlJx?” hI
Askt t gEn tFm.
<p>
“kxnal, F YlwEz rikwFx it,” riplFd H /empxx. “kansIl naTiN
from mI, F wiS t nO AbsalMtli hQ TiNz R.”
<p>
“sFx!” sed /miSO wiH a satal, skXsli pxseptabal smFl on hiz
lips, hAviN nQ pripXd a wel-frEzd riplF, “sFx, F left H
hOl Rmi, from its cIfs t H lOast sOlJx, wiHQt iäepSan in
despxat n AganFzd terx...”
<p>
“hQ iz HAt?” H /empxx intxaptad him, frQniN stxnli. “wUd
misfPcMn mEk mF /raSanz lMz hRt?... nevx!”
<p>
/miSO hAd Onli wEtad f His t briN Qt H frEz hI hAd
pripXd.
<p>
“sFx,” hI sed, wiH rispektfal plEfalnas, “HE R Onli afrEd lest
jP /mAJasti, in H gUdnas v jP hRt, SUd alQ jPself t bI
pxswEdad t mEk pIs. HE R bxniN f H kombAt,” diklXd His
reprizentativ v H /raSan nESan, “n t prMv t jP /mAJasti bF
H sAkrifFs v HX lFvz hQ divOtad HE R....”
<p>
“y!” sed H /empxx rIaSUxd, n wiH a kFndli glIm in hiz Fz,
hI pAtad /miSO on H SOldx. “V set mI At Iz, /kxnal.”
<p>
hI bent hiz hed n woz sFlant f sam tFm.
<p>
“wel, Hen, gO bAk t H Rmi,” hI sed, drYiN himself ap t hiz
fUl hFt n adresiN /miSO wiH a grESas n maJestik Jescx,
“n tel Qx brEv men n Yl mF gUd sabJekts wXevx V gO HAt
wen F hAv not a sOlJx left F SAl pUt mFself At H hed v mF
bilavad nObiliti n mF gUd pezants n sO Vz H lAst rIsPsaz v
mF empFx. it stil ofxz mI mP HAn mF enamiz sapOz,” sed H
/empxx grOiN mP n mP AnimEtad; “bat SUd it evx bI PdEnd
bF /divFn /providans,” hI kantinVd, rEziN t hevan hiz fFn Fz
SFniN wiH imOSan, “HAt mF dFnasti SUd sIs t rEn on H
TrOn v mF Ansestxz, Hen Aftx iãYstiN Yl H mInz At mF
kamAnd, F SAl let mF bCd grO t hC” (hI pqntad hAfwE dQn hiz
cest) “n gO n It patEtOz wiH H mInast v mF pezants, rAHx
HAn sFn H disgrEs v mF kantri n v mF bilavad pIpal hMz
sAkrifFsaz F nO hQ t aprISiEt.”
<p>
hAviN atxd HIz wxdz in an AJitEtad vqs H /empxx sadanli
txnd awE Az if t hFd from /miSO H tCz HAt rOz t hiz Fz,
n went t H fxHx end v hiz stadi. hAviN stUd HX a fV
mOments, hI strOd bAk t /miSO n prest hiz Rm bilO H elbO
wiH a vigxas mMvmant. H /empxx'z mFld n hAndsam fEs woz
flaSt n hiz Fz glImd wiH rezalMSan n ANgx.
<p>
“kxnal /miSO, dM not fxget wot F sE t V hC, pxhAps wI mE
rikYl it wiH pleZx samdE... /napOlWn P F,” sed H /empxx,
taciN hiz brest. “wI kAn nO loNgx bOT rEn tageHx. F hAv
lxnd t nO him, n hI wil not disIv mI eni mP....”
<p>
n H /empxx pYzd, wiH a frQn.
<p>
wen hI hxd HIz wxdz n sY H iäpreSan v fxm rezalMSan in
H /empxx'z Fz, /miSO—quoique etrANx, /rMs de /kP et d'ame,—At
HAt solam mOment felt himself inrApcxd bF Yl HAt hI hAd hxd (Az
hI Vzd Aftxwxdz t sE), n gEv iäpreSan t hiz On fIliNz n
HOz v H /raSan pIpal hMz reprizentativ hI kansidxd himself
t bI, in H folOiN wxdz:
<p>
“sFx!” sed hI, “jP /mAJasti iz At His mOment sFniN H glPi v
H nESan n H sAlvESan v /jUxap!”
<p>
wiH an inklinESan v H hed H /empxx dismist him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
it iz nAcxal f as hM wx not liviN in HOz dEz t imAJin HAt
wen hAf /raSa hAd bin koNkxd n H inhAbitants wx flIiN t
distant provinsaz, n wan levi Aftx anaHx woz bIiN rEzd f H
difens v H fyHxlAnd, Yl /raSanz from H grEtast t H lIst
wx sOli ingEJd in sAkrifFsiN Hemselvz, sEviN HX fyHxlAnd,
P wIpiN Ovx its dQnfYl. H tElz n diskripSanz v HAt tFm
wiHQt iäepSan spIk Onli v H self-sAkrifFs, pEtriotik divOSan,
dispX, grIf, n H herOizam v H /raSanz. bat it woz not rWli
sO. it apCz sO t as bikoz wI sI Onli H Jenxal histPik
intxast v HAt tFm n dM not sI Yl H pxsanal hVman intxasts
HAt pIpal hAd. jet in riAliti HOz pxsanal intxasts v H mOment
sO mac trAnsend H Jenxal intxasts HAt HE YlwEz privent H
pablik intxast from bIiN felt P Ivan nOtist. mOst v H pIpal At
HAt tFm pEd nO atenSan t H Jenxal progres v ivents bat wx
gFdad Onli bF HX prFvat intxasts, n HE wx H veri pIpal
hMz Aktivitiz At HAt pCWd wx mOst Vsfal.
<p>
HOz hM trFd t andxstAnd H Jenxal kPs v ivents n t tEk
pRt in it bF self-sAkrifFs n herOizam wx H mOst Vslas membxz
v sasFati, HE sY evriTiN apsFd dQn, n Yl HE did f H
koman gUd txnd Qt t bI Vslas n fMliS—lFk /piX'z n
/mymOnOf's reJimants wic lMtad /raSan viliJaz, n H lint H
jaN lEdiz pripXd n HAt nevx rIct H wMndad, n sO on.
Ivan HOz, fond v intalekcMal tYk n v iäpresiN HX fIliNz,
hM diskast /raSa'z paziSan At H tFm involantXili intradMst
intM HX konvxsESan FHx a SEd v prItens n fYlshUd P
Vslas kondemnESan n ANgx direktad agenst pIpal akVzd v
AkSanz nO wan kUd posabli bI gilti v. in histPik ivents H rMl
fxbidiN as t It v H frMt v H /trI v /noliJ iz speSali
aplikabal. Onli ankonSas AkSan bXz frMt, n hI hM plEz a pRt
in an histPik ivent nevx andxstAndz its signifikans. if hI trFz t
rWlFz it hiz efxts R frMtlas.
<p>
H mP klOsli a mAn woz ingEJd in H ivents Hen tEkiN plEs in
/raSa H les did hI rWlFz HX signifikans. in /pItxzbxg n
in H provinsaz At a distans from /moskQ, lEdiz, n Jentalmen in
miliSa VnifPmz, wept f /raSa n its Encant kApital n tYkt v
self-sAkrifFs n sO on; bat in H Rmi wic ritFxd bijond /moskQ
HX woz lital tYk P TYt v /moskQ, n wen HE kYt sFt
v its bxnd rMinz nO wan swP t bI avenJd on H /frenc, bat HE
TYt abQt HX neät pE, HX neät kwPtxz, v /mytreSka H
vivAndiX, n lFk mAtxz.
<p>
Az H wP hAd kYt him in H sxvis, /nikalas /rOstOf tUk a klOs
n prOloNd pRt in H difens v hiz kantri, bat did sO kAZMali,
wiHQt eni Em At self-sAkrifFs, n hI HXfP lUkt At wot woz
gOiN on in /raSa wiHQt dispX n wiHQt dizmali rAkiN hiz
brEnz Ovx it. hAd hI bin Askt wot hI TYt v H stEt v
/raSa, hI wUd hAv sed HAt it woz not hiz biznas t TiNk abQt
it, HAt /kMtMzOf n aHxz wx HX f HAt pxpas, bat HAt hI hAd
hxd HAt H reJimants wx t bI mEd ap t HX fUl streNT, HAt
fFtiN wUd probabli gO on f a loN tFm jet, n HAt TiNz bIiN
sO it woz kwFt lFkli hI mFt bI in kamAnd v a reJimant in a kapal
v jCz' tFm.
<p>
Az hI lUkt At H mAtx in His wE, hI lxnd HAt hI woz bIiN
sent t /vPOneZ t bF rImQnts f hiz diviZan, not Onli wiHQt
rigret At bIiN priventad from tEkiN pRt in H kamiN bAtal, bat
wiH H grEtast pleZx—wic hI did not kansIl n wic hiz
komrAdz fUli andxstUd.
<p>
a fV dEz bifP H bAtal v /bPOdinO, /nikalas risIvd H
nesisXi mani n worants, n hAviN sent sam hMsRz on in
advAns, hI set Qt wiH pOst hPsaz f /vPOneZ.
<p>
Onli a mAn hM hAz iäpCWnst it—HAt iz, hAz pAst sam manTs
kantinVasli in an AtmasfC v kAmpEniN n wP—kAn andxstAnd H
dilFt /nikalas felt wen hI iskEpt from H rIJan kavxd bF H
Rmi'z fPiJiN opxESanz, praviZan trEnz, n hospitalz. wen—frI
from sOlJxz, wAganz, n H filTi trEsaz v a kAmp—hI sY viliJaz
wiH pezants n pezant wimin, Jentalmen'z kantri hQzaz, fIldz
wX kAtal wx grEziN, pOsthQzaz wiH stESanmAstxz aslIp in
Hem, hI riJqst Az HO sIiN Yl His f H fxst tFm. wot f
a loN wFl speSali sxprFzd n dilFtad him wx H wimin, jaN
n helTi, wiHQt a dazan ofisxz mEkiN ap t Ic v Hem; wimin,
tM, hM wx plIzd n flAtxd HAt a pAsiN ofisx SUd JOk
wiH Hem.
<p>
in H hFast spirits /nikalas xFvd At nFt At a hOtel in /vPOneZ,
Pdxd TiNz hI hAd loN bin diprFvd v in kAmp, n neät dE, veri
klIn-SEvan n in a fUl-dres VnifPm hI hAd not wPn f a loN
tFm, went t prizent himself t H YToritiz.
<p>
H kamAndx v H miliSa woz a sivilWn Jenxal, an Old mAn hM woz
evidentli plIzd wiH hiz militXi dezignESan n rANk. hI risIvd
/nikalas braskli (imAJiniN His t bI kAraktxistikli militXi)
n kwescand him wiH an impPtant X, Az if kansidxiN H Jenxal
progres v afXz n aprMviN n disaprMviN wiH fUl rFt t dM
sO. /nikalas woz in sac gUd spirits HAt His mCli amVzd him.
<p>
from H kamAndx v H miliSa hI drOv t H gavxnx. H gavxnx
woz a brisk lital mAn, veri simpal n Afabal. hI indikEtad H stad
fRmz At wic /nikalas mFt prakjUx hPsaz, rekamendad t him a hPs
dIlx in H tQn n a lAndOnx fPtIn mFlz Qt v tQn hM hAd
H best hPsaz, n promist t asist him in evri wE.
<p>
“V R /kQnt /ilja /rOstOf's san? mF wFf woz a grEt frend v jP
maHx'z. wI R At hOm on TxzdEz—tadE iz TxzdE, sO plIz kam
n sI as kwFt infPmali,” sed H gavxnx, tEkiN lIv v him.
<p>
imIdWtli on lIviN H gavxnx'z, /nikalas hFxd pOst hPsaz n,
tEkiN hiz skwodran kwPtxmAstx wiH him, drOv At a gAlap t H
lAndOnx, fPtIn mFlz awE, hM hAd H stad. evriTiN sImd t
him plezant n Izi dxiN HAt fxst pRt v hiz stE in /vPOneZ
n, Az VZMali hApanz wen a mAn iz in a plezant stEt v mFnd,
evriTiN went wel n Izili.
<p>
H lAndOnx t hMm /nikalas went woz a bAcalx, an Old kAvalriman, a
hPs fAnsC, a spPtsman, H pazesx v sam sencxi-Old brAndi
n sam Old /haNgXWn wFn, hM hAd a snagxi wX hI smOkt, n hM
Ond sam splendid hPsaz.
<p>
in veri fV wxdz /nikalas bYt sevantIn pikt stAlWnz f siä
TQzand rMbalz—t sxv, Az hI sed, Az sAmpalz v hiz rImQnts. Aftx
dFniN n tEkiN rAHx tM mac v H /haNgXWn wFn, /nikalas—hAviN
iäcEnJd kisaz wiH H lAndOnx, wiH hMm hI woz Ylredi on H
frendlWst txmz—gAlapt bAk Ovx abominabal rOdz, in H brFtast
frEm v mFnd, kantinVali xJiN on H drFvx sO Az t bI in tFm f
H gavxnx'z pRti.
<p>
wen hI hAd cEnJd, pPd wYtx Ovx hiz hed, n sentad himself,
/nikalas xFvd At H gavxnx'z rAHx lEt, bat wiH H frEz
“betx lEt HAn nevx” on hiz lips.
<p>
it woz not a bYl, nP hAd dAnsiN bin anQnst, bat evriwan nM
HAt /kATxin /petrOvna wUd plE vYlsaz n H IkosaFz on H
klAvikPd n HAt HX wUd bI dAnsiN, n sO evriwan hAd kam Az
t a bYl.
<p>
pravinSal lFf in 1812 went on veri mac Az VZMal, bat wiH His
difxans, HAt it woz lFvlC in H tQnz in konsikwans v H
xFval v meni welTi fAmliz from /moskQ, n Az in evriTiN HAt
went on in /raSa At HAt tFm a speSal reklasnas woz nOtisabal, an
“in f a peni, in f a pQnd—hM kXz?” spirit, n H inevitabal
smYl tYk, insted v txniN on H weHx n mVcMal akwEntansaz,
nQ txnd on /moskQ, H Rmi, n /napOlWn.
<p>
H sasFati gAHxd tageHx At H gavxnx'z woz H best in
/vPOneZ.
<p>
HX wx a grEt meni lEdiz n sam v /nikalas' /moskQ
akwEntansaz, bat HX wx nO men hM kUd At Yl vF wiH H
kAvalC v /st /JPJ, H hMsR rImQnt ofisx, H gUd-nEcxd
n wel-bred /kQnt /rOstOf. amaN H men woz an /itAlWn prizanx, an
ofisx v H /frenc Rmi; n /nikalas felt HAt H prezans v HAt
prizanx inhAnst hiz On impPtans Az a /raSan hCO. H /itAlWn
woz, Az it wx, a wP trOfi. /nikalas felt His, it sImd t him
HAt evriwan rigRdad H /itAlWn in H sEm lFt, n hI trItad him
kPJali HO wiH digniti n ristrEnt.
<p>
Az sMn Az /nikalas entxd in hiz hMsR VnifPm, difVziN xQnd him
a frEgrans v pxfVm n wFn, n hAd atxd H wxdz “betx lEt
HAn nevx” n hxd Hem ripItad sevxal tFmz bF aHxz, pIpal
klastxd xQnd him; Yl Fz txnd on him, n hI felt At wans
HAt hI hAd entxd intM hiz propx paziSan in H provins—HAt v
a Vnivxsal fEvxit: a veri plezant paziSan, n intoäikEtiNli sO
Aftx hiz loN prFvESanz. At pOstiN stESanz, At inz, n in H
lAndOnx'z snagxi, mEdsxvants hAd bin flAtxd bF hiz nOtis, n
hC tM At H gavxnx'z pRti HX wx (Az it sImd t /nikalas)
an iniãYstabal nambx v priti jaN wimin, mArid n anmArid,
impESantli awEtiN hiz nOtis. H wimin n gxlz flxtad wiH him
n, from H fxst dE, H pIpal kansxnd Hemselvz t get His
fFn jaN dXdeval v an hMsR mArid n setald dQn. amaN HIz
woz H gavxnx'z wFf hxself, hM welkamd /rOstOf Az a nC relativ
n kYld him “/nikalas.”
<p>
/kATxin /petrOvna did AkcMali plE vYlsaz n H IkosaFz, n
dAnsiN bigAn in wic /nikalas stil fxHx kAptivEtad H pravinSal
sasFati bF hiz aJiliti. hiz pxtikVlxli frI mAnx v dAnsiN Ivan
sxprFzd Hem Yl. /nikalas woz himself rAHx sxprFzd At H wE hI
dAnst HAt IvniN. hI hAd nevx dAnst lFk HAt in /moskQ n wUd
Ivan hAv kansidxd sac a veri frI n Izi mAnx impropx n in
bAd fPm, bat hC hI felt it inkambant on him t astoniS Hem Yl bF
samTiN anVZMal, samTiN HE wUd hAf t aäept Az H regVlx
TiN in H kApital HO nM t Hem in H provinsaz.
<p>
Yl H IvniN /nikalas pEd atenSan t a blM-Fd, plamp n
plIziN lital blond, H wFf v wan v H pravinSal afiSalz.
wiH H nFIv kanvikSan v jaN men in a meri mMd HAt aHx men'z
wFvz wx kriEtad f Hem, /rOstOf did not lIv H lEdi'z sFd n
trItad hx hazband in a frendli n kanspiratPWl stFl, Az if,
wiHQt spIkiN v it, HE nM hQ kApitali /nikalas n H lEdi
wUd get on tageHx. H hazband, hQevx, did not sIm t SX HAt
kanvikSan n trFd t bihEv mxOsli wiH /rOstOf. bat H
lAtx'z gUd-nEcxd nFIvitE woz sO bQndlas HAt samtFmz Ivan hI
involantXili jIldad t /nikalas' gUd hVmx. tPd H end v H
IvniN, hQevx, Az H wFf's fEs grM mP flaSt n AnimEtad, H
hazband'z bikEm mP n mP melankoli n solam, Az HO HX
wx bat a givan amQnt v AnimESan bitwIn Hem n Az H wFf's
SX inkrIst H hazband'z diminiSt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
/nikalas sAt lIniN slFtli fPwxd in an RmcX, bendiN klOsli
Ovx H blond lEdi n pEiN hx miTaloJikal kompliments wiH a
smFl HAt nevx left hiz fEs. JYntili SiftiN H paziSan v hiz
leã in HX tFt rFdiN brIcaz, difVziN an Odx v pxfVm, n
admFxiN hiz pRtnx, himself, n H fFn QtlFnz v hiz leã in
HX wel-fitiN /heSan bMts, /nikalas tOld H blond lEdi HAt hI
wiSt t ran awE wiH a sxtan lEdi hC in /vPOneZ.
<p>
“wic lEdi?”
<p>
“a cRmiN lEdi, a divFn wan. hx Fz” (/nikalas lUkt At hiz
pRtnx) “R blM, hx mQT kPal n Fvxi; hx figjx” (hI glAnst
At hx SOldxz) “lFk /dFAna'z....”
<p>
H hazband kEm ap n salanli Askt hiz wFf wot SI woz tYkiN
abQt.
<p>
“y, /nikita /ivynic!” krFd /nikalas, rFziN palFtli, n Az if wiSiN
/nikita /ivynic t SX hiz JOk, hI bigAn t tel him v hiz intenSan
t ilOp wiH a blond lEdi.
<p>
H hazband smFld glMmili, H wFf gEli. H gavxnx'z gUd-nEcxd
wFf kEm ap wiH a lUk v disaprMval.
<p>
“Ana /ignytjevna wonts t sI V, /nikalas,” sed SI, pranQnsiN H
nEm sO HAt /nikalas At wans andxstUd HAt /Ana /ignytjevna woz a veri
impPtant pxsan. “kam, /nikalas! V nO V let mI kYl V sO?”
<p>
“O, jes, /ynt. hM iz SI?”
<p>
“Ana /ignytjevna /mylvintseva. SI hAz hxd from hx nIs hQ V
reskVd hx.... kAn V ges?”
<p>
“F reskVd sac a lot v Hem!” sed /nikalas.
<p>
“hx nIs, /prinsas /bOlkOnskFa. SI iz hC in /vPOneZ wiH hx ynt.
OhO! hQ V blaS. wF, R...?”
<p>
“not a bit! plIz dOnt, /ynt!”
<p>
“veri wel, veri wel!... O, wot a felO V R!”
<p>
H gavxnx'z wFf led him ap t a tYl n veri stQt Old lEdi wiH
a blM heddres, hM hAd Jast finiSt hx gEm v kRdz wiH H mOst
impPtant pxsaniJaz v H tQn. His woz /mylvintseva, /prinsas /mXi'z
ynt on hx maHx'z sFd, a ric, cFldlas widO hM YlwEz livd in
/vPOneZ. wen /rOstOf aprOct hx SI woz stAndiN setaliN ap f
H gEm. SI lUkt At him n, skrMiN ap hx Fz stxnli, kantinVd
t apbrEd H Jenxal hM hAd wan from hx.
<p>
“veri plIzd, man /Ser,” SI Hen sed, hOldiN Qt hx hAnd t
/nikalas. “prE kam n sI mI.”
<p>
Aftx a fV wxdz abQt /prinsas /mXi n hx lEt fyHx, hMm
/mylvintseva hAd evidentli not lFkt, n hAviN Askt wot /nikalas
nM v /prins /AndrM, hM YlsO woz evidentli nO fEvxit v hxz, H
impPtant Old lEdi dismist /nikalas Aftx ripItiN hx invitESan t
kam t sI hx.
<p>
/nikalas promist t kam n blaSt agen Az hI bQd. At H menSan
v /prinsas /mXi hI iäpCWnst a fIliN v SFnas n Ivan v fC,
wic hI himself did not andxstAnd.
<p>
wen hI hAd pRtad from /mylvintseva /nikalas wiSt t ritxn t H
dAnsiN, bat H gavxnx'z lital wFf plEst hx plamp hAnd on hiz
slIv n, sEiN HAt SI wontad t hAv a tYk wiH him, led him t
hx sitiN rMm, from wic HOz hM wx HX imIdWtli wiHdrM
sO Az not t bI in hx wE.
<p>
“dM V nO, dC bq,” bigAn H gavxnx'z wFf wiH a sCWs
iäpreSan on hx kFnd lital fEs, “HAt rWli wUd bI H mAc f
V: wUd V lFk mI t xEnJ it?”
<p>
“hMm dM V mIn, /ynt?” Askt /nikalas.
<p>
“F wil mEk a mAc f V wiH H prinsas. /kATxin /petrOvna
spIä v /lili, bat F sE, nO—H prinsas! dM V wont mI t dM it? F
Am SUx jP maHx wil bI grEtfal t mI. wot a cRmiN gxl SI iz,
rWli! n SI iz not At Yl sO plEn, FHx.”
<p>
“not At Yl,” riplFd /nikalas Az if afendad At H FdW. “Az bifits
a sOlJx, /ynt, F dOnt fPs mFself on eniwan P rifVz eniTiN,” hI
sed bifP hI hAd tFm t kansidx wot hI woz sEiN.
<p>
“wel Hen, rimembx, His iz not a JOk!”
<p>
“v kPs not!”
<p>
“jes, jes,” H gavxnx'z wFf sed Az if tYkiN t hxself. “bat,
mF dC bq, amaN aHx TiNz V R tM atentiv t H aHx, H
blond. wan iz sori f H hazband, rWli....”
<p>
“O nO, wI R gUd frendz wiH him,” sed /nikalas in H simplisiti
v hiz hRt; it did not entx hiz hed HAt a pAstFm sO plezant t
himself mFt not bI plezant t samwan els.
<p>
“bat wot nonsens F hAv bin sEiN t H gavxnx'z wFf!” TYt
/nikalas sadanli At sapx. “SI wil rWli bigin t xEnJ a
mAc... n /sonja...?” n on tEkiN lIv v H gavxnx'z wFf,
wen SI agen smFliNli sed t him, “wel Hen, rimembx!” hI drM hx
asFd.
<p>
“bat sI hC, t tel H trMT, /ynt...”
<p>
“wot iz it, mF dC? kam, let's sit dQn hC,” sed SI.
<p>
/nikalas sadanli felt a dizFx n nId t tel hiz mOst intimat
TYts (wic hI wUd not hAv tOld t hiz maHx, hiz sistx, P
hiz frend) t His wUman hM woz YlmOst a strEnJx. wen hI Aftxwxdz
rikYld HAt impals t ansalisitad n iniäplikabal frANknas wic
hAd veri impPtant rizalts f him, it sImd t him—Az it sImz t
evriwan in sac kEsaz—HAt it woz mCli sam sili wim HAt sIzd
him: jet HAt bxst v frANknas, tageHx wiH aHx trFfaliN ivents,
hAd imens konsikwansaz f him n f Yl hiz fAmli.
<p>
“V sI, /ynt, /mymy hAz loN wontad mI t mAri an Xas, bat H
veri FdW v mAriiN f mani iz ripagnant t mI.”
<p>
“O jes, F andxstAnd,” sed H gavxnx'z wFf.
<p>
“bat /prinsas /bOlkOnskFa—HAt's anaHx mAtx. F wil tel V H
trMT. in H fxst plEs F lFk hx veri mac, F fIl drYn t hx; n
Hen, Aftx F met hx andx sac sxkamstAnsaz—sO strEnJli, H FdW
oftan akxd t mI: 'His iz fEt.' ispeSali if V rimembx HAt
/mymy hAd loN bin TiNkiN v it; bat F hAd nevx hApand t mIt hx
bifP, samhQ it hAd YlwEz hApand HAt wI did not mIt. n Az loN
Az mF sistx /nytySa woz ingEJd t hx braHx it woz v kPs Qt v
H kwescan f mI t TiNk v mAriiN hx. n it mast nIdz hApan
HAt F SUd mIt hx Jast wen /nytySa'z ingEJmant hAd bin brOkan
of... n Hen evriTiN... sO V sI... F nevx tOld His t eniwan
n nevx wil, Onli t V.”
<p>
H gavxnx'z wFf prest hiz elbO grEtfali.
<p>
“V nO /sonja, mF kazan? F lav hx, n promist t mAri hx, n
wil dM sO.... sO V sI HX kAn bI nO kwescan abQt—” sed /nikalas
inkOhCantli n blaSiN.
<p>
“mF dC bq, wot a wE t lUk At it! V nO /sonja hAz naTiN n
V jPself sE jP /pypy'z afXz R in a veri bAd wE. n wot
abQt jP maHx? it wUd kil hx, HAt's wan TiN. n wot sPt v
lFf wUd it bI f /sonja—if SI'z a gxl wiH a hRt? jP maHx
in dispX, n V Yl rMind.... nO, mF dC, V n /sonja Yt t
andxstAnd HAt.”
<p>
/nikalas rimEnd sFlant. it kamfxtad him t hC HIz RgVmants.
<p>
“Yl H sEm, /ynt, it iz imposabal,” hI rIJqnd wiH a sF, Aftx
a SPt pYz. “bisFdz, wUd H prinsas hAv mI? n bisFdz, SI iz
nQ in mPniN. hQ kAn wan TiNk v it!”
<p>
“bat V dOnt sapOz F'm gOiN t get V mArid At wans? HX iz
YlwEz a rFt wE v dMiN TiNz,” riplFd H gavxnx'z wFf.
<p>
“wot a mAcmEkx V R, /ynt...” sed /nikalas, kisiN hx plamp
lital hAnd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
on rIciN /moskQ Aftx hx mItiN wiH /rOstOf, /prinsas /mXi hAd
fQnd hx nefV HX wiH hiz tMtx, n a letx from /prins /AndrM
giviN hx instrakSanz hQ t get t hx /ynt /mylvintseva At /vPOneZ.
HAt fIliN akin t temptESan wic hAd tPmentad hx dxiN hx
fyHx'z ilnas, sins hiz deT, n ispeSali sins hx mItiN wiH
/rOstOf woz smaHxd bF xEnJmants f H Jxni, ANzFati abQt hx
braHx, setaliN in a nM hQs, mItiN nM pIpal, n atendiN t
hx nefV'z eJakESan. SI woz sAd. nQ, Aftx a manT pAst in kwFat
sxQndiNz, SI felt mP n mP dIpli H los v hx fyHx wic
woz asOSiEtad in hx mFnd wiH H rMin v /raSa. SI woz AJitEtad n
insesantli tPcxd bF H TYt v H dEnJxz t wic hx braHx,
H Onli intimat pxsan nQ rimEniN t hx, woz iäpOzd. SI woz
warid tM abQt hx nefV'z eJakESan f wic SI hAd YlwEz felt
hxself inkompitant, bat in H depTs v hx sOl SI felt At pIs—a
pIs xFziN from konSasnas v hAviN stFfald HOz pxsanal drImz
n hOps HAt hAd bin on H pqnt v awEkaniN wiHin hx n wx
rilEtad t hx mItiN wiH /rOstOf.
<p>
H dE Aftx hx pRti H gavxnx'z wFf kEm t sI /mylvintseva
n, Aftx diskasiN hx plAn wiH H ynt, rimRkt HAt HO
andx prezant sxkamstAnsaz a fPmal bitrOHal woz, v kPs, not t bI
TYt v, Yl H sEm H jaN pIpal mFt bI brYt tageHx n
kUd get t nO wan anaHx. /mylvintseva iäprest aprMval, n H
gavxnx'z wFf bigAn t spIk v /rOstOf in /mXi'z prezans, prEziN
him n teliN hQ hI hAd blaSt wen /prinsas /mXi'z nEm woz
menSand. bat /prinsas /mXi iäpCWnst a pEnfal rAHx HAn a Jqfal
fIliN—hx mental trANkwiliti woz distrqd, n dizFxz, dQts,
self-riprOc, n hOps rIawOk.
<p>
dxiN H tM dEz HAt ilApst bifP /rOstOf kYld, /prinsas /mXi
kantinVali TYt v hQ SI Yt t bihEv t him. fxst SI disFdad
not t kam t H drYiN rMm wen hI kYld t sI hx ynt—HAt it
wUd not bI propx f hx, in hx dIp mPniN, t risIv vizitxz;
Hen SI TYt His wUd bI rMd Aftx wot hI hAd dan f hx; Hen
it akxd t hx HAt hx ynt n H gavxnx'z wFf hAd intenSanz
kansxniN hxself n /rOstOf—HX lUä n wxdz At tFmz sImd t
kanfxm His sapaziSan—Hen SI tOld hxself HAt Onli SI, wiH hx
sinfal nEcx, kUd TiNk His v Hem: HE kUd not fxget HAt
sicMEtad Az SI woz, wFl stil wXiN dIp mPniN, sac mAcmEkiN
wUd bI an insalt t hx n t hx fyHx'z memxi. asMmiN HAt SI
did gO dQn t sI him, /prinsas /mXi imAJind H wxdz hI wUd sE
t hx n wot SI wUd sE t him, n HIz wxdz samtFmz sImd
andizxvadli kOld n Hen t mIn tM mac. mP HAn eniTiN SI
fCd lest H kanfVZan SI felt mFt Ovxwelm hx n bitrE hx Az
sMn Az SI sY him.
<p>
bat wen on sandE Aftx cxc H fUtman anQnst in H drYiN
rMm HAt /kQnt /rOstOf hAd kYld, H prinsas SOd nO kanfVZan,
Onli a slFt blaS safVzd hx cIä n hx Fz lit ap wiH a nM
n rEdWnt lFt.
<p>
“V hAv met him, /ynt?” sed SI in a kym vqs, anEbal hxself t
andxstAnd HAt SI kUd bI Qtwxdli sO kym n nAcxal.
<p>
wen /rOstOf entxd H rMm, H prinsas dropt hx Fz f an
instant, Az if t giv H vizitx tFm t grIt hx ynt, n Hen
Jast Az /nikalas txnd t hx SI rEzd hx hed n met hiz lUk wiH
SFniN Fz. wiH a mMvmant fUl v digniti n grEs SI hAf rOz
wiH a smFl v pleZx, held Qt hx slendx, delikat hAnd t him,
n bigAn t spIk in a vqs in wic f H fxst tFm nM dIp
wUmanli nOts vFbrEtad. /mAdamwazel /bMrien, hM woz in H drYiN
rMm, lUkt At /prinsas /mXi in biwildxd sxprFz. hxself a
konsamat kOket, SI kUd not hAv manMvxd betx on mItiN a
mAn SI wiSt t atrAkt.
<p>
“FHx blAk iz pxtikVlxli bikamiN t hx P SI rWli hAz grEtli
imprMvd wiHQt mF hAviN nOtist it. n abav Yl, wot tAkt n
grEs!” TYt /mAdamwazel /bMrien.
<p>
hAd /prinsas /mXi bin kEpabal v riflekSan At HAt mOment, SI wUd
hAv bin mP sxprFzd HAn /mAdamwazel /bMrien At H cEnJ HAt
hAd tEkan plEs in hxself. from H mOment SI rekagnFzd HAt dC,
lavd fEs, a nM lFf fPs tUk pazeSan v hx n kampeld hx t
spIk n Akt apRt from hx On wil. from H tFm /rOstOf entxd, hx
fEs bikEm sadanli trAnsfPmd. it woz Az if a lFt hAd bin kindald
in a kRvd n pEntad lAntxn n H intrikat, skilfal, Rtistik
wxk on its sFdz, HAt prIvWsli sImd dRk, kPs, n mIniNlas,
woz sadanli SOn ap in aniäpektad n strFkiN bVti. f H fxst
tFm Yl HAt pjUx, spiricMal, inwxd travEl TrM wic SI hAd
livd apCd on H sxfis. Yl hx inwxd lEbx, hx dissAtisfAkSan
wiH hxself, hx safxiNz, hx strFviNz Aftx gUdnas, hx
mIknas, lav, n self-sAkrifFs—Yl His nQ SOn in HOz rEdWnt
Fz, in hx delikat smFl, n in evri trEt v hx Jental fEs.
<p>
/rOstOf sY Yl His Az klCli Az if hI hAd nOn hx hOl lFf. hI
felt HAt H bIiN bifP him woz kwFt difxant from, n betx
HAn, eniwan hI hAd met bifP, n abav Yl betx HAn himself.
<p>
HX konvxsESan woz veri simpal n animpPtant. HE spOk v H
wP, n lFk evriwan els ankonSasli iãAJxEtad HX sorO
abQt it; HE spOk v HX lAst mItiN—/nikalas trFiN t cEnJ H
sabJekt—HE tYkt v H gavxnx'z kFnd wFf, v /nikalas' rilESanz,
n v /prinsas /mXi'z.
<p>
SI did not tYk abQt hx braHx, dFvxtiN H konvxsESan Az sMn
Az hx ynt menSand /AndrM. evidentli SI kUd spIk v /raSa'z
misfPcMnz wiH a sxtan RtifiSiAliti, bat hx braHx woz tM nC
hx hRt n SI nFHx kUd nP wUd spIk lFtli v him. /nikalas
nOtist His, Az hI nOtist evri SEd v /prinsas /mXi'z kAraktx
wiH an obzxvESan anVZMal t him, n evriTiN kanfxmd hiz
kanvikSan HAt SI woz a kwFt anVZMal n iätrPdinXi bIiN.
/nikalas blaSt n woz kanfVzd wen pIpal spOk t him abQt H
prinsas (Az SI did wen hI woz menSand) n Ivan wen hI TYt v
hx, bat in hx prezans hI felt kwFt At Iz, n sed not At Yl wot
hI hAd pripXd, bat wot, kwFt aprOprWtli, akxd t him At H
mOment.
<p>
wen a pYz akxd dxiN hiz SPt vizit, /nikalas, Az iz VZMal wen
HX R cildran, txnd t /prins /AndrM'z lital san, kxesiN him
n AskiN weHx hI wUd lFk t bI an hMsR. hI tUk H bq on
hiz nI, plEd wiH him, n lUkt rQnd At /prinsas /mXi. wiH a
sofand, hApi, timid lUk SI woct H bq SI lavd in H Rmz
v H mAn SI lavd. /nikalas YlsO nOtist HAt lUk n, Az if
andxstAndiN it, flaSt wiH pleZx n bigAn t kis H bq wiH
gUd nEcxd plEfalnas.
<p>
Az SI woz in mPniN /prinsas /mXi did not gO Qt intM sasFati, n
/nikalas did not TiNk it H propx TiN t vizit hx agen; bat Yl
H sEm H gavxnx'z wFf went on wiH hx mAcmEkiN, pAsiN on t
/nikalas H flAtxiN TiNz /prinsas /mXi sed v him n vFs
vxsa, n insistiN on hiz diklXiN himself t /prinsas /mXi. f His
pxpas SI xEnJd a mItiN bitwIn H jaN pIpal At H biSap's
hQs bifP /mAs.
<p>
HO /rOstOf tOld H gavxnx'z wFf HAt hI wUd not mEk eni
deklxESan t /prinsas /mXi, hI promist t gO.
<p>
Az At /tilzit /rOstOf hAd not alQd himself t dQt HAt wot evribodi
kansidxd rFt woz rFt, sO nQ, Aftx a SPt bat sinsC stragal
bitwIn hiz efxt t xEnJ hiz lFf bF hiz On sens v Jastis, n
in ObIdWnt sabmiSan t sxkamstAnsaz, hI cOz H lAtx n jIldad
t H pQx hI felt irizistabli kAriiN him hI nM not wX. hI
nM HAt Aftx hiz promis t /sonja it wUd bI wot hI dImd bEs t
diklX hiz fIliNz t /prinsas /mXi. n hI nM HAt hI wUd nevx
Akt bEsli. bat hI YlsO nM (P rAHx felt At H botam v hiz hRt)
HAt bF rizFniN himself nQ t H fPs v sxkamstAnsaz n t HOz
hM wx gFdiN him, hI woz not Onli dMiN naTiN roN, bat woz dMiN
samTiN veri impPtant—mP impPtant HAn eniTiN hI hAd evx dan
in hiz lFf.
<p>
Aftx mItiN /prinsas /mXi, HO H kPs v hiz lFf went on
eätxnali Az bifP, Yl hiz fPmx amVzmants lost HX cRm f him
n hI oftan TYt abQt hx. bat hI nevx TYt abQt hx Az hI
hAd TYt v Yl H jaN lEdiz wiHQt iäepSan hMm hI hAd met
in sasFati, nP Az hI hAd f a loN tFm, n At wan tFm rApcxasli,
TYt abQt /sonja. hI hAd pikcxd Ic v HOz jaN lEdiz Az
YlmOst Yl onast-hRtad jaN men dM, HAt iz, Az a posabal wFf,
adAptiN hx in hiz imAJinESan t Yl H kandiSanz v mArid lFf:
a wFt dresiN gQn, hiz wFf At H tI tEbal, hiz wFf's kAriJ,
lital wanz, /mymy n /pypy, HX rilESanz t hx, n sO on—n HIz
pikcxz v H fVcx hAd givan him pleZx. bat wiH /prinsas /mXi,
t hMm HE wx trFiN t get him ingEJd, hI kUd nevx pikcx
eniTiN v fVcx mArid lFf. if hI trFd, hiz pikcxz sImd
inkoNgrMas n fYls. it mEd him afrEd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
H dredfal nMz v H bAtal v /bPOdinO, v Qx losaz in kild n
wMndad, n H stil mP teribal nMz v H los v /moskQ rIct
/vPOneZ in H midal v septembx. prinsas /mXi, hAviN lxnd v
hx braHx'z wMnd Onli from H /gazet n hAviN nO definit nMz v
him, pripXd (sO /nikalas hxd, hI hAd not sIn hx agen himself) t
set of in sxc v /prins /AndrM.
<p>
wen hI risIvd H nMz v H bAtal v /bPOdinO n H abAndanmant
v /moskQ, /rOstOf woz not sIzd wiH dispX, ANgx, H dizFx f
venJans, P eni fIliN v HAt kFnd, bat evriTiN in /vPOneZ
sadanli sImd t him dal n tFxsam, n hI iäpCWnst an
indefinit fIliN v SEm n Ykwxdnas. H konvxsESanz hI hxd
sImd t him insinsC; hI did not nO hQ t JaJ Yl HIz afXz
n felt HAt Onli in H reJimant wUd evriTiN agen bikam klC
t him. hI mEd hEst t finiS bFiN H hPsaz, n oftan bikEm
anrIzanabli ANgri wiH hiz sxvant n skwodran kwPtxmAstx.
<p>
a fV dEz bifP hiz dipRcx a speSal TANägiviN, At wic
/nikalas woz prezant, woz held in H kaTIdral f H /raSan viktxi.
hI stUd a lital bihFnd H gavxnx n held himself wiH militXi
dikPam TrM H sxvis, meditEtiN on a grEt vxFati v sabJekts.
wen H sxvis woz Ovx H gavxnx'z wFf bekand him t hx.
<p>
“hAv V sIn H prinsas?” SI Askt, indikEtiN wiH a mMvmant v
hx hed a lEdi stAndiN on H opazit sFd, bijond H kwFx.
<p>
/nikalas imIdWtli rekagnFzd /prinsas /mXi not sO mac bF H prOfFl
hI sY andx hx bonat Az bF H fIliN v salisitMd, timiditi, n
piti HAt imIdWtli OvxkEm him. prinsas /mXi, evidentli ingrOst
bF hx TYts, woz krosiN hxself f H lAst tFm bifP lIviN
H cxc.
<p>
/nikalas lUkt At hx fEs wiH sxprFz. it woz H sEm fEs hI hAd
sIn bifP, HX woz H sEm Jenxal iäpreSan v rifFnd, inx,
spiricMal lEbx, bat nQ it woz kwFt difxantli lit ap. HX woz a
paTetik iäpreSan v sorO, prEx, n hOp in it. Az hAd akxd
bifP wen SI woz prezant, /nikalas went ap t hx wiHQt wEtiN t
bI promptad bF H gavxnx'z wFf n not AskiN himself weHx P not
it woz rFt n propx t adres hx hC in cxc, n tOld hx hI
hAd hxd v hx trabal n simpaTFzd wiH hiz hOl sOl. Az sMn Az
SI hxd hiz vqs a vivid glO kindald in hx fEs, lFtiN ap bOT
hx sorO n hx Jq.
<p>
“HX iz wan TiN F wontad t tel V, /prinsas,” sed /rOstOf. “it
iz HAt if jP braHx, /prins /AndrM /nikOlFevic, wx not liviN, it
wUd hAv bin At wans anQnst in H /gazet, Az hI iz a kxnal.”
<p>
H prinsas lUkt At him, not grAspiN wot hI woz sEiN, bat cCd
bF H iäpreSan v rigretfal simpaTi on hiz fEs.
<p>
“n F hAv nOn sO meni kEsaz v a splintx wMnd” (H /gazet sed
it woz a Sel) “FHx prMviN fEtal At wans P bIiN veri slFt,”
kantinVd /nikalas. “wI mast hOp f H best, n F Am SUx...”
<p>
prinsas /mXi intxaptad him.
<p>
“O, HAt wUd bI sO dred...” SI bigAn n, priventad bF AJitESan
from finiSiN, SI bent hx hed wiH a mMvmant Az grEsfal Az
evriTiN SI did in hiz prezans n, lUkiN ap At him grEtfali,
went Qt, folOiN hx ynt.
<p>
HAt IvniN /nikalas did not gO Qt, bat stEd At hOm t setal sam
akQnts wiH H hPs dIlxz. wen hI hAd finiSt HAt biznas it
woz Ylredi tM lEt t gO eniwX bat stil tM xli t gO t bed,
n f a loN tFm hI pEst ap n dQn H rMm, riflektiN on hiz
lFf, a TiN hI rXli did.
<p>
prinsas /mXi hAd mEd an agrIabal impreSan on him wen hI hAd met
hx in /smOlensk provins. hiz hAviN inkQntxd hx in sac iäepSanal
sxkamstAnsaz, n hiz maHx hAviN At wan tFm menSand hx t him Az
a gUd mAc, hAd drYn hiz pxtikVlx atenSan t hx. wen hI met hx
agen in /vPOneZ H impreSan SI mEd on him woz not mCli plIziN
bat pQxfal. /nikalas hAd bin strak bF H pikVlC mPal bVti hI
abzxvd in hx At His tFm. hI woz, hQevx, pripXiN t gO awE n
it hAd not entxd hiz hed t rigret HAt hI woz Has diprFviN himself
v cAnsaz v mItiN hx. bat HAt dE'z inkQntx in cxc hAd, hI
felt, saNk dIpx HAn woz dizFxabal f hiz pIs v mFnd. HAt pEl,
sAd, rifFnd fEs, HAt rEdWnt lUk, HOz Jental grEsfal Jescxz,
n ispeSali H dIp n tendx sorO iäprest in Yl hx fIcxz
AJitEtad him n ivOkt hiz simpaTi. in men /rOstOf kUd not bX t
sI H iäpreSan v a hFx spiricMal lFf (HAt woz wF hI did not
lFk /prins /AndrM) n hI rifxd t it kantempcMasli Az filosafi
n drIminas, bat in /prinsas /mXi HAt veri sorO wic rivIld
H depT v a hOl spiricMal wxld forin t him woz an irizistabal
atrAkSan.
<p>
“SI mast bI a wandxfal wUman. a rWl EnJal!” hI sed t himself.
“wF Am F not frI? wF woz F in sac a hari wiH /sonja?” n hI
involantXili kampXd H tM: H lAk v spiricMAliti in H wan n
H abandans v it in H aHx—a spiricMAliti hI himself lAkt n
HXfP vAlVd mOst hFli. hI trFd t pikcx wot wUd hApan wx
hI frI. hQ hI wUd prapOz t hx n hQ SI wUd bikam hiz wFf.
bat nO, hI kUd not imAJin HAt. hI felt Yd, n nO klC pikcx
prizentad itself t hiz mFnd. hI hAd loN agO pikcxd t himself a
fVcx wiH /sonja, n HAt woz Yl klC n simpal Jast bikoz it
hAd Yl bin TYt Qt n hI nM Yl HX woz in /sonja, bat it woz
imposabal t pikcx a fVcx wiH /prinsas /mXi, bikoz hI did not
andxstAnd hx bat simpli lavd hx.
<p>
revxiz abQt /sonja hAd hAd samTiN meri n plEfal in Hem, bat t
drIm v /prinsas /mXi woz YlwEz difikalt n a lital frFtaniN.
<p>
“hQ SI prEd!” hI TYt. “it woz plEn HAt hx hOl sOl woz in
hx prEx. jes, HAt woz H prEx HAt mMvz mQntanz, n F Am
SUx hx prEx wil bI Ansxd. wF dOnt F prE f wot F wont?” hI
sadanli TYt. “wot dM F wont? t bI frI, rilIst from /sonja...
SI woz rFt,” hI TYt, rimembxiN wot H gavxnx'z wFf hAd
sed: “naTiN bat misfPcMn kAn kam v mAriiN /sonja. madalz,
grIf f /mymy... biznas difikaltiz... madalz, teribal madalz!
bisFdz, F dOnt lav hx—not Az F SUd. O, /god! rilIs mI from
His dredfal, ineätrikabal paziSan!” hI sadanli bigAn t prE. “jes,
prEx kAn mMv mQntanz, bat wan mast hAv fET n not prE Az
/nytySa n F Vst t Az cildran, HAt H snO mFt txn intM
SUgx—n Hen ran Qt intM H jRd t sI weHx it hAd dan sO. nO,
bat F Am not prEiN f trFfalz nQ,” hI TYt Az hI pUt hiz pFp
dQn in a kPnx, n fOldiN hiz hAndz plEst himself bifP H Fkon.
sofand bF memxiz v /prinsas /mXi hI bigAn t prE Az hI hAd not
dan f a loN tFm. tCz wx in hiz Fz n in hiz TrOt wen H
dP Opand n /lyvrMSka kEm in wiH sam pEpxz.
<p>
“blokhed! wF dM V kam in wiHQt bIiN kYld?” krFd /nikalas,
kwikli cEnJiN hiz AtitMd.
<p>
“from H gavxnx,” sed /lyvrMSka in a slIpi vqs. “a kUrC hAz
xFvd n HX'z a letx f V.”
<p>
“wel, Yl rFt, TANä. V kAn gO!”
<p>
/nikalas tUk H tM letxz, wan v wic woz from hiz maHx n
H aHx from /sonja. hI rekagnFzd Hem bF H hAndrFtiN n Opand
/sonja'z fxst. hI hAd red Onli a fV lFnz wen hI txnd pEl n hiz
Fz Opand wFd wiH fC n Jq.
<p>
“nO, it's not posabal!” hI krFd alQd.
<p>
anEbal t sit stil hI pEst ap n dQn H rMm hOldiN H letx n
rIdiN it. hI glAnst TrM it, Hen red it agen, n Hen agen,
n stAndiN stil in H midal v H rMm hI rEzd hiz SOldxz,
streciN Qt hiz hAndz, wiH hiz mQT wFd Opan n hiz Fz fiät.
wot hI hAd Jast bin prEiN f wiH konfidans HAt /god wUd hC
him hAd kam t pAs; bat /nikalas woz Az mac astoniSt Az if it wx
samTiN iätrPdinXi n aniäpektad, n Az if H veri fAkt HAt it
hAd hApand sO kwikli prMvd HAt it hAd not kam from /god t hMm hI
hAd prEd, bat bF sam PdinXi kOinsidans.
<p>
His aniäpektad n, Az it sImd t /nikalas, kwFt volantXi letx
from /sonja frId him from H not HAt fetxd him n from wic
HX hAd sImd nO iskEp. SI rOt HAt H lAst anfPcanat
ivents—H los v YlmOst H hOl v H /rOstOfs' /moskQ propxti—n
H kQntas' ripItadli iäprest wiS HAt /nikalas SUd mAri
/prinsas /bOlkOnskFa, tageHx wiH hiz sFlans n kOldnas v lEt,
hAd Yl kambFnd t mEk hx disFd t rilIs him from hiz promis n
set him kamplItli frI.
<p>
it wUd bI tM pEnfal t mI t TiNk HAt F mFt bI a kYz v sorO
P diskPd in H fAmli HAt hAz bin sO gUd t mI (SI rOt), n mF
lav hAz nO Em bat H hApinas v HOz F lav; sO, /nikalas, F
beg V t kansidx jPself frI, n t bI aSUxd HAt, in spFt v
evriTiN, nO wan kAn lav V mP HAn daz
<p>
jP /sonja
<p>
/bOT letxz wx ritan from /trqtsa. H aHx, from H kQntas,
diskrFbd HX lAst dEz in /moskQ, HX dipRcx, H fFx, n
H distrakSan v Yl HX propxti. in His letx H kQntas YlsO
menSand HAt /prins /AndrM woz amaN H wMndad trAvaliN wiH Hem;
hiz stEt woz veri kritikal, bat H doktx sed HX woz nQ mP
hOp. /sonja n /nytySa wx nxsiN him.
<p>
neät dE /nikalas tUk hiz maHx'z letx n went t sI /prinsas
/mXi. nFHx hI nP SI sed a wxd abQt wot “/nytySa nxsiN him”
mFt mIn, bat TANä t His letx /nikalas sadanli bikEm YlmOst Az
intimat wiH H prinsas Az if HE wx rilESanz.
<p>
H folOiN dE hI sY /prinsas /mXi of on hx Jxni t /jROslyval,
n a fV dEz lEtx left t rIJqn hiz reJimant.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/sonja'z letx ritan from /trqtsa, wic hAd kam Az an Ansx t
/nikalas' prEx, woz promptad bF His: H TYt v getiN /nikalas
mArid t an Xas okVpFd H Old kQntas' mFnd mP n mP. SI
nM HAt /sonja woz H cIf obstakal t His hApaniN, n /sonja'z
lFf in H kQntas' hQs hAd grOn hRdx n hRdx, ispeSali
Aftx HE hAd risIvd a letx from /nikalas teliN v hiz mItiN
wiH /prinsas /mXi in /bOgMcROvO. H kQntas let nO akEZan slip v
mEkiN hVmiliEtiN P krMal alMZanz t /sonja.
<p>
bat a fV dEz bifP HE left /moskQ, mMvd n iäFtad bF Yl HAt
woz gOiN on, SI kYld /sonja t hx n, insted v riprOciN n
mEkiN dimAndz on hx, tCfali implPd hx t sAkrifFs hxself
n rIpE Yl HAt H fAmli hAd dan f hx bF brEkiN of hx
ingEJmant wiH /nikalas.
<p>
“F SAl not bI At pIs til V promis mI His.”
<p>
/sonja bxst intM histerikal tCz n riplFd TrM hx sobz HAt
SI wUd dM eniTiN n woz pripXd f eniTiN, bat gEv nO AkcMal
promis n kUd not briN hxself t disFd t dM wot woz dimAndad
v hx. SI mast sAkrifFs hxself f H fAmli HAt hAd rCd n
brYt hx ap. t sAkrifFs hxself f aHxz woz /sonja'z hAbit. hx
paziSan in H hQs woz sac HAt Onli bF sAkrifFs kUd SI SO hx
wxT, n SI woz akastamd t His n lavd dMiN it. bat in Yl hx
fPmx Akts v self-sAkrifFs SI hAd bin hApili konSas HAt HE
rEzd hx in hx On istIm n in HAt v aHxz, n sO mEd hx mP
wxHi v /nikalas hMm SI lavd mP HAn eniTiN in H wxld. bat
nQ HE wontad hx t sAkrifFs H veri TiN HAt konstitMtad H
hOl riwPd f hx self-sAkrifFs n H hOl mIniN v hx lFf.
n f H fxst tFm SI felt bitxnas agenst HOz hM hAd bin
hx benifAktxz Onli t tPcx hx H mP pEnfali; SI felt Jelas
v /nytySa hM hAd nevx iäpCWnst eniTiN v His sPt, hAd nevx
nIdad t sAkrifFs hxself, bat mEd aHxz sAkrifFs Hemselvz f
hx n jet woz bilavad bF evribodi. n f H fxst tFm /sonja felt
HAt Qt v hx pjUx, kwFat lav f /nikalas a pASanat fIliN
woz biginiN t grO ap wic woz stroNgx HAn prinsapal, vxcM,
P riliJan. andx H inflMans v His fIliN /sonja, hMz lFf v
dipendans hAd tYt hx involantXili t bI sIkrativ, hAviN Ansxd
H kQntas in vEg Jenxal txmz, avqdad tYkiN wiH hx n
rizolvd t wEt til SI SUd sI /nikalas, not in Pdx t set him
frI bat on H kontrXi At HAt mItiN t bFnd him t hx fxevx.
<p>
H basal n terx v H /rOstOfs' lAst dEz in /moskQ stFfald H
glMmi TYts HAt aprest /sonja. SI woz glAd t fFnd iskEp
from Hem in prAktikal Aktiviti. bat wen SI hxd v /prins /AndrM'z
prezans in HX hQs, dispFt hx sinsC piti f him n f
/nytySa, SI woz sIzd bF a Jqfal n sMpxstiSas fIliN HAt /god
did not intend hx t bI sepxEtad from /nikalas. SI nM HAt /nytySa
lavd nO wan bat /prins /AndrM n hAd nevx sIst t lav him. SI
nM HAt bIiN TrOn tageHx agen andx sac teribal sxkamstAnsaz
HE wUd agen fYl in lav wiH wan anaHx, n HAt /nikalas wUd
Hen not bI Ebal t mAri /prinsas /mXi Az HE wUd bI wiHin H
prOhibitad digrIz v afiniti. dispFt Yl H terx v wot hAd
hApand dxiN HOz lAst dEz n dxiN H fxst dEz v HX
Jxni, His fIliN HAt /providans woz intxvIniN in hx pxsanal
afXz cCd /sonja.
<p>
At H /trqtsa monasteri H /rOstOfs fxst brOk HX Jxni f a
hOl dE.
<p>
TrI lRJ rMmz wx asFnd t Hem in H monasteri hostalri, wan
v wic woz okVpFd bF /prins /AndrM. H wMndad mAn woz mac betx
HAt dE n /nytySa woz sitiN wiH him. in H neät rMm sAt H
kQnt n kQntas rispektfali kanvxsiN wiH H prFx, hM woz
kYliN on Hem Az Old akwEntansaz n benifAktxz v H monasteri.
/sonja woz HX tM, tPmentad bF kjUxiositi Az t wot /prins /AndrM n
/nytySa wx tYkiN abQt. SI hxd H sQnd v HX vqsaz TrM
H dP. HAt dP Opand n /nytySa kEm Qt, lUkiN iäFtad. not
nOtisiN H maNk, hM hAd rizan t grIt hx n woz drYiN bAk H
wFd slIv on hiz rFt Rm, SI went ap t /sonja n tUk hx hAnd.
<p>
“/nytySa, wot R V abQt? kam hC!” sed H kQntas.
<p>
/nytySa went ap t H maNk f hiz blesiN, n hI advFzd hx t prE
f Ed t /god n /hiz sEnt.
<p>
Az sMn Az H prFx wiHdrM, /nytySa tUk hx frend bF H hAnd n
went wiH hx intM H anokVpFd rMm.
<p>
“/sonja, wil hI liv?” SI Askt. “/sonja, hQ hApi F Am, n hQ
anhApi!... /sonja, /davi, evriTiN iz Az it Vst t bI. if Onli hI
livz! hI kAnot... bikoz... bikoz... v...” n /nytySa bxst intM
tCz.
<p>
“jes! F nM it! TANk /god!” mxmxd /sonja. “hI wil liv.”
<p>
/sonja woz not les AJitEtad HAn hx frend bF H lAtx'z fC n
grIf n bF hx On pxsanal fIliNz wic SI SXd wiH nO wan.
sobiN, SI kist n kamfxtad /nytySa. “if Onli hI livz!” SI
TYt. hAviN wept, tYkt, n wFpt awE HX tCz, H tM
frendz went tageHx t /prins /AndrM'z dP. /nytySa Opand it
kYSasli n glAnst intM H rMm, /sonja stAndiN bisFd hx At H
hAf-Opan dP.
<p>
prins /AndrM woz lFiN rEzd hF on TrI pilOz. hiz pEl fEs woz
kym, hiz Fz klOzd, n HE kUd sI hiz regVlx brIHiN.
<p>
“O, /nytySa!” /sonja sadanli YlmOst skrImd, kAciN hx kampAnjan'z
Rm n stepiN bAk from H dP.
<p>
“wot? wot iz it?” Askt /nytySa.
<p>
“it's HAt, HAt...” sed /sonja, wiH a wFt fEs n trembaliN lips.
<p>
/nytySa softli klOzd H dP n went wiH /sonja t H windO, not
jet andxstAndiN wot H lAtx woz teliN hx.
<p>
“V rimembx,” sed /sonja wiH a solam n frFtand iäpreSan.
“V rimembx wen F lUkt in H mirx f V... At /Otrydnqe At
/krismas? dM V rimembx wot F sY?”
<p>
“jes, jes!” krFd /nytySa OpaniN hx Fz wFd, n vEgli rikYliN
HAt /sonja hAd tOld hx samTiN abQt /prins /AndrM hMm SI hAd sIn
lFiN dQn.
<p>
“V rimembx?” /sonja went on. “F sY it Hen n tOld evribodi, V
n /dMnjySa. F sY him lFiN on a bed,” sed SI, mEkiN a Jescx wiH
hx hAnd n a liftad fiNgx At Ic dItEl, “n HAt hI hAd hiz Fz
klOzd n woz kavxd Jast wiH a piNk kwilt, n HAt hiz hAndz wx
fOldad,” SI kanklMdad, kanvinsiN hxself HAt H dItElz SI hAd Jast
sIn wx iãAktli wot SI hAd sIn in H mirx.
<p>
SI hAd in fAkt sIn naTiN Hen bat hAd menSand H fxst TiN HAt
kEm intM hx hed, bat wot SI hAd inventad Hen sImd t hx nQ
Az rWl Az eni aHx rekalekSan. SI not Onli rimembxd wot SI hAd
Hen sed—HAt hI txnd t lUk At hx n smFld n woz kavxd wiH
samTiN red—bat woz fxmli kanvinst HAt SI hAd Hen sIn n sed
HAt hI woz kavxd wiH a piNk kwilt n HAt hiz Fz wx klOzd.
<p>
“jes, jes, it rWli woz piNk!” krFd /nytySa, hM nQ TYt SI
tM rimembxd H wxd piNk bIiN Vzd, n sY in His H mOst
iätrPdinXi n mistCWs pRt v H pridikSan.
<p>
“bat wot daz it mIn?” SI Adad meditativli.
<p>
“O, F dOnt nO, it iz Yl sO strEnJ,” riplFd /sonja, klaciN At
hx hed.
<p>
a fV minits lEtx /prins /AndrM rAN n /nytySa went t him, bat
/sonja, fIliN anVZMali iäFtad n tact, rimEnd At H windO
TiNkiN abQt H strEnJnas v wot hAd akxd.
<p>
<p>
HE hAd an opxtMniti HAt dE t send letxz t H Rmi, n H
kQntas woz rFtiN t hx san.
<p>
“/sonja!” sed H kQntas, rEziN hx Fz from hx letx Az hx
nIs pAst, “/sonja, wOnt V rFt t /nikalas?” SI spOk in a soft,
tremVlas vqs, n in H wCi Fz HAt lUkt Ovx hx spektakalz
/sonja red Yl HAt H kQntas ment t kanvE wiH HIz wxdz. HOz
Fz iäprest intrIti, SEm At hAviN t Ask, fC v a rifVzal, n
redinas f rilentlas hEtrad in kEs v sac rifVzal.
<p>
/sonja went ap t H kQntas n, nIliN dQn, kist hx hAnd.
<p>
“jes, /mymy, F wil rFt,” sed SI.
<p>
/sonja woz sofand, iäFtad, n tact bF Yl HAt hAd akxd HAt
dE, ispeSali bF H mistCWs fUlfilmant SI hAd Jast sIn v hx
viZan. nQ HAt SI nM HAt H rinMal v /nytySa'z rilESanz wiH
/prins /AndrM wUd privent /nikalas from mAriiN /prinsas /mXi, SI
woz Jqfali konSas v a ritxn v HAt self-sAkrifFsiN spirit in
wic SI woz akastamd t liv n lavd t liv. sO wiH a Jqfal
konSasnas v pxfPmiN a mAgnAnimas dId—intxaptad sevxal tFmz
bF H tCz HAt dimd hx velvati blAk Fz—SI rOt HAt taciN
letx H xFval v wic hAd sO amEzd /nikalas.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
H ofisx n sOlJxz hM hAd xestad /piX trItad him wiH
hostiliti bat jet wiH rispekt, in H gRdhQs t wic hI woz tEkan.
in HX AtitMd tPd him kUd stil bI felt bOT ansxtanti Az
t hM hI mFt bI—pxhAps a veri impPtant pxsan—n hostiliti Az a
rizalt v HX rIsant pxsanal konflikt wiH him.
<p>
bat wen H gRd woz rilIvd neät mPniN, /piX felt HAt f H
nM gRd—bOT ofisxz n men—hI woz not Az intxastiN Az hI hAd
bin t hiz kAptxz; n in fAkt H gRd v H sekand dE did not
rekagnFz in His big, stQt mAn in a pezant kOt H vigxas pxsan
hM hAd fYt sO despxatli wiH H mxYdx n H konvq n hAd
atxd HOz solam wxdz abQt sEviN a cFld; HE sY in him Onli
nO. 17 v H kApcxd /raSanz, xestad n ditEnd f sam rIzan
bF Pdx v H /hFx /kamAnd. if HE nOtist eniTiN rimRkabal
abQt /piX, it woz Onli hiz anabASt, meditativ konsantrESan
n TYtfalnas, n H wE hI spOk /frenc, wic strak Hem Az
sxprFziNli gUd. in spFt v His hI woz plEst HAt dE wiH H
aHx xestad saspekts, Az H sepxat rMm hI hAd okVpFd woz
rikwFxd bF an ofisx.
<p>
Yl H /raSanz kanfFnd wiH /piX wx men v H lOast klAs n,
rekagnFziN him Az a Jentalman, HE Yl avqdad him, mP ispeSali Az
hI spOk /frenc. /piX felt sAd At hCiN Hem mEkiN fan v him.
<p>
HAt IvniN hI lxnd HAt Yl HIz prizanxz (hI, probabli, amaN
Hem) wx t bI trFd f insendCizam. on H Txd dE hI woz tEkan
wiH H aHxz t a hQs wX a /frenc Jenxal wiH a wFt mastAS
sAt wiH tM kxnalz n aHx /frencmen wiH skRvz on HX Rmz.
wiH H prisiZan n definitnas kastamXi in adresiN prizanxz,
n wic iz sapOst t priklMd hVman frElti, /piX lFk H aHxz
woz kwescand Az t hM hI woz, wX hI hAd bin, wiH wot obJekt,
n sO on.
<p>
HIz kwescanz, lFk kwescanz pUt At trFalz Jenxali, left H
esans v H mAtx asFd, Sat Qt H posabiliti v HAt esans'az
bIiN rivIld, n wx dizFnd Onli t fPm a cAnal TrM wic
H JaJaz wiSt H Ansxz v H akVzd t flO sO Az t lId t
H dizFxd rizalt, nEmli a kanvikSan. Az sMn Az /piX bigAn t sE
eniTiN HAt did not fit in wiH HAt Em, H cAnal woz rimMvd n
H wYtx kUd flO t wEst. /piX felt, mPOvx, wot H akVzd
YlwEz fIl At HX trFal, pxpleäiti Az t wF HIz kwescanz wx
pUt t him. hI hAd a fIliN HAt it woz Onli Qt v kondisenSan P a
kFnd v siviliti HAt His divFs v plEsiN a cAnal woz implqd. hI
nM hI woz in HIz men'z pQx, HAt Onli bF fPs hAd HE brYt
him HX, HAt fPs alOn gEv Hem H rFt t dimAnd Ansxz
t HX kwescanz, n HAt H sOl obJekt v HAt asembli woz t
inkalpEt him. n sO, Az HE hAd H pQx n wiS t inkalpEt
him, His iäpIdWnt v an inkwFxi n trFal sImd annesisXi. it woz
evidant HAt eni Ansx wUd lId t kanvikSan. wen Askt wot hI
woz dMiN wen hI woz xestad, /piX riplFd in a rAHx trAJik mAnx
HAt hI woz ristPiN t its pXants a cFld hI hAd sEvd from H
flEmz. wF hAd hI fYt H mxYdx? /piX Ansxd HAt hI “woz
pratektiN a wUman,” n HAt “t pratekt a wUman hM woz bIiN insaltad
woz H dMti v evri mAn; HAt...” HE intxaptad him, f His
woz not t H pqnt. wF woz hI in H jRd v a bxniN hQs wX
witnasaz hAd sIn him? hI riplFd HAt hI hAd gon Qt t sI wot
woz hApaniN in /moskQ. agen HE intxaptad him: HE hAd not Askt
wX hI woz gOiN, bat wF hI woz fQnd nC H fFx? hM woz hI? HE
Askt, ripItiN HX fxst kwescan, wic hI hAd diklFnd t Ansx.
agen hI riplFd HAt hI kUd not Ansx it.
<p>
“pUt HAt dQn, HAt's bAd... veri bAd,” stxnli rimRkt H Jenxal
wiH H wFt mastAS n red flaSt fEs.
<p>
<p>
on H fPT dE fFxz brOk Qt on H /zMbOfski rAmpRt.
<p>
/piX n TxtIn aHxz wx mMvd t H kOc hQs v a mxcant's
hQs nC H /krFmWn briJ. on hiz wE TrM H strIts /piX
felt stFfald bF H smOk wic sImd t hAN Ovx H hOl
siti. fFxz wx vizabal on Yl sFdz. hI did not Hen rWlFz H
signifikans v H bxniN v /moskQ, n lUkt At H fFxz wiH
horx.
<p>
hI pAst fP dEz in H kOc hQs nC H /krFmWn briJ n
dxiN HAt tFm lxnd, from H tYk v H /frenc sOlJxz, HAt Yl
HOz kanfFnd HX wx awEtiN a disiZan wic mFt kam eni dE
from H mRSal. wot mRSal His woz, /piX kUd not lxn from H
sOlJxz. evidentli f Hem “H mRSal” reprizentad a veri hF n
rAHx mistCWs pQx.
<p>
HIz fxst dEz, bifP H EtT v septembx wen H prizanxz wx
hAd ap f a sekand iãAminESan, wx H hRdast v Yl f /piX.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
on H EtT v septembx an ofisx—a veri impPtant wan JaJiN bF
H rispekt H gRdz SOd him—entxd H kOc hQs wX H
prizanxz wx. His ofisx, probabli samwan on H stAf, woz hOldiN
a pEpx in hiz hAnd, n kYld Ovx Yl H /raSanz HX, nEmiN
/piX Az “H mAn hM daz not giv hiz nEm.” glAnsiN indalantli n
indifxantli At Yl H prizanxz, hI Pdxd H ofisx in cRJ
t hAv Hem dIsantli drest n tFdid ap bifP tEkiN Hem t H
mRSal. an Qx lEtx a skwod v sOlJxz xFvd n /piX wiH
TxtIn aHxz woz led t H /vxJin'z /fIld. it woz a fFn dE, sani
Aftx rEn, n H X woz anVZMali pjUx. H smOk did not hAN lO
Az on H dE wen /piX hAd bin tEkan from H gRdhQs on H
/zMbOfski rAmpRt, bat rOz TrM H pjUx X in kolamz. nO flEmz
wx sIn, bat kolamz v smOk rOz on Yl sFdz, n Yl /moskQ Az fR
Az /piX kUd sI woz wan vAst cRd rMin. on Yl sFdz HX wx
wEst spEsaz wiH Onli stOvz n cimni stAä stil stAndiN, n
hC n HX H blAkand wYlz v sam brik hQzaz. /piX gEzd
At H rMinz n did not rekagnFz distrikts hI hAd nOn wel. hC n
HX hI kUd sI cxcaz HAt hAd not bin bxnd. H /kremlin, wic
woz not distrqd, glImd wFt in H distans wiH its tQxz n
H belfri v /ivyn H /grEt. H dOmz v H /nM /konvent v H /vxJin
glitxd brFtli n its belz wx riNiN pxtikVlxli klCli.
HIz belz rimFndad /piX HAt it woz sandE n H fIst v H
/nativiti v H /vxJin. bat HX sImd t bI nO wan t selabrEt His
holidE: evriwX wx blAkand rMinz, n H fV /raSanz t bI
sIn wx tAtxd n frFtand pIpal hM trFd t hFd wen HE sY
H /frenc.
<p>
it woz plEn HAt H /raSan nest woz rMind n distrqd, bat in
plEs v H /raSan Pdx v lFf HAt hAd bin distrqd, /piX
ankonSasli felt HAt a kwFt difxant, fxm, /frenc Pdx hAd bin
istAbliSt Ovx His rMind nest. hI felt His in H lUä v
H sOlJxz hM, mRciN in regVlx rANä briskli n gEli, wx
iskPtiN him n H aHx kriminalz; hI felt it in H lUä v an
impPtant /frenc afiSal in a kAriJ n pX drivan bF a sOlJx,
hMm HE met on H wE. hI felt it in H meri sQndz v reJimental
mVzik hI hxd from H left sFd v H fIld, n felt n rWlFzd
it ispeSali from H list v prizanxz H /frenc ofisx hAd red Qt
wen hI kEm HAt mPniN. /piX hAd bin tEkan bF wan set v sOlJxz
n led fxst t wan n Hen t anaHx plEs wiH dazanz v aHx men,
n it sImd HAt HE mFt hAv fxgotan him, P kanfVzd him wiH
H aHxz. bat nO: H Ansxz hI hAd givan wen kwescand hAd kam
bAk t him in hiz dezignESan Az “H mAn hM daz not giv hiz nEm,”
n andx HAt ApalESan, wic t /piX sImd teribal, HE wx
nQ lIdiN him samwX wiH anhezitEtiN aSUxans on HX fEsaz
HAt hI n Yl H aHx prizanxz wx iãAktli H wanz HE wontad
n HAt HE wx bIiN tEkan t H propx plEs. /piX felt himself
t bI an insignifikant cip fYlan amaN H wIlz v a maSIn hMz
AkSan hI did not andxstAnd bat wic woz wxkiN wel.
<p>
hI n H aHx prizanxz wx tEkan t H rFt sFd v H /vxJin'z
/fIld, t a lRJ wFt hQs wiH an imens gRdan not fR from H
konvent. His woz /prins /ScerbytOf's hQs, wX /piX hAd oftan
bin in aHx dEz, n wic, Az hI lxnd from H tYk v H
sOlJxz, woz nQ okVpFd bF H mRSal, H /dMk v /ekmMal (/dyvM).
<p>
HE wx tEkan t H entrans n led intM H hQs wan bF wan.
/piX woz H siäT t entx. hI woz kondaktad TrM a glAs gAlxi,
an AntirMm, n a hYl, wic wx familC t him, intM a loN lO
stadi At H dP v wic stUd an AJUtant.
<p>
/dyvM, spektakalz on nOz, sAt bent Ovx a tEbal At H fxHx end v
H rMm. /piX went klOs ap t him, bat /dyvM, evidentli kansaltiN
a pEpx HAt lE bifP him, did not lUk ap. wiHQt rEziN hiz Fz,
hI sed in a lO vqs:
<p>
“hM R V?”
<p>
/piX woz sFlant bikoz hI woz inkEpabal v atxiN a wxd. t him
/dyvM woz not mCli a /frenc Jenxal, bat a mAn nOtPWs f hiz
krMalti. lUkiN At hiz kOld fEs, Az hI sAt lFk a stxn skMlmAstx
hM woz pripXd t wEt awFl f an Ansx, /piX felt HAt evri
instant v dilE mFt kost him hiz lFf; bat hI did not nO wot
t sE. hI did not vencx t ripIt wot hI hAd sed At hiz fxst
iãAminESan, jet t disklOz hiz rANk n paziSan woz dEnJxas n
imbArasiN. sO hI woz sFlant. bat bifP hI hAd disFdad wot t dM,
/dyvM rEzd hiz hed, pUSt hiz spektakalz bAk on hiz fPhed,
skrMd ap hiz Fz, n lUkt intentli At him.
<p>
“F nO HAt mAn,” hI sed in a kOld, meZxd tOn, evidentli
kAlkVlEtad t frFtan /piX.
<p>
H cil HAt hAd bin raniN dQn /piX'z bAk nQ sIzd hiz hed
Az in a vFs.
<p>
“V kAnot nO mI, /Jenxal, F hAv nevx sIn V...”
<p>
“hI iz a /raSan spF,” /dyvM intxaptad, adresiN anaHx Jenxal
hM woz prezant, bat hMm /piX hAd not nOtist.
<p>
/dyvM txnd awE. wiH an aniäpektad rivxbxESan in hiz vqs /piX
rApidli bigAn:
<p>
“nO, monsinjUx,” hI sed, sadanli rimembxiN HAt /dyvM woz a dMk.
“nO, monsinjUx, V kAnot hAv nOn mI. F Am a miliSa ofisx n
hAv not kwitad /moskQ.”
<p>
“jP nEm?” Askt /dyvM.
<p>
“/bezMâOf.”
<p>
“wot prMf hAv F HAt V R not lFiN?”
<p>
“monsinjUx!” iäklEmd /piX, not in an afendad bat in a plIdiN
vqs.
<p>
/dyvM lUkt ap n gEzd intentli At him. f sam sekandz HE lUkt
At wan anaHx, n HAt lUk sEvd /piX. apRt from kandiSanz v wP
n lY, HAt lUk istAbliSt hVman rilESanz bitwIn H tM men. At
HAt mOment an imens nambx v TiNz pAst dimli TrM bOT HX
mFndz, n HE rWlFzd HAt HE wx bOT cildran v hVmAniti n
wx braHxz.
<p>
At H fxst glAns, wen /dyvM hAd Onli rEzd hiz hed from H
pEpxz wX hVman afXz n lFvz wx indikEtad bF nambxz, /piX
woz mCli a sxkamstAns, n /dyvM kUd hAv Sot him wiHQt
bxdaniN hiz konSans wiH an Ival dId, bat nQ hI sY in him a
hVman bIiN. hI riflektad f a mOment.
<p>
“hQ kAn V SO mI HAt V R teliN H trMT?” sed /dyvM
kOldli.
<p>
/piX rimembxd /rombyla, n nEmd him n hiz reJimant n H
strIt wX H hQs woz.
<p>
“V R not wot V sE,” ritxnd /dyvM.
<p>
in a trembaliN, fYltxiN vqs /piX bigAn adMsiN prMfs v H
trMT v hiz stEtmants.
<p>
bat At HAt mOment an AJUtant entxd n ripPtad samTiN t /dyvM.
<p>
/dyvM brFtand ap At H nMz H AJUtant brYt, n bigAn
bataniN ap hiz VnifPm. it sImd HAt hI hAd kwFt fxgotan /piX.
<p>
wen H AJUtant rimFndad him v H prizanx, hI Jxkt hiz hed in
/piX'z direkSan wiH a frQn n Pdxd him t bI led awE. bat
wX HE wx t tEk him /piX did not nO: bAk t H kOc hQs
P t H plEs v eäikVSan hiz kampAnjanz hAd pqntad Qt t him Az
HE krost H /vxJin'z /fIld.
<p>
hI txnd hiz hed n sY HAt H AJUtant woz pUtiN anaHx
kwescan t /dyvM.
<p>
“jes, v kPs!” riplFd /dyvM, bat wot His “jes” ment, /piX did
not nO.
<p>
/piX kUd not Aftxwxdz rimembx hQ hI went, weHx it woz fR, P
in wic direkSan. hiz fAkaltiz wx kwFt namd, hI woz stMpifFd,
n nOtisiN naTiN xQnd him went on mMviN hiz leã Az H aHxz
did til HE Yl stopt n hI stopt tM. H Onli TYt in hiz
mFnd At HAt tFm woz: hM woz it HAt hAd rWli sentanst him t
deT? not H men on H kamiSan HAt hAd fxst iãAmind him—not wan
v Hem wiSt t P, evidentli, kUd hAv dan it. it woz not /dyvM,
hM hAd lUkt At him in sO hVman a wE. in anaHx mOment /dyvM wUd
hAv rWlFzd HAt hI woz dMiN roN, bat Jast Hen H AJUtant hAd
kam in n intxaptad him. H AJUtant, YlsO, hAd evidentli hAd nO
Ival intent HO hI mFt hAv rifrEnd from kamiN in. Hen hM woz
eäikVtiN him, kiliN him, diprFviN him v lFf—him, /piX, wiH Yl
hiz memxiz, AspirESanz, hOps, n TYts? hM woz dMiN His? n
/piX felt HAt it woz nO wan.
<p>
it woz a sistam—a kankarans v sxkamstAnsaz.
<p>
a sistam v sam sPt woz kiliN him—/piX—diprFviN him v lFf, v
evriTiN, anFalEtiN him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
from /prins /ScerbytOf's hQs H prizanxz wx led strEt dQn H
/vxJin'z /fIld, t H left v H nanxi, Az fR Az a kicin gRdan
in wic a pOst hAd bin set ap. bijond HAt pOst a freS pit hAd bin
dag in H grQnd, n nC H pOst n H pit a lRJ krQd stUd
in a semisxkal. H krQd kansistad v a fV /raSanz n meni
v /napOlWn'z sOlJxz hM wx not on dMti—/Jxmanz, /itAlWnz, n
/frencmen, in a vxFati v VnifPmz. t H rFt n left v H pOst
stUd rOz v /frenc trMps in blM VnifPmz wiH red epalets n hF
bMts n SEkOz.
<p>
H prizanxz wx plEst in a sxtan Pdx, akPdiN t H list
(/piX woz siäT), n wx led t H pOst. sevxal dramz sadanli
bigAn t bIt on bOT sFdz v Hem, n At HAt sQnd /piX felt Az
if pRt v hiz sOl hAd bin tPn awE. hI lost H pQx v TiNkiN P
andxstAndiN. hI kUd Onli hC n sI. n hI hAd Onli wan wiS—HAt
H frFtfal TiN HAt hAd t hApan SUd hApan kwikli. /piX
lUkt rQnd At hiz felO prizanxz n skrMtinFzd Hem.
<p>
H tM fxst wx konvikts wiH SEvan hedz. wan woz tYl n Tin,
H aHx dRk, SAgi, n sinVi, wiH a flAt nOz. H Txd woz
a damestik sxf, abQt fPti-fFv jCz Old, wiH grizald hX n a
plamp, wel-nariSt bodi. H fPT woz a pezant, a veri hAndsam
mAn wiH a brYd, lFt-brQn bCd n blAk Fz. H fifT woz a
fAktxi hAnd, a Tin, sAlO-fEst lAd v EtIn in a lMs kOt.
<p>
/piX hxd H /frenc kansaltiN weHx t SMt Hem sepxatli P
tM At a tFm. “in kapalz,” riplFd H ofisx in kamAnd in a kym
vqs. HX woz a stx in H rANä v H sOlJxz n it woz evidant
HAt HE wx Yl hariiN—not Az men hari t dM samTiN HE
andxstAnd, bat Az pIpal hari t finiS a nesisXi bat anplezant n
inkomprihensabal tAsk.
<p>
a /frenc afiSal wXiN a skRf kEm ap t H rFt v H rO v
prizanxz n red Qt H sentans in /raSan n in /frenc.
<p>
Hen tM pXz v /frencmen aprOct H kriminalz n At H
ofisx'z kamAnd tUk H tM konvikts hM stUd fxst in H rO. H
konvikts stopt wen HE rIct H pOst n, wFl sAä wx bIiN
brYt, lUkt damli xQnd Az a wMndad bIst lUä At an aprOciN
hantsman. wan krost himself kantinVali, H aHx skrAct hiz bAk
n mEd a mMvmant v H lips rizembaliN a smFl. wiH harid hAndz
H sOlJxz blFndfOldad Hem, drYiN H sAä Ovx HX hedz, n
bQnd Hem t H pOst.
<p>
twelv SRpSMtxz wiH maskats stept Qt v H rANä wiH a fxm
regVlx tred n hYltad Et pEsaz from H pOst. /piX txnd awE
t avqd sIiN wot woz gOiN t hApan. sadanli a krAkaliN, rOliN
nqz woz hxd wic sImd t him lQdx HAn H mOst txifik
Tandx, n hI lUkt rQnd. HX woz sam smOk, n H /frencmen
wx dMiN samTiN nC H pit, wiH pEl fEsaz n trembaliN hAndz.
tM mP prizanxz wx led ap. in H sEm wE n wiH similx lUä,
HIz tM glAnst vEnli At H onlUkxz wiH Onli a sFlant apIl f
pratekSan in HX Fz, evidentli anEbal t andxstAnd P bilIv
wot woz gOiN t hApan t Hem. HE kUd not bilIv it bikoz HE
alOn nM wot HX lFf ment t Hem, n sO HE nFHx andxstUd
nP bilIvd HAt it kUd bI tEkan from Hem.
<p>
agen /piX did not wiS t lUk n agen txnd awE; bat agen H
sQnd Az v a frFtfal iäplOZan strak hiz C, n At H sEm mOment
hI sY smOk, blad, n H pEl, skXd fEsaz v H /frencmen hM
wx agen dMiN samTiN bF H pOst, HX trembaliN hAndz impIdiN
wan anaHx. /piX, brIHiN hevili, lUkt xQnd Az if AskiN wot
it ment. H sEm kwescan woz iäprest in Yl H lUä HAt met hiz.
<p>
on H fEsaz v Yl H /raSanz n v H /frenc sOlJxz n ofisxz
wiHQt iäepSan, hI red H sEm dismE, horx, n konflikt HAt
wx in hiz On hRt. “bat hM, Aftx Yl, iz dMiN His? HE R Yl
safxiN Az F Am. hM Hen iz it? hM?” flASt f an instant TrM
hiz mFnd.
<p>
“SRpSMtxz v H 86T, fPwxd!” SQtad samwan. H fifT
prizanx, H wan neät t /piX, woz led awE—alOn. /piX did not
andxstAnd HAt hI woz sEvd, HAt hI n H rest hAd bin brYt
HX Onli t witnas H eäikVSan. wiH evx-grOiN horx, n nO
sens v Jq P rilIf, hI gEzd At wot woz tEkiN plEs. H fifT mAn
woz H fAktxi lAd in H lMs klOk. H mOment HE lEd hAndz on
him hI sprAN asFd in terx n klact At /piX. (/piX Sadxd
n SUk himself frI.) H lAd woz anEbal t wYk. HE drAgd him
aloN, hOldiN him ap andx H Rmz, n hI skrImd. wen HE got
him t H pOst hI grM kwFat, Az if hI sadanli andxstUd samTiN.
weHx hI andxstUd HAt skrImiN woz Vslas P weHx hI TYt
it inkredabal HAt men SUd kil him, At eni rEt hI tUk hiz stAnd At
H pOst, wEtiN t bI blFndfOldad lFk H aHxz, n lFk a wMndad
Animal lUkt xQnd him wiH glitxiN Fz.
<p>
/piX woz nO loNgx Ebal t txn awE n klOz hiz Fz. hiz kjUxiositi
n AJitESan, lFk HAt v H hOl krQd, rIct H hFast pic
At His fifT mxdx. lFk H aHxz His fifT mAn sImd kym; hI
rApt hiz lMs klOk klOsx n rabd wan bX fUt wiH H aHx.
<p>
wen HE bigAn t blFndfOld him hI himself aJastad H not wic
hxt H bAk v hiz hed; Hen wen HE propt him agenst H
bladstEnd pOst, hI lInd bAk n, not bIiN kamfxtabal in HAt
paziSan, strEtand himself, aJastad hiz fIt, n lInd bAk agen
mP kamfxtabli. /piX did not tEk hiz Fz from him n did not mis
hiz slFtast mMvmant.
<p>
probabli a wxd v kamAnd woz givan n woz folOd bF H ripPts v
Et maskats; bat trF Az hI wUd /piX kUd not Aftxwxdz rimembx
hAviN hxd H slFtast sQnd v H Sots. hI Onli sY hQ H
wxkman sadanli sANk dQn on H kPdz HAt held him, hQ blad SOd
itself in tM plEsaz, hQ H rOps slAkand andx H wEt v H
hANiN bodi, n hQ H wxkman sAt dQn, hiz hed hANiN annAcxali
n wan leg bent andx him. /piX rAn ap t H pOst. nO wan hindxd
him. pEl, frFtand pIpal wx dMiN samTiN xQnd H wxkman.
H lOx JY v an Old /frencman wiH a Tik mastAS trembald Az hI
antFd H rOps. H bodi kalApst. H sOlJxz drAgd it Ykwxdli
from H pOst n bigAn pUSiN it intM H pit.
<p>
HE Yl plEnli n sxtanli nM HAt HE wx kriminalz hM mast
hFd H trEsaz v HX gilt Az kwikli Az posabal.
<p>
/piX glAnst intM H pit n sY HAt H fAktxi lAd woz lFiN wiH
hiz nIz klOs ap t hiz hed n wan SOldx hFx HAn H aHx.
HAt SOldx rOz n fel riHmikli n kanvalsivli, bat spEdfUlz
v xT wx Ylredi bIiN TrOn Ovx H hOl bodi. wan v H
sOlJxz, evidentli safxiN, SQtad grafli n ANgrili At /piX t
gO bAk. bat /piX did not andxstAnd him n rimEnd nC H pOst,
n nO wan drOv him awE.
<p>
wen H pit hAd bin fild ap a kamAnd woz givan. /piX woz tEkan
bAk t hiz plEs, n H rOz v trMps on bOT sFdz v H pOst
mEd a hAf txn n went pAst it At a meZxd pEs. H twenti-fP
SRpSMtxz wiH discRJd maskats, stAndiN in H sentx v H
sxkal, rAn bAk t HX plEsaz Az H kampaniz pAst bF.
<p>
/piX gEzd nQ wiH dEzd Fz At HIz SRpSMtxz hM rAn in
kapalz Qt v H sxkal. Yl bat wan rIJqnd HX kampaniz. His
wan, a jaN sOlJx, hiz fEs dedli pEl, hiz SEkO pUSt bAk, n
hiz maskat restiN on H grQnd, stil stUd nC H pit At H spot
from wic hI hAd fFxd. hI swEd lFk a draNkan mAn, tEkiN sam steps
fPwxd n bAk t sEv himself from fYliN. an Old, nonkamiSand
ofisx rAn Qt v H rANä n tEkiN him bF H elbO drAgd him t
hiz kampani. H krQd v /raSanz n /frencmen bigAn t dispxs. HE
Yl went awE sFlantli n wiH drMpiN hedz.
<p>
“HAt wil tIc Hem t stRt fFxz,” sed wan v H /frencmen.
<p>
/piX glAnst rQnd At H spIkx n sY HAt it woz a sOlJx hM
woz trFiN t fFnd sam rilIf Aftx wot hAd bin dan, bat woz not
Ebal t dM sO. wiHQt finiSiN wot hI hAd bigan t sE hI mEd a
hOplas mMvmant wiH hiz Rm n went awE.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
/Aftx H eäikVSan /piX woz sepxEtad from H rest v H prizanxz
n plEst alOn in a smYl, rMind, n bifQld cxc.
<p>
tPd IvniN a nonkamiSand ofisx entxd wiH tM sOlJxz n
tOld him HAt hI hAd bin pRdand n wUd nQ gO t H bAraä f
H prizanxz v wP. wiHQt andxstAndiN wot woz sed t him, /piX
got ap n went wiH H sOlJxz. HE tUk him t H apx end v H
fIld, wX HX wx sam Sedz bilt v cRd plANä, bImz,
n bAtanz, n led him intM wan v Hem. in H dRknas sam twenti
difxant men sxQndad /piX. hI lUkt At Hem wiHQt andxstAndiN
hM HE wx, wF HE wx HX, P wot HE wontad v him. hI hxd
wot HE sed, bat did not andxstAnd H mIniN v H wxdz n
mEd nO kFnd v didakSan from P AplikESan v Hem. hI riplFd t
kwescanz HE pUt t him, bat did not kansidx hM woz lisaniN t hiz
riplFz, nP hQ HE wUd andxstAnd Hem. hI lUkt At HX fEsaz
n figjxz, bat HE Yl sImd t him Ikwali mIniNlas.
<p>
from H mOment /piX hAd witnast HOz teribal mxdxz kamitad bF
men hM did not wiS t kamit Hem, it woz Az if H mEnspriN v
hiz lFf, on wic evriTiN dipendad n wic mEd evriTiN apC
alFv, hAd sadanli bin renct Qt n evriTiN hAd kalApst
intM a hIp v mIniNlas rabiS. HO hI did not aknoliJ it t
himself, hiz fET in H rFt PdxiN v H Vnivxs, in hVmAniti,
in hiz On sOl, n in /god, hAd bin distrqd. hI hAd iäpCWnst His
bifP, bat nevx sO stroNli Az nQ. wen similx dQts hAd asEld
him bifP, HE hAd bin H rizalt v hiz On roNdMiN, n At H
botam v hiz hRt hI hAd felt HAt rilIf from hiz dispX n from
HOz dQts woz t bI fQnd wiHin himself. bat nQ hI felt HAt
H Vnivxs hAd krambald bifP hiz Fz n Onli mIniNlas rMinz
rimEnd, n His not bF eni fYlt v hiz On. hI felt HAt it woz not
in hiz pQx t rigEn fET in H mIniN v lFf.
<p>
xQnd him in H dRknas men wx stAndiN n evidentli samTiN
abQt him intxastad Hem grEtli. HE wx teliN him samTiN n
AskiN him samTiN. Hen HE led him awE samwX, n At lAst hI
fQnd himself in a kPnx v H Sed amaN men hM wx lAfiN n
tYkiN on Yl sFdz.
<p>
“wel, Hen, mEts... HAt veri prins hM...” sam vqs At H aHx
end v H Sed woz sEiN, wiH a stroN emfasis on H wxd hM.
<p>
sitiN sFlant n mOSanlas on a hIp v strY agenst H wYl,
/piX samtFmz Opand n samtFmz klOzd hiz Fz. bat Az sMn Az
hI klOzd Hem hI sY bifP him H dredfal fEs v H fAktxi
lAd—ispeSali dredfal bikoz v its simplisiti—n H fEsaz v H
mxdxxz, Ivan mP dredfal bikoz v HX diskwFat. n hI Opand
hiz Fz agen n stXd vEkantli intM H dRknas xQnd him.
<p>
bisFd him in a stMpiN paziSan sAt a smYl mAn v hMz prezans hI
woz fxst mEd awX bF a stroN smel v pxspxESan wic kEm from
him evri tFm hI mMvd. His mAn woz dMiN samTiN t hiz leã in H
dRknas, n HO /piX kUd not sI hiz fEs hI felt HAt H mAn
kantinVali glAnst At him. on grOiN Vst t H dRknas /piX sY
HAt H mAn woz tEkiN of hiz leg bAndz, n H wE hI did it xQzd
/piX'z intxast.
<p>
hAviN anwQnd H striN HAt tFd H bAnd on wan leg, hI kXfali
kqld it ap n imIdWtli set t wxk on H aHx leg, glAnsiN ap
At /piX. wFl wan hAnd haN ap H fxst striN H aHx woz Ylredi
anwFndiN H bAnd on H sekand leg. in His wE, hAviN kXfali
rimMvd H leg bAndz bF deft sxkVlx mOSanz v hiz Rm folOiN
wan anaHx anintxaptadli, H mAn haN H leg bAndz ap on sam peã
fiät abav hiz hed. Hen hI tUk Qt a nFf, kat samTiN, klOzd
H nFf, plEst it andx H hed v hiz bed, n, sItiN himself
kamfxtabli, klAspt hiz Rmz rQnd hiz liftad nIz n fiät hiz Fz
on /piX. H lAtx woz konSas v samTiN plezant, kamfxtiN,
n wel-rQndad in HIz deft mMvmants, in H mAn'z wel-Pdxd
xEnJmants in hiz kPnx, n Ivan in hiz veri smel, n hI lUkt At
H mAn wiHQt tEkiN hiz Fz from him.
<p>
“V'v sIn a lot v trabal, sx, E?” H lital mAn sadanli sed.
<p>
n HX woz sO mac kFndlinas n simplisiti in hiz siNsoN vqs
HAt /piX trFd t riplF, bat hiz JY trembald n hI felt tCz
rFziN t hiz Fz. H lital felO, giviN /piX nO tFm t bitrE
hiz kanfVZan, instantli kantinVd in H sEm plezant tOnz:
<p>
“E, lAd, dOnt fret!” sed hI, in H tendx siNsoN kxesiN vqs
Old /raSan pezant wimin implq. “dOnt fret, frend—'safx an Qx,
liv f an EJ!' HAt's hQ it iz, mF dC felO. n hC wI liv,
TANk hevan, wiHQt afens. amaN HIz fOk, tM, HX R gUd
men Az wel Az bAd,” sed hI, n stil spIkiN, hI txnd on hiz nIz
wiH a sapal mMvmant, got ap, koft, n went of t anaHx pRt v
H Sed.
<p>
“E, V ryskal!” /piX hxd H sEm kFnd vqs sEiN At H aHx
end v H Sed. “sO V'v kam, V ryskal? SI rimembxz... nQ, nQ,
HAt'l dM!”
<p>
n H sOlJx, pUSiN awE a lital dog HAt woz JampiN ap At
him, ritxnd t hiz plEs n sAt dQn. in hiz hAndz hI hAd samTiN
rApt in a rAg.
<p>
“hC, It a bit, sx,” sed hI, rizMmiN hiz fPmx rispektfal tOn Az
hI anrApt n ofxd /piX sam bEkt patEtOz. “wI hAd sMp f
dinx n H patEtOz R grAnd!”
<p>
/piX hAd not Itan Yl dE n H smel v H patEtOz sImd
iätrImli plezant t him. hI TANkt H sOlJx n bigAn t It.
<p>
“wel, R HE Yl rFt?” sed H sOlJx wiH a smFl. “V SUd
dM lFk His.”
<p>
hI tUk a patEtO, drM Qt hiz klAsp nFf, kat H patEtO intM tM
Ikwal hAvz on H pym v hiz hAnd, spriNkald sam sYlt on it from H
rAg, n hAndad it t /piX.
<p>
“H patEtOz R grAnd!” hI sed wans mP. “It sam lFk HAt!”
<p>
/piX TYt hI hAd nevx Itan eniTiN HAt tEstad betx.
<p>
“O, F'm Yl rFt,” sed hI, “bat wF did HE SMt HOz pUx
felOz? H lAst wan woz hRdli twenti.”
<p>
“ts, tt...!” sed H lital mAn. “y, wot a sin... wot a sin!” hI
Adad kwikli, n Az if hiz wxdz wx YlwEz wEtiN redi in hiz
mQT n flM Qt involantXili hI went on: “hQ woz it, sx, HAt V
stEd in /moskQ?”
<p>
“F didant TiNk HE wUd kam sO sMn. F stEd Aäidentali,” riplFd
/piX.
<p>
“n hQ did HE xest V, dC lAd? At jP hQs?”
<p>
“nO, F went t lUk At H fFx, n HE xestad mI HX, n trFd
mI Az an insendiXi.”
<p>
“wX HX'z lY HX'z inJastis,” pUt in H lital mAn.
<p>
“n hAv V bin hC loN?” /piX Askt Az hI manct H lAst v
H patEtO.
<p>
“F? it woz lAst sandE HE tUk mI, Qt v a hospital in /moskQ.”
<p>
“wF, R V a sOlJx Hen?”
<p>
“jes, wI R sOlJxz v H /ypSerOn reJimant. F woz dFiN v fIvx. wI
wxnt tOld eniTiN. HX wx sam twenti v as lFiN HX. wI hAd
nO FdW, nevx gest At Yl.”
<p>
“n dM V fIl sAd hC?” /piX inkwFxd.
<p>
“hQ kAn wan help it, lAd? mF nEm iz /platon, n H sxnEm iz
/kRytFef,” hI Adad, evidentli wiSiN t mEk it IzC f /piX t
adres him. “HE kYl mI 'lital fAlkan' in H reJimant. hQ iz wan
t help fIliN sAd? /moskQ—SI'z H maHx v sitiz. hQ kAn wan sI
Yl His n not fIl sAd? bat 'H mAgat nYz H kAbiJ, jet dFz
fxst'; HAt's wot H Old fOä Vst t tel as,” hI Adad rApidli.
<p>
“wot? wot did V sE?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“hM? F?” sed /kRytFef. “F sE TiNz hApan not Az wI plAn bat Az /god
JaJaz,” hI riplFd, TiNkiN HAt hI woz ripItiN wot hI hAd sed
bifP, n imIdWtli kantinVd:
<p>
“wel, n V, hAv V a fAmli istEt, sx? n a hQs? sO V hAv
abandans, Hen? n a hQswFf? n jP Old pXants, R HE stil
liviN?” hI Askt.
<p>
n HO it woz tM dRk f /piX t sI, hI felt HAt a saprest
smFl v kFndlinas pakxd H sOlJx'z lips Az hI pUt HIz
kwescanz. hI sImd grIvd HAt /piX hAd nO pXants, ispeSali HAt
hI hAd nO maHx.
<p>
“a wFf f kQnsal, a maHx-in-lY f welkam, bat HX'z nan Az
dC Az wan'z On maHx!” sed hI. “wel, n hAv V lital wanz?” hI
went on AskiN.
<p>
agen /piX'z negativ Ansx sImd t distres him, n hI hEsand
t Ad:
<p>
“nevx mFnd! V'x jaN fOä jet, n plIz /god mE stil hAv sam.
H grEt TiN iz t liv in hRmani....”
<p>
“bat it's Yl H sEm nQ,” /piX kUd not help sEiN.
<p>
“y, mF dC felO!” rIJqnd /kRytFef, “nevx diklFn a prizan P a
begx'z sAk!”
<p>
hI sItad himself mP kamfxtabli n koft, evidentli pripXiN t
tel a loN stPi.
<p>
“wel, mF dC felO, F woz stil liviN At hOm,” hI bigAn. “wI hAd
a wel-t-dM hOmsted, plenti v lAnd, wI pezants livd wel n Qx
hQs woz wan t TANk /god f. wen /fyHx n wI went Qt mOiN
HX wx sevan v as. wI livd wel. wI wx rWl pezants. it sO
hApand...”
<p>
n /platon /kRytFef tOld a loN stPi v hQ hI hAd gon intM samwan'z
kops t tEk wUd, hQ hI hAd bin kYt bF H kIpx, hAd bin
trFd, flogd, n sent t sxv Az a sOlJx.
<p>
“wel, lAd,” n a smFl cEnJd H tOn v hiz vqs, “wI TYt it
woz a misfPcMn bat it txnd Qt a blesiN! if it hAd not bin f
mF sin, mF braHx wUd hAv hAd t gO Az a sOlJx. bat hI, mF jaNgx
braHx, hAd fFv lital wanz, wFl F, V sI, Onli left a wFf
bihFnd. wI hAd a lital gxl, bat /god tUk hx bifP F went Az a
sOlJx. F kam hOm on lIv n F'l tel V hQ it woz, F lUk n
sI HAt HE R liviN betx HAn bifP. H jRd fUl v kAtal,
H wimin At hOm, tM braHxz awE xniN wEJaz, n Onli /mFkal H
jaNgast, At hOm. fyHx, hI sez, 'Yl mF cildran R H sEm t
mI: it hxts H sEm wicevx fiNgx gets bitan. bat if /platon hAdant
bin SEvd f a sOlJx, /mFkal wUd hAv hAd t gO.' kYld as
Yl t him n, wil V bilIv it, plEst as in frant v H Fkonz.
'/mFkal,' hI sez, 'kam hC n bQ dQn t hiz fIt; n V, jaN
wUman, V bQ dQn tM; n V, grAndcildran, YlsO bQ dQn bifP
him! dM V andxstAnd?' hI sez. HAt's hQ it iz, dC felO. fEt
lUä f a hed. bat wI R YlwEz JaJiN, 'HAt's not wel—HAt's
not rFt!' Qx lak iz lFk wYtx in a drAgnet: V pUl At it n it
balJaz, bat wen V'v drYn it Qt it's empti! HAt's hQ it iz.”
<p>
n /platon Siftad hiz sIt on H strY.
<p>
Aftx a SPt sFlans hI rOz.
<p>
“wel, F TiNk V mast bI slIpi,” sed hI, n bigAn rApidli krosiN
himself n ripItiN:
<p>
“lPd /JIzas /krFst, hOli /sEnt /nikalas, /frOla n /lyvra! lPd /JIzas
/krFst, hOli /sEnt /nikalas, /frOla n /lyvra! lPd /JIzas /krFst, hAv
mxsi on as n sEv as!” hI kanklMdad, Hen bQd t H grQnd, got
ap, sFd, n sAt dQn agen on hiz hIp v strY. “HAt's H wE.
lE mI dQn lFk a stOn, /O /god, n rEz mI ap lFk a lOf,” hI
matxd Az hI lE dQn, pUliN hiz kOt Ovx him.
<p>
“wot prEx woz HAt V wx sEiN?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“E?” mxmxd /platon, hM hAd YlmOst fYlan aslIp. “wot woz F sEiN?
F woz prEiN. dOnt V prE?”
<p>
“jes, F dM,” sed /piX. “bat wot woz HAt V sed: frOla n /lyvra?”
<p>
“wel, v kPs,” riplFd /platon kwikli, “H hPsaz' sEnts. wan mast
piti H Animalz tM. E, H ryskal! nQ V'v kxld ap n got wPm,
V dYtx v a bic!” sed /kRytFef, taciN H dog HAt lE At
hiz fIt, n agen txniN Ovx hI fel aslIp imIdWtli.
<p>
sQndz v krFiN n skrImiN kEm from samwX in H distans
QtsFd, n flEmz wx vizabal TrM H krAä v H Sed, bat
insFd it woz kwFat n dRk. f a loN tFm /piX did not slIp, bat
lE wiH Fz Opan in H dRknas, lisaniN t H regVlx snPiN
v /platon hM lE bisFd him, n hI felt HAt H wxld HAt hAd bin
SAtxd woz wans mP stxiN in hiz sOl wiH a nM bVti n on
nM n anSEkabal fQndESanz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
/twenti-TrI sOlJxz, TrI ofisxz, n tM afiSalz wx kanfFnd
in H Sed in wic /piX hAd bin plEst n wX hI rimEnd f
fP wIä.
<p>
wen /piX rimembxd Hem Aftxwxdz HE Yl sImd misti figjxz t
him iäept /platon /kRytFef, hM YlwEz rimEnd in hiz mFnd a mOst
vivid n preSas memxi n H pxsonifikESan v evriTiN /raSan,
kFndli, n rQnd. wen /piX sY hiz nEbx neät mPniN At dYn
H fxst impreSan v him, Az v samTiN rQnd, woz fUli kanfxmd:
platon'z hOl figjx—in a /frenc OvxkOt gxdald wiH a kPd, a
sOlJx'z kAp, n /bAst SMz—woz rQnd. hiz hed woz kwFt rQnd, hiz
bAk, cest, SOldxz, n Ivan hiz Rmz, wic hI held Az if evx
redi t imbrEs samTiN, wx rQndad, hiz plezant smFl n hiz
lRJ, Jental brQn Fz wx YlsO rQnd.
<p>
platon /kRytFef mast hAv bin fifti, JaJiN bF hiz stPiz v
kAmpEnz hI hAd bin in, tOld Az bF an Old sOlJx. hI did not himself
nO hiz EJ n woz kwFt anEbal t ditxmin it. bat hiz brilWntli
wFt, stroN tIT wic SOd in tM anbrOkan semisxkalz wen hI
lAft—Az hI oftan did—wx Yl sQnd n gUd, HX woz not a grE
hX in hiz bCd P on hiz hed, n hiz hOl bodi gEv an impreSan
v sapalnas n ispeSali v fxmnas n indxans.
<p>
hiz fEs, dispFt its fFn, rQndad riNkalz, hAd an iäpreSan v
inasans n VT, hiz vqs woz plezant n mVzikal. bat H cIf
pikVliAriti v hiz spIc woz its direktnas n Apazitnas. it woz
evidant HAt hI nevx kansidxd wot hI hAd sed P woz gOiN t sE,
n konsikwantli H rapiditi n Jastis v hiz intanESan hAd an
irizistabal pxswEsivnas.
<p>
hiz fizikal streNT n aJiliti dxiN H fxst dEz v hiz
imprizanmant wx sac HAt hI sImd not t nO wot fatIg n
siknas ment. evri nFt bifP lFiN dQn, hI sed: “lPd, lE mI
dQn Az a stOn n rEz mI ap Az a lOf!” n evri mPniN on getiN
ap, hI sed: “F lE dQn n kxld ap, F get ap n SEk mFself.” n
indId hI Onli hAd t lF dQn, t fYl aslIp lFk a stOn, n hI
Onli hAd t SEk himself, t bI redi wiHQt a mOment's dilE f sam
wxk, Jast Az cildran R redi t plE direktli HE awEk. hI kUd
dM evriTiN, not veri wel bat not bAdli. hI bEkt, kUkt, sOd,
plEnd, n mendad bMts. hI woz YlwEz bizi, n Onli At nFt alQd
himself konvxsESan—v wic hI woz fond—n soNz. hI did not siN
lFk a trEnd siNx hM nOz hI iz lisand t, bat lFk H bxdz,
evidentli giviN vent t H sQndz in H sEm wE HAt wan strecaz
wanself P wYä abQt t get rid v stifnas, n H sQndz wx
YlwEz hF-pict, mPnfal, delikat, n YlmOst feminin, n hiz
fEs At sac tFmz woz veri sCWs.
<p>
hAviN bin tEkan prizanx n alQd hiz bCd t grO, hI sImd t
hAv TrOn of Yl HAt hAd bin fPst apon him—evriTiN militXi
n ElWn t himself—n hAd ritxnd t hiz fPmx pezant hAbits.
<p>
“a sOlJx on lIv—a Sxt QtsFd brIcaz,” hI wUd sE.
<p>
hI did not lFk tYkiN abQt hiz lFf Az a sOlJx, HO hI did not
kamplEn, n oftan menSand HAt hI hAd not bin flogd wans dxiN
H hOl v hiz Rmi sxvis. wen hI rilEtad eniTiN it woz Jenxali
sam Old n evidentli preSas memxi v hiz “/kriscan” lFf, Az hI
kYld hiz pezant iãistans. H provxbz, v wic hiz tYk woz fUl,
wx f H mOst pRt not H kPs n indIsant sYz sOlJxz
implq, bat HOz fOk sEiNz wic tEkan wiHQt a konteät sIm sO
insignifikant, bat wen Vzd Apazitli sadanli akwFx a signifikans
v prafQnd wizdam.
<p>
hI wUd oftan sE H iãAkt opazit v wot hI hAd sed on a prIvWs
akEZan, jet bOT wUd bI rFt. hI lFkt t tYk n hI tYkt wel,
adPniN hiz spIc wiH txmz v indCmant n wiH fOk sEiNz wic
/piX TYt hI inventad himself, bat H cIf cRm v hiz tYk lE
in H fAkt HAt H komanast ivents—samtFmz Jast sac Az /piX
hAd witnast wiHQt tEkiN nOtis v Hem—asMmd in /kRytFef's a
kAraktx v solam fitnas. hI lFkt t hC H fOk tElz wan v H
sOlJxz Vst t tel v an IvniN (HE wx YlwEz H sEm), bat
mOst v Yl hI lFkt t hC stPiz v rWl lFf. hI wUd smFl
Jqfali wen lisaniN t sac stPiz, nQ n Hen pUtiN in a wxd
P AskiN a kwescan t mEk H mPal bVti v wot hI woz tOld klC
t himself. /kRytFef hAd nO atAcmants, frendSips, P lav, Az /piX
andxstUd Hem, bat lavd n livd afekSanatli wiH evriTiN lFf
brYt him in kontAkt wiH, pxtikVlxli wiH mAn—not eni pxtikVlx
mAn, bat HOz wiH hMm hI hApand t bI. hI lavd hiz dog, hiz
komrAdz, H /frenc, n /piX hM woz hiz nEbx, bat /piX felt
HAt in spFt v /kRytFef's afekSanat tendxnas f him (bF wic
hI ankonSasli gEv /piX'z spiricMal lFf its dM) hI wUd not hAv
grIvd f a mOment At pRtiN from him. n /piX bigAn t fIl in
H sEm wE tPd /kRytFef.
<p>
t Yl H aHx prizanxz /platon /kRytFef sImd a mOst PdinXi
sOlJx. HE kYld him “lital fAlkan” P “/plytOSa,” cAft him
gUd-nEcxdli, n sent him on erandz. bat t /piX hI YlwEz
rimEnd wot hI hAd sImd HAt fxst nFt: an anfAHamabal, rQndad,
itxnal pxsonifikESan v H spirit v simplisiti n trMT.
<p>
platon /kRytFef nM naTiN bF hRt iäept hiz prExz. wen hI bigAn
t spIk hI sImd not t nO hQ hI wUd kanklMd.
<p>
samtFmz /piX, strak bF H mIniN v hiz wxdz, wUd Ask him t
ripIt Hem, bat /platon kUd nevx rikYl wot hI hAd sed a mOment
bifP, Jast Az hI nevx kUd ripIt t /piX H wxdz v hiz
fEvxit soN: nEtiv n bxc trI n mF hRt iz sik akxd in
it, bat wen spOkan n not saN, nO mIniN kUd bI got Qt v it. hI
did not, n kUd not, andxstAnd H mIniN v wxdz apRt from
HX konteät. evri wxd n AkSan v hiz woz H mAnifestESan v
an Aktiviti annOn t him, wic woz hiz lFf. bat hiz lFf, Az hI
rigRdad it, hAd nO mIniN Az a sepxat TiN. it hAd mIniN Onli Az
pRt v a hOl v wic hI woz YlwEz konSas. hiz wxdz n AkSanz
flOd from him Az Ivanli, inevitabli, n spontEnWsli Az frEgrans
eähElz from a flQx. hI kUd not andxstAnd H vAlV P signifikans
v eni wxd P dId tEkan sepxatli.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
wen /prinsas /mXi hxd from /nikalas HAt hx braHx woz wiH H
/rOstOfs At /jROslyval SI At wans pripXd t gO HX, in spFt v hx
ynt's efxts t diswEd hx—n not mCli t gO hxself bat t tEk
hx nefV wiH hx. weHx it wx difikalt P Izi, posabal P
imposabal, SI did not Ask n did not wont t nO: it woz hx dMti,
not Onli t hxself, t bI nC hx braHx hM woz pxhAps dFiN, bat
t dM evriTiN posabal t tEk hiz san t him, n sO SI pripXd
t set of. HAt SI hAd not hxd from /prins /AndrM himself, /prinsas
/mXi atribVtad t hiz bIiN tM wIk t rFt P t hiz kansidxiN H
loN Jxni tM hRd n tM dEnJxas f hx n hiz san.
<p>
in a fV dEz /prinsas /mXi woz redi t stRt. hx ekwipiJaz wx H
hVJ fAmli kOc in wic SI hAd trAvald t /vPOneZ, a semiOpan
trAp, n a bAgiJ kRt. wiH hx trAvald /mAdamwazel /bMrien,
lital /nikalas n hiz tMtx, hx Old nxs, TrI mEdz, /tiâOn, n a
jaN fUtman n kUrC hx ynt hAd sent t akampani hx.
<p>
H VZMal rQt TrM /moskQ kUd not bI TYt v, n H
rQndabQt wE /prinsas /mXi woz ablFJd t tEk TrM /lipetsk,
/rjyzyn, /vlydimC, n /SMjy woz veri loN n, Az pOst hPsaz wx not
evriwX abtEnabal, veri difikalt, n nC /rjyzyn wX H /frenc
wx sed t hAv SOn Hemselvz woz Ivan dEnJxas.
<p>
dxiN His difikalt Jxni /mAdamwazel /bMrien, /desyl, n
/prinsas /mXi'z sxvants wx astoniSt At hx enxJi n fxmnas v
spirit. SI went t bed lEtx n rOz xlC HAn eni v Hem, n
nO difikaltiz dYntad hx. TANä t hx Aktiviti n enxJi, wic
infektad hx felO trAvalxz, HE aprOct /jROslyval bF H end v
H sekand wIk.
<p>
H lAst dEz v hx stE in /vPOneZ hAd bin H hApWst v hx lFf.
hx lav f /rOstOf nO loNgx tPmentad P AJitEtad hx. it fild hx
hOl sOl, hAd bikam an intigral pRt v hxself, n SI nO loNgx
stragald agenst it. lAtxli SI hAd bikam kanvinst HAt SI lavd
n woz bilavad, HO SI nevx sed His definitli t hxself
in wxdz. SI hAd bikam kanvinst v it At hx lAst intxvV wiH
/nikalas, wen hI hAd kam t tel hx HAt hx braHx woz wiH H
/rOstOfs. not bF a siNgal wxd hAd /nikalas alMdad t H fAkt HAt
/prins /AndrM'z rilESanz wiH /nytySa mFt, if hI rikavxd, bI
rinMd, bat /prinsas /mXi sY bF hiz fEs HAt hI nM n TYt v
His.
<p>
jet in spFt v HAt, hiz rilESan t hx—kansidxat, delikat, n
laviN—not Onli rimEnd ancEnJd, bat it samtFmz sImd t /prinsas
/mXi HAt hI woz Ivan glAd HAt H fAmli kanekSan bitwIn Hem
alQd him t iäpres hiz frendSip mP frIli. SI nM HAt SI
lavd f H fxst n Onli tFm in hx lFf n felt HAt SI woz
bilavad, n woz hApi in rigRd t it.
<p>
bat His hApinas on wan sFd v hx spiricMal nEcx did not privent
hx fIliN grIf f hx braHx wiH fUl fPs; on H kontrXi, HAt
spiricMal trANkwiliti on H wan sFd mEd it H mP posabal f hx
t giv fUl plE t hx fIliN f hx braHx. HAt fIliN woz sO
stroN At H mOment v lIviN /vPOneZ HAt HOz hM sY hx of, Az
HE lUkt At hx kXwPn, dispXiN fEs, felt SUx SI wUd fYl
il on H Jxni. bat H veri difikaltiz n prIokVpESanz v H
Jxni, wic SI tUk sO Aktivli in hAnd, sEvd hx f a wFl from
hx grIf n gEv hx streNT.
<p>
Az YlwEz hApanz wen trAvaliN, /prinsas /mXi TYt Onli v H
Jxni itself, fxgetiN its obJekt. bat Az SI aprOct /jROslyval
H TYt v wot mFt awEt hx HX—not Aftx meni dEz, bat HAt
veri IvniN—agen prizentad itself t hx n hx AJitESan inkrIst
t its atmOst limit.
<p>
H kUrC hM hAd bin sent on in advAns t fFnd Qt wX H
/rOstOfs wx stEiN in /jROslyval, n in wot kandiSan /prins /AndrM
woz, wen hI met H big kOc Jast entxiN H tQn gEts woz apYld
bF H teribal pAlx v H prinsas' fEs HAt lUkt Qt At him from
H windO.
<p>
“F hAv fQnd Qt evriTiN, jP eäalansi: H /rOstOfs R stEiN
At H mxcant /bronikOf's hQs, in H /skwX not fR from hC,
rFt abav H /vOlga,” sed H kUrC.
<p>
prinsas /mXi lUkt At him wiH frFtand inkwFxi, not andxstAndiN
wF hI did not riplF t wot SI cIfli wontad t nO: hQ woz hx
braHx? /mAdamwazel /bMrien pUt HAt kwescan f hx.
<p>
“hQ iz H prins?” SI Askt.
<p>
“hiz eäalansi iz stEiN in H sEm hQs wiH Hem.”
<p>
“Hen hI iz alFv,” TYt /prinsas /mXi, n Askt in a lO vqs:
“hQ iz hI?”
<p>
“H sxvants sE hI iz stil H sEm.”
<p>
wot “stil H sEm” mFt mIn /prinsas /mXi did not Ask, bat wiH an
annOtist glAns At lital sevan-jC-Old /nikalas, hM woz sitiN in
frant v hx lUkiN wiH pleZx At H tQn, SI bQd hx hed
n did not rEz it agen til H hevi kOc, rambaliN, SEkiN n
swEiN, kEm t a stop. H kAriJ steps klAtxd Az HE wx let
dQn.
<p>
H kAriJ dP woz Opand. on H left HX woz wYtx—a grEt
rivx—n on H rFt a pPc. HX wx pIpal At H entrans:
sxvants, n a rOzi gxl wiH a lRJ plEt v blAk hX, smFliN Az
it sImd t /prinsas /mXi in an anplezantli afektad wE. (His woz
/sonja.) prinsas /mXi rAn ap H steps. “His wE, His wE!” sed H
gxl, wiH H sEm RtifiSal smFl, n H prinsas fQnd hxself in
H hYl fEsiN an eldxli wUman v /Piental tFp, hM kEm rApidli t
mIt hx wiH a lUk v imOSan. His woz H kQntas. SI imbrEst
/prinsas /mXi n kist hx.
<p>
“man onfon!” SI matxd, “Ze vM /eme et vM konais dIpMis
loNtemps.” *
<p>
    * “mF cFld! F lav V n hAv nOn V a loN tFm.”
<p>
<p>
dispFt hx iäFtmant, /prinsas /mXi rWlFzd HAt His woz H
kQntas n HAt it woz nesisXi t sE samTiN t hx. hRdli
nOiN hQ SI did it, SI kantrFvd t atx a fV palFt frEzaz in
/frenc in H sEm tOn Az HOz HAt hAd bin adrest t hx, n
Askt: “hQ iz hI?”
<p>
“H doktx sez HAt hI iz not in dEnJx,” sed H kQntas, bat Az
SI spOk SI rEzd hx Fz wiH a sF, n hx Jescx kanvEd a
kontradikSan v hx wxdz.
<p>
“wX iz hI? kAn F sI him—kAn F?” Askt H prinsas.
<p>
“wan mOment, /prinsas, wan mOment, mF dC! iz His hiz san?” sed H
kQntas, txniN t lital /nikalas hM woz kamiN in wiH /desyl.
“HX wil bI rMm f evribodi, His iz a big hQs. O, wot a
lavli bq!”
<p>
H kQntas tUk /prinsas /mXi intM H drYiN rMm, wX /sonja woz
tYkiN t /mAdamwazel /bMrien. H kQntas kxest H bq, n
H Old kQnt kEm in n welkamd H prinsas. hI hAd cEnJd veri
mac sins /prinsas /mXi hAd lAst sIn him. Hen hI hAd bin a brisk,
cCfal, self-aSUxd Old mAn; nQ hI sImd a pitifal, biwildxd
pxsan. wFl tYkiN t /prinsas /mXi hI kantinVali lUkt rQnd Az
if AskiN evriwan weHx hI woz dMiN H rFt TiN. Aftx H
distrakSan v /moskQ n v hiz propxti, TrOn Qt v hiz akastamd
grMv hI sImd t hAv lost H sens v hiz On signifikans n t
fIl HAt HX woz nO loNgx a plEs f him in lFf.
<p>
in spFt v hx wan dizFx t sI hx braHx Az sMn Az posabal, n
hx veäESan HAt At H mOment wen Yl SI wontad woz t sI him HE
SUd bI trFiN t entxtEn hx n pritendiN t admFx hx nefV,
H prinsas nOtist Yl HAt woz gOiN on xQnd hx n felt H
nisesiti v sabmitiN, f a tFm, t His nM Pdx v TiNz wic
SI hAd entxd. SI nM it t bI nesisXi, n HO it woz hRd f
hx SI woz not veät wiH HIz pIpal.
<p>
“His iz mF nIs,” sed H kQnt, intradMsiN /sonja—“V dOnt nO
hx, /prinsas?”
<p>
prinsas /mXi txnd t /sonja n, trFiN t stFfal H hostFl
fIliN HAt xOz in hx tPd H gxl, SI kist hx. bat SI felt
aprest bF H fAkt HAt H mMd v evriwan xQnd hx woz sO fR
from wot woz in hx On hRt.
<p>
“wX iz hI?” SI Askt agen, adresiN Hem Yl.
<p>
“hI iz dQnstXz. /nytySa iz wiH him,” Ansxd /sonja, flaSiN. “wI
hAv sent t Ask. F TiNk V mast bI tFxd, /prinsas.”
<p>
tCz v veäESan SOd Hemselvz in /prinsas /mXi'z Fz. SI txnd
awE n woz abQt t Ask H kQntas agen hQ t gO t him, wen
lFt, impecMas, n sImiNli bqant steps wx hxd At H dP.
H prinsas lUkt rQnd n sY /nytySa kamiN in, YlmOst raniN—HAt
/nytySa hMm SI hAd lFkt sO lital At HX mItiN in /moskQ loN
sins.
<p>
bat hRdli hAd H prinsas lUkt At /nytySa'z fEs bifP SI rWlFzd
HAt hC woz a rWl komrAd in hx grIf, n konsikwantli a frend.
SI rAn t mIt hx, imbrEst hx, n bigAn t krF on hx SOldx.
<p>
Az sMn Az /nytySa, sitiN At H hed v /prins /AndrM'z bed, hxd
v /prinsas /mXi'z xFval, SI softli left hiz rMm n hEsand t hx
wiH HOz swift steps HAt hAd sQndad bqant t /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
HX woz Onli wan iäpreSan on hx AJitEtad fEs wen SI rAn intM H
drYiN rMm—HAt v lav—bQndlas lav f him, f hx, n f Yl
HAt woz nC t H mAn SI lavd; n v piti, safxiN f aHxz,
n pASanat dizFx t giv hxself intFxli t helpiN Hem. it woz
plEn HAt At HAt mOment HX woz in /nytySa'z hRt nO TYt v
hxself P v hx On rilESanz wiH /prins /AndrM.
<p>
prinsas /mXi, wiH hx akVt sensabiliti, andxstUd Yl His At H
fxst glAns At /nytySa'z fEs, n wept on hx SOldx wiH sorOfal
pleZx.
<p>
“kam, kam t him, /mXi,” sed /nytySa, lIdiN hx intM H aHx
rMm.
<p>
prinsas /mXi rEzd hx hed, drFd hx Fz, n txnd t /nytySa.
SI felt HAt from hx SI wUd bI Ebal t andxstAnd n lxn
evriTiN.
<p>
“hQ...” SI bigAn hx kwescan bat stopt SPt.
<p>
SI felt HAt it woz imposabal t Ask, P t Ansx, in wxdz.
/nytySa'z fEs n Fz wUd hAf t tel hx Yl mP klCli n
prafQndli.
<p>
/nytySa woz gEziN At hx, bat sImd afrEd n in dQt weHx t sE
Yl SI nM P not; SI sImd t fIl HAt bifP HOz lMminas Fz
wic penitrEtad intM H veri depTs v hx hRt, it woz imposabal
not t tel H hOl trMT wic SI sY. n sadanli, /nytySa'z lips
twict, agli riNkalz gAHxd rQnd hx mQT, n kavxiN hx fEs
wiH hx hAndz SI bxst intM sobz.
<p>
prinsas /mXi andxstUd.
<p>
bat SI stil hOpt, n Askt, in wxdz SI hxself did not trast:
<p>
“bat hQ iz hiz wMnd? wot iz hiz Jenxal kandiSan?”
<p>
“V, V... wil sI,” woz Yl /nytySa kUd sE.
<p>
HE sAt a lital wFl dQnstXz nC hiz rMm til HE hAd left of
krFiN n wx Ebal t gO t him wiH kym fEsaz.
<p>
“hQ hAz hiz hOl ilnas gon? iz it loN sins hI grM wxs? wen
did His hApan?” prinsas /mXi inkwFxd.
<p>
/nytySa tOld hx HAt At fxst HX hAd bin dEnJx from hiz fIvxiS
kandiSan n H pEn hI safxd, bat At /trqtsa HAt hAd pAst
n H doktx hAd Onli bin afrEd v gANgrIn. HAt dEnJx hAd YlsO
pAst. wen HE rIct /jROslyval H wMnd hAd bigan t festx
(/nytySa nM Yl abQt sac TiNz Az festxiN) n H doktx hAd
sed HAt H festxiN mFt tEk a nPmal kPs. Hen fIvx set in,
bat H doktx hAd sed H fIvx woz not veri sCWs.
<p>
“bat tM dEz agO His sadanli hApand,” sed /nytySa, stragaliN wiH
hx sobz. “F dOnt nO wF, bat V wil sI wot hI iz lFk.”
<p>
“iz hI wIkx? Tinx?” Askt H prinsas.
<p>
“nO, it's not HAt, bat wxs. V wil sI. O, /mXi, hI iz tM gUd, hI
kAnot, kAnot liv, bikoz...”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
wen /nytySa Opand /prins /AndrM'z dP wiH a familC mMvmant n
let /prinsas /mXi pAs intM H rMm bifP hx, H prinsas felt H
sobz in hx TrOt. hRd Az SI hAd trFd t pripX hxself, n nQ
trFd t rimEn trANkwil, SI nM HAt SI wUd bI anEbal t lUk At
him wiHQt tCz.
<p>
H prinsas andxstUd wot /nytySa hAd ment bF H wxdz: “tM dEz
agO His sadanli hApand.” SI andxstUd HOz wxdz t mIn HAt hI
hAd sadanli sofand n HAt His sofaniN n Jentalnas wx sFnz
v aprOciN deT. Az SI stept t H dP SI Ylredi sY in
imAJinESan /AndrM'z fEs Az SI rimembxd it in cFldhUd, a Jental,
mFld, simpaTetik fEs wic hI hAd rXli SOn, n wic HXfP
afektad hx veri stroNli. SI woz SUx hI wUd spIk soft, tendx
wxdz t hx sac Az hx fyHx hAd atxd bifP hiz deT, n
HAt SI wUd not bI Ebal t bX it n wUd bxst intM sobz in hiz
prezans. jet sMnx P lEtx it hAd t bI, n SI went in. H sobz
rOz hFx n hFx in hx TrOt Az SI mP n mP klCli
distiNgwiSt hiz fPm n hx SPtsFtad Fz trFd t mEk Qt hiz
fIcxz, n Hen SI sY hiz fEs n met hiz gEz.
<p>
hI woz lFiN in a skwxal-fx dresiN gQn on a divAn, sxQndad bF
pilOz. hI woz Tin n pEl. in wan Tin, trAnzlMsantli wFt hAnd
hI held a hANkxcif, wFl wiH H aHx hI strOkt H delikat
mastAS hI hAd grOn, mMviN hiz fiNgxz slOli. hiz Fz gEzd At Hem
Az HE entxd.
<p>
on sIiN hiz fEs n mItiN hiz Fz /prinsas /mXi'z pEs sadanli
slAkand, SI felt hx tCz drF ap n hx sobz sIst. SI sadanli
felt gilti n grM timid on kAciN H iäpreSan v hiz fEs n
Fz.
<p>
“bat in wot Am F t blEm?” SI Askt hxself. n hiz kOld, stxn lUk
riplFd: “bikoz V R alFv n TiNkiN v H liviN, wFl F...”
<p>
in H dIp gEz HAt sImd t lUk not Qtwxdz bat inwxdz HX
woz an YlmOst hostFl iäpreSan Az hI slOli rigRdad hiz sistx n
/nytySa.
<p>
hI kist hiz sistx, hOldiN hx hAnd in hiz Az woz HX wont.
<p>
“hQ R V, /mXi? hQ did V mAniJ t get hC?” sed hI in a vqs
Az kym n alMf Az hiz lUk.
<p>
hAd hI skrImd in Agani, HAt skrIm wUd not hAv strak sac horx
intM /prinsas /mXi'z hRt Az H tOn v hiz vqs.
<p>
“n hAv V brYt lital /nikalas?” hI Askt in H sEm slO, kwFat
mAnx n wiH an obvWs efxt t rimembx.
<p>
“hQ R V nQ?” sed /prinsas /mXi, hxself sxprFzd At wot SI woz
sEiN.
<p>
“HAt, mF dC, V mast Ask H doktx,” hI riplFd, n agen mEkiN
an evidant efxt t bI afekSanat, hI sed wiH hiz lips Onli (hiz
wxdz klCli did not korispond t hiz TYts):
<p>
“mXsi, Ser /Emi, d'etra venV.” *
<p>
    * “TANk V f kamiN, mF dC.”
<p>
<p>
prinsas /mXi prest hiz hAnd. H preSx mEd him wins Jast
pxseptabli. hI woz sFlant, n SI did not nO wot t sE. SI nQ
andxstUd wot hAd hApand t him tM dEz bifP. in hiz wxdz, hiz
tOn, n ispeSali in HAt kym, YlmOst AntAganistik lUk kUd bI
felt an istrEnJmant from evriTiN biloNiN t His wxld, teribal
in wan hM iz alFv. evidentli Onli wiH an efxt did hI andxstAnd
eniTiN liviN; bat it woz obvWs HAt hI fEld t andxstAnd, not
bikoz hI lAkt H pQx t dM sO bat bikoz hI andxstUd samTiN
els—samTiN H liviN did not n kUd not andxstAnd—n wic
hOli okVpFd hiz mFnd.
<p>
“HX, V sI hQ strEnJli fEt hAz brYt as tageHx,” sed hI,
brEkiN H sFlans n pqntiN t /nytySa. “SI lUä Aftx mI Yl
H tFm.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi hxd him n did not andxstAnd hQ hI kUd sE sac a
TiN. hI, H sensitiv, tendx /prins /AndrM, hQ kUd hI sE HAt,
bifP hx hMm hI lavd n hM lavd him? hAd hI iäpektad t liv hI
kUd not hAv sed HOz wxdz in HAt afensivli kOld tOn. if hI hAd
not nOn HAt hI woz dFiN, hQ kUd hI hAv fEld t piti hx n
hQ kUd hI spIk lFk HAt in hx prezans? H Onli eäplanESan woz
HAt hI woz indifxant, bikoz samTiN els, mac mP impPtant,
hAd bin rivIld t him.
<p>
H konvxsESan woz kOld n diskanektad n kantinVali brOk of.
<p>
“mXi kEm bF wE v /rjyzyn,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
prins /AndrM did not nOtis HAt SI kYld hiz sistx /mXi, n Onli
Aftx kYliN hx sO in hiz prezans did /nytySa nOtis it hxself.
<p>
“rWli?” hI Askt.
<p>
“HE tOld hx HAt Yl /moskQ hAz bin bxnd dQn, n HAt...”
<p>
/nytySa stopt. it woz imposabal t tYk. it woz plEn HAt hI woz
mEkiN an efxt t lisan, bat kUd not dM sO.
<p>
“jes, HE sE it's bxnd,” hI sed. “it's a grEt piti,” n hI gEzd
strEt bifP him, Absantli strOkiN hiz mastAS wiH hiz fiNgxz.
<p>
“n sO V hAv met /kQnt /nikalas, /mXi?” prins /AndrM sadanli sed,
evidentli wiSiN t spIk plezantli t Hem. “hI rOt hC HAt hI
tUk a grEt lFkiN t V,” hI went on simpli n kymli, evidentli
anEbal t andxstAnd Yl H kompleä signifikans hiz wxdz hAd f
liviN pIpal. “if V lFkt him tM, it wUd bI a gUd TiN f V
t get mArid,” hI Adad rAHx mP kwikli, Az if plIzd At hAviN
fQnd wxdz hI hAd loN bin sIkiN.
<p>
prinsas /mXi hxd hiz wxdz bat HE hAd nO mIniN f hx, iäept Az
a prMf v hQ fR awE hI nQ woz from evriTiN liviN.
<p>
“wF tYk v mI?” SI sed kwFatli n glAnst At /nytySa.
<p>
/nytySa, hM felt hx glAns, did not lUk At hx. Yl TrI wx agen
sFlant.
<p>
“AndrM, wUd V lFk...” prinsas /mXi sadanli sed in a trembaliN
vqs, “wUd V lFk t sI lital /nikalas? hI iz YlwEz tYkiN
abQt V!”
<p>
prins /AndrM smFld Jast pxseptabli n f H fxst tFm, bat
/prinsas /mXi, hM nM hiz fEs sO wel, sY wiH horx HAt hI did
not smFl wiH pleZx P afekSan f hiz san, bat wiH kwFat, Jental
Frani bikoz hI TYt SI woz trFiN wot SI bilIvd t bI H lAst
mInz v xQziN him.
<p>
“jes, F SAl bI veri glAd t sI him. iz hI kwFt wel?”
<p>
wen lital /nikalas woz brYt intM /prins /AndrM'z rMm hI lUkt At
hiz fyHx wiH frFtand Fz, bat did not krF, bikoz nO wan els
woz krFiN. prins /AndrM kist him n evidentli did not nO wot t
sE t him.
<p>
wen /nikalas hAd bin led awE, /prinsas /mXi agen went ap t hx
braHx, kist him, n anEbal t ristrEn hx tCz eni loNgx bigAn
t krF.
<p>
hI lUkt At hx atentivli.
<p>
“iz it abQt /nikalas?” hI Askt.
<p>
prinsas /mXi nodad hx hed, wIpiN.
<p>
“mXi, V nO H /gOsp...” bat hI brOk of.
<p>
“wot did V sE?”
<p>
“naTiN. V masant krF hC,” hI sed, lUkiN At hx wiH H sEm
kOld iäpreSan.
<p>
<p>
wen /prinsas /mXi bigAn t krF, hI andxstUd HAt SI woz krFiN At
H TYt HAt lital /nikalas wUd bI left wiHQt a fyHx. wiH
a grEt efxt hI trFd t ritxn t lFf n t sI TiNz from HX
pqnt v vV.
<p>
“jes, t Hem it mast sIm sAd!” hI TYt. “bat hQ simpal it iz.
<p>
“H fQlz v H X sQ not, nFHx dM HE rIp, jet jP /fyHx
fIdaT Hem,” hI sed t himself n wiSt t sE t /prinsas /mXi;
“bat nO, HE wil tEk it HX On wE, HE wOnt andxstAnd! HE
kAnt andxstAnd HAt Yl HOz fIliNz HE prFz sO—Yl Qx fIliNz,
Yl HOz FdWz HAt sIm sO impPtant t as, R annesisXi. wI kAnot
andxstAnd wan anaHx,” n hI rimEnd sFlant.
<p>
<p>
prins /AndrM'z lital san woz sevan. hI kUd skXsli rId, n nM
naTiN. Aftx HAt dE hI livd TrM meni TiNz, gEniN noliJ,
obzxvESan, n iäpCWns, bat hAd hI pazest Yl H fAkaltiz hI
Aftxwxdz akwFxd, hI kUd not hAv hAd a betx P mP prafQnd
andxstAndiN v H mIniN v H sIn hI hAd witnast bitwIn
hiz fyHx, /mXi, n /nytySa, HAn hI hAd Hen. hI andxstUd it
kamplItli, n, lIviN H rMm wiHQt krFiN, went sFlantli ap
t /nytySa hM hAd kam Qt wiH him n lUkt SFli At hx wiH hiz
bVtifal, TYtfal Fz, Hen hiz apliftad, rOzi apx lip trembald
n lIniN hiz hed agenst hx hI bigAn t krF.
<p>
Aftx HAt hI avqdad /desyl n H kQntas hM kxest him n
FHx sAt alOn P kEm timidli t /prinsas /mXi, P t /nytySa v hMm
hI sImd Ivan fondx HAn v hiz ynt, n klaN t Hem kwFatli n
SFli.
<p>
wen /prinsas /mXi hAd left /prins /AndrM SI fUli andxstUd wot
/nytySa'z fEs hAd tOld hx. SI did not spIk eni mP t /nytySa v
hOps v sEviN hiz lFf. SI tUk txnz wiH hx bisFd hiz sOfa, n
did not krF eni mP, bat prEd kantinVali, txniN in sOl t HAt
/itxnal n /anfAHamabal, hMz prezans abav H dFiN mAn woz nQ sO
evidant.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
not Onli did /prins /AndrM nO hI wUd dF, bat hI felt HAt hI woz
dFiN n woz Ylredi hAf ded. hI woz konSas v an alMfnas from
evriTiN xTli n a strEnJ n Jqas lFtnas v iãistans.
wiHQt hEst P AJitESan hI awEtad wot woz kamiN. HAt ineäxabal,
itxnal, distant, n annOn H prezans v wic hI hAd felt
kantinVali Yl hiz lFf—woz nQ nC t him n, bF H strEnJ
lFtnas hI iäpCWnst, YlmOst komprihensabal n pAlpabal....
<p>
<p>
fPmxli hI hAd fCd H end. hI hAd twFs iäpCWnst HAt teribli
tPmentiN fC v deT—H end—bat nQ hI nO loNgx andxstUd HAt
fC.
<p>
hI hAd felt it f H fxst tFm wen H Sel span lFk a top bifP
him, n hI lUkt At H fAlO fIld, H bUSaz, n H skF, n
nM HAt hI woz fEs t fEs wiH deT. wen hI kEm t himself Aftx
bIiN wMndad n H flQx v itxnal, anfetxd lav hAd instantli
anfOldad itself in hiz sOl Az if frId from H bondiJ v lFf HAt
hAd ristrEnd it, hI nO loNgx fCd deT n sIst t TiNk abQt
it.
<p>
dxiN H Qxz v solitMd, safxiN, n pRSal dilirWm hI
spent Aftx hI woz wMndad, H mP dIpli hI penitrEtad intM H nM
prinsapal v itxnal lav rivIld t him, H mP hI ankonSasli
ditAct himself from xTli lFf. t lav evriTiN n evribodi n
YlwEz t sAkrifFs wanself f lav ment not t lav eniwan, not
t liv His xTli lFf. n H mP imbVd hI bikEm wiH HAt
prinsapal v lav, H mP hI rinQnst lFf n H mP kamplItli hI
distrqd HAt dredfal bArC wic—in H Absans v sac lav—stAndz
bitwIn lFf n deT. wen dxiN HOz fxst dEz hI rimembxd HAt
hI wUd hAf t dF, hI sed t himself: “wel, wot v it? sO mac H
betx!”
<p>
bat Aftx H nFt in /mitiSi wen, hAf dilirWs, hI hAd sIn hx
f hMm hI loNd apC bifP him n, hAviN prest hx hAnd t hiz
lips, hAd Sed Jental, hApi tCz, lav f a pxtikVlx wUman agen
krept anabzxvd intM hiz hRt n wans mP bQnd him t lFf. n
Jqfal n AJitEtiN TYts bigAn t okVpF hiz mFnd. rikYliN H
mOment At H AmbVlans stESan wen hI hAd sIn /kMrygin, hI kUd not
nQ rigEn H fIliN hI Hen hAd, bat woz tPmentad bF H kwescan
weHx /kMrygin woz alFv. n hI dXd not inkwFx.
<p>
hiz ilnas pxsMd its nPmal fizikal kPs, bat wot /nytySa
rifxd t wen SI sed: “His sadanli hApand,” hAd akxd tM
dEz bifP /prinsas /mXi xFvd. it woz H lAst spiricMal stragal
bitwIn lFf n deT, in wic deT gEnd H viktxi. it woz
H aniäpektad rWlizESan v H fAkt HAt hI stil vAlVd lFf Az
prizentad t him in H fPm v hiz lav f /nytySa, n a lAst, HO
altimatli vANkwiSt, atAk v terx bifP H annOn.
<p>
it woz IvniN. Az VZMal Aftx dinx hI woz slFtli fIvxiS, n hiz
TYts wx prItxnAcxali klC. /sonja woz sitiN bF H tEbal. hI
bigAn t dOz. sadanli a fIliN v hApinas sIzd him.
<p>
“y, SI hAz kam!” TYt hI.
<p>
n sO it woz: in /sonja'z plEs sAt /nytySa hM hAd Jast kam in
nqzlasli.
<p>
sins SI hAd bigan lUkiN Aftx him, hI hAd YlwEz iäpCWnst His
fizikal konSasnas v hx nCnas. SI woz sitiN in an RmcX
plEst sFdwEz, skrIniN H lFt v H kAndal from him, n woz
nitiN a stokiN. SI hAd lxnd t nit stokiNz sins /prins
/AndrM hAd kAZMali menSand HAt nO wan nxst H sik sO wel Az Old
nxsaz hM nit stokiNz, n HAt HX iz samTiN sMHiN in
H nitiN v stokiNz. H nIdalz klikt lFtli in hx slendx,
rApidli mMviN hAndz, n hI kUd klCli sI H TYtfal prOfFl
v hx drMpiN fEs. SI mMvd, n H bYl rOld of hx nIz. SI
stRtad, glAnst rQnd At him, n skrIniN H kAndal wiH hx hAnd
stMpt kXfali wiH a sapal n iãAkt mMvmant, pikt ap H bYl,
n rigEnd hx fPmx paziSan.
<p>
hI lUkt At hx wiHQt mMviN n sY HAt SI wontad t drY a
dIp breT Aftx stMpiN, bat rifrEnd from dMiN sO n brIHd
kYSasli.
<p>
At H /trqtsa monasteri HE hAd spOkan v H pAst, n hI hAd tOld
hx HAt if hI livd hI wUd YlwEz TANk /god f hiz wMnd wic hAd
brYt Hem tageHx agen, bat Aftx HAt HE nevx spOk v H
fVcx.
<p>
“kAn it P kAn it not bI?” hI nQ TYt Az hI lUkt At hx n
lisand t H lFt klik v H stIl nIdalz. “kAn fEt hAv brYt
mI t hx sO strEnJli Onli f mI t dF?... iz it posabal HAt H
trMT v lFf hAz bin rivIld t mI Onli t SO mI HAt F hAv spent
mF lFf in fYlsiti? F lav hx mP HAn eniTiN in H wxld! bat wot
Am F t dM if F lav hx?” hI TYt, n hI involantXili grOnd,
from a hAbit akwFxd dxiN hiz safxiNz.
<p>
on hCiN HAt sQnd /nytySa pUt dQn H stokiN, lInd nCx t
him, n sadanli, nOtisiN hiz SFniN Fz, stept lFtli ap t him
n bent Ovx him.
<p>
“V R not aslIp?”
<p>
“nO, F hAv bin lUkiN At V a loN tFm. F felt V kam in. nO wan
els givz mI HAt sens v soft trANkwiliti HAt V dM... HAt lFt.
F wont t wIp f Jq.”
<p>
/nytySa drM klOsx t him. hx fEs SOn wiH rApcxas Jq.
<p>
“/nytySa, F lav V tM mac! mP HAn eniTiN in H wxld.”
<p>
“n F!”—SI txnd awE f an instant. “wF tM mac?” SI Askt.
<p>
“wF tM mac?... wel, wot dM V, wot dM V fIl in jP sOl, jP
hOl sOl—SAl F liv? wot dM V TiNk?”
<p>
“F Am SUx v it, SUx!” /nytySa YlmOst SQtad, tEkiN hOld v bOT hiz
hAndz wiH a pASanat mMvmant.
<p>
hI rimEnd sFlant awFl.
<p>
“hQ gUd it wUd bI!” n tEkiN hx hAnd hI kist it.
<p>
/nytySa felt hApi n AJitEtad, bat At wans rimembxd HAt His wUd
not dM n HAt hI hAd t bI kwFat.
<p>
“bat V hAv not slept,” SI sed, ripresiN hx Jq. “trF t slIp...
plIz!”
<p>
hI prest hx hAnd n rilIst it, n SI went bAk t H kAndal n
sAt dQn agen in hx fPmx paziSan. twFs SI txnd n lUkt At
him, n hx Fz met hiz bImiN At hx. SI set hxself a tAsk on hx
stokiN n rizolvd not t txn rQnd til it woz finiSt.
<p>
sMn hI rWli Sat hiz Fz n fel aslIp. hI did not slIp loN n
sadanli awOk wiH a stRt n in a kOld pxspxESan.
<p>
Az hI fel aslIp hI hAd stil bin TiNkiN v H sabJekt HAt nQ
YlwEz okVpFd hiz mFnd—abQt lFf n deT, n cIfli abQt deT.
hI felt himself nCx t it.
<p>
“lav? wot iz lav?” hI TYt.
<p>
“lav hindxz deT. lav iz lFf. Yl, evriTiN HAt F andxstAnd, F
andxstAnd Onli bikoz F lav. evriTiN iz, evriTiN iãists, Onli
bikoz F lav. evriTiN iz VnFtad bF it alOn. lav iz /god, n t
dF mInz HAt F, a pRtikal v lav, SAl ritxn t H Jenxal n
itxnal sPs.” HIz TYts sImd t him kamfxtiN. bat HE wx
Onli TYts. samTiN woz lAkiN in Hem, HE wx not klC, HE
wx tM wan-sFdadli pxsanal n brEn-span. n HX woz H fPmx
AJitESan n abskjUxiti. hI fel aslIp.
<p>
hI drImd HAt hI woz lFiN in H rMm hI rWli woz in, bat HAt
hI woz kwFt wel n anwQndad. meni vXWs, indifxant, n
insignifikant pIpal apCd bifP him. hI tYkt t Hem n
diskast samTiN trivWl. HE wx pripXiN t gO awE samwX.
prins /AndrM dimli rWlFzd HAt Yl His woz trivWl n HAt hI hAd
mP impPtant kXz, bat hI kantinVd t spIk, sxprFziN Hem bF
empti witisizamz. grAJMali, annOtist, Yl HIz pxsanz bigAn t
disapC n a siNgal kwescan, HAt v H klOzd dP, sMpxsIdad
Yl els. hI rOz n went t H dP t bOlt n lok it. evriTiN
dipendad on weHx hI woz, P woz not, in tFm t lok it. hI went, n
trFd t hari, bat hiz leã rifVzd t mMv n hI nM hI wUd not bI
in tFm t lok H dP HO hI pEnfali strEnd Yl hiz pQxz. hI
woz sIzd bF an AganFziN fC. n HAt fC woz H fC v deT. it
stUd bihFnd H dP. bat Jast wen hI woz klamzili krIpiN tPd
H dP, HAt dredfal samTiN on H aHx sFd woz Ylredi presiN
agenst it n fPsiN its wE in. samTiN not hVman—deT—woz
brEkiN in TrM HAt dP, n hAd t bI kept Qt. hI sIzd H
dP, mEkiN a fFnal efxt t hOld it bAk—t lok it woz nO loNgx
posabal—bat hiz efxts wx wIk n klamzi n H dP, pUSt from
bihFnd bF HAt terx, Opand n klOzd agen.
<p>
wans agen it pUSt from QtsFd. hiz lAst sMpxhVman efxts wx vEn
n bOT hAvz v H dP nqzlasli Opand. it entxd, n it woz
deT, n /prins /AndrM dFd.
<p>
bat At H instant hI dFd, /prins /AndrM rimembxd HAt hI woz aslIp,
n At H veri instant hI dFd, hAviN mEd an efxt, hI awOk.
<p>
“jes, it woz deT! F dFd—n wOk ap. jes, deT iz an awEkaniN!” n
Yl At wans it grM lFt in hiz sOl n H vEl HAt hAd til Hen
kansIld H annOn woz liftad from hiz spiricMal viZan. hI felt Az
if pQxz til Hen kanfFnd wiHin him hAd bin libxEtad, n HAt
strEnJ lFtnas did not agen lIv him.
<p>
wen, wEkiN in a kOld pxspxESan, hI mMvd on H divAn, /nytySa went
ap n Askt him wot woz H mAtx. hI did not Ansx n lUkt At
hx strEnJli, not andxstAndiN.
<p>
HAt woz wot hAd hApand t him tM dEz bifP /prinsas /mXi'z
xFval. from HAt dE, Az H doktx iäprest it, H wEstiN fIvx
asMmd a malignant kAraktx, bat wot H doktx sed did not intxast
/nytySa, SI sY H teribal mPal simptamz wic t hx wx mP
kanvinsiN.
<p>
from HAt dE an awEkaniN from lFf kEm t /prins /AndrM tageHx wiH
hiz awEkaniN from slIp. n kampXd t H dxESan v lFf it did
not sIm t him slOx HAn an awEkaniN from slIp kampXd t H
dxESan v a drIm.
<p>
HX woz naTiN teribal P vFalant in His kampArativli slO
awEkaniN.
<p>
hiz lAst dEz n Qxz pAst in an PdinXi n simpal wE. bOT
/prinsas /mXi n /nytySa, hM did not lIv him, felt His. HE did
not wIp P Sadx n dxiN HIz lAst dEz HE Hemselvz felt
HAt HE wx not atendiN on him (hI woz nO loNgx HX, hI hAd left
Hem) bat on wot rimFndad Hem mOst klOsli v him—hiz bodi. bOT felt
His sO stroNli HAt H Qtwxd n teribal sFd v deT did not
afekt Hem n HE did not fIl it nesisXi t fOment HX grIf.
nFHx in hiz prezans nP Qt v it did HE wIp, nP did HE evx
tYk t wan anaHx abQt him. HE felt HAt HE kUd not iäpres in
wxdz wot HE andxstUd.
<p>
HE bOT sY HAt hI woz siNkiN slOli n kwFatli, dIpx n dIpx,
awE from Hem, n HE bOT nM HAt His hAd t bI sO n HAt it
woz rFt.
<p>
hI kanfest, n risIvd kamVnWn: evriwan kEm t tEk lIv v
him. wen HE brYt hiz san t him, hI prest hiz lips t H bq'z
n txnd awE, not bikoz hI felt it hRd n sAd (/prinsas /mXi n
/nytySa andxstUd HAt) bat simpli bikoz hI TYt it woz Yl HAt
woz rikwFxd v him, bat wen HE tOld him t bles H bq, hI did
wot woz dimAndad n lUkt rQnd Az if AskiN weHx HX woz
eniTiN els hI SUd dM.
<p>
wen H lAst kanvalSanz v H bodi, wic H spirit woz lIviN,
akxd, /prinsas /mXi n /nytySa wx prezant.
<p>
“iz it Ovx?” sed /prinsas /mXi wen hiz bodi hAd f a fV minits
lEn mOSanlas, grOiN kOld bifP Hem. /nytySa went ap, lUkt At
H ded Fz, n hEsand t klOz Hem. SI klOzd Hem bat did not
kis Hem, bat klaN t HAt wic rimFndad hx mOst nCli v him—hiz
bodi.
<p>
“wX hAz hI gon? wX iz hI nQ?...”
<p>
wen H bodi, woSt n drest, lE in H kofin on a tEbal,
evriwan kEm t tEk lIv v him n HE Yl wept.
<p>
lital /nikalas krFd bikoz hiz hRt woz rent bF pEnfal pxpleäiti.
H kQntas n /sonja krFd from piti f /nytySa n bikoz hI woz
nO mP. H Old kQnt krFd bikoz hI felt HAt bifP loN, hI, tM,
mast tEk H sEm teribal step.
<p>
/nytySa n /prinsas /mXi YlsO wept nQ, bat not bikoz v HX On
pxsanal grIf; HE wept wiH a revxant n sofaniN imOSan wic
hAd tEkan pazeSan v HX sOlz At H konSasnas v H
simpal n solam mistxi v deT HAt hAd bin akompliSt in HX
prezans.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /TxtIn: 1812
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/mAn'z mFnd kAnot grAsp H kYzaz v ivents in HX kamplItnas, bat
H dizFx t fFnd HOz kYzaz iz implAntad in mAn'z sOl. n wiHQt
kansidxiN H maltiplisiti n kampleäiti v H kandiSanz eni wan
v wic tEkan sepxatli mE sIm t bI H kYz, hI snAcaz At H
fxst aproäimESan t a kYz HAt sImz t him inteliJabal n sez:
“His iz H kYz!” in histPikal ivents (wX H AkSanz v men R
H sabJekt v obzxvESan) H fxst n mOst primitiv aproäimESan
t prizent itself woz H wil v H godz n, Aftx HAt, H wil v
HOz hM stUd in H mOst prominant paziSan—H hCOz v histxi.
bat wI nId Onli penitrEt t H esans v eni histPik ivent—wic
lFz in H Aktiviti v H Jenxal mAs v men hM tEk pRt in it—t
bI kanvinst HAt H wil v H histPik hCO daz not kantrOl H
AkSanz v H mAs bat iz itself kantinVali kantrOld. it mE sIm
t bI a mAtx v indifxans weHx wI andxstAnd H mIniN v
histPikal ivents His wE P HAt; jet HX iz H sEm difxans
bitwIn a mAn hM sez HAt H pIpal v H /west mMvd on H /Ist
bikoz /napOlWn wiSt it n a mAn hM sez HAt His hApand bikoz
it hAd t hApan, Az HX iz bitwIn HOz hM diklXd HAt H
xT woz stESanXi n HAt H plAnats mMvd rQnd it n HOz hM
admitad HAt HE did not nO wot apheld H xT, bat nM HX
wx lYz direktiN its mMvmant n HAt v H aHx plAnats. HX
iz, n kAn bI, nO kYz v an histPikal ivent iäept H wan kYz v
Yl kYzaz. bat HX R lYz direktiN ivents, n sam v HIz lYz
R nOn t as wFl wI R konSas v aHxz wI kAnot komprihend.
H diskavxi v HIz lYz iz Onli posabal wen wI hAv kwFt
abAndand H atempt t fFnd H kYz in H wil v sam wan mAn,
Jast Az H diskavxi v H lYz v H mOSan v H plAnats woz
posabal Onli wen men abAndand H kansepSan v H fiäiti v H
xT.
<p>
H histPWnz kansidx HAt, neät t H bAtal v /bPOdinO n H
okVpESan v /moskQ bF H enami n its distrakSan bF fFx, H mOst
impPtant episOd v H wP v 1812 woz H mMvmant v H /raSan
Rmi from H /rjyzyna t H /kylMga rOd n t H /tRMtinO kAmp—H
sO-kYld flANk mRc akros H /krysnFa /pyâra /rivx. HE askrFb H
glPi v HAt acIvmant v JInWs t difxant men n dispVt Az t
hMm H onx iz dM. Ivan forin histPWnz, inklMdiN H /frenc,
aknoliJ H JInWs v H /raSan kamAndxz wen HE spIk v
HAt flANk mRc. bat it iz hRd t andxstAnd wF militXi rFtxz,
n folOiN Hem aHxz, kansidx His flANk mRc t bI H prafQnd
kansepSan v sam wan mAn hM sEvd /raSa n distrqd /napOlWn. in
H fxst plEs it iz hRd t andxstAnd wX H prafanditi n JInWs
v His mMvmant lE, f not mac mental efxt woz nIdad t sI HAt
H best paziSan f an Rmi wen it iz not bIiN atAkt iz wX
HX R mOst praviZanz; n Ivan a dal bq v TxtIn kUd hAv
gest HAt H best paziSan f an Rmi Aftx its ritrIt from /moskQ
in 1812 woz on H /kylMga rOd. sO it iz imposabal t andxstAnd bF
wot rIzaniN H histPWnz rIc H kanklMZan HAt His manMvx
woz a prafQnd wan. n it iz Ivan mP difikalt t andxstAnd Jast wF
HE TiNk HAt His manMvx woz kAlkVlEtad t sEv /raSa n distrq
H /frenc; f His flANk mRc, hAd it bin prisIdad, akampanid,
P folOd bF aHx sxkamstAnsaz, mFt hAv prMvd rMinas t H
/raSanz n sAlVtXi f H /frenc. if H paziSan v H /raSan
Rmi rWli bigAn t imprMv from H tFm v HAt mRc, it daz not At
Yl folO HAt H mRc woz H kYz v it.
<p>
HAt flANk mRc mFt not Onli hAv fEld t giv eni advAntiJ t
H /raSan Rmi, bat mFt in aHx sxkamstAnsaz hAv led t its
distrakSan. wot wUd hAv hApand hAd /moskQ not bxnd dQn? if
/mMryt hAd not lost sFt v H /raSanz? if /napOlWn hAd not rimEnd
inAktiv? if H /raSan Rmi At /krysnFa /pyâra hAd givan bAtal Az
/benigsan n /bRklE advFzd? wot wUd hAv hApand hAd H /frenc
atAkt H /raSanz wFl HE wx mRciN bijond H /pyâra? wot
wUd hAv hApand if on aprOciN /tRMtinO, /napOlWn hAd atAkt
H /raSanz wiH bat a tenT v H enxJi hI hAd SOn wen hI
atAkt Hem At /smOlensk? wot wUd hAv hApand hAd H /frenc mMvd
on /pItxzbxg?... in eni v HIz ivencMAlitiz H flANk mRc HAt
brYt sAlvESan mFt hAv prMvd dizAstras.
<p>
H Txd n mOst inkomprihensabal TiN iz HAt pIpal stadiiN
histxi dilibxatli avqd sIiN HAt His flANk mRc kAnot bI
atribVtad t eni wan mAn, HAt nO wan evx fPsY it, n HAt in
riAliti, lFk H ritrIt from /fili, it did not saJest itself t eniwan
in its intFxiti, bat rizaltad—mOment bF mOment, step bF step, ivent bF
ivent—from an endlas nambx v mOst dFvxs sxkamstAnsaz n woz Onli
sIn in its intFxiti wen it hAd bin akompliSt n biloNd t H
pAst.
<p>
At H kQnsal At /fili H privEliN TYt in H mFndz v H
/raSan kamAndxz woz H wan nAcxali saJestiN itself, nEmli, a
direkt ritrIt bF H /niZni rOd. in prMf v His HX iz H fAkt
HAt H maJPiti v H kQnsal vOtad f sac a ritrIt, n abav
Yl HX iz H wel-nOn konvxsESan Aftx H kQnsal, bitwIn H
kamAndx in cIf n /lAnskq, hM woz in cRJ v H komisXWt
dipRtmant. lAnskq infPmd H kamAndx in cIf HAt H Rmi
saplFz wx f H mOst pRt stPd aloN H /Oka in H /tMla n
/rjyzyn provinsaz, n HAt if HE ritrItad on /niZni H Rmi wUd
bI sepxEtad from its saplFz bF H brYd rivx /Oka, wic kAnot bI
krost xli in wintx. His woz H fxst indikESan v H nisesiti
v dIviEtiN from wot hAd prIvWsli sImd H mOst nAcxal kPs—a
direkt ritrIt on /niZni-/nOvgPOd. H Rmi txnd mP t H sQT,
aloN H /rjyzyn rOd n nCx t its saplFz. sabsikwantli H
inAktiviti v H /frenc (hM Ivan lost sFt v H /raSan Rmi),
kansxn f H sEfti v H Rsanal At /tMla, n ispeSali H
advAntiJaz v drYiN nCx t its saplFz kYzd H Rmi t txn
stil fxHx sQT t H /tMla rOd. hAviN krost Ovx, bF a fPst
mRc, t H /tMla rOd bijond H /pyâra, H /raSan kamAndxz
intendad t rimEn At /pOdOlsk n hAd nO TYt v H /tRMtinO
paziSan; bat inMmxabal sxkamstAnsaz n H rIapCans v /frenc
trMps hM hAd f a tFm lost tac wiH H /raSanz, n proJekts
v giviN bAtal, n abav Yl H abandans v praviZanz in /kylMga
provins, ablFJd Qx Rmi t txn stil mP t H sQT n t kros
from H /tMla t H /kylMga rOd n gO t /tRMtinO, wic woz bitwIn
H rOdz aloN wic HOz saplFz lE. Jast Az it iz imposabal t
sE wen it woz disFdad t abAndan /moskQ, sO it iz imposabal t sE
prisFsli wen, P bF hMm, it woz disFdad t mMv t /tRMtinO. Onli
wen H Rmi hAd got HX, Az H rizalt v inMmxabal n vXiiN
fPsaz, did pIpal bigin t aSUx Hemselvz HAt HE hAd dizFxd His
mMvmant n loN agO fPsIn its rizalt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
H fEmas flANk mMvmant mCli kansistad in His: Aftx H advAns
v H /frenc hAd sIst, H /raSan Rmi, wic hAd bin kantinVali
ritrItiN strEt bAk from H invEdxz, dIviEtad from HAt direkt
kPs n, not fFndiN itself pxsMd, woz nAcxali drYn tPd H
distrikt wX saplFz wx abandant.
<p>
if insted v imAJiniN t Qxselvz kamAndxz v JInWs lIdiN H
/raSan Rmi, wI pikcx HAt Rmi wiHQt eni lIdxz, it kUd not
hAv dan eniTiN bat mEk a ritxn mMvmant tPd /moskQ, diskrFbiN
an Rk in H direkSan wX mOst praviZanz wx t bI fQnd n wX
H kantri woz ricast.
<p>
HAt mMvmant from H /niZni t H /rjyzyn, /tMla, n /kylMga rOdz woz
sO nAcxal HAt Ivan H /raSan mxYdxz mMvd in HAt direkSan, n
dimAndz wx sent from /pItxzbxg f /kMtMzOf t tEk hiz Rmi HAt
wE. At /tRMtinO /kMtMzOf risIvd wot woz YlmOst a reprimynd from
H /empxx f hAviN mMvd hiz Rmi aloN H /rjyzyn rOd, n H
/empxx'z letx indikEtad t him H veri paziSan hI hAd Ylredi
okVpFd nC /kylMga.
<p>
hAviN rOld lFk a bYl in H direkSan v H impitas givan bF H
hOl kAmpEn n bF H bAtal v /bPOdinO, H /raSan Rmi—wen
H streNT v HAt impitas woz iãYstad n nO freS pUS woz
risIvd—asMmd H paziSan nAcxal t it.
<p>
/kMtMzOf's merit lE, not in eni stratIJik manMvx v JInWs, Az it iz
kYld, bat in H fAkt HAt hI alOn andxstUd H signifikans v
wot hAd hApand. hI alOn Hen andxstUd H mIniN v H /frenc
Rmi'z inAktiviti, hI alOn kantinVd t asxt HAt H bAtal v
/bPOdinO hAd bin a viktxi, hI alOn—hM Az kamAndx in cIf mFt
hAv bin iäpektad t bI Igx t atAk—implqd hiz hOl streNT t
ristrEn H /raSan Rmi from Vslas ingEJmants.
<p>
H bIst wMndad At /bPOdinO woz lFiN wX H flIiN hantx hAd
left him; bat weHx hI woz stil alFv, weHx hI woz stroN n
mCli lFiN lO, H hantx did not nO. sadanli H bIst woz hxd
t mOn.
<p>
H mOn v HAt wMndad bIst (H /frenc Rmi) wic bitrEd its
kalAmitas kandiSan woz H sendiN v /lPistan t /kMtMzOf's kAmp wiH
Ovxcxz f pIs.
<p>
/napOlWn, wiH hiz VZMal aSUxans HAt wotevx entxd hiz hed woz
rFt, rOt t /kMtMzOf H fxst wxdz HAt akxd t him, HO
HE wx mIniNlas.
<p>
<p>
/masjx /lU /prins /kMtMzOf: F Am sendiN wan v mF AJUtants-Jenxal
t diskas sevxal intxastiN kwescanz wiH V. F beg jP /hFnas
t kredit wot hI sez t V, ispeSali wen hI iäpresaz H
sentimant v istIm n speSal rigRd F hAv loN entxtEnd f jP
pxsan. His letx hAviN nO aHx obJekt, F prE /god, masjx lU
prins /kMtMzOf, t kIp V in /hiz hOli n grESas pratekSan!
<p>
/napOlWn
<p>
/moskQ, oktObx 30, 1812
<p>
<p>
/kMtMzOf riplFd: “F SUd bI kxst bF posteriti wx F lUkt on Az
H iniSWtx v a setalmant v eni sPt. sac iz H prezant spirit
v mF nESan.” bat hI kantinVd t iãxt Yl hiz pQxz t ristrEn hiz
trMps from atAkiN.
<p>
dxiN H manT HAt H /frenc trMps wx piliJiN in /moskQ n
H /raSan trMps wx kwFatli inkAmpt At /tRMtinO, a cEnJ hAd tEkan
plEs in H relativ streNT v H tM Rmiz—bOT in spirit n in
nambx—Az a rizalt v wic H sMpCiPiti hAd pAst t H /raSan
sFd. HO H kandiSan n nambxz v H /frenc Rmi wx annOn
t H /raSanz, Az sMn Az HAt cEnJ akxd H nId v atAkiN
At wans SOd itself bF kQntlas sFnz. HIz sFnz wx: /lPistan'z
miSan; H abandans v praviZanz At /tRMtinO; H ripPts kamiN in
from Yl sFdz v H inAktiviti n disPdx v H /frenc; H flO v
rikrMts t Qx reJimants; H fFn weHx; H loN rest H /raSan
sOlJxz hAd inJqd, n H impESans t dM wot HE hAd bin
asembald f, wic VZMali SOz itself in an Rmi HAt hAz bin
restiN; kjUxiositi Az t wot H /frenc Rmi, sO loN lost sFt v,
woz dMiN; H bOldnas wiH wic Qx QtpOsts nQ skQtad klOs ap t
H /frenc stESand At /tRMtinO; H nMz v Izi saäesaz gEnd bF
pezants n gxila trMps Ovx H /frenc, H envi xQzd bF His;
H dizFx f rivenJ HAt lE in H hRt v evri /raSan Az loN Az
H /frenc wx in /moskQ, n (abav Yl) a dim konSasnas in evri
sOlJx'z mFnd HAt H relativ streNT v H Rmiz hAd cEnJd n
HAt H advAntiJ woz nQ on Qx sFd. HX woz a sabstAnSal cEnJ
in H relativ streNT, n an advAns hAd bikam inevitabal. n At
wans, Az a klok biginz t strFk n cFm Az sMn Az H minit hAnd
hAz kamplItad a fUl sxkal, His cEnJ woz SOn bF an inkrIst
Aktiviti, wxiN, n cFmiN in H hFx sfCz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
H /raSan Rmi woz kamAndad bF /kMtMzOf n hiz stAf, n YlsO bF H
/empxx from /pItxzbxg. bifP H nMz v H abAndanmant v /moskQ
hAd bin risIvd in /pItxzbxg, a dItEld plAn v H hOl kAmpEn
hAd bin drYn ap n sent t /kMtMzOf f hiz gFdans. HO His plAn
hAd bin drYn ap on H sapaziSan HAt /moskQ woz stil in Qx hAndz,
it woz aprMvd bF H stAf n aäeptad Az a bEsis f AkSan.
/kMtMzOf Onli riplFd HAt mMvmants xEnJd from a distans wx YlwEz
difikalt t eäikVt. sO freS instrakSanz wx sent f H salMSan
v difikaltiz HAt mFt bI inkQntxd, Az wel Az freS pIpal hM
wx t woc /kMtMzOf's AkSanz n ripPt apon Hem.
<p>
bisFdz His, H hOl stAf v H /raSan Rmi woz nQ rIPganFzd.
H pOsts left vEkant bF /bygrytiOn, hM hAd bin kild, n bF
/bRklE, hM hAd gon awE in daJan, hAd t bI fild. veri sCWs
kansidxESan woz givan t H kwescan weHx it wUd bI betx t
pUt a in B's plEs n B in D's, P on H kontrXi t pUt D in A's
plEs, n sO on—Az if eniTiN mP HAn A's P B's sAtisfAkSan
dipendad on His.
<p>
Az a rizalt v H hostiliti bitwIn /kMtMzOf n /benigsan, hiz /cIf v
/stAf, H prezans v konfidenSal reprizentativz v H /empxx, n
HIz trAnsfxz, a mP HAn VZMali komplikEtad plE v pRtiz
woz gOiN on amaN H stAf v H Rmi. a woz andxmFniN B, D woz
andxmFniN C, n sO on in Yl posabal kombinESanz n pxmVtESanz.
in Yl HIz plotiNz H sabJekt v intrIg woz Jenxali H kondakt
v H wP, wic Yl HIz men bilIvd HE wx direktiN; bat His
afX v H wP went on indipendantli v Hem, Az it hAd t gO:
HAt iz, nevx in H wE pIpal divFzd, bat flOiN YlwEz from H
isenSal AtitMd v H mAsaz. Onli in H hFast sfCz did
Yl HIz skImz, krosiNz, n intxmiNgaliNz apC t bI a trM
riflekSan v wot hAd t hApan.
<p>
<p>
prins /mFkal /ilRiOnOvic! (rOt H /empxx on H sekand v oktObx
in a letx HAt rIct /kMtMzOf Aftx H bAtal At /tRMtinO) /sins
septembx 2 /moskQ hAz bin in H hAndz v H enami. jP lAst ripPts
wx ritan on H twentWT, n dxiN Yl His tFm not Onli hAz
nO AkSan bin tEkan agenst H enami P f H rilIf v H Encant
kApital, bat akPdiN t jP lAst ripPt V hAv Ivan ritrItad
fRHx. /serpMâOf iz Ylredi okVpFd bF an enami ditAcmant n /tMla
wiH its fEmas Rsanal, sO indispensabal t H Rmi, iz in dEnJx.
from /Jenxal /wintsiNxOd'z ripPts, F sI HAt an enami kP v ten
TQzand men iz mMviN on H /pItxzbxg rOd. anaHx kP v sevxal
TQzand men iz mMviN on /dmItrOf. a Txd hAz advAnst aloN H
/vlydimC rOd, n a fPT, rAHx kansidxabal ditAcmant iz stESand
bitwIn /rMza n /mOZFsk. /napOlWn himself woz in /moskQ Az lEt Az
H twenti-fifT. in vV v Yl His infxmESan, wen H enami hAz
skAtxd hiz fPsaz in lRJ ditAcmants, n wiH /napOlWn n hiz
/gRdz in /moskQ, iz it posabal HAt H enami'z fPsaz kanfrantiN V
R sO kansidxabal Az not t alQ v jP tEkiN H afensiv? on H
kontrXi, hI iz probabli pxsMiN V wiH ditAcmants, P At mOst wiH
an Rmi kP mac wIkx HAn H Rmi intrastad t V. it wUd sIm
HAt, avEliN jPself v HIz sxkamstAnsaz, V mFt AdvantEJasli
atAk a wIkx wan n anFalEt him, P At lIst ablFJ him t
ritrIt, ritEniN in Qx hAndz an impPtant pRt v H provinsaz nQ
okVpFd bF H enami, n HXbF avxtiN dEnJx from /tMla n aHx
tQnz in H intCC. V wil bI risponsabal if H enami iz Ebal t
direkt a fPs v eni sFz agenst /pItxzbxg t Tretan His kApital
in wic it hAz not bin posabal t ritEn meni trMps; f wiH H
Rmi intrastad t V, n AktiN wiH rezalMSan n enxJi, V hAv
Ampal mInz t avxt His freS kalAmiti. rimembx HAt V hAv stil
t Ansx t Qx afendad kantri f H los v /moskQ. V hAv
iäpCWnst mF redinas t riwPd V. HAt redinas wil not wIkan
in mI, bat F n /raSa hAv a rFt t iäpekt from V Yl H zIl,
fxmnas, n saäes wic jP intalekt, militXi tAlant, n H
kariJ v H trMps V kamAnd JastifF as in iäpektiN.
<p>
<p>
bat bF H tFm His letx, wic prMvd HAt H rWl rilESan v
H fPsaz hAd Ylredi mEd itself felt in /pItxzbxg, woz dispAct,
/kMtMzOf hAd fQnd himself anEbal eni loNgx t ristrEn H Rmi hI
kamAndad from atAkiN n a bAtal hAd tEkan plEs.
<p>
on H sekand v oktObx a /kosAk, /SypOvylOf, hM woz Qt skQtiN,
kild wan hX n wMndad anaHx. folOiN H wMndad hX hI mEd
hiz wE fR intM H fPist n kEm apon H left flANk v /mMryt's
Rmi, inkAmpt HX wiHQt eni prikYSanz. H /kosAk lAfiNli
tOld hiz komrAdz hQ hI hAd YlmOst fYlan intM H hAndz v H /frenc.
a kPnet, hCiN H stPi, infPmd hiz kamAndx.
<p>
H /kosAk woz sent f n kwescand. H /kosAk ofisxz wiSt
t tEk advAntiJ v His cAns t kApcx sam hPsaz, bat wan v
H sMpCC ofisxz, hM woz akwEntad wiH H hFx YToritiz,
ripPtad H insidant t a Jenxal on H stAf. H stEt v TiNz on
H stAf hAd v lEt bin iäIdiNli strEnd. xmOlOf hAd bin t
sI /benigsan a fV dEz prIvWsli n hAd intrItad him t Vz
hiz inflMans wiH H kamAndx in cIf t indMs him t tEk H
afensiv.
<p>
“if F did not nO V F SUd TiNk V did not wont wot V R
AskiN f. F nId Onli advFz eniTiN n hiz /hFnas iz SUx t dM
H opazit,” riplFd /benigsan.
<p>
H /kosAk's ripPt, kanfxmd bF hPs patrOlz hM wx sent Qt, woz
H fFnal prMf HAt ivents hAd macUxd. H tFtli kqld spriN woz
rilIst, H klok bigAn t wx n H cFmz t plE. dispFt Yl
hiz sapOzd pQx, hiz intalekt, hiz iäpCWns, n hiz noliJ
v men, /kMtMzOf—hAviN tEkan intM kansidxESan H /kosAk's ripPt, a
nOt from /benigsan hM sent pxsanal ripPts t H /empxx, H wiSaz
hI sapOzd H /empxx t hOld, n H fAkt HAt Yl H Jenxalz
iäprest H sEm wiS—kUd nO loNgx cek H inevitabal mMvmant,
n gEv H Pdx t dM wot hI rigRdad Az Vslas n hRmfal—gEv
hiz aprMval, HAt iz, t H akompliSt fAkt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
/benigsan'z nOt n H /kosAk's infxmESan HAt H left flANk
v H /frenc woz angRdad wx mCli fFnal indikESanz HAt it woz
nesisXi t Pdx an atAk, n it woz fiät f H fifT v oktObx.
<p>
on H mPniN v H fPT v oktObx /kMtMzOf sFnd H dispaziSanz.
tOl red Hem t /jermOlOf, AskiN him t atend t H fxHx
xEnJmants.
<p>
“Yl rFt—Yl rFt. F hAvant tFm Jast nQ,” riplFd /jermOlOf, n
left H hat.
<p>
H dispaziSanz drYn ap bF /tOl wx veri gUd. Az in H /Qstxlits
dispaziSanz, it woz ritan—HO not in /Jxman His tFm:
<p>
“H /fxst /kolam wil mRc hC n hC,” “H /sekand /kolam wil
mRc HX n HX,” n sO on; n on pEpx, Yl HIz kolamz
xFvd At HX plEsaz At H apqntad tFm n distrqd H enami.
evriTiN hAd bin Admxabli TYt Qt Az iz VZMal in dispaziSanz,
n Az iz YlwEz H kEs, not a siNgal kolam rIct its plEs At H
apqntad tFm.
<p>
wen H nesisXi nambx v kopiz v H dispaziSanz hAd bin
pripXd, an ofisx woz samand n sent t dilivx Hem t /jermOlOf
t dIl wiH. a jaN ofisx v H /hPs /gRdz, /kMtMzOf's Pdxli,
plIzd At H impPtans v H miSan intrastad t him, went t
/jermOlOf's kwPtxz.
<p>
“gon awE,” sed /jermOlOf's Pdxli.
<p>
H ofisx v H /hPs /gRdz went t a Jenxal wiH hMm /jermOlOf woz
oftan t bI fQnd.
<p>
“nO, n H Jenxal'z Qt tM.”
<p>
H ofisx, mQntiN hiz hPs, rOd of t samwan els.
<p>
“nO, hI'z gon Qt.”
<p>
“if Onli HE dOnt mEk mI risponsabal f His dilE! wot a nMsans
it iz!” TYt H ofisx, n hI rOd rQnd H hOl kAmp. wan mAn
sed hI hAd sIn /jermOlOf rFd pAst wiH sam aHx Jenxalz, aHxz sed
hI mast hAv ritxnd hOm. H ofisx sxct til siä O'klok in H
IvniN wiHQt Ivan stopiN t It. xmOlOf woz nOwX t bI fQnd
n nO wan nM wX hI woz. H ofisx snAct a lital fMd At
a komrAd'z, n rOd agen t H vAngRd t fFnd /milPydOvic.
/milPydOvic tM woz awE, bat hC hI woz tOld HAt hI hAd gon t a
bYl At /Jenxal /kikin'z n HAt /jermOlOf woz probabli HX tM.
<p>
“bat wX iz it?”
<p>
“wF, HX, Ovx At /IckinO,” sed a /kosAk ofisx, pqntiN t a
kantri hQs in H fR distans.
<p>
“wot, QtsFd Qx lFn?”
<p>
“HE'v pUt tM reJimants Az QtpOsts, n HE'x hAviN sac a sprI
HX, it's Yfal! tM bAndz n TrI sets v siNxz!”
<p>
H ofisx rOd Qt bijond Qx lFnz t /IckinO. wFl stil At a
distans hI hxd Az hI rOd H meri sQndz v a sOlJx'z dAns soN
prOsIdiN from H hQs.
<p>
“in H medOz... in H medOz!” hI hxd, akampanid bF wisaliN
n H sQnd v a /tPban, drQnd evri nQ n Hen bF SQts. HIz
sQndz mEd hiz spirits rFz, bat At H sEm tFm hI woz afrEd HAt
hI wUd bI blEmd f not hAviN eäikVtad sMnx H impPtant Pdx
intrastad t him. it woz Ylredi pAst Et O'klok. hI dismQntad
n went ap intM H pPc v a lRJ kantri hQs wic hAd rimEnd
intAkt bitwIn H /raSan n /frenc fPsaz. in H rifreSmant rMm
n H hYl, fUtmen wx basaliN abQt wiH wFn n vFandz. grMps
v siNxz stUd QtsFd H windOz. H ofisx woz admitad n
imIdWtli sY Yl H cIf Jenxalz v H Rmi tageHx, n amaN
Hem /jermOlOf's big impOziN figjx. HE Yl hAd HX kOts anbatand
n wx stAndiN in a semisxkal wiH flaSt n AnimEtad fEsaz,
lAfiN lQdli. in H midal v H rMm a SPt hAndsam Jenxal wiH
a red fEs woz dAnsiN H /trepyk wiH mac spirit n aJiliti.
<p>
“hy, hy, hy! bryvO, /nikalas /ivynic! hy, hy, hy!”
<p>
H ofisx felt HAt bF xFviN wiH impPtant Pdxz At sac a mOment
hI woz dabli t blEm, n hI wUd hAv prifxd t wEt; bat wan v
H Jenxalz ispFd him n, hCiN wot hI hAd kam abQt, infPmd
/jermOlOf.
<p>
xmOlOf kEm fPwxd wiH a frQn on hiz fEs n, hCiN wot H
ofisx hAd t sE, tUk H pEpxz from him wiHQt a wxd.
<p>
<p>
“V TiNk hI went of Jast bF cAns?” sed a komrAd, hM woz on H
stAf HAt IvniN, t H ofisx v H /hPs /gRdz, rifxiN t
/jermOlOf. “it woz a trik. it woz dan on pxpas t get /kOnOvnitsin intM
trabal. V'l sI wot a mes HX'l bI tamorO.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
/neät dE H dikrepit /kMtMzOf, hAviN givan Pdxz t bI kYld xli,
sed hiz prExz, drest, n, wiH an anplezant konSasnas v
hAviN t direkt a bAtal hI did not aprMv v, got intM hiz kyleS
n drOv from /letySOfka (a viliJ TrI n a hAf mFlz from
/tRMtinO) t H plEs wX H atAkiN kolamz wx t mIt. hI sAt
in H kyleS, dOziN n wEkiN ap bF txnz, n lisaniN f eni
sQnd v fFxiN on H rFt Az an indikESan HAt H AkSan hAd bigan.
bat Yl woz stil kwFat. a dAmp dal Ytam mPniN woz Jast dYniN. on
aprOciN /tRMtinO /kMtMzOf nOtist kAvalrimen lIdiN HX hPsaz t
wYtx akros H rOd aloN wic hI woz drFviN. /kMtMzOf lUkt At
Hem sxciNli, stopt hiz kAriJ, n inkwFxd wot reJimant HE
biloNd t. HE biloNd t a kolam HAt SUd hAv bin fR in
frant n in AmbUS loN bifP Hen. “it mE bI a mistEk,” TYt
H Old kamAndx in cIf. bat a lital fxHx on hI sY infantri
reJimants wiH HX Rmz pFld n H sOlJxz, Onli pRtli drest,
ItiN HX rF poriJ n kAriiN fVal. hI sent f an ofisx. H
ofisx ripPtad HAt nO Pdx t advAns hAd bin risIvd.
<p>
“hQ! not rek...” /kMtMzOf bigAn, bat cekt himself imIdWtli n
sent f a sInC ofisx. getiN Qt v hiz kyleS, hI wEtad wiH
drMpiN hed n brIHiN hevili, pEsiN sFlantli ap n dQn. wen
/Eâan, H ofisx v H Jenxal stAf hMm hI hAd samand, apCd,
/kMtMzOf went pxpal in H fEs, not bikoz HAt ofisx woz t blEm
f H mistEk, bat bikoz hI woz an obJekt v safiSant impPtans
f him t vent hiz rAT on. trembaliN n pAntiN H Old mAn fel
intM HAt stEt v fjUxi in wic hI samtFmz Vst t rOl on H
grQnd, n hI fel apon /Eâan, TretaniN him wiH hiz hAndz,
SQtiN n lOdiN him wiH grOs abVs. anaHx mAn, /kAptin /brOzin,
hM hApand t txn ap n hM woz not At Yl t blEm, safxd H
sEm fEt.
<p>
“wot sPt v anaHx blAgRd R V? F'l hAv V Sot!
skQndralz!” jeld /kMtMzOf in a hPs vqs, wEviN hiz Rmz n
rIliN.
<p>
hI woz safxiN fizikli. hI, H kamAndx in cIf, a /sxIn
/hFnas hM evribodi sed pazest pQxz sac Az nO mAn hAd evx hAd
in /raSa, t bI plEst in His paziSan—mEd H lAfiNstok v H
hOl Rmi! “F nIdant hAv bin in sac a hari t prE abQt tadE,
P hAv kept awEk TiNkiN evriTiN Ovx Yl nFt,” TYt hI t
himself. “wen F woz a cit v an ofisx nO wan wUd hAv dXd t
mok mI sO... n nQ!” hI woz in a stEt v fizikal safxiN Az if
from kPpxal paniSmant, n kUd not avqd iäpresiN it bF krFz v
ANgx n distres. bat hiz streNT sMn bigAn t fEl him, n lUkiN
abQt him, konSas v hAviN sed mac HAt woz amis, hI agen got
intM hiz kyleS n drOv bAk in sFlans.
<p>
hiz rAT, wans iäpendad, did not ritxn, n bliNkiN fIbli hI
lisand t iäkVsaz n self-JastifikESanz (/jermOlOf did not kam t sI
him til H neät dE) n t H insistans v /benigsan, /kOnOvnitsin,
n /tOl HAt H mMvmant HAt hAd miskArid SUd bI eäikVtad neät
dE. n wans mP /kMtMzOf hAd t kansent.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/neät dE H trMps asembald in HX apqntad plEsaz in H IvniN
n advAnst dxiN H nFt. it woz an Ytam nFt wiH dRk pxpal
klQdz, bat nO rEn. H grQnd woz dAmp bat not madi, n H trMps
advAnst nqzlasli, Onli akEZanali a JiNgaliN v H Rtilxi
kUd bI fEntli hxd. H men wx fxbidan t tYk Qt lQd, t
smOk HX pFps, P t strFk a lFt, n HE trFd t privent HX
hPsaz nEiN. H sIkrasi v H andxtEkiN hFtand its cRm
n HE mRct gEli. sam kolamz, sapOziN HE hAd rIct HX
destinESan, hYltad, pFld Rmz, n setald dQn on H kOld grQnd,
bat H maJPiti mRct Yl nFt n xFvd At plEsaz wX HE
evidentli SUd not hAv bin.
<p>
Onli /kQnt /PlOf-/denisOf wiH hiz /kosAä (H lIst impPtant
ditAcmant v Yl) got t hiz apqntad plEs At H rFt tFm. His
ditAcmant hYltad At H Qtskxts v a fPist, on H pAT lIdiN from
H viliJ v /strOmilOva t /dmItrOfsk.
<p>
tPd dYn, /kQnt /PlOf-/denisOf, hM hAd dOzd of, woz awEkand bF a
dizxtx from H /frenc Rmi bIiN brYt t him. His woz a /pOliS
sRJant v /pOnjatofski'z kP, hM iäplEnd in /pOliS HAt hI hAd
kam Ovx bikoz hI hAd bin slFtad in H sxvis: HAt hI Yt
loN agO t hAv bin mEd an ofisx, HAt hI woz brEvx HAn eni v
Hem, n sO hI hAd left Hem n wiSt t pE Hem Qt. hI sed HAt
/mMryt woz spendiN H nFt les HAn a mFl from wX HE wx,
n HAt if HE wUd let him hAv a konvq v a handrad men hI wUd
kApcx him alFv. kQnt /PlOf-/denisOf kansaltad hiz felO ofisxz.
<p>
H ofx woz tM temptiN t bI rifVzd. evriwan volantCd t gO n
evribodi advFzd mEkiN H atempt. Aftx mac dispVtiN n RgViN,
/mEJx-/Jenxal /grekOf wiH tM /kosAk reJimants disFdad t gO wiH H
/pOliS sRJant.
<p>
“nQ, rimembx,” sed /kQnt /PlOf-/denisOf t H sRJant At pRtiN,
“if V hAv bin lFiN F'l hAv V hANd lFk a dog; bat if it's
trM V SAl hAv a handrad gOld pIsaz!”
<p>
wiHQt riplFiN, H sRJant, wiH a rezalMt X, mQntad n rOd
awE wiH /grekOf hMz men hAd kwikli asembald. HE disapCd intM
H fPist, n /kQnt /PlOf-/denisOf, hAviN sIn /grekOf of, ritxnd,
SivxiN from H freSnas v H xli dYn n iäFtad bF wot hI
hAd andxtEkan on hiz On risponsabiliti, n bigAn lUkiN At H enami
kAmp, nQ Jast vizabal in H diseptiv lFt v dYn n H dFiN
kAmpfFxz. Qx kolamz Yt t hAv bigan t apC on an Opan
dikliviti t hiz rFt. hI lUkt in HAt direkSan, bat HO H
kolamz wUd hAv bin vizabal kwFt fR of, HE wx not t bI sIn.
it sImd t H kQnt HAt TiNz wx biginiN t stx in H /frenc
kAmp, n hiz kIn-sFtad AJUtant kanfxmd His.
<p>
“O, it iz rWli tM lEt,” sed /kQnt /PlOf, lUkiN At H kAmp.
<p>
Az oftan hApanz wen samwan wI hAv trastad iz nO loNgx bifP
Qx Fz, it sadanli sImd kwFt klC n obvWs t him HAt H
sRJant woz an impostx, HAt hI hAd lFd, n HAt H hOl /raSan
atAk wUd bI rMind bF H Absans v HOz tM reJimants, wic
hI wUd lId awE hevan Onli nM wX. hQ kUd wan kApcx a
kamAndx in cIf from amaN sac a mAs v trMps!
<p>
“F Am SUx HAt ryskal woz lFiN,” sed H kQnt.
<p>
“HE kAn stil bI kYld bAk,” sed wan v hiz swIt, hM lFk /kQnt
/PlOf felt distrastfal v H advencx wen hI lUkt At H enami'z
kAmp.
<p>
“E? rWli... wot dM V TiNk? SUd wI let Hem gO on P not?”
<p>
“wil V hAv Hem fect bAk?”
<p>
“fec Hem bAk, fec Hem bAk!” sed /kQnt /PlOf wiH sadan
ditxminESan, lUkiN At hiz woc. “it wil bI tM lEt. it iz kwFt
lFt.”
<p>
n H AJUtant gAlapt TrM H fPist Aftx /grekOf. wen /grekOf
ritxnd, /kQnt /PlOf-/denisOf, iäFtad bOT bF H abAndand atempt n
bF vEnli awEtiN H infantri kolamz HAt stil did not apC, Az
wel Az bF H proäimiti v H enami, rizolvd t advAns. Yl hiz men
felt H sEm iäFtmant.
<p>
“mQnt!” hI kamAndad in a wispx. H men tUk HX plEsaz n
krost Hemselvz.... “fPwxd, wiH /god'z Ed!”
<p>
“hxy-y-y!” rivxbxEtad in H fPist, n H /kosAk kampaniz,
trEliN HX lAnsaz n advAnsiN wan Aftx anaHx Az if pPd Qt
v a sAk, dASt gEli akros H brUk tPd H kAmp.
<p>
wan despxat, frFtand jel from H fxst /frenc sOlJx hM sY H
/kosAä, n Yl hM wx in H kAmp, andrest n Onli Jast wEkiN
ap, rAn of in Yl direkSanz, abAndaniN kAnanz, maskats, n hPsaz.
<p>
hAd H /kosAä pxsMd H /frenc, wiHQt hIdiN wot woz bihFnd n
xQnd Hem, HE wUd hAv kApcxd /mMryt n evriTiN HX.
HAt woz wot H ofisxz dizFxd. bat it woz imposabal t mEk H
/kosAä baJ wen wans HE hAd got bMti n prizanxz. nan v Hem
lisand t Pdxz. fiftIn handrad prizanxz n Txti-Et ganz wx
tEkan on H spot, bisFdz stAndxdz n (wot sImd mOst impPtant t
H /kosAä) hPsaz, sAdalz, hPskloTs, n H lFk. Yl His hAd
t bI delt wiH, H prizanxz n ganz sikjUxd, H bMti divFdad—not
wiHQt sam SQtiN n Ivan a lital fFtiN amaN Hemselvz—n it
woz on His HAt H /kosAä Yl bizid Hemselvz.
<p>
H /frenc, not bIiN fRHx pxsMd, bigAn t rikavx Hemselvz: HE
fPmd intM ditAcmants n bigAn fFxiN. /PlOf-/denisOf, stil wEtiN
f H aHx kolamz t xFv, advAnst nO fxHx.
<p>
mIntFm, akPdiN t H dispaziSanz wic sed HAt “H /fxst
/kolam wil mRc” n sO on, H infantri v H bilEtad kolamz,
kamAndad bF /benigsan n direktad bF /tOl, hAd stRtad in dM Pdx
n, Az YlwEz hApanz, hAd got samwX, bat not t HX apqntad
plEsaz. Az YlwEz hApanz H men, stRtiN cCfali, bigAn t hYlt;
mxmxz wx hxd, HX woz a sens v kanfVZan, n fFnali a
bAkwxd mMvmant. AJUtants n Jenxalz gAlapt abQt, SQtad, grM
ANgri, kworald, sed HE hAd kam kwFt roN n wx lEt, gEv
vent t a lital abVs, n At lAst gEv it Yl ap n went fPwxd,
simpli t get samwX. “wI SAl get samwX P aHx!” n HE did
indId get samwX, HO not t HX rFt plEsaz; a fV ivencMali
Ivan got t HX rFt plEs, bat tM lEt t bI v eni Vs n Onli
in tFm t bI fFxd At /tOl, hM in His bAtal plEd H pRt v
/wEroTx At /Qstxlits, gAlapt AsiJMasli from plEs t plEs,
fFndiN evriTiN apsFd dQn evriwX. Has hI stambald on /bygOvMt's
kP in a wUd wen it woz Ylredi brYd dElFt, HO H kP
SUd loN bifP hAv Jqnd /PlOf-/denisOf. iäFtad n veät bF H
fEljx n sapOziN HAt samwan mast bI risponsabal f it, /tOl
gAlapt ap t H kamAndx v H kP n bigAn apbrEdiN him
sivCli, sEiN HAt hI Yt t bI Sot. Jenxal /bygOvMt, a fFtiN
Old sOlJx v plAsid tempxamant, bIiN YlsO apset bF Yl H dilE,
kanfVZan, n kros-pxpasaz, fel intM a rEJ t evribodi'z sxprFz
n kwFt kontrXi t hiz VZMal kAraktx n sed disagrIabal TiNz
t /tOl.
<p>
“F prifx not t tEk lesanz from eniwan, bat F kAn dF wiH mF men Az
wel Az enibodi,” hI sed, n advAnst wiH a siNgal diviZan.
<p>
kamiN Qt ontM a fIld andx H enami'z fFx, His brEv Jenxal went
strEt ahed, lIdiN hiz men andx fFx, wiHQt kansidxiN in hiz
AJitESan weHx gOiN intM AkSan nQ, wiH a siNgal diviZan, wUd
bI v eni Vs P nO. dEnJx, kAnan bYlz, n bUlats wx Jast wot hI
nIdad in hiz ANgri mMd. wan v H fxst bUlats kild him, n aHx
bUlats kild meni v hiz men. n hiz diviZan rimEnd andx fFx f
sam tFm kwFt Vslasli.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/mInwFl anaHx kolam woz t hAv atAkt H /frenc from H frant,
bat /kMtMzOf akampanid HAt kolam. hI wel nM HAt naTiN bat
kanfVZan wUd kam v His bAtal andxtEkan agenst hiz wil, n Az
fR Az woz in hiz pQx held H trMps bAk. hI did not advAns.
<p>
hI rOd sFlantli on hiz smYl grE hPs, indalantli AnsxiN
saJescanz HAt HE SUd atAk.
<p>
“H wxd atAk iz YlwEz on jP taN, bat V dOnt sI HAt wI R
anEbal t eäikVt komplikEtad manMvxz,” sed hI t /milPydOvic hM
Askt pxmiSan t advAns.
<p>
“wI kUdant tEk /mMryt prizanx His mPniN P get t H plEs in
tFm, n naTiN kAn bI dan nQ!” hI riplFd t samwan els.
<p>
wen /kMtMzOf woz infPmd HAt At H /frenc rC—wX akPdiN t H
ripPts v H /kosAä HX hAd prIvWsli bin nObodi—HX wx nQ
tM batAlWnz v /pOlz, hI gEv a sFdloN glAns At /jermOlOf hM woz
bihFnd him n t hMm hI hAd not spOkan sins H prIvWs dE.
<p>
“V sI! HE R AskiN t atAk n mEkiN plAnz v Yl kFndz,
bat Az sMn Az wan gets t biznas naTiN iz redi, n H enami,
fPwPnd, tEä meZxz akPdiNli.”
<p>
xmOlOf skrMd ap hiz Fz n smFld fEntli on hCiN HIz wxdz.
hI andxstUd HAt f him H stPm hAd blOn Ovx, n HAt /kMtMzOf
wUd kantent himself wiH HAt hint.
<p>
“hI'z hAviN a lital fan At mF iäpens,” sed /jermOlOf softli, naJiN
wiH hiz nI /rFefski hM woz At hiz sFd.
<p>
sMn Aftx His, /jermOlOf mMvd ap t /kMtMzOf n rispektfali rimRkt:
<p>
“it iz not tM lEt jet, jP /hFnas—H enami hAz not gon awE—if
V wx t Pdx an atAk! if not, H /gRdz wil not sO mac Az sI
a lital smOk.”
<p>
/kMtMzOf did not riplF, bat wen HE ripPtad t him HAt /mMryt's trMps
wx in ritrIt hI Pdxd an advAns, HO At evri handrad pEsaz hI
hYltad f TrI kwPtxz v an Qx.
<p>
H hOl bAtal kansistad in wot /PlOf-/denisOf's /kosAä hAd dan:
H rest v H Rmi mCli lost sam handradz v men Vslasli.
<p>
in konsikwans v His bAtal /kMtMzOf risIvd a dFmand dekxESan,
n /benigsan sam dFmandz n a handrad TQzand rMbalz, aHxz YlsO
risIvd plezant rekagniSanz korispondiN t HX vXWs grEdz,
n folOiN H bAtal freS cEnJaz wx mEd in H stAf.
<p>
“HAt's hQ evriTiN iz dan wiH as, Yl topsi-txvi!” sed H
/raSan ofisxz n Jenxalz Aftx H /tRMtinO bAtal, letiN it bI
andxstUd HAt sam fMl HX iz dMiN TiNz Yl roN bat HAt
wI Qxselvz SUd not hAv dan sO, Jast Az pIpal spIk tadE. bat
pIpal hM tYk lFk HAt FHx dM not nO wot HE R tYkiN abQt
P dilibxatli disIv Hemselvz. nO bAtal—/tRMtinO, /bPOdinO, P
/Qstxlits—tEä plEs Az HOz hM plAnd it AntisipEtad. HAt iz an
isenSal kandiSan.
<p>
a kQntlas nambx v frI fPsaz (f nOwX iz mAn frIx HAn dxiN
a bAtal, wX it iz a kwescan v lFf n deT) inflMans H kPs
tEkan bF H fFt, n HAt kPs nevx kAn bI nOn in advAns n
nevx kOinsFdz wiH H direkSan v eni wan fPs.
<p>
if meni sFmaltEnWsli n vXWsli direktad fPsaz Akt on a givan
bodi, H direkSan v its mOSan kAnot kOinsFd wiH eni wan v HOz
fPsaz, bat wil YlwEz bI a mIn—wot in mikAniä iz reprizentad bF
H dFAganal v a pAralelagrAm v fPsaz.
<p>
if in H diskripSanz givan bF histPWnz, ispeSali /frenc wanz, wI
fFnd HX wPz n bAtalz kArid Qt in akPdans wiH prIvWsli
fPmd plAnz, H Onli kanklMZan t bI drYn iz HAt HOz diskripSanz
R fYls.
<p>
H bAtal v /tRMtinO obvWsli did not atEn H Em /tOl hAd in
vV—t lId H trMps intM AkSan in H Pdx priskrFbd bF H
dispaziSanz; nP HAt wic /kQnt /PlOf-/denisOf mE hAv hAd in vV—t
tEk /mMryt prizanx; nP H rizalt v imIdWtli distrqiN H hOl
kP, wic /benigsan n aHxz mE hAv hAd in vV; nP H Em v
H ofisx hM wiSt t gO intM AkSan t distiNgwiS himself; nP
HAt v H /kosAk hM wontad mP bMti HAn hI got, n sO on. bat
if H Em v H bAtal woz wot AkcMali rizaltad n wot Yl H
/raSanz v HAt dE dizFxd—t drFv H /frenc Qt v /raSa n
distrq HX Rmi—it iz kwFt klC HAt H bAtal v /tRMtinO, Jast
bikoz v its inkoNgrMitiz, woz iãAktli wot woz wontad At HAt stEJ
v H kAmpEn. it wUd bI difikalt n Ivan imposabal t imAJin
eni rizalt mP opxtMn HAn H AkcMal Qtkam v His bAtal. wiH
a minimam v efxt n insignifikant losaz, dispFt H grEtast
kanfVZan, H mOst impPtant rizalts v H hOl kAmpEn wx
atEnd: H trAnziSan from ritrIt t advAns, an iäpOZx v H
wIknas v H /frenc, n H administrESan v HAt Sok wic
/napOlWn'z Rmi hAd Onli awEtad t bigin its flFt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/napOlWn entxz /moskQ Aftx H brilWnt viktxi de ly /moskQa; HX
kAn bI nO dQt abQt H viktxi f H bAtalfIld rimEnz in H
hAndz v H /frenc. H /raSanz ritrIt n abAndan HX Encant
kApital. /moskQ, abQndiN in praviZanz, Rmz, mVniSanz, n
inkAlkVlabal welT, iz in /napOlWn'z hAndz. H /raSan Rmi, Onli hAf
H streNT v H /frenc, daz not mEk a siNgal atempt t atAk f
a hOl manT. /napOlWn'z paziSan iz mOst brilWnt. hI kAn FHx fYl
on H /raSan Rmi wiH dabal its streNT n distrq it; nigOSiEt
an AdvantEJas pIs, P in kEs v a rifVzal mEk a menasiN mMv on
/pItxzbxg, P Ivan, in H kEs v a rivxs, ritxn t /smOlensk P
/vilna; P rimEn in /moskQ; in SPt, nO speSal JInWs wUd sIm t bI
rikwFxd t ritEn H brilWnt paziSan H /frenc held At HAt tFm.
f HAt, Onli veri simpal n Izi steps wx nesisXi: not t alQ
H trMps t lMt, t pripX wintx klOHiN—v wic HX woz
safiSant in /moskQ f H hOl Rmi—n miTodikli t kalekt H
praviZanz, v wic (akPdiN t H /frenc histPWnz) HX wx
inaf in /moskQ t saplF H hOl Rmi f siä manTs. jet /napOlWn,
HAt grEtast v Yl JInWsaz, hM H histPWnz diklX hAd kantrOl v
H Rmi, tUk nan v HIz steps.
<p>
hI not mCli did naTiN v H kFnd, bat on H kontrXi hI Vzd hiz
pQx t silekt H mOst fMliS n rMinas v Yl H kPsaz Opan
t him. v Yl HAt /napOlWn mFt hAv dan: wintxiN in /moskQ,
advAnsiN on /pItxzbxg P on /niZni-/nOvgPOd, P ritFxiN bF a mP
nPHxli P mP saHxli rQt (sE bF H rOd /kMtMzOf Aftxwxdz
tUk), naTiN mP stMpid P dizAstras kAn bI imAJind HAn wot hI
AkcMali did. hI rimEnd in /moskQ til oktObx, letiN H trMps
plandx H siti; Hen, hezitEtiN weHx t lIv a gArisan bihFnd
him, hI kwitad /moskQ, aprOct /kMtMzOf wiHQt JqniN bAtal,
txnd t H rFt n rIct /mylO-/jROslyvats, agen wiHQt
atemptiN t brEk TrM n tEk H rOd /kMtMzOf tUk, bat ritFxiN
insted t /mOZFsk aloN H devastEtad /smOlensk rOd. naTiN mP
stMpid HAn HAt kUd hAv bin divFzd, P mP dizAstras f H
Rmi, Az H sIkwal SOd. hAd /napOlWn'z Em bin t distrq hiz Rmi,
H mOst skilfal strAtiJist kUd hRdli hAv divFzd eni sCIz
v AkSanz HAt wUd sO kamplItli hAv akompliSt HAt pxpas,
indipendantli v eniTiN H /raSan Rmi mFt dM.
<p>
/napOlWn, H mAn v JInWs, did His! bat t sE HAt hI distrqd hiz
Rmi bikoz hI wiSt t, P bikoz hI woz veri stMpid, wUd bI Az
anJast Az t sE HAt hI hAd brYt hiz trMps t /moskQ bikoz hI
wiSt t n bikoz hI woz veri klevx n a JInWs.
<p>
in bOT kEsaz hiz pxsanal Aktiviti, hAviN nO mP fPs HAn H
pxsanal Aktiviti v eni sOlJx, mCli kOinsFdad wiH H lYz HAt
gFdad H ivent.
<p>
H histPWnz kwFt fYlsli reprizent /napOlWn'z fAkaltiz Az hAviN
wIkand in /moskQ, n dM sO Onli bikoz H rizalts did not JastifF
hiz AkSanz. hI implqd Yl hiz abiliti n streNT t dM H best hI
kUd f himself n hiz Rmi, Az hI hAd dan prIvWsli n Az hI did
sabsikwantli in 1813. hiz Aktiviti At HAt tFm woz nO les astQndiN
HAn it woz in /IJipt, in /itali, in /ostrW, n in /praSa. wI dM not
nO f sxtan in hQ fR hiz JInWs woz JenVin in /IJipt—wX fPti
sencxiz lUkt dQn apon hiz grAnJx—f hiz grEt eäplqts HX R
Yl tOld as bF /frencmen. wI kAnot Akjxatli estimEt hiz JInWs in
/ostrW P /praSa, f wI hAf t drY Qx infxmESan from /frenc
P /Jxman sPsaz, n H inkomprihensabal sxendx v hOl kP
wiHQt fFtiN n v fPtrasaz wiHQt a sIJ mast inklFn /Jxmanz
t rekagnFz hiz JInWs Az H Onli eäplanESan v H wP kArid on
in /Jxmani. bat wI, TANk /god, hAv nO nId t rekagnFz hiz JInWs
in Pdx t hFd Qx SEm. wI hAv pEd f H rFt t lUk At H
mAtx plEnli n simpli, n wI wil not abAndan HAt rFt.
<p>
hiz Aktiviti in /moskQ woz Az amEziN n Az fUl v JInWs Az
elswX. Pdx Aftx Pdx n plAn Aftx plAn wx iSVd bF him
from H tFm hI entxd /moskQ til H tFm hI left it. H Absans
v sitizanz n v a depVtESan, n Ivan H bxniN v /moskQ, did not
diskansxt him. hI did not lMz sFt FHx v H welfX v hiz
Rmi P v H dMiNz v H enami, P v H welfX v H pIpal
v /raSa, P v H direkSan v afXz in /pAris, P v diplamAtik
kansidxESanz kansxniN H txmz v H AntisipEtad pIs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
wiH rigRd t militXi mAtxz, /napOlWn imIdWtli on hiz entri intM
/moskQ gEv /Jenxal /sybystiyni strikt Pdxz t abzxv H mMvmants
v H /raSan Rmi, sent Rmi kP Qt aloN H difxant rOdz, n
cRJd /mMryt t fFnd /kMtMzOf. Hen hI gEv kXfal direkSanz abQt H
fPtifikESan v H /kremlin, n drM ap a brilWnt plAn f a fVcx
kAmpEn Ovx H hOl mAp v /raSa.
<p>
wiH rigRd t diplamAtik kwescanz, /napOlWn samand /kAptin /jykOvlef,
hM hAd bin robd n woz in rAã n did not nO hQ t get Qt v
/moskQ, mFnMtli iäplEnd t him hiz hOl polasi n hiz mAgnanimiti,
n hAviN ritan a letx t H /empxx /AliãAndx in wic hI
kansidxd it hiz dMti t infPm hiz /frend n /braHx HAt /rOstOpcin
hAd mAniJd afXz bAdli in /moskQ, hI dispAct /jykOvlef t
/pItxzbxg.
<p>
hAviN similxli iäplEnd hiz vVz n hiz mAgnanimiti t /tMtOlmin, hI
dispAct HAt Old mAn YlsO t /pItxzbxg t nigOSiEt.
<p>
wiH rigRd t lIgal mAtxz, imIdWtli Aftx H fFxz hI gEv Pdxz
t fFnd n eäikVt H insendiXiz. n H skQndral /rOstOpcin woz
paniSt bF an Pdx t bxn dQn hiz hQzaz.
<p>
wiH rigRd t administrativ mAtxz, /moskQ woz grAntad a
konstitMSan. a mVnisipAliti woz istAbliSt n H folOiN
anQnsmant iSVd:
<p>
<p>
/inhAbitants v /moskQ!
<p>
jP misfPcMnz R krMal, bat /hiz /mAJasti H /empxx n /kiN
dizFxz t xest HX kPs. teribal iãAmpalz hAv tYt V hQ hI
paniSaz disObIdWns n krFm. strikt meZxz hAv bin tEkan t
pUt an end t disPdx n t rI-istAbliS pablik sikjUxiti. a
patxnal administrESan, cOzan from amaN jPselvz, wil fPm jP
mVnisipAliti P siti gavxnmant. it wil tEk kX v V, v jP
nIdz, n v jP welfX. its membxz wil bI distiNgwiSt bF a red
riban wPn akros H SOldx, n H mEx v H siti wil wX
a wFt belt Az wel. bat wen not on dMti HE wil Onli wX a red
riban rQnd H left Rm.
<p>
H siti palIs iz istAbliSt on its fPmx fUtiN, n betx Pdx
Ylredi privElz in konsikwans v its Aktiviti. H gavxnmant hAz
apqntad tM komisXiz Jenxal, P cIfs v palIs, n twenti
komisXiz P kAptinz v wPdz hAv bin apqntad t H difxant
wPdz v H siti. V wil rekagnFz Hem bF H wFt riban HE wil
wX on H left Rm. sevxal cxcaz v difxant dinominESanz R
Opan, n divFn sxvis iz pxfPmd in Hem anhindxd. jP felO
sitizanz R ritxniN evri dE t HX hOmz n Pdxz hAv bin
givan HAt HE SUd fFnd in Hem H help n pratekSan dM t
HX misfPcMnz. HIz R H meZxz H gavxnmant hAz adoptad t
rI-istAbliS Pdx n rilIv jP kandiSan. bat t acIv His
Em it iz nesisXi HAt V SUd Ad jP efxts n SUd, if
posabal, fxget H misfPcMnz V hAv safxd, SUd entxtEn
H hOp v a les krMal fEt, SUd bI sxtan HAt inevitabal n
ignaminWs deT awEts HOz hM mEk eni atempt on jP pxsanz P
on wot rimEnz v jP propxti, n fFnali HAt V SUd not dQt
HAt HIz wil bI sEfgRdad, sins sac iz H wil v H grEtast
n mOst Jast v monRä. sOlJxz n sitizanz, v wotevx nESan V
mE bI, rI-istAbliS pablik konfidans, H sPs v H welfX v
a stEt, liv lFk braHxz, rendx mVcMal Ed n pratekSan wan t
anaHx, VnFt t difIt H intenSanz v H Ival-mFndad, ObE H
militXi n sivil YToritiz, n jP tCz wil sMn sIs t flO!
<p>
<p>
wiH rigRd t saplFz f H Rmi, /napOlWn dikrId HAt Yl H
trMps in txn SUd entx /moskQ a ly maraude * t abtEn praviZanz
f Hemselvz, sO HAt H Rmi mFt hAv its fVcx pravFdad f.
<p>
    * Az lMtxz.
<p>
wiH rigRd t riliJan, /napOlWn Pdxd H prIsts t bI brYt bAk
n sxvisaz t bI agen pxfPmd in H cxcaz.
<p>
wiH rigRd t komxs n t praviZaniN H Rmi, H folOiN woz
plAkRdad evriwX:
<p>
/proklamESan
<p>
V, pIsfal inhAbitants v /moskQ, RtizAnz n wxkmen hMm
misfPcMn hAz drivan from H siti, n V skAtxd tilxz v
H sql, stil kept Qt in H fIldz bF grQndlas fC, lisan!
trANkwiliti iz ritxniN t His kApital n Pdx iz bIiN ristPd in
it. jP felO kantrimen R imxJiN bOldli from HX hFdiN plEsaz
on fFndiN HAt HE R rispektad. eni vFalans t Hem P t HX
propxti iz promptli paniSt. hiz /mAJasti H /empxx n /kiN pratekts
Hem, n kansidxz nO wan amaN V hiz enami iäept HOz hM disObE
hiz Pdxz. hI dizFxz t end jP misfPcMnz n ristP V t jP
hOmz n fAmliz. rispond, HXfP, t hiz binevalant intenSanz
n kam t as wiHQt fC. inhAbitants, ritxn wiH konfidans t jP
abOdz! V wil sMn fFnd mInz v sAtisfFiN jP nIdz. krAftsmen
n indastrWs RtizAnz, ritxn t jP wxk, jP hQzaz, jP Sops,
wX H pratekSan v gRdz awEts V! V SAl risIv propx pE
f jP wxk. n lAstli V tM, pezants, kam from H fPists wX
V R hFdiN in terx, ritxn t jP hats wiHQt fC, in fUl
aSUxans HAt V wil fFnd pratekSan! mRkats R istAbliSt in H
siti wX pezants kAn briN HX sxplas saplFz n H prodakts v
H sql. H gavxnmant hAz tEkan H folOiN steps t inSUx frIdam
v sEl f Hem: (1) from tadE, pezants, hazbandmen, n HOz
liviN in H nEbxhUd v /moskQ mE wiHQt eni dEnJx briN HX
saplFz v Yl kFndz t tM apqntad mRkats, v wic wan iz on
H /mOâOvFa /strIt n H aHx At H /praviZan /mRkat. (2) sac
saplFz wil bI bYt from Hem At sac prFsaz Az selx n bFx mE
agrI on, n if a selx iz anEbal t abtEn a fX prFs hI wil bI
frI t tEk hiz gUdz bAk t hiz viliJ n nO wan mE hindx him
andx eni prItens. (3) sandE n wenzdE v Ic wIk R apqntad
Az H cIf mRkat dEz n t HAt end a safiSant nambx v trMps
wil bI stESand aloN H hFrOdz on tMzdEz n sAtxdEz At sac
distansaz from H tQn Az t pratekt H kRts. (4) similx meZxz
wil bI tEkan HAt pezants wiH HX kRts n hPsaz mE mIt wiH nO
hindrans on HX ritxn Jxni. (5) steps wil imIdWtli bI tEkan
t rI-istAbliS PdinXi trEdiN.
<p>
inhAbitants v H siti n viliJaz, n V, wxkiNmen n RtizAnz,
t wotevx nESan V biloN, V R kYld on t kAri Qt H
patxnal intenSanz v /hiz /mAJasti H /empxx n /kiN n t
kO-opxEt wiH him f H pablik welfX! lE jP rispekt n
konfidans At hiz fIt n dM not dilE t VnFt wiH as!
<p>
<p>
wiH H obJekt v rEziN H spirits v H trMps n v H pIpal,
rivVz wx konstantli held n riwPdz distribVtad. H /empxx
rOd TrM H strIts t kamfxt H inhAbitants, n, dispFt hiz
prIokVpESan wiH stEt afXz, himself vizitad H TWtxz HAt wx
istAbliSt bF hiz Pdx.
<p>
in rigRd t filAnTropi, H grEtast vxcM v krQnd hedz,
/napOlWn YlsO did Yl in hiz pQx. hI kYzd H wxdz /mFsan de my
/mC t bI inskrFbd on H cAritabal institMSanz, HXbF kambFniN
tendx filWl afekSan wiH H maJestik binevalans v a monRk. hI
vizitad H /fQndliN /hospital n, alQiN H Pfanz sEvd bF him
t kis hiz wFt hAndz, grESasli kanvxst wiH /tMtOlmin. Hen, Az
/tiX elakwantli rikQnts, hI Pdxd hiz sOlJxz t bI pEd in fPJd
/raSan mani wic hI hAd pripXd: “rEziN H Vs v HIz mInz
bF an Akt wxHi v himself n v H /frenc Rmi, hI let rilIf
bI distribVtad t HOz hM hAd bin bxnd Qt. bat Az fMd woz tM
preSas t bI givan t forinxz, hM wx f H mOst pRt enamiz,
/napOlWn prifxd t saplF Hem wiH mani wiH wic t pxcas fMd
from QtsFd, n hAd pEpx rMbalz distribVtad t Hem.”
<p>
wiH refxans t Rmi disiplin, Pdxz wx kantinVali bIiN iSVd
t inflikt sivC paniSmant f H nonpxfPmans v militXi dMtiz
n t sapres robxi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
bat strEnJ t sE, Yl HIz meZxz, efxts, n plAnz—wic wx
not At Yl wxs HAn aHxz iSVd in similx sxkamstAnsaz—did not
afekt H esans v H mAtx bat, lFk H hAndz v a klok ditAct
from H mekanizam, swaN abQt in an RbitrXi n Emlas wE wiHQt
ingEJiN H kogwIlz.
<p>
wiH refxans t H militXi sFd—H plAn v kAmpEn—HAt wxk v
JInWs v wic /tiX rimRä HAt, “hiz JInWs nevx divFzd eniTiN
mP prafQnd, mP skilfal, P mP Admxabal,” n entxz intM a
pOlemik wiH M. fEn t prMv HAt His wxk v JInWs mast bI rifxd
not t H fPT bat t H fiftInT v oktObx—HAt plAn nevx woz P
kUd bI eäikVtad, f it woz kwFt Qt v tac wiH H fAkts v H
kEs. H fPtifFiN v H /kremlin, f wic ly /moskI (Az /napOlWn
txmd H cxc v /bEzal H /biAtifFd) woz t hAv bin rEzd t
H grQnd, prMvd kwFt Vslas. H mFniN v H /kremlin Onli helpt
tPd fUlfiliN /napOlWn'z wiS HAt it SUd bI blOn ap wen hI
left /moskQ—Az a cFld wonts H flP on wic hI hAz hxt himself t
bI bItan. H pxsMt v H /raSan Rmi, abQt wic /napOlWn woz sO
kansxnd, prOdMst an anhxd-v rizalt. H /frenc Jenxalz lost tac
wiH H /raSan Rmi v siäti TQzand men, n akPdiN t /tiX it
woz Onli ivencMali fQnd, lFk a lost pin, bF H skil—n apArantli
H JInWs—v /mMryt.
<p>
wiH refxans t diplOmasi, Yl /napOlWn'z RgVmants Az t hiz
mAgnanimiti n Jastis, bOT t /tMtOlmin n t /jykOvlef (hMz cIf
kansxn woz t abtEn a grEtkOt n a kanvEans), prMvd Vslas;
/AliãAndx did not risIv HIz ynvqz n did not riplF t HX
embasiJ.
<p>
wiH rigRd t lIgal mAtxz, Aftx H eäikVSan v H sapOzd
insendiXiz H rest v /moskQ bxnd dQn.
<p>
wiH rigRd t administrativ mAtxz, H istAbliSmant v a
mVnisipAliti did not stop H robxiz n woz Onli v Vs t sxtan
pIpal hM fPmd pRt v HAt mVnisipAliti n andx prIteät v
prizxviN Pdx lMtad /moskQ P sEvd HX On propxti from bIiN
lMtad.
<p>
wiH rigRd t riliJan, Az t wic in /IJipt mAtxz hAd sO Izili bin
setald bF /napOlWn'z vizit t a mosk, nO rizalts wx acIvd.
tM P TrI prIsts hM wx fQnd in /moskQ did trF t kAri Qt
/napOlWn'z wiS, bat wan v Hem woz slApt in H fEs bF a /frenc
sOlJx wFl kondaktiN sxvis, n a /frenc afiSal ripPtad v
anaHx HAt: “H prIst hMm F fQnd n invFtad t sE /mAs klInd
n lokt ap H cxc. HAt nFt H dPz wx agen brOkan
Opan, H pAdloä smASt, H bUä mVtilEtad, n aHx disPdxz
pxpatrEtad.”
<p>
wiH refxans t komxs, H proklamESan t indastrWs wxkmen n
t pezants ivOkt nO rispons. HX wx nO indastrWs wxkmen, n
H pezants kYt H komisXiz hM vencxd tM fR Qt v tQn
wiH H proklamESan n kild Hem.
<p>
Az t H TWtxz f H entxtEnmant v H pIpal n H trMps,
HIz did not mIt wiH saäes FHx. H TWtxz set ap in H
/kremlin n in /pOsnjykOf's hQs wx klOzd agen At wans bikoz H
Aktxz n Aktrasaz wx robd.
<p>
Ivan filAnTropi did not hAv H dizFxd ifekt. H JenVin Az
wel Az H fYls pEpx mani wic fladad /moskQ lost its vAlV. H
/frenc, kalektiN bMti, kXd Onli f gOld. not Onli woz H
pEpx mani vAlVlas wic /napOlWn sO grESasli distribVtad t H
anfPcanat, bat Ivan silvx lost its vAlV in rilESan t gOld.
<p>
bat H mOst amEziN iãAmpal v H inifektivnas v H Pdxz givan
bF H YToritiz At HAt tFm woz /napOlWn'z atempt t stop H
lMtiN n rI-istAbliS disiplin.
<p>
His iz wot H Rmi YToritiz wx ripPtiN:
<p>
“lMtiN kantinVz in H siti dispFt H dikrIz agenst it. Pdx
iz not jet ristPd n not a siNgal mxcant iz kAriiN on trEd in a
lYfal mAnx. H /satlxz alOn vencx t trEd, n HE sel stOlan
gUdz.”
<p>
“H nEbxhUd v mF wPd kantinVz t bI piliJd bF sOlJxz v
H 3d /kP hM, not sAtisfFd wiH tEkiN from H anfPcanat
inhAbitants hFdiN in H selxz H lital HE hAv left, Ivan hAv
H fxositi t wMnd Hem wiH HX sEbxz, Az F hAv ripItadli
witnast.”
<p>
“naTiN nM, iäept HAt H sOlJxz R robiN n piliJiN—oktObx
9.”
<p>
“robxi n piliJiN kantinV. HX iz a bAnd v TIvz in Qx
distrikt hM Yt t bI xestad bF a stroN fPs—oktObx 11.”
<p>
“H /empxx iz iätrImli displIzd HAt dispFt H strikt Pdxz t
stop piliJ, pRtiz v mxYdiN /gRdz R kantinVali sIn ritxniN
t H /kremlin. amaN H /Old /gRd disPdx n piliJ wx rinMd
mP vFalantli HAn evx jestxdE IvniN, lAst nFt, n tadE. H
/empxx sIz wiH rigret HAt H pikt sOlJxz apqntad t gRd hiz
pxsan, hM SUd set an iãAmpal v disiplin, kAri disObIdWns t
sac a pqnt HAt HE brEk intM H selxz n stPz kantEniN Rmi
saplFz. aHxz hAv disgrEst Hemselvz t H iätent v disObEiN
sentinalz n ofisxz, n hAv abVzd n bItan Hem.”
<p>
“H /grAnd /mRSal v H pAlas,” rOt H gavxnx, “kamplEnz
bitxli HAt in spFt v ripItad Pdxz, H sOlJxz kantinV t
kamit nMsansaz in Yl H kPtjRdz n Ivan andx H veri windOz
v H /empxx.”
<p>
HAt Rmi, lFk a hxd v kAtal ran wFld n trAmpaliN andxfUt H
provindx wic mFt hAv sEvd it from stRvESan, disintigrEtad n
periSt wiH Ic adiSanal dE it rimEnd in /moskQ. bat it did not
gO awE.
<p>
it bigAn t ran awE Onli wen sadanli sIzd bF a pAnik kYzd bF H
kApcx v trAnspPt trEnz on H /smOlensk rOd, n bF H bAtal v
/tRMtinO. H nMz v HAt bAtal v /tRMtinO, aniäpektadli risIvd
bF /napOlWn At a rivV, ivOkt in him a dizFx t paniS H /raSanz
(/tiX sez), n hI iSVd H Pdx f dipRcx wic H hOl
Rmi woz dimAndiN.
<p>
flIiN from /moskQ H sOlJxz tUk wiH Hem evriTiN HE hAd
stOlan. /napOlWn, tM, kArid awE hiz On pxsanal tresx, bat on
sIiN H bAgiJ trEnz HAt impIdad H Rmi, hI woz (/tiX sez)
horx-strak. n jet wiH hiz iäpCWns v wP hI did not Pdx Yl
H sMpxflMas vIikalz t bI bxnd, Az hI hAd dan wiH HOz v a
sxtan mRSal wen aprOciN /moskQ. hI gEzd At H kyleSaz n
kAriJaz in wic sOlJxz wx rFdiN n rimRkt HAt it woz a veri
gUd TiN, Az HOz vIikalz kUd bI Vzd t kAri praviZanz, H
sik, n H wMndad.
<p>
H plFt v H hOl Rmi rizembald HAt v a wMndad Animal wic
fIlz it iz periSiN n daz not nO wot it iz dMiN. t stadi H
skilfal tAktiä n Emz v /napOlWn n hiz Rmi from H tFm it
entxd /moskQ til it woz distrqd iz lFk stadiiN H dFiN lIps
n Sadxz v a mPtali wMndad Animal. veri oftan a wMndad Animal,
hCiN a rasal, raSaz strEt At H hantx'z gan, ranz fPwxd n
bAk agen, n hEsanz its On end. /napOlWn, andx preSx from hiz
hOl Rmi, did H sEm TiN. H rasal v H bAtal v /tRMtinO
frFtand H bIst, n it raSt fPwxd ontM H hantx'z gan,
rIct him, txnd bAk, n fFnali—lFk eni wFld bIst—rAn bAk aloN
H mOst disAdvantEJas n dEnJxas pAT, wX H Old sent woz
familC.
<p>
dxiN H hOl v HAt pCWd /napOlWn, hM sImz t as t hAv bin
H lIdx v Yl HIz mMvmants—Az H figjxhed v a Sip mE sIm
t a sAviJ t gFd H vesal—Aktad lFk a cFld hM, hOldiN a kapal
v striNz insFd a kAriJ, TiNä hI iz drFviN it.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/xli in H mPniN v H siäT v oktObx /piX went Qt v H
Sed, n on ritxniN stopt bF H dP t plE wiH a lital
blM-grE dog, wiH a loN bodi n SPt bAndi leã, HAt Jampt abQt
him. His lital dog livd in HX Sed, slIpiN bisFd /kRytFef At
nFt; it samtFmz mEd iäkxZanz intM H tQn bat YlwEz ritxnd
agen. probabli it hAd nevx hAd an Onx, n it stil biloNd t
nObodi n hAd nO nEm. H /frenc kYld it /yzP; H sOlJx hM
tOld stPiz kYld it /femgylka; /kRytFef n aHxz kYld it /grE, P
samtFmz /flAbi. its lAk v a mAstx, a nEm, P Ivan v a brId P
eni definit kalx did not sIm t trabal H blM-grE dog in H
lIst. its fxi tEl stUd ap fxm n rQnd Az a plMm, its bAndi leã
sxvd it sO wel HAt it wUd oftan grEsfali lift a hFnd leg n ran
veri Izili n kwikli on TrI leã, Az if disdEniN t Vz Yl
fP. evriTiN plIzd it. nQ it wUd rOl on its bAk, jelpiN wiH
dilFt, nQ bAsk in H san wiH a TYtfal X v impPtans, n
nQ frolik abQt plEiN wiH a cip v wUd P a strY.
<p>
/piX'z atFx bF nQ kansistad v a dxti tPn Sxt (H Onli
remnant v hiz fPmx klOHiN), a pX v sOlJx'z trQzxz wic bF
/kRytFef's advFs hI tFd wiH striN rQnd H ANkalz f wPmT, n
a pezant kOt n kAp. fizikli hI hAd cEnJd mac dxiN His
tFm. hI nO loNgx sImd stQt, HO hI stil hAd H apCans v
saliditi n streNT hxeditXi in hiz fAmli. a bCd n mastAS
kavxd H lOx pRt v hiz fEs, n a tANgal v hX, infestad
wiH lFs, kxld rQnd hiz hed lFk a kAp. H lUk v hiz Fz
woz rezalMt, kym, n AnimEtadli alxt, Az nevx bifP. H fPmx
slAknas wic hAd SOn itself Ivan in hiz Fz woz nQ riplEst bF an
enxJetik redinas f AkSan n rizistans. hiz fIt wx bX.
<p>
/piX fxst lUkt dQn H fIld akros wic vIikalz n hPsmen
wx pAsiN HAt mPniN, Hen intM H distans akros H rivx, Hen
At H dog hM woz pritendiN t bI in xnast abQt bFtiN him,
n Hen At hiz bX fIt wic hI plEst wiH pleZx in vXWs
paziSanz, mMviN hiz dxti Tik big tOz. evri tFm hI lUkt At hiz
bX fIt a smFl v AnimEtad self-sAtisfAkSan flitad akros hiz fEs.
H sFt v Hem rimFndad him v Yl hI hAd iäpCWnst n lxnd
dxiN HIz wIä n His rekalekSan woz plezant t him.
<p>
f sam dEz H weHx hAd bin kym n klC wiH slFt frosts in
H mPniNz—wot iz kYld an “Old wFvz' samx.”
<p>
in H sanSFn H X woz wPm, n HAt wPmT woz pxtikVlxli
plezant wiH H invigxEtiN freSnas v H mPniN frost stil in
H X.
<p>
on evriTiN—fR n nC—lE H mAJik kristal glitx sIn Onli At
HAt tFm v Ytam. H /spArO /hilz wx vizabal in H distans,
wiH H viliJ, H cxc, n H lRJ wFt hQs. H bX trIz,
H sAnd, H briä n rMfs v H hQzaz, H grIn cxc spFx,
n H kPnxz v H wFt hQs in H distans, Yl stUd Qt in H
trAnspArant X in mOst delikat QtlFn n wiH annAcxal klCnas.
nC bF kUd bI sIn H familC rMinz v a hAf-bxnd mAnSan
okVpFd bF H /frenc, wiH lFlAk bUSaz stil SOiN dRk grIn
bisFd H fens. n Ivan HAt rMind n bifQld hQs—wic in dal
weHx woz ripalsivli agli—sImd kwFatli bVtifal nQ, in H klC,
mOSanlas brilWns.
<p>
a /frenc kPpxal, wiH kOt anbatand in a hOmli wE, a skalkAp on
hiz hed, n a SPt pFp in hiz mQT, kEm from bihFnd a kPnx v
H Sed n aprOct /piX wiH a frendli wiNk.
<p>
“wot sanSFn, /masjx /kCil!” (HX nEm f /piX.) “E? Jast lFk
spriN!”
<p>
n H kPpxal lInd agenst H dP n ofxd /piX hiz pFp,
HO wenevx hI ofxd it /piX YlwEz diklFnd it.
<p>
“t bI on H mRc in sac weHx...” hI bigAn.
<p>
/piX inkwFxd wot woz bIiN sed abQt lIviN, n H kPpxal tOld
him HAt nCli Yl H trMps wx stRtiN n HX Yt t bI an
Pdx abQt H prizanxz HAt dE. sOkOlOf, wan v H sOlJxz in H
Sed wiH /piX, woz dFiN, n /piX tOld H kPpxal HAt samTiN
SUd bI dan abQt him. H kPpxal riplFd HAt /piX nId not
wari abQt HAt Az HE hAd an AmbVlans n a pxmanant hospital n
xEnJmants wUd bI mEd f H sik, n HAt in Jenxal evriTiN
HAt kUd hApan hAd bin fPsIn bF H YToritiz.
<p>
“bisFdz, /masjx /kCil, V hAv Onli t sE a wxd t H kAptin,
V nO. hI iz a mAn hM nevx fxgets eniTiN. spIk t H kAptin
wen hI mEä hiz rQnd, hI wil dM eniTiN f V.”
<p>
(H kAptin v hMm H kPpxal spOk oftan hAd loN cAts wiH /piX
n SOd him Yl sPts v fEvxz.)
<p>
“'V sI, /st /tomas,' hI sed t mI H aHx dE. 'masjx /kCil iz
a mAn v eJakESan, hM spIä /frenc. hI iz a /raSan sinjUx hM hAz
hAd misfPcMnz, bat hI iz a mAn. hI nOz wot's wot.... if hI wonts
eniTiN n Asä mI, hI wOnt get a rifVzal. wen wan hAz stadid, V
sI, wan lFä eJakESan n wel-bred pIpal.' it iz f jP sEk F
menSan it, /masjx /kCil. H aHx dE if it hAd not bin f V
HAt afX wUd hAv endad il.”
<p>
n Aftx cAtiN a wFl loNgx, H kPpxal went awE. (H afX
hI hAd alMdad t hAd hApand a fV dEz bifP—a fFt bitwIn H
prizanxz n H /frenc sOlJxz, in wic /piX hAd saäIdad in
pAsifFiN hiz komrAdz.) sam v H prizanxz hM hAd hxd /piX
tYkiN t H kPpxal imIdWtli Askt wot H /frencman hAd sed.
wFl /piX woz ripItiN wot hI hAd bin tOld abQt H Rmi lIviN
/moskQ, a Tin, sAlO, tAtxd /frenc sOlJx kEm ap t H dP v
H Sed. rApidli n timidli rEziN hiz fiNgxz t hiz fPhed bF wE
v grItiN, hI Askt /piX weHx H sOlJx /plytOS t hMm hI hAd
givan a Sxt t sO woz in HAt Sed.
<p>
a wIk bifP H /frenc hAd hAd bMt leHx n linin iSVd t Hem,
wic HE hAd givan Qt t H prizanxz t mEk ap intM bMts n
Sxts f Hem.
<p>
“redi, redi, dC felO!” sed /kRytFef, kamiN Qt wiH a nItli
fOldad Sxt.
<p>
/kRytFef, on akQnt v H wPm weHx n f kanvInWns At wxk,
woz wXiN Onli trQzxz n a tAtxd Sxt Az blAk Az sUt. hiz
hX woz bQnd rQnd, wxkman fASan, wiH a wisp v lFm-trI /bAst,
n hiz rQnd fEs sImd rQndx n plezantx HAn evx.
<p>
“a promis iz On braHx t pxfPmans! F sed frFdE n hC it iz,
redi,” sed /platon, smFliN n anfOldiN H Sxt hI hAd sOn.
<p>
H /frencman glAnst xQnd anIzili n Hen, Az if OvxkamiN hiz
hezitESan, rApidli TrM of hiz VnifPm n pUt on H Sxt. hI hAd
a loN, grIsi, flQxd silk wEstkOt neät t hiz sAlO, Tin bX
bodi, bat nO Sxt. hI woz evidentli afrEd H prizanxz lUkiN on
wUd lAf At him, n Trast hiz hed intM H Sxt haridli. nan
v H prizanxz sed a wxd.
<p>
“sI, it fits wel!” platon kept ripItiN, pUliN H Sxt strEt.
<p>
H /frencman, hAviN pUSt hiz hed n hAndz TrM, wiHQt rEziN
hiz Fz, lUkt dQn At H Sxt n iãAmind H sImz.
<p>
“V sI, dC mAn, His iz not a sOiN Sop, n F hAd nO propx
tMlz; n, Az HE sE, wan nIdz a tMl Ivan t kil a lQs,” sed
/platon wiH wan v hiz rQnd smFlz, obvWsli plIzd wiH hiz wxk.
<p>
“it's gUd, kwFt gUd, TANk V,” sed H /frencman, in /frenc, “bat
HX mast bI sam linin left Ovx.”
<p>
“it wil fit betx stil wen it sets t jP bodi,” sed /kRytFef,
stil admFxiN hiz hAndiwxk. “V'l bI nFs n kamfxtabal....”
<p>
“TANä, TANä, Old felO.... bat H bits left Ovx?” sed H
/frencman agen n smFld. hI tUk Qt an AsignESan rMbal nOt n
gEv it t /kRytFef. “bat giv mI H pIsaz HAt R Ovx.”
<p>
/piX sY HAt /platon did not wont t andxstAnd wot H /frencman
woz sEiN, n hI lUkt on wiHQt intxfCiN. /kRytFef TANkt H
/frencman f H mani n went on admFxiN hiz On wxk. H /frencman
insistad on hAviN H pIsaz ritxnd HAt wx left Ovx n Askt
/piX t trAnzlEt wot hI sed.
<p>
“wot daz hI wont H bits f?” sed /kRytFef. “HE'd mEk fFn leg
bAndz f as. wel, nevx mFnd.”
<p>
n /kRytFef, wiH a sadanli cEnJd n sAdand iäpreSan, tUk
a smYl bandal v skrAps from insFd hiz Sxt n gEv it t H
/frencman wiHQt lUkiN At him. “O dC!” matxd /kRytFef n went
awE. H /frencman lUkt At H linin, kansidxd f a mOment, Hen
lUkt inkwFxiNli At /piX n, Az if /piX'z lUk hAd tOld him
samTiN, sadanli blaSt n SQtad in a skwIki vqs:
<p>
“/plytOS! E, /plytOS! kIp Hem jPself!” n hAndiN bAk H od
bits hI txnd n went Qt.
<p>
“HX, lUk At HAt,” sed /kRytFef, swEiN hiz hed. “pIpal sed
HE wx not /kriscanz, bat HE tM hAv sOlz. it's wot H Old
fOk Vst t sE: 'a swetiN hAnd'z an Opan hAnd, a drF hAnd'z klOz.'
hI'z nEkad, bat jet hI'z givan it bAk.”
<p>
/kRytFef smFld TYtfali n woz sFlant awFl lUkiN At H
pIsaz.
<p>
“bat HE'l mEk grAnd leg bAndz, dC frend,” hI sed, n went bAk
intM H Sed.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
/fP wIä hAd pAst sins /piX hAd bin tEkan prizanx n HO
H /frenc hAd ofxd t mMv him from H men'z t H ofisxz' Sed,
hI hAd stEd in H Sed wX hI woz fxst pUt.
<p>
in bxnd n devastEtad /moskQ /piX iäpCWnst YlmOst H iätrIm
limits v prFvESan a mAn kAn indx; bat TANä t hiz fizikal
streNT n helT, v wic hI hAd til Hen bin ankonSas, n
TANä ispeSali t H fAkt HAt H prFvESanz kEm sO grAJMali HAt
it woz imposabal t sE wen HE bigAn, hI indxd hiz paziSan
not Onli lFtli bat Jqfali. n Jast At His tFm hI abtEnd H
trANkwiliti n Iz v mFnd hI hAd fPmxli strivan in vEn t rIc.
hI hAd loN sYt in difxant wEz HAt trANkwiliti v mFnd, HAt
inx hRmani wic hAd sO imprest him in H sOlJxz At H bAtal
v /bPOdinO. hI hAd sYt it in filAnTropi, in /frImEsanri, in H
disipESanz v tQn lFf, in wFn, in hirOik fIts v self-sAkrifFs,
n in rOmAntik lav f /nytySa; hI hAd sYt it bF rIzaniN—n Yl
HIz kwests n iäperimants hAd fEld him. n nQ wiHQt TiNkiN
abQt it hI hAd fQnd HAt pIs n inx hRmani Onli TrM H
horx v deT, TrM prFvESan, n TrM wot hI rekagnFzd in
/kRytFef.
<p>
HOz dredfal mOments hI hAd livd TrM At H eäikVSanz hAd Az it
wx fxevx woSt awE from hiz imAJinESan n memxi H AJitEtiN
TYts n fIliNz HAt hAd fPmxli sImd sO impPtant. it did
not nQ akx t him t TiNk v /raSa, P H wP, P politiä, P
/napOlWn. it woz plEn t him HAt Yl HIz TiNz wx nO biznas
v hiz, n HAt hI woz not kYld on t JaJ kansxniN Hem n
HXfP kUd not dM sO. “/raSa n samx weHx R not bQnd
tageHx,” hI TYt, ripItiN wxdz v /kRytFef's wic hI fQnd
strEnJli kansOliN. hiz intenSan v kiliN /napOlWn n hiz
kAlkVlESanz v H kabAlistik nambx v H bIst v H /apokalips nQ
sImd t him mIniNlas n Ivan ridikVlas. hiz ANgx wiH hiz wFf
n ANzFati HAt hiz nEm SUd not bI smxct nQ sImd not mCli
trivWl bat Ivan amVziN. wot kansxn woz it v hiz HAt samwX P
aHx HAt wUman woz lIdiN H lFf SI prifxd? wot did it mAtx
t enibodi, n ispeSali t him, weHx P not HE fQnd Qt HAt
HX prizanx'z nEm woz /kQnt /bezMâOf?
<p>
hI nQ oftan rimembxd hiz konvxsESan wiH /prins /AndrM n kwFt
agrId wiH him, HO hI andxstUd /prins /AndrM'z TYts samwot
difxantli. prins /AndrM hAd TYt n sed HAt hApinas kUd
Onli bI negativ, bat hAd sed it wiH a SEd v bitxnas n Frani
Az HO hI woz rWli sEiN HAt Yl dizFx f pozitiv hApinas iz
implAntad in as mCli t tPment as n nevx bI sAtisfFd. bat /piX
bilIvd it wiHQt eni mental rezxvESan. H Absans v safxiN,
H sAtisfAkSan v wan'z nIdz n konsikwant frIdam in H cqs v
wan'z okVpESan, HAt iz, v wan'z wE v lFf, nQ sImd t /piX t
bI indMbitabli mAn'z hFast hApinas. hC n nQ f H fxst tFm
hI fUli aprISiEtad H inJqmant v ItiN wen hI wontad t It,
driNkiN wen hI wontad t driNk, slIpiN wen hI wontad t slIp, v
wPmT wen hI woz kOld, v tYkiN t a felO mAn wen hI wiSt t
tYk n t hC a hVman vqs. H sAtisfAkSan v wan'z nIdz—gUd
fMd, klenlinas, n frIdam—nQ HAt hI woz diprFvd v Yl His,
sImd t /piX t konstitMt pxfikt hApinas; n H cqs
v okVpESan, HAt iz, v hiz wE v lFf—nQ HAt HAt woz sO
ristriktad—sImd t him sac an Izi mAtx HAt hI fxgot HAt a
sMpxflMiti v H kamfxts v lFf distrqz Yl Jq in sAtisfFiN wan'z
nIdz, wFl grEt frIdam in H cqs v okVpESan—sac frIdam Az
hiz welT, hiz eJakESan, n hiz sOSal paziSan hAd givan him in hiz
On lFf—iz Jast wot mEä H cqs v okVpESan insolVbli difikalt
n distrqz H dizFx n posabiliti v hAviN an okVpESan.
<p>
Yl /piX'z dEdrImz nQ txnd on H tFm wen hI wUd bI frI. jet
sabsikwantli, n f H rest v hiz lFf, hI TYt n spOk wiH
inTVziAzam v HAt manT v kAptiviti, v HOz irikavxabal, stroN,
Jqfal sensESanz, n cIfli v H kamplIt pIs v mFnd n inx
frIdam wic hI iäpCWnst Onli dxiN HOz wIä.
<p>
wen on H fxst dE hI got ap xli, went Qt v H Sed At dYn, n
sY H kVpalaz n krosaz v H /nM /konvent v H /vxJin stil dRk
At fxst, H hPfrost on H dasti grAs, H /spArO /hilz, n H
wUdad bANä abav H wFndiN rivx vAniSiN in H pxpal distans,
wen hI felt H kontAkt v H freS X n hxd H nqz v H
krOz flFiN from /moskQ akros H fIld, n wen Aftxwxdz lFt
glImd from H Ist n H san'z rim apCd solamli from bihFnd a
klQd, n H kVpalaz n krosaz, H hPfrost, H distans n H
rivx, Yl bigAn t spRkal in H glAd lFt—/piX felt a nM Jq n
streNT in lFf sac Az hI hAd nevx bifP nOn. n His not Onli
stEd wiH him dxiN H hOl v hiz imprizanmant, bat Ivan grM in
streNT Az H hRdSips v hiz paziSan inkrIst.
<p>
HAt fIliN v alxtnas n v redinas f eniTiN woz stil
fxHx streNTand in him bF H hF apinjan hiz felO prizanxz
fPmd v him sMn Aftx hiz xFval At H Sed. wiH hiz noliJ
v lANgwiJaz, H rispekt SOn him bF H /frenc, hiz simplisiti, hiz
redinas t giv eniTiN Askt v him (hI risIvd H alQans
v TrI rMbalz a wIk mEd t ofisxz); wiH hiz streNT, wic hI
SOd t H sOlJxz bF presiN nElz intM H wYlz v H hat; hiz
Jentalnas t hiz kampAnjanz, n hiz kapAsiti f sitiN stil n
TiNkiN wiHQt dMiN eniTiN (wic sImd t Hem inkomprihensabal),
hI apCd t Hem a rAHx mistCWs n sMpCC bIiN. H veri
kwolitiz HAt hAd bin a hindrans, if not AkcMali hRmfal, t him in
H wxld hI hAd livd in—hiz streNT, hiz disdEn f H kamfxts v
lFf, hiz Absant-mFndadnas n simplisiti—hC amaN HIz pIpal gEv
him YlmOst H stAtas v a hCO. n /piX felt HAt HX apinjan
plEst risponsabilitiz apon him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
H /frenc ivAkVESan bigAn on H nFt bitwIn H siäT n sevanT
v oktObx: kicinz n Sedz wx dismAntald, kRts lOdad, n trMps
n bAgiJ trEnz stRtad.
<p>
At sevan in H mPniN a /frenc konvq in mRciN trim, wXiN SEkOz
n kAriiN maskats, nApsAä, n inPmas sAä, stUd in frant
v H Sedz, n AnimEtad /frenc tYk miNgald wiH kxsaz sQndad Yl
aloN H lFnz.
<p>
in H Sed evriwan woz redi, drest, beltad, Sod, n Onli awEtad
H Pdx t stRt. H sik sOlJx, /sOkOlOf, pEl n Tin wiH dRk
SAdOz rQnd hiz Fz, alOn sAt in hiz plEs bXfUt n not drest.
hiz Fz, prominant from H imESiESan v hiz fEs, gEzd inkwFxiNli
At hiz komrAdz hM wx pEiN nO atenSan t him, n hI mOnd
regVlxli n kwFatli. it woz evidentli not sO mac hiz safxiNz HAt
kYzd him t mOn (hI hAd disantxi) Az hiz fC n grIf At bIiN
left alOn.
<p>
/piX, gxt wiH a rOp rQnd hiz wEst n wXiN SMz /kRytFef hAd
mEd f him from sam leHx a /frenc sOlJx hAd tPn of a tI cest
n brYt t hAv hiz bMts mendad wiH, went ap t H sik mAn n
skwotad dQn bisFd him.
<p>
“V nO, /sOkOlOf, HE R not Yl gOiN awE! HE hAv a hospital
hC. V mE bI betx of HAn wI aHxz,” sed /piX.
<p>
“O /lPd! O, it wil bI H deT v mI! O /lPd!” mOnd H mAn in a
lQdx vqs.
<p>
“F'l gO n Ask Hem agen direktli,” sed /piX, rFziN n gOiN t
H dP v H Sed.
<p>
Jast Az /piX rIct H dP, H kPpxal hM hAd ofxd him a
pFp H dE bifP kEm ap t it wiH tM sOlJxz. H kPpxal n
sOlJxz wx in mRciN kit wiH nApsAä n SEkOz HAt hAd metal
strAps, n HIz cEnJd HX familC fEsaz.
<p>
H kPpxal kEm, akPdiN t Pdxz, t Sat H dP. H prizanxz
hAd t bI kQntad bifP bIiN let Qt.
<p>
“kPpxal, wot wil HE dM wiH H sik mAn?...” /piX bigAn.
<p>
bat Ivan Az hI spOk hI bigAn t dQt weHx His woz H kPpxal
hI nM P a strEnJx, sO anlFk himself did H kPpxal sIm At HAt
mOment. mPOvx, Jast Az /piX woz spIkiN a SRp rAtal v dramz
woz sadanli hxd from bOT sFdz. H kPpxal frQnd At /piX'z
wxdz n, atxiN sam mIniNlas OHz, slAmd H dP. H Sed
bikEm semidRk, n H SRp rAtal v H dramz on tM sFdz drQnd
H sik mAn'z grOnz.
<p>
“HX it iz!... it agen!...” sed /piX t himself, n an
involantXi Sadx rAn dQn hiz spFn. in H kPpxal'z cEnJd fEs,
in H sQnd v hiz vqs, in H stxiN n defaniN nqz v H
dramz, hI rekagnFzd HAt mistCWs, kAlas fPs wic kampeld
pIpal agenst HX wil t kil HX felO men—HAt fPs H ifekt
v wic hI hAd witnast dxiN H eäikVSanz. t fC P t trF t
iskEp HAt fPs, t adres intrItiz P eãPtESanz t HOz hM
sxvd Az its tMlz, woz Vslas. /piX nM His nQ. wan hAd t wEt
n indx. hI did not agen gO t H sik mAn, nP txn t lUk At
him, bat stUd frQniN bF H dP v H hat.
<p>
wen HAt dP woz Opand n H prizanxz, krQdiN agenst wan
anaHx lFk a flok v SIp, skwIzd intM H eäit, /piX pUSt
hiz wE fPwxd n aprOct HAt veri kAptin hM Az H kPpxal hAd
aSUxd him woz redi t dM eniTiN f him. H kAptin woz YlsO in
mRciN kit, n on hiz kOld fEs apCd HAt sEm it wic /piX
hAd rekagnFzd in H kPpxal'z wxdz n in H rOl v H dramz.
<p>
“pAs on, pAs on!” H kAptin rIitxEtad, frQniN stxnli, n
lUkiN At H prizanxz hM TroNd pAst him.
<p>
/piX went ap t him, HO hI nM hiz atempt wUd bI vEn.
<p>
“wot nQ?” H ofisx Askt wiH a kOld lUk Az if not rekagnFziN
/piX.
<p>
/piX tOld him abQt H sik mAn.
<p>
“hI'l mAniJ t wYk, deval tEk him!” sed H kAptin. “pAs on, pAs
on!” hI kantinVd wiHQt lUkiN At /piX.
<p>
“bat hI iz dFiN,” /piX agen bigAn.
<p>
“bI sO gUd...” SQtad H kAptin, frQniN ANgrili.
<p>
“drAm-dy-dy-dAm, dAm-dAm...” rAtald H dramz, n /piX andxstUd
HAt His mistCWs fPs kamplItli kantrOld HIz men n HAt it
woz nQ Vslas t sE eni mP.
<p>
H ofisx prizanxz wx sepxEtad from H sOlJxz n tOld t mRc
in frant. HX wx abQt Txti ofisxz, wiH /piX amaN Hem, n
abQt TrI handrad men.
<p>
H ofisxz, hM hAd kam from H aHx Sedz, wx Yl strEnJxz t
/piX n mac betx drest HAn hI. HE lUkt At him n At hiz
SMz mistrastfali, Az At an ElWn. not fR from him wYkt a fAt mEJx
wiH a sAlO, blOtad, ANgri fEs, hM woz wXiN a /kyzyn dresiN
gQn tFd rQnd wiH a tQal, n hM evidentli inJqd H rispekt v
hiz felO prizanxz. hI kept wan hAnd, in wic hI klAspt hiz tabAkO
pQc, insFd H bUzam v hiz dresiN gQn n held H stem v hiz
pFp fxmli wiH H aHx. pAntiN n pafiN, H mEJx grambald n
grQld At evribodi bikoz hI TYt hI woz bIiN pUSt n HAt
HE wx Yl hariiN wen HE hAd nOwX t hari t n wx
Yl sxprFzd At samTiN wen HX woz naTiN t bI sxprFzd At
anaHx, a Tin lital ofisx, woz spIkiN t evriwan, kanJekcxiN
wX HE wx nQ bIiN tEkan n hQ fR HE wUd get HAt dE. an
afiSal in felt bMts n wXiN a komisXWt VnifPm rAn rQnd from
sFd t sFd n gEzd At H rMinz v /moskQ, lQdli anQnsiN hiz
obzxvESanz Az t wot hAd bin bxnd dQn n wot His P HAt pRt
v H siti woz HAt HE kUd sI. a Txd ofisx, hM bF hiz Aäent
woz a /pOl, dispVtad wiH H komisXWt ofisx, RgViN HAt hI woz
mistEkan in hiz FdentifikESan v H difxant wPdz v /moskQ.
<p>
“wot R V dispVtiN abQt?” sed H mEJx ANgrili. “wot daz it
mAtx weHx it iz /st /nikalas P /st /blysiMs? V sI it's bxnd
dQn, n HX'z an end v it.... wot R V pUSiN f? izant H
rOd wFd inaf?” sed hI, txniN t a mAn bihFnd him hM woz not
pUSiN him At Yl.
<p>
“O, O, O! wot hAv HE dan?” H prizanxz on wan sFd n anaHx
wx hxd sEiN Az HE gEzd on H cRd rMinz. “Yl bijond H
rivx, n /zMbOva, n in H /kremlin.... Jast lUk! HX'z not hAf v
it left. jes, F tOld V—H hOl kwPtx bijond H rivx, n sO it
iz.”
<p>
“wel, V nO it's bxnd, sO wot's H Vs v tYkiN?” sed H
mEJx.
<p>
Az HE pAst nC a cxc in H /âymOvniki (wan v H fV anbxnd
kwPtxz v /moskQ) H hOl mAs v prizanxz sadanli stRtad t wan
sFd n eäklamESanz v horx n disgast wx hxd.
<p>
“y, H vilanz! wot hIHanz! jes; ded, ded, sO hI iz... n
smCd wiH samTiN!”
<p>
/piX tM drM nC H cxc wX H TiN woz HAt ivOkt HIz
eäklamESanz, n dimli mEd Qt samTiN lIniN agenst H pEliNz
sxQndiN H cxc. from H wxdz v hiz komrAdz hM sY betx
HAn hI did, hI fQnd HAt His woz H bodi v a mAn, set aprFt
agenst H pEliNz wiH its fEs smCd wiH sUt.
<p>
“gO on! wot H deval... gO on! Txti TQzand devalz!...” H konvq
gRdz bigAn kxsiN n H /frenc sOlJxz, wiH freS viralans,
drOv awE wiH HX sPdz H krQd v prizanxz hM wx gEziN At
H ded mAn.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
/TrM H kros strIts v H /âymOvniki kwPtx H prizanxz
mRct, folOd Onli bF HX eskPt n H vIikalz n wAganz
biloNiN t HAt eskPt, bat wen HE rIct H saplF stPz HE
kEm amaN a hVJ n klOsli pAkt trEn v Rtilxi miNgald wiH
prFvat vIikalz.
<p>
At H briJ HE Yl hYltad, wEtiN f HOz in frant t get akros.
from H briJ HE hAd a vV v endlas lFnz v mMviN bAgiJ
trEnz bifP n bihFnd Hem. t H rFt, wX H /kylMga rOd txnz
nC /neskMcni, endlas rOz v trMps n kRts strect awE intM
H distans. HIz wx trMps v /bORne' kP wic hAd stRtad
bifP eni v H aHxz. bihFnd, aloN H rivxsFd n akros H
/stOn /briJ, wx /nE'z trMps n trAnspPt.
<p>
/dyvM'z trMps, in hMz cRJ wx H prizanxz, wx krosiN H
/krFmWn briJ n sam wx Ylredi dibQciN intM H /kylMga rOd.
bat H bAgiJ trEnz strect Qt sO HAt H lAst v /bORne'
trEn hAd not jet got Qt v /moskQ n rIct H /kylMga rOd wen
H vAngRd v /nE'z Rmi woz Ylredi imxJiN from H /grEt /Pdinka
/strIt.
<p>
wen HE hAd krost H /krFmWn briJ H prizanxz mMvd a fV steps
fPwxd, hYltad, n agen mMvd on, n from Yl sFdz vIikalz n men
krQdad klOsx n klOsx tageHx. HE advAnst H fV handrad pEsaz
HAt sepxEtad H briJ from H /kylMga rOd, tEkiN mP HAn an
Qx t dM sO, n kEm Qt apon H skwX wX H strIts v H
/trAnzmOskva wPd n H /kylMga rOd kanvxJ, n H prizanxz JAmd
klOs tageHx hAd t stAnd f sam Qxz At HAt kroswE. from Yl
sFdz, lFk H rP v H sI, wx hxd H rAtal v wIlz, H
trAmp v fIt, n insesant SQts v ANgx n abVs. /piX stUd
prest agenst H wYl v a cRd hQs, lisaniN t HAt nqz
wic miNgald in hiz imAJinESan wiH H rOl v H dramz.
<p>
t get a betx vV, sevxal ofisx prizanxz klFmd ontM H wYl v
H hAf-bxnd hQs agenst wic /piX woz lIniN.
<p>
“wot krQdz! Jast lUk At H krQdz!... HE'v lOdad gUdz Ivan on
H kAnan! lUk HX, HOz R fxz!” HE iäklEmd. “Jast sI wot
H blAgRdz hAv lMtad.... HX! sI wot HAt wan hAz bihFnd
in H kRt.... wF, HOz R setiNz tEkan from sam Fkonz, bF
hevan!... O, H ryskalz!... sI hQ HAt felO hAz lOdad
himself ap, hI kAn hRdli wYk! gUd lPd, HE'v Ivan grAbd HOz
SEzaz!... sI HAt felO HX sitiN on H traNä.... hevanz!
HE'x fFtiN.”
<p>
“HAt's rFt, hit him on H snQt—on hiz snQt! lFk His, wI
SAnt get awE bifP IvniN. lUk, lUk HX.... wF, HAt mast bI
/napOlWn'z On. sI wot hPsaz! n H monagrAmz wiH a krQn! it's
lFk a pPtabal hQs.... HAt felO'z dropt hiz sAk n dazant sI
it. fFtiN agen... a wUman wiH a bEbi, n not bAd-lUkiN FHx!
jes, F dX sE, HAt's H wE HE'l let V pAs.... Jast lUk,
HX'z nO end t it. /raSan wencaz, bF hevan, sO HE R! in
kAriJaz—sI hQ kamfxtabli HE'v setald Hemselvz!”
<p>
agen, Az At H cxc in /âymOvniki, a wEv v Jenxal kjUxiositi
bP Yl H prizanxz fPwxd ontM H rOd, n /piX, TANä t
hiz stAcx, sY Ovx H hedz v H aHxz wot sO atrAktad HX
kjUxiositi. in TrI kAriJaz involvd amaN H mVniSan kRts, klOsli
skwIzd tageHx, sAt wimin wiH rMZd fEsaz, drest in glXiN
kalxz, hM wx SQtiN samTiN in Sril vqsaz.
<p>
from H mOment /piX hAd rekagnFzd H apCans v H mistCWs
fPs naTiN hAd sImd t him strEnJ P dredfal: nFHx H kPps
smCd wiH sUt f fan nP HIz wimin hariiN awE nP H bxnd
rMinz v /moskQ. Yl HAt hI nQ witnast skXsli mEd an impreSan
on him—Az if hiz sOl, mEkiN redi f a hRd stragal, rifVzd t
risIv impreSanz HAt mFt wIkan it.
<p>
H wimin'z vIikalz drOv bF. bihFnd Hem kEm mP kRts, sOlJxz,
wAganz, sOlJxz, gan kAriJaz, kAriJaz, sOlJxz, AmVniSan kRts,
mP sOlJxz, n nQ n Hen wimin.
<p>
/piX did not sI H pIpal Az indiviJMalz bat sY HX mMvmant.
<p>
Yl HIz pIpal n hPsaz sImd drivan fPwxd bF sam invizabal
pQx. dxiN H Qx /piX woct Hem HE Yl kEm flOiN from
H difxant strIts wiH wan n H sEm dizFx t get on kwikli;
HE Yl Josald wan anaHx, bigAn t grO ANgri n t fFt, wFt
tIT glImd, brQz frQnd, evx H sEm wxdz v abVs flM from
sFd t sFd, n Yl H fEsaz bP H sEm swAgxiNli rezalMt
n kOldli krMal iäpreSan HAt hAd strak /piX HAt mPniN on H
kPpxal'z fEs wen H dramz wx bItiN.
<p>
it woz not til nCli IvniN HAt H ofisx kamAndiN H eskPt
kalektad hiz men n wiH SQts n kworalz fPst hiz wE in amaN
H bAgiJ trEnz, n H prizanxz, hemd in on Yl sFdz, imxJd
ontM H /kylMga rOd.
<p>
HE mRct veri kwikli, wiHQt restiN, n hYltad Onli wen H san
bigAn t set. H bAgiJ kRts drM ap klOs tageHx n H men
bigAn t pripX f HX nFt's rest. HE Yl apCd ANgri n
dissAtisfFd. f a loN tFm, OHz, ANgri SQts, n fFtiN kUd
bI hxd from Yl sFdz. a kAriJ HAt folOd H eskPt rAn
intM wan v H kRts n nokt a hOl in it wiH its pOl. sevxal
sOlJxz rAn tPd H kRt from difxant sFdz: sam bIt H
kAriJ hPsaz on HX hedz, txniN Hem asFd, aHxz fYt amaN
Hemselvz, n /piX sY HAt wan /Jxman woz bAdli wMndad on H hed
bF a sPd.
<p>
it sImd HAt Yl HIz men, nQ HAt HE hAd stopt amid fIldz
in H cil dask v H Ytam IvniN, iäpCWnst wan n H sEm
fIliN v anplezant awEkaniN from H hari n Igxnas t pUS on
HAt hAd sIzd Hem At H stRt. wans At a stAndstil HE Yl sImd
t andxstAnd HAt HE did not jet nO wX HE wx gOiN, n HAt
mac HAt woz pEnfal n difikalt awEtad Hem on His Jxni.
<p>
dxiN His hYlt H eskPt trItad H prizanxz Ivan wxs HAn HE
hAd dan At H stRt. it woz hC HAt H prizanxz f H fxst tFm
risIvd hPsfleS f HX mIt rASan.
<p>
from H ofisx dQn t H lOast sOlJx HE SOd wot sImd lFk
pxsanal spFt agenst Ic v H prizanxz, in aniäpektad kontrAst t
HX fPmx frendli rilESanz.
<p>
His spFt inkrIst stil mP wen, on kYliN Ovx H rOl v
prizanxz, it woz fQnd HAt in H basal v lIviN /moskQ wan /raSan
sOlJx, hM hAd pritendad t safx from kolik, hAd iskEpt. /piX sY
a /frencman bIt a /raSan sOlJx krMali f strEiN tM fR from
H rOd, n hxd hiz frend H kAptin reprimynd n Tretan t
kPt-mRSal a nonkamiSand ofisx on akQnt v H iskEp v H
/raSan. t H nonkamiSand ofisx'z iäkVs HAt H prizanx woz
il n kUd not wYk, H ofisx riplFd HAt H Pdx woz t SMt
HOz hM lAgd bihFnd. /piX felt HAt HAt fEtal fPs wic hAd
kraSt him dxiN H eäikVSanz, bat wic hI hAd not felt dxiN hiz
imprizanmant, nQ agen kantrOld hiz iãistans. it woz teribal, bat
hI felt HAt in prapPSan t H efxts v HAt fEtal fPs t kraS
him, HX grM n streNTand in hiz sOl a pQx v lFf indipendant
v it.
<p>
hI Et hiz sapx v bakwIt sMp wiH hPsfleS n cAtad wiH hiz
komrAdz.
<p>
nFHx /piX nP eni v H aHxz spOk v wot HE hAd sIn in
/moskQ, P v H rafnas v HX trItmant bF H /frenc, P v H
Pdx t SMt Hem wic hAd bin anQnst t Hem. Az if in riAkSan
agenst H wxsaniN v HX paziSan HE wx Yl pxtikVlxli
AnimEtad n gE. HE spOk v pxsanal reminisansaz, v amVziN
sInz HE hAd witnast dxiN H kAmpEn, n avqdad Yl tYk v
HX prezant sicMESan.
<p>
H san hAd set loN sins. brFt stRz SOn Qt hC n HX in H
skF. a red glO Az v a konflagrESan spred abav H hxFzan from H
rFziN fUl mMn, n HAt vAst red bYl swEd strEnJli in H grE
hEz. it grM lFt. H IvniN woz endiN, bat H nFt hAd not jet
kam. /piX got ap n left hiz nM kampAnjanz, krosiN bitwIn H
kAmpfFxz t H aHx sFd v H rOd wX hI hAd bin tOld H
koman sOlJx prizanxz wx stESand. hI wontad t tYk t Hem. on
H rOd hI woz stopt bF a /frenc sentinal hM Pdxd him bAk.
<p>
/piX txnd bAk, not t hiz kampAnjanz bF H kAmpfFx, bat t an
anhRnast kRt wX HX woz nObodi. takiN hiz leã andx him n
dropiN hiz hed hI sAt dQn on H kOld grQnd bF H wIl v H
kRt n rimEnd mOSanlas a loN wFl saNk in TYt. sadanli hI
bxst Qt intM a fit v hiz brYd, gUd-nEcxd lAftx, sO lQd HAt
men from vXWs sFdz txnd wiH sxprFz t sI wot His strEnJ n
evidentli solitXi lAftx kUd mIn.
<p>
“hy-hy-hy!” lAft /piX. n hI sed alQd t himself: “H sOlJx
did not let mI pAs. HE tUk mI n Sat mI ap. HE hOld mI kAptiv.
wot, mI? mI? mF imPtal sOl? hy-hy-hy! hy-hy-hy!...” n hI lAft
til tCz stRtad t hiz Fz.
<p>
a mAn got ap n kEm t sI wot His kwC big felO woz lAfiN At
Yl bF himself. /piX stopt lAfiN, got ap, went fRHx awE from
H inkwizitiv mAn, n lUkt xQnd him.
<p>
H hVJ, endlas bivUAk HAt hAd prIvWsli rizQndad wiH H
krAkaliN v kAmpfFxz n H vqsaz v meni men hAd grOn kwFat, H
red kAmpfFxz wx grOiN pElx n dFiN dQn. hF ap in H lFt
skF haN H fUl mMn. fPists n fIldz bijond H kAmp, ansIn
bifP, wx nQ vizabal in H distans. n fRHx stil, bijond
HOz fPists n fIldz, H brFt, osilEtiN, limitlas distans
lUxd wan t itself. /piX glAnst ap At H skF n H twiNkaliN
stRz in its fRawE depTs. “n Yl HAt iz mI, Yl HAt iz wiHin mI,
n it iz Yl F!” TYt /piX. “n HE kYt Yl HAt n pUt it
intM a Sed bPdad ap wiH plANä!” hI smFld, n went n lE dQn t
slIp bisFd hiz kampAnjanz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
in H xli dEz v oktObx anaHx ynvq kEm t /kMtMzOf wiH a letx
from /napOlWn prapOziN pIs n fYlsli dEtad from /moskQ, HO
/napOlWn woz Ylredi not fR from /kMtMzOf on H Old /kylMga rOd.
/kMtMzOf riplFd t His letx Az hI hAd dan t H wan fPmxli
brYt bF /lPistan, sEiN HAt HX kUd bI nO kwescan v pIs.
<p>
sMn Aftx HAt a ripPt woz risIvd from /dPOâOf's gxila
ditAcmant opxEtiN t H left v /tRMtinO HAt trMps v /brMsiX'z
diviZan hAd bin sIn At /fPminsk n HAt bIiN sepxEtad from H
rest v H /frenc Rmi HE mFt Izili bI distrqd. H sOlJxz n
ofisxz agen dimAndad AkSan. Jenxalz on H stAf, iäFtad bF H
memxi v H Izi viktxi At /tRMtinO, xJd /kMtMzOf t kAri Qt
/dPOâOf's saJescan. /kMtMzOf did not kansidx eni afensiv nesisXi.
H rizalt woz a kompramFz wic woz inevitabal: a smYl ditAcmant woz
sent t /fPminsk t atAk /brMsiX.
<p>
bF a strEnJ kOinsidans, His tAsk, wic txnd Qt t bI a mOst
difikalt n impPtant wan, woz intrastad t /dOâtMrOf—HAt sEm modast
lital /dOâtMrOf hMm nO wan hAd diskrFbd t as Az drYiN ap plAnz
v bAtalz, dASiN abQt in frant v reJimants, SQxiN krosaz on
bAtxiz, n sO on, n hM woz TYt t bI n woz spOkan v Az
andisFdad n andisxniN—bat hMm wI fFnd kamAndiN wXevx H
paziSan woz mOst difikalt Yl TrM H /rasO-/frenc wPz from
/Qstxlits t H jC 1813. At /Qstxlits hI rimEnd lAst At H
/Qgezd dAm, rAliiN H reJimants, sEviN wot woz posabal wen Yl
wx flFiN n periSiN n not a siNgal Jenxal woz left in H rC
gRd. il wiH fIvx hI went t /smOlensk wiH twenti TQzand men
t difend H tQn agenst /napOlWn'z hOl Rmi. in /smOlensk, At H
/mylyâOf /gEt, hI hAd hRdli dOzd of in a pAraäizam v fIvx bifP hI
woz awEkand bF H bombRdmant v H tQn—n /smOlensk held Qt Yl
dE loN. At H bAtal v /bPOdinO, wen /bygrytiOn woz kild n nFn
tenTs v H men v Qx left flANk hAd fYlan n H fUl fPs v H
/frenc Rtilxi fFx woz direktad agenst it, H mAn sent HX woz
His sEm irezalMt n andisxniN /dOâtMrOf—/kMtMzOf hEsaniN t
rektifF a mistEk hI hAd mEd bF sendiN samwan els HX fxst.
n H kwFat lital /dOâtMrOf rOd HiHx, n /bPOdinO bikEm H
grEtast glPi v H /raSan Rmi. meni hCOz hAv bin diskrFbd t
as in vxs n prOz, bat v /dOâtMrOf skXsli a wxd hAz bin sed.
<p>
it woz /dOâtMrOf agen hMm HE sent t /fPminsk n from HX t
/mylO-/jROslyvats, H plEs wX H lAst bAtal wiH H /frenc woz
fYt n wX H obvWs disintigrESan v H /frenc Rmi bigAn;
n wI R tOld v meni JInWsaz n hCOz v HAt pCWd v H
kAmpEn, bat v /dOâtMrOf naTiN P veri lital iz sed n HAt
dMbWsli. n His sFlans abQt /dOâtMrOf iz H klCast testimOni t
hiz merit.
<p>
it iz nAcxal f a mAn hM daz not andxstAnd H wxkiNz v a
maSIn t imAJin HAt a SEviN HAt hAz fYlan intM it bF cAns
n iz intxfCiN wiH its AkSan n tosiN abQt in it iz its mOst
impPtant pRt. H mAn hM daz not andxstAnd H kanstrakSan v
H maSIn kAnot kansIv HAt H smYl kanektiN kogwIl wic
rivolvz kwFatli iz wan v H mOst isenSal pRts v H maSIn, n
not H SEviN wic mCli hRmz n hindxz H wxkiN.
<p>
on H tenT v oktObx wen /dOâtMrOf hAd gon hAfwE t /fPminsk n
stopt At H viliJ v /RistOvO, pripXiN fETfali t eäikVt H
Pdxz hI hAd risIvd, H hOl /frenc Rmi hAviN, in its kanvalsiv
mMvmant, rIct /mMryt's paziSan apArantli in Pdx t giv
bAtal—sadanli wiHQt eni rIzan txnd of t H left ontM H nM
/kylMga rOd n bigAn t entx /fPminsk, wX Onli /brMsiX hAd
bin til Hen. At HAt tFm /dOâtMrOf hAd andx hiz kamAnd, bisFdz
/dPOâOf's ditAcmant, H tM smYl gxila ditAcmants v /fignx n
/seslyvin.
<p>
on H IvniN v oktObx 11 /seslyvin kEm t H /RistOvO hedkwPtxz
wiH a /frenc gRdzman hI hAd kApcxd. H prizanx sed HAt H
trMps HAt hAd entxd /fPminsk HAt dE wx H vAngRd v H hOl
Rmi, HAt /napOlWn woz HX n H hOl Rmi hAd left /moskQ fP
dEz prIvWsli. HAt sEm IvniN a hQs sxf hM hAd kam from
/bPOfsk sed hI hAd sIn an imens Rmi entxiN H tQn. sam
/kosAä v /dOâtMrOf's ditAcmant ripPtad hAviN sFtad H /frenc
/gRdz mRciN aloN H rOd t /bPOfsk. from Yl HIz ripPts it woz
evidant HAt wX HE hAd iäpektad t mIt a siNgal diviZan HX
woz nQ H hOl /frenc Rmi mRciN from /moskQ in an aniäpektad
direkSan—aloN H /kylMga rOd. /dOâtMrOf woz anwiliN t andxtEk
eni AkSan, Az it woz not klC t him nQ wot hI Yt t dM. hI hAd
bin Pdxd t atAk /fPminsk. bat Onli /brMsiX hAd bin HX At
HAt tFm n nQ H hOl /frenc Rmi woz HX. xmOlOf wiSt t Akt
on hiz On JaJmant, bat /dOâtMrOf insistad HAt hI mast hAv /kMtMzOf's
instrakSanz. sO it woz disFdad t send a dispAc t H stAf.
<p>
f His pxpas a kEpabal ofisx, /bOlkhOvitinOf, woz cOzan, hM
woz t iäplEn H hOl afX bF wxd v mQT, bisFdz dilivxiN
a ritan ripPt. tPd midnFt /bOlkhOvitinOf, hAviN risIvd H
dispAc n vxbal instrakSanz, gAlapt of t H /Jenxal /stAf
akampanid bF a /kosAk wiH spX hPsaz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
it woz a wPm, dRk, Ytam nFt. it hAd bin rEniN f fP dEz.
hAviN cEnJd hPsaz twFs n gAlapt twenti mFlz in an Qx n a
hAf Ovx a stiki, madi rOd, /bOlkhOvitinOf rIct /litySefka Aftx
wan O'klok At nFt. dismQntiN At a kotiJ on hMz wotal fens
haN a sFnbPd, /Jenxal /stAf, n TrOiN dQn hiz rEnz, hI entxd
a dRk pAsiJ.
<p>
“H Jenxal on dMti, kwik! it's veri impPtant!” sed hI t samwan
hM hAd rizan n woz snifiN in H dRk pAsiJ.
<p>
“hI hAz bin veri anwel sins H IvniN n His iz H Txd nFt
hI hAz not slept,” sed H Pdxli plIdiNli in a wispx. “V SUd
wEk H kAptin fxst.”
<p>
“bat His iz veri impPtant, from /Jenxal /dOâtMrOf,” sed
/bOlkhOvitinOf, entxiN H Opan dP wic hI hAd fQnd bF fIliN in
H dRk.
<p>
H Pdxli hAd gon in bifP him n bigAn wEkiN sambodi.
<p>
“jP onx, jP onx! a kUrC.”
<p>
“wot? wot's HAt? from hMm?” kEm a slIpi vqs.
<p>
“from /dOâtMrOf n from /yleäE /petrOvic. /napOlWn iz At /fPminsk,”
sed /bOlkhOvitinOf, anEbal t sI in H dRk hM woz spIkiN bat
gesiN bF H vqs HAt it woz not /kOnOvnitsin.
<p>
H mAn hM hAd wEkand jYnd n strect himself.
<p>
“F dOnt lFk wEkiN him,” hI sed, fambaliN f samTiN. “hI iz veri
il. pxhAps His iz Onli a rMmx.”
<p>
“hC iz H dispAc,” sed /bOlkhOvitinOf. “mF Pdxz R t giv it At
wans t H Jenxal on dMti.”
<p>
“wEt a mOment, F'l lFt a kAndal. V dAmd ryskal, wX dM V
YlwEz hFd it?” sed H vqs v H mAn hM woz streciN himself,
t H Pdxli. (His woz /Scerbinin, /kOnOvnitsin'z AJUtant.) “F'v
fQnd it, F'v fQnd it!” hI Adad.
<p>
H Pdxli woz strFkiN a lFt n /Scerbinin woz fambaliN f
samTiN on H kAndalstik.
<p>
“O, H nAsti bIsts!” sed hI wiH disgast.
<p>
bF H lFt v H spRä /bOlkhOvitinOf sY /Scerbinin'z VTfal fEs
Az hI held H kAndal, n H fEs v anaHx mAn hM woz stil aslIp.
His woz /kOnOvnitsin.
<p>
wen H flEm v H salfx splintxz kindald bF H tindx bxnd
ap, fxst blM n Hen red, /Scerbinin lit H tAlO kAndal, from
H kAndalstik v wic H kokrOcaz HAt hAd bin nYiN it wx
raniN awE, n lUkt At H mesinJx. /bOlkhOvitinOf woz bispAtxd
Yl Ovx wiH mad n hAd smCd hiz fEs bF wFpiN it wiH hiz slIv.
<p>
“hM gEv H ripPt?” inkwFxd /Scerbinin, tEkiN H envalOp.
<p>
“H nMz iz rilFabal,” sed /bOlkhOvitinOf. “prizanxz, /kosAä, n
H skQts Yl sE H sEm TiN.”
<p>
“HX'z naTiN t bI dan, wI'l hAf t wEk him,” sed /Scerbinin,
rFziN n gOiN ap t H mAn in H nFtkAp hM lE kavxd bF a
grEtkOt. “pItx /petrOvic!” sed hI. (/kOnOvnitsin did not stx.) “t
H /Jenxal /stAf!” hI sed wiH a smFl, nOiN HAt HOz wxdz wUd
bI SUx t xQz him.
<p>
n in fAkt H hed in H nFtkAp woz liftad At wans. on
/kOnOvnitsin'z hAndsam, rezalMt fEs wiH cIä flaSt bF fIvx,
HX stil rimEnd f an instant a fRawE drImi iäpreSan rimOt
from prezant afXz, bat Hen hI sadanli stRtad n hiz fEs asMmd
its habicMal kym n fxm apCans.
<p>
“wel, wot iz it? from hMm?” hI Askt imIdWtli bat wiHQt hari,
bliNkiN At H lFt.
<p>
wFl lisaniN t H ofisx'z ripPt /kOnOvnitsin brOk H sIl n
red H dispAc. hRdli hAd hI dan sO bifP hI lOxd hiz leã in
HX wUlan stokiNz t H xTan flP n bigAn pUtiN on hiz
bMts. Hen hI tUk of hiz nFtkAp, kOmd hiz hX Ovx hiz tempalz,
n dond hiz kAp.
<p>
“did V get hC kwikli? let as gO t hiz /hFnas.”
<p>
/kOnOvnitsin hAd andxstUd At wans HAt H nMz brYt woz v grEt
impPtans n HAt nO tFm mast bI lost. hI did not kansidx P Ask
himself weHx H nMz woz gUd P bAd. HAt did not intxast him. hI
rigRdad H hOl biznas v H wP not wiH hiz inteliJans P hiz
rIzan bat bF samTiN els. HX woz wiHin him a dIp aniäprest
kanvikSan HAt Yl wUd bI wel, bat HAt wan mast not trast t His
n stil les spIk abQt it, bat mast Onli atend t wan'z On wxk.
n hI did hiz wxk, giviN hiz hOl streNT t H tAsk.
<p>
pItx /petrOvic /kOnOvnitsin, lFk /dOâtMrOf, sImz t hAv bin inklMdad
mCli f praprFati'z sEk in H list v H sO-kYld hCOz v
1812—H /bRklEz, /rFefskis, /jermOlOfs, /plytOfs, n /milPydOvicaz. lFk
/dOâtMrOf hI hAd H repVtESan v bIiN a mAn v veri limitad kapAsiti
n infxmESan, n lFk /dOâtMrOf hI nevx mEd plAnz v bAtal bat
woz YlwEz fQnd wX H sicMESan woz mOst difikalt. sins hiz
apqntmant Az Jenxal on dMti hI hAd YlwEz slept wiH hiz dP Opan,
giviN Pdxz HAt evri mesinJx SUd bI alQd t wEk him ap. in
bAtal hI woz YlwEz andx fFx, sO HAt /kMtMzOf riprMvd him f it n
fCd t send him t H frant, n lFk /dOâtMrOf hI woz wan v HOz
annOtist kogwIlz HAt, wiHQt klAtx P nqz, konstitMt H mOst
isenSal pRt v H maSIn.
<p>
kamiN Qt v H hat intM H dAmp, dRk nFt /kOnOvnitsin
frQnd—pRtli from an inkrIst pEn in hiz hed n pRtli At H
anplezant TYt HAt akxd t him, v hQ Yl HAt nest v
inflMenSal men on H stAf wUd bI stxd ap bF His nMz,
ispeSali /benigsan, hM evx sins /tRMtinO hAd bin At dAgxz
drYn wiH /kMtMzOf; n hQ HE wUd mEk saJescanz, kworal, iSV
Pdxz, n risind Hem. n His premaniSan woz disagrIabal t him
HO hI nM it kUd not bI helpt.
<p>
n in fAkt /tOl, t hMm hI went t kamVnikEt H nMz, imIdWtli
bigAn t iäpQnd hiz plAnz t a Jenxal SXiN hiz kwPtxz, antil
/kOnOvnitsin, hM lisand in wCi sFlans, rimFndad him HAt HE mast
gO t sI hiz /hFnas.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/kMtMzOf lFk Yl Old pIpal did not slIp mac At nFt. hI oftan fel
aslIp aniäpektadli in H dEtFm, bat At nFt, lFiN on hiz bed
wiHQt andresiN, hI Jenxali rimEnd awEk TiNkiN.
<p>
sO hI lE nQ on hiz bed, sapPtiN hiz lRJ, hevi, skRd hed on
hiz plamp hAnd, wiH hiz wan F Opan, meditEtiN n pCiN intM H
dRknas.
<p>
sins /benigsan, hM korispondad wiH H /empxx n hAd mP
inflMans HAn eniwan els on H stAf, hAd bigan t avqd him, /kMtMzOf
woz mP At Iz Az t H posabiliti v himself n hiz trMps bIiN
ablFJd t tEk pRt in Vslas agresiv mMvmants. H lesan v H
/tRMtinO bAtal n v H dE bifP it, wic /kMtMzOf rimembxd wiH
pEn, mast, hI TYt, hAv sam ifekt on aHxz tM.
<p>
“HE mast andxstAnd HAt wI kAn Onli lMz bF tEkiN H afensiv.
pESans n tFm R mF wPCz, mF cAmpWnz,” TYt /kMtMzOf. hI
nM HAt an Apal SUd not bI plakt wFl it iz grIn. it wil fYl
v itself wen rFp, bat if pikt anrFp H Apal iz spqld, H trI
iz hRmd, n jP tIT R set on eJ. lFk an iäpCWnst spPtsman
hI nM HAt H bIst woz wMndad, n wMndad Az Onli H hOl
streNT v /raSa kUd hAv wMndad it, bat weHx it woz mPtali
wMndad P not woz stil an andisFdad kwescan. nQ bF H fAkt v
/lPistan n /bRtelemi hAviN bin sent, n bF H ripPts v H
gxilaz, /kMtMzOf woz YlmOst SUx HAt H wMnd woz mPtal. bat hI
nIdad fxHx prMfs n it woz nesisXi t wEt.
<p>
“HE wont t ran t sI hQ HE hAv wMndad it. wEt n wI SAl
sI! kantinVal manMvxz, kantinVal advAnsaz!” TYt hI. “wot f?
Onli t distiNgwiS Hemselvz! Az if fFtiN wx fan. HE R
lFk cildran from hMm wan kAnt get eni sensabal akQnt v wot hAz
hApand bikoz HE Yl wont t SO hQ wel HE kAn fFt. bat
HAt's not wot iz nIdad nQ.
<p>
“n wot inJInWs manMvxz HE Yl prapOz t mI! it sImz t
Hem HAt wen HE hAv TYt v tM P TrI kantinJansiz” (hI
rimembxd H Jenxal plAn sent him from /pItxzbxg) “HE hAv
fPsIn evriTiN. bat H kantinJansiz R endlas.”
<p>
H andisFdad kwescan Az t weHx H wMnd infliktad At /bPOdinO woz
mPtal P not hAd haN Ovx /kMtMzOf's hed f a hOl manT. on H wan
hAnd H /frenc hAd okVpFd /moskQ. on H aHx /kMtMzOf felt aSUxd
wiH Yl hiz bIiN HAt H teribal blO intM wic hI n Yl H
/raSanz hAd pUt HX hOl streNT mast hAv bin mPtal. bat in eni
kEs prMfs wx nIdad; hI hAd wEtad a hOl manT f Hem n grM
mP impESant H loNgx hI wEtad. lFiN on hiz bed dxiN HOz
slIplas nFts hI did Jast wot hI riprOct HOz jaNgx Jenxalz
f dMiN. hI imAJind Yl sPts v posabal kantinJansiz, Jast lFk
H jaNgx men, bat wiH His difxans, HAt hI sY TQzandz v
kantinJansiz insted v tM P TrI n bEst naTiN on Hem. H
loNgx hI TYt H mP kantinJansiz prizentad Hemselvz. hI
imAJind Yl sPts v mMvmants v H /napOlionik Rmi Az a hOl P
in sekSanz—agenst /pItxzbxg, P agenst him, P t QtflANk him.
hI TYt tM v H posabiliti (wic hI fCd mOst v Yl) HAt
/napOlWn mFt fFt him wiH hiz On wepan n rimEn in /moskQ
awEtiN him. /kMtMzOf Ivan imAJind HAt /napOlWn'z Rmi mFt txn bAk
TrM /medin n /VânOf, bat H wan TiN hI kUd not fPsI woz
wot hApand—H insEn, kanvalsiv stAmpId v /napOlWn'z Rmi dxiN
its fxst ilevan dEz Aftx lIviN /moskQ: a stAmpId wic mEd
posabal wot /kMtMzOf hAd not jet Ivan dXd t TiNk v—H kamplIt
iätxminESan v H /frenc. /dPOâOf's ripPt abQt /brMsiX'z
diviZan, H gxilaz' ripPts v distres in /napOlWn'z Rmi, rMmxz
v prepxESanz f lIviN /moskQ, Yl kanfxmd H sapaziSan HAt
H /frenc Rmi woz bItan n pripXiN f flFt. bat HIz wx
Onli sapaziSanz, wic sImd impPtant t H jaNgx men bat not t
/kMtMzOf. wiH hiz siäti jCz' iäpCWns hI nM wot vAlV t atAc
t rMmxz, nM hQ Apt pIpal hM dizFx eniTiN R t grMp Yl nMz
sO HAt it apCz t kanfxm wot HE dizFx, n hI nM hQ redili
in sac kEsaz HE Omit Yl HAt mEä f H kontrXi. n H mP
hI dizFxd it H les hI alQd himself t bilIv it. His kwescan
absPbd Yl hiz mental pQxz. Yl els woz t him Onli lFf's
kastamXi rMtIn. t sac kastamXi rMtIn biloNd hiz konvxsESanz
wiH H stAf, H letxz hI rOt from /tRMtinO t /madym de /Styl,
H rIdiN v novalz, H distribVSan v awPdz, hiz korispondans
wiH /pItxzbxg, n sO on. bat H distrakSan v H /frenc, wic hI
alOn fPsY, woz hiz hRt's wan dizFx.
<p>
on H nFt v H ilevanT v oktObx hI lE lIniN on hiz Rm n
TiNkiN v HAt.
<p>
HX woz a stx in H neät rMm n hI hxd H steps v /tOl,
/kOnOvnitsin, n /bOlkhOvitinOf.
<p>
“E, hM'z HX? kam in, kam in! wot nMz?” H fIld mRSal kYld
Qt t Hem.
<p>
wFl a fUtman woz lFtiN a kAndal, /tOl kamVnikEtad H sabstans
v H nMz.
<p>
“hM brYt it?” Askt /kMtMzOf wiH a lUk wic, wen H kAndal woz
lit, strak /tOl bF its kOld siveriti.
<p>
“HX kAn bI nO dQt abQt it, jP /hFnas.”
<p>
“kYl him in, kYl him hC.”
<p>
/kMtMzOf sAt ap wiH wan leg hANiN dQn from H bed n hiz big pYnc
restiN agenst H aHx wic woz dabald andx him. hI skrMd ap hiz
sIiN F t skrMtinFz H mesinJx mP kXfali, Az if wiSiN t
rId in hiz fEs wot prIokVpFd hiz On mFnd.
<p>
“tel mI, tel mI, frend,” sed hI t /bOlkhOvitinOf in hiz lO, EJd
vqs, Az hI pUld tageHx H Sxt wic gEpt Opan on hiz cest,
“kam nCx—nCx. wot nMz hAv V brYt mI? E? HAt /napOlWn
hAz left /moskQ? R V SUx? E?”
<p>
/bOlkhOvitinOf gEv a dItEld akQnt from H biginiN v Yl hI hAd
bin tOld t ripPt.
<p>
“spIk kwikx, kwikx! dOnt tPcx mI!” /kMtMzOf intxaptad him.
<p>
/bOlkhOvitinOf tOld him evriTiN n woz Hen sFlant, awEtiN
instrakSanz. tOl woz biginiN t sE samTiN bat /kMtMzOf cekt
him. hI trFd t sE samTiN, bat hiz fEs sadanli pakxd n
riNkald; hI wEvd hiz Rm At /tOl n txnd t H opazit sFd v
H rMm, t H kPnx dRkand bF H Fkonz HAt haN HX.
<p>
“O /lPd, mF /kriEtx, /HQ hAz hxd Qx prEx...” sed hI in a
tremVlas vqs wiH fOldad hAndz. “/raSa iz sEvd. F TANk /HI, /O
/lPd!” n hI wept.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
from H tFm hI risIvd His nMz t H end v H kAmpEn Yl
/kMtMzOf's Aktiviti woz direktad tPd ristrEniN hiz trMps, bF
YToriti, bF gFl, n bF intrIti, from Vslas atAä,
manMvxz, P inkQntxz wiH H periSiN enami. /dOâtMrOf went t
/mylO-/jROslyvats, bat /kMtMzOf liNgxd wiH H mEn Rmi n gEv
Pdxz f H ivAkVESan v /kylMga—a ritrIt bijond wic tQn sImd
t him kwFt posabal.
<p>
evriwX /kMtMzOf ritrItad, bat H enami wiHQt wEtiN f hiz
ritrIt fled in H opazit direkSan.
<p>
/napOlWn'z histPWnz diskrFb t as hiz skild manMvxz At /tRMtinO
n /mylO-/jROslyvats, n mEk kanJekcxz Az t wot wUd hAv
hApand hAd /napOlWn bin in tFm t penitrEt intM H ric saHxn
provinsaz.
<p>
bat not t spIk v H fAkt HAt naTiN priventad him from advAnsiN
intM HOz saHxn provinsaz (f H /raSan Rmi did not bR hiz
wE), H histPWnz fxget HAt naTiN kUd hAv sEvd hiz Rmi, f
Hen Ylredi it bP wiHin itself H Jxmz v inevitabal rMin. hQ
kUd HAt Rmi—wic hAd fQnd abandant saplFz in /moskQ n hAd
trAmpald Hem andxfUt insted v kIpiN Hem, n on xFviN At
/smOlensk hAd lMtad praviZanz insted v stPiN Hem—hQ kUd HAt
Rmi rikMpxEt in /kylMga provins, wic woz inhAbitad bF /raSanz sac
Az HOz hM livd in /moskQ, n wX fFx hAd H sEm propxti v
kansMmiN wot woz set ablEz?
<p>
HAt Rmi kUd not rikavx eniwX. sins H bAtal v /bPOdinO
n H piliJ v /moskQ it hAd bPn wiHin itself, Az it wx, H
kemikal elimants v disalMSan.
<p>
H membxz v wot hAd wans bin an Rmi—/napOlWn himself n Yl hiz
sOlJxz--fled wiHQt nOiN wiHx, Ic kansxnd Onli t mEk hiz
iskEp Az kwikli Az posabal from His paziSan, v H hOplasnas v
wic HE wx Yl mP P les vEgli konSas.
<p>
sO it kEm abQt HAt At H kQnsal At /mylO-/jROslyvats, wen H
Jenxalz pritendiN t kanfx tageHx iäprest vXWs apinjanz, Yl
mQHz wx klOzd bF H apinjan atxd bF H simpal-mFndad sOlJx
/mMton hM, spIkiN lAst, sed wot HE Yl felt: HAt H wan TiN
nIdfal woz t get awE Az kwikli Az posabal; n nO wan, not
Ivan /napOlWn, kUd sE eniTiN agenst HAt trMT wic HE Yl
rekagnFzd.
<p>
bat HO HE Yl rWlFzd HAt it woz nesisXi t get awE, HX
stil rimEnd a fIliN v SEm At admitiN HAt HE mast flI. an
eätxnal Sok woz nIdad t Ovxkam HAt SEm, n His Sok kEm in
dM tFm. it woz wot H /frenc kYld “lU Qxa de /l'empxx.”
<p>
H dE Aftx H kQnsal At /mylO-/jROslyvats /napOlWn rOd Qt xli in
H mPniN amid H lFnz v hiz Rmi wiH hiz swIt v mRSalz n
an eskPt, on H prIteät v inspektiN H Rmi n H sIn v H
prIvWs n v H impendiN bAtal. sam /kosAä on H prQl f
bMti fel in wiH H /empxx n veri nCli kApcxd him. if H
/kosAä did not kApcx /napOlWn Hen, wot sEvd him woz H veri
TiN HAt woz distrqiN H /frenc Rmi, H bMti on wic H
/kosAä fel. hC Az At /tRMtinO HE went Aftx plandx, lIviN H
men. disrigRdiN /napOlWn HE raSt Aftx H plandx n /napOlWn
mAniJd t iskEp.
<p>
wen /lez onfon dM /don mFt sO Izili hAv tEkan H /empxx himself
in H midst v hiz Rmi, it woz klC HAt HX woz naTiN f it bat
t flF Az fAst Az posabal aloN H nCast, familC rOd. /napOlWn
wiH hiz fPti-jC-Old stamak andxstUd HAt hint, not fIliN hiz
fPmx aJiliti n bOldnas, n andx H inflMans v H frFt
H /kosAä hAd givan him hI At wans agrId wiH /mMton n iSVd
Pdxz—Az H histPWnz tel as—t ritrIt bF H /smOlensk rOd.
<p>
HAt /napOlWn agrId wiH /mMton, n HAt H Rmi ritrItad, daz
not prMv HAt /napOlWn kYzd it t ritrIt, bat HAt H fPsaz wic
inflManst H hOl Rmi n direktad it aloN H /mOZFsk (HAt iz,
H /smOlensk) rOd Aktad sFmaltEnWsli on him YlsO.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
a mAn in mOSan YlwEz divFzaz an Em f HAt mOSan. t bI Ebal t gO
a TQzand mFlz hI mast imAJin HAt samTiN gUd awEts him At H
end v HOz TQzand mFlz. wan mast hAv H prospekt v a promist
lAnd t hAv H streNT t mMv.
<p>
H promist lAnd f H /frenc dxiN HX advAns hAd bin /moskQ,
dxiN HX ritrIt it woz HX nEtiv lAnd. bat HAt nEtiv lAnd
woz tM fR of, n f a mAn gOiN a TQzand mFlz it iz AbsalMtli
nesisXi t set asFd hiz fFnal gOl n t sE t himself: “tadE F
SAl get t a plEs twenti-fFv mFlz of wX F SAl rest n
spend H nFt,” n dxiN H fxst dE'z Jxni HAt restiN plEs
iklipsaz hiz altimat gOl n atrAkts Yl hiz hOps n dizFxz. n
H impalsaz felt bF a siNgal pxsan R YlwEz mAgnifFd in a krQd.
<p>
f H /frenc ritrItiN aloN H Old /smOlensk rOd, H fFnal
gOl—HX nEtiv lAnd—woz tM rimOt, n HX imIdWt gOl
woz /smOlensk, tPd wic Yl HX dizFxz n hOps, inPmasli
intensifFd in H mAs, xJd Hem on. it woz not HAt HE nM HAt
mac fMd n freS trMps awEtad Hem in /smOlensk, nP HAt HE wx
tOld sO (on H kontrXi HX sMpCC ofisxz, n /napOlWn himself,
nM HAt praviZanz wx skXs HX), bat bikoz His alOn kUd
giv Hem streNT t mMv on n indx HX prezant prFvESanz. sO
bOT HOz hM nM n HOz hM did not nO disIvd Hemselvz, n
pUSt on t /smOlensk Az t a promist lAnd.
<p>
kamiN Qt ontM H hFrOd H /frenc fled wiH sxprFziN enxJi
n anhxd-v rapiditi tPd H gOl HE hAd fiät on. bisFdz H
koman impals wic bQnd H hOl krQd v /frenc intM wan mAs n
saplFd Hem wiH a sxtan enxJi, HX woz anaHx kYz bFndiN
Hem tageHx—HX grEt nambxz. Az wiH H fizikal lY v grAviti,
HX inPmas mAs drM H indiviJMal hVman Atamz t itself. in HX
handradz v TQzandz HE mMvd lFk a hOl nESan.
<p>
Ic v Hem dizFxd naTiN mP HAn t giv himself ap Az a prizanx
t iskEp from Yl His horx n mizxi; bat on H wan hAnd H fPs
v His koman atrAkSan t /smOlensk, HX gOl, drM Ic v Hem in
H sEm direkSan; on H aHx hAnd an Rmi kP kUd not sxendx
t a kampani, n HO H /frenc avEld Hemselvz v evri
kanvInWnt opxtMniti t ditAc Hemselvz n t sxendx on H
slFtast dIsant prIteät, sac prIteäts did not YlwEz akx. HX
veri nambxz n HX krQdad n swift mMvmant diprFvd Hem v HAt
posabiliti n rendxd it not Onli difikalt bat imposabal f H
/raSanz t stop His mMvmant, t wic H /frenc wx direktiN Yl
HX enxJiz. bijond a sxtan limit nO mikAnikal disrapSan v H
bodi kUd hEsan H proses v dIkompaziSan.
<p>
a lamp v snO kAnot bI meltad instantEnWsli. HX iz a sxtan
limit v tFm in les HAn wic nO amQnt v hIt kAn melt H snO. on
H kontrXi H grEtx H hIt H mP salidifFd H rimEniN snO
bikamz.
<p>
v H /raSan kamAndxz /kMtMzOf alOn andxstUd His. wen H flFt
v H /frenc Rmi aloN H /smOlensk rOd bikEm wel difFnd, wot
/kOnOvnitsin hAd fPsIn on H nFt v H ilevanT v oktObx bigAn
t akx. H sMpCC ofisxz Yl wontad t distiNgwiS Hemselvz,
t kat of, t sIz, t kApcx, n t OvxTrO H /frenc, n Yl
klAmxd f AkSan.
<p>
/kMtMzOf alOn Vzd Yl hiz pQx (n sac pQx iz veri limitad in H
kEs v eni kamAndx in cIf) t privent an atAk.
<p>
hI kUd not tel Hem wot wI sE nQ: “wF fFt, wF blok H rOd,
lMziN Qx On men n inhVmanli slYtxiN anfPcanat recaz? wot
iz H Vs v HAt, wen a Txd v HX Rmi hAz meltad awE on H
rOd from /moskQ t /vjyzma wiHQt eni bAtal?” bat drYiN from hiz
EJd wizdam wot HE kUd andxstAnd, hI tOld Hem v H gOldan
briJ, n HE lAft At n slAndxd him, fliNiN Hemselvz on,
rendiN n iãaltiN Ovx H dFiN bIst.
<p>
xmOlOf, /milPydOvic, /plytOf, n aHxz in proäimiti t H /frenc
nC /vjyzma kUd not rizist HX dizFx t kat of n brEk ap tM
/frenc kP, n bF wE v ripPtiN HX intenSan t /kMtMzOf HE
sent him a blANk SIt v pEpx in an envalOp.
<p>
n trF Az /kMtMzOf mFt t ristrEn H trMps, Qx men atAkt,
trFiN t bR H rOd. infantri reJimants, wI R tOld, advAnst t H
atAk wiH mVzik n wiH dramz bItiN, n kild n lost TQzandz
v men.
<p>
bat HE did not kat of P OvxTrO enibodi n H /frenc Rmi,
klOziN ap mP fxmli At H dEnJx, kantinVd, wFl stedili meltiN
awE, t pxsM its fEtal pAT t /smOlensk.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /fPtIn: 1812
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
H /bAtal v /bPOdinO, wiH H okVpESan v /moskQ HAt folOd it
n H flFt v H /frenc wiHQt fxHx konflikts, iz wan v H
mOst instraktiv finomina in histxi.
<p>
Yl histPWnz agrI HAt H eätxnal Aktiviti v stEts n nESanz
in HX konflikts wiH wan anaHx iz iäprest in wPz, n HAt Az a
direkt rizalt v grEtx P les saäes in wP H politikal streNT
v stEts n nESanz inkrIsaz P dikrIsaz.
<p>
strEnJ Az mE bI H histPikal akQnt v hQ sam kiN P empxx,
hAviN kworald wiH anaHx, kalekts an Rmi, fFts hiz enami'z
Rmi, gEnz a viktxi bF kiliN TrI, fFv, P ten TQzand men, n
sabJagEts a kiNdam n an intFx nESan v sevxal milWnz, Yl
H fAkts v histxi (Az fR Az wI nO it) kanfxm H trMT v H
stEtmant HAt H grEtx P lesx saäes v wan Rmi agenst anaHx
iz H kYz, P At lIst an isenSal indikESan, v an inkrIs P
dIkrIs in H streNT v H nESan—Ivan HO it iz aninteliJabal
wF H difIt v an Rmi—a handradT pRt v a nESan—SUd ablFJ
HAt hOl nESan t sabmit. an Rmi gEnz a viktxi, n At wans H
rFts v H koNkxiN nESan hAv inkrIst t H detrimant v H
difItad. an Rmi hAz safxd difIt, n At wans a pIpal lMzaz its
rFts in prapPSan t H siveriti v H rivxs, n if its Rmi
safxz a kamplIt difIt H nESan iz kwFt sabJagEtad.
<p>
sO akPdiN t histxi it hAz bin fQnd from H mOst Encant tFmz,
n sO it iz t Qx On dE. Yl /napOlWn'z wPz sxv t kanfxm His
rMl. in prapPSan t H difIt v H /ostrWn Rmi /ostrW lMzaz
its rFts, n H rFts n H streNT v /fryns inkrIs. H
viktxiz v H /frenc At /Jena n /QxStyt distrq H indipendant
iãistans v /praSa.
<p>
bat Hen, in 1812, H /frenc gEn a viktxi nC /moskQ. /moskQ iz
tEkan n Aftx HAt, wiH nO fxHx bAtalz, it iz not /raSa HAt
sIsaz t iãist, bat H /frenc Rmi v siä handrad TQzand, n
Hen /napOlionik /fryns itself. t strEn H fAkts t fit H rMlz v
histxi: t sE HAt H fIld v bAtal At /bPOdinO rimEnd in H
hAndz v H /raSanz, P HAt Aftx /moskQ HX wx aHx bAtalz
HAt distrqd /napOlWn'z Rmi, iz imposabal.
<p>
Aftx H /frenc viktxi At /bPOdinO HX woz nO Jenxal ingEJmant nP
eni HAt wx At Yl sCWs, jet H /frenc Rmi sIst t iãist. wot
daz His mIn? if it wx an iãAmpal tEkan from H histxi v /cFna,
wI mFt sE HAt it woz not an histPik finominon (wic iz H
histPWnz' VZMal iäpIdWnt wen eniTiN daz not fit HX stAndxdz);
if H mAtx kansxnd sam brIf konflikt in wic Onli a smYl nambx
v trMps tUk pRt, wI mFt trIt it Az an iäepSan; bat His ivent
akxd bifP Qx fyHxz' Fz, n f Hem it woz a kwescan v H
lFf P deT v HX fyHxlAnd, n it hApand in H grEtast v
Yl nOn wPz.
<p>
H pCWd v H kAmpEn v 1812 from H bAtal v /bPOdinO t H
iäpalSan v H /frenc prMvd HAt H winiN v a bAtal daz not
pradMs a koNkwest n iz not Ivan an invXWbal indikESan v koNkwest;
it prMvd HAt H fPs wic disFdz H fEt v pIpalz lFz not in
H koNkxxz, nP Ivan in Rmiz n bAtalz, bat in samTiN els.
<p>
H /frenc histPWnz, diskrFbiN H kandiSan v H /frenc Rmi
bifP it left /moskQ, afxm HAt Yl woz in Pdx in H /grAnd /Rmi,
iäept H kAvalri, H Rtilxi, n H trAnspPt—HX woz nO fPiJ
f H hPsaz P H kAtal. HAt woz a misfPcMn nO wan kUd remadi,
f H pezants v H distrikt bxnd HX hE rAHx HAn let H
/frenc hAv it.
<p>
H viktxi gEnd did not briN H VZMal rizalts bikoz H pezants
/kRp n /vlys (hM Aftx H /frenc hAd ivAkVEtad /moskQ drOv in HX
kRts t piliJ H tQn, n in Jenxal pxsanali fEld t mAnifest
eni hirOik fIliNz), n H hOl inMmxabal maltitMd v sac
pezants, did not briN HX hE t /moskQ f H hF prFs ofxd
Hem, bat bxnd it insted.
<p>
let as imAJin tM men hM hAv kam Qt t fFt a dMal wiH rEpCz
akPdiN t Yl H rMlz v H Rt v fensiN. H fensiN hAz
gon on f sam tFm; sadanli wan v H kambAtants, fIliN himself
wMndad n andxstAndiN HAt H mAtx iz nO JOk bat kansxnz hiz
lFf, TrOz dQn hiz rEpC, n sIziN H fxst kaJal HAt kamz t
hAnd biginz t brAndiS it. Hen let as imAJin HAt H kambAtant hM
sO sensabli implqd H best n simpalast mInz t atEn hiz end woz
At H sEm tFm inflManst bF tradiSanz v Sivalri n, dizFxiN t
kansIl H fAkts v H kEs, insistad HAt hI hAd gEnd hiz viktxi
wiH H rEpC akPdiN t Yl H rMlz v Rt. wan kAn imAJin wot
kanfVZan n abskjUxiti wUd rizalt from sac an akQnt v H dMal.
<p>
H fensx hM dimAndad a kontest akPdiN t H rMlz v fensiN woz
H /frenc Rmi; hiz apOnant hM TrM awE H rEpC n snAct ap
H kaJal woz H /raSan pIpal; HOz hM trF t iäplEn H mAtx
akPdiN t H rMlz v fensiN R H histPWnz hM hAv diskrFbd
H ivent.
<p>
Aftx H bxniN v /smOlensk a wP bigAn wic did not folO eni
prIvWs tradiSanz v wP. H bxniN v tQnz n viliJaz, H
ritrIts Aftx bAtalz, H blO delt At /bPOdinO n H rinMd
ritrIt, H bxniN v /moskQ, H kApcx v mxYdxz, H sIZx v
trAnspPts, n H gxila wP wx Yl dipRcxz from H rMlz.
<p>
/napOlWn felt His, n from H tFm hI tUk ap H kxekt fensiN
AtitMd in /moskQ n insted v hiz apOnant's rEpC sY a kaJal
rEzd abav hiz hed, hI did not sIs t kamplEn t /kMtMzOf n t
H /empxx /AliãAndx HAt H wP woz bIiN kArid on kontrXi t Yl
H rMlz—Az if HX wx eni rMlz f kiliN pIpal. in spFt v H
kamplEnts v H /frenc Az t H nonabzxvans v H rMlz, in
spFt v H fAkt HAt t sam hFli plEst /raSanz it sImd rAHx
disgrEsfal t fFt wiH a kaJal n HE wontad t asMm a pOz en
quarte P en tCs akPdiN t Yl H rMlz, n t mEk an adrqt
Trast en prFm, n sO on—H kaJal v H pIpal'z wP woz liftad
wiH Yl its menasiN n maJestik streNT, n wiHQt kansaltiN
eniwan'z tEsts P rMlz n rigRdlas v eniTiN els, it rOz n
fel wiH stMpid simplisiti, bat kansistantli, n bilEbxd H /frenc
til H hOl invEZan hAd periSt.
<p>
n it iz wel f a pIpal hM dM not—Az H /frenc did in 1813—salMt
akPdiN t Yl H rMlz v Rt, n, prizentiN H hilt v HX
rEpC grEsfali n palFtli, hAnd it t HX mAgnAnimas koNkxx,
bat At H mOment v trFal, wiHQt AskiN wot rMlz aHxz hAv
adoptad in similx kEsaz, simpli n Izili pik ap H fxst kaJal
HAt kamz t hAnd n strFk wiH it til H fIliN v rizentmant n
rivenJ in HX sOl jIldz t a fIliN v kantempt n kampASan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
/wan v H mOst obvWs n AdvantEJas dipRcxz from H sO-kYld
lYz v wP iz H AkSan v skAtxd grMps agenst men prest
tageHx in a mAs. sac AkSan YlwEz akxz in wPz HAt tEk on a
nASanal kAraktx. in sac AkSanz, insted v tM krQdz apOziN
Ic aHx, H men dispxs, atAk siNgli, ran awE wen atAkt bF
stroNgx fPsaz, bat agen atAk wen opxtMniti ofxz. His woz dan
bF H gxilaz in /spEn, bF H mQntan trFbz in H /kYkasas, n
bF H /raSanz in 1812.
<p>
pIpal hAv kYld His kFnd v wP “gxila wPfX” n asMm HAt
bF sO kYliN it HE hAv iäplEnd its mIniN. bat sac a wP daz
not fit in andx eni rMl n iz direktli apOzd t a wel-nOn rMl
v tAktiä wic iz aäeptad Az infAlabal. HAt rMl sez HAt an
atAkx SUd konsantrEt hiz fPsaz in Pdx t bI stroNgx HAn hiz
apOnant At H mOment v konflikt.
<p>
gxila wP (YlwEz saäesfal, Az histxi SOz) direktli infrinJaz
HAt rMl.
<p>
His kontradikSan xFzaz from H fAkt HAt militXi sFans asMmz
H streNT v an Rmi t bI Fdentikal wiH its nambxz. militXi
sFans sez HAt H mP trMps H grEtx H streNT. /lez /grOs
/bytFlanz ont tMZP rEzon. *
<p>
    * lRJ batAlWnz R YlwEz viktPWs.
<p>
f militXi sFans t sE His iz lFk difFniN mOmentam in mikAniä
bF refxans t H mAs Onli: stEtiN HAt mOmenta R Ikwal P anIkwal
t Ic aHx simpli bikoz H mAsaz involvd R Ikwal P anIkwal.
<p>
mOmentam (kwontiti v mOSan) iz H prodakt v mAs n vilositi.
<p>
in militXi afXz H streNT v an Rmi iz H prodakt v its mAs
n sam annOn x.
<p>
militXi sFans, sIiN in histxi inMmxabal instansaz v H fAkt
HAt H sFz v eni Rmi daz not kOinsFd wiH its streNT n HAt
smYl ditAcmants difIt lRJx wanz, abskjUxli admits H iãistans
v His annOn fAktx n trFz t diskavx it—nQ in a JWmetrik
fPmESan, nQ in H ikwipmant implqd, nQ, n mOst VZMali, in H
JInWs v H kamAndxz. bat H asFnmant v HIz vXWs mIniNz
t H fAktx daz not jIld rizalts wic akPd wiH H histPik
fAkts.
<p>
jet it iz Onli nesisXi t abAndan H fYls vV (adoptad t grAtifF
H “hCOz”) v H efikasi v H direkSanz iSVd in wPtFm bF
kamAndxz, in Pdx t fFnd His annOn kwontiti.
<p>
HAt annOn kwontiti iz H spirit v H Rmi, HAt iz t sE, H
grEtx P lesx redinas t fFt n fEs dEnJx felt bF Yl H men
kampOziN an Rmi, kwFt indipendantli v weHx HE R, P R not,
fFtiN andx H kamAnd v a JInWs, in tM—P TrI-lFn fPmESan,
wiH kaJalz P wiH rFfalz HAt ripIt Txti tFmz a minit. men
hM wont t fFt wil YlwEz pUt Hemselvz in H mOst AdvantEJas
kandiSanz f fFtiN.
<p>
H spirit v an Rmi iz H fAktx wic maltiplFd bF H mAs givz
H rizaltiN fPs. t difFn n iäpres H signifikans v His
annOn fAktx—H spirit v an Rmi—iz a problam f sFans.
<p>
His problam iz Onli solvabal if wI sIs RbitrXili t sabstitMt
f H annOn x itself H kandiSanz andx wic HAt fPs bikamz
apArant—sac Az H kamAndz v H Jenxal, H ikwipmant implqd,
n sO on—mistEkiN HIz f H rWl signifikans v H fAktx,
n if wI rekagnFz His annOn kwontiti in its intFxiti Az bIiN
H grEtx P lesx dizFx t fFt n t fEs dEnJx. Onli Hen,
iäpresiN nOn histPik fAkts bF ikwEZanz n kampXiN H relativ
signifikans v His fAktx, kAn wI hOp t difFn H annOn.
<p>
ten men, batAlWnz, P diviZanz, fFtiN fiftIn men, batAlWnz, P
diviZanz, koNkx—HAt iz, kil P tEk kAptiv—Yl H aHxz, wFl
Hemselvz lMziN fP, sO HAt on H wan sFd fP n on H aHx
fiftIn wx lost. konsikwantli H fP wx Ikwal t H fiftIn, n
HXfP 4x = 15i. konsikwantli x/i = 15/4. His ikwEZan daz not
giv as H vAlV v H annOn fAktx bat givz as a rESiO bitwIn tM
annOnz. n bF briNiN vXWsli silektad histPik Vnits (bAtalz,
kAmpEnz, pCWdz v wP) intM sac ikwEZanz, a sCIz v nambxz
kUd bI abtEnd in wic sxtan lYz SUd iãist n mFt bI
diskavxd.
<p>
H tAktikal rMl HAt an Rmi SUd Akt in mAsaz wen atAkiN, n
in smYlx grMps in ritrIt, ankonSasli kanfxmz H trMT HAt H
streNT v an Rmi dipendz on its spirit. t lId men fPwxd andx
fFx mP disiplin (abtEnabal Onli bF mMvmant in mAsaz) iz nIdad
HAn iz nIdad t rizist atAä. bat His rMl wic lIvz Qt v
akQnt H spirit v H Rmi kantinVali prMvz inkxekt n iz in
pxtikVlxli strFkiN kontrAst t H fAkts wen sam stroN rFz P
fYl in H spirit v H trMps akxz, Az in Yl nASanal wPz.
<p>
H /frenc, ritrItiN in 1812—HO akPdiN t tAktiä HE SUd
hAv sepxEtad intM ditAcmants t difend Hemselvz—koNgrigEtad intM
a mAs bikoz H spirit v H Rmi hAd sO fYlan HAt Onli H mAs
held H Rmi tageHx. H /raSanz, on H kontrXi, Yt akPdiN
t tAktiä t hAv atAkt in mAs, bat in fAkt HE split ap
intM smYl Vnits, bikoz HX spirit hAd sO rizan HAt sepxat
indiviJMalz, wiHQt Pdxz, delt blOz At H /frenc wiHQt nIdiN
eni kampalSan t indMs Hem t iäpOz Hemselvz t hRdSips n
dEnJxz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
H sO-kYld pRtizAn wP bigAn wiH H entri v H /frenc intM
/smOlensk.
<p>
bifP pRtizAn wPfX hAd bin afiSali rekagnFzd bF H
gavxnmant, TQzandz v enami strAgalxz, mxYdxz, n fPiJxz hAd
bin distrqd bF H /kosAä n H pezants, hM kild Hem of
Az instiNktivli Az doã wari a strE mAd dog t deT. denis /dyvidOf,
wiH hiz /raSan instiNkt, woz H fxst t rekagnFz H vAlV v
His teribal kaJal wic rigRdlas v H rMlz v militXi sFans
distrqd H /frenc, n t him biloNz H kredit f tEkiN H fxst
step tPd regVlxFziN His meTad v wPfX.
<p>
on Ygast 24 /dyvidOf's fxst pRtizAn ditAcmant woz fPmd n Hen
aHxz wx rekagnFzd. H fxHx H kAmpEn pragrest H mP
nMmxas HIz ditAcmants bikEm.
<p>
H iregVlxz distrqd H grEt Rmi pIsmIl. HE gAHxd H
fYlan lIvz HAt dropt v Hemselvz from HAt wiHxd trI—H
/frenc Rmi—n samtFmz SUk HAt trI itself. bF oktObx, wen
H /frenc wx flIiN tPd /smOlensk, HX wx handradz v sac
kampaniz, v vXWs sFzaz n kAraktxz. HX wx sam HAt adoptad
Yl H Rmi meTadz n hAd infantri, Rtilxi, stAfs, n H
kamfxts v lFf. aHxz kansistad sOli v /kosAk kAvalri. HX wx
YlsO smYl skrAc grMps v fUt n hPs, n grMps v pezants n
lAndOnxz HAt rimEnd annOn. a sAkristan kamAndad wan pRti wic
kApcxd sevxal handrad prizanxz in H kPs v a manT; n HX
woz /vysilisa, H wFf v a viliJ eldx, hM slM handradz v H
/frenc.
<p>
H pRtizAn wPfX flEmd ap mOst fCsli in H lAtx dEz v
oktObx. its fxst pCWd hAd pAst: wen H pRtizAnz Hemselvz,
amEzd At HX On bOldnas, fCd evri minit t bI sxQndad
n kApcxd bF H /frenc, n hid in H fPists wiHQt ansAdaliN,
hRdli dXiN t dismQnt n YlwEz iäpektiN t bI pxsMd. bF H end
v oktObx His kFnd v wPfX hAd tEkan definit SEp: it hAd bikam
klC t Yl wot kUd bI vencxd agenst H /frenc n wot kUd
not. nQ Onli H kamAndxz v ditAcmants wiH stAfs, n mMviN
akPdiN t rMlz At a distans from H /frenc, stil rigRdad meni
TiNz Az imposabal. H smYl bAndz HAt hAd stRtad HX Aktivitiz
loN bifP n hAd Ylredi abzxvd H /frenc klOsli kansidxd
TiNz posabal wic H kamAndxz v H big ditAcmants did not dX
t kontamplEt. H /kosAä n pezants hM krept in amaN H /frenc
nQ kansidxd evriTiN posabal.
<p>
on oktObx 22, /denisOf (hM woz wan v H iregVlxz) woz wiH hiz
grMp At H hFt v H gxila inTVziAzam. sins xli mPniN hI
n hiz pRti hAd bin on H mMv. Yl dE loN hI hAd bin wociN
from H fPist HAt skxtad H hFrOd a lRJ /frenc konvq v
kAvalri bAgiJ n /raSan prizanxz sepxEtad from H rest v H
Rmi, wic—Az woz lxnd from spFz n prizanxz—woz mMviN andx a
stroN eskPt t /smOlensk. bisFdz /denisOf n /dOlOâOf (hM YlsO led
a smYl pRti n mMvd in /denisOf's visiniti), H kamAndxz v sam
lRJ diviZanz wiH stAfs YlsO nM v His konvq n, Az /denisOf
iäprest it, wx SRpaniN HX tIT f it. tM v H kamAndxz
v lRJ pRtiz—wan a /pOl n H aHx a /Jxman—sent invitESanz
t /denisOf YlmOst sFmaltEnWsli, rikwestiN him t Jqn ap wiH HX
diviZanz t atAk H konvq.
<p>
“nO, bwaHx, F hAv /gwOn mastASaz mFself,” sed /denisOf on rIdiN
HIz dokVments, n hI rOt t H /Jxman HAt, dispFt hiz hRtfelt
dizFx t sxv andx sO vAlWnt n rinQnd a Jenxal, hI hAd t fPgO
HAt pleZx bikoz hI woz Ylredi andx H kamAnd v H /pOliS
Jenxal. t H /pOliS Jenxal hI riplFd t H sEm ifekt, infPmiN
him HAt hI woz Ylredi andx H kamAnd v H /Jxman.
<p>
hAviN xEnJd mAtxz Has, /denisOf n /dOlOâOf intendad, wiHQt
ripPtiN mAtxz t H hFx kamAnd, t atAk n sIz HAt
konvq wiH HX On smYl fPsaz. on oktObx 22 it woz mMviN from
H viliJ v /mikMlinO t HAt v /SymSevO. t H left v H rOd
bitwIn /mikMlinO n /SymSevO HX wx lRJ fPists, iätendiN in
sam plEsaz ap t H rOd itself HO in aHxz a mFl P mP bAk
from it. TrM HIz fPists /denisOf n hiz pRti rOd Yl dE,
samtFmz kIpiN wel bAk in Hem n samtFmz kamiN t H veri
eJ, bat nevx lMziN sFt v H mMviN /frenc. HAt mPniN,
/kosAä v /denisOf's pRti hAd sIzd n kArid of intM H fPist
tM wAganz lOdad wiH kAvalri sAdalz, wic hAd stak in H mad not
fR from /mikMlinO wX H fPist rAn klOs t H rOd. sins Hen,
n antil IvniN, H pRti hAd woct H mMvmants v H /frenc
wiHQt atAkiN. it woz nesisXi t let H /frenc rIc /SymSevO
kwFatli wiHQt alRmiN Hem n Hen, Aftx JqniN /dOlOâOf hM woz
t kam HAt IvniN t a konsaltESan At a wocman'z hat in H fPist
les HAn a mFl from /SymSevO, t sxprFz H /frenc At dYn, fYliN
lFk an AvalAnc on HX hedz from tM sFdz, n rQt n kApcx
Hem Yl At wan blO.
<p>
in HX rC, mP HAn a mFl from /mikMlinO wX H fPist kEm
rFt ap t H rOd, siä /kosAä wx pOstad t ripPt if eni freS
kolamz v /frenc SUd SO Hemselvz.
<p>
bijond /SymSevO, /dOlOâOf woz t abzxv H rOd in H sEm wE, t
fFnd Qt At wot distans HX wx aHx /frenc trMps. HE rekand
HAt H konvq hAd fiftIn handrad men. /denisOf hAd tM handrad, n
/dOlOâOf mFt hAv Az meni mP, bat H dispAriti v nambxz did not
ditx /denisOf. Yl HAt hI nQ wontad t nO woz wot trMps HIz wx
n t lxn HAt hI hAd t kApcx a “taN”—HAt iz, a mAn from
H enami kolam. HAt mPniN'z atAk on H wAganz hAd bin mEd sO
hEstili HAt H /frencmen wiH H wAganz hAd Yl bin kild; Onli a
lital dramx bq hAd bin tEkan alFv, n Az hI woz a strAgalx hI
kUd tel Hem naTiN definit abQt H trMps in HAt kolam.
<p>
/denisOf kansidxd it dEnJxas t mEk a sekand atAk f fC v
pUtiN H hOl kolam on H alxt, sO hI sent /tiâOn /Scerbyti, a
pezant v hiz pRti, t /SymSevO t trF n sIz At lIst wan v H
/frenc kwPtxmAstxz hM hAd bin sent on in advAns.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
it woz a wPm rEni Ytam dE. H skF n H hxFzan wx bOT
H kalx v madi wYtx. At tFmz a sPt v mist disendad, n Hen
sadanli hevi slAntiN rEn kEm dQn.
<p>
/denisOf in a felt klOk n a SIpskin kAp from wic H rEn rAn dQn
woz rFdiN a Tin TarObred hPs wiH saNkan sFdz. lFk hiz hPs,
wic txnd its hed n lEd its Cz bAk, hI SrANk from H drFviN
rEn n gEzd ANkSasli bifP him. hiz Tin fEs wiH its SPt, Tik
blAk bCd lUkt ANgri.
<p>
bisFd /denisOf rOd an /IsYl, * /denisOf's felO wxkx, YlsO in felt
klOk n SIpskin kAp, n rFdiN a lRJ slIk /don hPs.
<p>
    * a kAptin v /kosAä.
<p>
/IsYl /lOvFski H /Txd woz a tYl mAn Az strEt Az an ArO,
pEl-fEst, fX-hXd, wiH nArO lFt Fz n wiH kym
self-sAtisfAkSan in hiz fEs n bXiN. HO it woz imposabal t
sE in wot H pikVliAriti v H hPs n rFdx lE, jet At fxst
glAns At H /IsYl n /denisOf wan sY HAt H lAtx woz wet n
ankamfxtabal n woz a mAn mQntad on a hPs, wFl lUkiN At H
/IsYl wan sY HAt hI woz Az kamfxtabal n Az mac At Iz Az YlwEz
n HAt hI woz not a mAn hM hAd mQntad a hPs, bat a mAn hM woz wan
wiH hiz hPs, a bIiN konsikwantli pazest v tMfOld streNT.
<p>
a lital ahed v Hem wYkt a pezant gFd, wet t H skin n
wXiN a grE pezant kOt n a wFt nitad kAp.
<p>
a lital bihFnd, on a pUx, smYl, lIn /kCgiz mQnt wiH an inPmas
tEl n mEn n a blIdiN mQT, rOd a jaN ofisx in a blM
/frenc OvxkOt.
<p>
bisFd him rOd an hMsR, wiH a bq in a tAtxd /frenc VnifPm n
blM kAp bihFnd him on H krapx v hiz hPs. H bq held on t H
hMsR wiH kOld, red hAndz, n rEziN hiz FbrQz gEzd abQt him
wiH sxprFz. His woz H /frenc dramx bq kApcxd HAt mPniN.
<p>
bihFnd Hem aloN H nArO, sodan, kat ap fPist rOd kEm hMsRz in
TrIz n fPz, n Hen /kosAä: sam in felt klOä, sam in /frenc
grEtkOts, n sam wiH hPskloTs Ovx HX hedz. H hPsaz,
bIiN drenct bF H rEn, Yl lUkt blAk weHx cestnat P bE.
HX neä, wiH HX wet, klOs-kliNiN mEnz, lUkt strEnJli
Tin. stIm rOz from Hem. klOHz, sAdalz, rEnz, wx Yl wet,
slipxi, n sodan, lFk H grQnd n H fYlan lIvz HAt strMd
H rOd. H men sAt hadald ap trFiN not t stx, sO Az t wPm H
wYtx HAt hAd trikald t HX bodiz n not admit H freS kOld
wYtx HAt woz lIkiN in andx HX sIts, HX nIz, n At H
bAk v HX neä. in H midst v H Qtspred lFn v /kosAä tM
wAganz, drYn bF /frenc hPsaz n bF sAdald /kosAk hPsaz HAt hAd
bin hict on in frant, rambald Ovx H trI stamps n brAncaz n
splASt TrM H wYtx HAt lE in H rats.
<p>
/denisOf's hPs swxvd asFd t avqd a pMl in H trAk n bampt
hiz rFdx'z nI agenst a trI.
<p>
“O, H deval!” iäklEmd /denisOf ANgrili, n SOiN hiz tIT hI
strak hiz hPs TrI tFmz wiH hiz wip, splASiN himself n hiz
komrAdz wiH mad.
<p>
/denisOf woz Qt v sPts bOT bikoz v H rEn n YlsO from haNgx
(nan v Hem hAd Itan eniTiN sins mPniN), n jet mP bikoz hI
stil hAd nO nMz from /dOlOâOf n H mAn sent t kApcx a “taN”
hAd not ritxnd.
<p>
“HX'l hRdli bI anaHx sac cAns t fYl on a trAnspPt Az tadE.
it's tM riski t atAk Hem bF wanself, n if wI pUt it of til
anaHx dE wan v H big gxila ditAcmants wil snAc H prE
from andx Qx nOzaz,” TYt /denisOf, kantinVali pCiN fPwxd,
hOpiN t sI a mesinJx from /dOlOâOf.
<p>
on kamiN t a pAT in H fPist aloN wic hI kUd sI fR t H
rFt, /denisOf stopt.
<p>
“HX'z samwan kamiN,” sed hI.
<p>
H /IsYl lUkt in H direkSan /denisOf indikEtad.
<p>
“HX R tM, an ofisx n a /kosAk. bat it iz not prIsapOzabal
HAt it iz H lMtenant kxnal himself,” sed H /IsYl, hM woz fond
v VziN wxdz H /kosAä did not nO.
<p>
H aprOciN rFdxz hAviN disendad a diklFn wx nO loNgx
vizabal, bat HE rIapCd a fV minits lEtx. in frant, At a wCi
gAlap n VziN hiz leHx wip, rOd an ofisx, diSevald n
drenct, hMz trQzxz hAd wxkt ap t abav hiz nIz. bihFnd him,
stAndiN in H stxaps, trotad a /kosAk. H ofisx, a veri jaN
lAd wiH a brYd rOzi fEs n kIn meri Fz, gAlapt ap t /denisOf
n hAndad him a sodan envalOp.
<p>
“from H Jenxal,” sed H ofisx. “plIz iäkVz its not bIiN kwFt
drF.”
<p>
/denisOf, frQniN, tUk H envalOp n Opand it.
<p>
“HX, HE kept teliN as: 'it's dEnJxas, it's dEnJxas,'”
sed H ofisx, adresiN H /IsYl wFl /denisOf woz rIdiN H
dispAc. “bat /kOmROf n F”—hI pqntad t H /kosAk—“wx pripXd.
wI hAv Ic v as tM pistalz.... bat wot's His?” hI Askt, nOtisiN
H /frenc dramx bq. “a prizanx? V'v Ylredi bin in AkSan? mE
F spIk t him?”
<p>
“/wostOf! /petja!” iäklEmd /denisOf, hAviN ran TrM H dispAc.
“wF didant V sE hM V wx?” n txniN wiH a smFl hI held Qt
hiz hAnd t H lAd.
<p>
H ofisx woz /petja /rOstOf.
<p>
Yl H wE /petja hAd bin pripXiN himself t bihEv wiH /denisOf Az
bifitad a grOn-ap mAn n an ofisx—wiHQt hintiN At HX prIvWs
akwEntans. bat Az sMn Az /denisOf smFld At him /petja brFtand
ap, blaSt wiH pleZx, fxgot H afiSal mAnx hI hAd bin
rihxsiN, n bigAn teliN him hQ hI hAd Ylredi bin in a bAtal
nC /vjyzma n hQ a sxtan hMsR hAd distiNgwiSt himself HX.
<p>
“wel, F Am glAd t sI V,” /denisOf intxaptad him, n hiz fEs
agen asMmd its ANkSas iäpreSan.
<p>
“/mFkal /feOklitic,” sed hI t H /IsYl, “His iz agen fwom HAt
/Jxman, V nO. hI”—hI indikEtad /petja—“iz sxviN andx him.”
<p>
n /denisOf tOld H /IsYl HAt H dispAc Jast dilivxd woz a
repitiSan v H /Jxman Jenxal'z dimAnd HAt hI SUd Jqn fPsaz
wiH him f an atAk on H trAnspPt.
<p>
“if wI dOnt tEk it tOmOO, hI'l snAc it fwom andx Qx nOzaz,” hI
Adad.
<p>
wFl /denisOf woz tYkiN t H /IsYl, /petja—abASt bF /denisOf's
kOld tOn n sapOziN HAt it woz dM t H kandiSan v hiz
trQzxz—fxtivli trFd t pUl Hem dQn andx hiz grEtkOt sO
HAt nO wan SUd nOtis it, wFl mEntEniN Az mRSal an X Az
posabal.
<p>
“wil HX bI eni Pdxz, jP onx?” hI Askt /denisOf, hOldiN hiz
hAnd At H salMt n rizMmiN H gEm v AJUtant n Jenxal f
wic hI hAd pripXd himself, “P SAl F rimEn wiH jP onx?”
<p>
“Pdxz?” /denisOf ripItad TYtfali. “bat kAn V stE til
tOmOO?”
<p>
“O, plIz... mE F stE wiH V?” krFd /petja.
<p>
“bat, Jast wot did H JinMal tel V? t witxn At wans?” Askt
/denisOf.
<p>
/petja blaSt.
<p>
“hI gEv mI nO instrakSanz. F TiNk F kUd?” hI ritxnd, inkwFxiNli.
<p>
“wel, Yl wFt,” sed /denisOf.
<p>
n txniN t hiz men hI direktad a pRti t gO on t H hYltiN plEs
xEnJd nC H wocman'z hat in H fPist, n tOld H ofisx on
H /kCgiz hPs (hM pxfPmd H dMtiz v an AJUtant) t gO n
fFnd Qt wX /dOlOâOf woz n weHx hI wUd kam HAt IvniN.
/denisOf himself intendad gOiN wiH H /IsYl n /petja t H eJ v
H fPist wX it rIct Qt t /SymSevO, t hAv a lUk At H pRt
v H /frenc bivUAk HE wx t atAk neät dE.
<p>
“wel, Old felO,” sed hI t H pezant gFd, “lId as t
/SymSevO.”
<p>
/denisOf, /petja, n H /IsYl, akampanid bF sam /kosAä n H
hMsR hM hAd H prizanx, rOd t H left akros a ravIn t H
eJ v H fPist.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
H rEn hAd stopt, n Onli H mist woz fYliN n drops from
H trIz. /denisOf, H /IsYl, n /petja rOd sFlantli, folOiN H
pezant in H nitad kAp hM, stepiN lFtli wiH Qttxnd tOz
n mMviN nqzlasli in hiz /bAst SMz Ovx H rMts n wet lIvz,
sFlantli led Hem t H eJ v H fPist.
<p>
hI asendad an inklFn, stopt, lUkt abQt him, n advAnst t wX
H skrIn v trIz woz les dens. on rIciN a lRJ Ok trI HAt
hAd not jet Sed its lIvz, hI stopt n bekand mistCWsli t
Hem wiH hiz hAnd.
<p>
/denisOf n /petja rOd ap t him. from H spot wX H pezant woz
stAndiN HE kUd sI H /frenc. imIdWtli bijond H fPist, on a
dQnwxd slOp, lE a fIld v spriN rF. t H rFt, bijond a stIp
ravIn, woz a smYl viliJ n a lAndOnx'z hQs wiH a brOkan rMf.
in H viliJ, in H hQs, in H gRdan, bF H wel, bF H pond,
Ovx Yl H rFziN grQnd, n Yl aloN H rOd aphil from H
briJ lIdiN t H viliJ, not mP HAn fFv handrad jRdz
awE, krQdz v men kUd bI sIn TrM H SimxiN mist. HX
an-/raSan SQtiN At HX hPsaz wic wx strEniN aphil wiH H
kRts, n HX kYlz t wan anaHx, kUd bI klCli hxd.
<p>
“bwiN H prizanx hC,” sed /denisOf in a lO vqs, not tEkiN hiz
Fz of H /frenc.
<p>
a /kosAk dismQntad, liftad H bq dQn, n tUk him t /denisOf.
pqntiN t H /frenc trMps, /denisOf Askt him wot HIz n HOz
v Hem wx. H bq, TrastiN hiz kOld hAndz intM hiz pokats n
liftiN hiz FbrQz, lUkt At /denisOf in afrFt, bat in spFt v
an evidant dizFx t sE Yl hI nM gEv kanfVzd Ansxz, mCli
asentiN t evriTiN /denisOf Askt him. /denisOf txnd awE from him
frQniN n adrest H /IsYl, kanvEiN hiz On kanJekcxz t him.
<p>
/petja, rApidli txniN hiz hed, lUkt nQ At H dramx bq, nQ
At /denisOf, nQ At H /IsYl, n nQ At H /frenc in H viliJ n
aloN H rOd, trFiN not t mis eniTiN v impPtans.
<p>
“weHx /dOlOâOf kamz P not, wI mast sIz it, E?” sed /denisOf wiH
a meri spRkal in hiz Fz.
<p>
“it iz a veri sMtabal spot,” sed H /IsYl.
<p>
“wI'l send H infAntwF dQn bF H swomps,” /denisOf kantinVd.
“HE'l kwIp ap t H gRdan; V'l wFd ap fwom HX wiH H
/kosAä”—hI pqntad t a spot in H fPist bijond H viliJ—“n F
wiH mF hMsRz fwom hC. n At H signal Sot...”
<p>
“H holO iz impAsabal—HX'z a swomp HX,” sed H /IsYl. “H
hPsaz wUd siNk. wI mast rFd rQnd mP t H left....”
<p>
wFl HE wx tYkiN in andxtOnz H krAk v a Sot sQndad
from H lO grQnd bF H pond, a paf v wFt smOk apCd, Hen
anaHx, n H sQnd v handradz v sImiNli meri /frenc vqsaz
SQtiN tageHx kEm ap from H slOp. f a mOment /denisOf n H
/IsYl drM bAk. HE wx sO nC HAt HE TYt HE wx H kYz
v H fFxiN n SQtiN. bat H fFxiN n SQtiN did not rilEt
t Hem. dQn bilO, a mAn wXiN samTiN red woz raniN TrM H
mRS. H /frenc wx evidentli fFxiN n SQtiN At him.
<p>
“wF, HAt's Qx /tiâOn,” sed H /IsYl.
<p>
“sO it iz! it iz!”
<p>
“H wAskal!” sed /denisOf.
<p>
“hI'l get awE!” sed H /IsYl, skrMiN ap hiz Fz.
<p>
H mAn hMm HE kYld /tiâOn, hAviN ran t H strIm, planJd in
sO HAt H wYtx splASt in H X, n, hAviN disapCd f an
instant, skrAmbald Qt on Yl fPz, Yl blAk wiH H wet, n rAn on.
H /frenc hM hAd bin pxsMiN him stopt.
<p>
“smRt, HAt!” sed H /IsYl.
<p>
“wot a bIst!” sed /denisOf wiH hiz fPmx lUk v veäESan. “wot hAz
hI bin dMiN Yl His tFm?”
<p>
“hM iz hI?” Askt /petja.
<p>
“hI'z Qx plAstMn. F sent him t kApcx a 'taN.'”
<p>
“O, jes,” sed /petja, nodiN At H fxst wxdz /denisOf atxd Az if
hI andxstUd it Yl, HO hI rWli did not andxstAnd eniTiN v
it.
<p>
/tiâOn /Scerbyti woz wan v H mOst indispensabal men in HX bAnd.
hI woz a pezant from /pOkrOfsk, nC H rivx /gZyt. wen /denisOf hAd
kam t /pOkrOfsk At H biginiN v hiz opxESanz n hAd Az VZMal
samand H viliJ eldx n Askt him wot hI nM abQt H /frenc,
H eldx, Az HO SIldiN himself, hAd riplFd, Az Yl viliJ
eldxz did, HAt hI hAd nFHx sIn nP hxd eniTiN v Hem. bat
wen /denisOf iäplEnd HAt hiz pxpas woz t kil H /frenc, n
Askt if nO /frenc hAd strEd HAt wE, H eldx riplFd HAt sam
“mP-Pdxxz” hAd rWli bin At HX viliJ, bat HAt /tiâOn
/Scerbyti woz H Onli mAn hM delt wiH sac mAtxz. /denisOf hAd
/tiâOn kYld n, hAviN prEzd him f hiz Aktiviti, sed a fV wxdz
in H eldx'z prezans abQt lqalti t H /tsR n H kantri n
H hEtrad v H /frenc HAt Yl sanz v H fyHxlAnd SUd ceriS.
<p>
“wI dOnt dM H /frenc eni hRm,” sed /tiâOn, evidentli frFtand bF
/denisOf's wxdz. “wI Onli fMld abQt wiH H lAdz f fan, V nO!
wI kild a skP P sO v 'mP-Pdxxz,' bat wI did nO hRm els....”
<p>
neät dE wen /denisOf hAd left /pOkrOfsk, hAviN kwFt fxgotan abQt
His pezant, it woz ripPtad t him HAt /tiâOn hAd atAct himself
t HX pRti n Askt t bI alQd t rimEn wiH it. /denisOf gEv
Pdxz t let him dM sO.
<p>
/tiâOn, hM At fxst did raf wxk, lEiN kAmpfFxz, feciN wYtx,
flEiN ded hPsaz, n sO on, sMn SOd a grEt lFkiN n AptitMd
f pRtizAn wPfX. At nFt hI wUd gO Qt f bMti n YlwEz
brYt bAk /frenc klOHiN n wepanz, n wen tOld t wUd briN
in /frenc kAptivz YlsO. /denisOf Hen rilIvd him from draJxi n
bigAn tEkiN him wiH him wen hI went Qt on eäpidiSanz n hAd him
inrOld amaN H /kosAä.
<p>
/tiâOn did not lFk rFdiN, n YlwEz went on fUt, nevx lAgiN
bihFnd H kAvalri. hI woz Rmd wiH a maskItOan (wic hI kArid
rAHx Az a JOk), a pFk n an Aä, wic lAtx hI Vzd Az a wUlf Vzaz
its tIT, wiH Ikwal Iz pikiN flIz Qt v its fx P kranciN
Tik bOnz. /tiâOn wiH Ikwal Akjxasi wUd split loã wiH blOz At
Rm'z leNT, P hOldiN H hed v H Aä wUd kat Tin lital peã
P kRv spMnz. in /denisOf's pRti hI held a pikVlC n iäepSanal
paziSan. wen eniTiN pxtikVlxli difikalt P nAsti hAd t bI
dan—t pUS a kRt Qt v H mad wiH wan'z SOldxz, pUl a hPs
Qt v a swomp bF its tEl, skin it, sliNk in amaN H /frenc, P wYk
mP HAn Txti mFlz in a dE—evribodi pqntad lAfiNli At /tiâOn.
<p>
“it wOnt hxt HAt deval—hI'z Az stroN Az a hPs!” HE sed v him.
<p>
wans a /frencman /tiâOn woz trFiN t kApcx fFxd a pistal At him
n Sot him in H fleSi pRt v H bAk. HAt wMnd (wic /tiâOn
trItad Onli wiH intxnal n eätxnal AplikESanz v vodka) woz H
sabJekt v H lFvlWst JOä bF H hOl ditAcmant—JOä in wic
/tiâOn redili Jqnd.
<p>
“halO, mEt! nevx agen? gEv V a twist?” H /kosAä wUd bAntx
him. n /tiâOn, pxpasli rFHiN n mEkiN fEsaz, pritendad t bI
ANgri n swP At H /frenc wiH H fanWst kxsaz. H Onli ifekt
v His insidant on /tiâOn woz HAt Aftx bIiN wMndad hI seldam
brYt in prizanxz.
<p>
hI woz H brEvast n mOst Vsfal mAn in H pRti. nO wan fQnd mP
opxtMnitiz f atAkiN, nO wan kApcxd P kild mP /frencmen,
n konsikwantli hI woz mEd H bafMn v Yl H /kosAä n hMsRz
n wiliNli aäeptad HAt rOl. nQ hI hAd bin sent bF /denisOf
OvxnFt t /SymSevO t kApcx a “taN.” bat weHx bikoz hI
hAd not bin kantent t tEk Onli wan /frencman P bikoz hI hAd slept
TrM H nFt, hI hAd krept bF dE intM sam bUSaz rFt amaN H
/frenc n, Az /denisOf hAd witnast from abav, hAd bin ditektad bF
Hem.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
/Aftx tYkiN f sam tFm wiH H /IsYl abQt neät dE'z atAk,
wic nQ, sIiN hQ nC HE wx t H /frenc, hI sImd t hAv
definitli disFdad on, /denisOf txnd hiz hPs n rOd bAk.
<p>
“nQ, mF lAd, wI'l gO n get dwF,” hI sed t /petja.
<p>
Az HE aprOct H wochQs /denisOf stopt, pCiN intM H
fPist. amaN H trIz a mAn wiH loN leã n loN, swiNiN Rmz,
wXiN a SPt JAkat, /bAst SMz, n a /kyzyn hAt, woz aprOciN
wiH loN, lFt steps. hI hAd a maskItOan Ovx hiz SOldx n an Aä
stak in hiz gxdal. wen hI ispFd /denisOf hI hEstili TrM samTiN
intM H bUSaz, rimMvd hiz sodan hAt bF its flopi brim, n
aprOct hiz kamAndx. it woz /tiâOn. hiz riNkald n pokmRkt
fEs n nArO lital Fz bImd wiH self-sAtisfFd merimant. hI
liftad hiz hed hF n gEzd At /denisOf Az if ripresiN a lAf.
<p>
“wel, wX did V disapC t?” inkwFxd /denisOf.
<p>
“wX did F disapC t? F went t get /frencmen,” Ansxd /tiâOn
bOldli n haridli, in a haski bat milOdWs bEs vqs.
<p>
“wF did V pUS jPself in HX bF dElFt? V As! wel, wF
hAvant V tEkan wan?”
<p>
“O, F tUk wan Yl rFt,” sed /tiâOn.
<p>
“wX iz hI?”
<p>
“V sI, F tUk him fxst TiN At dYn,” /tiâOn kantinVd, sprediN
Qt hiz flAt fIt wiH Qttxnd tOz in HX /bAst SMz. “F tUk him
intM H fPist. Hen F sI hI'z nO gUd n TiNk F'l gO n fec a
lFklC wan.”
<p>
“V sI?... wot a wOg—it's Jast Az F TYt,” sed /denisOf t H
/IsYl. “wF didant V bwiN HAt wan?”
<p>
“wot woz H gUd v briNiN him?” /tiâOn intxaptad hEstili n
ANgrili—“HAt wan wUdant hAv dan f V. Az if F dOnt nO wot
sPt V wont!”
<p>
“wot a bwMt V R!... wel?”
<p>
“F went f anaHx wan,” /tiâOn kantinVd, “n F krept lFk His
TrM H wUd n lE dQn.” (hI sadanli lE dQn on hiz stamak
wiH a sapal mMvmant t SO hQ hI hAd dan it.) “wan txnd ap n
F grAbd him, lFk His.” (hI Jampt ap kwikli n lFtli.) “'kam
aloN t H kxnal,' F sed. hI stRts jeliN, n sadanli HX
wx fP v Hem. HE raSt At mI wiH HX lital sPdz. sO F went
f Hem wiH mF Aä, His wE: 'wot R V ap t?' sez F. '/krFst
bI wiH V!'” SQtad /tiâOn, wEviN hiz Rmz wiH an ANgri skQl n
TrOiN Qt hiz cest.
<p>
“jes, wI sY from H hil hQ V tUk t jP hIlz TrM H
padalz!” sed H /IsYl, skrMiN ap hiz glitxiN Fz.
<p>
/petja bAdli wontad t lAf, bat nOtist HAt HE Yl rifrEnd from
lAfiN. hI txnd hiz Fz rApidli from /tiâOn'z fEs t H /IsYl'z
n /denisOf's, anEbal t mEk Qt wot it Yl ment.
<p>
“dOnt plE H fMl!” sed /denisOf, kofiN ANgrili. “wF didant V
bwiN H fxst wan?”
<p>
/tiâOn skrAct hiz bAk wiH wan hAnd n hiz hed wiH H aHx,
Hen sadanli hiz hOl fEs iäpAndad intM a bImiN, fMliS grin,
disklOziN a gAp wX hI hAd lost a tMT (HAt woz wF hI woz kYld
/Scerbyti—H gAp-tMTt). /denisOf smFld, n /petja bxst intM a pIl
v meri lAftx in wic /tiâOn himself Jqnd.
<p>
“O, bat hI woz a regVlx gUd-f-naTiN,” sed /tiâOn. “H klOHz
on him—pUx staf! hQ kUd F briN him? n sO rMd, jP onx! wF,
hI sez: 'F'm a Jenxal'z san mFself, F wOnt gO!' hI sez.”
<p>
“V R a bwMt!” sed /denisOf. “F wontad t kwescan...”
<p>
“bat F kwescand him,” sed /tiâOn. “hI sed hI didant nO mac.
'HX R a lot v as,' hI sez, 'bat Yl pUx staf—Onli sOlJxz in
nEm,' hI sez. 'SQt lQd At Hem,' hI sez, 'n V'l tEk
Hem Yl,'” /tiâOn kanklMdad, lUkiN cCfali n rezalMtli intM
/denisOf's Fz.
<p>
“F'l giv V a handwad SRp lASaz—HAt'l tIc V t plE H
fMl!” sed /denisOf sivCli.
<p>
“bat wF R V ANgri?” rimonstrEtad /tiâOn, “Jast Az if F'd nevx sIn
jP /frencmen! Onli wEt til it gets dRk n F'l fec V eni v
Hem V wont—TrI if V lFk.”
<p>
“wel, let's gO,” sed /denisOf, n rOd Yl H wE t H wochQs
in sFlans n frQniN ANgrili.
<p>
/tiâOn folOd bihFnd n /petja hxd H /kosAä lAfiN wiH him
n At him, abQt sam pX v bMts hI hAd TrOn intM H bUSaz.
<p>
wen H fit v lAftx HAt hAd sIzd him At /tiâOn'z wxdz n smFl
hAd pAst n /petja rWlFzd f a mOment HAt His /tiâOn hAd kild a
mAn, hI felt anIzi. hI lUkt rQnd At H kAptiv dramx bq n felt
a pAN in hiz hRt. bat His anIzinas lAstad Onli a mOment. hI felt
it nesisXi t hOld hiz hed hFx, t brEs himself, n t kwescan
H /IsYl wiH an X v impPtans abQt tamorO'z andxtEkiN, HAt
hI mFt not bI anwxHi v H kampani in wic hI fQnd himself.
<p>
H ofisx hM hAd bin sent t inkwFx met /denisOf on H wE wiH H
nMz HAt /dOlOâOf woz sMn kamiN n HAt Yl woz wel wiH him.
<p>
/denisOf At wans cCd ap n, kYliN /petja t him, sed: “wel, tel
mI abQt jPself.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
/petja, hAviN left hiz pIpal Aftx HX dipRcx from /moskQ, Jqnd
hiz reJimant n woz sMn tEkan Az Pdxli bF a Jenxal kamAndiN a
lRJ gxila ditAcmant. from H tFm hI risIvd hiz kamiSan,
n ispeSali sins hI hAd Jqnd H Aktiv Rmi n tEkan pRt in
H bAtal v /vjyzma, /petja hAd bin in a konstant stEt v blisfal
iäFtmant At bIiN grOn-ap n in a pxpecMal iätAtik hari not t
mis eni cAns t dM samTiN rWli hirOik. hI woz hFli dilFtad
wiH wot hI sY n iäpCWnst in H Rmi, bat At H sEm tFm
it YlwEz sImd t him HAt H rWli hirOik eäplqts wx bIiN
pxfPmd Jast wX hI did not hApan t bI. n hI woz YlwEz in a
hari t get wX hI woz not.
<p>
wen on H twenti-fxst v oktObx hiz Jenxal iäprest a wiS t send
sambodi t /denisOf's ditAcmant, /petja begd sO pitWsli t bI sent
HAt H Jenxal kUd not rifVz. bat wen dispAciN him hI rikYld
/petja'z mAd AkSan At H bAtal v /vjyzma, wX insted v rFdiN bF
H rOd t H plEs t wic hI hAd bin sent, hI hAd gAlapt t H
advAnst lFn andx H fFx v H /frenc n hAd HX twFs fFxd
hiz pistal. sO nQ H Jenxal iäplisitli fxbEd hiz tEkiN pRt in eni
AkSan wotevx v /denisOf's. HAt woz wF /petja hAd blaSt n grOn
kanfVzd wen /denisOf Askt him weHx hI kUd stE. bifP HE hAd
ridan t H Qtskxts v H fPist /petja hAd kansidxd hI mast kAri
Qt hiz instrakSanz striktli n ritxn At wans. bat wen hI sY H
/frenc n sY /tiâOn n lxnd HAt HX wUd sxtanli bI an
atAk HAt nFt, hI disFdad, wiH H rapiditi wiH wic jaN pIpal
cEnJ HX vVz, HAt H Jenxal, hMm hI hAd grEtli rispektad til
Hen, woz a rabiSi /Jxman, HAt /denisOf woz a hCO, H /IsYl a hCO,
n /tiâOn a hCO tM, n HAt it wUd bI SEmfal f him t lIv
Hem At a mOment v difikalti.
<p>
it woz Ylredi grOiN dask wen /denisOf, /petja, n H /IsYl rOd ap
t H wochQs. in H twFlFt sAdald hPsaz kUd bI sIn, n
/kosAä n hMsRz hM hAd rigd ap raf Seltxz in H glEd n
wx kindaliN glOiN fFxz in a holO v H fPist wX H /frenc
kUd not sI H smOk. in H pAsiJ v H smYl wochQs a
/kosAk wiH slIvz rOld ap woz copiN sam matan. in H rMm
TrI ofisxz v /denisOf's bAnd wx kanvxtiN a dP intM a tEbaltop.
/petja tUk of hiz wet klOHz, gEv Hem t bI drFd, n At wans bigAn
helpiN H ofisxz t fiä ap H dinx tEbal.
<p>
in ten minits H tEbal woz redi n a nApkin spred on it. on H
tEbal wx vodka, a flAsk v ram, wFt bred, rOst matan, n sYlt.
<p>
sitiN At tEbal wiH H ofisxz n tCiN H fAt sEvxi matan
wiH hiz hAndz, dQn wic H grIs trikald, /petja woz in an iätAtik
cFldiS stEt v lav f Yl men, n konsikwantli v konfidans HAt
aHxz lavd him in H sEm wE.
<p>
“sO Hen wot dM V TiNk, /vysili /dmItric?” sed hI t /denisOf. “it's
Yl rFt mF stEiN a dE wiH V?” n not wEtiN f a riplF hI
Ansxd hiz On kwescan: “V sI F woz tOld t fFnd Qt—wel, F Am
fFndiN Qt.... Onli dM let mI intM H veri... intM H cIf... F
dOnt wont a riwPd.... bat F wont...”
<p>
/petja klenct hiz tIT n lUkt xQnd, TrOiN bAk hiz hed n
flariSiN hiz Rmz.
<p>
“intM H vewi cIf...” /denisOf ripItad wiH a smFl.
<p>
“Onli, plIz let mI kamAnd samTiN, sO HAt F mE rWli kamAnd...”
/petja went on. “wot wUd it bI t V?... O, V wont a nFf?” hI
sed, txniN t an ofisx hM wiSt t kat himself a pIs v matan.
<p>
n hI hAndad him hiz klAsp nFf. H ofisx admFxd it.
<p>
“plIz kIp it. F hAv sevxal lFk it,” sed /petja, blaSiN.
“hevanz! F woz kwFt fxgetiN!” hI sadanli krFd. “F hAv sam
rEzinz, fFn wanz; V nO, sIdlas wanz. wI hAv a nM /satlx n
hI hAz sac kApital TiNz. F bYt ten pQndz. F Am Vst t samTiN
swIt. wUd V lFk sam?...” n /petja rAn Qt intM H pAsiJ t
hiz /kosAk n brYt bAk sam bAã wic kantEnd abQt fFv pQndz
v rEzinz. “hAv sam, Jentalmen, hAv sam!”
<p>
“V wont a kofipot, dOnt V?” hI Askt H /IsYl. “F bYt a
kApital wan from Qx /satlx! hI hAz splendid TiNz. n hI'z veri
onast, HAt's H cIf TiN. F'l bI SUx t send it t V. P
pxhAps jP flints R giviN Qt, P R wPn Qt—HAt hApanz
samtFmz, V nO. F hAv brYt sam wiH mI, hC HE R”—n hI
SOd a bAg—“a handrad flints. F bYt Hem veri cIp. plIz tEk Az
meni Az V wont, P Yl if V lFk....”
<p>
Hen sadanli, dismEd lest hI hAd sed tM mac, /petja stopt n
blaSt.
<p>
hI trFd t rimembx weHx hI hAd not dan eniTiN els HAt woz
fMliS. n raniN Ovx H ivents v H dE hI rimembxd H /frenc
dramx bq. “it's kApital f as hC, bat wot v him? wX hAv HE
pUt him? hAv HE fed him? hAvant HE hxt hiz fIliNz?” hI TYt.
bat hAviN kYt himself sEiN tM mac abQt H flints, hI woz nQ
afrEd t spIk Qt.
<p>
“F mFt Ask,” hI TYt, “bat HE'l sE: 'hI'z a bq himself n sO
hI pitiz H bq.' F'l SO Hem tamorO weHx F'm a bq. wil it
sIm od if F Ask?” /petja TYt. “wel, nevx mFnd!” n imIdWtli,
blaSiN n lUkiN ANkSasli At H ofisxz t sI if HE apCd
Fronikal, hI sed:
<p>
“mE F kYl in HAt bq hM woz tEkan prizanx n giv him samTiN t
It?... pxhAps...”
<p>
“jes, hI'z a pUx lital felO,” sed /denisOf, hM evidentli sY
naTiN SEmfal in His rimFndx. “kYl him in. hiz nEm iz /vinsant
/bos. hAv him fect.”
<p>
“F'l kYl him,” sed /petja.
<p>
“jes, jes, kYl him. a pUx lital felO,” /denisOf ripItad.
<p>
/petja woz stAndiN At H dP wen /denisOf sed His. hI slipt in
bitwIn H ofisxz, kEm klOs t /denisOf, n sed:
<p>
“let mI kis V, dC Old felO! O, hQ fFn, hQ splendid!”
<p>
n hAviN kist /denisOf hI rAn Qt v H hat.
<p>
“/bos! /vinsant!” /petja krFd, stopiN QtsFd H dP.
<p>
“hM dM V wont, sx?” Askt a vqs in H dRknas.
<p>
/petja riplFd HAt hI wontad H /frenc lAd hM hAd bin kApcxd HAt
dE.
<p>
“y, /veseni?” sed a /kosAk.
<p>
/vinsant, H bq'z nEm, hAd Ylredi bin cEnJd bF H /kosAä intM
/veseni (vxnal) n intM /vesenW bF H pezants n sOlJxz. in bOT
HIz AdAptESanz H refxans t spriN (vesna) mAct H impreSan
mEd bF H jaN lAd.
<p>
“hI iz wPmiN himself HX bF H bonfFx. hO, /vesenW!
/vesenW!—/veseni!” lAfiN vqsaz wx hxd kYliN t wan anaHx in
H dRknas.
<p>
“hI'z a smRt lAd,” sed an hMsR stAndiN nC /petja. “wI gEv him
samTiN t It a wFl agO. hI woz Yfali haNgri!”
<p>
H sQnd v bX fIt splASiN TrM H mad woz hxd in H
dRknas, n H dramx bq kEm t H dP.
<p>
“y, sE vM!” sed /petja. “vMlE-vM mEnJx? /n'Fz py peur, on
nE vM fera py de myl,” * hI Adad SFli n afekSanatli, taciN
H bq'z hAnd. “ontrE, ontrE.” *(2)
<p>
     * “y, it's V! dM V wont samTiN t It? dOnt bI
     afrEd, HE wOnt hxt V.”
<p>
     * (2) “kam in, kam in.”
<p>
<p>
“mXsi, masjx,” * sed H dramx bq in a trembaliN YlmOst cFldiS
vqs, n hI bigAn skrEpiN hiz dxti fIt on H TreShOld.
<p>
    * “TANk V, sx.”
<p>
<p>
HX wx meni TiNz /petja wontad t sE t H dramx bq, bat did
not dX t. hI stUd irezalMtli bisFd him in H pAsiJ. Hen in
H dRknas hI tUk H bq'z hAnd n prest it.
<p>
“kam in, kam in!” hI ripItad in a Jental wispx. “O, wot kAn F dM
f him?” hI TYt, n OpaniN H dP hI let H bq pAs in fxst.
<p>
wen H bq hAd entxd H hat, /petja sAt dQn At a distans from
him, kansidxiN it binIT hiz digniti t pE atenSan t him. bat
hI fiNgxd H mani in hiz pokat n wandxd weHx it wUd sIm
ridikVlas t giv sam t H dramx bq.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
H xFval v /dOlOâOf dFvxtad /petja'z atenSan from H dramx bq,
t hMm /denisOf hAd hAd sam matan n vodka givan, n hMm hI hAd hAd
drest in a /raSan kOt sO HAt hI mFt bI kept wiH HX bAnd n
not sent awE wiH H aHx prizanxz. /petja hAd hxd in H Rmi meni
stPiz v /dOlOâOf's iätrPdinXi brEvxi n v hiz krMalti t H
/frenc, sO from H mOment hI entxd H hat /petja did not tEk hiz
Fz from him, bat brEst himself ap mP n mP n held hiz hed
hF, HAt hI mFt not bI anwxHi Ivan v sac kampani.
<p>
/dOlOâOf's apCans amEzd /petja bF its simplisiti.
<p>
/denisOf wP a /kosAk kOt, hAd a bCd, hAd an Fkon v /nikalas H
/wandx-/wxkx on hiz brest, n hiz wE v spIkiN n evriTiN hI
did indikEtad hiz anVZMal paziSan. bat /dOlOâOf, hM in /moskQ hAd wPn
a /pxZan kostMm, hAd nQ H apCans v a mOst kxekt ofisx v
H /gRdz. hI woz klIn-SEvan n wP a /gRdzman'z pAdad kOt wiH
an /Pdx v /st /JPJ At hiz batanhOl n a plEn fPiJ kAp set
strEt on hiz hed. hI tUk of hiz wet felt klOk in a kPnx v
H rMm, n wiHQt grItiN eniwan went ap t /denisOf n bigAn
kwescaniN him abQt H mAtx in hAnd. /denisOf tOld him v H
dizFnz H lRJ ditAcmants hAd on H trAnspPt, v H mesiJ /petja
hAd brYt, n hiz On riplFz t bOT Jenxalz. Hen hI tOld him Yl
hI nM v H /frenc ditAcmant.
<p>
“HAt's sO. bat wI mast nO wot trMps HE R n HX nambxz,”
sed /dOlOâOf. “it wil bI nesisXi t gO HX. wI kAnt stRt H
afX wiHQt nOiN f sxtan hQ meni HX R. F lFk t wxk
Akjxatli. hC nQ—wUdant wan v HIz Jentalmen lFk t rFd Ovx
t H /frenc kAmp wiH mI? F hAv brYt a spX VnifPm.”
<p>
“F, F... F'l gO wiH V!” krFd /petja.
<p>
“HX'z nO nId f V t gO At Yl,” sed /denisOf, adresiN
/dOlOâOf, “n Az f him, F wOnt let him gO on eni akQnt.”
<p>
“F lFk HAt!” iäklEmd /petja. “wF SUdant F gO?”
<p>
“bikoz it's Vslas.”
<p>
“wel, V mast iäkVz mI, bikoz... bikoz... F SAl gO, n HAt's
Yl. V'l tEk mI, wOnt V?” hI sed, txniN t /dOlOâOf.
<p>
“wF not?” /dOlOâOf Ansxd Absantli, skrMtinFziN H fEs v H
/frenc dramx bq. “hAv V hAd HAt jaNstx wiH V loN?” hI
Askt /denisOf.
<p>
“hI woz tEkan tadE bat hI nOz naTiN. F'm kIpiN him wiH mI.”
<p>
“jes, n wX dM V pUt H aHxz?” inkwFxd /dOlOâOf.
<p>
“wX? F send Hem awE n tEk a wisIt f Hem,” SQtad /denisOf,
sadanli flaSiN. “n F sE bOldli HAt F hAv not a siNgal mAn'z lFf
on mF konSans. wUd it bI difikalt f V t send Txti P
TwI handwad men t tQn andx eskPt, insted v stEniN—F spIk
blantli—stEniN H onx v a sOlJx?”
<p>
“HAt kFnd v EmWbal tYk wUd bI sMtabal from His jaN kQnt v
siätIn,” sed /dOlOâOf wiH kOld Frani, “bat it's tFm f V t drop
it.”
<p>
“wF, F'v not sed eniTiN! F Onli sE HAt F'l sxtanli gO wiH
V,” sed /petja SFli.
<p>
“bat f V n mI, Old felO, it's tFm t drop HIz amenitiz,”
kantinVd /dOlOâOf, Az if hI fQnd pxtikVlx pleZx in spIkiN v
His sabJekt wic iritEtad /denisOf. “nQ, wF hAv V kept His lAd?”
hI went on, swEiN hiz hed. “bikoz V R sori f him! dOnt wI
nO HOz 'risIts' v jPz? V send a handrad men awE, n Txti
get HX. H rest FHx stRv P get kild. sO izant it Yl H
sEm not t send Hem?”
<p>
H /IsYl, skrMiN ap hiz lFt-kalxd Fz, nodad aprMviNli.
<p>
“HAt's not H pqnt. F'm not gOiN t diskas H mAtx. F dM not
wiS t tEk it on mF konSans. V sE HE'l dF. Yl wFt. Onli
not bF mF fYlt!”
<p>
/dOlOâOf bigAn lAfiN.
<p>
“hM hAz tOld Hem not t kApcx mI HIz twenti tFmz Ovx? bat if
HE did kAc mI HE'd striN mI ap t an Aspan trI, n wiH Yl
jP Sivalri Jast H sEm.” hI pYzd. “hQevx, wI mast get t wxk.
tel H /kosAk t fec mF kit. F hAv tM /frenc VnifPmz in it.
wel, R V kamiN wiH mI?” hI Askt /petja.
<p>
“F? jes, jes, sxtanli!” krFd /petja, blaSiN YlmOst t tCz n
glAnsiN At /denisOf.
<p>
wFl /dOlOâOf hAd bin dispVtiN wiH /denisOf wot SUd bI dan wiH
prizanxz, /petja hAd wans mP felt Ykwxd n restlas; bat agen hI
hAd nO tFm t grAsp fUli wot HE wx tYkiN abQt. “if grOn-ap,
distiNgwiSt men TiNk sO, it mast bI nesisXi n rFt,” TYt hI.
“bat abav Yl /denisOf mast not dX t imAJin HAt F'l ObE him n
HAt hI kAn Pdx mI abQt. F wil sxtanli gO t H /frenc kAmp wiH
/dOlOâOf. if hI kAn, sO kAn F!”
<p>
n t Yl /denisOf's pxswEZanz, /petja riplFd HAt hI tM woz
akastamd t dM evriTiN Akjxatli n not Jast enihQ, n HAt hI
nevx kansidxd pxsanal dEnJx.
<p>
“f V'l admit HAt if wI dOnt nO f SUx hQ meni v Hem HX
R... handradz v lFvz mE dipend on it, wFl HX R Onli tM
v as. bisFdz, F wont t gO veri mac n sxtanli wil gO, sO dOnt
hindx mI,” sed hI. “it wil Onli mEk TiNz wxs....”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
/hAviN pUt on /frenc grEtkOts n SEkOz, /petja n /dOlOâOf rOd t
H klCiN from wic /denisOf hAd rIkanqtxd H /frenc kAmp,
n imxJiN from H fPist in pic dRknas HE disendad intM H
holO. on rIciN H botam, /dOlOâOf tOld H /kosAä akampaniiN
him t awEt him HX n rOd on At a kwik trot aloN H rOd t H
briJ. /petja, hiz hRt in hiz mQT wiH iäFtmant, rOd bF hiz sFd.
<p>
“if wI'x kYt, F wOnt bI tEkan alFv! F hAv a pistal,” wispxd
hI.
<p>
“dOnt tYk /raSan,” sed /dOlOâOf in a harid wispx, n At HAt
veri mOment HE hxd TrM H dRknas H cAlanJ: “kwF vIv?” *
n H klik v a maskat.
<p>
    * “hM gOz HX?”
<p>
<p>
H blad raSt t /petja'z fEs n hI grAspt hiz pistal.
<p>
“lAnsCz dM 6-mI,” * riplFd /dOlOâOf, nFHx hEsaniN nP slAkaniN
hiz hPs'az pEs.
<p>
    * “lAnsxz v H 6T /reJimant.”
<p>
<p>
H blAk figjx v a sentinal stUd on H briJ.
<p>
“mO d'ordre.” *
<p>
    * “pAswxd.”
<p>
<p>
/dOlOâOf rEnd in hiz hPs n advAnst At a wYk.
<p>
“dFts donc, lU kxnal /JxRd est Fsi?” * hI Askt.
<p>
    * “tel mI, iz /kxnal /JxRd hC?”
<p>
<p>
“mO d'ordre,” ripItad H sentinal, bRiN H wE n not riplFiN.
<p>
“kwynd an ofisC fet /sy ronde, /lez sentinelz nE dimAndant py lU
mO d'ordre...” krFd /dOlOâOf sadanli flXiN ap n rFdiN strEt
At H sentinal. “Ze vM demande sI lU kxnal est Fsi.” *
<p>
     * “wen an ofisx iz mEkiN hiz rQnd, sentinalz dOnt Ask
     him f H pAswxd.... F Am AskiN V if H kxnal iz
     hC.”
<p>
<p>
n wiHQt wEtiN f an Ansx from H sentinal, hM hAd stept
asFd, /dOlOâOf rOd ap H inklFn At a wYk.
<p>
nOtisiN H blAk QtlFn v a mAn krosiN H rOd, /dOlOâOf stopt
him n inkwFxd wX H kamAndx n ofisxz wx. H mAn,
a sOlJx wiH a sAk Ovx hiz SOldx, stopt, kEm klOs ap t
/dOlOâOf's hPs, tact it wiH hiz hAnd, n iäplEnd simpli n in
a frendli wE HAt H kamAndx n H ofisxz wx hFx ap
H hil t H rFt in H kPtjRd v H fRm, Az hI kYld H
lAndOnx'z hQs.
<p>
hAviN ridan ap H rOd, on bOT sFdz v wic /frenc tYk kUd bI
hxd xQnd H kAmpfFxz, /dOlOâOf txnd intM H kPtjRd v H
lAndOnx'z hQs. hAviN ridan in, hI dismQntad n aprOct a
big blEziN kAmpfFx, xQnd wic sAt sevxal men tYkiN nqzili.
samTiN woz bqliN in a smYl kYldran At H eJ v H fFx n
a sOlJx in a pIkt kAp n blM OvxkOt, lit ap bF H fFx, woz
nIliN bisFd it stxiN its kontents wiH a rAmrod.
<p>
“O, hI'z a hRd nat t krAk,” sed wan v H ofisxz hM woz sitiN
in H SAdO At H aHx sFd v H fFx.
<p>
“hI'l mEk Hem get a mMv on, HOz felOz!” sed anaHx, lAfiN.
<p>
bOT fel sFlant, pCiN Qt TrM H dRknas At H sQnd v
/dOlOâOf's n /petja'z steps Az HE advAnst t H fFx lIdiN HX
hPsaz.
<p>
“bonZUx, mesixz!” * sed /dOlOâOf lQdli n klCli.
<p>
    * “gUd dE, Jentalmen.”
<p>
<p>
HX woz a stx amaN H ofisxz in H SAdO bijond H fFx,
n wan tYl, loN-nekt ofisx, wYkiN rQnd H fFx, kEm ap t
/dOlOâOf.
<p>
“iz HAt V, /klemant?” hI Askt. “wX H deval...?” bat, nOtisiN
hiz mistEk, hI brOk of SPt n, wiH a frQn, grItad /dOlOâOf Az a
strEnJx, AskiN wot hI kUd dM f him.
<p>
/dOlOâOf sed HAt hI n hiz kampAnjan wx trFiN t OvxtEk HX
reJimant, n adresiN H kampani in Jenxal Askt weHx HE nM
eniTiN v H 6T /reJimant. nan v Hem nM eniTiN, n /petja
TYt H ofisxz wx biginiN t lUk At him n /dOlOâOf wiH
hostiliti n saspiSan. f sam sekandz Yl wx sFlant.
<p>
“if V wx kQntiN on H IvniN sMp, V hAv kam tM lEt,” sed
a vqs from bihFnd H fFx wiH a riprest lAf.
<p>
/dOlOâOf riplFd HAt HE wx not haNgri n mast pUS on fRHx HAt
nFt.
<p>
hI hAndad H hPsaz Ovx t H sOlJx hM woz stxiN H pot n
skwotad dQn on hiz hIlz bF H fFx bisFd H ofisx wiH H loN
nek. HAt ofisx did not tEk hiz Fz from /dOlOâOf n agen Askt
t wot reJimant hI biloNd. /dOlOâOf, Az if hI hAd not hxd H
kwescan, did not riplF, bat lFtiN a SPt /frenc pFp wic hI tUk
from hiz pokat bigAn AskiN H ofisx in hQ fR H rOd bifP Hem
woz sEf from /kosAä.
<p>
“HOz brigandz R evriwX,” riplFd an ofisx from bihFnd H
fFx.
<p>
/dOlOâOf rimRkt HAt H /kosAä wx a dEnJx Onli t strAgalxz
sac Az hiz kampAnjan n himself, “bat probabli HE wUd not dX t
atAk lRJ ditAcmants?” hI Adad inkwFxiNli. nO wan riplFd.
<p>
“wel, nQ hI'l kam awE,” /petja TYt evri mOment Az hI stUd bF
H kAmpfFx lisaniN t H tYk.
<p>
bat /dOlOâOf rIstRtad H konvxsESan wic hAd dropt n bigAn
pUtiN direkt kwescanz Az t hQ meni men HX wx in H batAlWn,
hQ meni batAlWnz, n hQ meni prizanxz. AskiN abQt H /raSan
prizanxz wiH HAt ditAcmant, /dOlOâOf sed:
<p>
“a horid biznas drAgiN HIz kPpsaz abQt wiH wan! it wUd bI
betx t SMt sac rAbal,” n bxst intM lQd lAftx, sO strEnJ
HAt /petja TYt H /frenc wUd imIdWtli ditekt HX disgFz,
n involantXili tUk a step bAk from H kAmpfFx.
<p>
nO wan riplFd a wxd t /dOlOâOf's lAftx, n a /frenc ofisx hMm
HE kUd not sI (hI lE rApt in a grEtkOt) rOz n wispxd
samTiN t a kampAnjan. /dOlOâOf got ap n kYld t H sOlJx hM
woz hOldiN HX hPsaz.
<p>
“wil HE briN Qx hPsaz P not?” TYt /petja, instiNktivli
drYiN nCx t /dOlOâOf.
<p>
H hPsaz wx brYt.
<p>
“gUd IvniN, Jentalmen,” sed /dOlOâOf.
<p>
/petja wiSt t sE “gUd nFt” bat kUd not atx a wxd. H
ofisxz wx wispxiN tageHx. /dOlOâOf woz a loN tFm mQntiN
hiz hPs wic wUd not stAnd stil, Hen hI rOd Qt v H jRd At a
fUtpEs. /petja rOd bisFd him, loNiN t lUk rQnd t sI weHx P
not H /frenc wx raniN Aftx Hem, bat not dXiN t.
<p>
kamiN Qt ontM H rOd /dOlOâOf did not rFd bAk akros H Opan
kantri, bat TrM H viliJ. At wan spot hI stopt n lisand.
“dM V hC?” hI Askt. /petja rekagnFzd H sQnd v /raSan vqsaz
n sY H dRk figjxz v /raSan prizanxz rQnd HX kAmpfFxz.
wen HE hAd disendad t H briJ /petja n /dOlOâOf rOd pAst H
sentinal, hM wiHQt sEiN a wxd pEst mxOsli ap n dQn it, Hen
HE disendad intM H holO wX H /kosAä awEtad Hem.
<p>
“wel nQ, gUd-bF. tel /denisOf, 'At H fxst Sot At dEbrEk,'” sed
/dOlOâOf n woz abQt t rFd awE, bat /petja sIzd hOld v him.
<p>
“rWli!” hI krFd, “V R sac a hCO! O, hQ fFn, hQ splendid!
hQ F lav V!”
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt!” sed /dOlOâOf. bat /petja did not let gO v him
n /dOlOâOf sY TrM H glMm HAt /petja woz bendiN tPd him n
wontad t kis him. /dOlOâOf kist him, lAft, txnd hiz hPs, n
vAniSt intM H dRknas.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/hAviN ritxnd t H wocman'z hat, /petja fQnd /denisOf in H
pAsiJ. hI woz awEtiN /petja'z ritxn in a stEt v AJitESan,
ANzFati, n self-riprOc f hAviN let him gO.
<p>
“TANk /god!” hI iäklEmd. “jes, TANk /god!” hI ripItad, lisaniN t
/petja'z rApcxas akQnt. “bat, deval tEk V, F hAvant slept bikoz
v V! wel, TANk /god. nQ lF dQn. wI kAn stil get a nAp bifP
mPniN.”
<p>
“bat... nO,” sed /petja, “F dOnt wont t slIp jet. bisFdz F nO
mFself, if F fYl aslIp it's finiSt. n Hen F Am Vst t not
slIpiN bifP a bAtal.”
<p>
hI sAt awFl in H hat Jqfali rikYliN H dItElz v hiz
eäpidiSan n vividli pikcxiN t himself wot wUd hApan neät dE.
<p>
Hen, nOtisiN HAt /denisOf woz aslIp, hI rOz n went Qt v dPz.
<p>
it woz stil kwFt dRk QtsFd. H rEn woz Ovx, bat drops wx stil
fYliN from H trIz. nC H wocman'z hat H blAk SEps v H
/kosAä' SAntiz n v hPsaz teHxd tageHx kUd bI sIn. bihFnd
H hat H dRk SEps v H tM wAganz wiH HX hPsaz bisFd Hem
wx disxnabal, n in H holO H dFiN kAmpfFx glImd red.
not Yl H /kosAä n hMsRz wx aslIp; hC n HX, amid H
sQndz v fYliN drops n H manciN v H hPsaz nC bF, kUd bI
hxd lO vqsaz wic sImd t bI wispxiN.
<p>
/petja kEm Qt, pCd intM H dRknas, n went ap t H wAganz.
samwan woz snPiN andx Hem, n xQnd Hem stUd sAdald hPsaz
manciN HX Ots. in H dRk /petja rekagnFzd hiz On hPs, wic
hI kYld “/kRabyâ” HO it woz v /VkrEnWn brId, n went ap t it.
<p>
“wel, /kRabyâ! wI'l dM sam sxvis tamorO,” sed hI, snifiN its
nostralz n kisiN it.
<p>
“wF Rnt V aslIp, sx?” sed a /kosAk hM woz sitiN andx a
wAgan.
<p>
“nO, y... /liâycef—izant HAt jP nEm? dM V nO F hAv Onli Jast
kam bAk! wI'v bin intM H /frenc kAmp.”
<p>
n /petja gEv H /kosAk a dItEld akQnt not Onli v hiz rFd bat
YlsO v hiz obJekt, n wF hI kansidxd it betx t risk hiz lFf
HAn t Akt “Jast enihQ.”
<p>
“wel, V SUd get sam slIp nQ,” sed H /kosAk.
<p>
“nO, F Am Vst t His,” sed /petja. “F sE, Rnt H flints in jP
pistalz wPn Qt? F brYt sam wiH mI. dOnt V wont eni? V kAn
hAv sam.”
<p>
H /kosAk bent fPwxd from andx H wAgan t get a klOsx lUk At
/petja.
<p>
“bikoz F Am akastamd t dMiN evriTiN Akjxatli,” sed /petja.
“sam felOz dM TiNz Jast enihQ, wiHQt prepxESan, n Hen
HE'x sori f it Aftxwxdz. F dOnt lFk HAt.”
<p>
“Jast sO,” sed H /kosAk.
<p>
“O jes, anaHx TiN! plIz, mF dC felO, wil V SRpan mF
sEbx f mI? it's got bl...” (/petja fCd t tel a lF, n H sEbx
nevx hAd bin SRpand.) “kAn V dM it?”
<p>
“v kPs F kAn.”
<p>
/liâycef got ap, ramiJd in hiz pAk, n sMn /petja hxd H wPlFk
sQnd v stIl on wetstOn. hI klFmd ontM H wAgan n sAt on its
eJ. H /kosAk woz SRpaniN H sEbx andx H wAgan.
<p>
“F sE! R H lAdz aslIp?” Askt /petja.
<p>
“sam R, n sam Rnt—lFk as.”
<p>
“wel, n HAt bq?”
<p>
“/veseni? O, hI'z TrOn himself dQn HX in H pAsiJ. fAst aslIp
Aftx hiz frFt. hI woz HAt glAd!”
<p>
Aftx HAt /petja rimEnd sFlant f a loN tFm, lisaniN t H
sQndz. hI hxd fUtsteps in H dRknas n a blAk figjx apCd.
<p>
“wot R V SRpaniN?” Askt a mAn kamiN ap t H wAgan.
<p>
“wF, His Jentalman'z sEbx.”
<p>
“HAt's rFt,” sed H mAn, hMm /petja tUk t bI an hMsR. “woz H
kap left hC?”
<p>
“HX, bF H wIl!”
<p>
H hMsR tUk H kap.
<p>
“it mast bI dElFt sMn,” sed hI, jYniN, n went awE.
<p>
/petja Yt t hAv nOn HAt hI woz in a fPist wiH /denisOf's
gxila bAnd, les HAn a mFl from H rOd, sitiN on a wAgan
kApcxd from H /frenc bisFd wic hPsaz wx teHxd, HAt andx
it /liâycef woz sitiN SRpaniN a sEbx f him, HAt H big dRk
bloc t H rFt woz H wocman'z hat, n H red bloc bilO t
H left woz H dFiN embxz v a kAmpfFx, HAt H mAn hM hAd kam
f H kap woz an hMsR hM wontad a driNk; bat hI nFHx nM nP
wEtad t nO eniTiN v Yl His. hI woz in a fXi kiNdam wX
naTiN rizembald riAliti. H big dRk bloc mFt rWli bI H
wocman'z hat P it mFt bI a kAvxn lIdiN t H veri depTs v
H xT. pxhAps H red spot woz a fFx, P it mFt bI H F v an
inPmas monstx. pxhAps hI woz rWli sitiN on a wAgan, bat it mFt
veri wel bI HAt hI woz not sitiN on a wAgan bat on a teribli hF
tQx from wic, if hI fel, hI wUd hAf t fYl f a hOl dE P a
hOl manT, P gO on fYliN n nevx rIc H botam. pxhAps it
woz Jast H /kosAk, /liâycef, hM woz sitiN andx H wAgan, bat it
mFt bI H kFndast, brEvast, mOst wandxfal, mOst splendid mAn in H
wxld, hMm nO wan nM v. it mFt rWli hAv bin HAt H hMsR
kEm f wYtx n went bAk intM H holO, bat pxhAps hI hAd simpli
vAniSt—disapCd YltageHx n dizolvd intM naTiNnas.
<p>
naTiN /petja kUd hAv sIn nQ wUd hAv sxprFzd him. hI woz in a
fXi kiNdam wX evriTiN woz posabal.
<p>
hI lUkt ap At H skF. n H skF woz a fXi relm lFk H xT.
it woz klCiN, n Ovx H tops v H trIz klQdz wx swiftli
sEliN Az if anvEliN H stRz. samtFmz it lUkt Az if H klQdz
wx pAsiN, n a klC blAk skF apCd. samtFmz it sImd Az
if H blAk spEsaz wx klQdz. samtFmz H skF sImd t bI rFziN
hF, hF Ovxhed, n Hen it sImd t siNk sO lO HAt wan kUd
tac it wiH wan'z hAnd.
<p>
/petja'z Fz bigAn t klOz n hI swEd a lital.
<p>
H trIz wx dripiN. kwFat tYkiN woz hxd. H hPsaz nEd n
Josald wan anaHx. samwan snPd.
<p>
“/OZeg-/zIheg, /OZeg-/zIheg...” hist H sEbx agenst H wetstOn,
n sadanli /petja hxd an hRmOnWs Pkistra plEiN sam annOn,
swItli solam him. /petja woz Az mVzikal Az /nytySa n mP sO HAn
/nikalas, bat hAd nevx lxnd mVzik P TYt abQt it, n sO H
meladi HAt aniäpektadli kEm t hiz mFnd sImd t him pxtikVlxli
freS n atrAktiv. H mVzik bikEm mP n mP Ydabal. H meladi
grM n pAst from wan instramant t anaHx. n wot woz plEd woz
a fVg—HO /petja hAd not H lIst kansepSan v wot a fVg iz.
Ic instramant—nQ rizembaliN a vFalin n nQ a hPn, bat betx
n klCx HAn vFalin P hPn—plEd its On pRt, n bifP it hAd
finiSt H meladi mxJd wiH anaHx instramant HAt bigAn YlmOst H
sEm X, n Hen wiH a Txd n a fPT; n HE Yl blendad intM
wan n agen bikEm sepxat n agen blendad, nQ intM solam cxc
mVzik, nQ intM samTiN dAzaliNli brilWnt n trFamfant.
<p>
“O—wF, HAt woz in a drIm!” /petja sed t himself, Az hI lxct
fPwxd. “it's in mF Cz. bat pxhAps it's mVzik v mF On. wel, gO
on, mF mVzik! nQ!...”
<p>
hI klOzd hiz Fz, n, from Yl sFdz Az if from a distans, sQndz
flatxd, grM intM hRmaniz, sepxEtad, blendad, n agen Yl
miNgald intM H sEm swIt n solam him. “O, His iz dilFtfal!
Az mac Az F lFk n Az F lFk!” sed /petja t himself. hI trFd t
kandakt HAt inPmas Pkistra.
<p>
“nQ softli, softli dF awE!” n H sQndz ObEd him. “nQ fUlx,
mP Jqfal. stil mP n mP Jqfal!” n from an annOn depT rOz
inkrIsiNli trFamfant sQndz. “nQ vqsaz Jqn in!” Pdxd /petja. n
At fxst from afR hI hxd men'z vqsaz n Hen wimin'z. H vqsaz
grM in hRmOnWs trFamfant streNT, n /petja lisand t HX
sxpAsiN bVti in Y n Jq.
<p>
wiH a solam trFamfal mRc HX miNgald a soN, H drip from H
trIz, n H hisiN v H sEbx, “/OZeg-/zIheg-/zIheg...” n agen H
hPsaz Josald wan anaHx n nEd, not distxbiN H kwFx bat
JqniN in it.
<p>
/petja did not nO hQ loN His lAstad: hI inJqd himself Yl H
tFm, wandxd At hiz inJqmant n rigretad HAt HX woz nO wan t
SX it. hI woz awEkand bF /liâycef's kFndli vqs.
<p>
“it's redi, jP onx; V kAn split a /frencman in hAf wiH it!”
<p>
/petja wOk ap.
<p>
“it's getiN lFt, it's rWli getiN lFt!” hI iäklEmd.
<p>
H hPsaz HAt hAd prIvWsli bin invizabal kUd nQ bI sIn t HX
veri tElz, n a wYtxi lFt SOd itself TrM H bX brAncaz.
/petja SUk himself, Jampt ap, tUk a rMbal from hiz pokat n gEv it
t /liâycef; Hen hI flariSt H sEbx, testad it, n SIHd
it. H /kosAä wx antFiN HX hPsaz n tFtaniN HX sAdal
gxTs.
<p>
“n hC'z H kamAndx,” sed /liâycef.
<p>
/denisOf kEm Qt v H wocman'z hat n, hAviN kYld /petja, gEv
Pdxz t get redi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
H men rApidli pikt Qt HX hPsaz in H semidRknas, tFtand
HX sAdal gxTs, n fPmd kampaniz. /denisOf stUd bF H
wocman'z hat giviN fFnal Pdxz. H infantri v H ditAcmant
pAst aloN H rOd n kwikli disapCd amid H trIz in H mist
v xli dYn, handradz v fIt splASiN TrM H mad. H /IsYl
gEv sam Pdxz t hiz men. /petja held hiz hPs bF H brFdal,
impESantli awEtiN H Pdx t mQnt. hiz fEs, hAviN bin bEHd
in kOld wYtx, woz Yl aglO, n hiz Fz wx pxtikVlxli brilWnt.
kOld Sivxz rAn dQn hiz spFn n hiz hOl bodi palst riHmikli.
<p>
“wel, iz ev'wything /wIdi?” Askt /denisOf. “bwiN H hPsaz.”
<p>
H hPsaz wx brYt. /denisOf woz ANgri wiH H /kosAk bikoz H
sAdal gxTs wx tM slAk, riprMvd him, n mQntad. /petja pUt hiz
fUt in H stxap. hiz hPs bF hAbit mEd Az if t nip hiz leg, bat
/petja lIpt kwikli intM H sAdal ankonSas v hiz On wEt n,
txniN t lUk At H hMsRz stRtiN in H dRknas bihFnd him, rOd
ap t /denisOf.
<p>
“/vysili /dmItric, intrast mI wiH sam kamiSan! plIz... f /god'z
sEk...!” sed hI.
<p>
/denisOf sImd t hAv fxgotan /petja'z veri iãistans. hI txnd t
glAns At him.
<p>
“F Ask wan TiN v V,” hI sed stxnli, “t ObE mI n not Sav
jPself fPwxd eniwX.”
<p>
hI did not sE anaHx wxd t /petja bat rOd in sFlans Yl H wE.
wen HE hAd kam t H eJ v H fPist it woz nOtisabli grOiN
lFt Ovx H fIld. /denisOf tYkt in wispxz wiH H /IsYl n
H /kosAä rOd pAst /petja n /denisOf. wen HE hAd Yl ridan bF,
/denisOf tact hiz hPs n rOd dQn H hil. slipiN ontM HX
hYncaz n slFdiN, H hPsaz disendad wiH HX rFdxz intM H
ravIn. /petja rOd bisFd /denisOf, H palsESan v hiz bodi konstantli
inkrIsiN. it woz getiN lFtx n lFtx, bat H mist stil hid
distant obJekts. hAviN rIct H vAli, /denisOf lUkt bAk n
nodad t a /kosAk bisFd him.
<p>
“H signal!” sed hI.
<p>
H /kosAk rEzd hiz Rm n a Sot rAN Qt. in an instant H trAmp
v hPsaz gAlapiN fPwxd woz hxd, SQts kEm from vXWs sFdz,
n Hen mP Sots.
<p>
At H fxst sQnd v trAmpaliN hUfs n SQtiN, /petja lASt hiz
hPs n lMsaniN hiz rEn gAlapt fPwxd, not hIdiN /denisOf hM
SQtad At him. it sImd t /petja HAt At H mOment H Sot woz
fFxd it sadanli bikEm Az brFt Az nMn. hI gAlapt t H briJ.
kosAä wx gAlapiN aloN H rOd in frant v him. on H briJ
hI kalFdad wiH a /kosAk hM hAd fYlan bihFnd, bat hI gAlapt on.
in frant v him sOlJxz, probabli /frencmen, wx raniN from rFt
t left akros H rOd. wan v Hem fel in H mad andx hiz hPs'az
fIt.
<p>
kosAä wx krQdiN abQt a hat, bizi wiH samTiN. from H midst
v HAt krQd teribal skrImz xOz. /petja gAlapt ap, n H
fxst TiN hI sY woz H pEl fEs n trembaliN JY v a /frencman,
klaciN H hAndal v a lAns HAt hAd bin Emd At him.
<p>
“hxy!... lAdz!... Qxz!” SQtad /petja, n giviN rEn t hiz
iäFtad hPs hI gAlapt fPwxd aloN H viliJ strIt.
<p>
hI kUd hC SMtiN ahed v him. kosAä, hMsRz, n rAgad
/raSan prizanxz, hM hAd kam raniN from bOT sFdz v H rOd,
wx SQtiN samTiN lQdli n inkOhCantli. a gAlant-lUkiN
/frencman, in a blM OvxkOt, kAplas, n wiH a frQniN red fEs,
hAd bin difendiN himself agenst H hMsRz. wen /petja gAlapt
ap H /frencman hAd Ylredi fYlan. “tM lEt agen!” flASt TrM
/petja'z mFnd n hI gAlapt on t H plEs from wic H rApid fFxiN
kUd bI hxd. H Sots kEm from H jRd v H lAndOnx'z hQs
hI hAd vizitad H nFt bifP wiH /dOlOâOf. H /frenc wx mEkiN
a stAnd HX bihFnd a wotal fens in a gRdan Tikli OvxgrOn wiH
bUSaz n wx fFxiN At H /kosAä hM krQdad At H gEtwE.
TrM H smOk, Az hI aprOct H gEt, /petja sY /dOlOâOf, hMz
fEs woz v a pEl-grIniS tint, SQtiN t hiz men. “gO rQnd! wEt
f H infantri!” hI iäklEmd Az /petja rOd ap t him.
<p>
“wEt?... hxy-y-y!” SQtad /petja, n wiHQt pYziN a mOment
gAlapt t H plEs wens kEm H sQndz v fFxiN n wX H
smOk woz Tikast.
<p>
a voli woz hxd, n sam bUlats wisald pAst, wFl aHxz plASt
agenst samTiN. H /kosAä n /dOlOâOf gAlapt Aftx /petja intM
H gEtwE v H kPtjRd. in H dens wEvxiN smOk sam v H
/frenc TrM dQn HX Rmz n rAn Qt v H bUSaz t mIt H
/kosAä, wFl aHxz rAn dQn H hil tPd H pond. /petja woz
gAlapiN aloN H kPtjRd, bat insted v hOldiN H rEnz hI wEvd
bOT hiz Rmz abQt rApidli n strEnJli, slipiN fRHx n fRHx
t wan sFd in hiz sAdal. hiz hPs, hAviN gAlapt ap t a kAmpfFx
HAt woz smOldxiN in H mPniN lFt, stopt sadanli, n /petja
fel hevili on t H wet grQnd. H /kosAä sY HAt hiz Rmz n
leã Jxkt rApidli HO hiz hed woz kwFt mOSanlas. a bUlat hAd
pCst hiz skal.
<p>
Aftx spIkiN t H sInC /frenc ofisx, hM kEm Qt v H hQs
wiH a wFt hANkxcif tFd t hiz sPd n anQnst HAt
HE sxendxd, /dOlOâOf dismQntad n went ap t /petja, hM lE
mOSanlas wiH Qtstrect Rmz.
<p>
“dan f!” hI sed wiH a frQn, n went t H gEt t mIt /denisOf
hM woz rFdiN tPd him.
<p>
“kild?” krFd /denisOf, rekagnFziN from a distans H anmistEkabli
lFflas AtitMd—veri familC t him—in wic /petja'z bodi woz lFiN.
<p>
“dan f!” ripItad /dOlOâOf Az if H atxans v HIz wxdz
afPdad him pleZx, n hI went kwikli ap t H prizanxz, hM
wx sxQndad bF /kosAä hM hAd harid ap. “wI wOnt tEk Hem!” hI
kYld Qt t /denisOf.
<p>
/denisOf did not riplF; hI rOd ap t /petja, dismQntad, n wiH
trembaliN hAndz txnd tPd himself H bladstEnd, mad-bispAtxd
fEs wic hAd Ylredi gon wFt.
<p>
“F Am Vst t samTiN swIt. rEzinz, fFn wanz... tEk Hem Yl!” hI
rikYld /petja'z wxdz. n H /kosAä lUkt rQnd in sxprFz At H
sQnd, lFk H jelp v a dog, wiH wic /denisOf txnd awE, wYkt t
H wotal fens, n sIzd hOld v it.
<p>
amaN H /raSan prizanxz reskVd bF /denisOf n /dOlOâOf woz /piX
/bezMâOf.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
/dxiN H hOl v HX mRc from /moskQ nO freS Pdxz hAd bin
iSVd bF H /frenc YToritiz kansxniN H pRti v prizanxz
amaN hMm woz /piX. on H twenti-sekand v oktObx HAt pRti woz
nO loNgx wiH H sEm trMps n bAgiJ trEnz wiH wic it hAd left
/moskQ. hAf H wAganz lEdan wiH hRdtAk HAt hAd trAvald H fxst
stEJaz wiH Hem hAd bin kApcxd bF /kosAä, H aHx hAf hAd gon
on ahed. not wan v HOz dismQntad kAvalrimen hM hAd mRct in
frant v H prizanxz woz left; HE hAd Yl disapCd. H Rtilxi
H prizanxz hAd sIn in frant v Hem dxiN H fxst dEz woz
nQ riplEst bF /mRSal /ZMnO'z inPmas bAgiJ trEn, konvqd bF
/westfElWnz. bihFnd H prizanxz kEm a kAvalri bAgiJ trEn.
<p>
from /vjyzma onwxdz H /frenc Rmi, wic hAd til Hen mMvd in TrI
kolamz, went on Az a siNgal grMp. H simptamz v disPdx HAt /piX
hAd nOtist At HX fxst hYltiN plEs Aftx lIviN /moskQ hAd nQ
rIct H atmOst limit.
<p>
H rOd aloN wic HE mMvd woz bPdxd on bOT sFdz bF ded
hPsaz; rAgad men hM hAd fYlan bihFnd from vXWs reJimants
kantinVali cEnJd abQt, nQ JqniN H mMviN kolam, nQ agen
lAgiN bihFnd it.
<p>
sevxal tFmz dxiN H mRc fYls alRmz hAd bin givan n H
sOlJxz v H eskPt hAd rEzd HX maskats, fFxd, n ran
hedloN, kraSiN wan anaHx, bat hAd Aftxwxdz rIasembald n
abVzd Ic aHx f HX kYzlas pAnik.
<p>
HIz TrI grMps trAvaliN tageHx—H kAvalri stPz, H konvq v
prizanxz, n /ZMnO'z bAgiJ trEn—stil konstitMtad a sepxat n
VnFtad hOl, HO Ic v H grMps woz rApidli meltiN awE.
<p>
v H Rtilxi bAgiJ trEn wic hAd kansistad v a handrad n
twenti wAganz, not mP HAn siäti nQ rimEnd; H rest hAd bin
kApcxd P left bihFnd. sam v /ZMnO'z wAganz YlsO hAd bin kApcxd
P abAndand. TrI wAganz hAd bin rEdad n robd bF strAgalxz
from /dyvM'z kP. from H tYk v H /Jxmanz /piX lxnd HAt
a lRJx gRd hAd bin alotad t HAt bAgiJ trEn HAn t H
prizanxz, n HAt wan v HX komrAdz, a /Jxman sOlJx, hAd bin
Sot bF H mRSal'z On Pdx bikoz a silvx spMn biloNiN t H
mRSal hAd bin fQnd in hiz pazeSan.
<p>
H grMp v prizanxz hAd meltad awE mOst v Yl. v H TrI handrad
n Txti men hM hAd set Qt from /moskQ fVx HAn a handrad nQ
rimEnd. H prizanxz wx mP bxdansam t H eskPt HAn Ivan H
kAvalri sAdalz P /ZMnO'z bAgiJ. HE andxstUd HAt H sAdalz n
/ZMnO'z spMn mFt bI v sam Vs, bat HAt kOld n haNgri sOlJxz
SUd hAf t stAnd n gRd Ikwali kOld n haNgri /raSanz hM
frOz n lAgd bihFnd on H rOd (in wic kEs H Pdx woz t
SMt Hem) woz not mCli inkomprihensabal bat rivOltiN. n H
eskPt, Az if afrEd, in H grIvas kandiSan HE Hemselvz wx in,
v giviN wE t H piti HE felt f H prizanxz n sO rendxiN
HX On plFt stil wxs, trItad Hem wiH pxtikVlx mxOsnas
n siveriti.
<p>
At /dPOgObMZ wFl H sOlJxz v H konvq, Aftx lokiN H
prizanxz in a stEbal, hAd gon of t piliJ HX On stPz, sevxal
v H sOlJx prizanxz tanald andx H wYl n rAn awE, bat wx
rIkApcxd bF H /frenc n Sot.
<p>
H xEnJmant adoptad wen HE stRtad, HAt H ofisx prizanxz
SUd bI kept sepxat from H rest, hAd loN sins bin abAndand.
Yl hM kUd wYk went tageHx, n Aftx H Txd stEJ /piX hAd
rIJqnd /kRytFef n H grE-blM bAndi-legad dog HAt hAd cOzan
/kRytFef f its mAstx.
<p>
on H Txd dE Aftx lIviN /moskQ /kRytFef agen fel il wiH H
fIvx hI hAd safxd from in H hospital in /moskQ, n Az hI grM
grAJMali wIkx /piX kept awE from him. /piX did not nO wF, bat
sins /kRytFef hAd bigan t grO wIkx it hAd kost him an efxt t
gO nC him. wen hI did sO n hxd H sabdMd mOniN wiH wic
/kRytFef Jenxali lE dQn At H hYltiN plEsaz, n wen hI smeld
H Odx emanEtiN from him wic woz nQ stroNgx HAn bifP, /piX
mMvd fRHx awE n did not TiNk abQt him.
<p>
wFl imprizand in H Sed /piX hAd lxnd not wiH hiz intalekt
bat wiH hiz hOl bIiN, bF lFf itself, HAt mAn iz kriEtad f
hApinas, HAt hApinas iz wiHin him, in H sAtisfAkSan v simpal
hVman nIdz, n HAt Yl anhApinas xFzaz not from prFvESan bat from
sMpxflMiti. n nQ dxiN HIz lAst TrI wIä v H mRc hI hAd
lxnd stil anaHx nM, kansolatPi trMT—HAt naTiN in His wxld
iz teribal. hI hAd lxnd HAt Az HX iz nO kandiSan in wic mAn
kAn bI hApi n intFxli frI, sO HX iz nO kandiSan in wic hI
nId bI anhApi n lAk frIdam. hI lxnd HAt safxiN n frIdam
hAv HX limits n HAt HOz limits R veri nC tageHx; HAt H
pxsan in a bed v rOzaz wiH wan krampald petal safxd Az kInli Az
hI nQ, slIpiN on H bX dAmp xT wiH wan sFd grOiN cild
wFl H aHx woz wPmiN; n HAt wen hI hAd pUt on tFt dAnsiN
SMz hI hAd safxd Jast Az hI did nQ wen hI wYkt wiH bX fIt
HAt wx kavxd wiH sPz—hiz fUtgC hAviN loN sins fYlan t
pIsaz. hI diskavxd HAt wen hI hAd mArid hiz wFf—v hiz On frI
wil Az it hAd sImd t him—hI hAd bin nO mP frI HAn nQ wen HE
lokt him ap At nFt in a stEbal. v Yl HAt hI himself sabsikwantli
txmd hiz safxiNz, bat wic At H tFm hI skXsli felt, H wxst
woz H stEt v hiz bX, rY, n skAb-kavxd fIt. (H hPsfleS
woz ApatFziN n nariSiN, H sYltpItx flEvx v H ganpQdx
HE Vzd insted v sYlt woz Ivan plezant; HX woz nO grEt kOld,
it woz YlwEz wPm wYkiN in H dEtFm, n At nFt HX wx H
kAmpfFxz; H lFs HAt divQxd him wPmd hiz bodi.) H wan TiN
HAt woz At fxst hRd t bX woz hiz fIt.
<p>
Aftx H sekand dE'z mRc /piX, hAviN iãAmind hiz fIt bF H
kAmpfFx, TYt it wUd bI imposabal t wYk on Hem; bat wen
evribodi got ap hI went aloN, limpiN, n, wen hI hAd wPmd ap,
wYkt wiHQt fIliN H pEn, HO At nFt hiz fIt wx mP
teribal t lUk At HAn bifP. hQevx, hI did not lUk At Hem nQ,
bat TYt v aHx TiNz.
<p>
Onli nQ did /piX rWlFz H fUl streNT v lFf in mAn n H
sEviN pQx hI hAz v trAnsfxiN hiz atenSan from wan TiN
t anaHx, wic iz lFk H sEfti vAlv v a bqlx HAt alQz
sMpxflMas stIm t blO of wen H preSx iäIdz a sxtan limit.
<p>
hI did not sI n did not hC hQ HE Sot H prizanxz hM lAgd
bihFnd, HO mP HAn a handrad periSt in HAt wE. hI did not
TiNk v /kRytFef hM grM wIkx evri dE n evidentli wUd sMn
hAf t SX HAt fEt. stil les did /piX TiNk abQt himself. H
hRdx hiz paziSan bikEm n H mP teribal H fVcx, H mP
indipendant v HAt paziSan in wic hI fQnd himself wx H Jqfal
n kamfxtiN TYts, memxiz, n imAJiniNz HAt kEm t him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
At middE on H twenti-sekand v oktObx /piX woz gOiN aphil aloN
H madi, slipxi rOd, lUkiN At hiz fIt n At H rafnas v
H wE. akEZanali hI glAnst At H familC krQd xQnd him n
Hen agen At hiz fIt. H fPmx n H lAtx wx alFk familC
n hiz On. H blM-grE bAndi legad dog rAn merili aloN H sFd
v H rOd, samtFmz in prMf v its aJiliti n self-sAtisfAkSan
liftiN wan hFnd leg n hopiN aloN on TrI, n Hen agen gOiN on
Yl fP n raSiN t bRk At H krOz HAt sAt on H kArWn. H
dog woz merC n slIkx HAn it hAd bin in /moskQ. Yl xQnd lE
H fleS v difxant Animalz—from men t hPsaz—in vXWs stEJaz v
dIkompaziSan; n Az H wUlvz wx kept of bF H pAsiN men H
dog kUd It Yl it wontad.
<p>
it hAd bin rEniN sins mPniN n hAd sImd Az if At eni mOment it
mFt sIs n H skF klC, bat Aftx a SPt brEk it bigAn rEniN
hRdx HAn bifP. H sAcxEtad rOd nO loNgx absPbd H wYtx,
wic rAn aloN H rats in strImz.
<p>
/piX wYkt aloN, lUkiN from sFd t sFd, kQntiN hiz steps in
TrIz, n rekaniN Hem of on hiz fiNgxz. mentali adresiN H
rEn, hI ripItad: “nQ Hen, nQ Hen, gO on! pelt hRdx!”
<p>
it sImd t him HAt hI woz TiNkiN v naTiN, bat fR dQn n
dIp wiHin him hiz sOl woz okVpFd wiH samTiN impPtant n
kamfxtiN. His samTiN woz a mOst satal spiricMal didakSan from a
konvxsESan wiH /kRytFef H dE bifP.
<p>
At HX jestxdE'z hYltiN plEs, fIliN cili bF a dFiN kAmpfFx,
/piX hAd got ap n gon t H neät wan, wic woz bxniN betx.
HX /platon /kRytFef woz sitiN kavxd ap—hed n Yl—wiH hiz
grEtkOt Az if it wx a vestmant, teliN H sOlJxz in hiz
ifektiv n plezant HO nQ fIbal vqs a stPi /piX nM. it
woz Ylredi pAst midnFt, H Qx wen /kRytFef woz VZMali frI v
hiz fIvx n pxtikVlxli lFvli. wen /piX rIct H fFx n
hxd /platon'z vqs infIbald bF ilnas, n sY hiz paTetik fEs
brFtli lit ap bF H blEz, hI felt a pEnfal prik At hiz hRt. hiz
fIliN v piti f His mAn frFtand him n hI wiSt t gO awE,
bat HX woz nO aHx fFx, n /piX sAt dQn, trFiN not t lUk At
/platon.
<p>
“wel, hQ R V?” hI Askt.
<p>
“hQ Am F? if wI grambal At siknas, /god wOnt grAnt as deT,” riplFd
/platon, n At wans rizMmd H stPi hI hAd bigan.
<p>
“n sO, braHx,” hI kantinVd, wiH a smFl on hiz pEl imESiEtad fEs
n a pxtikVlxli hApi lFt in hiz Fz, “V sI, braHx...”
<p>
/piX hAd loN bin familC wiH HAt stPi. /kRytFef hAd tOld it
t him alOn sam hAf-dazan tFmz n YlwEz wiH a speSali Jqfal
imOSan. bat wel Az hI nM it, /piX nQ lisand t HAt tEl Az t
samTiN nM, n H kwFat rApcx /kRytFef evidentli felt Az hI tOld
it kamVnikEtad itself YlsO t /piX. H stPi woz v an Old mxcant
hM livd a gUd n /god-fCiN lFf wiH hiz fAmli, n hM went wans
t H /niZni fX wiH a kampAnjan—a ric mxcant.
<p>
hAviN pUt ap At an in HE bOT went t slIp, n neät mPniN hiz
kampAnjan woz fQnd robd n wiH hiz TrOt kat. a bladstEnd nFf
woz fQnd andx H Old mxcant's pilO. hI woz trFd, nQtad, n
hiz nostralz hAviN bin tPn of, “Yl in dM fPm” Az /kRytFef pUt it,
hI woz sent t hRd lEbx in /sFbCW.
<p>
“n sO, braHx” (it woz At His pqnt HAt /piX kEm ap), “ten jCz
P mP pAst bF. H Old mAn woz liviN Az a konvikt, sabmitiN Az
hI SUd n dMiN nO roN. Onli hI prEd t /god f deT. wel, wan
nFt H konvikts wx gAHxd Jast Az wI R, wiH H Old mAn amaN
Hem. n HE bigAn teliN wot Ic woz safxiN f, n hQ HE
hAd sind agenst /god. wan tOld hQ hI hAd tEkan a lFf, anaHx hAd
tEkan tM, a Txd hAd set a hQs on fFx, wFl anaHx hAd simpli
bin a vEgrant n hAd dan naTiN. sO HE Askt H Old mAn: 'wot
R V bIiN paniSt f, /dAdi?'—'F, mF dC braHxz,' sed hI, 'Am
bIiN paniSt f mF On n aHx men'z sinz. bat F hAv not kild
eniwan P tEkan eniTiN HAt woz not mFn, bat hAv Onli helpt mF
pUxx braHxz. F woz a mxcant, mF dC braHxz, n hAd mac
propxti. 'n hI went on t tel Hem Yl abQt it in dM Pdx. 'F
dOnt grIv f mFself,' hI sez, '/god, it sImz, hAz cEsand mI.
Onli F Am sori f mF Old wFf n H cildran,' n H Old mAn bigAn
t wIp. nQ it hApand HAt in H grMp woz H veri mAn hM hAd
kild H aHx mxcant. 'wX did it hApan, /dAdi?' hI sed. 'wen,
n in wot manT?' hI Askt Yl abQt it n hiz hRt bigAn t Ek.
sO hI kamz ap t H Old mAn lFk His, n fYlz dQn At hiz fIt!
'V R periSiN bikoz v mI, /dAdi,' hI sez. 'it's kwFt trM,
lAdz, HAt His mAn,' hI sez, 'iz bIiN tPcxd inasantli n f
naTiN! F,' hI sez, 'did HAt dId, n F pUt H nFf andx jP
hed wFl V wx aslIp. fxgiv mI, /dAdi,' hI sez, 'f /krFst's
sEk!'”
<p>
/kRytFef pYzd, smFliN Jqasli Az hI gEzd intM H fFx, n hI drM
H loã tageHx.
<p>
“n H Old mAn sed, '/god wil fxgiv V, wI R Yl sinxz in /hiz
sFt. F safx f mF On sinz,' n hI wept bitx tCz. wel,
n wot dM V TiNk, dC frendz?” /kRytFef kantinVd, hiz fEs
brFtaniN mP n mP wiH a rApcxas smFl Az if wot hI nQ hAd
t tel kantEnd H cIf cRm n H hOl mIniN v hiz stPi:
“wot dM V TiNk, dC felOz? HAt mxdxx kanfest t H
YToritiz. 'F hAv tEkan siä lFvz,' hI sez (hI woz a grEt sinx),
'bat wot F Am mOst sori f iz His Old mAn. dOnt let him safx
bikoz v mI.' sO hI kanfest n it woz Yl ritan dQn n H
pEpxz sent of in dM fPm. H plEs woz a loN wE of, n wFl
HE wx JaJiN, wot wiH wan TiN n anaHx, filiN in H
pEpxz Yl in dM fPm—H YToritiz F mIn—tFm pAst. H afX
rIct H /tsR. Aftx a wFl H /tsR'z dikrI kEm: t set H
mxcant frI n giv him a kompinsESan HAt hAd bin awPdad. H
pEpx xFvd n HE bigAn t lUk f H Old mAn. 'wX iz H Old
mAn hM hAz bin safxiN inasantli n in vEn? a pEpx hAz kam from
H /tsR!' sO HE bigAn lUkiN f him,” hC /kRytFef's lOx JY
trembald, “bat /god hAd Ylredi fxgivan him—hI woz ded! HAt's hQ it
woz, dC felOz!” /kRytFef kanklMdad n sAt f a loN tFm sFlant,
gEziN bifP him wiH a smFl.
<p>
n /piX'z sOl woz dimli bat Jqfali fild not bF H stPi itself
bat bF its mistCWs signifikans: bF H rApcxas Jq HAt lit ap
/kRytFef's fEs Az hI tOld it, n H mistik signifikans v HAt Jq.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
“a vos plEsaz!” * sadanli krFd a vqs.
<p>
    * “t jP plEsaz.”
<p>
<p>
a plezant fIliN v iäFtmant n an eäpektESan v samTiN
Jqfal n solam woz xQzd amaN H sOlJxz v H konvq n H
prizanxz. from Yl sFdz kEm SQts v kamAnd, n from H left kEm
smRtli drest kAvalrimen on gUd hPsaz, pAsiN H prizanxz At a
trot. H iäpreSan on Yl fEsaz SOd H tenSan pIpal fIl At H
aprOc v HOz in YToriti. H prizanxz TroNd tageHx n wx
pUSt of H rOd. H konvq fPmd ap.
<p>
“H /empxx! H /empxx! H /mRSal! H /dMk!” n hRdli hAd H
slIk kAvalri pAst, bifP a kAriJ drYn bF siä grE hPsaz rAtald
bF. /piX kYt a glimps v a mAn in a TrI-kPnxd hAt wiH a
trANkwil lUk on hiz hAndsam, plamp, wFt fEs. it woz wan v H
mRSalz. hiz F fel on /piX'z lRJ n strFkiN figjx, n in
H iäpreSan wiH wic hI frQnd n lUkt awE /piX TYt hI
ditektad simpaTi n a dizFx t kansIl HAt simpaTi.
<p>
H Jenxal in cRJ v H stPz gAlapt Aftx H kAriJ wiH a
red n frFtand fEs, wipiN ap hiz skini hPs. sevxal ofisxz
fPmd a grMp n sam sOlJxz krQdad rQnd Hem. HX fEsaz Yl
lUkt iäFtad n warid.
<p>
“wot did hI sE? wot did hI sE?” /piX hxd Hem Ask.
<p>
wFl H mRSal woz pAsiN, H prizanxz hAd hadald tageHx in a
krQd, n /piX sY /kRytFef hMm hI hAd not jet sIn HAt mPniN.
hI sAt in hiz SPt OvxkOt lIniN agenst a bxc trI. on hiz fEs,
bisFdz H lUk v Jqfal imOSan it hAd wPn jestxdE wFl teliN
H tEl v H mxcant hM safxd inasantli, HX woz nQ an
iäpreSan v kwFat salemniti.
<p>
/kRytFef lUkt At /piX wiH hiz kFndli rQnd Fz nQ fild wiH
tCz, evidentli wiSiN him t kam nC HAt hI mFt sE samTiN t
him. bat /piX woz not safiSantli SUx v himself. hI mEd Az if hI
did not nOtis HAt lUk n mMvd hEstili awE.
<p>
wen H prizanxz agen went fPwxd /piX lUkt rQnd. /kRytFef
woz stil sitiN At H sFd v H rOd andx H bxc trI n tM
/frencmen wx tYkiN Ovx hiz hed. /piX did not lUk rQnd agen
bat went limpiN ap H hil.
<p>
from bihFnd, wX /kRytFef hAd bin sitiN, kEm H sQnd v a Sot.
/piX hxd it plEnli, bat At HAt mOment hI rimembxd HAt hI
hAd not jet finiSt rekaniN ap hQ meni stEJaz stil rimEnd t
/smOlensk—a kAlkVlESan hI hAd bigan bifP H mRSal went bF. n hI
agen stRtad rekaniN. tM /frenc sOlJxz rAn pAst /piX, wan v
hMm kArid a lOxd n smOkiN gan. HE bOT lUkt pEl, n
in H iäpreSan on HX fEsaz—wan v Hem glAnst timidli At
/piX—HX woz samTiN rizembaliN wot hI hAd sIn on H fEs v
H jaN sOlJx At H eäikVSan. /piX lUkt At H sOlJx n
rimembxd HAt, tM dEz bifP, HAt mAn hAd bxnd hiz Sxt wFl
drFiN it At H fFx n hQ HE hAd lAft At him.
<p>
bihFnd him, wX /kRytFef hAd bin sitiN, H dog bigAn t hQl.
“wot a stMpid bIst! wF iz it hQliN?” TYt /piX.
<p>
hiz komrAdz, H prizanx sOlJxz wYkiN bisFd him, avqdad lUkiN
bAk At H plEs wX H Sot hAd bin fFxd n H dog woz hQliN,
Jast Az /piX did, bat HX woz a set lUk on Yl HX fEsaz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
H stPz, H prizanxz, n H mRSal'z bAgiJ trEn stopt At
H viliJ v /SymSevO. H men krQdad tageHx rQnd H kAmpfFxz.
/piX went ap t H fFx, Et sam rOst hPsfleS, lE dQn wiH hiz
bAk t H fFx, n imIdWtli fel aslIp. hI agen slept Az hI hAd
dan At /mOZFsk Aftx H bAtal v /bPOdinO.
<p>
agen rWl ivents miNgald wiH drImz n agen samwan, hI P anaHx,
gEv iäpreSan t hiz TYts, n Ivan t H sEm TYts HAt hAd
bin iäprest in hiz drIm At /mOZFsk.
<p>
“lFf iz evriTiN. lFf iz /god. evriTiN cEnJaz n mMvz n HAt
mMvmant iz /god. n wFl HX iz lFf HX iz Jq in konSasnas
v H divFn. t lav lFf iz t lav /god. hRdx n mP blesad
HAn Yl els iz t lav His lFf in wan'z safxiNz, in inasant
safxiNz.”
<p>
“/kRytFef!” kEm t /piX'z mFnd.
<p>
n sadanli hI sY vividli bifP him a loN-fxgotan, kFndli Old mAn
hM hAd givan him Jiografi lesanz in /switsxland. “wEt a bit,” sed
H Old mAn, n SOd /piX a glOb. His glOb woz alFv—a vFbrEtiN
bYl wiHQt fiät dimenSanz. its hOl sxfis kansistad v drops
klOsli prest tageHx, n Yl HIz drops mMvd n cEnJd plEsaz,
samtFmz sevxal v Hem mxJiN intM wan, samtFmz wan divFdiN
intM meni. Ic drop trFd t spred Qt n okVpF Az mac spEs Az
posabal, bat aHxz strFviN t dM H sEm kamprest it, samtFmz
distrqd it, n samtFmz mxJd wiH it.
<p>
“HAt iz lFf,” sed H Old tIcx.
<p>
“hQ simpal n klC it iz,” TYt /piX. “hQ iz it F did not nO
it bifP?”
<p>
“god iz in H midst, n Ic drop trFz t iäpAnd sO Az t riflekt
/him t H grEtast iätent. n it grOz, mxJaz, disapCz from H
sxfis, siNä t H depTs, n agen imxJaz. HX nQ, /kRytFef
hAz spred Qt n disapCd. dM V andxstAnd, mF cFld?” sed H
tIcx.
<p>
“dM V andxstAnd, dAm V?” SQtad a vqs, n /piX wOk ap.
<p>
hI liftad himself n sAt ap. a /frencman hM hAd Jast pUSt a /raSan
sOlJx awE woz skwotiN bF H fFx, ingEJd in rOstiN a pIs
v mIt stak on a rAmrod. hiz slIvz wx rOld ap n hiz sinVi,
hXi, red hAndz wiH HX SPt fiNgxz deftli txnd H rAmrod. hiz
brQn mxOs fEs wiH frQniN brQz woz klCli vizabal bF H glO v
H cRkOl.
<p>
“it's Yl H sEm t him,” hI matxd, txniN kwikli t a sOlJx
hM stUd bihFnd him. “brigand! get awE!”
<p>
n twistiN H rAmrod hI lUkt glMmili At /piX, hM txnd
awE n gEzd intM H dRknas. a prizanx, H /raSan sOlJx H
/frencman hAd pUSt awE, woz sitiN nC H fFx pAtiN samTiN
wiH hiz hAnd. lUkiN mP klOsli /piX rekagnFzd H blM-grE dog,
sitiN bisFd H sOlJx, wAgiN its tEl.
<p>
“y, hI'z kam?” sed /piX. “n /plAt—” hI bigAn, bat did not finiS.
<p>
sadanli n sFmaltEnWsli a krQd v memxiz awOk in hiz fAnsi—v
H lUk /platon hAd givan him Az hI sAt andx H trI, v H Sot
hxd from HAt spot, v H dog'z hQl, v H gilti fEsaz v H tM
/frencmen Az HE rAn pAst him, v H lOxd n smOkiN gan, n v
/kRytFef's Absans At His hYlt—n hI woz on H pqnt v rWlFziN
HAt /kRytFef hAd bin kild, bat Jast At HAt instant, hI nM not
wF, H rekalekSan kEm t hiz mFnd v a samx IvniN hI hAd spent
wiH a bVtifal /pOliS lEdi on H vxAnda v hiz hQs in /kIev. n
wiHQt liNkiN ap H ivents v H dE P drYiN a kanklMZan
from Hem, /piX klOzd hiz Fz, sIiN a viZan v H kantri in
samxtFm miNgald wiH memxiz v bEHiN n v H likwid, vFbrEtiN
glOb, n hI sANk intM wYtx sO HAt it klOzd Ovx hiz hed.
<p>
bifP sanrFz hI woz awEkand bF SQts n lQd n rApid fFxiN.
/frenc sOlJxz wx raniN pAst him.
<p>
“H /kosAä!” wan v Hem SQtad, n a mOment lEtx a krQd v
/raSanz sxQndad /piX.
<p>
f a loN tFm hI kUd not andxstAnd wot woz hApaniN t him. Yl
xQnd hI hxd hiz komrAdz sobiN wiH Jq.
<p>
“braHxz! dC felOz! dRliNz!” Old sOlJxz iäklEmd, wIpiN, Az
HE imbrEst /kosAä n hMsRz.
<p>
H hMsRz n /kosAä krQdad rQnd H prizanxz; wan ofxd Hem
klOHz, anaHx bMts, n a Txd bred. /piX sobd Az hI sAt
amaN Hem n kUd not atx a wxd. hI hagd H fxst sOlJx hM
aprOct him, n kist him, wIpiN.
<p>
/dOlOâOf stUd At H gEt v H rMind hQs, letiN a krQd
v disRmd /frencmen pAs bF. H /frenc, iäFtad bF Yl HAt hAd
hApand, wx tYkiN lQdli amaN Hemselvz, bat Az HE pAst
/dOlOâOf hM Jentli swict hiz bMts wiH hiz wip n woct Hem
wiH kOld glAsi Fz HAt bOdad nO gUd, HE bikEm sFlant. on H
opazit sFd stUd /dOlOâOf's /kosAk, kQntiN H prizanxz n
mRkiN of Ic handrad wiH a cYk lFn on H gEt.
<p>
“hQ meni?” /dOlOâOf Askt H /kosAk.
<p>
“H sekand handrad,” riplFd H /kosAk.
<p>
“fFlz, fFlz!” * /dOlOâOf kept sEiN, hAviN adoptad His iäpreSan
from H /frenc, n wen hiz Fz met HOz v H prizanxz HE
flASt wiH a krMal lFt.
<p>
    * “get aloN, get aloN!”
<p>
<p>
/denisOf, bXhedad n wiH a glMmi fEs, wYkt bihFnd sam /kosAä
hM wx kAriiN H bodi v /petja /rOstOf t a hOl HAt hAd bin dag
in H gRdan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
/Aftx H twenti-EtT v oktObx wen H frosts bigAn, H flFt v
H /frenc asMmd a stil mP trAJik kAraktx, wiH men frIziN,
P rOstiN Hemselvz t deT At H kAmpfFxz, wFl kAriJaz
wiH pIpal drest in fxz kantinVd t drFv pAst, kAriiN awE H
propxti HAt hAd bin stOlan bF H /empxx, kiNz, n dMä; bat
H proses v H flFt n disintigrESan v H /frenc Rmi went on
isenSali Az bifP.
<p>
from /moskQ t /vjyzma H /frenc Rmi v sevanti-TrI TQzand men not
rekaniN H /gRdz (hM did naTiN dxiN H hOl wP bat piliJ)
woz ridMst t Txti-siä TQzand, HO not mP HAn fFv TQzand
hAd fYlan in bAtal. from His biginiN H saäIdiN txmz v H
pragreSan kUd bI ditxmind mATamAtikli. H /frenc Rmi meltad
awE n periSt At H sEm rEt from /moskQ t /vjyzma, from /vjyzma
t /smOlensk, from /smOlensk t H /berezIna, n from H /berezIna t
/vilna—indipendantli v H grEtx P lesx intensiti v H kOld, H
pxsMt, H bRiN v H wE, P eni aHx pxtikVlx kandiSanz.
bijond /vjyzma H /frenc Rmi insted v mMviN in TrI kolamz hadald
tageHx intM wan mAs, n sO went on t H end. /bertiX rOt t hiz
/empxx (wI nO hQ fR kamAndiN ofisxz alQ Hemselvz t dFvxJ
from H trMT in diskrFbiN H kandiSan v an Rmi) n His iz wot
hI sed:
<p>
<p>
F dIm it mF dMti t ripPt t jP /mAJasti H kandiSan v H vXWs
kP F hAv hAd akEZan t abzxv dxiN difxant stEJaz v H lAst
tM P TrI dEz' mRc. HE R YlmOst disbAndad. skXsli a kwPtx
v H sOlJxz rimEn wiH H stAndxdz v HX reJimants, H aHxz
gO of bF Hemselvz in difxant direkSanz hOpiN t fFnd fMd n
iskEp disiplin. in Jenxal HE rigRd /smOlensk Az H plEs wX
HE hOp t rikavx. dxiN H lAst fV dEz meni v H men hAv bin
sIn t TrO awE HX kRtriJaz n HX Rmz. in sac a stEt
v afXz, wotevx jP altimat plAnz mE bI, H intxast v jP
/mAJasti'z sxvis dimAndz HAt H Rmi SUd bI rAlid At /smOlensk
n SUd fxst v Yl bI frId from inifektivz, sac Az dismQntad
kAvalri, annesisXi bAgiJ, n Rtilxi matCWl HAt iz nO loNgx
in prapPSan t H prezant fPsaz. H sOlJxz, hM R wPn Qt wiH
haNgx n fatIg, nId HIz saplFz Az wel Az a fV dEz' rest.
meni hAv dFd HIz lAst dEz on H rOd P At H bivUAä. His
stEt v TiNz iz kantinVali bikamiN wxs n mEä wan fC HAt
anles a prompt remadi iz aplFd H trMps wil nO loNgx bI andx
kantrOl in kEs v an ingEJmant.
<p>
nOvembx 9: twenti mFlz from /smOlensk.
<p>
<p>
Aftx stAgxiN intM /smOlensk wic sImd t Hem a promist lAnd, H
/frenc, sxciN f fMd, kild wan anaHx, sAkt HX On stPz,
n wen evriTiN hAd bin plandxd fled fRHx.
<p>
HE Yl went wiHQt nOiN wiHx P wF HE wx gOiN. stil les
did HAt JInWs, /napOlWn, nO it, f nO wan iSVd eni Pdxz t
him. bat stil hI n HOz abQt him ritEnd HX Old hAbits: rOt
kamAndz, letxz, ripPts, n Pdxz v H dE; kYld wan anaHx
sFx, man kazan, prins /d'ekmMal, rwy de /nEpalz, n sO on. bat HIz
Pdxz n ripPts wx Onli on pEpx, naTiN in Hem woz Aktad apon
f HE kUd not bI kArid Qt, n HO HE intFtald wan
anaHx /mAJastiz, /hFnasaz, P /kazanz, HE Yl felt HAt HE wx
mizxabal recaz hM hAd dan mac Ival f wic HE hAd nQ t
pE. n HO HE pritendad t bI kansxnd abQt H Rmi, Ic
woz TiNkiN Onli v himself n v hQ t get awE kwikli n sEv
himself.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
H mMvmants v H /raSan n /frenc Rmiz dxiN H kAmpEn
from /moskQ bAk t H /nImen wx lFk HOz in a gEm v /raSan
blFndmAn'z baf, in wic tM plExz R blFndfOldad n wan v
Hem akEZanali riNz a lital bel t infPm H kAcx v hiz
wXabQts. fxst hI riNz hiz bel fClasli, bat wen hI gets intM
a tFt plEs hI ranz awE Az kwFatli Az hI kAn, n oftan TiNkiN t
iskEp ranz strEt intM hiz apOnant's Rmz.
<p>
At fxst wFl HE wx stil mMviN aloN H /kylMga rOd, /napOlWn'z
Rmiz mEd HX prezans nOn, bat lEtx wen HE rIct H
/smOlensk rOd HE rAn hOldiN H klApx v HX bel tFt—n oftan
TiNkiN HE wx iskEpiN rAn rFt intM H /raSanz.
<p>
OiN t H rapiditi v H /frenc flFt n H /raSan pxsMt
n H konsikwant iãYscan v H hPsaz, H cIf mInz v
aproäimatli AsxtEniN H enami'z paziSan—bF kAvalri skQtiN—woz
not avElabal. bisFdz, Az a rizalt v H frIkwant n rApid cEnJ v
paziSan bF Ic Rmi, Ivan wot infxmESan woz abtEnd kUd not bI
dilivxd in tFm. if nMz woz risIvd wan dE HAt H enami hAd bin
in a sxtan paziSan H dE bifP, bF H Txd dE wen samTiN
kUd hAv bin dan, HAt Rmi woz Ylredi tM dEz' mRc fRHx on
n in kwFt anaHx paziSan.
<p>
wan Rmi fled n H aHx pxsMd. bijond /smOlensk HX wx sevxal
difxant rOdz avElabal f H /frenc, n wan wUd hAv TYt
HAt dxiN HX stE v fP dEz HE mFt hAv lxnd wX
H enami woz, mFt hAv xEnJd sam mP AdvantEJas plAn n
andxtEkan samTiN nM. bat Aftx a fP dEz' hYlt H mob, wiH nO
manMvxz P plAnz, agen bigAn raniN aloN H bItan trAk, nFHx
t H rFt nP t H left bat aloN H Old—H wxst—rOd, TrM
/krysnqe n /PSy.
<p>
iäpektiN H enami from bihFnd n not in frant, H /frenc sepxEtad
in HX flFt n spred Qt Ovx a distans v twenti-fP Qxz. in
frant v Hem Yl fled H /empxx, Hen H kiNz, Hen H dMä. H
/raSan Rmi, iäpektiN /napOlWn t tEk H rOd t H rFt bijond
H /dnIpx—wic woz H Onli rIzanabal TiN f him t dM—Hemselvz
txnd t H rFt n kEm Qt ontM H hFrOd At /krysnqe. n hC
Az in a gEm v blFndmAn'z baf H /frenc rAn intM Qx vAngRd. sIiN
HX enami aniäpektadli H /frenc fel intM kanfVZan n stopt
SPt from H sadan frFt, bat Hen HE rizMmd HX flFt,
abAndaniN HX komrAdz hM wx fRHx bihFnd. Hen f TrI dEz
sepxat pPSanz v H /frenc Rmi—fxst /mMryt's (H vFs-kiN'z),
Hen /dyvM'z, n Hen /nE'z—rAn, Az it wx, H gYntlat v H
/raSan Rmi. HE abAndand wan anaHx, abAndand Yl HX hevi
bAgiJ, HX Rtilxi, n hAf HX men, n fled, getiN pAst H
/raSanz bF nFt bF mEkiN semisxkalz t H rFt.
<p>
/nE, hM kEm lAst, hAd bin biziiN himself blOiN ap H wYlz v
/smOlensk wic wx in nObodi'z wE, bikoz dispFt H anfPcanat
plFt v H /frenc P bikoz v it, HE wiSt t paniS H flP
agenst wic HE hAd hxt Hemselvz. /nE, hM hAd hAd a kP v ten
TQzand men, rIct /napOlWn At /PSy wiH Onli wan TQzand men left,
hAviN abAndand Yl H rest n Yl hiz kAnan, n hAviN krost H
/dnIpx At nFt bF stelT At a wUdad spot.
<p>
from /PSy HE fled fRHx aloN H rOd t /vilna, stil plEiN
At blFndmAn'z baf wiH H pxsMiN Rmi. At H /berezIna HE agen
bikEm disPganFzd, meni wx drQnd n meni sxendxd, bat HOz
hM got akros H rivx fled fRHx. HX sMprIm cIf dond a
fx kOt n, hAviN sItad himself in a slE, gAlapt on alOn,
abAndaniN hiz kampAnjanz. H aHxz hM kUd dM sO drOv awE tM,
lIviN HOz hM kUd not t sxendx P dF.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
His kAmpEn kansistad in a flFt v H /frenc dxiN wic HE did
Yl HE kUd t distrq Hemselvz. from H tFm HE txnd ontM
H /kylMga rOd t H dE HX lIdx fled from H Rmi, nan v H
mMvmants v H krQd hAd eni sens. sO wan mFt hAv TYt HAt
rigRdiN His pCWd v H kAmpEn H histPWnz, hM atribVtad
H AkSanz v H mAs t H wil v wan mAn, wUd hAv fQnd it
imposabal t mEk H stPi v H ritrIt fit HX TCi. bat
nO! mQntanz v bUä hAv bin ritan bF H histPWnz abQt His
kAmpEn, n evriwX R diskrFbd /napOlWn'z xEnJmants, H
manMvxz, n hiz prafQnd plAnz wic gFdad H Rmi, Az wel Az H
militXi JInWs SOn bF hiz mRSalz.
<p>
H ritrIt from /mylO-/jROslyvats wen hI hAd a frI rOd intM a
wel-saplFd distrikt n H pAralel rOd woz Opan t him aloN
wic /kMtMzOf Aftxwxdz pxsMd him—His annesisXi ritrIt aloN
a devastEtad rOd—iz iäplEnd t as Az bIiN dM t prafQnd
kansidxESanz. similxli prafQnd kansidxESanz R givan f
hiz ritrIt from /smOlensk t /PSy. Hen hiz herOizam At /krysnqe iz
diskrFbd, wX hI iz ripPtad t hAv bin pripXd t aäept bAtal
n tEk pxsanal kamAnd, n t hAv wYkt abQt wiH a bxc stik
n sed:
<p>
“J'ai assez fet l'empxx; il est temps de fX lU Jenxal,” * bat
nevxHales imIdWtli rAn awE agen, abAndaniN t its fEt H
skAtxd frAgmants v H Rmi hI left bihFnd.
<p>
     * “F hAv Aktad H /empxx loN inaf; it iz tFm t Akt
     H Jenxal.”
<p>
<p>
Hen wI R tOld v H grEtnas v sOl v H mRSalz, ispeSali
v /nE—a grEtnas v sOl kansistiN in His: HAt hI mEd hiz wE bF
nFt xQnd TrM H fPist n akros H /dnIpx n iskEpt t
/PSy, abAndaniN stAndxdz, Rtilxi, n nFn tenTs v hiz men.
<p>
n lAstli, H fFnal dipRcx v H grEt /empxx from hiz hirOik
Rmi iz prizentad t as bF H histPWnz Az samTiN grEt n
kAraktxistik v JInWs. Ivan HAt fFnal raniN awE, diskrFbd in
PdinXi lANgwiJ Az H lOast depT v bEsnas wic evri cFld
iz tYt t bI aSEmd v—Ivan HAt Akt fFndz JastifikESan in H
histPWnz' lANgwiJ.
<p>
wen it iz imposabal t strec H veri ilAstik Tredz v histPikal
rASiosinESan eni fRHx, wen AkSanz R klCli kontrXi t Yl
HAt hVmAniti kYlz rFt P Ivan Jast, H histPWnz pradMs a sEviN
kansepSan v “grEtnas.” “grEtnas,” it sImz, iäklMdz H stAndxdz
v rFt n roN. f H “grEt” mAn naTiN iz roN, HX iz nO
atrositi f wic a “grEt” mAn kAn bI blEmd.
<p>
“/sE grAnd!” * sE H histPWnz, n HX nO loNgx iãists FHx
gUd P Ival bat Onli “grAnd” n “not grAnd.” grAnd iz gUd, not
grAnd iz bAd. grAnd iz H kAraktxistik, in HX kansepSan, v sam
speSal Animalz kYld “hCOz.” n /napOlWn, iskEpiN hOm in a wPm
fx kOt n lIviN t periS HOz hM wx not mCli hiz komrAdz
bat wx (in hiz apinjan) men hI hAd brYt HX, fIlz kE sE
grAnd, *(2) n hiz sOl iz trANkwil.
<p>
     * “it iz grEt.”
<p>
     * (2) HAt it iz grEt.
<p>
“dM sablFm (hI sY samTiN sablFm in himself) O ridikVl il n'y
a kw'an py,” * sed hI. n H hOl wxld f fifti jCz hAz bin
ripItiN: “sablFm! grAnd! /napOlWn lU /grAnd!” dM sablFm O ridikVl
il n'y a kw'an py.
<p>
    * “from H sablFm t H ridikVlas iz bat a step.”
<p>
<p>
n it akxz t nO wan HAt t admit a grEtnas not kamensxabal wiH
H stAndxd v rFt n roN iz mCli t admit wan'z On naTiNnas
n imeZxabal mInnas.
<p>
f as wiH H stAndxd v gUd n Ival givan as bF /krFst, nO hVman
AkSanz R inkamensxabal. n HX iz nO grEtnas wX simplisiti,
gUdnas, n trMT R Absant.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
wot /raSan, rIdiN H akQnt v H lAst pRt v H kAmpEn
v 1812, hAz not iäpCWnst an ankamfxtabal fIliN v rigret,
dissAtisfAkSan, n pxpleäiti? hM hAz not Askt himself hQ it iz
HAt H /frenc wx not Yl kApcxd P distrqd wen Qx TrI Rmiz
sxQndad Hem in sMpCC nambxz, wen H disPdxd /frenc, haNgri
n frIziN, sxendxd in krQdz, n wen (Az H histPWnz rilEt)
H Em v H /raSanz woz t stop H /frenc, t kat Hem of, n
kApcx Hem Yl?
<p>
hQ woz it HAt H /raSan Rmi, wic wen nMmerikli wIkx HAn H
/frenc hAd givan bAtal At /bPOdinO, did not acIv its pxpas wen it
hAd sxQndad H /frenc on TrI sFdz n wen its Em woz t kApcx
Hem? kAn H /frenc bI sO inPmasli sMpCC t as HAt wen wI hAd
sxQndad Hem wiH sMpCC fPsaz wI kUd not bIt Hem? hQ kUd
HAt hApan?
<p>
histxi (P wot iz kYld bF HAt nEm) riplFiN t HIz kwescanz
sez HAt His akxd bikoz /kMtMzOf n /tPmysOf n /cicygOf, n
His mAn n HAt mAn, did not eäikVt sac n sac manMvxz....
<p>
bat wF did HE not eäikVt HOz manMvxz? n wF if HE wx
gilti v not kAriiN Qt a prIxEnJd plAn wx HE not trFd n
paniSt? bat Ivan if wI admitad HAt /kMtMzOf, /cicygOf, n aHxz
wx H kYz v H /raSan fEljxz, it iz stil inkomprihensabal
wF, H paziSan v H /raSan Rmi bIiN wot it woz At /krysnqe n
At H /berezIna (in bOT kEsaz wI hAd sMpCC fPsaz), H /frenc Rmi
wiH its mRSalz, kiNz, n /empxx woz not kApcxd, if HAt woz wot
H /raSanz Emd At
<p>
H eäplanESan v His strEnJ fAkt givan bF /raSan militXi
histPWnz (t H ifekt HAt /kMtMzOf hindxd an atAk) iz anfQndad,
f wI nO HAt hI kUd not ristrEn H trMps from atAkiN At
/vjyzma n /tRMtinO.
<p>
wF woz H /raSan Rmi—wic wiH infCC fPsaz hAd wiHstUd H
enami in fUl streNT At /bPOdinO—difItad At /krysnqe n H /berezIna
bF H disPganFzd krQdz v H /frenc wen it woz nMmerikli
sMpCC?
<p>
if H Em v H /raSanz kansistad in katiN of n kApcxiN
/napOlWn n hiz mRSalz—n HAt Em woz not mCli frastrEtad bat Yl
atempts t atEn it wx mOst SEmfali bAfald—Hen His lAst pCWd
v H kAmpEn iz kwFt rFtli kansidxd bF H /frenc t bI a
sCIz v viktxiz, n kwFt roNli kansidxd viktPWs bF /raSan
histPWnz.
<p>
H /raSan militXi histPWnz in sO fR Az HE sabmit t klEmz
v loJik mast admit HAt kanklMZan, n in spFt v HX lirikal
rApsadiz abQt vAlx, divOSan, n sO fPT, mast rilaktantli admit
HAt H /frenc ritrIt from /moskQ woz a sCIz v viktxiz f
/napOlWn n difIts f /kMtMzOf.
<p>
bat pUtiN nASanal vAniti intFxli asFd wan fIlz HAt sac a
kanklMZan involvz a kontradikSan, sins H sCIz v /frenc
viktxiz brYt H /frenc kamplIt distrakSan, wFl H sCIz
v /raSan difIts led t H tOtal distrakSan v HX enami n H
libxESan v HX kantri.
<p>
H sPs v His kontradikSan lFz in H fAkt HAt H histPWnz
stadiiN H ivents from H letxz v H sovranz n H Jenxalz,
from memwRz, ripPts, proJekts, n sO fPT, hAv atribVtad t His
lAst pCWd v H wP v 1812 an Em HAt nevx iãistad, nEmli HAt v
katiN of n kApcxiN /napOlWn wiH hiz mRSalz n hiz Rmi.
<p>
HX nevx woz P kUd hAv bin sac an Em, f it wUd hAv bin
senslas n its atEnmant kwFt imposabal.
<p>
it wUd hAv bin senslas, fxst bikoz /napOlWn'z disPganFzd
Rmi woz flFiN from /raSa wiH Yl posabal spId, HAt iz t sE, woz
dMiN Jast wot evri /raSan dizFxd. sO wot woz H Vs v pxfPmiN
vXWs opxESanz on H /frenc hM wx raniN awE Az fAst Az HE
posabli kUd?
<p>
sekandli, it wUd hAv bin senslas t blok H pAsiJ v men hMz
hOl enxJi woz direktad t flFt.
<p>
Txdli, it wUd hAv bin senslas t sAkrifFs wan'z On trMps in
Pdx t distrq H /frenc Rmi, wic wiHQt eätxnal intxfCans
woz distrqiN itself At sac a rEt HAt, HO its pAT woz not
blokt, it kUd not kAri akros H frantC mP HAn it AkcMali
did in disembx, nEmli a handradT pRt v H xiJinal Rmi.
<p>
fPTli, it wUd hAv bin senslas t wiS t tEk kAptiv H
/empxx, kiNz, n dMä—hMz kApcx wUd hAv bin in H hFast
digrI imbArasiN f H /raSanz, Az H mOst adrqt diplOmatists v
H tFm (/JOzif de /mFstri n aHxz) rekagnFzd. stil mP senslas
wUd hAv bin H wiS t kApcx Rmi kP v H /frenc, wen Qx
On Rmi hAd meltad awE t hAf bifP rIciN /krysnqe n a hOl
diviZan wUd hAv bin nIdad t konvq H kP v prizanxz, n
wen Qx men wx not YlwEz getiN fUl rASanz n H prizanxz
Ylredi tEkan wx periSiN v haNgx.
<p>
Yl H prafQnd plAnz abQt katiN of n kApcxiN /napOlWn n hiz
Rmi wx lFk H plAn v a mRkat gRdanx hM, wen drFviN Qt v
hiz gRdan a kQ HAt hAd trAmpald dQn H bedz hI hAd plAntad, SUd
ran t H gEt n hit H kQ on H hed. H Onli TiN t bI sed
in iäkVs v HAt gRdanx wUd bI HAt hI woz veri ANgri. bat not Ivan
HAt kUd bI sed f HOz hM drM ap His proJekt, f it woz not
HE hM hAd safxd from H trAmpald bedz.
<p>
bat bisFdz H fAkt HAt katiN of /napOlWn wiH hiz Rmi wUd hAv
bin senslas, it woz imposabal.
<p>
it woz imposabal fxst bikoz—Az iäpCWns SOz HAt a TrI-mFl
mMvmant v kolamz on a bAtalfIld nevx kOinsFdz wiH H plAnz—H
probabiliti v /cicygOf, /kMtMzOf, n /vitgenStFn ifektiN a JaNkSan
on tFm At an apqntad plEs woz sO rimOt Az t bI tAntamQnt t
imposabiliti, Az in fAkt TYt /kMtMzOf, hM wen hI risIvd H plAn
rimRkt HAt dFvxZanz plAnd Ovx grEt distansaz dM not jIld H
dizFxd rizalts.
<p>
sekandli it woz imposabal, bikoz t pAralFz H mOmentam wiH wic
/napOlWn'z Rmi woz ritFxiN, inkompxabli grEtx fPsaz HAn H
/raSanz pazest wUd hAv bin rikwFxd.
<p>
Txdli it woz imposabal, bikoz H militXi txm “t kat of” hAz nO
mIniN. wan kAn kat of a slFs v bred, bat not an Rmi. t kat of
an Rmi—t bR its rOd—iz kwFt imposabal, f HX iz YlwEz plenti
v rMm t avqd kApcx n HX iz H nFt wen naTiN kAn bI
sIn, Az H militXi sFantists mFt kanvins Hemselvz bF H
iãAmpal v /krysnqe n v H /berezIna. it iz Onli posabal t kApcx
prizanxz if HE agrI t bI kApcxd, Jast Az it iz Onli posabal
t kAc a swolO if it setalz on wan'z hAnd. men kAn Onli bI tEkan
prizanxz if HE sxendx akPdiN t H rMlz v strAtiJi n
tAktiä, Az H /Jxmanz did. bat H /frenc trMps kwFt rFtli did not
kansidx HAt His sMtad Hem, sins deT bF haNgx n kOld awEtad
Hem in flFt P kAptiviti alFk.
<p>
fPTli n cIfli it woz imposabal, bikoz nevx sins H wxld
bigAn hAz a wP bin fYt andx sac kandiSanz Az HOz HAt abtEnd
in 1812, n H /raSan Rmi in its pxsMt v H /frenc strEnd its
streNT t H atmOst n kUd not hAv dan mP wiHQt distrqiN
itself.
<p>
dxiN H mMvmant v H /raSan Rmi from /tRMtinO t /krysnqe it
lost fifti TQzand sik P strAgalxz, HAt iz a nambx Ikwal t H
popVlESan v a lRJ pravinSal tQn. hAf H men fel Qt v H Rmi
wiHQt a bAtal.
<p>
n it iz v His pCWd v H kAmpEn—wen H Rmi lAkt bMts
n SIpskin kOts, woz SPt v praviZanz n wiHQt vodka, n
woz kAmpiN Qt At nFt f manTs in H snO wiH fiftIn digrIz
v frost, wen HX wx Onli sevan P Et Qxz v dElFt n
H rest woz nFt in wic H inflMans v disiplin kAnot bI
mEntEnd, wen men wx tEkan intM HAt rIJan v deT wX
disiplin fElz, not f a fV Qxz Onli Az in a bAtal, bat f
manTs, wX HE wx evri mOment fFtiN deT from haNgx n
kOld, wen hAf H Rmi periSt in a siNgal manT—it iz v His pCWd
v H kAmpEn HAt H histPWnz tel as hQ /milPydOvic SUd hAv
mEd a flANk mRc t sac n sac a plEs, /tPmysOf t anaHx plEs,
n /cicygOf SUd hAv krost (mP HAn nI-dIp in snO) t
samwX els, n hQ sO-n-sO “rQtad” n “kat of” H /frenc n
sO on n sO on.
<p>
H /raSanz, hAf v hMm dFd, did Yl HAt kUd n SUd hAv bin
dan t atEn an end wxHi v H nESan, n HE R not t blEm
bikoz aHx /raSanz, sitiN in wPm rMmz, prapOzd HAt HE SUd
dM wot woz imposabal.
<p>
Yl HAt strEnJ kontradikSan nQ difikalt t andxstAnd bitwIn H
fAkts n H histPikal akQnts Onli xFzaz bikoz H histPWnz
dIliN wiH H mAtx hAv ritan H histxi v H bVtifal wxdz
n sentimants v vXWs Jenxalz, n not H histxi v H ivents.
<p>
t Hem H wxdz v /milPydOvic sIm veri intxastiN, n sO dM HX
sxmFzaz n H riwPdz His P HAt Jenxal risIvd; bat H kwescan
v HOz fifti TQzand men hM wx left in hospitalz n in grEvz
daz not Ivan intxast Hem, f it daz not kam wiHin H rEnJ v
HX investigESan.
<p>
jet wan nId Onli diskRd H stadi v H ripPts n Jenxal plAnz n
kansidx H mMvmant v HOz handradz v TQzandz v men hM tUk a
direkt pRt in H ivents, n Yl H kwescanz HAt sImd insolVbal
Izili n simpli risIv an imIdWt n sxtan salMSan.
<p>
H Em v katiN of /napOlWn n hiz Rmi nevx iãistad iäept in
H imAJinESanz v a dazan pIpal. it kUd not iãist bikoz it woz
senslas n anatEnabal.
<p>
H pIpal hAd a siNgal Em: t frI HX lAnd from invEZan. HAt Em
woz atEnd in H fxst plEs v itself, Az H /frenc rAn awE,
n sO it woz Onli nesisXi not t stop HX flFt. sekandli it woz
atEnd bF H gxila wPfX wic woz distrqiN H /frenc, n
Txdli bF H fAkt HAt a lRJ /raSan Rmi woz folOiN H /frenc,
redi t Vz its streNT in kEs HX mMvmant stopt.
<p>
H /raSan Rmi hAd t Akt lFk a wip t a raniN Animal. n H
iäpCWnst drFvx nM it woz betx t hOld H wip rEzd Az a
menas HAn t strFk H raniN Animal on H hed.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/bUk /fiftIn: 1812 - 13
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
wen sIiN a dFiN Animal a mAn fIlz a sens v horx: sabstans
similx t hiz On iz periSiN bifP hiz Fz. bat wen it iz a
bilavad n intimat hVman bIiN HAt iz dFiN, bisFdz His horx At
H iätiNkSan v lFf HX iz a sevxans, a spiricMal wMnd, wic
lFk a fizikal wMnd iz samtFmz fEtal n samtFmz hIlz, bat YlwEz
Eä n SriNä At eni eätxnal iritEtiN tac.
<p>
Aftx /prins /AndrM'z deT /nytySa n /prinsas /mXi alFk felt His.
drMpiN in spirit n klOziN HX Fz bifP H menasiN klQd v
deT HAt OvxhaN Hem, HE dXd not lUk lFf in H fEs. HE
kXfali gRdad HX Opan wMndz from eni raf n pEnfal kontAkt.
evriTiN: a kAriJ pAsiN rApidli in H strIt, a samanz t
dinx, H mEd'z inkwFxi wot dres t pripX, P wxs stil eni
wxd v insinsC P fIbal simpaTi, sImd an insalt, pEnfali
iritEtad H wMnd, intxaptiN HAt nesisXi kwFat in wic
HE bOT trFd t lisan t H stxn n dredfal kwFx HAt stil
rizQndad in HX imAJinESan, n hindxd HX gEziN intM HOz
mistCWs limitlas vistaz HAt f an instant hAd Opand Qt bifP
Hem.
<p>
Onli wen alOn tageHx wx HE frI from sac QtrEJ n pEn.
HE spOk lital Ivan t wan anaHx, n wen HE did it woz v veri
animpPtant mAtxz.
<p>
bOT avqdad eni alMZan t H fVcx. t admit H posabiliti v
a fVcx sImd t Hem t insalt hiz memxi. stil mP kXfali did
HE avqd eniTiN rilEtiN t him hM woz ded. it sImd t Hem HAt
wot HE hAd livd TrM n iäpCWnst kUd not bI iäprest in
wxdz, n HAt eni refxans t H dItElz v hiz lFf infrinJd H
mAJasti n sEkradnas v H mistxi HAt hAd bin akompliSt bifP
HX Fz.
<p>
kantinVd abstenSan from spIc, n konstant avqdans v evriTiN
HAt mFt lId ap t H sabJekt—His hYltiN on Yl sFdz At H
bQndri v wot HE mFt not menSan—brYt bifP HX mFndz wiH
stil grEtx pjUxiti n klCnas wot HE wx bOT fIliN.
<p>
bat pjUx n kamplIt sorO iz Az imposabal Az pjUx n kamplIt Jq.
prinsas /mXi, in hx paziSan Az AbsalMt n indipendant Rbitx v
hx On fEt n gRdWn n instraktx v hx nefV, woz H fxst t
bI kYld bAk t lFf from HAt relm v sorO in wic SI hAd dwelt
f H fxst fPtnFt. SI risIvd letxz from hx rilESanz t
wic SI hAd t riplF; H rMm in wic lital /nikalas hAd bin pUt
woz dAmp n hI bigAn t kof; /ylpytic kEm t /jROslyval wiH ripPts
on H stEt v HX afXz n wiH advFs n saJescanz HAt HE
SUd ritxn t /moskQ t H hQs on H /vOzdviZenka /strIt, wic
hAd rimEnd aninJxd n nIdad Onli slFt ripXz. lFf did not
stAnd stil n it woz nesisXi t liv. hRd Az it woz f /prinsas
/mXi t imxJ from H relm v siklMdad kontamplESan in wic SI
hAd livd til Hen, n sori n YlmOst aSEmd Az SI felt t lIv
/nytySa alOn, jet H kXz v lFf dimAndad hx atenSan n SI
involantXili jIldad t Hem. SI went TrM H akQnts wiH
/ylpytic, kanfxd wiH /desyl abQt hx nefV, n gEv Pdxz n
mEd prepxESanz f H Jxni t /moskQ.
<p>
/nytySa rimEnd alOn n, from H tFm /prinsas /mXi bigAn mEkiN
prepxESanz f dipRcx, held alMf from hx tM.
<p>
prinsas /mXi Askt H kQntas t let /nytySa gO wiH hx t /moskQ,
n bOT pXants glAdli aäeptad His ofx, f HE sY HX dYtx
lMziN streNT evri dE n TYt HAt a cEnJ v sIn n H
advFs v /moskQ doktxz wUd bI gUd f hx.
<p>
“F Am not gOiN eniwX,” /nytySa riplFd wen His woz prapOzd t
hx. “dM plIz Jast lIv mI alOn!” n SI rAn Qt v H rMm, wiH
difikalti rifrEniN from tCz v veäESan n iritESan rAHx HAn
v sorO.
<p>
Aftx SI felt hxself dizxtad bF /prinsaz /mXi n alOn in hx grIf,
/nytySa spent mOst v H tFm in hx rMm bF hxself, sitiN hadald
ap fIt n Yl in H kPnx v H sOfa, tCiN n twistiN
samTiN wiH hx slendx nxvas fiNgxz n gEziN intentli n
fiäadli At wotevx hx Fz cAnst t fYl on. His solitMd iãYstad
n tPmentad hx bat SI woz in AbsalMt nId v it. Az sMn Az eniwan
entxd SI got ap kwikli, cEnJd hx paziSan n iäpreSan, n
pikt ap a bUk P sam sOiN, evidentli wEtiN impESantli f H
intrMdx t gO.
<p>
SI felt Yl H tFm Az if SI mFt At eni mOment penitrEt HAt
on wic—wiH a teribal kwescaniN tM grEt f hx streNT—hx
spiricMal gEz woz fiät.
<p>
wan dE tPd H end v disembx /nytySa, pEl n Tin, drest in a
blAk wUlan gQn, hx plEtad hX negliJantli twistad intM a not, woz
krQct fIt n Yl in H kPnx v hx sOfa, nxvasli krampaliN n
smMHiN Qt H end v hx sAS wFl SI lUkt At a kPnx v H
dP.
<p>
SI woz gEziN in H direkSan in wic hI hAd gon—t H aHx sFd
v lFf. n HAt aHx sFd v lFf, v wic SI hAd nevx bifP
TYt n wic hAd fPmxli sImd t hx sO fR awE n improbabal,
woz nQ nCx n mP akin n mP komprihensabal HAn His sFd v
lFf, wX evriTiN woz FHx emptinas n desalESan P safxiN
n indigniti.
<p>
SI woz gEziN wX SI nM him t bI; bat SI kUd not imAJin him
aHxwFz HAn Az hI hAd bin hC. SI nQ sY him agen Az hI hAd bin
At /mitiSi, At /trqtsa, n At /jROslyval.
<p>
SI sY hiz fEs, hxd hiz vqs, ripItad hiz wxdz n hx On, n
samtFmz divFzd aHx wxdz HE mFt hAv spOkan.
<p>
HX hI iz lFiN bAk in an RmcX in hiz velvat klOk, lIniN
hiz hed on hiz Tin pEl hAnd. hiz cest iz dredfali holO n hiz
SOldxz rEzd. hiz lips R fxmli klOzd, hiz Fz glitx, n a
riNkal kamz n gOz on hiz pEl fPhed. wan v hiz leã twicaz
Jast pxseptabli, bat rApidli. /nytySa nOz HAt hI iz stragaliN wiH
teribal pEn. “wot iz HAt pEn lFk? wF daz hI hAv HAt pEn? wot
daz hI fIl? hQ daz it hxt him?” TYt /nytySa. hI nOtist hx
wociN him, rEzd hiz Fz, n bigAn t spIk sCWsli:
<p>
“wan TiN wUd bI teribal,” sed hI: “t bFnd wanself fxevx t a
safxiN mAn. it wUd bI kantinVal tPcx.” n hI lUkt sxciNli
At hx. /nytySa Az VZMal Ansxd bifP SI hAd tFm t TiNk wot SI
wUd sE. SI sed: “His kAnt gO on—it wOnt. V wil get wel—kwFt
wel.”
<p>
SI nQ sY him from H kamensmant v HAt sIn n rIlivd wot SI
hAd Hen felt. SI rikYld hiz loN sAd n sivC lUk At HOz wxdz
n andxstUd H mIniN v H ribVk n dispX in HAt prOtrAktad
gEz.
<p>
“F agrId,” /nytySa nQ sed t hxself, “HAt it wUd bI dredfal if
hI YlwEz kantinVd t safx. F sed it Hen Onli bikoz it wUd hAv
bin dredfal f him, bat hI andxstUd it difxantli. hI TYt it
wUd bI dredfal f mI. hI Hen stil wiSt t liv n fCd deT.
n F sed it sO Ykwxdli n stMpidli! F did not sE wot F ment.
F TYt kwFt difxantli. hAd F sed wot F TYt, F SUd hAv
sed: Ivan if hI hAd t gO on dFiN, t dF kantinVali bifP mF Fz,
F SUd hAv bin hApi kampXd wiH wot F Am nQ. nQ HX iz
naTiN... nObodi. did hI nO HAt? nO, hI did not n nevx wil nO
it. n nQ it wil nevx, nevx bI posabal t pUt it rFt.” n
nQ hI agen sImd t bI sEiN H sEm wxdz t hx, Onli in hx
imAJinESan /nytySa His tFm gEv him a difxant Ansx. SI stopt
him n sed: “teribal f V, bat not f mI! V nO HAt f mI
HX iz naTiN in lFf bat V, n t safx wiH V iz H grEtast
hApinas f mI,” n hI tUk hx hAnd n prest it Az hI hAd
prest it HAt teribal IvniN fP dEz bifP hiz deT. n in hx
imAJinESan SI sed aHx tendx n laviN wxdz wic SI mFt hAv
sed Hen bat Onli spOk nQ: “F lav HI!... HI! F lav, lav...”
SI sed, kanvalsivli presiN hx hAndz n setiN hx tIT wiH a
despxat efxt....
<p>
SI woz Ovxkam bF swIt sorO n tCz wx Ylredi rFziN in hx
Fz; Hen SI sadanli Askt hxself t hMm SI woz sEiN His.
agen evriTiN woz SrQdad in hRd, drF pxpleäiti, n agen wiH a
strEnd frQn SI pCd tPd H wxld wX hI woz. n nQ, nQ
it sImd t hx SI woz penitrEtiN H mistxi.... bat At H instant
wen it sImd HAt H inkomprihensabal woz rivIliN itself t hx a
lQd rAtal v H dP hAndal strak pEnfali on hx Cz. /dMnjySa,
hx mEd, entxd H rMm kwikli n abraptli wiH a frFtand lUk
on hx fEs n SOiN nO kansxn f hx mistras.
<p>
“kam t jP /pypy At wans, plIz!” sed SI wiH a strEnJ, iäFtad
lUk. “a misfPcMn... abQt /pItx /ilinic... a letx,” SI finiSt
wiH a sob.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
/bisFdz a fIliN v alMfnas from evribodi /nytySa woz fIliN a
speSal istrEnJmant from H membxz v hx On fAmli. Yl v
Hem—hx fyHx, maHx, n /sonja—wx sO nC t hx, sO familC, sO
komanplEs, HAt Yl HX wxdz n fIliNz sImd an insalt t H
wxld in wic SI hAd bin liviN v lEt, n SI felt not mCli
indifxant t Hem bat rigRdad Hem wiH hostiliti. SI hxd
/dMnjySa'z wxdz abQt /pItx /ilinic n a misfPcMn, bat did not grAsp
Hem.
<p>
“wot misfPcMn? wot misfPcMn kAn hApan t Hem? HE Jast liv
HX On Old, kwFat, n komanplEs lFf,” TYt /nytySa.
<p>
Az SI entxd H bYlrMm hx fyHx woz haridli kamiN Qt v
hx maHx'z rMm. hiz fEs woz pakxd ap n wet wiH tCz. hI
hAd evidentli ran Qt v HAt rMm t giv vent t H sobz HAt wx
cOkiN him. wen hI sY /nytySa hI wEvd hiz Rmz dispXiNli n
bxst intM kanvalsivli pEnfal sobz HAt distPtad hiz soft rQnd fEs.
<p>
“Pe... /petja... gO, gO, SI... iz kYliN...” n wIpiN lFk a cFld
n kwikli SafaliN on hiz fIbal leã t a cX, hI YlmOst fel intM
it, kavxiN hiz fEs wiH hiz hAndz.
<p>
sadanli an ilektrik Sok sImd t ran TrM /nytySa'z hOl bIiN.
teribal ANgwiS strak hx hRt, SI felt a dredfal Ek Az if
samTiN woz bIiN tPn insFd hx n SI wx dFiN. bat H pEn
woz imIdWtli folOd bF a fIliN v rilIs from H apresiv
kanstrEnt HAt hAd priventad hx tEkiN pRt in lFf. H sFt v hx
fyHx, H teribli wFld krFz v hx maHx HAt SI hxd TrM H
dP, mEd hx imIdWtli fxget hxself n hx On grIf.
<p>
SI rAn t hx fyHx, bat hI fIbli wEvd hiz Rm, pqntiN t hx
maHx'z dP. prinsas /mXi, pEl n wiH kwivxiN cin, kEm Qt
from HAt rMm n tEkiN /nytySa bF H Rm sed samTiN t hx.
/nytySa nFHx sY nP hxd hx. SI went in wiH rApid steps, pYziN
At H dP f an instant Az if stragaliN wiH hxself, n Hen rAn
t hx maHx.
<p>
H kQntas woz lFiN in an RmcX in a strEnJ n Ykwxd paziSan,
streciN Qt n bItiN hx hed agenst H wYl. /sonja n H
mEdz wx hOldiN hx Rmz.
<p>
“/nytySa! /nytySa!...” krFd H kQntas. “it's not trM... it's not
trM... hI'z lFiN... /nytySa!” SI SrIkt, pUSiN HOz xQnd hx
awE. “gO awE, Yl v V; it's not trM! kild!... hy, hy, hy!...
it's not trM!”
<p>
/nytySa pUt wan nI on H RmcX, stMpt Ovx hx maHx, imbrEst
hx, n wiH aniäpektad streNT rEzd hx, txnd hx fEs tPd
hxself, n klaN t hx.
<p>
“mami!... dRliN!... F Am hC, mF dCast /mami,” SI kept on
wispxiN, not pYziN an instant.
<p>
SI did not let gO v hx maHx bat stragald tendxli wiH hx,
dimAndad a pilO n hot wYtx, n anfAsand n tP Opan hx
maHx'z dres.
<p>
“mF dCast dRliN... mami, mF preSas!...” SI wispxd
insesantli, kisiN hx hed, hx hAndz, hx fEs, n fIliN hx On
iripresabal n strImiN tCz tikaliN hx nOz n cIä.
<p>
H kQntas prest hx dYtx'z hAnd, klOzd hx Fz, n bikEm
kwFat f a mOment. sadanli SI sAt ap wiH anakastamd swiftnas,
glAnst vEkantli xQnd hx, n sIiN /nytySa bigAn t pres hx
dYtx'z hed wiH Yl hx streNT. Hen SI txnd tPd hx
dYtx'z fEs wic woz winsiN wiH pEn n gEzd loN At it.
<p>
“/nytySa, V lav mI?” SI sed in a soft trastfal wispx. “/nytySa,
V wUd not disIv mI? V'l tel mI H hOl trMT?”
<p>
/nytySa lUkt At hx wiH Fz fUl v tCz n in hx lUk HX woz
naTiN bat lav n an intrIti f fxgivnas.
<p>
“mF dRliN /mami!” SI ripItad, strEniN Yl H pQx v hx lav t
fFnd sam wE v tEkiN on hxself H eäes v grIf HAt kraSt hx
maHx.
<p>
n agen in a fVtFl stragal wiH riAliti hx maHx, rifVziN t
bilIv HAt SI kUd liv wen hx bilavad bq woz kild in H blMm
v lFf, iskEpt from riAliti intM a wxld v dilirWm.
<p>
/nytySa did not rimembx hQ HAt dE pAst nP HAt nFt, nP H
neät dE n nFt. SI did not slIp n did not lIv hx maHx. hx
pxsavCiN n pESant lav sImd kamplItli t sxQnd H kQntas
evri mOment, not iäplEniN P kansOliN, bat rikYliN hx t lFf.
<p>
dxiN H Txd nFt H kQntas kept veri kwFat f a fV minits,
n /nytySa restad hx hed on H Rm v hx cX n klOzd hx Fz,
bat Opand Hem agen on hCiN H bedsted krIk. H kQntas woz
sitiN ap in bed n spIkiN softli.
<p>
“hQ glAd F Am V hAv kam. V R tFxd. wOnt V hAv sam tI?”
/nytySa went ap t hx. “V hAv imprMvd in lUä n grOn mP
mAnli,” kantinVd H kQntas, tEkiN hx dYtx'z hAnd.
<p>
“mymy! wot R V sEiN...”
<p>
“/nytySa, hI iz nO mP, nO mP!”
<p>
n imbrEsiN hx dYtx, H kQntas bigAn t wIp f H fxst
tFm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
/prinsas /mXi pOstpOnd hx dipRcx. /sonja n H kQnt trFd t
riplEs /nytySa bat kUd not. HE sY HAt SI alOn woz Ebal t
ristrEn hx maHx from anrIzaniN dispX. f TrI wIä /nytySa
rimEnd konstantli At hx maHx'z sFd, slIpiN on a lQnJ cX
in hx rMm, mEkiN hx It n driNk, n tYkiN t hx insesantli
bikoz H mC sQnd v hx tendx, kxesiN tOnz sMHd hx
maHx.
<p>
H maHx'z wMndad spirit kUd not hIl. /petja'z deT hAd tPn from
hx hAf hx lFf. wen H nMz v /petja'z deT hAd kam SI hAd bin
a freS n vigxas wUman v fifti, bat a manT lEtx SI left hx rMm
a listlas Old wUman tEkiN nO intxast in lFf. bat H sEm blO HAt
YlmOst kild H kQntas, His sekand blO, ristPd /nytySa t lFf.
<p>
a spiricMal wMnd prOdMst bF a rendiN v H spiricMal bodi iz lFk
a fizikal wMnd n, strEnJ Az it mE sIm, Jast Az a dIp wMnd mE
hIl n its eJaz Jqn, fizikal n spiricMal wMndz alFk kAn jet
hIl kamplItli Onli Az H rizalt v a vFtal fPs from wiHin.
<p>
/nytySa'z wMnd hIld in HAt wE. SI TYt hx lFf woz endad,
bat hx lav f hx maHx aniäpektadli SOd hx HAt H esans v
lFf—lav—woz stil Aktiv wiHin hx. lav awOk n sO did lFf.
<p>
prins /AndrM'z lAst dEz hAd bQnd /prinsas /mXi n /nytySa tageHx;
His nM sorO brYt Hem stil klOsx t wan anaHx. prinsas /mXi
pUt of hx dipRcx, n f TrI wIä lUkt Aftx /nytySa Az if
SI hAd bin a sik cFld. H lAst wIä pAst in hx maHx'z bedrMm
hAd strEnd /nytySa'z fizikal streNT.
<p>
wan AftxnMn nOtisiN /nytySa SivxiN wiH fIvx, /prinsas /mXi tUk
hx t hx On rMm n mEd hx lF dQn on H bed. /nytySa lE dQn,
bat wen /prinsas /mXi hAd drYn H blFndz n woz gOiN awE SI
kYld hx bAk.
<p>
“F dOnt wont t slIp, /mXi, sit bF mI a lital.”
<p>
“V R tFxd—trF t slIp.”
<p>
“nO, nO. wF did V briN mI awE? SI wil bI AskiN f mI.”
<p>
“SI iz mac betx. SI spOk sO wel tadE,” sed /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
/nytySa lE on H bed n in H semidRknas v H rMm skAnd
/prinsas /mXi'z fEs.
<p>
“iz SI lFk him?” TYt /nytySa. “jes, lFk n jet not lFk. bat SI
iz kwFt xiJinal, strEnJ, nM, n annOn. n SI lavz mI. wot
iz in hx hRt? Yl HAt iz gUd. bat hQ? wot iz hx mFnd lFk? wot
daz SI TiNk abQt mI? jes, SI iz splendid!”
<p>
“mXi,” SI sed timidli, drYiN /prinsas /mXi'z hAnd t hxself,
“mXi, V masant TiNk mI wikad. nO? mXi dRliN, hQ F lav V!
let as bI kwFt, kwFt frendz.”
<p>
n /nytySa, imbrEsiN hx, bigAn kisiN hx fEs n hAndz, mEkiN
/prinsas /mXi fIl SF bat hApi bF His demanstrESan v hx fIliNz.
<p>
from HAt dE a tendx n pASanat frendSip sac Az iãists Onli
bitwIn wimin woz istAbliSt bitwIn /prinsas /mXi n /nytySa. HE
wx kantinVali kisiN n sEiN tendx TiNz t wan anaHx n
spent mOst v HX tFm tageHx. wen wan went Qt H aHx bikEm
restlas n hEsand t rIJqn hx. tageHx HE felt mP in hRmani
wiH wan anaHx HAn FHx v Hem felt wiH hxself wen alOn. a
fIliN stroNgx HAn frendSip sprAN ap bitwIn Hem; an iäklMsiv
fIliN v lFf bIiN posabal Onli in Ic aHx'z prezans.
<p>
samtFmz HE wx sFlant f Qxz; samtFmz Aftx HE wx Ylredi
in bed HE wUd bigin tYkiN n gO on til mPniN. HE spOk mOst
v wot woz loN pAst. prinsas /mXi spOk v hx cFldhUd, v hx
maHx, hx fyHx, n hx dEdrImz; n /nytySa, hM wiH a pAsiv
lAk v andxstAndiN hAd fPmxli txnd awE from HAt lFf v
divOSan, sabmiSan, n H pOatri v /kriscan self-sAkrifFs, nQ
fIliN hxself bQnd t /prinsas /mXi bF afekSan, lxnd t lav hx
pAst tM n t andxstAnd a sFd v lFf prIvWsli inkomprihensabal t
hx. SI did not TiNk v aplFiN sabmiSan n self-AbnigESan t hx
On lFf, f SI woz akastamd t sIk aHx Jqz, bat SI andxstUd
n lavd in anaHx HOz prIvWsli inkomprihensabal vxcMz. f
/prinsas /mXi, lisaniN t /nytySa'z tElz v cFldhUd n xli
VT, HX YlsO Opand Qt a nM n hiHxtM ankomprihendad sFd v
lFf: bilIf in lFf n its inJqmant.
<p>
Jast Az bifP, HE nevx menSand him sO Az not t lOx (Az HE
TYt) HX iãYltad fIliNz bF wxdz; bat His sFlans abQt him hAd
H ifekt v mEkiN Hem grAJMali bigin t fxget him wiHQt bIiN
konSas v it.
<p>
/nytySa hAd grOn Tin n pEl n fizikli sO wIk HAt HE Yl
tYkt abQt hx helT, n His plIzd hx. bat samtFmz SI woz
sadanli Ovxkam bF fC not Onli v deT bat v siknas, wIknas,
n los v gUd lUä, n involantXili SI iãAmind hx bX Rm
kXfali, sxprFzd At its Tinnas, n in H mPniN nOtist hx
drYn n, Az it sImd t hx, pitWs fEs in hx glAs. it sImd t
hx HAt TiNz mast bI sO, n jet it woz dredfali sAd.
<p>
wan dE SI went kwikli apstXz n fQnd hxself Qt v breT.
ankonSasli SI imIdWtli inventad a rIzan f gOiN dQn, n
Hen, testiN hx streNT, rAn apstXz agen, abzxviN H rizalt.
<p>
anaHx tFm wen SI kYld /dMnjySa hx vqs trembald, sO SI kYld
agen—HO SI kUd hC /dMnjySa kamiN—kYld hx in H dIp cest
tOnz in wic SI hAd bin wont t siN, n lisand atentivli t
hxself.
<p>
SI did not nO n wUd not hAv bilIvd it, bat binIT H lEx
v slFm HAt kavxd hx sOl n sImd t hx impenitrabal, delikat
jaN SMts v grAs wx Ylredi sprQtiN, wic tEkiN rMt wUd sO
kavx wiH HX liviN vxJx H grIf HAt wEd hx dQn HAt
it wUd sMn nO loNgx bI sIn P nOtist. H wMnd hAd bigan t hIl
from wiHin.
<p>
At H end v JAnVXi /prinsas /mXi left f /moskQ, n H kQnt
insistad on /nytySa'z gOiN wiH hx t kansalt H doktxz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
/Aftx H inkQntx At /vjyzma, wX /kMtMzOf hAd bin anEbal t hOld
bAk hiz trMps in HX ANzFati t Ovxwelm n kat of H enami n
sO on, H fRHx mMvmant v H flIiN /frenc, n v H /raSanz
hM pxsMd Hem, kantinVd Az fR Az /krysnqe wiHQt a bAtal. H
flFt woz sO rApid HAt H /raSan Rmi pxsMiN H /frenc kUd
not kIp ap wiH Hem; kAvalri n Rtilxi hPsaz brOk dQn, n H
infxmESan risIvd v H mMvmants v H /frenc woz nevx rilFabal.
<p>
H men in H /raSan Rmi wx sO wPn Qt bF His kantinVas mRciN
At H rEt v twenti-sevan mFlz a dE HAt HE kUd not gO eni
fAstx.
<p>
t rWlFz H digrI v iãYscan v H /raSan Rmi it iz Onli
nesisXi t grAsp klCli H mIniN v H fAkt HAt, wFl not
lMziN mP HAn fFv TQzand kild n wMndad Aftx /tRMtinO n
les HAn a handrad prizanxz, H /raSan Rmi wic left HAt plEs a
handrad TQzand stroN rIct /krysnqe wiH Onli fifti TQzand.
<p>
H rapiditi v H /raSan pxsMt woz Jast Az distraktiv t Qx Rmi
Az H flFt v H /frenc woz t HXz. H Onli difxans woz HAt
H /raSan Rmi mMvd volantXili, wiH nO sac Tret v distrakSan
Az haN Ovx H /frenc, n HAt H sik /frencmen wx left bihFnd
in enami hAndz wFl H sik /raSanz left bihFnd wx amaN HX
On pIpal. H cIf kYz v H wEstiJ v /napOlWn'z Rmi woz
H rapiditi v its mMvmant, n a kanvinsiN prMf v His iz H
korispondiN dIkrIs v H /raSan Rmi.
<p>
/kMtMzOf Az fR Az woz in hiz pQx, insted v trFiN t cek H
mMvmant v H /frenc Az woz dizFxd in /pItxzbxg n bF H /raSan
Rmi Jenxalz, direktad hiz hOl Aktiviti hC, Az hI hAd dan At
/tRMtinO n /vjyzma, t hEsaniN it on wFl IziN H mMvmant v Qx
Rmi.
<p>
bat bisFdz His, sins H iãYscan n inPmas diminVSan v H
Rmi kYzd bF H rapiditi v H advAns hAd bikam evidant, anaHx
rIzan f slAkaniN H pEs n dilEiN prizentad itself t /kMtMzOf.
H Em v H /raSan Rmi woz t pxsM H /frenc. H rOd H
/frenc wUd tEk woz annOn, n sO H klOsx Qx trMps trod on
HX hIlz H grEtx distans HE hAd t kavx. Onli bF folOiN
At sam distans kUd wan kat akros H ziãAg pAT v H /frenc. Yl
H Rtfal manMvxz saJestad bF Qx Jenxalz ment freS mMvmants v
H Rmi n a leNTaniN v its mRcaz, wXAz H Onli rIzanabal
Em woz t SPtan HOz mRcaz. t HAt end /kMtMzOf's Aktiviti woz
direktad dxiN H hOl kAmpEn from /moskQ t /vilna—not kAZMali P
intxmitantli bat sO kansistantli HAt hI nevx wans dIviEtad from it.
<p>
/kMtMzOf felt n nM—not bF rIzaniN P sFans bat wiH H hOl v
hiz /raSan bIiN—wot evri /raSan sOlJx felt: HAt H /frenc wx
bItan, HAt H enami woz flFiN n mast bI drivan Qt; bat At H
sEm tFm hI lFk H sOlJxz rWlFzd Yl H hRdSip v His mRc,
H rapiditi v wic woz anpAraleld f sac a tFm v H jC.
<p>
bat t H Jenxalz, ispeSali H forin wanz in H /raSan Rmi,
hM wiSt t distiNgwiS Hemselvz, t astoniS sambodi, n f sam
rIzan t kApcx a kiN P a dMk—it sImd HAt nQ—wen eni bAtal
mast bI horibal n senslas—woz H veri tFm t fFt n koNkx
sambodi. /kMtMzOf mCli Sragd hiz SOldxz wen wan Aftx
anaHx HE prizentad proJekts v manMvxz t bI mEd wiH HOz
sOlJxz—il-Sod, insafiSantli klAd, n hAf stRvd—hM wiHin a
manT n wiHQt fFtiN a bAtal hAd dwindald t hAf HX nambx,
n hM At H best if H flFt kantinVd wUd hAf t gO a grEtx
distans HAn HE hAd Ylredi travxst, bifP HE rIct H
frantC.
<p>
His loNiN t distiNgwiS Hemselvz, t manMvx, t OvxTrO, n
t kat of SOd itself pxtikVlxli wenevx H /raSanz stambald on
H /frenc Rmi.
<p>
sO it woz At /krysnqe, wX HE iäpektad t fFnd wan v H TrI
/frenc kolamz n stambald insted on /napOlWn himself wiH siätIn
TQzand men. dispFt Yl /kMtMzOf's efxts t avqd HAt rMinas
inkQntx n t prizxv hiz trMps, H mAsakx v H brOkan mob
v /frenc sOlJxz bF wPn-Qt /raSanz kantinVd At /krysnqe f TrI
dEz.
<p>
tOl rOt a dispaziSan: “H fxst kolam wil mRc t sO n sO,”
ets n Az VZMal naTiN hApand in akPd wiH H dispaziSan.
prins /VJIn v /vxtambxg fFxd from a hil Ovx H /frenc krQdz
HAt wx raniN pAst, n dimAndad rIinfPsmants wic did not
xFv. H /frenc, avqdiN H /raSanz, dispxst n hid Hemselvz
in H fPist bF nFt, mEkiN HX wE rQnd Az best HE kUd, n
kantinVd HX flFt.
<p>
/milPydOvic, hM sed hI did not wont t nO eniTiN abQt H
komisXWt afXz v hiz ditAcmant, n kUd nevx bI fQnd wen
hI woz wontad—HAt /SevyljE sAnz peur et sAnz rIprOS * Az hI stFld
himself—hM woz fond v pRliz wiH H /frenc, sent ynvqz dimAndiN
HX sxendx, wEstad tFm, n did not dM wot hI woz Pdxd t dM.
<p>
    * nFt wiHQt fC n wiHQt riprOc.
<p>
“F giv V HAt kolam, lAdz,” hI sed, rFdiN ap t H trMps n
pqntiN Qt H /frenc t H kAvalri.
<p>
n H kAvalri, wiH spxz n sEbxz xJiN on hPsaz HAt kUd
skXsli mMv, trotad wiH mac efxt t H kolam prizentad
t Hem—HAt iz t sE, t a krQd v /frencmen stRk wiH kOld,
frost-bitan, n stRviN—n H kolam HAt hAd bin prizentad t
Hem TrM dQn its Rmz n sxendxd Az it hAd loN bin ANkSas t
dM.
<p>
At /krysnqe HE tUk twenti-siä TQzand prizanxz, sevxal handrad
kAnan, n a stik kYld a “mRSal'z stAf,” n dispVtad Az t hM
hAd distiNgwiSt himself n wx plIzd wiH HX acIvmant—HO
HE mac rigretad not hAviN tEkan /napOlWn, P At lIst a mRSal P
a hCO v sam sPt, n riprOct wan anaHx n ispeSali /kMtMzOf
f hAviN fEld t dM sO.
<p>
HIz men, kArid awE bF HX pASanz, wx bat blFnd tMlz v H
mOst melankoli lY v nisesiti, bat kansidxd Hemselvz hCOz n
imAJind HAt HE wx akompliSiN a mOst nObal n onxabal
dId. HE blEmd /kMtMzOf n sed HAt from H veri biginiN v H
kAmpEn hI hAd priventad HX vANkwiSiN /napOlWn, HAt hI TYt v
naTiN bat sAtisfFiN hiz pASanz n wUd not advAns from H /linin
/fAktxiz bikoz hI woz kamfxtabal HX, HAt At /krysnqe hI cekt
H advAns bikoz on lxniN HAt /napOlWn woz HX hI hAd kwFt
lost hiz hed, n HAt it woz probabal HAt hI hAd an andxstAndiN
wiH /napOlWn n hAd bin brFbd bF him, n sO on, n sO on.
<p>
not Onli did hiz kantempxXiz, kArid awE bF HX pASanz, tYk
in His wE, bat posteriti n histxi hAv aklEmd /napOlWn Az grAnd,
wFl /kMtMzOf iz diskrFbd bF forinxz Az a krAfti, disalMt, wIk
Old kPtC, n bF /raSanz Az samTiN indefinit—a sPt v papat
Vsfal Onli bikoz hI hAd a /raSan nEm.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
in 1812 n 1813 /kMtMzOf woz Opanli akVzd v blandxiN. H /empxx
woz dissAtisfFd wiH him. n in a histxi rIsantli ritan bF Pdx
v H /hFast /YToritiz it iz sed HAt /kMtMzOf woz a kaniN kPt
lFx, frFtand v H nEm v /napOlWn, n HAt bF hiz blandxz At
/krysnqe n H /berezIna hI diprFvd H /raSan Rmi v H glPi v
kamplIt viktxi Ovx H /frenc. *
<p>
     * histxi v H jC 1812. H kAraktx v /kMtMzOf n
     riflekSanz on H ansAtisfAktxi rizalts v H bAtalz At
     /krysnqe, bF /bOgdynOvic.
<p>
sac iz H fEt not v grEt men (grAndz Omz) hMm H /raSan mFnd
daz not aknoliJ, bat v HOz rX n YlwEz solitXi indiviJMalz
hM, disxniN H wil v /providans, sabmit HX pxsanal wil t
it. H hEtrad n kantempt v H krQd paniS sac men f disxniN
H hFx lYz.
<p>
f /raSan histPWnz, strEnJ n teribal t sE, /napOlWn—HAt mOst
insignifikant tMl v histxi hM nevx eniwX, Ivan in eäFl, SOd
hVman digniti—/napOlWn iz H obJekt v AdVlESan n inTVziAzam; hI
iz grAnd. bat /kMtMzOf—H mAn hM from H biginiN t H end v hiz
Aktiviti in 1812, nevx wans swxviN bF wxd P dId from /bPOdinO t
/vilna, prizentad an iãAmpal iäepSanal in histxi v self-sAkrifFs
n a prezant konSasnas v H fVcx impPtans v wot woz
hApaniN—/kMtMzOf sImz t Hem samTiN indefinit n pitifal, n
wen spIkiN v him n v H jC 1812 HE YlwEz sIm a lital
aSEmd.
<p>
n jet it iz difikalt t imAJin an histPikal kAraktx hMz
Aktiviti woz sO answxviNli direktad t a siNgal Em; n it wUd bI
difikalt t imAJin eni Em mP wxHi P mP konsanant wiH H
wil v H hOl pIpal. stil mP difikalt wUd it bI t fFnd
an instans in histxi v H Em v an histPikal pxsaniJ bIiN sO
kamplItli akompliSt Az HAt t wic Yl /kMtMzOf's efxts wx
direktad in 1812.
<p>
/kMtMzOf nevx tYkt v “fPti sencxiz lUkiN dQn from H
/piramidz,” v H sAkrifFsaz hI ofxd f H fyHxlAnd, P v
wot hI intendad t akompliS P hAd akompliSt; in Jenxal hI
sed naTiN abQt himself, adoptad nO pOz, YlwEz apCd t bI
H simpalast n mOst PdinXi v men, n sed H simpalast n mOst
PdinXi TiNz. hI rOt letxz t hiz dYtxz n t /madym de
/Styl, red novalz, lFkt H sasFati v priti wimin, Jestad wiH
Jenxalz, ofisxz, n sOlJxz, n nevx kontradiktad HOz hM trFd
t prMv eniTiN t him. wen /kQnt /rOstOpcin At H /jQza briJ
gAlapt ap t /kMtMzOf wiH pxsanal riprOcaz f hAviN kYzd H
distrakSan v /moskQ, n sed: “hQ woz it V promist not t abAndan
/moskQ wiHQt a bAtal?” /kMtMzOf riplFd: “n F SAl not abAndan
/moskQ wiHQt a bAtal,” HO /moskQ woz Hen Ylredi abAndand. wen
/RykcEef, kamiN t him from H /empxx, sed HAt /jermOlOf Yt t
bI apqntad cIf v H Rtilxi, /kMtMzOf riplFd: “jes, F woz
Jast sEiN sO mFself,” HO a mOment bifP hI hAd sed kwFt H
kontrXi. wot did it mAtx t him—hM Hen alOn amid a senslas
krQd andxstUd H hOl trimendas signifikans v wot woz
hApaniN—wot did it mAtx t him weHx /rOstOpcin atribVtad H
kalAmitiz v /moskQ t him P t himself? stil les kUd it mAtx t
him hM woz apqntad cIf v H Rtilxi.
<p>
not mCli in HIz kEsaz bat kantinVali did HAt Old mAn—hM bF
iäpCWns v lFf hAd rIct H kanvikSan HAt TYts n H
wxdz sxviN Az HX iäpreSan R not wot mMv pIpal—Vz kwFt
mIniNlas wxdz HAt hApand t entx hiz hed.
<p>
bat HAt mAn, sO hIdlas v hiz wxdz, did not wans dxiN H hOl
tFm v hiz Aktiviti atx wan wxd inkansistant wiH H siNgal Em
tPd wic hI mMvd TrMQt H hOl wP. obvWsli in spFt v
himself, in veri dFvxs sxkamstAnsaz, hI ripItadli iäprest hiz rWl
TYts wiH H bitx kanvikSan HAt hI wUd not bI andxstUd.
biginiN wiH H bAtal v /bPOdinO, from wic tFm hiz disagrImant
wiH HOz abQt him bigAn, hI alOn sed HAt H bAtal v /bPOdinO
woz a viktxi, n ripItad His bOT vxbali n in hiz dispAcaz
n ripPts ap t H tFm v hiz deT. hI alOn sed HAt H los v
/moskQ iz not H los v /raSa. in riplF t /lPistan'z prapOzal v
pIs, hI sed: HX kAn bI nO pIs, f sac iz H pIpal'z wil. hI
alOn dxiN H ritrIt v H /frenc sed HAt Yl Qx manMvxz R
Vslas, evriTiN iz bIiN akompliSt v itself betx HAn wI kUd
dizFx; HAt H enami mast bI ofxd “a gOldan briJ”; HAt nFHx
H /tRMtinO, H /vjyzma, nP H /krysnqe bAtalz wx nesisXi; HAt
wI mast kIp sam fPs t rIc H frantC wiH, n HAt hI wUd
not sAkrifFs a siNgal /raSan f ten /frencmen.
<p>
n His kPtC, Az hI iz diskrFbd t as, hM lFz t /RykcEef
t plIz H /empxx, hI alOn—inkxiN HXbF H /empxx'z
displeZx—sed in /vilna HAt t kAri H wP bijond H frantC iz
Vslas n hRmfal.
<p>
nP dM wxdz alOn prMv HAt Onli hI andxstUd H mIniN v H
ivents. hiz AkSanz—wiHQt H smYlast dIviESan—wx Yl direktad
t wan n H sEm TrIfOld end: (1) t brEs Yl hiz streNT f
konflikt wiH H /frenc, (2) t difIt Hem, n (3) t drFv Hem Qt
v /raSa, minimFziN Az fR Az posabal H safxiNz v Qx pIpal
n v Qx Rmi.
<p>
His prOkrAstinEtx /kMtMzOf, hMz motO woz “pESans n /tFm,”
His enami v disFsiv AkSan, gEv bAtal At /bPOdinO, investiN H
prepxESanz f it wiH anpAraleld salemniti. His /kMtMzOf hM bifP
H bAtal v /Qstxlits bigAn sed HAt it wUd bI lost, hI alOn, in
kontradikSan t evriwan els, diklXd til hiz deT HAt /bPOdinO
woz a viktxi, dispFt H aSUxans v Jenxalz HAt H bAtal woz
lost n dispFt H fAkt HAt f an Rmi t hAf t ritFx Aftx
winiN a bAtal woz anpresidentad. hI alOn dxiN H hOl ritrIt
insistad HAt bAtalz, wic wx Vslas Hen, SUd not bI fYt,
n HAt a nM wP SUd not bI bigan nP H frantCz v /raSa
krost.
<p>
it iz Izi nQ t andxstAnd H signifikans v HIz ivents—if Onli wI
abstEn from atribVtiN t H Aktiviti v H mAs Emz HAt iãistad
Onli in H hedz v a dazan indiviJMalz—f H ivents n rizalts nQ
lF bifP as.
<p>
bat hQ did HAt Old mAn, alOn, in opaziSan t H Jenxal apinjan,
sO trMli disxn H impPtans v H pIpal'z vV v H ivents HAt
in Yl hiz Aktiviti hI woz nevx wans antrM t it?
<p>
H sPs v HAt iätrPdinXi pQx v penitrEtiN H mIniN v H
ivents Hen akxiN lE in H nASanal fIliN wic hI pazest in
fUl pjUxiti n streNT.
<p>
Onli H rekagniSan v H fAkt HAt hI pazest His fIliN kYzd
H pIpal in sO strEnJ a mAnx, kontrXi t H /tsR'z wiS, t
silekt him—an Old mAn in disfEvx—t bI HX reprizentativ in H
nASanal wP. n Onli HAt fIliN plEst him on HAt hFast hVman
pedistal from wic hI, H kamAndx in cIf, divOtad Yl hiz pQxz
not t slEiN n distrqiN men bat t sEviN n SOiN piti on
Hem.
<p>
HAt simpal, modast, n HXfP trMli grEt, figjx kUd not bI
kAst in H fYls mOld v a /jUxapWn hCO—H sapOzd rMlx v men—HAt
histxi hAz inventad.
<p>
t a lAki nO mAn kAn bI grEt, f a lAki hAz hiz On kansepSan v
grEtnas.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
H fifT v nOvembx woz H fxst dE v wot iz kYld H bAtal v
/krysnqe. tPd IvniN—Aftx mac dispVtiN n meni mistEä mEd bF
Jenxalz hM did not gO t HX propx plEsaz, n Aftx AJUtants hAd
bin sent abQt wiH kQntxPdxz—wen it hAd bikam plEn HAt H
enami woz evriwX in flFt n HAt HX kUd n wUd bI nO
bAtal, /kMtMzOf left /krysnqe n went t /dObrqe wiHx hiz hedkwPtxz
hAd HAt dE bin trAnsfxd.
<p>
H dE woz klC n frosti. /kMtMzOf rOd t /dObrqe on hiz plamp lital
wFt hPs, folOd bF an inPmas swIt v diskantentad Jenxalz hM
wispxd amaN Hemselvz bihFnd hiz bAk. Yl aloN H rOd grMps v
/frenc prizanxz kApcxd HAt dE (HX wx sevan TQzand v Hem)
wx krQdiN t wPm Hemselvz At kAmpfFxz. nC /dObrqe an imens
krQd v tAtxd prizanxz, baziN wiH tYk n rApt n bAndiJd
in eniTiN HE hAd bin Ebal t get hOld v, wx stAndiN in H rOd
bisFd a loN rO v anhRnast /frenc ganz. At H aprOc v H
kamAndx in cIf H baz v tYk sIst n Yl Fz wx fiät on
/kMtMzOf hM, wXiN a wFt kAp wiH a red bAnd n a pAdad OvxkOt
HAt balJd on hiz rQnd SOldxz, mMvd slOli aloN H rOd on hiz
wFt hPs. wan v H Jenxalz woz ripPtiN t him wX H ganz n
prizanxz hAd bin kApcxd.
<p>
/kMtMzOf sImd prIokVpFd n did not lisan t wot H Jenxal woz
sEiN. hI skrMd ap hiz Fz wiH a dissAtisfFd lUk Az hI gEzd
atentivli n fiäadli At HIz prizanxz, hM prizentad a speSali
recad apCans. mOst v Hem wx disfigjxd bF frost-bitan nOzaz
n cIä, n nCli Yl hAd red, swOlan n festxiN Fz.
<p>
wan grMp v H /frenc stUd klOs t H rOd, n tM v Hem, wan v
hMm hAd hiz fEs kavxd wiH sPz, wx tCiN a pIs v rY
fleS wiH HX hAndz. HX woz samTiN horibal n bescal in
H flItiN glAns HE TrM At H rFdxz n in H malevalant
iäpreSan wiH wic, Aftx a glAns At /kMtMzOf, H sOlJx wiH H
sPz imIdWtli txnd awE n went on wiH wot hI woz dMiN.
<p>
/kMtMzOf lUkt loN n intentli At HIz tM sOlJxz. hI pakxd hiz
fEs, skrMd ap hiz Fz, n pensivli swEd hiz hed. At anaHx
spot hI nOtist a /raSan sOlJx lAfiNli pAtiN a /frencman on H
SOldx, sEiN samTiN t him in a frendli mAnx, n /kMtMzOf wiH
H sEm iäpreSan on hiz fEs agen swEd hiz hed.
<p>
“wot wx V sEiN?” hI Askt H Jenxal, hM kantinViN hiz ripPt
direktad H kamAndx in cIf's atenSan t sam stAndxdz kApcxd
from H /frenc n stAndiN in frant v H /preObryZensk reJimant.
<p>
“y, H stAndxdz!” sed /kMtMzOf, evidentli ditAciN himself wiH
difikalti from H TYts HAt prIokVpFd him.
<p>
hI lUkt abQt him Absantli. TQzandz v Fz wx lUkiN At him from
Yl sFdz awEtiN a wxd from him.
<p>
hI stopt in frant v H /preObryZensk reJimant, sFd dIpli, n
klOzd hiz Fz. wan v hiz swIt bekand t H sOlJxz kAriiN
H stAndxdz t advAns n sxQnd H kamAndx in cIf wiH Hem.
/kMtMzOf woz sFlant f a fV sekandz n Hen, sabmitiN wiH evidant
rilaktans t H dMti impOzd bF hiz paziSan, rEzd hiz hed
n bigAn t spIk. a TroN v ofisxz sxQndad him. hI lUkt
atentivli xQnd At H sxkal v ofisxz, rekagnFziN sevxal v
Hem.
<p>
“F TANk V Yl!” hI sed, adresiN H sOlJxz n Hen agen H
ofisxz. in H stilnas xQnd him hiz slOli atxd wxdz wx
distiNktli hxd. “F TANk V Yl f jP hRd n fETfal sxvis.
H viktxi iz kamplIt n /raSa wil not fxget V! onx t V
fxevx.”
<p>
hI pYzd n lUkt xQnd.
<p>
“lOx its hed, lOx it!” hI sed t a sOlJx hM hAd Aäidentali
lOxd H /frenc Igal hI woz hOldiN bifP H /preObryZensk
stAndxdz. “lOx, lOx, HAt's it. hxy lAdz!” hI Adad, adresiN
H men wiH a rApid mMvmant v hiz cin.
<p>
“hx-r-ry!” rPd TQzandz v vqsaz.
<p>
wFl H sOlJxz wx SQtiN /kMtMzOf lInd fPwxd in hiz sAdal
n bQd hiz hed, n hiz F lit ap wiH a mFld n apArantli Fronik
glIm.
<p>
“V sI, braHxz...” sed hI wen H SQts hAd sIst... n Yl At
wans hiz vqs n H iäpreSan v hiz fEs cEnJd. it woz nO loNgx
H kamAndx in cIf spIkiN bat an PdinXi Old mAn hM wontad t
tel hiz komrAdz samTiN veri impPtant.
<p>
HX woz a stx amaN H TroN v ofisxz n in H rANä v H
sOlJxz, hM mMvd HAt HE mFt hC betx wot hI woz gOiN t
sE.
<p>
“V sI, braHxz, F nO it's hRd f V, bat it kAnt bI helpt!
bX ap; it wOnt bI f loN nQ! wI'l sI Qx vizitxz of n Hen
wI'l rest. H /tsR wOnt fxget jP sxvis. it iz hRd f V, bat
stil V R At hOm wFl HE—V sI wot HE hAv kam t,” sed
hI, pqntiN t H prizanxz. “wxs of HAn Qx pUxast begxz.
wFl HE wx stroN wI didant spX Qxselvz, bat nQ wI mE Ivan
piti Hem. HE R hVman bIiNz tM. izant it sO, lAdz?”
<p>
hI lUkt xQnd, n in H direkt, rispektfal, wandxiN gEz fiät
apon him hI red simpaTi wiH wot hI hAd sed. hiz fEs grM brFtx
n brFtx wiH an Old mAn'z mFld smFl, wic drM H kPnxz v hiz
lips n Fz intM a klastx v riNkalz. hI sIst spIkiN n bQd
hiz hed Az if in pxpleäiti.
<p>
“bat Aftx Yl hM Askt Hem hC? sxvz Hem rFt, H bladi
bAstxdz!” hI krFd, sadanli liftiN hiz hed.
<p>
n flariSiN hiz wip hI rOd of At a gAlap f H fxst tFm
dxiN H hOl kAmpEn, n left H brOkan rANä v H sOlJxz
lAfiN Jqfali n SQtiN “hxy!”
<p>
/kMtMzOf's wxdz wx hRdli andxstUd bF H trMps. nO wan kUd hAv
ripItad H fIld mRSal'z adres, bigan solamli n Hen cEnJiN
intM an Old mAn'z simpalhRtad tYk; bat H hRti sinseriti v HAt
spIc, H fIliN v maJestik trFamf kambFnd wiH piti f H fO
n konSasnas v H Jastis v Qx kYz, iãAktli iäprest bF HAt
Old mAn'z gUd-nEcxd eäplitivz, woz not mCli andxstUd bat lE
in H sOl v evri sOlJx n fQnd iäpreSan in HX Jqas n
loN-sastEnd SQts. Aftxwxdz wen wan v H Jenxalz adrest
/kMtMzOf AskiN weHx hI wiSt hiz kyleS t bI sent f, /kMtMzOf in
AnsxiN aniäpektadli gEv a sob, bIiN evidentli grEtli mMvd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
wen H trMps rIct HX nFt's hYltiN plEs on H EtT v
nOvembx, H lAst dE v H /krysnqe bAtalz, it woz Ylredi grOiN
dask. Yl dE it hAd bin kym n frosti wiH akEZanal lFtli
fYliN snO n tPd IvniN it bigAn t klC. TrM H fYliN
snO a pxpal-blAk n stRi skF SOd itself n H frost grM
kInx.
<p>
an infantri reJimant wic hAd left /tRMtinO TrI TQzand stroN bat
nQ nambxd Onli nFn handrad woz wan v H fxst t xFv HAt nFt
At its hYltiN plEs—a viliJ on H hFrOd. H kwPtxmAstxz hM
met H reJimant anQnst HAt Yl H hats wx fUl v sik n ded
/frencmen, kAvalrimen, n membxz v H stAf. HX woz Onli wan hat
avElabal f H reJimental kamAndx.
<p>
H kamAndx rOd ap t hiz hat. H reJimant pAst TrM H
viliJ n stAkt its Rmz in frant v H lAst hats.
<p>
lFk sam hVJ meni-limd Animal, H reJimant bigAn t pripX its
lX n its fMd. wan pRt v it dispxst n wEdad nI-dIp
TrM H snO intM a bxc fPist t H rFt v H viliJ, n
imIdWtli H sQnd v Aäaz n sPdz, H krASiN v brAncaz,
n meri vqsaz kUd bI hxd from HX. anaHx sekSan amid H
reJimental wAganz n hPsaz wic wx stAndiN in a grMp woz bizi
getiN Qt kYldranz n rF biskit, n fIdiN H hPsaz. a Txd
sekSan skAtxd TrM H viliJ xEnJiN kwPtxz f H stAf
ofisxz, kAriiN Qt H /frenc kPpsaz HAt wx in H hats, n
drAgiN awE bPdz, drF wUd, n TAc from H rMfs, f H
kAmpfFxz, P wotal fensaz t sxv f Seltx.
<p>
sam fiftIn men wiH meri SQts wx SEkiN dQn H hF wotal
wYl v a Sed, H rMf v wic hAd Ylredi bin rimMvd.
<p>
“nQ Hen, Yl tageHx—Sav!” krFd H vqsaz, n H hVJ sxfis
v H wYl, spriNkald wiH snO n krIkiN wiH frost, woz sIn
swEiN in H glMm v H nFt. H lOx stEä krAkt mP n
mP n At lAst H wYl fel, n wiH it H men hM hAd bin pUSiN
it. lQd, kPs lAftx n Jqas SQts insMd.
<p>
“nQ Hen, kAc hOld in tMz! hAnd ap H levx! HAt's it.... wX
R V SaviN t?”
<p>
“nQ, Yl tageHx! bat wEt a mOment, bqz... wiH a soN!”
<p>
Yl stUd sFlant, n a soft, plezant velvati vqs bigAn t siN. At
H end v H Txd vxs Az H lAst nOt dFd awE, twenti vqsaz
rPd Qt At wans: “M-M-M-M! HAt's it. Yl tageHx! hIv awE,
bqz!...” bat dispFt HX VnFtad efxts H wotal hRdli mMvd, n
in H sFlans HAt folOd H hevi brIHiN v H men woz Ydabal.
<p>
“hC, V v H /siäT /kampani! devalz HAt V R! lend a hAnd...
wil V? V mE wont as wan v HIz dEz.”
<p>
sam twenti men v H /siäT /kampani hM wx on HX wE intM H
viliJ Jqnd H hYlxz, n H wotal wYl, wic woz abQt
Txti-fFv fIt loN n sevan fIt hF, mMvd fPwxd aloN H
viliJ strIt, swEiN, presiN apon n katiN H SOldxz v H
gAspiN men.
<p>
“get aloN... fYliN? wot R V stopiN f? HX nQ....”
<p>
meri senslas wxdz v abVs flOd frIli.
<p>
“wot R V ap t?” sadanli kEm H YToritativ vqs v a
sRJant mEJx hM kEm apon H men hM wx hYliN HX bxdan.
“HX R Jentri hC; H Jenxal himself iz in HAt hat, n V
fQl-mQHd devalz, V brMts, F'l giv it t V!” SQtad hI,
hitiN H fxst mAn hM kEm in hiz wE a swiNiN blO on H bAk.
“kAnt V mEk les nqz?”
<p>
H men bikEm sFlant. H sOlJx hM hAd bin strak grOnd n wFpt
hiz fEs, wic hAd bin skrAct til it bled bF hiz fYliN agenst
H wotal.
<p>
“HX, hQ HAt deval hits Qt! hI'z mEd mF fEs Yl bladi,” sed hI
in a frFtand wispx wen H sRJant mEJx hAd pAst on.
<p>
“dOnt V lFk it?” sed a lAfiN vqs, n modxEtiN HX tOnz
H men mMvd fPwxd.
<p>
wen HE wx Qt v H viliJ HE bigAn tYkiN agen Az lQd Az
bifP, intxlRdiN HX tYk wiH H sEm Emlas eäplitivz.
<p>
in H hat wic H men hAd pAst, H cIf ofisxz hAd gAHxd n
wx in AnimEtad tYk Ovx HX tI abQt H ivents v H dE n H
manMvxz saJestad f tamorO. it woz prapOzd t mEk a flANk mRc
t H left, kat of H /vFs-/kiN (/mMryt) n kApcx him.
<p>
bF H tFm H sOlJxz hAd drAgd H wotal fens t its plEs
H kAmpfFxz wx blEziN on Yl sFdz redi f kUkiN, H wUd
krAkald, H snO woz meltiN, n blAk SAdOz v sOlJxz flitad
t n frO Yl Ovx H okVpFd spEs wX H snO hAd bin trodan
dQn.
<p>
Aäaz n copxz wx plFd Yl xQnd. evriTiN woz dan wiHQt eni
Pdxz bIiN givan. stPz v wUd wx brYt f H nFt, Seltxz
wx rigd ap f H ofisxz, kYldranz wx bIiN bqld, n maskats
n akMtxmants pUt in Pdx.
<p>
H wotal wYl H men hAd brYt woz set ap in a semisxkal bF H
/EtT /kampani Az a Seltx from H nPT, propt ap bF maskat rests,
n a kAmpfFx woz bilt bifP it. HE bIt H tAtM, kYld H
rOl, hAd sapx, n setald dQn rQnd H fFxz f H nFt—sam
ripXiN HX fUtgC, sam smOkiN pFps, n sam stripiN
Hemselvz nEkad t stIm H lFs Qt v HX Sxts.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/wan wUd hAv TYt HAt andx H YlmOst inkredabli recad
kandiSanz H /raSan sOlJxz wx in At HAt tFm—lAkiN wPm bMts
n SIpskin kOts, wiHQt a rMf Ovx HX hedz, in H snO
wiH EtIn digrIz v frost, n wiHQt Ivan fUl rASanz (H
komisXWt did not YlwEz kIp ap wiH H trMps)—HE wUd hAv
prizentad a veri sAd n dipresiN spektakal.
<p>
on H kontrXi, H Rmi hAd nevx andx H best matCWl kandiSanz
prizentad a mP cCfal n AnimEtad Aspekt. His woz bikoz Yl hM
bigAn t grO diprest P hM lost streNT wx siftad Qt v H Rmi
dE bF dE. Yl H fizikli P mPali wIk hAd loN sins bin left
bihFnd n Onli H flQx v H Rmi—fizikli n mentali—rimEnd.
<p>
mP men kalektad bihFnd H wotal fens v H /EtT /kampani HAn
eniwX els. tM sRJants mEJx wx sitiN wiH Hem n HX
kAmpfFx blEzd brFtx HAn aHxz. f lIv t sit bF HX wotal
HE dimAndad kontribVSanz v fVal.
<p>
“E, /mEkEef! wot hAz bikam v V, V san v a bic? R V lost P
hAv H wUlvz Itan V? fec sam mP wUd!” SQtad a red-hXd
n red-fEst mAn, skrMiN ap hiz Fz n bliNkiN bikoz v H
smOk bat not mMviN bAk from H fFx. “n V, /JAkdY, gO n fec
sam wUd!” sed hI t anaHx sOlJx.
<p>
His red-hXd mAn woz nFHx a sRJant nP a kPpxal, bat bIiN
rObast hI Pdxd abQt HOz wIkx HAn himself. H sOlJx
HE kYld “JAkdY,” a Tin lital felO wiH a SRp nOz, rOz
ObIdWntli n woz abQt t gO bat At HAt instant HX kEm intM
H lFt v H fFx H slendx, hAndsam figjx v a jaN sOlJx
kAriiN a lOd v wUd.
<p>
“briN it hC—HAt's fFn!”
<p>
HE split ap H wUd, prest it dQn on H fFx, blM At it wiH
HX mQHz, n fAnd it wiH H skxts v HX grEtkOts, mEkiN
H flEmz his n krAkal. H men drM nCx n lit HX pFps.
H hAndsam jaN sOlJx hM hAd brYt H wUd, setiN hiz Rmz
akimbO, bigAn stAmpiN hiz kOld fIt rApidli n deftli on H spot
wX hI stUd.
<p>
“maHx! H dM iz kOld bat klC.... it's wel HAt F'm a
maskatC...” hI sAN, pritendiN t hikap Aftx Ic silabal.
<p>
“lUk Qt, jP sOlz wil flF of!” SQtad H red-hXd mAn,
nOtisiN HAt H sOl v H dAnsx'z bMt woz hANiN lMs. “wot a
felO V R f dAnsiN!”
<p>
H dAnsx stopt, pUld of H lMs pIs v leHx, n TrM it
on H fFx.
<p>
“rFt inaf, frend,” sed hI, n, hAviN sAt dQn, tUk Qt v hiz
nApsAk a skrAp v blM /frenc kloT, n rApt it rQnd hiz fUt.
“it's H stIm HAt spqlz Hem,” hI Adad, streciN Qt hiz fIt
tPd H fFx.
<p>
“HE'l sMn bI iSViN as nM wanz. HE sE HAt wen wI'v finiSt
hAmxiN Hem, wI'x t risIv dabal kits!”
<p>
“n HAt san v a bic /petrOf hAz lAgd bihFnd Aftx Yl, it sImz,”
sed wan sRJant mEJx.
<p>
“F'v hAd an F on him His loN wFl,” sed H aHx.
<p>
“wel, hI'z a pUx sPt v sOlJx....”
<p>
“bat in H /Txd /kampani HE sE nFn men wx misiN jestxdE.”
<p>
“jes, it's Yl veri wel, bat wen a mAn'z fIt R frOzan hQ kAn hI
wYk?”
<p>
“E? dOnt tYk nonsens!” sed a sRJant mEJx.
<p>
“dM V wont t bI dMiN H sEm?” sed an Old sOlJx, txniN
riprOcfali t H mAn hM hAd spOkan v frOzan fIt.
<p>
“wel, V nO,” sed H SRp-nOzd mAn HE kYld /JAkdY in a
skwIki n anstedi vqs, rEziN himself At H aHx sFd v H
fFx, “a plamp mAn gets Tin, bat f a Tin wan it's deT. tEk
mI, nQ! F'v got nO streNT left,” hI Adad, wiH sadan rezalMSan
txniN t H sRJant mEJx. “tel Hem t send mI t hospital; F'm
EkiN Yl Ovx; eniwE F SAnt bI Ebal t kIp ap.”
<p>
“HAt'l dM, HAt'l dM!” riplFd H sRJant mEJx kwFatli.
<p>
H sOlJx sed nO mP n H tYk went on.
<p>
“wot a lot v HOz /frenciz wx tEkan tadE, n H fAkt iz HAt
not wan v Hem hAd wot V mFt kYl rWl bMts on,” sed a sOlJx,
stRtiN a nM TIm. “HE wx nO mP HAn mEk-bilIvz.”
<p>
“H /kosAä hAv tEkan HX bMts. HE wx klCiN H hat f H
kxnal n kArid Hem Qt. it woz pitifal t sI Hem, bqz,” pUt in
H dAnsx. “Az HE txnd Hem Ovx wan sImd stil alFv n, wUd
V bilIv it, hI JAbxd samTiN in HX liNgO.”
<p>
“bat HE'x a klIn fOk, lAdz,” H fxst mAn went on; “hI woz
wFt—Az wFt Az bxcbRk—n sam v Hem R sac fFn felOz, V
mFt TiNk HE wx nObalz.”
<p>
“wel, wot dM V TiNk? HE mEk sOlJxz v Yl klAsaz HX.”
<p>
“bat HE dOnt andxstAnd Qx tYk At Yl,” sed H dAnsx wiH a
pazald smFl. “F Askt him hMz sabJekt hI woz, n hI JAbxd in hiz
On wE. a kwC lot!”
<p>
“bat it's strEnJ, frendz,” kantinVd H mAn hM hAd wandxd At HX
wFtnas, “H pezants At /mOZFsk wx sEiN HAt wen HE bigAn
beriiN H ded—wX H bAtal woz V nO—wel, HOz ded hAd bin
lFiN HX f nCli a manT, n sez H pezant, 'HE lF Az wFt
Az pEpx, klIn, n not Az mac smel Az a paf v pQdx smOk.'”
<p>
“woz it from H kOld?” Askt samwan.
<p>
“V'x a klevx felO! from H kOld indId! wF, it woz hot. if it
hAd bin from H kOld, Qxz wUd not hAv rotad FHx. 'bat,' hI
sez, 'gO ap t Qxz n HE R Yl rotan n mAgati. sO,' hI sez,
'wI tF Qx fEsaz ap wiH kxcifs n txn Qx hedz awE Az wI drAg
Hem of: wI kAn hRdli dM it. bat HXz,' hI sez, 'R wFt Az pEpx
n not sO mac smel Az a wif v ganpQdx.'”
<p>
Yl wx sFlant.
<p>
“it mast bI from HX fMd,” sed H sRJant mEJx. “HE Vst t
gobal H sEm fMd Az H Jentri.”
<p>
nO wan kontradiktad him.
<p>
“HAt pezant nC /mOZFsk wX H bAtal woz sed H men wx Yl
kYld ap from ten viliJaz xQnd n HE kRtad f twenti dEz n
stil didant finiS kRtiN H ded awE. n Az f H wUlvz, hI
sez...”
<p>
“HAt woz a rWl bAtal,” sed an Old sOlJx. “it's H Onli wan wxT
rimembxiN; bat sins HAt... it's Onli bin tPmentiN fOk.”
<p>
“n dM V nO, /dAdi, H dE bifP jestxdE wI rAn At Hem n,
mF wxd, HE didant let as get nC bifP HE Jast TrM dQn HX
maskats n went on HX nIz. 'pRdan!' HE sE. HAt's Onli wan
kEs. HE sE /plytOf tUk '/pOlWn himself twFs. bat hI didant nO
H rFt cRm. hI kAcaz him n kAcaz him—nO gUd! hI txnz intM
a bxd in hiz hAndz n flFz awE. n HX'z nO wE v kiliN him
FHx.”
<p>
“V'x a fxst-klAs lFx, /kiseljOf, wen F kam t lUk At V!”
<p>
“lFx, indId! it's H rWl trMT.”
<p>
“if hI fel intM mF hAndz, wen F'd kYt him F'd beri him in H
grQnd wiH an Aspan stEk t fiä him dQn. wot a lot v men hI'z
rMind!”
<p>
“wel, enihQ wI'x gOiN t end it. hI wOnt kam hC agen,” rimRkt
H Old sOlJx, jYniN.
<p>
H konvxsESan flAgd, n H sOlJxz bigAn setaliN dQn t slIp.
<p>
“lUk At H stRz. it's wandxfal hQ HE SFn! V wUd TiNk H
wimin hAd spred Qt HX linin,” sed wan v H men, gEziN wiH
AdmxESan At H /milki wE.
<p>
“HAt's a sFn v a gUd hRvist neät jC.”
<p>
“wI SAl wont sam mP wUd.”
<p>
“V wPm jP bAk n jP beli gets frOzan. HAt's kwC.”
<p>
“O /lPd!”
<p>
“wot R V pUSiN f? iz H fFx Onli f V? lUk hQ hI'z
sprYliN!”
<p>
in H sFlans HAt insMd, H snPiN v HOz hM hAd fYlan aslIp
kUd bI hxd. aHxz txnd Ovx n wPmd Hemselvz, nQ n agen
iäcEnJiN a fV wxdz. from a kAmpfFx a handrad pEsaz of kEm a sQnd
v Jenxal, meri lAftx.
<p>
“hRk At Hem rPiN HX in H /fifT /kampani!” sed wan v H
sOlJxz, “n wot a lot v Hem HX R!”
<p>
wan v H men got ap n went Ovx t H /fifT /kampani.
<p>
“HE'x hAviN sac fan,” sed hI, kamiN bAk. “tM /frenciz hAv
txnd ap. wan'z kwFt frOzan n H aHx'z an Yfal swAgxx. hI'z
siNiN soNz....”
<p>
“O, F'l gO akros n hAv a lUk....”
<p>
n sevxal v H men went Ovx t H /fifT /kampani.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
H /fifT kampani woz bivUAkiN At H veri eJ v H fPist. a hVJ
kAmpfFx woz blEziN brFtli in H midst v H snO, lFtiN ap H
brAncaz v trIz hevi wiH hPfrost.
<p>
abQt midnFt HE hxd H sQnd v steps in H snO v H fPist,
n H krAkaliN v drF brAncaz.
<p>
“a bX, lAdz,” sed wan v H men.
<p>
HE Yl rEzd HX hedz t lisan, n Qt v H fPist intM H
brFt fFxlFt stept tM strEnJli klAd hVman figjxz kliNiN t
wan anaHx.
<p>
HIz wx tM /frencmen hM hAd bin hFdiN in H fPist. HE kEm ap
t H fFx, hPsli atxiN samTiN in a lANgwiJ Qx sOlJxz did
not andxstAnd. wan woz tYlx HAn H aHx; hI wP an ofisx'z hAt
n sImd kwFt iãYstad. on aprOciN H fFx hI hAd bin gOiN t
sit dQn, bat fel. H aHx, a SPt stxdi sOlJx wiH a SYl
tFd rQnd hiz hed, woz stroNgx. hI rEzd hiz kampAnjan n sed
samTiN, pqntiN t hiz mQT. H sOlJxz sxQndad H /frencmen,
spred a grEtkOt on H grQnd f H sik mAn, n brYt sam
bakwIt poriJ n vodka f bOT v Hem.
<p>
H iãYstad /frenc ofisx woz /rombyla n H mAn wiH hiz hed
rApt in H SYl woz /mxel, hiz Pdxli.
<p>
wen /mxel hAd draNk sam vodka n finiSt hiz bOl v poriJ hI
sadanli bikEm annAcxali meri n cAtxd insesantli t H
sOlJxz, hM kUd not andxstAnd him. /rombyla rifVzd fMd n
restiN hiz hed on hiz elbO lE sFlant bisFd H kAmpfFx, lUkiN At
H /raSan sOlJxz wiH red n vEkant Fz. akEZanali hI imitad
a loN-drYn grOn n Hen agen bikEm sFlant. /mxel, pqntiN t hiz
SOldxz, trFd t impres on H sOlJxz H fAkt HAt /rombyla woz
an ofisx n Yt t bI wPmd. a /raSan ofisx hM hAd kam ap
t H fFx sent t Ask hiz kxnal weHx hI wUd not tEk a /frenc
ofisx intM hiz hat t wPm him, n wen H mesinJx ritxnd n
sed HAt H kxnal wiSt H ofisx t bI brYt t him, /rombyla
woz tOld t gO. hI rOz n trFd t wYk, bat stAgxd n wUd hAv
fYlan hAd not a sOlJx stAndiN bF held him ap.
<p>
“V wOnt dM it agen, E?” sed wan v H sOlJxz, wiNkiN n
txniN mokiNli t /rombyla.
<p>
“O, V fMl! wF tYk rabiS, lQt HAt V R—a rWl pezant!” kEm
ribVä from Yl sFdz adrest t H JestiN sOlJx.
<p>
HE sxQndad /rombyla, liftad him on H krost Rmz v tM
sOlJxz, n kArid him t H hat. /rombyla pUt hiz Rmz xQnd HX
neä wFl HE kArid him n bigAn wEliN plEntivli:
<p>
“O, V fFn felOz, mF kFnd, kFnd frendz! HIz R men! O, mF
brEv, kFnd frendz,” n hI lInd hiz hed agenst H SOldx v wan
v H men lFk a cFld.
<p>
mInwFl /mxel woz sitiN in H best plEs bF H fFx, sxQndad bF
H sOlJxz.
<p>
/mxel, a SPt stxdi /frencman wiH inflEmd n strImiN Fz, woz
wXiN a wUman'z klOk n hAd a SYl tFd wUman fASan rQnd hiz
hed Ovx hiz kAp. hI woz evidentli tipsi, n woz siNiN a /frenc soN
in a hPs brOkan vqs, wiH an Rm TrOn rQnd H nCast sOlJx.
H sOlJxz simpli held HX sFdz Az HE woct him.
<p>
“nQ Hen, nQ Hen, tIc as hQ it gOz! F'l sMn pik it ap. hQ iz
it?” sed H mAn—a siNx n a wAg—hMm /mxel woz imbrEsiN.
<p>
“vIv /onri /kytra! vIv se rwy vAlWnt!” sAN /mxel, wiNkiN. “se
dFabal a kytra...” *
<p>
     * “loN liv /henri H /fPT, HAt vAlWnt kiN! HAt rQdi
     deval.”
<p>
<p>
“/vivRika! /vIf-sCMvxM! sedWblWka!” ripItad H sOlJx, flariSiN
hiz Rm n rWli kAciN H tMn.
<p>
“bryvO! hy, hy, hy!” rOz HX raf, Jqas lAftx from Yl sFdz.
<p>
/mxel, riNkaliN ap hiz fEs, lAft tM.
<p>
“wel, gO on, gO on!”
<p>
    “kwF eut lU tripal tAlant,
    /de bOFx, de battre,
    /et d'etra an vxt galynt.” *
<p>
      * hM hAd a tripal tAlant
      f driNkiN, f fFtiN,
      n f bIiN a gAlant Old bq...
<p>
“it gOz smMHli, tM. wel, nQ, /zyletFef!”
<p>
“/ke...” /zyletFef, brYt Qt wiH efxt: “/ke-I-I-I,” hI drYld,
labPWsli pxsiN hiz lips, “lU-trip-/ty-ly-dI-bu-dI-/by, I
dI-try-va-ga-ly” hI sAN.
<p>
“fFn! Jast lFk H /frenci! O, hO hO! dM V wont sam mP t It?”
<p>
“giv him sam poriJ: it tEä a loN tFm t get fild ap Aftx
stRviN.”
<p>
HE gEv him sam mP poriJ n /mxel wiH a lAf set t wxk on
hiz Txd bOl. Yl H jaN sOlJxz smFld gEli Az HE woct him.
H Oldx men, hM TYt it andignifFd t amVz Hemselvz wiH sac
nonsens, kantinVd t lF At H opazit sFd v H fFx, bat wan
wUd akEZanali rEz himself on an elbO n glAns At /mxel wiH a
smFl.
<p>
“HE R men tM,” sed wan v Hem Az hI rApt himself ap in hiz
kOt. “Ivan wxmwUd grOz on its On rMt.”
<p>
“O /lPd, /O /lPd! hQ stRi it iz! trimendas! HAt mInz a hRd
frost....”
<p>
HE Yl grM sFlant. H stRz, Az if nOiN HAt nO wan woz lUkiN
At Hem, bigAn t dispPt Hemselvz in H dRk skF: nQ flXiN
ap, nQ vAniSiN, nQ trembaliN, HE wx bizi wispxiN samTiN
glAdsam n mistCWs t wan anaHx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
H /frenc Rmi meltad awE At H VnifPm rEt v a mATamAtikal
pragreSan; n HAt krosiN v H /berezIna abQt wic sO mac hAz
bin ritan woz Onli wan intxmIdWt stEJ in its distrakSan, n
not At Yl H disFsiv episOd v H kAmpEn. if sO mac hAz bin
n stil iz ritan abQt H /berezIna, on H /frenc sFd His iz Onli
bikoz At H brOkan briJ akros HAt rivx H kalAmitiz HX Rmi
hAd bin prIvWsli indxiN wx sadanli konsantrEtad At wan mOment
intM a trAJik spektakal HAt rimEnd in evri memxi, n on H
/raSan sFd mCli bikoz in /pItxzbxg—fR from H sIt v wP—a
plAn (agen wan v /pfVl'z) hAd bin divFzd t kAc /napOlWn in a
stratIJik trAp At H /berezIna /rivx. evriwan aSUxd himself HAt Yl
wUd hApan akPdiN t plAn, n HXfP insistad HAt it woz Jast
H krosiN v H /berezIna HAt distrqd H /frenc Rmi. in riAliti
H rizalts v H krosiN wx mac les dizAstras t H /frenc—in
ganz n men lost—HAn /krysnqe hAd bin, Az H figjxz SO.
<p>
H sOl impPtans v H krosiN v H /berezIna lFz in H fAkt
HAt it plEnli n indMbitabli prMvd H fAlasi v Yl H plAnz f
katiN of H enami'z ritrIt n H sQndnas v H Onli posabal
lFn v AkSan—H wan /kMtMzOf n H Jenxal mAs v H Rmi
dimAndad—nEmli, simpli t folO H enami ap. H /frenc krQd fled
At a kantinVali inkrIsiN spId n Yl its enxJi woz direktad t
rIciN its gOl. it fled lFk a wMndad Animal n it woz imposabal
t blok its pAT. His woz SOn not sO mac bF H xEnJmants it
mEd f krosiN Az bF wot tUk plEs At H briJaz. wen H briJaz
brOk dQn, anRmd sOlJxz, pIpal from /moskQ n wimin wiH
cildran hM wx wiH H /frenc trAnspPt, Yl—kArid on bF vIs
inxtii—prest fPwxd intM bOts n intM H Fs-kavxd wYtx n
did not sxendx.
<p>
HAt impals woz rIzanabal. H kandiSan v fVJativz n v pxsMxz
woz Ikwali bAd. Az loN Az HE rimEnd wiH HX On pIpal Ic
mFt hOp f help from hiz felOz n H definit plEs hI held
amaN Hem. bat HOz hM sxendxd, wFl rimEniN in H sEm
pitifal plFt, wUd bI on a lOx leval t klEm a SX in H
nisesitiz v lFf. H /frenc did not nId t bI infPmd v H fAkt
HAt hAf H prizanxz—wiH hMm H /raSanz did not nO wot t
dM—periSt v kOld n haNgx dispFt HX kAptxz' dizFx t sEv
Hem; HE felt HAt it kUd not bI aHxwFz. H mOst kampASanat
/raSan kamAndxz, HOz fEvxabal t H /frenc—n Ivan H /frencmen
in H /raSan sxvis—kUd dM naTiN f H prizanxz. H /frenc
periSt from H kandiSanz t wic H /raSan Rmi woz itself
iäpOzd. it woz imposabal t tEk bred n klOHz from Qx haNgri n
indispensabal sOlJxz t giv t H /frenc hM, HO not hRmfal, P
hEtad, P gilti, wx simpli annesisXi. sam /raSanz Ivan did HAt,
bat HE wx iäepSanz.
<p>
sxtan distrakSan lE bihFnd H /frenc bat in frant HX woz hOp.
HX Sips hAd bin bxnd, HX woz nO sAlvESan sEv in kalektiv
flFt, n on HAt H hOl streNT v H /frenc woz konsantrEtad.
<p>
H fRHx HE fled H mP recad bikEm H plFt v H
remnant, ispeSali Aftx H /berezIna, on wic (in konsikwans v H
/pItxzbxg plAn) speSal hOps hAd bin plEst bF H /raSanz, n
H kInx grM H pASanz v H /raSan kamAndxz, hM blEmd wan
anaHx n /kMtMzOf mOst v Yl. AntisipESan HAt H fEljx v
H /pItxzbxg /berezIna plAn wUd bI atribVtad t /kMtMzOf led
t dissAtisfAkSan, kantempt, n ridikVl, mP n mP stroNli
iäprest. H ridikVl n kantempt wx v kPs iäprest in a
rispektfal fPm, mEkiN it imposabal f him t Ask wXin hI woz
t blEm. HE did not tYk sCWsli t him; wen ripPtiN t him P
AskiN f hiz sANkSan HE apCd t bI fUlfiliN a rigretabal
fPmAliti, bat HE wiNkt bihFnd hiz bAk n trFd t mislId him At
evri txn.
<p>
bikoz HE kUd not andxstAnd him Yl HIz pIpal asMmd HAt
it woz Vslas t tYk t H Old mAn; HAt hI wUd nevx grAsp H
prafanditi v HX plAnz, HAt hI wUd Ansx wiH hiz frEzaz (wic
HE TYt wx mC frEzaz) abQt a “gOldan briJ,” abQt H
imposabiliti v krosiN H frantC wiH a krQd v tAtxdamElWnz,
n sO fPT. HE hAd hxd Yl HAt bifP. n Yl hI sed—HAt it
woz nesisXi t awEt praviZanz, P HAt H men hAd nO bMts—woz sO
simpal, wFl wot HE prapOzd woz sO komplikEtad n klevx, HAt
it woz evidant HAt hI woz Old n stMpid n HAt HE, HO not in
pQx, wx kamAndxz v JInWs.
<p>
Aftx H JaNkSan wiH H Rmi v H brilWnt Admxal n /pItxzbxg
hCO /vitgenStFn, His mMd n H gosip v H stAf rIct HX
mAäimam. /kMtMzOf sY His n mCli sFd n Sragd hiz SOldxz.
Onli wans, Aftx H afX v H /berezIna, did hI get ANgri n rFt
t /benigsan (hM ripPtad sepxatli t H /empxx) H folOiN
letx:
<p>
“on akQnt v jP spelz v il helT, wil jP eäalansi plIz
bI sO gUd Az t set of f /kylMga on risIt v His, n HX awEt
fxHx kamAndz n apqntmants from /hiz /impCWl /mAJasti.”
<p>
bat Aftx /benigsan'z dipRcx, H /grAnd /dMk /tsRevic /konstantIn
/pyvlOvic Jqnd H Rmi. hI hAd tEkan pRt in H biginiN v H
kAmpEn bat hAd sabsikwantli bin rimMvd from H Rmi bF /kMtMzOf.
nQ hAviN kam t H Rmi, hI infPmd /kMtMzOf v H /empxx'z
displeZx At H pUx saäes v Qx fPsaz n H slOnas v HX
advAns. H /empxx intendad t Jqn H Rmi pxsanali in a fV dEz'
tFm.
<p>
H Old mAn, iäpCWnst in kPt Az wel Az in militXi afXz—His
sEm /kMtMzOf hM in Ygast hAd bin cOzan kamAndx in cIf
agenst H sovran'z wiSaz n hM hAd rimMvd H /grAnd /dMk n
X-apArant from H Rmi—hM on hiz On YToriti n kontrXi t H
/empxx'z wil hAd disFdad on H abAndanmant v /moskQ, nQ rWlFzd At
wans HAt hiz dE woz Ovx, HAt hiz pRt woz plEd, n HAt H pQx
hI woz sapOst t hOld woz nO loNgx hiz. n hI andxstUd His not
mCli from H AtitMd v H kPt. hI sY on H wan hAnd HAt H
militXi biznas in wic hI hAd plEd hiz pRt woz endad n felt
HAt hiz miSan woz akompliSt; n At H sEm tFm hI bigAn t
bI konSas v H fizikal wCinas v hiz EJd bodi n v H
nisesiti v fizikal rest.
<p>
on H twenti-nFnT v nOvembx /kMtMzOf entxd /vilna—hiz “dC /vilna”
Az hI kYld it. twFs dxiN hiz kxC /kMtMzOf hAd bin gavxnx v
/vilna. in HAt welTi tQn, wic hAd not bin inJxd, hI fQnd Old
frendz n asOSiESanz, bisFdz H kamfxts v lFf v wic hI hAd
sO loN bin diprFvd. n hI sadanli txnd from H kXz v Rmi
n stEt n, Az fR Az H pASanz HAt sIHd xQnd him alQd,
imxst himself in H kwFat lFf t wic hI hAd fPmxli bin
akastamd, Az if Yl HAt woz tEkiN plEs n Yl HAt hAd stil t bI
dan in H relm v histxi did not kansxn him At Yl.
<p>
/cicygOf, wan v H mOst zelas “katxz-of” n “brEkxz-ap,” hM
hAd fxst wontad t ifekt a dFvxZan in /grIs n Hen in /wPsY bat
nevx wiSt t gO wX hI woz sent: /cicygOf, nOtad f H bOldnas
wiH wic hI spOk t H /empxx, n hM kansidxd /kMtMzOf t bI
andx an obligESan t him bikoz wen hI woz sent t mEk pIs
wiH /txki in 1811 indipendantli v /kMtMzOf, n fQnd HAt pIs hAd
Ylredi bin kanklMdad, hI admitad t H /empxx HAt H merit v
sikjUxiN HAt pIs woz rWli /kMtMzOf's; His /cicygOf woz H fxst
t mIt /kMtMzOf At H kAsal wX H lAtx woz t stE. in andres
nEval VnifPm, wiH a dxk, n hOldiN hiz kAp andx hiz Rm, hI hAndad
/kMtMzOf a gArisan ripPt n H kIz v H tQn. H kantempcMasli
rispektfal AtitMd v H jaNgx men t H Old mAn in hiz dOtiJ woz
iäprest in H hFast digrI bF H bihEvjx v /cicygOf, hM nM
v H AkVzESanz HAt wx bIiN direktad agenst /kMtMzOf.
<p>
wen spIkiN t /cicygOf, /kMtMzOf insidentali menSand HAt H
vIikalz pAkt wiH cFna HAt hAd bin kApcxd from him At /bRisOf
hAd bin rikavxd n wUd bI ristPd t him.
<p>
“V mIn t implF HAt F hAv naTiN t It Qt v.... on H
kontrXi, F kAn saplF V wiH evriTiN Ivan if V wont t giv
dinx pRtiz,” wPmli riplFd /cicygOf, hM trFd bF evri wxd hI
spOk t prMv hiz On rektitMd n HXfP imAJind /kMtMzOf t bI
AnimEtad bF H sEm dizFx.
<p>
/kMtMzOf, SragiN hiz SOldxz, riplFd wiH hiz satal penitrEtiN
smFl: “F ment mCli t sE wot F sed.”
<p>
kontrXi t H /empxx'z wiS /kMtMzOf ditEnd H grEtx pRt v H
Rmi At /vilna. HOz abQt him sed HAt hI bikEm iätrPdinXili slAk
n fizikli fIbal dxiN hiz stE in HAt tQn. hI atendad t Rmi
afXz rilaktantli, left evriTiN t hiz Jenxalz, n wFl awEtiN
H /empxx'z xFval led a disipEtad lFf.
<p>
hAviN left /pItxzbxg on H sevanT v disembx wiH hiz swIt—/kQnt
/tOlstq, /prins /vOlkOnski, /RykcEef, n aHxz—H /empxx rIct
/vilna on H ilevanT, n in hiz trAvaliN slE drOv strEt t
H kAsal. in spFt v H sivC frost sam handrad Jenxalz n stAf
ofisxz in fUl pxEd VnifPm stUd in frant v H kAsal, Az wel Az
a gRd v onx v H /semjOnOf reJimant.
<p>
a kUrC hM gAlapt t H kAsal in advAns, in a trqka wiH TrI
fOm-flekt hPsaz, SQtad “kamiN!” n /kOnOvnitsin raSt intM H
vestibVl t infPm /kMtMzOf, hM woz wEtiN in H hYl pPtx'z lital
loJ.
<p>
a minit lEtx H Old mAn'z lRJ stQt figjx in fUl-dres VnifPm,
hiz cest kavxd wiH Pdxz n a skRf drYn rQnd hiz stamak,
wodald Qt intM H pPc. hI pUt on hiz hAt wiH its pIä t H
sFdz n, hOldiN hiz glavz in hiz hAnd n wYkiN wiH an efxt
sFdwEz dQn H steps t H leval v H strIt, tUk in hiz hAnd H
ripPt hI hAd pripXd f H /empxx.
<p>
HX woz raniN t n frO n wispxiN; anaHx trqka flM
fjUxWsli ap, n Hen Yl Fz wx txnd on an aprOciN slE
in wic H figjxz v H /empxx n /vOlkOnski kUd Ylredi bI
diskrFd.
<p>
from H hAbit v fifti jCz Yl His hAd a fizikli AJitEtiN ifekt
on H Old Jenxal. hI kXfali n hEstili felt himself Yl Ovx,
rIaJastad hiz hAt, n pUliN himself tageHx drM himself ap n,
At H veri mOment wen H /empxx, hAviN alFtad from H slE,
liftad hiz Fz t him, hAndad him H ripPt n bigAn spIkiN in hiz
smMH, ingrESiEtiN vqs.
<p>
H /empxx wiH a rApid glAns skAnd /kMtMzOf from hed t fUt,
frQnd f an instant, bat imIdWtli mAstxiN himself went ap t H
Old mAn, iätendad hiz Rmz n imbrEst him. n His imbrEs tM, OiN
t a loN-stAndiN impreSan rilEtad t hiz inxmOst fIliNz, hAd its
VZMal ifekt on /kMtMzOf n hI gEv a sob.
<p>
H /empxx grItad H ofisxz n H /semjOnOf gRd, n agen
presiN H Old mAn'z hAnd went wiH him intM H kAsal.
<p>
wen alOn wiH H fIld mRSal H /empxx iäprest hiz
dissAtisfAkSan At H slOnas v H pxsMt n At H mistEä mEd
At /krysnqe n H /berezIna, n infPmd him v hiz intenSanz f a
fVcx kAmpEn abrYd. /kMtMzOf mEd nO riJqndx P rimRk. H sEm
sabmisiv, iäpreSanlas lUk wiH wic hI hAd lisand t H
/empxx'z kamAndz on H fIld v /Qstxlits sevan jCz bifP setald
on hiz fEs nQ.
<p>
wen /kMtMzOf kEm Qt v H stadi n wiH lOxd hed woz krosiN
H bYlrMm wiH hiz hevi wodaliN gEt, hI woz xestad bF samwan'z
vqs sEiN:
<p>
“jP /sxIn /hFnas!”
<p>
/kMtMzOf rEzd hiz hed n lUkt f a loN wFl intM H Fz v
/kQnt /tOlstq, hM stUd bifP him hOldiN a silvx sAvx on wic lE
a smYl obJekt. /kMtMzOf sImd not t andxstAnd wot woz iäpektad v
him.
<p>
sadanli hI sImd t rimembx; a skXsli pxseptabal smFl flASt
akros hiz pafi fEs, n bQiN lO n rispektfali hI tUk H
obJekt HAt lE on H sAvx. it woz H /Pdx v /st /JPJ v H
/fxst /klAs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/neät dE H fIld mRSal gEv a dinx n bYl wic H /empxx
onxd bF hiz prezans. /kMtMzOf hAd risIvd H /Pdx v /st /JPJ
v H /fxst /klAs n H /empxx SOd him H hFast onxz, bat
evriwan nM v H impCWl dissAtisfAkSan wiH him. H praprFatiz
wx abzxvd n H /empxx woz H fxst t set HAt iãAmpal,
bat evribodi andxstUd HAt H Old mAn woz blEmwxHi n
gUd-f-naTiN. wen /kMtMzOf, kanfPmiN t a kastam v /kATxin'z
dE, Pdxd H stAndxdz HAt hAd bin kApcxd t bI lOxd At H
/empxx'z fIt on hiz entxiN H bYlrMm, H /empxx mEd a rF fEs
n matxd samTiN in wic sam pIpal kYt H wxdz, “H Old
kamIdWn.”
<p>
H /empxx'z displeZx wiH /kMtMzOf woz speSali inkrIst At /vilna
bF H fAkt HAt /kMtMzOf evidentli kUd not P wUd not andxstAnd H
impPtans v H kamiN kAmpEn.
<p>
wen on H folOiN mPniN H /empxx sed t H ofisxz asembald
abQt him: “V hAv not Onli sEvd /raSa, V hAv sEvd /jUxap!” HE
Yl andxstUd HAt H wP woz not endad.
<p>
/kMtMzOf alOn wUd not sI His n Opanli iäprest hiz apinjan HAt
nO freS wP kUd imprMv H paziSan P Ad t H glPi v /raSa,
bat kUd Onli spql n lOx H glPWs paziSan HAt /raSa hAd
gEnd. hI trFd t prMv t H /empxx H imposabiliti v leviiN
freS trMps, spOk v H hRdSips Ylredi indxd bF H pIpal, v
H posabiliti v fEljx n sO fPT.
<p>
His bIiN H fIld mRSal'z frEm v mFnd hI woz nAcxali rigRdad
Az mCli a hindrans n obstakal t H impendiN wP.
<p>
t avqd anplezant inkQntxz wiH H Old mAn, H nAcxal meTad woz
t dM wot hAd bin dan wiH him At /Qstxlits n wiH /bRklE At
H biginiN v H /raSan kAmpEn—t trAnsfx H YToriti t H
/empxx himself, Has katiN H grQnd from andx H kamAndx in
cIf's fIt wiHQt apsetiN H Old mAn bF infPmiN him v H
cEnJ.
<p>
wiH His obJekt hiz stAf woz grAJMali rIkanstraktad n its rWl
streNT rimMvd n trAnsfxd t H /empxx. tOl, /kOnOvnitsin, n
/jermOlOf risIvd freS apqntmants. evriwan spOk lQdli v H fIld
mRSal'z grEt wIknas n fEliN helT.
<p>
hiz helT hAd t bI bAd f hiz plEs t bI tEkan awE n givan t
anaHx. n in fAkt hiz helT woz pUx.
<p>
sO nAcxali, simpli, n grAJMali—Jast Az hI hAd kam from /txki t
H /treZxi in /pItxzbxg t rikrMt H miliSa, n Hen t H Rmi
wen hI woz nIdad HX—nQ wen hiz pRt woz plEd Qt, /kMtMzOf's
plEs woz tEkan bF a nM n nesisXi pxfPmx.
<p>
H wP v 1812, bisFdz its nASanal signifikans dC t evri /raSan
hRt, woz nQ t asMm anaHx, a /jUxapWn, signifikans.
<p>
H mMvmant v pIpalz from west t Ist woz t bI saäIdad bF a
mMvmant v pIpalz from Ist t west, n f His freS wP anaHx
lIdx woz nesisXi, hAviN kwolitiz n vVz difxiN from
/kMtMzOf's n AnimEtad bF difxant mOtivz.
<p>
/AliãAndx F woz Az nesisXi f H mMvmant v H pIpalz from Ist
t west n f H rIfiäiN v nASanal frantCz Az /kMtMzOf hAd bin
f H sAlvESan n glPi v /raSa.
<p>
/kMtMzOf did not andxstAnd wot /jUxap, H bAlans v pQx, P
/napOlWn ment. hI kUd not andxstAnd it. f H reprizentativ v
H /raSan pIpal, Aftx H enami hAd bin distrqd n /raSa hAd
bin libxEtad n rEzd t H samit v hx glPi, HX woz naTiN
left t dM Az a /raSan. naTiN rimEnd f H reprizentativ v H
nASanal wP bat t dF, n /kMtMzOf dFd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
Az Jenxali hApanz, /piX did not fIl H fUl ifekts v H
fizikal prFvESan n strEn hI hAd safxd Az prizanx antil Aftx
HE wx Ovx. Aftx hiz libxESan hI rIct /PjOl, n on H Txd
dE HX, wen pripXiN t gO t /kIev, hI fel il n woz lEd ap
f TrI manTs. hI hAd wot H doktxz txmd “bilWs fIvx.” bat
dispFt H fAkt HAt H doktxz trItad him, bled him, n gEv him
medisinz t driNk, hI rikavxd.
<p>
skXsli eni impreSan woz left on /piX'z mFnd bF Yl HAt hApand
t him from H tFm v hiz reskV til hiz ilnas. hI rimembxd
Onli H dal grE weHx nQ rEni n nQ snOi, intxnal fizikal
distres, n pEnz in hiz fIt n sFd. hI rimembxd a Jenxal
impreSan v H misfPcMnz n safxiNz v pIpal n v bIiN
warid bF H kjUxiositi v ofisxz n Jenxalz hM kwescand him, hI
YlsO rimembxd hiz difikalti in prakjUxiN a kanvEans n hPsaz, n
abav Yl hI rimembxd hiz inkapAsiti t TiNk n fIl Yl HAt tFm.
on H dE v hiz reskV hI hAd sIn H bodi v /petja /rOstOf. HAt sEm
dE hI hAd lxnd HAt /prins /AndrM, Aftx sxvFviN H bAtal v
/bPOdinO f mP HAn a manT hAd rIsantli dFd in H /rOstOfs' hQs
At /jROslyval, n /denisOf hM tOld him His nMz YlsO menSand /helIn'z
deT, sapOziN HAt /piX hAd hxd v it loN bifP. Yl His At
H tFm sImd mCli strEnJ t /piX: hI felt hI kUd not grAsp its
signifikans. Jast Hen hI woz Onli ANkSas t get awE Az kwikli Az
posabal from plEsaz wX pIpal wx kiliN wan anaHx, t sam
pIsfal refVJ wX hI kUd rikavx himself, rest, n TiNk Ovx
Yl H strEnJ nM fAkts hI hAd lxnd; bat on rIciN /PjOl hI
imIdWtli fel il. wen hI kEm t himself Aftx hiz ilnas hI sY
in atendans on him tM v hiz sxvants, /terenti n /vyska, hM hAd
kam from /moskQ; n YlsO hiz kazan H eldast prinsas, hM hAd bin
liviN on hiz istEt At /jelets n hCiN v hiz reskV n ilnas hAd
kam t lUk Aftx him.
<p>
it woz Onli grAJMali dxiN hiz konvalesans HAt /piX lost H
impreSanz hI hAd bikam akastamd t dxiN H lAst fV manTs
n got Vst t H FdW HAt nO wan wUd ablFJ him t gO eniwX
tamorO, HAt nO wan wUd diprFv him v hiz wPm bed, n HAt hI
wUd bI SUx t get hiz dinx, tI, n sapx. bat f a loN tFm in
hiz drImz hI stil sY himself in H kandiSanz v kAptiviti. in H
sEm wE lital bF lital hI kEm t andxstAnd H nMz hI hAd bin
tOld Aftx hiz reskV, abQt H deT v /prins /AndrM, H deT v
hiz wFf, n H distrakSan v H /frenc.
<p>
a Jqas fIliN v frIdam—HAt kamplIt inElWnabal frIdam nAcxal
t mAn wic hI hAd fxst iäpCWnst At H fxst hYlt QtsFd
/moskQ—fild /piX'z sOl dxiN hiz konvalesans. hI woz sxprFzd
t fFnd HAt His inx frIdam, wic woz indipendant v eätxnal
kandiSanz, nQ hAd Az it wx an adiSanal setiN v eätxnal
libxti. hI woz alOn in a strEnJ tQn, wiHQt akwEntansaz. nO wan
dimAndad eniTiN v him P sent him eniwX. hI hAd Yl hI wontad:
H TYt v hiz wFf wic hAd bin a kantinVal tPment t him woz nO
loNgx HX, sins SI woz nO mP.
<p>
“O, hQ gUd! hQ splendid!” sed hI t himself wen a klInli lEd
tEbal woz mMvd ap t him wiH sEvxi bIf tI, P wen hI lE dQn f
H nFt on a soft klIn bed, P wen hI rimembxd HAt H /frenc hAd
gon n HAt hiz wFf woz nO mP. “O, hQ gUd, hQ splendid!”
<p>
n bF Old hAbit hI Askt himself H kwescan: “wel, n wot Hen?
wot Am F gOiN t dM?” n hI imIdWtli gEv himself H Ansx:
“wel, F SAl liv. y, hQ splendid!”
<p>
H veri kwescan HAt hAd fPmxli tPmentad him, H TiN hI hAd
kantinVali sYt t fFnd—H Em v lFf—nO loNgx iãistad f
him nQ. HAt sxc f H Em v lFf hAd not mCli disapCd
tempxXili—hI felt HAt it nO loNgx iãistad f him n kUd not
prizent itself agen. n His veri Absans v an Em gEv him H
kamplIt, Jqas sens v frIdam wic konstitMtad hiz hApinas At
His tFm.
<p>
hI kUd not sI an Em, f hI nQ hAd fET—not fET in eni kFnd v
rMl, P wxdz, P FdWz, bat fET in an evx-liviN, evx-mAnifest
/god. fPmxli hI hAd sYt /him in Emz hI set himself. HAt sxc f
an Em hAd bin simpli a sxc f /god, n sadanli in hiz kAptiviti
hI hAd lxnd not bF wxdz P rIzaniN bat bF direkt fIliN wot hiz
nxs hAd tOld him loN agO: HAt /god iz hC n evriwX. in hiz
kAptiviti hI hAd lxnd HAt in /kRytFef /god woz grEtx, mP infinit
n anfAHamabal HAn in H /Rkitekt v H /Vnivxs rekagnFzd bF H
/frImEsanz. hI felt lFk a mAn hM Aftx strEniN hiz Fz t sI intM
H fR distans fFndz wot hI sYt At hiz veri fIt. Yl hiz lFf
hI hAd lUkt Ovx H hedz v H men xQnd him, wen hI SUd hAv
mCli lUkt in frant v him wiHQt strEniN hiz Fz.
<p>
in H pAst hI hAd nevx bin Ebal t fFnd HAt grEt inskrMtabal
infinit samTiN. hI hAd Onli felt HAt it mast iãist samwX n
hAd lUkt f it. in evriTiN nC n komprihensabal hI hAd sIn
Onli wot woz limitad, peti, komanplEs, n senslas. hI hAd
ikwipt himself wiH a mental teliskOp n lUkt intM rimOt spEs,
wX peti wxldlinas hFdiN itself in misti distans hAd sImd t
him grEt n infinit mCli bikoz it woz not klCli sIn. n sac
hAd /jUxapWn lFf, politiä, /frImEsanri, filosafi, n filAnTropi
sImd t him. bat Ivan Hen, At mOments v wIknas Az hI hAd akQntad
Hem, hiz mFnd hAd penitrEtad t HOz distansaz n hI hAd HX sIn
H sEm petinas, wxldlinas, n senslasnas. nQ, hQevx, hI
hAd lxnd t sI H grEt, itxnal, n infinit in evriTiN, n
HXfP—t sI it n inJq its kontamplESan—hI nAcxali TrM awE
H teliskOp TrM wic hI hAd til nQ gEzd Ovx men'z hedz, n
glAdli rigRdad H evx-cEnJiN, itxnali grEt, anfAHamabal, n
infinit lFf xQnd him. n H klOsx hI lUkt H mP trANkwil n
hApi hI bikEm. HAt dredfal kwescan, “wot f?” wic hAd fPmxli
distrqd Yl hiz mental edifisaz, nO loNgx iãistad f him. t HAt
kwescan, “wot f?” a simpal Ansx woz nQ YlwEz redi in hiz sOl:
“bikoz HX iz a /god, HAt /god wiHQt hMz wil not wan hX fYlz
from a mAn'z hed.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
in eätxnal wEz /piX hAd hRdli cEnJd At Yl. in apCans hI
woz Jast wot hI Vst t bI. Az bifP hI woz Absant-mFndad n sImd
okVpFd not wiH wot woz bifP hiz Fz bat wiH samTiN speSal
v hiz On. H difxans bitwIn hiz fPmx n prezant self woz HAt
fPmxli wen hI did not grAsp wot lE bifP him P woz sed t
him, hI hAd pakxd hiz fPhed pEnfali Az if vEnli sIkiN t
distiNgwiS samTiN At a distans. At prezant hI stil fxgot wot woz
sed t him n stil did not sI wot woz bifP hiz Fz, bat hI nQ
lUkt wiH a skXsli pxseptabal n sImiNli Fronik smFl At wot
woz bifP him n lisand t wot woz sed, HO evidentli sIiN
n hCiN samTiN kwFt difxant. fPmxli hI hAd apCd t bI
a kFndhRtad bat anhApi mAn, n sO pIpal hAd bin inklFnd t avqd
him. nQ a smFl At H Jq v lFf YlwEz plEd rQnd hiz lips, n
simpaTi f aHxz SOn in hiz Fz wiH a kwescaniN lUk Az t
weHx HE wx Az kantentad Az hI woz, n pIpal felt plIzd bF hiz
prezans.
<p>
prIvWsli hI hAd tYkt a grEt dIl, grM iäFtad wen hI tYkt, n
seldam lisand; nQ hI woz seldam kArid awE in konvxsESan n
nM hQ t lisan sO HAt pIpal redili tOld him HX mOst intimat
sIkrats.
<p>
H prinsas, hM hAd nevx lFkt /piX n hAd bin pxtikVlxli
hostFl t him sins SI hAd felt hxself andx obligESanz t him Aftx
H Old kQnt's deT, nQ Aftx stEiN a SPt tFm in /PjOl—wX SI
hAd kam intendiN t SO /piX HAt in spFt v hiz ingrAtitMd SI
kansidxd it hx dMti t nxs him—felt t hx sxprFz n veäESan
HAt SI hAd bikam fond v him. /piX did not in eni wE sIk hx
aprMval, hI mCli stadid hx wiH intxast. fPmxli SI hAd felt
HAt hI rigRdad hx wiH indifxans n Frani, n sO hAd SraNk intM
hxself Az SI did wiH aHxz n hAd SOn him Onli H kambAtiv sFd
v hx nEcx; bat nQ hI sImd t bI trFiN t andxstAnd H mOst
intimat plEsaz v hx hRt, n, mistrastfali At fxst bat Aftxwxdz
grEtfali, SI let him sI H hidan, kFndli sFdz v hx kAraktx.
<p>
H mOst kaniN mAn kUd not hAv krept intM hx konfidans mP
saäesfali, ivOkiN memxiz v H best tFmz v hx VT n
SOiN simpaTi wiH Hem. jet /piX'z kaniN kansistad simpli in
fFndiN pleZx in drYiN Qt H hVman kwolitiz v H imbitxd,
hRd, n (in hx On wE) prQd prinsas.
<p>
“jes, hI iz a veri, veri kFnd mAn wen hI iz not andx H inflMans v
bAd pIpal bat v pIpal sac Az mFself,” TYt SI.
<p>
hiz sxvants tM—/terenti n /vyska—in HX On wE nOtist H cEnJ
HAt hAd tEkan plEs in /piX. HE kansidxd HAt hI hAd bikam mac
“simpalx.” /terenti, wen hI hAd helpt him andres n wiSt him gUd
nFt, oftan liNgxd wiH hiz mAstx'z bMts in hiz hAndz n klOHz
Ovx hiz Rm, t sI weHx hI wUd not stRt a tYk. n /piX,
nOtisiN HAt /terenti wontad a cAt, Jenxali kept him HX.
<p>
“wel, tel mI... nQ, hQ did V get fMd?” hI wUd Ask.
<p>
n /terenti wUd bigin tYkiN v H distrakSan v /moskQ, n v
H Old kQnt, n wUd stAnd f a loN tFm hOldiN H klOHz n
tYkiN, P samtFmz lisaniN t /piX'z stPiz, n Hen wUd gO
Qt intM H hYl wiH a plezant sens v intimasi wiH hiz mAstx n
afekSan f him.
<p>
H doktx hM atendad /piX n vizitad him evri dE, HO hI
kansidxd it hiz dMti Az a doktx t pOz Az a mAn hMz evri mOment
woz v vAlV t safxiN hVmAniti, wUd sit f Qxz wiH /piX
teliN him hiz fEvxit AnikdOts n hiz obzxvESanz on H
kAraktxz v hiz pESants in Jenxal, n ispeSali v H lEdiz.
<p>
“it's a pleZx t tYk t a mAn lFk HAt; hI iz not lFk Qx
pravinSalz,” hI wUd sE.
<p>
HX wx sevxal prizanxz from H /frenc Rmi in /PjOl, n H
doktx brYt wan v Hem, a jaN /itAlWn, t sI /piX.
<p>
His ofisx bigAn vizitiN /piX, n H prinsas Vst t mEk fan v
H tendxnas H /itAlWn iäprest f him.
<p>
H /itAlWn sImd hApi Onli wen hI kUd kam t sI /piX, tYk
wiH him, tel him abQt hiz pAst, hiz lFf At hOm, n hiz lav,
n pP Qt t him hiz indignESan agenst H /frenc n ispeSali
agenst /napOlWn.
<p>
“if Yl /raSanz R in H lIst lFk V, it iz sAkriliJ t fFt
sac a nESan,” hI sed t /piX. “V, hM hAv safxd sO from H
/frenc, dM not Ivan fIl Animositi tPd Hem.”
<p>
/piX hAd ivOkt H pASanat afekSan v H /itAlWn mCli bF
ivOkiN H best sFd v hiz nEcx n tEkiN a pleZx in sO dMiN.
<p>
dxiN H lAst dEz v /piX'z stE in /PjOl hiz Old /masonik
akwEntans /kQnt /vilRski, hM hAd intradMst him t H loJ in
1807, kEm t sI him. /vilRski woz mArid t a /raSan Xas hM
hAd a lRJ istEt in /PjOl provins, n hI okVpFd a tempxXi pOst in
H komisXWt dipRtmant in HAt tQn.
<p>
hCiN HAt /bezMâOf woz in /PjOl, /vilRski, HO HE hAd nevx bin
intimat, kEm t him wiH H prafeSanz v frendSip n intimasi
HAt pIpal hM mIt in a dezxt Jenxali iäpres f wan anaHx.
/vilRski felt dal in /PjOl n woz plIzd t mIt a mAn v hiz On
sxkal n, Az hI sapOzd, v similx intxasts.
<p>
bat t hiz sxprFz /vilRski sMn nOtist HAt /piX hAd lAgd mac
bihFnd H tFmz, n hAd saNk, Az hI iäprest it t himself, intM
ApaTi n IgOtizam.
<p>
“V R letiN jPself gO, mF dC felO,” hI sed.
<p>
bat f Yl HAt /vilRski fQnd it plezantx nQ HAn it hAd bin
fPmxli t bI wiH /piX, n kEm t sI him evri dE. t /piX Az
hI lUkt At n lisand t /vilRski, it sImd strEnJ t TiNk HAt
hI hAd bin lFk HAt himself bat a SPt tFm bifP.
<p>
/vilRski woz a mArid mAn wiH a fAmli, bizi wiH hiz fAmli afXz,
hiz wFf's afXz, n hiz afiSal dMtiz. hI rigRdad Yl HIz
okVpESanz Az hindransaz t lFf, n kansidxd HAt HE wx Yl
kantemptabal bikoz HX Em woz H welfX v himself n hiz
fAmli. militXi, administrativ, politikal, n /masonik intxasts
kantinVali absPbd hiz atenSan. n /piX, wiHQt trFiN t
cEnJ H aHx'z vVz n wiHQt kandemiN him, bat wiH H kwFat,
Jqfal, n amVzd smFl nQ habicMal t him, woz intxastad in His
strEnJ HO veri familC finominon.
<p>
HX woz a nM fIcx in /piX'z rilESanz wiH /vilRski, wiH H
prinsas, wiH H doktx, n wiH Yl H pIpal hI nQ met, wic
gEnd f him H Jenxal gUd wil. His woz hiz aknoliJmant v
H imposabiliti v cEnJiN a mAn'z kanvikSanz bF wxdz, n hiz
rekagniSan v H posabiliti v evriwan TiNkiN, fIliN, n sIiN
TiNz Ic from hiz On pqnt v vV. His liJitimat pikVliAriti v
Ic indiviJMal wic Vst t iäFt n iritEt /piX nQ bikEm a
bEsis v H simpaTi hI felt f, n H intxast hI tUk in, aHx
pIpal. H difxans, n samtFmz kamplIt kontradikSan, bitwIn
men'z apinjanz n HX lFvz, n bitwIn wan mAn n anaHx, plIzd
him n drM from him an amVzd n Jental smFl.
<p>
in prAktikal mAtxz /piX aniäpektadli felt wiHin himself a sentx
v grAviti hI hAd prIvWsli lAkt. fPmxli Yl pikVniXi kwescanz,
ispeSali rikwests f mani t wic, Az an iätrImli welTi mAn,
hI woz veri iäpOzd, prOdMst in him a stEt v hOplas AJitESan n
pxpleäiti. “t giv P not t giv?” hI hAd Askt himself. “F hAv
it n hI nIdz it. bat samwan els nIdz it stil mP. hM nIdz it
mOst? n pxhAps HE R bOT impostxz?” in H Old dEz hI hAd bin
anEbal t fFnd a wE Qt v Yl HIz sxmFzaz n hAd givan t Yl
hM Askt Az loN Az hI hAd eniTiN t giv. fPmxli hI hAd bin in a
similx stEt v pxpleäiti wiH rigRd t evri kwescan kansxniN hiz
propxti, wen wan pxsan advFzd wan TiN n anaHx samTiN els.
<p>
nQ t hiz sxprFz hI fQnd HAt hI nO loNgx felt FHx dQt P
pxpleäiti abQt HIz kwescanz. HX woz nQ wiHin him a JaJ hM
bF sam rMl annOn t him disFdad wot SUd P SUd not bI dan.
<p>
hI woz Az indifxant Az hCtMfP t mani mAtxz, bat nQ hI felt
sxtan v wot Yt n wot Yt not t bI dan. H fxst tFm hI
hAd rIkPs t hiz nM JaJ woz wen a /frenc prizanx, a kxnal,
kEm t him n, Aftx tYkiN a grEt dIl abQt hiz eäplqts,
kanklMdad bF mEkiN wot amQntad t a dimAnd HAt /piX SUd giv
him fP TQzand frANä t send t hiz wFf n cildran. /piX
rifVzd wiHQt H lIst difikalti P efxt, n woz Aftxwxdz
sxprFzd hQ simpal n Izi hAd bin wot Vst t apC sO
insxmQntabli difikalt. At H sEm tFm HAt hI rifVzd H kxnal'z
dimAnd hI mEd ap hiz mFnd HAt hI mast hAv rIkPs t Rtifis wen
lIviN /PjOl, t indMs H /itAlWn ofisx t aäept sam mani v
wic hI woz evidentli in nId. a fxHx prMf t /piX v hiz On
mP setald QtlUk on prAktikal mAtxz woz fxniSt bF hiz disiZan
wiH rigRd t hiz wFf's dets n t H rIbildiN v hiz hQzaz in
n nC /moskQ.
<p>
hiz hed stMxd kEm t him At /PjOl n /piX rekand ap wiH him hiz
diminiSt inkam. H bxniN v /moskQ hAd kost him, akPdiN t H
hed stMxd'z kAlkVlESan, abQt tM milWn rMbalz.
<p>
t kansOl /piX f HIz losaz H hed stMxd gEv him an estimat
SOiN HAt dispFt HIz losaz hiz inkam wUd not bI diminiSt bat
wUd Ivan bI inkrIst if hI rifVzd t pE hiz wFf's dets wic hI
woz andx nO obligESan t mIt, n did not rIbild hiz /moskQ hQs
n H kantri hQs on hiz /moskQ istEt, wic hAd kost him Eti
TQzand rMbalz a jC n brYt in naTiN.
<p>
“jes, v kPs HAt's trM,” sed /piX wiH a cCfal smFl. “F
dOnt nId Yl HAt At Yl. bF bIiN rMind F hAv bikam mac ricx.”
<p>
bat in JAnVXi /syvelic kEm from /moskQ n gEv him an akQnt v H
stEt v TiNz HX, n spOk v H estimat an Rkitekt hAd mEd
v H kost v rIbildiN H tQn n kantri hQzaz, spIkiN v His
Az v a setald mAtx. abQt H sEm tFm hI risIvd letxz from
/prins /vysili n aHx /pItxzbxg akwEntansaz spIkiN v hiz wFf's
dets. n /piX disFdad HAt H stMxd'z prapOzalz wic hAd sO
plIzd him wx roN n HAt hI mast gO t /pItxzbxg n setal hiz
wFf's afXz n mast rIbild in /moskQ. wF His woz nesisXi hI
did not nO, bat hI nM f sxtan HAt it woz nesisXi. hiz inkam
wUd bI ridMst bF TrI fPTs, bat hI felt it mast bI dan.
<p>
/vilRski woz gOiN t /moskQ n HE agrId t trAval tageHx.
<p>
dxiN H hOl tFm v hiz konvalesans in /PjOl /piX hAd
iäpCWnst a fIliN v Jq, frIdam, n lFf; bat wen dxiN hiz
Jxni hI fQnd himself in H Opan wxld n sY handradz v nM
fEsaz, HAt fIliN woz intensifFd. TrMQt hiz Jxni hI felt lFk
a skMlbq on holidE. evriwan—H stEJkOc drFvx, H pOst-hQs
OvxsIxz, H pezants on H rOdz n in H viliJaz—hAd a nM
signifikans f him. H prezans n rimRä v /vilRski hM
kantinVali diplPd H ignxans n povxti v /raSa n its
bAkwxdnas kampXd wiH /jUxap Onli hFtand /piX'z pleZx.
wX /vilRski sY dednas /piX sY an iätrPdinXi streNT n
vFtAliti—H streNT wic in HAt vAst spEs amid H snOz mEntEnd
H lFf v His xiJinal, pikVlC, n VnIk pIpal. hI did not
kontradikt /vilRski n Ivan sImd t agrI wiH him—an apArant
agrImant bIiN H simpalast wE t avqd diskaSanz HAt kUd lId t
naTiN—n hI smFld Jqfali Az hI lisand t him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
it wUd bI difikalt t iäplEn wF n wiHx Ants hMz hIp
hAz bin distrqd R hariiN: sam from H hIp drAgiN bits v
rabiS, lRvi, n kPpsaz, aHxz bAk t H hIp, P wF HE
Josal, OvxtEk wan anaHx, n fFt, n it wUd bI Ikwali
difikalt t iäplEn wot kYzd H /raSanz Aftx H dipRcx v H
/frenc t TroN t H plEs HAt hAd fPmxli bin /moskQ. bat wen
wI woc H Ants rQnd HX rMind hIp, H tinAsiti, enxJi, n
imens nambx v H delviN insekts prMv HAt dispFt H distrakSan
v H hIp, samTiN indistraktabal, wic HO intAnJabal iz H
rWl streNT v H kolani, stil iãists; n similxli, HO in
/moskQ in H manT v oktObx HX woz nO gavxnmant n nO cxcaz,
SrFnz, ricaz, P hQzaz—it woz stil H /moskQ it hAd bin in
Ygast. Yl woz distrqd, iäept samTiN intAnJabal jet pQxfal n
indistraktabal.
<p>
H mOtivz v HOz hM TroNd from Yl sFdz t /moskQ Aftx it hAd
bin klCd v H enami wx mOst dFvxs n pxsanal, n At fxst
f H mOst pRt sAviJ n brMtal. wan mOtiv Onli HE Yl hAd in
koman: a dizFx t get t H plEs HAt hAd bin kYld /moskQ, t
aplF HX Aktivitiz HX.
<p>
wiHin a wIk /moskQ Ylredi hAd fiftIn TQzand inhAbitants, in a
fPtnFt twenti-fFv TQzand, n sO on. bF H Ytam v 1813 H
nambx, evx inkrIsiN n inkrIsiN, iäIdad wot it hAd bin in
1812.
<p>
H fxst /raSanz t entx /moskQ wx H /kosAä v /wintsiNxOd'z
ditAcmant, pezants from H aJEsant viliJaz, n rezidants hM hAd
fled from /moskQ n hAd bin hFdiN in its visiniti. H /raSanz hM
entxd /moskQ, fFndiN it plandxd, plandxd it in HX txn. HE
kantinVd wot H /frenc hAd bigan. trEnz v pezant kRts kEm t
/moskQ t kAri of t H viliJaz wot hAd bin abAndand in H
rMind hQzaz n H strIts. H /kosAä kArid of wot HE kUd
t HX kAmps, n H hQshOldxz sIzd Yl HE kUd fFnd in aHx
hQzaz n mMvd it t HX On, pritendiN HAt it woz HX propxti.
<p>
bat H fxst plandxxz wx folOd bF a sekand n a Txd
kantinJant, n wiH inkrIsiN nambxz plandxiN bikEm mP n mP
difikalt n asMmd mP definit fPmz.
<p>
H /frenc fQnd /moskQ abAndand bat wiH Yl H PganizESanz v
regVlx lFf, wiH dFvxs brAncaz v komxs n krAftsmanSip, wiH
lakSxi, n gavxnmental n riliJas institMSanz. HIz fPmz wx
lFflas bat stil iãistad. HX wx bazRz, Sops, wXhQzaz,
mRkat stYlz, grEnxiz—f H mOst pRt stil stokt wiH gUdz—n
HX wx fAktxiz n wxkSops, pAlasaz n welTi hQzaz fild
wiH lakSxiz, hospitalz, prizanz, gavxnmant ofisaz, cxcaz, n
kaTIdralz. H loNgx H /frenc rimEnd H mP HIz fPmz v tQn
lFf periSt, antil fFnali Yl woz mxJd intM wan kanfVzd, lFflas
sIn v plandx.
<p>
H mP H plandxiN bF H /frenc kantinVd, H mP bOT H
welT v /moskQ n H streNT v its plandxxz woz distrqd. bat
plandxiN bF H /raSanz, wiH wic H rIokVpESan v H siti
bigAn, hAd an opazit ifekt: H loNgx it kantinVd n H grEtx
H nambx v pIpal tEkiN pRt in it H mP rApidli woz H welT
v H siti n its regVlx lFf ristPd.
<p>
bisFdz H plandxxz, veri vXWs pIpal, sam drYn bF kjUxiositi,
sam bF afiSal dMtiz, sam bF self-intxast—hQs Onxz, klxJi,
afiSalz v Yl kFndz, trEdzmen, RtizAnz, n pezants—strImd intM
/moskQ Az blad flOz t H hRt.
<p>
wiHin a wIk H pezants hM kEm wiH empti kRts t kAri of
plandx wx stopt bF H YToritiz n mEd t kRt H kPpsaz
Qt v H tQn. aHx pezants, hAviN hxd v HX komrAdz'
diskamficx, kEm t tQn briNiN rF, Ots, n hE, n bIt dQn
wan anaHx'z prFsaz t bilO wot HE hAd bin in fPmx dEz. gANz
v kRpantxz hOpiN f hF pE xFvd in /moskQ evri dE, n on
Yl sFdz loã wx bIiN hVn, nM hQzaz bilt, n Old, cRd wanz
ripXd. trEdzmen bigAn trEdiN in bMHz. kUkSops n tAvxnz wx
Opand in pRSali bxnd hQzaz. H klxJi rizMmd H sxvisaz
in meni cxcaz HAt hAd not bin bxnd. dOnxz kantribVtad
/cxc propxti HAt hAd bin stOlan. gavxnmant klxä set ap HX
bEz-kavxd tEbalz n HX piJanhOlz v dokVments in smYl rMmz.
H hFx YToritiz n H palIs PganFzd H distribVSan v
gUdz left bihFnd bF H /frenc. H Onxz v hQzaz in wic mac
propxti hAd bin left, brYt HX from aHx hQzaz, kamplEnd v
H inJastis v tEkiN evriTiN t H /fAsitad /pAlas in H /kremlin;
aHxz insistad HAt Az H /frenc hAd gAHxd TiNz from difxant
hQzaz intM His P HAt hQs, it wUd bI anfX t alQ its Onx t
kIp Yl HAt woz fQnd HX. HE abVzd H palIs n brFbd Hem,
mEd Qt estimats At ten tFmz HX vAlV f gavxnmant stPz HAt
hAd periSt in H fFx, n dimAndad rilIf. n /kQnt /rOstOpcin
rOt proklamESanz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
At H end v JAnVXi /piX went t /moskQ n stEd in an Aneä v
hiz hQs wic hAd not bin bxnd. hI kYld on /kQnt /rOstOpcin n
on sam akwEntansaz hM wx bAk in /moskQ, n hI intendad t lIv
f /pItxzbxg tM dEz lEtx. evribodi woz selabrEtiN H viktxi,
evriTiN woz babaliN wiH lFf in H rMind bat rivFviN siti.
evriwan woz plIzd t sI /piX, evriwan wiSt t mIt him, n
evriwan kwescand him abQt wot hI hAd sIn. /piX felt pxtikVlxli
wel dispOzd tPd Hem Yl, bat woz nQ instiNktivli on hiz
gRd f fC v bFndiN himself in eni wE. t Yl kwescanz pUt t
him—weHx impPtant P kwFt trFfaliN—sac Az: wX wUd hI liv?
woz hI gOiN t rIbild? wen woz hI gOiN t /pItxzbxg n wUd hI
mFnd tEkiN a pRsal f samwan?—hI riplFd: “jes, pxhAps,” P, “F
TiNk sO,” n sO on.
<p>
hI hAd hxd HAt H /rOstOfs wx At /kOstrOmy bat H TYt v
/nytySa seldam akxd t him. if it did it woz Onli Az a plezant
memxi v H distant pAst. hI felt himself not Onli frI from sOSal
obligESanz bat YlsO from HAt fIliN wic, it sImd t him, hI hAd
xQzd in himself.
<p>
on H Txd dE Aftx hiz xFval hI hxd from H /drMbetskqz HAt
/prinsas /mXi woz in /moskQ. H deT, safxiNz, n lAst dEz v
/prins /AndrM hAd oftan okVpFd /piX'z TYts n nQ rikxd t
him wiH freS vividnas. hAviN hxd At dinx HAt /prinsas /mXi
woz in /moskQ n liviN in hx hQs—wic hAd not bin bxnd—in
/vOzdviZenka /strIt, hI drOv HAt sEm IvniN t sI hx.
<p>
on hiz wE t H hQs /piX kept TiNkiN v /prins /AndrM, v HX
frendSip, v hiz vXWs mItiNz wiH him, n ispeSali v H lAst
wan At /bPOdinO.
<p>
“iz it posabal HAt hI dFd in H bitx frEm v mFnd hI woz Hen in?
iz it posabal HAt H mIniN v lFf woz not disklOzd t him
bifP hI dFd?” TYt /piX. hI rikYld /kRytFef n hiz deT n
involantXili bigAn t kampX HIz tM men, sO difxant, n jet sO
similx in HAt HE hAd bOT livd n bOT dFd n in H lav hI
felt f bOT v Hem.
<p>
/piX drOv ap t H hQs v H Old prins in a mOst sCWs mMd.
H hQs hAd iskEpt H fFx; it SOd sFnz v dAmiJ bat its
Jenxal Aspekt woz ancEnJd. H Old fUtman, hM met /piX wiH a
stxn fEs Az if wiSiN t mEk H vizitx fIl HAt H Absans
v H Old prins hAd not distxbd H Pdx v TiNz in H hQs,
infPmd him HAt H prinsas hAd gon t hx On apRtmants, n HAt
SI risIvd on sandEz.
<p>
“anQns mI. pxhAps SI wil sI mI,” sed /piX.
<p>
“jes, sx,” sed H mAn. “plIz step intM H pPtrEt gAlxi.”
<p>
a fV minits lEtx H fUtman ritxnd wiH /desyl, hM brYt
wxd from H prinsas HAt SI wUd bI veri glAd t sI /piX if hI
wUd iäkVz hx wont v serimOni n kam apstXz t hx apRtmant.
<p>
in a rAHx lO rMm lit bF wan kAndal sAt H prinsas n wiH hx
anaHx pxsan drest in blAk. /piX rimembxd HAt H prinsas
YlwEz hAd lEdi kampAnjanz, bat hM HE wx n wot HE wx lFk
hI nevx nM P rimembxd. “His mast bI wan v hx kampAnjanz,” hI
TYt, glAnsiN At H lEdi in H blAk dres.
<p>
H prinsas rOz kwikli t mIt him n held Qt hx hAnd.
<p>
“jes,” SI sed, lUkiN At hiz Yltxd fEs Aftx hI hAd kist hx
hAnd, “sO His iz hQ wI mIt agen. hI spOk v V Ivan At H veri
lAst,” SI went on, txniN hx Fz from /piX t hx kampAnjan wiH a
SFnas HAt sxprFzd him f an instant.
<p>
“F woz sO glAd t hC v jP sEfti. it woz H fxst pIs v gUd
nMz wI hAd risIvd f a loN tFm.”
<p>
agen H prinsas glAnst rQnd At hx kampAnjan wiH Ivan mP
anIzinas in hx mAnx n woz abQt t Ad samTiN, bat /piX
intxaptad hx.
<p>
“Jast imAJin—F nM naTiN abQt him!” sed hI. “F TYt hI hAd bin
kild. Yl F nO F hxd At sekand hAnd from aHxz. F Onli nO HAt
hI fel in wiH H /rOstOfs.... wot a strEnJ kOinsidans!”
<p>
/piX spOk rApidli n wiH AnimESan. hI glAnst wans At H
kampAnjan'z fEs, sY hx atentiv n kFndli gEz fiät on him, n,
Az oftan hApanz wen wan iz tYkiN, felt samhQ HAt His kampAnjan
in H blAk dres woz a gUd, kFnd, eäalant krIcx hM wUd not
hindx hiz kanvxsiN frIli wiH /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
bat wen hI menSand H /rOstOfs, /prinsas /mXi'z fEs iäprest stil
grEtx imbArasmant. SI agen glAnst rApidli from /piX'z fEs t
HAt v H lEdi in H blAk dres n sed:
<p>
“dM V rWli not rekagnFz hx?”
<p>
/piX lUkt agen At H kampAnjan'z pEl, delikat fEs wiH its
blAk Fz n pikVlC mQT, n samTiN nC t him, loN fxgotan
n mP HAn swIt, lUkt At him from HOz atentiv Fz.
<p>
“bat nO, it kAnt bI!” hI TYt. “His stxn, Tin, pEl fEs HAt
lUä sO mac Oldx! it kAnot bI SI. it mCli rimFndz mI v hx.”
bat At HAt mOment /prinsas /mXi sed, “/nytySa!” n wiH difikalti,
efxt, n stres, lFk H OpaniN v a dP grOn rasti on its
hinJaz, a smFl apCd on H fEs wiH H atentiv Fz, n from
HAt OpaniN dP kEm a breT v frEgrans wic safVzd /piX wiH
a hApinas hI hAd loN fxgotan n v wic hI hAd not Ivan bin
TiNkiN—ispeSali At HAt mOment. it safVzd him, sIzd him, n
invelapt him kamplItli. wen SI smFld dQt woz nO loNgx posabal,
it woz /nytySa n hI lavd hx.
<p>
At HAt mOment /piX involantXili bitrEd t hx, t /prinsas /mXi,
n abav Yl t himself, a sIkrat v wic hI himself hAd bin anawX.
hI flaSt Jqfali jet wiH pEnfal distres. hI trFd t hFd hiz
AJitESan. bat H mP hI trFd t hFd it H mP klCli—klCx
HAn eni wxdz kUd hAv dan—did hI bitrE t himself, t hx, n t
/prinsas /mXi HAt hI lavd hx.
<p>
“nO, it's Onli H aniäpektadnas v it,” TYt /piX. bat Az sMn Az
hI trFd t kantinV H konvxsESan hI hAd bigan wiH /prinsas /mXi hI
agen glAnst At /nytySa, n a stil-dIpx flaS safVzd hiz fEs n
a stil-stroNgx AJitESan v miNgald Jq n fC sIzd hiz sOl. hI
bikEm kanfVzd in hiz spIc n stopt in H midal v wot hI woz
sEiN.
<p>
/piX hAd fEld t nOtis /nytySa bikoz hI did not At Yl iäpekt t
sI hx HX, bat hI hAd fEld t rekagnFz hx bikoz H cEnJ in
hx sins hI lAst sY hx woz imens. SI hAd grOn Tin n pEl, bat
HAt woz not wot mEd hx anrekagnFzabal; SI woz anrekagnFzabal At H
mOment hI entxd bikoz on HAt fEs hMz Fz hAd YlwEz SOn wiH
a saprest smFl v H Jq v lFf, nQ wen hI fxst entxd n
glAnst At hx HX woz not H lIst SAdO v a smFl: Onli hx Fz
wx kFndli atentiv n sAdli intxogativ.
<p>
/piX'z kanfVZan woz not riflektad bF eni kanfVZan on /nytySa'z pRt,
bat Onli bF H pleZx HAt Jast pxseptabli lit ap hx hOl fEs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
“SI hAz kam t stE wiH mI,” sed /prinsas /mXi. “H kQnt n
kQntas wil bI hC in a fV dEz. H kQntas iz in a dredfal
stEt; bat it woz nesisXi f /nytySa hxself t sI a doktx. HE
insistad on hx kamiN wiH mI.”
<p>
“jes, iz HX a fAmli frI from sorO nQ?” sed /piX, adresiN
/nytySa. “V nO it hApand H veri dE wI wx reskVd. F sY him.
wot a dilFtfal bq hI woz!”
<p>
/nytySa lUkt At him, n bF wE v Ansx t hiz wxdz hx Fz
wFdand n lit ap.
<p>
“wot kAn wan sE P TiNk v Az a konsalESan?” sed /piX. “naTiN!
wF hAd sac a splendid bq, sO fUl v lFf, t dF?”
<p>
“jes, in HIz dEz it wUd bI hRd t liv wiHQt fET...” rimRkt
/prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“jes, jes, HAt iz rWli trM,” /piX hEstili intxaptad hx.
<p>
“wF iz it trM?” /nytySa Askt, lUkiN atentivli intM /piX'z Fz.
<p>
“hQ kAn V Ask wF?” sed /prinsas /mXi. “H TYt alOn v wot
awEts...”
<p>
/nytySa wiHQt wEtiN f /prinsas /mXi t finiS agen lUkt
inkwFxiNli At /piX.
<p>
“n bikoz,” /piX kantinVd, “Onli wan hM bilIvz HAt HX iz a
/god rMliN as kAn bX a los sac Az hxz n... jPz.”
<p>
/nytySa hAd Ylredi Opand hx mQT t spIk bat sadanli stopt.
/piX haridli txnd awE from hx n agen adrest /prinsas /mXi,
AskiN abQt hiz frend'z lAst dEz.
<p>
/piX'z kanfVZan hAd nQ YlmOst vAniSt, bat At H sEm tFm hI felt
HAt hiz frIdam hAd YlsO kamplItli gon. hI felt HAt HX woz nQ a
JaJ v hiz evri wxd n AkSan hMz JaJmant mAtxd mP t
him HAn HAt v Yl H rest v H wxld. Az hI spOk nQ hI woz
kansidxiN wot impreSan hiz wxdz wUd mEk on /nytySa. hI did
not pxpasli sE TiNz t plIz hx, bat wotevx hI woz sEiN hI
rigRdad from hx stAndpqnt.
<p>
prinsas /mXi—rilaktantli Az iz VZMal in sac kEsaz—bigAn teliN v
H kandiSan in wic SI hAd fQnd /prins /AndrM. bat /piX'z fEs
kwivxiN wiH imOSan, hiz kwescanz n hiz Igx restlas iäpreSan,
grAJMali kampeld hx t gO intM dItElz wic SI fCd t rikYl
f hx On sEk.
<p>
“jes, jes, n sO...?” /piX kept sEiN Az hI lInd tPd hx wiH
hiz hOl bodi n Igxli lisand t hx stPi. “jes, jes... sO hI
grM trANkwil n sofand? wiH Yl hiz sOl hI hAd YlwEz sYt
wan TiN—t bI pxfiktli gUd—sO hI kUd not bI afrEd v deT. H
fYlts hI hAd—if hI hAd eni—wx not v hiz mEkiN. sO hI did sofan?...
wot a hApi TiN HAt hI sY V agen,” hI Adad, sadanli txniN t
/nytySa n lUkiN At hx wiH Fz fUl v tCz.
<p>
/nytySa'z fEs twict. SI frQnd n lOxd hx Fz f a mOment.
SI hezitEtad f an instant weHx t spIk P not.
<p>
“jes, HAt woz hApinas,” SI Hen sed in hx kwFat vqs wiH its
dIp cest nOts. “f mI it sxtanli woz hApinas.” SI pYzd. “n
hI... hI... hI sed hI woz wiSiN f it At H veri mOment F entxd
H rMm....”
<p>
/nytySa'z vqs brOk. SI blaSt, prest hx klAspt hAndz on hx
nIz, n Hen kantrOliN hxself wiH an evidant efxt liftad hx
hed n bigAn t spIk rApidli.
<p>
“wI nM naTiN v it wen wI stRtad from /moskQ. F did not dX t
Ask abQt him. Hen sadanli /sonja tOld mI hI woz trAvaliN wiH as. F
hAd nO FdW n kUd not imAJin wot stEt hI woz in, Yl F wontad woz
t sI him n bI wiH him,” SI sed, trembaliN, n brIHiN kwikli.
<p>
n not letiN Hem intxapt hx SI went on t tel wot SI hAd
nevx jet menSand t eniwan—Yl SI hAd livd TrM dxiN HOz
TrI wIä v HX Jxni n lFf At /jROslyval.
<p>
/piX lisand t hx wiH lips pRtad n Fz fiät apon hx fUl v
tCz. Az hI lisand hI did not TiNk v /prins /AndrM, nP v deT,
nP v wot SI woz teliN. hI lisand t hx n felt Onli piti f
hx, f wot SI woz safxiN nQ wFl SI woz spIkiN.
<p>
prinsas /mXi, frQniN in hx efxt t hOld bAk hx tCz, sAt bisFd
/nytySa, n hxd f H fxst tFm H stPi v HOz lAst dEz v
hx braHx'z n /nytySa'z lav.
<p>
evidentli /nytySa nIdad t tel HAt pEnfal jet Jqfal tEl.
<p>
SI spOk, miNgaliN mOst trFfaliN dItElz wiH H intimat sIkrats v
hx sOl, n it sImd Az if SI kUd nevx finiS. sevxal tFmz SI
ripItad H sEm TiN twFs.
<p>
/desyl' vqs woz hxd QtsFd H dP AskiN weHx lital
/nikalas mFt kam in t sE gUd nFt.
<p>
“wel, HAt's Yl—evriTiN,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
SI got ap kwikli Jast Az /nikalas entxd, YlmOst rAn t H dP
wic woz hidan bF kxtanz, strak hx hed agenst it, n raSt
from H rMm wiH a mOn FHx v pEn P sorO.
<p>
/piX gEzd At H dP TrM wic SI hAd disapCd n did not
andxstAnd wF hI sadanli felt Yl alOn in H wxld.
<p>
prinsas /mXi rQzd him from hiz AbstrAkSan bF drYiN hiz atenSan
t hx nefV hM hAd entxd H rMm.
<p>
At HAt mOment v imOSanal tendxnas jaN /nikalas' fEs, wic
rizembald hiz fyHx'z, afektad /piX sO mac HAt wen hI hAd kist
H bq hI got ap kwikli, tUk Qt hiz hANkxcif, n went t H
windO. hI wiSt t tEk lIv v /prinsas /mXi, bat SI wUd not let
him gO.
<p>
“nO, /nytySa n F samtFmz dOnt gO t slIp til Aftx tM, sO plIz
dOnt gO. F wil Pdx sapx. gO dQnstXz, wI wil kam imIdWtli.”
<p>
bifP /piX left H rMm /prinsas /mXi tOld him: “His iz H fxst
tFm SI hAz tYkt v him lFk HAt.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVII
<p>
/piX woz SOn intM H lRJ, brFtli lit dFniN rMm; a fV minits
lEtx hI hxd fUtsteps n /prinsas /mXi entxd wiH /nytySa. /nytySa
woz kym, HO a sivC n grEv iäpreSan hAd agen setald on hx
fEs. HE Yl TrI v Hem nQ iäpCWnst HAt fIliN v Ykwxdnas
wic VZMali folOz Aftx a sCWs n hRtfelt tYk. it iz
imposabal t gO bAk t H sEm konvxsESan, t tYk v trFfalz iz
Ykwxd, n jet H dizFx t spIk iz HX n sFlans sImz lFk
AfektESan. HE went sFlantli t tEbal. H fUtmen drM bAk H
cXz n pUSt Hem ap agen. /piX anfOldad hiz kOld tEbal nApkin
n, rizolviN t brEk H sFlans, lUkt At /nytySa n At /prinsas
/mXi. HE hAd evidentli bOT fPmd H sEm rezalMSan; H Fz v
bOT SOn wiH sAtisfAkSan n a kanfeSan HAt bisFdz sorO lFf
YlsO hAz Jq.
<p>
“dM V tEk vodka, /kQnt?” Askt /prinsas /mXi, n HOz wxdz
sadanli bAniSt H SAdOz v H pAst. “nQ tel as abQt jPself,”
sed SI. “wan hCz sac improbabal wandxz abQt V.”
<p>
“jes,” riplFd /piX wiH H smFl v mFld Frani nQ habicMal t him.
“HE Ivan tel mI wandxz F mFself nevx drImd v! mXi /ybrymOvna
invFtad mI t hx hQs n kept teliN mI wot hAd hApand, P Yt
t hAv hApand, t mI. /stepyn /stepynic YlsO instraktad mI hQ F Yt
t tel v mF iäpCWnsaz. in Jenxal F hAv nOtist HAt it iz veri
Izi t bI an intxastiN mAn (F Am an intxastiN mAn nQ); pIpal
invFt mI Qt n tel mI Yl abQt mFself.”
<p>
/nytySa smFld n woz on H pqnt v spIkiN.
<p>
“wI hAv bin tOld,” prinsas /mXi intxaptad hx, “HAt V lost tM
milWnz in /moskQ. iz HAt trM?”
<p>
“bat F Am TrI tFmz Az ric Az bifP,” ritxnd /piX.
<p>
HO H paziSan woz nQ Yltxd bF hiz disiZan t pE hiz wFf's
dets n t rIbild hiz hQzaz, /piX stil mEntEnd HAt hI hAd
bikam TrI tFmz Az ric Az bifP.
<p>
“wot F hAv sxtanli gEnd iz frIdam,” hI bigAn sCWsli, bat did
not kantinV, nOtisiN HAt His TIm woz tM IgOtistik.
<p>
“n R V bildiN?”
<p>
“jes. /syvelic sez F mast!”
<p>
“tel mI, V did not nO v H kQntas' deT wen V disFdad t
rimEn in /moskQ?” Askt /prinsas /mXi n imIdWtli blaSt, nOtisiN
HAt hx kwescan, folOiN hiz menSan v frIdam, askrFbd t hiz
wxdz a mIniN hI hAd pxhAps not intendad.
<p>
“nO,” Ansxd /piX, evidentli not kansidxiN Ykwxd H mIniN
/prinsas /mXi hAd givan t hiz wxdz. “F hxd v it in /PjOl n V
kAnot imAJin hQ it Sokt mI. wI wx not an iãemplxi kapal,” hI
Adad kwikli, glAnsiN At /nytySa n nOtisiN on hx fEs kjUxiositi Az
t hQ hI wUd spIk v hiz wFf, “bat hx deT Sokt mI teribli.
wen tM pIpal kworal HE R YlwEz bOT in fYlt, n wan'z On
gilt sadanli bikamz teribli sCWs wen H aHx iz nO loNgx
alFv. n Hen sac a deT... wiHQt frendz n wiHQt konsalESan!
F Am veri, veri sori f hx,” hI kanklMdad, n woz plIzd t nOtis
a lUk v glAd aprMval on /nytySa'z fEs.
<p>
“jes, n sO V R wans mP an eliJabal bAcalx,” sed /prinsas
/mXi.
<p>
/piX sadanli flaSt krimzan n f a loN tFm trFd not t lUk
At /nytySa. wen hI vencxd t glAns hx wE agen hx fEs woz kOld,
stxn, n hI fAnsid Ivan kantempcMas.
<p>
“n did V rWli sI n spIk t /napOlWn, Az wI hAv bin tOld?”
sed /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
/piX lAft.
<p>
“nO, not wans! evribodi sImz t imAJin HAt bIiN tEkan prizanx
mInz bIiN /napOlWn'z gest. not Onli did F nevx sI him bat F hxd
naTiN abQt him—F woz in mac lOx kampani!”
<p>
sapx woz Ovx, n /piX hM At fxst diklFnd t spIk abQt hiz
kAptiviti woz grAJMali led on t dM sO.
<p>
“bat it's trM HAt V rimEnd in /moskQ t kil /napOlWn?” /nytySa
Askt wiH a slFt smFl. “F gest it Hen wen wI met At H
/sMâRef tQx, dM V rimembx?”
<p>
/piX admitad HAt it woz trM, n from HAt woz grAJMali led bF
/prinsas /mXi'z kwescanz n ispeSali bF /nytySa'z intM giviN a
dItEld akQnt v hiz advencxz.
<p>
At fxst hI spOk wiH H amVzd n mFld Frani nQ kastamXi wiH
him tPd evribodi n ispeSali tPd himself, bat wen hI kEm
t diskrFb H horxz n safxiNz hI hAd witnast hI woz
ankonSasli kArid awE n bigAn spIkiN wiH H saprest
imOSan v a mAn rI-iäpCWnsiN in rekalekSan stroN impreSanz hI
hAz livd TrM.
<p>
prinsas /mXi wiH a Jental smFl lUkt nQ At /piX n nQ At
/nytySa. in H hOl nArativ SI sY Onli /piX n hiz gUdnas.
/nytySa, lIniN on hx elbO, H iäpreSan v hx fEs konstantli
cEnJiN wiH H nArativ, woct /piX wiH an atenSan HAt nevx
wondxd—evidentli hxself iäpCWnsiN Yl HAt hI diskrFbd. not Onli
hx lUk, bat hx eäklamESanz n H brIf kwescanz SI pUt, SOd
/piX HAt SI andxstUd Jast wot hI wiSt t kanvE. it woz klC
HAt SI andxstUd not Onli wot hI sed bat YlsO wot hI wiSt t,
bat kUd not, iäpres in wxdz. H akQnt /piX gEv v H insidant
wiH H cFld n H wUman f pratektiN hMm hI woz xestad woz
His: “it woz an Yfal sFt—cildran abAndand, sam in H flEmz...
wan woz snAct Qt bifP mF Fz... n HX wx wimin hM hAd
HX TiNz snAct of n HX CriNz tPn Qt...” hI flaSt n
grM kanfVzd. “Hen a patrOl xFvd n Yl H men—Yl HOz hM wx
not lMtiN, HAt iz—wx xestad, n F amaN Hem.”
<p>
“F Am SUx V'x not teliN as evriTiN; F Am SUx V did
samTiN...” sed /nytySa n pYziN Adad, “samTiN fFn?”
<p>
/piX kantinVd. wen hI spOk v H eäikVSan hI wontad t pAs
Ovx H horibal dItElz, bat /nytySa insistad HAt hI SUd not Omit
eniTiN.
<p>
/piX bigAn t tel abQt /kRytFef, bat pYzd. bF His tFm hI hAd
rizan from H tEbal n woz pEsiN H rMm, /nytySa folOiN him wiH
hx Fz. Hen hI Adad:
<p>
“nO, V kAnt andxstAnd wot F lxnd from HAt ilitxat mAn—HAt
simpal felO.”
<p>
“jes, jes, gO on!” sed /nytySa. “wX iz hI?”
<p>
“HE kild him YlmOst bifP mF Fz.”
<p>
n /piX, hiz vqs trembaliN kantinVali, went on t tel v H lAst
dEz v HX ritrIt, v /kRytFef's ilnas n hiz deT.
<p>
hI tOld v hiz advencxz Az hI hAd nevx jet rikYld Hem. hI nQ, Az
it wx, sY a nM mIniN in Yl hI hAd gon TrM. nQ HAt hI woz
teliN it Yl t /nytySa hI iäpCWnst HAt pleZx wic a mAn hAz
wen wimin lisan t him—not klevx wimin hM wen lisaniN FHx trF
t rimembx wot HE hC t inric HX mFndz n wen opxtMniti
ofxz t rItel it, P hM wiS t adopt it t sam TYt v HX
On n promptli kantribVt HX On klevx koments pripXd in HX
lital mental wxkSop—bat H pleZx givan bF rWl wimin giftad wiH
a kapAsiti t silekt n absPb H veri best a mAn SOz v himself.
/nytySa wiHQt nOiN it woz Yl atenSan: SI did not lMz a wxd,
nO siNgal kwivx in /piX'z vqs, nO lUk, nO twic v a masal in
hiz fEs, nP a siNgal Jescx. SI kYt H anfiniSt wxd in its
flFt n tUk it strEt intM hx Opan hRt, divFniN H sIkrat
mIniN v Yl /piX'z mental travEl.
<p>
prinsas /mXi andxstUd hiz stPi n simpaTFzd wiH him, bat SI
nQ sY samTiN els HAt absPbd Yl hx atenSan. SI sY H
posabiliti v lav n hApinas bitwIn /nytySa n /piX, n H
fxst TYt v His fild hx hRt wiH glAdnas.
<p>
it woz TrI O'klok in H mPniN. H fUtmen kEm in wiH sAd n
stxn fEsaz t cEnJ H kAndalz, bat nO wan nOtist Hem.
<p>
/piX finiSt hiz stPi. /nytySa kantinVd t lUk At him intentli
wiH brFt, atentiv, n AnimEtad Fz, Az if trFiN t andxstAnd
samTiN mP wic hI hAd pxhAps left antOld. /piX in SEmfEst
n hApi kanfVZan glAnst akEZanali At hx, n trFd t TiNk wot
t sE neät t intradMs a freS sabJekt. prinsas /mXi woz sFlant. it
akxd t nan v Hem HAt it woz TrI O'klok n tFm t gO t
bed.
<p>
“pIpal spIk v misfPcMnz n safxiNz,” rimRkt /piX, “bat if
At His mOment F wx Askt: 'wUd V rAHx bI wot V wx bifP
V wx tEkan prizanx, P gO TrM Yl His agen?' Hen f
hevan'z sEk let mI agen hAv kAptiviti n hPsfleS! wI imAJin
HAt wen wI R TrOn Qt v Qx VZMal rats Yl iz lost, bat it iz
Onli Hen HAt wot iz nM n gUd biginz. wFl HX iz lFf HX iz
hApinas. HX iz mac, mac bifP as. F sE His t V,” hI Adad,
txniN t /nytySa.
<p>
“jes, jes,” SI sed, AnsxiN samTiN kwFt difxant. “F tM SUd
wiS naTiN bat t rIliv it Yl from H biginiN.”
<p>
/piX lUkt intentli At hx.
<p>
“jes, n naTiN mP,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
“it's not trM, not trM!” krFd /piX. “F Am not t blEm f bIiN
alFv n wiSiN t liv—nP V FHx.”
<p>
sadanli /nytySa bent hx hed, kavxd hx fEs wiH hx hAndz, n
bigAn t krF.
<p>
“wot iz it, /nytySa?” sed /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“naTiN, naTiN.” SI smFld At /piX TrM hx tCz. “gUd nFt!
it iz tFm f bed.”
<p>
/piX rOz n tUk hiz lIv.
<p>
<p>
prinsas /mXi n /nytySa met Az VZMal in H bedrMm. HE tYkt v
wot /piX hAd tOld Hem. prinsas /mXi did not iäpres hx apinjan v
/piX nP did /nytySa spIk v him.
<p>
“wel, gUd nFt, /mXi!” sed /nytySa. “dM V nO, F Am oftan afrEd
HAt bF not spIkiN v him” (SI ment /prins /AndrM) “f fC v not
dMiN Jastis t Qx fIliNz, wI fxget him.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi sFd dIpli n HXbF aknoliJd H Jastis v
/nytySa'z rimRk, bat SI did not iäpres agrImant in wxdz.
<p>
“iz it posabal t fxget?” sed SI.
<p>
“it did mI sO mac gUd t tel Yl abQt it tadE. it woz hRd n
pEnfal, bat gUd, veri gUd!” sed /nytySa. “F Am SUx hI rWli lavd
him. HAt iz wF F tOld him... woz it Yl rFt?” SI Adad, sadanli
blaSiN.
<p>
“t tel /piX? O, jes. wot a splendid mAn hI iz!” sed /prinsas
/mXi.
<p>
“dM V nO, /mXi...” /nytySa sadanli sed wiH a miscivas smFl
sac Az /prinsas /mXi hAd not sIn on hx fEs f a loN tFm, “hI hAz
samhQ grOn sO klIn, smMH, n freS—Az if hI hAd Jast kam Qt v
a /raSan bAT; dM V andxstAnd? Qt v a mPal bAT. izant it trM?”
<p>
“jes,” riplFd /prinsas /mXi. “hI hAz grEtli imprMvd.”
<p>
“wiH a SPt kOt n hiz hX kropt; Jast Az if, wel, Jast Az if hI
hAd kam strEt from H bAT... pypy Vst t...”
<p>
“F andxstAnd wF hI” (prins /AndrM) “lFkt nO wan sO mac Az him,”
sed /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“jes, n jet hI iz kwFt difxant. HE sE men R frendz wen HE
R kwFt difxant. HAt mast bI trM. rWli hI iz kwFt anlFk him—in
evriTiN.”
<p>
“jes, bat hI'z wandxfal.”
<p>
“wel, gUd nFt,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
n H sEm miscivas smFl liNgxd f a loN tFm on hx fEs Az
if it hAd bin fxgotan HX.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVIII
<p>
it woz a loN tFm bifP /piX kUd fYl aslIp HAt nFt. hI pEst
ap n dQn hiz rMm, nQ txniN hiz TYts on a difikalt problam
n frQniN, nQ sadanli SragiN hiz SOldxz n winsiN, n nQ
smFliN hApili.
<p>
hI woz TiNkiN v /prins /AndrM, v /nytySa, n v HX lav, At wan
mOment Jelas v hx pAst, Hen riprOciN himself f HAt fIliN.
it woz Ylredi siä in H mPniN n hI stil pEst ap n dQn H
rMm.
<p>
“wel, wot's t bI dan if it kAnot bI avqdad? wot's t bI dan?
evidentli it hAs t bI sO,” sed hI t himself, n hEstili andresiN
hI got intM bed, hApi n AJitEtad bat frI from hezitESan P
indisiZan.
<p>
“strEnJ n imposabal Az sac hApinas sImz, F mast dM evriTiN
HAt SI n F mE bI mAn n wFf,” hI tOld himself.
<p>
a fV dEz prIvWsli /piX hAd disFdad t gO t /pItxzbxg on H
frFdE. wen hI awOk on H TxzdE, /syvelic kEm t Ask him abQt
pAkiN f H Jxni.
<p>
“wot, t /pItxzbxg? wot iz /pItxzbxg? hM iz HX in /pItxzbxg?”
hI Askt involantXili, HO Onli t himself. “O, jes, loN agO
bifP His hApand F did f sam rIzan mIn t gO t /pItxzbxg,”
hI riflektad. “wF? bat pxhAps F SAl gO. wot a gUd felO hI iz n
hQ atentiv, n hQ hI rimembxz evriTiN,” hI TYt, lUkiN At
/syvelic'az Old fEs, “n wot a plezant smFl hI hAz!”
<p>
“wel, /syvelic, dM V stil not wiS t aäept jP frIdam?” /piX
Askt him.
<p>
“wot's H gUd v frIdam t mI, jP eäalansi? wI livd andx H
lEt kQnt—H kiNdam v hevan bI hiz!—n wI hAv livd andx V
tM, wiHQt evx bIiN roNd.”
<p>
“n jP cildran?”
<p>
“H cildran wil liv Jast H sEm. wiH sac mAstxz wan kAn liv.”
<p>
“bat wot abQt mF Xz?” sed /piX. “sapOziN F sadanli mAri...
it mFt hApan,” hI Adad wiH an involantXi smFl.
<p>
“if F mE tEk H libxti, jP eäalansi, it wUd bI a gUd TiN.”
<p>
“hQ Izi hI TiNä it,” TYt /piX. “hI dazant nO hQ teribal
it iz n hQ dEnJxas. tM sMn P tM lEt... it iz teribal!”
<p>
“sO wot R jP Pdxz? R V stRtiN tamorO?” Askt /syvelic.
<p>
“nO, F'l pUt it of f a bit. F'l tel V lEtx. V mast fxgiv
H trabal F hAv pUt V t,” sed /piX, n sIiN /syvelic smFl,
hI TYt: “bat hQ strEnJ it iz HAt hI SUd not nO HAt nQ
HX iz nO /pItxzbxg f mI, n HAt HAt mast bI setald fxst v
Yl! bat probabli hI nOz it wel inaf n iz Onli pritendiN. SAl
F hAv a tYk wiH him n sI wot hI TiNä?” /piX riflektad. “nO,
anaHx tFm.”
<p>
At brekfast /piX tOld H prinsas, hiz kazan, HAt hI hAd bin t
sI /prinsas /mXi H dE bifP n hAd HX met—“hMm dM V TiNk?
/nytySa /rOstOva!”
<p>
H prinsas sImd t sI naTiN mP iätrPdinXi in HAt HAn if hI
hAd sIn /Ana /semjOnOvna.
<p>
“dM V nO hx?” Askt /piX.
<p>
“F hAv sIn H prinsas,” SI riplFd. “F hxd HAt HE wx
xEnJiN a mAc f hx wiH jaN /rOstOf. it wUd bI a veri gUd
TiN f H /rOstOfs, HE R sed t bI atxli rMind.”
<p>
“nO; F mIn dM V nO /nytySa /rOstOva?”
<p>
“F hxd abQt HAt afX v hxz At H tFm. it woz a grEt piti.”
<p>
“nO, SI FHx dazant andxstAnd P iz pritendiN,” TYt /piX.
“betx not sE eniTiN t hx FHx.”
<p>
H prinsas tM hAd pripXd praviZanz f /piX'z Jxni.
<p>
“hQ kFnd HE Yl R,” TYt /piX. “wot iz sxprFziN iz HAt
HE SUd trabal abQt HIz TiNz nQ wen it kAn nO loNgx bI v
intxast t Hem. n Yl f mI!”
<p>
on H sEm dE H /cIf v /palIs kEm t /piX, invFtiN him t send
a reprizentativ t H /fAsitad /pAlas t rikavx TiNz HAt wx t bI
ritxnd t HX Onxz HAt dE.
<p>
“n His mAn tM,” TYt /piX, lUkiN intM H fEs v H /cIf
v /palIs. “wot a fFn, gUd-lUkiN ofisx n hQ kFnd. fAnsi
boHxiN abQt sac trFfalz nQ! n HE AkcMali sE hI iz not onast
n tEä brFbz. wot nonsens! bisFdz, wF SUdant hI tEk brFbz?
HAt's H wE hI woz brYt ap, n evribodi daz it. bat wot a
kFnd, plezant fEs n hQ hI smFlz Az hI lUä At mI.”
<p>
/piX went t /prinsas /mXi'z t dinx.
<p>
Az hI drOv TrM H strIts pAst H hQzaz HAt hAd bin bxnd
dQn, hI woz sxprFzd bF H bVti v HOz rMinz. H pikcxesknas
v H cimni stAä n tambal-dQn wYlz v H bxnd-Qt kwPtxz
v H tQn, streciN Qt n kansIliN wan anaHx, rimFndad him v
H /rFn n H /kolasWm. H kAbmen hI met n HX pAsinJxz,
H kRpantxz katiN H timbx f nM hQzaz wiH Aäaz, H wimin
hYkxz, n H SopkIpxz, Yl lUkt At him wiH cCfal bImiN
Fz HAt sImd t sE: “y, HX hI iz! let's sI wot wil kam v
it!”
<p>
At H entrans t /prinsas /mXi'z hQs /piX felt dQtfal weHx
hI hAd rWli bin HX H nFt bifP n rWli sIn /nytySa n
tYkt t hx. “pxhAps F imAJind it; pxhAps F SAl gO in n fFnd
nO wan HX.” bat hI hAd hRdli entxd H rMm bifP hI felt hx
prezans wiH hiz hOl bIiN bF H los v hiz sens v frIdam. SI
woz in H sEm blAk dres wiH soft fOldz n hx hX woz dan H
sEm wE Az H dE bifP, jet SI woz kwFt difxant. hAd SI bin
lFk His wen hI entxd H dE bifP hI kUd not f a mOment hAv
fEld t rekagnFz hx.
<p>
SI woz Az hI hAd nOn hx YlmOst Az a cFld n lEtx on Az /prins
/AndrM'z fionsE. a brFt kwescaniN lFt SOn in hx Fz, n on
hx fEs woz a frendli n strEnJli rOgiS iäpreSan.
<p>
/piX dFnd wiH Hem n wUd hAv spent H hOl IvniN HX, bat
/prinsas /mXi woz gOiN t vespxz n /piX left H hQs wiH hx.
<p>
neät dE hI kEm xli, dFnd, n stEd H hOl IvniN. HO
/prinsas /mXi n /nytySa wx evidentli glAd t sI HX vizitx n
HO Yl /piX'z intxast woz nQ sentxd in HAt hQs, bF H
IvniN HE hAd tYkt Ovx evriTiN n H konvxsESan pAst from
wan trivWl topik t anaHx n ripItadli brOk of. hI stEd sO loN
HAt /prinsas /mXi n /nytySa iäcEnJd glAnsaz, evidentli wandxiN
wen hI wUd gO. /piX nOtist His bat kUd not gO. hI felt anIzi
n imbArast, bat sAt on bikoz hI simpli kUd not get ap n tEk
hiz lIv.
<p>
prinsas /mXi, fPsIiN nO end t His, rOz fxst, n kamplEniN v
a hedEk bigAn t sE gUd nFt.
<p>
“sO V R gOiN t /pItxzbxg tamorO?” SI Askt.
<p>
“nO, F Am not gOiN,” /piX riplFd hEstili, in a sxprFzd tOn n Az
HO afendad. “jes... nO... t /pItxzbxg? tamorO—bat F wOnt sE
gUd-bF jet. F wil kYl rQnd in kEs V hAv eni kamiSanz f mI,”
sed hI, stAndiN bifP /prinsas /mXi n txniN red, bat not tEkiN
hiz dipRcx.
<p>
/nytySa gEv him hx hAnd n went Qt. prinsas /mXi on H aHx hAnd
insted v gOiN awE sANk intM an RmcX, n lUkt stxnli n
intentli At him wiH hx dIp, rEdWnt Fz. H wCinas SI
hAd plEnli SOn bifP hAd nQ kwFt pAst of. wiH a dIp n
loN-drYn sF SI sImd t bI pripXd f a leNTi tYk.
<p>
wen /nytySa left H rMm /piX'z kanfVZan n Ykwxdnas
imIdWtli vAniSt n wx riplEst bF Igx iäFtmant. hI kwikli
mMvd an RmcX tPd /prinsas /mXi.
<p>
“jes, F wontad t tel V,” sed hI, AnsxiN hx lUk Az if SI hAd
spOkan. “prinsas, help mI! wot Am F t dM? kAn F hOp? prinsas, mF
dC frend, lisan! F nO it Yl. F nO F Am not wxHi v hx, F
nO it's imposabal t spIk v it nQ. bat F wont t bI a braHx t
hx. nO, not HAt, F dOnt, F kAnt...”
<p>
hI pYzd n rabd hiz fEs n Fz wiH hiz hAndz.
<p>
“wel,” hI went on wiH an evidant efxt At self-kantrOl n kOhCans.
“F dOnt nO wen F bigAn t lav hx, bat F hAv lavd hx n hx
alOn Yl mF lFf, n F lav hx sO HAt F kAnot imAJin lFf wiHQt
hx. F kAnot prapOz t hx At prezant, bat H TYt HAt
pxhAps SI mFt samdE bI mF wFf n HAt F mE bI misiN HAt
posabiliti... HAt posabiliti... iz teribal. tel mI, kAn F hOp?
tel mI wot F Am t dM, dC prinsas!” hI Adad Aftx a pYz, n
tact hx hAnd Az SI did not riplF.
<p>
“F Am TiNkiN v wot V hAv tOld mI,” Ansxd /prinsas /mXi.
“His iz wot F wil sE. V R rFt HAt t spIk t hx v lav At
prezant...”
<p>
prinsas /mXi stopt. SI woz gOiN t sE HAt t spIk v lav woz
imposabal, bat SI stopt bikoz SI hAd sIn bF H sadan cEnJ
in /nytySa tM dEz bifP HAt SI wUd not Onli not bI hxt if /piX
spOk v hiz lav, bat HAt it woz H veri TiN SI wiSt f.
<p>
“t spIk t hx nQ wUdant dM,” sed H prinsas Yl H sEm.
<p>
“bat wot Am F t dM?”
<p>
“lIv it t mI,” sed /prinsas /mXi. “F nO...”
<p>
/piX woz lUkiN intM /prinsas /mXi'z Fz.
<p>
“wel?... wel?...” hI sed.
<p>
“F nO HAt SI lavz... wil lav V,” prinsas /mXi kxektad
hxself.
<p>
bifP hx wxdz wx Qt, /piX hAd spraN ap n wiH a frFtand
iäpreSan sIzd /prinsas /mXi'z hAnd.
<p>
“wot mEä V TiNk sO? V TiNk F mE hOp? V TiNk...?”
<p>
“jes, F TiNk sO,” sed /prinsas /mXi wiH a smFl. “rFt t hx
pXants, n lIv it t mI. F wil tel hx wen F kAn. F wiS it t
hApan n mF hRt telz mI it wil.”
<p>
“nO, it kAnot bI! hQ hApi F Am! bat it kAnt bI.... hQ hApi F Am!
nO, it kAnt bI!” /piX kept sEiN Az hI kist /prinsas /mXi'z hAndz.
<p>
“gO t /pItxzbxg, HAt wil bI best. n F wil rFt t V,” SI
sed.
<p>
“t /pItxzbxg? gO HX? veri wel, F'l gO. bat F mE kam agen
tamorO?”
<p>
neät dE /piX kEm t sE gUd-bF. /nytySa woz les AnimEtad HAn
SI hAd bin H dE bifP; bat HAt dE Az hI lUkt At hx /piX
samtFmz felt Az if hI woz vAniSiN n HAt nFHx hI nP SI
iãistad eni loNgx, HAt naTiN iãistad bat hApinas. “iz it posabal?
nO, it kAnt bI,” hI tOld himself At evri lUk, Jescx, n wxd HAt
fild hiz sOl wiH Jq.
<p>
wen on sEiN gUd-bF hI tUk hx Tin, slendx hAnd, hI kUd not help
hOldiN it a lital loNgx in hiz On.
<p>
“iz it posabal HAt His hAnd, HAt fEs, HOz Fz, Yl His treZx
v feminin cRm sO strEnJ t mI nQ, iz it posabal HAt it wil wan
dE bI mFn fxevx, Az familC t mI Az F Am t mFself?... nO, HAt's
imposabal!...”
<p>
“gUd-bF, /kQnt,” SI sed alQd. “F SAl lUk fPwxd veri mac t
jP ritxn,” SI Adad in a wispx.
<p>
n HIz simpal wxdz, hx lUk, n H iäpreSan on hx fEs wic
akampanid Hem, fPmd f tM manTs H sabJekt v iniãYstabal
memxiz, intxpratESanz, n hApi meditESanz f /piX. “'F SAl
lUk fPwxd veri mac t jP ritxn....' jes, jes, hQ did SI sE it?
jes, 'F SAl lUk fPwxd veri mac t jP ritxn.' O, hQ hApi F
Am! wot iz hApaniN t mI? hQ hApi F Am!” sed /piX t himself.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIX
<p>
HX woz naTiN in /piX'z sOl nQ At Yl lFk wot hAd trabald it
dxiN hiz kPtSip v /helIn.
<p>
hI did not ripIt t himself wiH a sikaniN fIliN v SEm H wxdz
hI hAd spOkan, P sE: “O, wF did F not sE HAt?” n, “wotevx mEd
mI sE '/Ze vM /eme'?” on H kontrXi, hI nQ ripItad in imAJinESan
evri wxd HAt hI P /nytySa hAd spOkan n pikcxd evri dItEl v
hx fEs n smFl, n did not wiS t diminiS P Ad eniTiN, bat
Onli t ripIt it agen n agen. HX woz nQ not a SAdO v dQt
in hiz mFnd Az t weHx wot hI hAd andxtEkan woz rFt P roN.
Onli wan teribal dQt samtFmz krost hiz mFnd: “wozant it Yl
a drIm? izant /prinsas /mXi mistEkan? Am F not tM kansItad n
self-konfidant? F bilIv Yl His—n sadanli /prinsas /mXi wil tel
hx, n SI wil bI SUx t smFl n sE: 'hQ strEnJ! hI mast bI
dilMdiN himself. dazant hI nO HAt hI iz a mAn, Jast a mAn, wFl
F...? F Am samTiN YltageHx difxant n hFx.'”
<p>
HAt woz H Onli dQt oftan trabaliN /piX. hI did not nQ mEk eni
plAnz. H hApinas bifP him apCd sO inkansIvabal HAt if Onli
hI kUd atEn it, it wUd bI H end v Yl TiNz. evriTiN endad
wiH HAt.
<p>
a Jqfal, aniäpektad frenzi, v wic hI hAd TYt himself inkEpabal,
pazest him. H hOl mIniN v lFf—not f him alOn bat f H
hOl wxld—sImd t him sentxd in hiz lav n H posabiliti v
bIiN lavd bF hx. At tFmz evribodi sImd t him t bI okVpFd wiH
wan TiN Onli—hiz fVcx hApinas. samtFmz it sImd t him HAt
aHx pIpal wx Yl Az plIzd Az hI woz himself n mCli trFd t
hFd HAt pleZx bF pritendiN t bI bizi wiH aHx intxasts. in
evri wxd n Jescx hI sY alMZanz t hiz hApinas. hI oftan
sxprFzd HOz hI met bF hiz signifikantli hApi lUä n smFlz wic
sImd t iäpres a sIkrat andxstAndiN bitwIn him n Hem. n wen
hI rWlFzd HAt pIpal mFt not bI awX v hiz hApinas, hI pitid
Hem wiH hiz hOl hRt n felt a dizFx samhQ t iäplEn t Hem
HAt Yl HAt okVpFd Hem woz a mC frivalas trFfal anwxHi v
atenSan.
<p>
wen it woz saJestad t him HAt hI SUd entx H sivil sxvis,
P wen H wP P eni Jenxal politikal afXz wx diskast on H
asampSan HAt evribodi'z welfX dipendad on His P HAt iSV
v ivents, hI wUd lisan wiH a mFld n pitiiN smFl n sxprFz
pIpal bF hiz strEnJ koments. bat At His tFm hI sY evribodi—bOT
HOz hM, Az hI imAJind, andxstUd H rWl mIniN v lFf (HAt
iz, wot hI woz fIliN) n HOz anfPcanats hM evidentli did not
andxstAnd it—in H brFt lFt v H imOSan HAt SOn wiHin
himself, n At wans wiHQt eni efxt sY in evriwan hI met
evriTiN HAt woz gUd n wxHi v bIiN lavd.
<p>
wen dIliN wiH H afXz n pEpxz v hiz ded wFf, hx memxi
xQzd in him nO fIliN bat piti HAt SI hAd not nOn H blis hI
nQ nM. prins /vysili, hM hAviN abtEnd a nM pOst n sam
freS dekxESanz woz pxtikVlxli prQd At His tFm, sImd t him a
paTetik, kFndli Old mAn mac t bI pitid.
<p>
oftan in AftxlFf /piX rikYld His pCWd v blisfal insAniti. Yl
H vVz hI fPmd v men n sxkamstAnsaz At His tFm rimEnd trM
f him YlwEz. hI not Onli did not rinQns Hem sabsikwantli, bat wen
hI woz in dQt P inwxdli At vXWns, hI rifxd t H vVz hI hAd
held At His tFm v hiz mAdnas n HE YlwEz prMvd kxekt.
<p>
“F mE hAv apCd strEnJ n kwC Hen,” hI TYt, “bat F woz
not sO mAd Az F sImd. on H kontrXi F woz Hen wFzx n hAd
mP insFt HAn At eni aHx tFm, n andxstUd Yl HAt iz wxT
andxstAndiN in lFf, bikoz... bikoz F woz hApi.”
<p>
/piX'z insAniti kansistad in not wEtiN, Az hI Vst t dM, t
diskavx pxsanal AtribVts wic hI txmd “gUd kwolitiz” in pIpal
bifP laviN Hem; hiz hRt woz nQ OvxflOiN wiH lav, n bF
laviN pIpal wiHQt kYz hI diskavxd indMbitabal kYzaz f laviN
Hem.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XX
<p>
/Aftx /piX'z dipRcx HAt fxst IvniN, wen /nytySa hAd sed t
/prinsas /mXi wiH a gEli mokiN smFl: “hI lUä Jast, jes, Jast Az
if hI hAd kam Qt v a /raSan bAT—in a SPt kOt n wiH hiz hX
kropt,” samTiN hidan n annOn t hxself, bat iripresabal,
awOk in /nytySa'z sOl.
<p>
evriTiN: hx fEs, wYk, lUk, n vqs, woz sadanli Yltxd.
t hx On sxprFz a pQx v lFf n hOp v hApinas rOz t H
sxfis n dimAndad sAtisfAkSan. from HAt IvniN SI sImd t hAv
fxgotan Yl HAt hAd hApand t hx. SI nO loNgx kamplEnd v hx
paziSan, did not sE a wxd abQt H pAst, n nO loNgx fCd t
mEk hApi plAnz f H fVcx. SI spOk lital v /piX, bat wen
/prinsas /mXi menSand him a loN-iätiNgwiSt lFt wans mP kindald
in hx Fz n hx lips kxvd wiH a strEnJ smFl.
<p>
H cEnJ HAt tUk plEs in /nytySa At fxst sxprFzd /prinsas /mXi;
bat wen SI andxstUd its mIniN it grIvd hx. “kAn SI hAv lavd
mF braHx sO lital Az t bI Ebal t fxget him sO sMn?” SI TYt
wen SI riflektad on H cEnJ. bat wen SI woz wiH /nytySa SI woz
not veät wiH hx n did not riprOc hx. H rIawEkand pQx
v lFf HAt hAd sIzd /nytySa woz sO evidentli iripresabal n
aniäpektad bF hx HAt in hx prezans /prinsas /mXi felt HAt SI hAd
nO rFt t riprOc hx Ivan in hx hRt.
<p>
/nytySa gEv hxself ap sO fUli n frANkli t His nM fIliN HAt
SI did not trF t hFd H fAkt HAt SI woz nO loNgx sAd, bat brFt
n cCfal.
<p>
wen /prinsas /mXi ritxnd t hx rMm Aftx hx noktxnal tYk wiH
/piX, /nytySa met hx on H TreShOld.
<p>
“hI hAz spOkan? jes? hI hAz spOkan?” SI ripItad.
<p>
n a Jqfal jet paTetik iäpreSan wic sImd t beg fxgivnas f
hx Jq setald on /nytySa'z fEs.
<p>
“F wontad t lisan At H dP, bat F nM V wUd tel mI.”
<p>
andxstAndabal n taciN Az H lUk wiH wic /nytySa gEzd At
hx sImd t /prinsas /mXi, n sori Az SI woz t sI hx AJitESan,
HIz wxdz pEnd hx f a mOment. SI rimembxd hx braHx n hiz
lav.
<p>
“bat wot's t bI dan? SI kAnt help it,” TYt H prinsas.
<p>
n wiH a sAd n rAHx stxn lUk SI tOld /nytySa Yl HAt /piX
hAd sed. on hCiN HAt hI woz gOiN t /pItxzbxg /nytySa woz
astQndad.
<p>
“t /pItxzbxg!” SI ripItad Az if anEbal t andxstAnd.
<p>
bat nOtisiN H grIvd iäpreSan on /prinsas /mXi'z fEs SI gest
H rIzan v HAt sAdnas n sadanli bigAn t krF.
<p>
“mXi,” sed SI, “tel mI wot F SUd dM! F Am afrEd v bIiN bAd.
wotevx V tel mI, F wil dM. tel mI....”
<p>
“V lav him?”
<p>
“jes,” wispxd /nytySa.
<p>
“Hen wF R V krFiN? F Am hApi f jP sEk,” sed /prinsas /mXi,
hM bikoz v HOz tCz kwFt fxgEv /nytySa'z Jq.
<p>
“it wOnt bI Jast jet—samdE. TiNk wot fan it wil bI wen F Am hiz
wFf n V mAri /nikalas!”
<p>
“/nytySa, F hAv Askt V not t spIk v HAt. let as tYk abQt V.”
<p>
HE wx sFlant awFl.
<p>
“bat wF gO t /pItxzbxg?” /nytySa sadanli Askt, n hEstili riplFd
t hx On kwescan. “bat nO, nO, hI mast... jes, /mXi, /hI mast....”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/fxst /epilog: 1813 - 20
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/sevan jCz hAd pAst. H stPm-tost sI v /jUxapWn histxi hAd
sabsFdad wiHin its SPz n sImd t hAv bikam kym. bat H
mistCWs fPsaz HAt mMv hVmAniti (mistCWs bikoz H lYz v
HX mOSan R annOn t as) kantinVd t opxEt.
<p>
HO H sxfis v H sI v histxi sImd mOSanlas, H mMvmant
v hVmAniti went on Az ansIsiNli Az H flO v tFm. vXWs grMps
v pIpal fPmd n dizolvd, H kamiN fPmESan n disalMSan v
kiNdamz n displEsmant v pIpalz woz in kPs v prepxESan.
<p>
H sI v histxi woz not drivan spAzmodikli from SP t SP Az
prIvWsli. it woz sIHiN in its depTs. histPik figjxz wx not
bPn bF H wEvz from wan SP t anaHx Az bifP. HE nQ sImd
t rOtEt on wan spot. H histPikal figjxz At H hed v Rmiz,
hM fPmxli riflektad H mMvmant v H mAsaz bF PdxiN wPz,
kAmpEnz, n bAtalz, nQ riflektad H restlas mMvmant bF politikal
n diplamAtik kombinESanz, lYz, n trItiz.
<p>
H histPWnz kYl His Aktiviti v H histPikal figjxz “H
riAkSan.”
<p>
in dIliN wiH His pCWd HE stxnli kandem H histPikal
pxsaniJaz hM, in HX apinjan, kYzd wot HE diskrFb Az H
riAkSan. Yl H wel-nOn pIpal v HAt pCWd, from /AliãAndx n
/napOlWn t /madym de /Styl, /fOSas, /SeliN, /fiâta, /SytObriynd,
n H rest, pAs bifP HX stxn JaJmant sIt n R akwitad P
kandemd akPdiN t weHx HE kandMst t progres P t riAkSan.
<p>
akPdiN t HX akQnts a riAkSan tUk plEs At HAt tFm in /raSa
YlsO, n H cIf kalprit woz /AliãAndx F, H sEm mAn hM akPdiN
t Hem woz H cIf kYz v H libxal mMvmant At H kamensmant
v hiz rEn, bIiN H sEvjx v /raSa.
<p>
HX iz nO wan in /raSan litxacx nQ, from skMlbq esEist t
lxnd histPWn, hM daz not TrO hiz lital stOn At /AliãAndx f
TiNz hI did roN At His pCWd v hiz rEn.
<p>
“hI Yt t hAv Aktad in His wE n in HAt wE. in His kEs hI did
wel n in HAt kEs bAdli. hI bihEvd Admxabli At H biginiN v
hiz rEn n dxiN 1812, bat Aktad bAdli bF giviN a konstitMSan
t /pOland, fPmiN H /hOli /alFans, intrastiN pQx t /RykcEef,
fEvxiN /gOlitsin n mistisizam, n Aftxwxdz /SiSkOf n /fOSas.
hI YlsO Aktad bAdli bF kansxniN himself wiH H Aktiv Rmi n
disbAndiN H /semjOnOf reJimant.”
<p>
it wUd tEk a dazan pEJaz t inMmxEt Yl H riprOcaz H
histPWnz adres t him, bEst on HX noliJ v wot iz gUd f
hVmAniti.
<p>
wot dM HIz riprOcaz mIn?
<p>
dM not H veri AkSanz f wic H histPWnz prEz /AliãAndx F
(H libxal atempts At H biginiN v hiz rEn, hiz stragal wiH
/napOlWn, H fxmnas hI displEd in 1812 n H kAmpEn v 1813)
flO from H sEm sPsaz—H sxkamstAnsaz v hiz bxT, eJakESan,
n lFf—HAt mEd hiz pxsanAliti wot it woz n from wic H
AkSanz f wic HE blEm him (H /hOli /alFans, H restxESan v
/pOland, n H riAkSan v 1820 n lEtx) YlsO flOd?
<p>
in wot daz H sabstans v HOz riprOcaz lF?
<p>
it lFz in H fAkt HAt an histPik kAraktx lFk /AliãAndx F,
stAndiN on H hFast posabal pinakal v hVman pQx wiH H
blFndiN lFt v histxi fOkast apon him; a kAraktx iäpOzd t HOz
stroNgast v Yl inflMansaz: H intrIã, flAtxi, n self-disepSan
insepxabal from pQx; a kAraktx hM At evri mOment v hiz lFf
felt a risponsabiliti f Yl HAt woz hApaniN in /jUxap; n not
a fiktiSas bat a lFv kAraktx hM lFk evri mAn hAd hiz pxsanal
hAbits, pASanz, n impalsaz tPd gUdnas, bVti, n trMT—HAt
His kAraktx—HO not lAkiN in vxcM (H histPWnz dM not
akVz him v HAt)—hAd not H sEm kansepSan v H welfX v
hVmAniti fifti jCz agO Az a prezant-dE prafesx hM from hiz
VT apwxdz hAz bin okVpFd wiH lxniN: HAt iz, wiH bUä n
lekcxz n wiH tEkiN nOts from Hem.
<p>
bat Ivan if wI asMm HAt fifti jCz agO /AliãAndx F woz mistEkan in
hiz vV v wot woz gUd f H pIpal, wI mast inevitabli asMm HAt
H histPWn hM JaJaz /AliãAndx wil YlsO Aftx H lAps v sam
tFm txn Qt t bI mistEkan in hiz vV v wot iz gUd f hVmAniti.
His asampSan iz Yl H mP nAcxal n inevitabal bikoz, wociN
H mMvmant v histxi, wI sI HAt evri jC n wiH Ic nM
rFtx, apinjan Az t wot iz gUd f mAnkFnd cEnJaz; sO HAt wot
wans sImd gUd, ten jCz lEtx sImz bAd, n vFs vxsa. n wot iz
mP, wI fFnd At wan n H sEm tFm kwFt kontradiktxi vVz Az t
wot iz bAd n wot iz gUd in histxi: sam pIpal rigRd giviN a
konstitMSan t /pOland n fPmiN H /hOli /alFans Az prEzwxHi in
/AliãAndx, wFl aHxz rigRd it Az blEmwxHi.
<p>
H Aktiviti v /AliãAndx P v /napOlWn kAnot bI kYld Vsfal P
hRmfal, f it iz imposabal t sE f wot it woz Vsfal P hRmfal.
if HAt Aktiviti displIzaz sambodi, His iz Onli bikoz it daz
not agrI wiH hiz limitad andxstAndiN v wot iz gUd. weHx H
prezxvESan v mF fyHx'z hQs in /moskQ, P H glPi v H /raSan
Rmz, P H prosperiti v H /pItxzbxg n aHx Vnivxsitiz, P H
frIdam v /pOland P H grEtnas v /raSa, P H bAlans v pQx in
/jUxap, P a sxtan kFnd v /jUxapWn kalcx kYld “progres” apC
t mI t bI gUd P bAd, F mast admit HAt bisFdz HIz TiNz H
AkSan v evri histPik kAraktx hAz aHx mP Jenxal pxpasaz
inaäesabal t mI.
<p>
bat let as asMm HAt wot iz kYld sFans kAn hRmanFz Yl
kontradikSanz n pazesaz an ancEnJiN stAndxd v gUd n bAd bF
wic t trF histPik kAraktxz n ivents; let as sE HAt /AliãAndx
kUd hAv dan evriTiN difxantli; let as sE HAt wiH gFdans
from HOz hM blEm him n hM prafes t nO H altimat Em v H
mMvmant v hVmAniti, hI mFt hAv xEnJd mAtxz akPdiN t
H prOgrAm hiz prezant akVzxz wUd hAv givan him—v nASanAliti,
frIdam, ikwoliti, n progres (HIz, F TiNk, kavx H grQnd). let
as asMm HAt His prOgrAm woz posabal n hAd Hen bin fPmVlEtad,
n HAt /AliãAndx hAd Aktad on it. wot wUd Hen hAv bikam v H
Aktiviti v Yl HOz hM apOzd H tendansi HAt Hen privEld in
H gavxnmant—an Aktiviti HAt in H apinjan v H histPWnz woz
gUd n binefisant? HX Aktiviti wUd not hAv iãistad: HX wUd
hAv bin nO lFf, HX wUd hAv bin naTiN.
<p>
if wI admit HAt hVman lFf kAn bI rMld bF rIzan, H posabiliti v
lFf iz distrqd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
if wI asMm Az H histPWnz dM HAt grEt men lId hVmAniti t H
atEnmant v sxtan endz—H grEtnas v /raSa P v /fryns,
H bAlans v pQx in /jUxap, H difVZan v H FdWz v H
/revalMSan, Jenxal progres, P eniTiN els—Hen it iz imposabal
t iäplEn H fAkts v histxi wiHQt intradMsiN H kansepSanz v
cAns n JInWs.
<p>
if H Em v H /jUxapWn wPz At H biginiN v H nFntInT
sencxi hAd bin H agrAndFzmant v /raSa, HAt Em mFt hAv bin
akompliSt wiHQt Yl H prisIdiN wPz n wiHQt H invEZan. if
H Em woz H agrAndFzmant v /fryns, HAt mFt hAv bin atEnd
wiHQt H /revalMSan n wiHQt H /empFx. if H Em woz H
diseminESan v FdWz, H printiN pres kUd hAv akompliSt HAt
mac betx HAn wPfX. if H Em woz H progres v sivilizESan,
it iz Izi t sI HAt HX R aHx wEz v difVziN sivilizESan
mP iäpIdWnt HAn bF H distrakSan v welT n v hVman lFvz.
<p>
wF did it hApan in His n not in sam aHx wE?
<p>
bikoz it hApand sO! “cAns kriEtad H sicMESan; JInWs VtilFzd
it,” sez histxi.
<p>
bat wot iz cAns? wot iz JInWs?
<p>
H wxdz cAns n JInWs dM not dinOt eni rWli iãistiN TiN n
HXfP kAnot bI difFnd. HOz wxdz Onli dinOt a sxtan stEJ v
andxstAndiN v finomina. F dM not nO wF a sxtan ivent akxz; F
TiNk HAt F kAnot nO it; sO F dM not trF t nO it n F tYk abQt
cAns. F sI a fPs prOdMsiN ifekts bijond H skOp v PdinXi
hVman EJansiz; F dM not andxstAnd wF His akxz n F tYk v
JInWs.
<p>
t a hxd v rAmz, H rAm H hxdzman drFvz Ic IvniN intM a
speSal inklOZx t fId n HAt bikamz twFs Az fAt Az H aHxz
mast sIm t bI a JInWs. n it mast apC an astoniSiN kanJaNkSan
v JInWs wiH a hOl sCIz v iätrPdinXi cAnsaz HAt His rAm,
hM insted v getiN intM H Jenxal fOld evri IvniN gOz intM a
speSal inklOZx wX HX R Ots—HAt His veri rAm, sweliN wiH
fAt, iz kild f mIt.
<p>
bat H rAmz nId Onli sIs t sapOz HAt Yl HAt hApanz t Hem
hApanz sOli f H atEnmant v HX SIpiS Emz; HE nId Onli
admit HAt wot hApanz t Hem mE YlsO hAv pxpasaz bijond HX ken,
n HE wil At wans pxsIv a Vniti n kOhCans in wot hApand
t H rAm HAt woz fAtand. Ivan if HE dM not nO f wot pxpas
HE R fAtand, HE wil At lIst nO HAt Yl HAt hApand t H
rAm did not hApan Aäidentali, n wil nO loNgx nId H kansepSanz
v cAns P JInWs.
<p>
Onli bF rinQnsiN Qx klEm t disxn a pxpas imIdWtli
inteliJabal t as, n admitiN H altimat pxpas t bI bijond Qx
ken, mE wI disxn H sIkwans v iäpCWnsaz in H lFvz v
histPik kAraktxz n pxsIv H kYz v H ifekt HE pradMs
(inkamensxabal wiH PdinXi hVman kEpabilitiz), n Hen H wxdz
cAns n JInWs bikam sMpxflMas.
<p>
wI nId Onli kanfes HAt wI dM not nO H pxpas v H /jUxapWn
kanvalSanz n HAt wI nO Onli H fAkts—HAt iz, H mxdxz, fxst
in /fryns, Hen in /itali, in /Afrika, in /praSa, in /ostrW, in /spEn,
n in /raSa—n HAt H mMvmants from H west t H Ist n from
H Ist t H west fPm H esans n pxpas v HIz ivents, n
not Onli SAl wI hAv nO nId t sI iäepSanal abiliti n JInWs in
/napOlWn n /AliãAndx, bat wI SAl bI anEbal t kansidx Hem t
bI eniTiN bat lFk aHx men, n wI SAl not bI ablFJd t hAv
rIkPs t cAns f an eäplanESan v HOz smYl ivents wic mEd
HIz pIpal wot HE wx, bat it wil bI klC HAt Yl HOz smYl
ivents wx inevitabal.
<p>
bF diskRdiN a klEm t noliJ v H altimat pxpas, wI SAl
klCli pxsIv HAt Jast Az wan kAnot imAJin a blosam P sId f
eni siNgal plAnt betx sMtad t it HAn HOz it prOdMsaz, sO it iz
imposabal t imAJin eni tM pIpal mP kamplItli adAptad dQn t H
smYlast dItEl f H pxpas HE hAd t fUlfil, HAn /napOlWn n
/AliãAndx wiH Yl HX AntisIdants.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
H fandamental n isenSal signifikans v H /jUxapWn ivents v H
biginiN v H nFntInT sencxi lFz in H mMvmant v H mAs v
H /jUxapWn pIpalz from west t Ist n Aftxwxdz from Ist t west.
H kamensmant v HAt mMvmant woz H mMvmant from west t Ist.
f H pIpalz v H west t bI Ebal t mEk HX wPlFk mMvmant
t /moskQ it woz nesisXi: (1) HAt HE SUd fPm Hemselvz intM
a militXi grMp v a sFz Ebal t indx a kaliZan wiH H wPlFk
militXi grMp v H Ist, (2) HAt HE SUd abAndan Yl istAbliSt
tradiSanz n kastamz, n (3) HAt dxiN HX militXi mMvmant HE
SUd hAv At HX hed a mAn hM kUd JastifF t himself n t Hem
H disepSanz, robxiz, n mxdxz wic wUd hAf t bI kamitad
dxiN HAt mMvmant.
<p>
n biginiN wiH H /frenc /revalMSan H Old inAdikwatli lRJ
grMp woz distrqd, Az wel Az H Old hAbits n tradiSanz, n step
bF step a grMp woz fPmd v lRJx dimenSanz wiH nM kastamz n
tradiSanz, n a mAn woz prOdMst hM wUd stAnd At H hed v H
kamiN mMvmant n bX H risponsabiliti f Yl HAt hAd t bI dan.
<p>
a mAn wiHQt kanvikSanz, wiHQt hAbits, wiHQt tradiSanz, wiHQt
a nEm, n not Ivan a /frencman, imxJaz—bF wot sIm H strEnJast
cAnsaz—from amaN Yl H sIHiN /frenc pRtiz, n wiHQt JqniN
eni wan v Hem iz bPn fPwxd t a prominant paziSan.
<p>
H ignxans v hiz kolIã, H wIknas n insignifikans v
hiz apOnants, H frANknas v hiz fYlshUdz, n H dAzaliN n
self-konfidant limitESanz v His mAn rEz him t H hed v H
Rmi. H brilWnt kwolitiz v H sOlJxz v H Rmi sent t /itali,
hiz apOnants' rilaktans t fFt, n hiz On cFldiS YdAsiti n
self-konfidans sikjUx him militXi fEm. inMmxabal sO-kYld cAnsaz
akampani him evriwX. H disfEvx intM wic hI fYlz wiH H
rMlxz v /fryns txnz t hiz advAntiJ. hiz atempts t avqd hiz
prIdestind pAT R ansaäesfal: hI iz not risIvd intM H /raSan
sxvis, n H apqntmant hI sIä in /txki kamz t naTiN. dxiN
H wP in /itali hI iz sevxal tFmz on H vxJ v distrakSan n
Ic tFm iz sEvd in an aniäpektad mAnx. OiN t vXWs diplamAtik
kansidxESanz H /raSan Rmiz—Jast HOz wic mFt hAv distrqd
hiz prestIZ—dM not apC apon H sIn til hI iz nO loNgx HX.
<p>
on hiz ritxn from /itali hI fFndz H gavxnmant in /pAris in a proses
v disalMSan in wic Yl HOz hM R in it R inevitabli wFpt
Qt n distrqd. n bF cAns an iskEp from His dEnJxas paziSan
prizents itself in H fPm v an Emlas n senslas eäpidiSan
t /Afrika. agen sO-kYld cAns akampaniz him. impregnabal /mYlta
sxendxz wiHQt a Sot; hiz mOst reklas skImz R krQnd wiH
saäes. H enami'z flIt, wic sabsikwantli did not let a siNgal bOt
pAs, alQz hiz intFx Rmi t ilMd it. in /Afrika a hOl sCIz v
QtrEJaz R kamitad agenst H YlmOst anRmd inhAbitants. n H
men hM kamit HIz krFmz, ispeSali HX lIdx, aSUx Hemselvz
HAt His iz Admxabal, His iz glPi—it rizembalz /sIzx n /AliãAndx
H /grEt n iz HXfP gUd.
<p>
His FdWl v glPi n grAnJx—wic kansists not mCli in
kansidxiN naTiN roN HAt wan daz bat in prFdiN wanself on evri
krFm wan kamits, askrFbiN t it an inkomprihensabal sMpxnAcxal
signifikans—HAt FdWl, destind t gFd His mAn n hiz asOSWts,
hAd skOp f its divelapmant in /Afrika. wotevx hI daz saäIdz. H
plEg daz not tac him. H krMalti v mxdxiN prizanxz iz not
impVtad t him Az a fYlt. hiz cFldiSli rAS, ankYld-f, n
ignObal dipRcx from /Afrika, lIviN hiz komrAdz in distres, iz
set dQn t hiz kredit, n agen H enami'z flIt twFs lets him slip
pAst. wen, intoäikEtad bF H krFmz hI hAz kamitad sO saäesfali,
hI rIcaz /pAris, H disalMSan v H ripablikan gavxnmant, wic a
jC xlC mFt hAv rMind him, hAz rIct its iätrIm limit, n
hiz prezans HX nQ Az a nMkamx frI from pRti intANgalmants kAn
Onli sxv t iãYlt him—n HO hI himself hAz nO plAn, hI iz kwFt
redi f hiz nM rOl.
<p>
hI hAd nO plAn, hI woz afrEd v evriTiN, bat H pRtiz snAct At
him n dimAndad hiz pRtisipESan.
<p>
hI alOn—wiH hiz FdWl v glPi n grAnJx divelapt in /itali n
/IJipt, hiz insEn self-AdVlESan, hiz bOldnas in krFm n frANknas in
lFiN—hI alOn kUd JastifF wot hAd t bI dan.
<p>
hI iz nIdad f H plEs HAt awEts him, n sO YlmOst apRt from
hiz wil n dispFt hiz indisiZan, hiz lAk v a plAn, n Yl hiz
mistEä, hI iz drYn intM a kanspirasi HAt Emz At sIziN pQx n
H kanspirasi iz krQnd wiH saäes.
<p>
hI iz pUSt intM a mItiN v H leJislEcx. in alRm hI wiSaz t
flI, kansidxiN himself lost. hI pritendz t fYl intM a swMn n
sez senslas TiNz HAt SUd hAv rMind him. bat H wans prQd
n SrMd rMlxz v /fryns, fIliN HAt HX pRt iz plEd Qt, R
Ivan mP biwildxd HAn hI, n dM not sE H wxdz HE SUd hAv
sed t distrq him n ritEn HX pQx.
<p>
cAns, milWnz v cAnsaz, giv him pQx, n Yl men Az if bF
agrImant kO-opxEt t kanfxm HAt pQx. cAns fPmz H kAraktxz
v H rMlxz v /fryns, hM sabmit t him; cAns fPmz H kAraktx
v /pYl F v /raSa hM rekagnFzaz hiz gavxnmant; cAns kantrFvz
a plot agenst him wic not Onli fElz t hRm him bat kanfxmz hiz
pQx. cAns pUts H /dMk /d'yNgien in hiz hAndz n aniäpektadli
kYzaz him t kil him—HXbF kanvinsiN H mob mP fPsabli HAn
in eni aHx wE HAt hI hAd H rFt, sins hI hAd H mFt.
cAns kantrFvz HAt HO hI direkts Yl hiz efxts t pripX an
eäpidiSan agenst /iNgland (wic wUd inevitabli hAv rMind him) hI
nevx kAriz Qt HAt intenSan, bat aniäpektadli fYlz apon /mAk n
H /ostrWnz, hM sxendx wiHQt a bAtal. cAns n JInWs giv
him H viktxi At /Qstxlits; n bF cAns Yl men, not Onli H
/frenc bat Yl /jUxap—iäept /iNgland wic daz not tEk pRt in H
ivents abQt t hApan—dispFt HX fPmx horx n ditestESan v
hiz krFmz, nQ rekagnFz hiz YToriti, H tFtal hI hAz givan
himself, n hiz FdWl v grAnJx n glPi, wic sImz eäalant n
rIzanabal t Hem Yl.
<p>
Az if meZxiN Hemselvz n pripXiN f H kamiN mMvmant, H
westxn fPsaz pUS tPd H Ist sevxal tFmz in 1805, 1806, 1807,
n 1809, gEniN streNT n grOiN. in 1811 H grMp v pIpal HAt
hAd fPmd in /fryns VnFts intM wan grMp wiH H pIpalz v /sentral
/jUxap. H streNT v H JastifikESan v H mAn hM stAndz At H
hed v H mMvmant grOz wiH H inkrIst sFz v H grMp. dxiN
H ten-jC pripAratPi pCWd His mAn hAd fPmd rilESanz wiH Yl
H krQnd hedz v /jUxap. H diskreditad rMlxz v H wxld kAn
apOz nO rIzanabal FdWl t H insensEt /napOlionik FdWl v
glPi n grAnJx. wan Aftx anaHx HE hEsan t displE HX
insignifikans bifP him. H /kiN v /praSa sendz hiz wFf t sIk
H grEt mAn'z mxsi; H /empxx v /ostrW kansidxz it a fEvx HAt
His mAn risIvz a dYtx v H /sIzxz intM hiz bed; H /pOp, H
gRdWn v Yl HAt H nESanz hOld sEkrad, VtilFzaz riliJan f H
agrAndFzmant v H grEt mAn. it iz not /napOlWn hM pripXz himself
f H akompliSmant v hiz rOl, sO mac Az Yl HOz rQnd him hM
pripX him t tEk on himself H hOl risponsabiliti f wot iz
hApaniN n hAs t hApan. HX iz nO step, nO krFm P peti frYd
hI kamits, wic in H mQHz v HOz xQnd him iz not At wans
reprizentad Az a grEt dId. H mOst sMtabal fEt H /Jxmanz kAn
divFz f him iz a selabrESan v /Jena n /QxStyt. not Onli iz hI
grEt, bat sO R hiz Ansestxz, hiz braHxz, hiz stepsanz, n hiz
braHxz-in-lY. evriTiN iz dan t diprFv him v H rimEnz v hiz
rIzan n t pripX him f hiz teribal pRt. n wen hI iz redi sO
tM R H fPsaz.
<p>
H invEZan pUSaz Istwxd n rIcaz its fFnal gOl—/moskQ. HAt
siti iz tEkan; H /raSan Rmi safxz hevC losaz HAn H apOziN
Rmiz hAd safxd in H fPmx wP from /Qstxlits t /vygrym. bat
sadanli insted v HOz cAnsaz n HAt JInWs wic hiHxtM hAd
sO kansistantli led him bF an anintxaptad sCIz v saäesaz t H
prIdestind gOl, an inMmxabal sIkwans v invxs cAnsaz akx—from
H kOld in hiz hed At /bPOdinO t H spRä wic set /moskQ on
fFx, n H frosts—n insted v JInWs, stMpiditi n imeZxabal
bEsnas bikam evidant.
<p>
H invEdxz flI, txn bAk, flI agen, n Yl H cAnsaz R nQ
not f /napOlWn bat YlwEz agenst him.
<p>
a kQntxmMvmant iz Hen akompliSt from Ist t west wiH a
rimRkabal rizembalans t H prisIdiN mMvmant from west t Ist.
atemptad drFvz from Ist t west—similx t H kontrXi mMvmants v
1805, 1807, n 1809—prisId H grEt westwxd mMvmant; HX iz H
sEm kOalesans intM a grMp v inPmas dimenSanz; H sEm AdhIZan
v H pIpal v /sentral /jUxap t H mMvmant; H sEm hezitESan
midwE, n H sEm inkrIsiN rapiditi Az H gOl iz aprOct.
<p>
/pAris, H altimat gOl, iz rIct. H /napOlionik gavxnmant n Rmi
R distrqd. /napOlWn himself iz nO loNgx v eni akQnt; Yl hiz
AkSanz R evidentli pitifal n mIn, bat agen an iniäplikabal cAns
akxz. H AlFz ditest /napOlWn hMm HE rigRd Az H kYz v
HX safxiNz. diprFvd v pQx n YToriti, hiz krFmz n hiz
krAft iäpOzd, hI SUd hAv apCd t Hem wot hI apCd ten
jCz prIvWsli n wan jC lEtx—an QtlYd brigand. bat bF sam
strEnJ cAns nO wan pxsIvz His. hiz pRt iz not jet endad. H mAn
hM ten jCz bifP n a jC lEtx woz kansidxd an QtlYd brigand
iz sent t an Fland tM dEz' sEl from /fryns, wic f sam rIzan
iz prizentad t him Az hiz daminWn, n gRdz R givan t him n
milWnz v mani R pEd him.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
H flad v nESanz biginz t sabsFd intM its nPmal cAnalz. H
wEvz v H grEt mMvmant abEt, n on H kym sxfis ediz R
fPmd in wic flOt H diplOmatists, hM imAJin HAt HE hAv
kYzd H fladz t abEt.
<p>
bat H smMH sI agen sadanli bikamz distxbd. H diplOmatists
TiNk HAt HX disagrImants R H kYz v His freS preSx
v nAcxal fPsaz; HE AntisipEt wP bitwIn HX sovranz; H
paziSan sImz t Hem insolVbal. bat H wEv HE fIl t bI rFziN
daz not kam from H kwPtx HE iäpekt. it rFzaz agen from H sEm
pqnt Az bifP—/pAris. H lAst bAkwoS v H mMvmant from H west
akxz: a bAkwoS wic sxvz t solv H apArantli insMpxabal
diplamAtik difikaltiz n endz H militXi mMvmant v HAt pCWd v
histxi.
<p>
H mAn hM hAd devastEtad /fryns ritxnz t /fryns alOn, wiHQt eni
kanspirasi n wiHQt sOlJxz. eni gRd mFt xest him, bat bF
strEnJ cAns nO wan daz sO n Yl rApcxasli grIt H mAn HE
kxst H dE bifP n wil kxs agen a manT lEtx.
<p>
His mAn iz stil nIdad t JastifF H fFnal kalektiv Akt.
<p>
HAt Akt iz pxfPmd.
<p>
H lAst rOl iz plEd. H Aktx iz bidan t disrOb n woS of hiz
pQdx n pEnt: hI wil not bI wontad eni mP.
<p>
n sam jCz pAs dxiN wic hI plEz a pitifal komadi t himself
in solitMd on hiz Fland, JastifFiN hiz AkSanz bF intrIã n lFz
wen H JastifikESan iz nO loNgx nIdad, n displEiN t H hOl
wxld wot it woz HAt pIpal hAd mistEkan f streNT Az loN Az an
ansIn hAnd direktad hiz AkSanz.
<p>
H mAniJx hAviN brYt H dryma t a klOs n stript H Aktx
SOz him t as.
<p>
“sI wot V bilIvd in! His iz hI! dM V nQ sI HAt it woz not hI
bat F hM mMvd V?”
<p>
bat dEzd bF H fPs v H mMvmant, it woz loN bifP pIpal
andxstUd His.
<p>
stil grEtx kOhCans n inevitabiliti iz sIn in H lFf v
/AliãAndx F, H mAn hM stUd At H hed v H kQntxmMvmant from
Ist t west.
<p>
wot woz nIdad f him hM, OvxSAdOiN aHxz, stUd At H hed v
HAt mMvmant from Ist t west?
<p>
wot woz nIdad woz a sens v Jastis n a simpaTi wiH /jUxapWn
afXz, bat a rimOt simpaTi not dald bF peti intxasts; a mPal
sMpCiPiti Ovx HOz sovranz v H dE hM kO-opxEtad wiH him;
a mFld n atrAktiv pxsanAliti; n a pxsanal grIvans agenst
/napOlWn. n Yl His woz fQnd in /AliãAndx F; Yl His hAd bin
pripXd bF inMmxabal sO-kYld cAnsaz in hiz lFf: hiz eJakESan,
hiz xli libxalizam, H advFzxz hM sxQndad him, n bF
/Qstxlits, n /tilzit, n /Xfxt.
<p>
dxiN H nASanal wP hI woz inAktiv bikoz hI woz not nIdad. bat
Az sMn Az H nisesiti f a Jenxal /jUxapWn wP prizentad itself hI
apCd in hiz plEs At H givan mOment n, VnFtiN H nESanz v
/jUxap, led Hem t H gOl.
<p>
H gOl iz rIct. Aftx H fFnal wP v 1815 /AliãAndx pazesaz Yl
posabal pQx. hQ daz hI Vz it?
<p>
/AliãAndx F—H pAsifFx v /jUxap, H mAn hM from hiz xli jCz
hAd strivan Onli f hiz pIpal'z welfX, H xiJinEtx v H libxal
inavESanz in hiz fyHxlAnd—nQ HAt hI sImd t pazes H atmOst
pQx n HXfP t hAv H posabiliti v briNiN abQt H
welfX v hiz pIpalz—At H tFm wen /napOlWn in eäFl woz drYiN
ap cFldiS n mendESas plAnz v hQ hI wUd hAv mEd mAnkFnd hApi
hAd hI ritEnd pQx—/AliãAndx F, hAviN fUlfild hiz miSan n
fIliN H hAnd v /god apon him, sadanli rekagnFzaz H insignifikans
v HAt sapOzd pQx, txnz awE from it, n givz it intM H hAndz
v kantemptabal men hMm hI dispFzaz, sEiN Onli:
<p>
“not antM as, not antM as, bat antM /HF /nEm!... F tM Am a mAn lFk H
rest v V. let mI liv lFk a mAn n TiNk v mF sOl n v /god.”
<p>
Az H san n Ic Atam v ITx iz a sfC kamplIt in itself, n
jet At H sEm tFm Onli a pRt v a hOl tM imens f mAn t
komprihend, sO Ic indiviJMal hAz wiHin himself hiz On Emz n jet
hAz Hem t sxv a Jenxal pxpas inkomprihensabal t mAn.
<p>
a bI setaliN on a flQx hAz staN a cFld. n H cFld iz afrEd
v bIz n diklXz HAt bIz iãist t stiN pIpal. a pOat admFxz H
bI sakiN from H cAlis v a flQx n sez it iãists t sak H
frEgrans v flQxz. a bIkIpx, sIiN H bI kalekt polan from
flQxz n kAri it t H hFv, sez HAt it iãists t gAHx hani.
anaHx bIkIpx hM hAz stadid H lFf v H hFv mP klOsli
sez HAt H bI gAHxz polan dast t fId H jaN bIz n rC
a kwIn, n HAt it iãists t pxpecMEt its rEs. a botanist nOtisaz
HAt H bI flFiN wiH H polan v a mEl flQx t a pistal
fxtilFzaz H lAtx, n sIz in His H pxpas v H bI'z
iãistans. anaHx, abzxviN H mFgrESan v plAnts, nOtisaz HAt H
bI helps in His wxk, n mE sE HAt in His lFz H pxpas v H
bI. bat H altimat pxpas v H bI iz not iãYstad bF H fxst,
H sekand, P eni v H prosesaz H hVman mFnd kAn disxn. H
hFx H hVman intalekt rFzaz in H diskavxi v HIz pxpasaz,
H mP obvWs it bikamz, HAt H altimat pxpas iz bijond Qx
komprihenSan.
<p>
Yl HAt iz aäesabal t mAn iz H rilESan v H lFf v H bI t
aHx mAnifestESanz v lFf. n sO it iz wiH H pxpas v histPik
kAraktxz n nESanz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
/nytySa'z wediN t /bezMâOf, wic tUk plEs in 1813, woz H lAst
hApi ivent in H fAmli v H Old /rOstOfs. kQnt /ilja /rOstOf dFd
HAt sEm jC n, Az YlwEz hApanz, Aftx H fyHx'z deT H
fAmli grMp brOk ap.
<p>
H ivents v H prIvWs jC: H bxniN v /moskQ n H flFt
from it, H deT v /prins /AndrM, /nytySa'z dispX, /petja'z deT,
n H Old kQntas' grIf fel blO Aftx blO on H Old kQnt's
hed. hI sImd t bI anEbal t andxstAnd H mIniN v Yl HIz
ivents, n bQd hiz Old hed in a spiricMal sens Az if iäpektiN n
invFtiN fxHx blOz wic wUd finiS him. hI sImd nQ frFtand
n distrYt n nQ annAcxali AnimEtad n entxprFziN.
<p>
H xEnJmants f /nytySa'z mAriJ okVpFd him f a wFl. hI
Pdxd dinxz n sapxz n obvWsli trFd t apC cCfal, bat
hiz cCfalnas woz not infekSas Az it Vst t bI: on H kontrXi it
ivOkt H kampASan v HOz hM nM n lFkt him.
<p>
wen /piX n hiz wFf hAd left, hI grM veri kwFat n bigAn t
kamplEn v dipreSan. a fV dEz lEtx hI fel il n tUk t hiz
bed. hI rWlFzd from H fxst HAt hI wUd not get ap agen, dispFt
H doktx'z inkariJmant. H kQntas pAst a fPtnFt in an
RmcX bF hiz pilO wiHQt andresiN. evri tFm SI gEv him
hiz medisin hI sobd n sFlantli kist hx hAnd. on hiz lAst dE,
sobiN, hI Askt hx n hiz Absant san t fxgiv him f hAviN
disipEtad HX propxti—HAt bIiN H cIf fYlt v wic hI woz
konSas. Aftx risIviN kamVnWn n aNkSan hI kwFatli dFd; n
neät dE a TroN v akwEntansaz hM kEm t pE HX lAst rispekts
t H disIst fild H hQs rentad bF H /rOstOfs. Yl HIz
akwEntansaz, hM hAd sO oftan dFnd n dAnst At hiz hQs n hAd sO
oftan lAft At him, nQ sed, wiH a koman fIliN v self-riprOc
n imOSan, Az if JastifFiN Hemselvz: “wel, wotevx hI mE hAv
bin hI woz a mOst wxHi mAn. V dOnt mIt sac men nQadEz.... n
wic v as hAz not wIknasaz v hiz On?”
<p>
it woz Jast wen H kQnt's afXz hAd bikam sO involvd HAt it woz
imposabal t sE wot wUd hApan if hI livd anaHx jC HAt hI
aniäpektadli dFd.
<p>
/nikalas woz wiH H /raSan Rmi in /pAris wen H nMz v hiz
fyHx'z deT rIct him. hI At wans rizFnd hiz kamiSan, n
wiHQt wEtiN f it t bI aäeptad tUk lIv v Absans n went t
/moskQ. H stEt v H kQnt's afXz bikEm kwFt obvWs a manT
Aftx hiz deT, sxprFziN evriwan bF H imens tOtal v smYl
dets H iãistans v wic nO wan hAd saspektad. H dets amQntad t
dabal H vAlV v H propxti.
<p>
frendz n rilESanz advFzd /nikalas t diklFn H inheritans. bat
hI rigRdad sac a rifVzal Az a slx on hiz fyHx'z memxi, wic hI
held sEkrad, n HXfP wUd not hC v rifVziN n aäeptad H
inheritans tageHx wiH H obligESan t pE H dets.
<p>
H kreditxz hM hAd sO loN bin sFlant, ristrEnd bF a vEg
bat pQxfal inflMans iãxtad on Hem wFl hI livd bF H kQnt's
kXlas gUd nEcx, Yl prOsIdad t infPs HX klEmz At wans. Az
YlwEz hApanz in sac kEsaz rFvalri sprAN ap Az t wic SUd get
pEd fxst, n HOz hM lFk /mitenka held promisPi nOts givan Hem
Az prezants nQ bikEm H mOst iãAktiN v H kreditxz. /nikalas woz
alQd nO respit n nO pIs, n HOz hM hAd sImd t piti
H Old mAn—H kYz v HX losaz (if HE wx losaz)—nQ
rimPslasli pxsMd H jaN X hM hAd volantXili andxtEkan H
dets n woz obvWsli not gilti v kantrAktiN Hem.
<p>
not wan v H plAnz /nikalas trFd saäIdad; H istEt woz sOld bF
YkSan f hAf its vAlV, n hAf H dets stil rimEnd
anpEd. /nikalas aäeptad Txti TQzand rMbalz ofxd him bF hiz
braHx-in-lY /bezMâOf t pE of dets hI rigRdad Az JenVinli dM
f vAlV risIvd. n t avqd bIiN imprizand f H rimEndx, Az
H kreditxz Tretand, hI rI-entxd H gavxnmant sxvis.
<p>
hI kUd not rIJqn H Rmi wX hI wUd hAv bin mEd kxnal At
H neät vEkansi, f hiz maHx nQ klaN t him Az hx wan hOld on
lFf; n sO dispFt hiz rilaktans t rimEn in /moskQ amaN pIpal hM
hAd nOn him bifP, n dispFt hiz abhPans v H sivil sxvis,
hI aäeptad a pOst in /moskQ in HAt sxvis, doft H VnifPm v
wic hI woz sO fond, n mMvd wiH hiz maHx n /sonja t a smYl
hQs on H /sivtsef /vryZOk.
<p>
/nytySa n /piX wx liviN in /pItxzbxg At H tFm n hAd nO
klC FdW v /nikalas' sxkamstAnsaz. hAviN borOd mani from hiz
braHx-in-lY, /nikalas trFd t hFd hiz recad kandiSan from him.
hiz paziSan woz H mP difikalt bikoz wiH hiz sAlxi v twelv
handrad rMbalz hI hAd not Onli t kIp himself, hiz maHx, n /sonja,
bat hAd t SIld hiz maHx from noliJ v HX povxti. H
kQntas kUd not kansIv v lFf wiHQt H lagZUxWs kandiSanz SI
hAd bin Vzd t from cFldhUd n, anEbal t rWlFz hQ hRd it woz
f hx san, kept dimAndiN nQ a kAriJ (wic HE did not kIp) t
send f a frend, nQ sam iäpensiv Rtikal v fMd f hxself, P
wFn f hx san, P mani t bF a prezant Az a sxprFz f /nytySa P
/sonja, P f /nikalas himself.
<p>
/sonja kept hQs, atendad on hx ynt, red t hx, pUt ap wiH hx
wimz n sIkrat il-wil, n helpt /nikalas t kansIl HX povxti
from H Old kQntas. /nikalas felt himself iridImabli indetad
t /sonja f Yl SI woz dMiN f hiz maHx n grEtli admFxd hx
pESans n divOSan, bat trFd t kIp alMf from hx.
<p>
hI sImd in hiz hRt t riprOc hx f bIiN tM pxfikt, n
bikoz HX woz naTiN t riprOc hx wiH. SI hAd Yl HAt pIpal
R vAlVd f, bat lital HAt kUd hAv mEd him lav hx. hI felt
HAt H mP hI vAlVd hx H les hI lavd hx. hI hAd tEkan hx At
hx wxd wen SI rOt giviN him hiz frIdam n nQ bihEvd Az if Yl
HAt hAd pAst bitwIn Hem hAd bin loN fxgotan n kUd nevx in
eni kEs bI rinMd.
<p>
/nikalas' paziSan bikEm wxs n wxs. H FdW v pUtiN samTiN
asFd Qt v hiz sAlxi prMvd a drIm. not Onli did hI not sEv
eniTiN, bat t kamplF wiH hiz maHx'z dimAndz hI Ivan inkxd sam
smYl dets. hI kUd sI nO wE Qt v His sicMESan. H FdW v
mAriiN sam ric wUman, wic woz saJestad t him bF hiz fImEl
rilESanz, woz ripagnant t him. H aHx wE Qt—hiz maHx'z
deT—nevx entxd hiz hed. hI wiSt f naTiN n hOpt
f naTiN, n dIp in hiz hRt iäpCWnst a glMmi n stxn
sAtisfAkSan in an ankamplEniN indxans v hiz paziSan. hI trFd
t avqd hiz Old akwEntansaz wiH HX kamizxESan n afensiv
ofxz v asistans; hI avqdad Yl distrAkSan n rekriESan, n
Ivan At hOm did naTiN bat plE kRdz wiH hiz maHx, pEs sFlantli
ap n dQn H rMm, n smOk wan pFp Aftx anaHx. hI sImd
kXfali t ceriS wiHin himself H glMmi mMd wic alOn inEbald
him t indx hiz paziSan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
At H biginiN v wintx /prinsas /mXi kEm t /moskQ. from ripPts
karant in tQn SI lxnd hQ H /rOstOfs wx sicMEtad, n hQ “H
san hAz sAkrifFst himself f hiz maHx,” Az pIpal wx sEiN.
<p>
“F nevx iäpektad eniTiN els v him,” sed /prinsas /mXi t hxself,
fIliN a Jqas sens v hx lav f him. rimembxiN hx frendli
rilESanz wiH Yl H /rOstOfs wic hAd mEd hx YlmOst a membx v H
fAmli, SI TYt it hx dMti t gO t sI Hem. bat rimembxiN hx
rilESanz wiH /nikalas in /vPOneZ SI woz SF abQt dMiN sO. mEkiN
a grEt efxt SI did hQevx gO t kYl on Hem a fV wIä Aftx hx
xFval in /moskQ.
<p>
/nikalas woz H fxst t mIt hx, Az H kQntas' rMm kUd Onli bI
rIct TrM hiz. bat insted v bIiN grItad wiH pleZx Az SI
hAd iäpektad, At hiz fxst glAns At hx hiz fEs asMmd a kOld, stif,
prQd iäpreSan SI hAd not sIn on it bifP. hI inkwFxd abQt hx
helT, led H wE t hiz maHx, n hAviN sAt HX f fFv minits
left H rMm.
<p>
wen H prinsas kEm Qt v H kQntas' rMm /nikalas met hx agen,
n wiH mRkt salemniti n stifnas akampanid hx t H AntirMm.
t hx rimRä abQt hiz maHx'z helT hI mEd nO riplF. “wot's HAt
t V? lIv mI in pIs,” hiz lUä sImd t sE.
<p>
“wF daz SI kam prQliN hC? wot daz SI wont? F kAnt bX HIz
lEdiz n Yl HIz sivilitiz!” sed hI alQd in /sonja'z prezans,
evidentli anEbal t ripres hiz veäESan, Aftx H prinsas' kAriJ
hAd disapCd.
<p>
“O, /nikalas, hQ kAn V tYk lFk HAt?” krFd /sonja, hRdli Ebal t
kansIl hx dilFt. “SI iz sO kFnd n /mymy iz sO fond v hx!”
<p>
/nikalas did not riplF n trFd t avqd spIkiN v H prinsas eni
mP. bat Aftx hx vizit H Old kQntas spOk v hx sevxal tFmz a
dE.
<p>
SI sAN hx prEzaz, insistad HAt hx san mast kYl on hx, iäprest
a wiS t sI hx oftan, bat jet YlwEz bikEm il-hVmxd wen SI
bigAn t tYk abQt hx.
<p>
/nikalas trFd t kIp sFlans wen hiz maHx spOk v H prinsas,
bat hiz sFlans iritEtad hx.
<p>
“SI iz a veri Admxabal n eäalant jaN wUman,” sed SI, “n V
mast gO n kYl on hx. V wUd At lIst bI sIiN sambodi, n F
TiNk it mast bI dal f V Onli sIiN as.”
<p>
“bat F dOnt in H lIst wont t, /mymy.”
<p>
“V Vst t wont t, n nQ V dOnt. rWli F dOnt andxstAnd V,
mF dC. wan dE V R dal, n H neät V rifVz t sI eniwan.”
<p>
“bat F nevx sed F woz dal.”
<p>
“wF, V sed jPself V dOnt wont Ivan t sI hx. SI iz a veri
Admxabal jaN wUman n V YlwEz lFkt hx, bat nQ sadanli V
hAv got sam nOSan P aHx in jP hed. V hFd evriTiN from
mI.”
<p>
“not At Yl, /mymy.”
<p>
“if F wx AskiN V t dM samTiN disagrIabal nQ—bat F Onli Ask
V t ritxn a kYl. wan wUd TiNk mC palFtnas rikwFxd it....
wel, F hAv Askt V, n nQ F wOnt intxfC eni mP sins V
hAv sIkrats from jP maHx.”
<p>
“wel, Hen, F'l gO if V wiS it.”
<p>
“it dazant mAtx t mI. F Onli wiS it f jP sEk.”
<p>
/nikalas sFd, bit hiz mastAS, n lEd Qt H kRdz f a
pESans, trFiN t dFvxt hiz maHx'z atenSan t anaHx topik.
<p>
H sEm konvxsESan woz ripItad neät dE n H dE Aftx, n H
dE Aftx HAt.
<p>
Aftx hx vizit t H /rOstOfs n hx aniäpektadli cili risepSan bF
/nikalas, /prinsas /mXi kanfest t hxself HAt SI hAd bin rFt in
not wiSiN t bI H fxst t kYl.
<p>
“F iäpektad naTiN els,” SI tOld hxself, kYliN hx prFd t hx
Ed. “F hAv naTiN t dM wiH him n F Onli wontad t sI H
Old lEdi, hM woz YlwEz kFnd t mI n t hMm F Am andx meni
obligESanz.”
<p>
bat SI kUd not pAsifF hxself wiH HIz riflekSanz; a fIliN akin
t rimPs trabald hx wen SI TYt v hx vizit. HO SI hAd
fxmli rizolvd not t kYl on H /rOstOfs agen n t fxget H hOl
mAtx, SI felt hxself Yl H tFm in an Ykwxd paziSan. n wen
SI Askt hxself wot distrest hx, SI hAd t admit HAt it woz hx
rilESan t /rOstOf. hiz kOld, palFt mAnx did not iäpres hiz fIliN
f hx (SI nM HAt) bat it kansIld samTiN, n antil SI kUd
diskavx wot HAt samTiN woz, SI felt HAt SI kUd not bI At
Iz.
<p>
wan dE in midwintx wen sitiN in H skMlrMm atendiN t hx
nefV'z lesanz, SI woz infPmd HAt /rOstOf hAd kYld. wiH a fxm
rezalMSan not t bitrE hxself n not SO hx AJitESan, SI sent
f /mAdamwazel /bMrien n went wiH hx t H drYiN rMm.
<p>
hx fxst glAns At /nikalas' fEs tOld hx HAt hI hAd Onli kam t
fUlfil H dimAndz v palFtnas, n SI fxmli rizolvd t mEntEn
H tOn in wic hI adrest hx.
<p>
HE spOk v H kQntas' helT, v HX mVcMal frendz, v H
lEtast wP nMz, n wen H ten minits rikwFxd bF praprFati hAd
ilApst Aftx wic a vizitx mE rFz, /nikalas got ap t sE gUd-bF.
<p>
wiH /mAdamwazel /bMrien'z help H prinsas hAd mEntEnd H
konvxsESan veri wel, bat At H veri lAst mOment, Jast wen hI rOz,
SI woz sO tFxd v tYkiN v wot did not intxast hx, n hx
mFnd woz sO fUl v H kwescan wF SI alOn woz grAntad sO lital
hApinas in lFf, HAt in a fit v Absant-mFndadnas SI sAt stil, hx
lMminas Fz gEziN fiäadli bifP hx, not nOtisiN HAt hI hAd rizan.
<p>
/nikalas glAnst At hx n, wiSiN t apC not t nOtis hx
AbstrAkSan, mEd sam rimRk t /mAdamwazel /bMrien n Hen
agen lUkt At H prinsas. SI stil sAt mOSanlas wiH a lUk v
safxiN on hx Jental fEs. hI sadanli felt sori f hx n woz
vEgli konSas HAt hI mFt bI H kYz v H sAdnas hx fEs
iäprest. hI wiSt t help hx n sE samTiN plezant, bat kUd
TiNk v naTiN t sE.
<p>
“gUd-bF, /prinsas!” sed hI.
<p>
SI stRtad, flaSt, n sFd dIpli.
<p>
“O, F beg jP pRdan,” SI sed Az if wEkiN ap. “R V gOiN
Ylredi, /kQnt? wel Hen, gUd-bF! O, bat H kUSan f H
kQntas!”
<p>
“wEt a mOment, F'l fec it,” sed /mAdamwazel /bMrien, n SI
left H rMm.
<p>
HE bOT sAt sFlant, wiH an akEZanal glAns At wan anaHx.
<p>
“jes, /prinsas,” sed /nikalas At lAst wiH a sAd smFl, “it dazant
sIm loN agO sins wI fxst met At /bOgMcROvO, bat hQ mac wYtx
hAz flOd sins Hen! in wot distres wI Yl sImd t bI Hen, jet
F wUd giv mac t briN bAk HAt tFm... bat HX'z nO briNiN it
bAk.”
<p>
prinsas /mXi gEzd intentli intM hiz Fz wiH hx On lMminas wanz
Az hI sed His. SI sImd t bI trFiN t fAHam H hidan mIniN v
hiz wxdz wic wUd iäplEn hiz fIliN f hx.
<p>
“jes, jes,” sed SI, “bat V hAv nO rIzan t rigret H pAst, /kQnt.
Az F andxstAnd jP prezant lFf, F TiNk V wil YlwEz rikYl it
wiH sAtisfAkSan, bikoz H self-sAkrifFs HAt filz it nQ...”
<p>
“F kAnot aäept jP prEz,” hI intxaptad hx haridli. “on H
kontrXi F kantinVali riprOc mFself.... bat His iz not At Yl an
intxastiN P cCfal sabJekt.”
<p>
hiz fEs agen rizMmd its fPmx stif n kOld iäpreSan. bat H
prinsas hAd kYt a glimps v H mAn SI hAd nOn n lavd, n it
woz t him HAt SI nQ spOk.
<p>
“F TYt V wUd alQ mI t tel V His,” SI sed. “F hAd kam
sO nC t V... n t Yl jP fAmli HAt F TYt V wUd not
kansidx mF simpaTi misplEst, bat F woz mistEkan,” n sadanli hx
vqs trembald. “F dOnt nO wF,” SI kantinVd, rikavxiN hxself,
“bat V Vst t bI difxant, n...”
<p>
“HX R a TQzand rIzanz wF,” lEiN speSal emfasis on H wF.
“TANk V, /prinsas,” hI Adad softli. “samtFmz it iz hRd.”
<p>
“sO HAt's wF! HAt's wF!” a vqs wispxd in /prinsas /mXi'z sOl.
“nO, it woz not Onli HAt gE, kFnd, n frANk lUk, not Onli HAt
hAndsam iätCC, HAt F lavd in him. F divFnd hiz nObal, rezalMt,
self-sAkrifFsiN spirit tM,” SI sed t hxself. “jes, hI iz pUx nQ
n F Am ric.... jes, HAt's H Onli rIzan.... jes, wx it not f
HAt...” n rimembxiN hiz fPmx tendxnas, n lUkiN nQ At hiz
kFnd, sorOfal fEs, SI sadanli andxstUd H kYz v hiz kOldnas.
<p>
“bat wF, /kQnt, wF?” SI YlmOst krFd, ankonSasli mMviN klOsx t
him. “wF? tel mI. V mast tel mI!”
<p>
hI woz sFlant.
<p>
“F dOnt andxstAnd jP wF, /kQnt,” SI kantinVd, “bat it's hRd f
mI... F kanfes it. f sam rIzan V wiS t diprFv mI v Qx fPmx
frendSip. n HAt hxts mI.” HX wx tCz in hx Fz n in hx
vqs. “F hAv hAd sO lital hApinas in lFf HAt evri los iz hRd
f mI t bX.... iäkVz mI, gUd-bF!” n sadanli SI bigAn t krF
n woz hariiN from H rMm.
<p>
“prinsas, f /god'z sEk!” hI iäklEmd, trFiN t stop hx.
“prinsas!”
<p>
SI txnd rQnd. f a fV sekandz HE gEzd sFlantli intM wan
anaHx'z Fz—n wot hAd sImd imposabal n rimOt sadanli bikEm
posabal, inevitabal, n veri nC.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
in H wintx v 1813 /nikalas mArid /prinsas /mXi n mMvd t /bYld
/hilz wiH hiz wFf, hiz maHx, n /sonja.
<p>
wiHin fP jCz hI hAd pEd of Yl hiz rimEniN dets wiHQt
seliN eni v hiz wFf's propxti, n hAviN risIvd a smYl
inheritans on H deT v a kazan hI pEd hiz det t /piX Az wel.
<p>
in anaHx TrI jCz, bF 1820, hI hAd sO mAniJd hiz afXz HAt hI
woz Ebal t bF a smYl istEt aJqniN /bYld /hilz n woz nigOSiEtiN
t bF bAk /Otrydnqe—HAt bIiN hiz pet drIm.
<p>
hAviN stRtad fRmiN from nisesiti, hI sMn grM sO divOtad t it
HAt it bikEm hiz fEvxit n YlmOst hiz sOl okVpESan. /nikalas woz
a plEn fRmx: hI did not lFk inavESanz, ispeSali H /iNgliS wanz
Hen kamiN intM vOg. hI lAft At TCetikal trItisaz on istEt
mAniJmant, dislFkt fAktxiz, H rEziN v iäpensiv prodakts,
n H bFiN v iäpensiv sId kPn, n did not mEk a hobi v eni
pxtikVlx pRt v H wxk on hiz istEt. hI YlwEz hAd bifP hiz
mFnd'z F H istEt Az a hOl n not eni pxtikVlx pRt v it. H
cIf TiN in hiz Fz woz not H nFtraJan in H sql, nP H oäiJan
in H X, nP manMxz, nP speSal plQz, bat HAt mOst impPtant
EJant bF wic nFtraJan, oäiJan, manMx, n plQ wx mEd
ifektiv—H pezant lEbxx. wen /nikalas fxst bigAn fRmiN
n bigAn t andxstAnd its difxant brAncaz, it woz H sxf hM
ispeSali atrAktad hiz atenSan. H pezant sImd t him not mCli
a tMl, bat YlsO a JaJ v fRmiN n an end in himself. At fxst
hI woct H sxfs, trFiN t andxstAnd HX Emz n wot HE
kansidxd gUd n bAd, n Onli pritendad t direkt Hem n giv
Pdxz wFl in riAliti lxniN from Hem HX meTadz, HX mAnx
v spIc, n HX JaJmant v wot woz gUd n bAd. Onli wen hI
hAd andxstUd H pezants' tEsts n AspirESanz, hAd lxnd t tYk
HX lANgwiJ, t grAsp H hidan mIniN v HX wxdz, n felt
akin t Hem did hI bigin bOldli t mAniJ hiz sxfs, HAt iz, t
pxfPm tPd Hem H dMtiz dimAndad v him. n /nikalas' mAniJmant
prOdMst veri brilWnt rizalts.
<p>
gFdad bF sam gift v insFt, on tEkiN ap H mAniJmant v H
istEts hI At wans aneriNli apqntad Az bElif, viliJ eldx, n
deligat, H veri men H sxfs wUd Hemselvz hAv cOzan hAd HE
hAd H rFt t cMz, n HIz pOsts nevx cEnJd hAndz. bifP
AnalFziN H propxtiz v manMx, bifP entxiN intM H debit n
kredit (Az hI Fronikli kYld it), hI fQnd Qt hQ meni kAtal H
pezants hAd n inkrIst H nambx bF Yl posabal mInz. hI kept H
pezant fAmliz tageHx in H lRJast grMps posabal, not alQiN
H fAmli grMps t divFd intM sepxat hQshOldz. hI woz hRd alFk
on H lEzi, H diprEvd, n H wIk, n trFd t get Hem iäpeld
from H komVn.
<p>
hI woz Az kXfal v H sOiN n rIpiN v H pezants' hE
n kPn Az v hiz On, n fV lAndOnxz hAd HX krops sOn
n hRvistad sO xli n sO wel, P got sO gUd a ritxn, Az did
/nikalas.
<p>
hI dislFkt hAviN eniTiN t dM wiH H damestik sxfs—H “drOnz”
Az hI kYld Hem—n evriwan sed hI spqld Hem bF hiz lAäiti. wen
a disiZan hAd t bI tEkan rigRdiN a damestik sxf, ispeSali if wan
hAd t bI paniSt, hI YlwEz felt andisFdad n kansaltad evribodi in
H hQs; bat wen it woz posabal t hAv a damestik sxf kanskriptad
insted v a lAnd wxkx hI did sO wiHQt H lIst hezitESan. hI
nevx felt eni hezitESan in dIliN wiH H pezants. hI nM HAt hiz
evri disiZan wUd bI aprMvd bF Hem Yl wiH veri fV iäepSanz.
<p>
hI did not alQ himself FHx t bI hRd on P paniS a mAn, P t
mEk TiNz Izi f P riwPd eniwan, mCli bikoz hI felt inklFnd
t dM sO. hI kUd not hAv sed bF wot stAndxd hI JaJd wot hI
SUd P SUd not dM, bat H stAndxd woz kwFt fxm n definit in
hiz On mFnd.
<p>
oftan, spIkiN wiH veäESan v sam fEljx P iregVlAriti, hI wUd
sE: “wot kAn wan dM wiH Qx /raSan pezants?” n imAJind HAt hI
kUd not bX Hem.
<p>
jet hI lavd “Qx /raSan pezants” n HX wE v lFf wiH hiz hOl
sOl, n f HAt veri rIzan hAd andxstUd n asimalEtad H wan
wE n mAnx v fRmiN wic prOdMst gUd rizalts.
<p>
kQntas /mXi woz Jelas v His pASan v hx hazband'z n rigretad
HAt SI kUd not SX it; bat SI kUd not andxstAnd H Jqz n
veäESanz hI dirFvd from HAt wxld, t hx sO rimOt n ElWn. SI
kUd not andxstAnd wF hI woz sO pxtikVlxli AnimEtad n hApi
wen, Aftx getiN ap At dEbrEk n spendiN H hOl mPniN in H
fIldz P on H TreSiN flP, hI ritxnd from H sOiN P mOiN
P rIpiN t hAv tI wiH hx. SI did not andxstAnd wF hI spOk
wiH sac AdmxESan n dilFt v H fRmiN v H Trifti n
wel-t-dM pezant /mATV /jermiSin, hM wiH hiz fAmli hAd kRtad
kPn Yl nFt; P v H fAkt HAt hiz (/nikalas') SIvz wx Ylredi
stAkt bifP eniwan els hAd hiz hRvist in. SI did not andxstAnd
wF hI stept Qt from H windO t H vxAnda n smFld andx hiz
mastAS n wiNkt sO Jqfali, wen wPm stedi rEn bigAn t fYl
on H drF n Txsti SMts v H jaN Ots, P wF wen H wind
kArid awE a TretaniN klQd dxiN H hE hRvist hI wUd ritxn
from H bRn, flaSt, sanbxnd, n pxspFxiN, wiH a smel v
wxmwUd n JenSan in hiz hX n, glIfali rabiN hiz hAndz, wUd
sE: “wel, wan mP dE n mF grEn n H pezants' wil Yl bI
andx kavx.”
<p>
stil les did SI andxstAnd wF hI, kFndhRtad n YlwEz redi t
AntisipEt hx wiSaz, SUd bikam YlmOst despxat wen SI brYt
him a patiSan from sam pezant men P wimin hM hAd apIld t hx
t bI iäkVzd sam wxk; wF hI, HAt kFnd /nikalas, SUd obstinatli
rifVz hx, ANgrili AskiN hx not t intxfC in wot woz not hx
biznas. SI felt hI hAd a wxld apRt, wic hI lavd pASanatli n
wic hAd lYz SI hAd not fAHamd.
<p>
samtFmz wen, trFiN t andxstAnd him, SI spOk v H gUd wxk hI
woz dMiN f hiz sxfs, hI wUd bI veät n riplF: “not in H lIst;
it nevx entxd mF hed n F wUdant dM HAt f HX gUd! HAt's
Yl pOatri n Old wFvz' tYk—Yl HAt dMiN gUd t wan'z nEbx!
wot F wont iz HAt Qx cildran SUd not hAf t gO begiN. F mast
pUt Qx afXz in Pdx wFl F Am alFv, HAt's Yl. n t dM HAt,
Pdx n striktnas R isenSal.... HAt's Yl abQt it!” sed hI,
klenciN hiz vigxas fist. “n fXnas, v kPs,” hI Adad, “f
if H pezant iz nEkad n haNgri n hAz Onli wan mizxabal hPs, hI
kAn dM nO gUd FHx f himself P f mI.”
<p>
n Yl /nikalas did woz frMtfal—probabli Jast bikoz hI rifVzd t
alQ himself t TiNk HAt hI woz dMiN gUd t aHxz f vxcM'z
sEk. hiz mInz inkrIst rApidli; sxfs from nEbxiN istEts kEm
t beg him t bF Hem, n loN Aftx hiz deT H memxi v hiz
administrESan woz divQtli prizxvd amaN H sxfs. “hI woz a
mAstx... H pezants' afXz fxst n Hen hiz On. v kPs hI woz
not t bI trFfald wiH FHx—in a wxd, hI woz a rWl mAstx!”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
/wan mAtx kanektad wiH hiz mAniJmant samtFmz warid /nikalas, n
HAt woz hiz kwik tempx tageHx wiH hiz Old hMsR hAbit v mEkiN
frI Vs v hiz fists. At fxst hI sY naTiN reprihensabal in
His, bat in H sekand jC v hiz mAriJ hiz vV v HAt fPm v
paniSmant sadanli cEnJd.
<p>
wans in samx hI hAd sent f H viliJ eldx from /bOgMcROvO, a
mAn hM hAd saäIdad t H pOst wen /dron dFd n hM woz akVzd v
disonasti n vXWs iregVlAritiz. /nikalas went Qt intM H pPc
t kwescan him, n imIdWtli Aftx H eldx hAd givan a fV riplFz
H sQnd v krFz n blOz wx hxd. on ritxniN t lanc /nikalas
went ap t hiz wFf, hM sAt wiH hx hed bent lO Ovx hx imbrqdxi
frEm, n Az VZMal bigAn t tel hx wot hI hAd bin dMiN HAt
mPniN. amaN aHx TiNz hI spOk v H /bOgMcROvO eldx. kQntas
/mXi txnd red n Hen pEl, bat kantinVd t sit wiH hed bQd n
lips kamprest n gEv hx hazband nO riplF.
<p>
“sac an insalant skQndral!” hI krFd, grOiN hot agen At H mC
rekalekSan v him. “if hI hAd tOld mI hI woz draNk n did not sI...
bat wot iz H mAtx wiH V, /mXi?” hI sadanli Askt.
<p>
kQntas /mXi rEzd hx hed n trFd t spIk, bat hEstili lUkt
dQn agen n hx lips pakxd.
<p>
“wF, wotevx iz H mAtx, mF dCast?”
<p>
H lUä v H plEn /kQntas /mXi YlwEz imprMvd wen SI woz in
tCz. SI nevx krFd from pEn P veäESan, bat YlwEz from sorO P
piti, n wen SI wept hx rEdWnt Fz akwFxd an irizistabal cRm.
<p>
H mOment /nikalas tUk hx hAnd SI kUd nO loNgx ristrEn hxself
n bigAn t krF.
<p>
“/nikalas, F sY it... hI woz t blEm, bat wF dM V... /nikalas!” n
SI kavxd hx fEs wiH hx hAndz.
<p>
/nikalas sed naTiN. hI flaSt krimzan, left hx sFd, n pEst ap
n dQn H rMm. hI andxstUd wot SI woz wIpiN abQt, bat kUd
not in hiz hRt At wans agrI wiH hx HAt wot hI hAd rigRdad
from cFldhUd Az kwFt an evridE ivent woz roN. “iz it Jast
sentimentAliti, Old wFvz' tElz, P iz SI rFt?” hI Askt himself.
bifP hI hAd solvd HAt pqnt hI glAnst agen At hx fEs fild wiH
lav n pEn, n hI sadanli rWlFzd HAt SI woz rFt n HAt hI
hAd loN bin siniN agenst himself.
<p>
“mXi,” hI sed softli, gOiN ap t hx, “it wil nevx hApan agen;
F giv V mF wxd. nevx,” hI ripItad in a trembaliN vqs lFk a bq
AskiN f fxgivnas.
<p>
H tCz flOd fAstx stil from H kQntas' Fz. SI tUk hiz hAnd
n kist it.
<p>
“/nikalas, wen did V brEk jP kAmiO?” SI Askt t cEnJ H
sabJekt, lUkiN At hiz fiNgx on wic hI wP a riN wiH a kAmiO v
/lEokawon'z hed.
<p>
“tadE—it woz H sEm afX. O, /mXi, dOnt rimFnd mI v it!” n
agen hI flaSt. “F giv V mF wxd v onx it SAnt akx agen,
n let His YlwEz bI a rimFndx t mI,” n hI pqntad t H brOkan
riN.
<p>
Aftx HAt, wen in diskaSanz wiH hiz viliJ eldxz P stMxdz H
blad raSt t hiz fEs n hiz fists bigAn t klenc, /nikalas wUd
txn H brOkan riN on hiz fiNgx n wUd drop hiz Fz bifP H
mAn hM woz mEkiN him ANgri. bat hI did fxget himself wans P twFs
wiHin a twelvmanT, n Hen hI wUd gO n kanfes t hiz wFf, n
wUd agen promis HAt His SUd rWli bI H veri lAst tFm.
<p>
“mXi, V mast dispFz mI!” hI wUd sE. “F dizxv it.”
<p>
“V SUd gO, gO awE At wans, if V dOnt fIl stroN inaf t
kantrOl jPself,” SI wUd riplF sAdli, trFiN t kamfxt hx hazband.
<p>
amaN H Jentri v H provins /nikalas woz rispektad bat not lFkt.
hI did not kansxn himself wiH H intxasts v hiz On klAs, n
konsikwantli sam TYt him prQd n aHxz TYt him stMpid. H
hOl samx, from spriN sOiN t hRvist, hI woz bizi wiH H wxk
on hiz fRm. in Ytam hI gEv himself ap t hantiN wiH H sEm
biznas-lFk sCWsnas—lIviN hOm f a manT, P Ivan tM, wiH
hiz hant. in wintx hI vizitad hiz aHx viliJaz P spent hiz tFm
rIdiN. H bUä hI red wx cIfli histPikal, n on HIz hI
spent a sxtan sam evri jC. hI woz kalektiN, Az hI sed, a sCWs
lFbrXi, n hI mEd it a rMl t rId TrM Yl H bUä hI bYt.
hI wUd sit in hiz stadi wiH a grEv X, rIdiN—a tAsk hI fxst
impOzd apon himself Az a dMti, bat wic Aftxwxdz bikEm a hAbit
afPdiN him a speSal kFnd v pleZx n a konSasnas v
bIiN okVpFd wiH sCWs mAtxz. in wintx, iäept f biznas
iäkxZanz, hI spent mOst v hiz tFm At hOm mEkiN himself wan wiH
hiz fAmli n entxiN intM Yl H dItElz v hiz cildran'z rilESanz
wiH HX maHx. H hRmani bitwIn him n hiz wFf grM klOsx n
klOsx n hI dEli diskavxd freS spiricMal treZxz in hx.
<p>
from H tFm v hiz mAriJ /sonja hAd livd in hiz hQs. bifP
HAt, /nikalas hAd tOld hiz wFf Yl HAt hAd pAst bitwIn himself n
/sonja, blEmiN himself n kamendiN hx. hI hAd Askt /prinsas /mXi t
bI Jental n kFnd t hiz kazan. SI TarOli rWlFzd H roN hI
hAd dan /sonja, felt hxself t blEm tPd hx, n imAJind HAt hx
welT hAd inflManst /nikalas' cqs. SI kUd not fFnd fYlt wiH
/sonja in eni wE n trFd t bI fond v hx, bat oftan felt il-wil
tPd hx wic SI kUd not Ovxkam.
<p>
wans SI hAd a tYk wiH hx frend /nytySa abQt /sonja n abQt hx
On inJastis tPd hx.
<p>
“V nO,” sed /nytySa, “V hAv red H /gospalz a grEt dIl—HX
iz a pAsiJ in Hem HAt Jast fits /sonja.”
<p>
“wot?” Askt /kQntas /mXi, sxprFzd.
<p>
“'t him HAt hAT SAl bI givan, n from him HAt hAT not SAl bI
tEkan awE.' V rimembx? SI iz wan HAt hAT not; wF, F dOnt nO.
pxhAps SI lAä IgOtizam, F dOnt nO, bat from hx iz tEkan awE, n
evriTiN hAz bin tEkan awE. samtFmz F Am dredfali sori f hx.
fPmxli F veri mac wontad /nikalas t mAri hx, bat F YlwEz hAd
a sPt v prizentimant HAt it wUd not kam of. SI iz a sterFl
flQx, V nO—lFk sam strYberi blosamz. samtFmz F Am sori f
hx, n samtFmz F TiNk SI dazant fIl it Az V P F wUd.”
<p>
HO /kQntas /mXi tOld /nytySa HAt HOz wxdz in H /gospal mast bI
andxstUd difxantli, jet lUkiN At /sonja SI agrId wiH /nytySa'z
eäplanESan. it rWli sImd HAt /sonja did not fIl hx paziSan
trFiN, n hAd grOn kwFt rekansFld t hx lot Az a sterFl flQx.
SI sImd t bI fond not sO mac v indiviJMalz Az v H fAmli Az a
hOl. lFk a kAt, SI hAd atAct hxself not t H pIpal bat t H
hOm. SI wEtad on H Old kQntas, petad n spqld H cildran,
woz YlwEz redi t rendx H smYl sxvisaz f wic SI hAd a gift,
n Yl His woz ankonSasli aäeptad from hx wiH insafiSant
grAtitMd.
<p>
H kantri sIt At /bYld /hilz hAd bin rIbilt, HO not on H sEm
skEl Az andx H Old prins.
<p>
H bildiNz, bigan andx strEtand sxkamstAnsaz, wx mP HAn
simpal. H imens hQs on H Old stOn fQndESanz woz v wUd,
plAstxd Onli insFd. it hAd bX dIl flPz n woz fxniSt wiH
veri simpal hRd sOfaz, RmcXz, tEbalz, n cXz mEd bF HX On
sxf kRpantxz Qt v HX On bxcwUd. H hQs woz spESas
n hAd rMmz f H hQs sxfs n apRtmants f vizitxz. hOl
fAmliz v H /rOstOfs' n /bOlkOnskis' rilESanz samtFmz kEm t
/bYld /hilz wiH siätIn hPsaz n dazanz v sxvants n stEd f
manTs. bisFdz HAt, fP tFmz a jC, on H nEm dEz n bxTdEz
v H hOsts, Az meni Az a handrad vizitxz wUd gAHx HX f a dE
P tM. H rest v H jC lFf pxsMd its anbrOkan rMtIn wiH its
PdinXi okVpESanz, n its brekfasts, lancaz, dinxz, n sapxz,
pravFdad Qt v H prOdMs v H istEt.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
it woz H Iv v /st /nikalas, H fifT v disembx, 1820. /nytySa hAd
bin stEiN At hx braHx'z wiH hx hazband n cildran sins xli
Ytam. /piX hAd gon t /pItxzbxg on biznas v hiz On f TrI
wIä Az hI sed, bat hAd rimEnd HX nCli sevan wIä n woz
iäpektad bAk evri minit.
<p>
bisFdz H /bezMâOf fAmli, /nikalas' Old frend H ritFxd /Jenxal
/vysili /dmItric /denisOf woz stEiN wiH H /rOstOfs His fifT v
disembx.
<p>
on H siäT, wic woz hiz nEm dE wen H hQs wUd bI fUl v
vizitxz, /nikalas nM hI wUd hAf t iäcEnJ hiz /tRtx tMnik f
a tEl kOt, n pUt on nArO bMts wiH pqntad tOz, n drFv t
H nM cxc hI hAd bilt, n Hen risIv vizitxz hM wUd kam t
kangrAcalEt him, ofx Hem rifreSmants, n tYk abQt H ilekSanz
v H nObiliti; bat hI kansidxd himself intFtald t spend H Iv
v HAt dE in hiz VZMal wE. hI iãAmind H bElif's akQnts v
H viliJ in /rjyzyn wic biloNd t hiz wFf's nefV, rOt tM
biznas letxz, n wYkt Ovx t H grEnxiz, kAtal jRdz n
stEbalz bifP dinx. hAviN tEkan prikYSanz agenst H Jenxal
draNkannas t bI iäpektad on H morO bikoz it woz a grEt sEnt's
dE, hI ritxnd t dinx, n wiHQt hAviN tFm f a prFvat tYk
wiH hiz wFf sAt dQn At H loN tEbal lEd f twenti pxsanz, At
wic H hOl hQshOld hAd asembald. At HAt tEbal wx hiz maHx,
hiz maHx'z Old lEdi kampAnjan /bjelOva, hiz wFf, HX TrI cildran
wiH HX gavxnas n tMtx, hiz wFf's nefV wiH hiz tMtx, /sonja,
/denisOf, /nytySa, hx TrI cildran, HX gavxnas, n Old /mFkal
/ivynOvic, H lEt prins'az Rkitekt, hM woz liviN on in ritFxmant
At /bYld /hilz.
<p>
kQntas /mXi sAt At H aHx end v H tEbal. wen hx hazband tUk
hiz plEs SI kanklMdad, from H rApid mAnx in wic Aftx tEkiN
ap hiz tEbal nApkin hI pUSt bAk H tambalx n wFnglAs stAndiN
bifP him, HAt hI woz Qt v hVmx, Az woz samtFmz H kEs wen
hI kEm in t dinx strEt from H fRm—ispeSali bifP H sMp.
kQntas /mXi wel nM HAt mMd v hiz, n wen SI hxself woz in
a gUd frEm v mFnd kwFatli wEtad til hI hAd hAd hiz sMp n Hen
bigAn t tYk t him n mEk him admit HAt HX woz nO kYz f hiz
il-hVmx. bat tadE SI kwFt fxgot HAt n woz hxt HAt hI SUd
bI ANgri wiH hx wiHQt eni rIzan, n SI felt anhApi. SI Askt
him wX hI hAd bin. hI riplFd. SI agen inkwFxd weHx
evriTiN woz gOiN wel on H fRm. hx annAcxal tOn mEd him wins
anplezantli n hI riplFd hEstili.
<p>
“Hen F'm not mistEkan,” TYt /kQntas /mXi. “wF iz hI kros wiH
mI?” SI kanklMdad from hiz tOn HAt hI woz veät wiH hx n wiSt
t end H konvxsESan. SI nM hx rimRä sQndad annAcxal, bat
kUd not rifrEn from AskiN sam mP kwescanz.
<p>
TANä t /denisOf H konvxsESan At tEbal sMn bikEm Jenxal n
lFvli, n SI did not tYk t hx hazband. wen HE left H tEbal
n went Az VZMal t TANk H Old kQntas, /kQntas /mXi held Qt hx
hAnd n kist hx hazband, n Askt him wF hI woz ANgri wiH hx.
<p>
“V YlwEz hAv sac strEnJ fAnsiz! F didant Ivan TiNk v bIiN
ANgri,” hI riplFd.
<p>
bat H wxd YlwEz sImd t hx t implF: “jes, F Am ANgri bat F wOnt
tel V wF.”
<p>
/nikalas n hiz wFf livd tageHx sO hApili HAt Ivan /sonja n H
Old kQntas, hM felt Jelas n wUd hAv lFkt Hem t disagrI,
kUd fFnd naTiN t riprOc Hem wiH; bat Ivan HE hAd HX
mOments v AntAganizam. akEZanali, n it woz YlwEz Jast Aftx HE
hAd bin hApWst tageHx, HE sadanli hAd a fIliN v istrEnJmant
n hostiliti, wic akxd mOst frIkwantli dxiN /kQntas /mXi'z
pregnansiz, n His woz sac a tFm.
<p>
“wel, mesixz et mEdym,” sed /nikalas lQdli n wiH apArant
cCfalnas (it sImd t /kQntas /mXi HAt hI did it on pxpas t
veä hx), “F hAv bin on mF fIt sins siä His mPniN. tamorO F
SAl hAf t safx, sO tadE F'l gO n rest.”
<p>
n wiHQt a wxd t hiz wFf hI went t H lital sitiN rMm n
lE dQn on H sOfa.
<p>
“HAt's YlwEz H wE,” TYt /kQntas /mXi. “hI tYä t evriwan
iäept mI. F sI... F sI HAt F Am ripalsiv t him, ispeSali wen F
Am in His kandiSan.” SI lUkt dQn At hx iäpAndad figjx n in H
glAs At hx pEl, sAlO, imESiEtad fEs in wic hx Fz nQ lUkt
lRJx HAn evx.
<p>
n evriTiN anqd hx—/denisOf's SQtiN n lAftx, /nytySa'z
tYk, n ispeSali a kwik glAns /sonja gEv hx.
<p>
/sonja woz YlwEz H fxst iäkVs /kQntas /mXi fQnd f fIliN
iritEtad.
<p>
hAviN sAt awFl wiH hx vizitxz wiHQt andxstAndiN eniTiN v
wot HE wx sEiN, SI softli left H rMm n went t H nxsxi.
<p>
H cildran wx plEiN At “gOiN t /moskQ” in a kAriJ mEd v
cXz n invFtad hx t gO wiH Hem. SI sAt dQn n plEd wiH
Hem a lital, bat H TYt v hx hazband n hiz anrIzanabal
krosnas warid hx. SI got ap n, wYkiN on tiptO wiH
difikalti, went t H smYl sitiN rMm.
<p>
“pxhAps hI iz not aslIp; F'l hAv an eäplanESan wiH him,” SI
sed t hxself. lital /AndrM, hx eldast bq, imitEtiN hiz maHx,
folOd hx on tiptO. SI did not nOtis him.
<p>
“mXi, dC, F TiNk hI iz aslIp—hI woz sO tFxd,” sed /sonja, mItiN
hx in H lRJ sitiN rMm (it sImd t /kQntas /mXi HAt SI
krost hx pAT evriwX). “AndrM mE wEk him.”
<p>
kQntas /mXi lUkt rQnd, sY lital /AndrM folOiN hx, felt HAt
/sonja woz rFt, n f HAt veri rIzan flaSt n wiH evidant
difikalti rifrEnd from sEiN samTiN hRS. SI mEd nO riplF, bat
t avqd ObEiN /sonja bekand t /AndrM t folO hx kwFatli n went
t H dP. /sonja went awE bF anaHx dP. from H rMm in wic
/nikalas woz slIpiN kEm H sQnd v hiz Ivan brIHiN, evri
slFtast tOn v wic woz familC t hiz wFf. Az SI lisand t it
SI sY bifP hx hiz smMH hAndsam fPhed, hiz mastAS, n hiz
hOl fEs, Az SI hAd sO oftan sIn it in H stilnas v H nFt
wen hI slept. /nikalas sadanli mMvd n klCd hiz TrOt. n At
HAt mOment lital /AndrM SQtad from QtsFd H dP: “pypy! mymy'z
stAndiN hC!” kQntas /mXi txnd pEl wiH frFt n mEd sFnz
t H bq. hI grM sFlant, n kwFat insMd f a mOment, teribal t
/kQntas /mXi. SI nM hQ /nikalas dislFkt bIiN wEkt. Hen TrM
H dP SI hxd /nikalas klCiN hiz TrOt agen n stxiN, n
hiz vqs sed krosli:
<p>
“F kAnt get a mOment's pIs.... mXi, iz HAt V? wF did V briN
him hC?”
<p>
“F Onli kEm in t lUk n did not nOtis... fxgiv mI....”
<p>
/nikalas koft n sed nO mP. kQntas /mXi mMvd awE from H
dP n tUk H bq bAk t H nxsxi. fFv minits lEtx lital
blAk-Fd TrI-jC-Old /nytySa, hx fyHx'z pet, hAviN lxnd from
hx braHx HAt /pypy woz aslIp n /mymy woz in H sitiN rMm, rAn
t hx fyHx anabzxvd bF hx maHx. H dRk-Fd lital gxl bOldli
Opand H krIkiN dP, went ap t H sOfa wiH enxJetik steps v
hx stxdi lital leã, n hAviN iãAmind H paziSan v hx fyHx,
hM woz aslIp wiH hiz bAk t hx, rOz on tiptO n kist H hAnd
wic lE andx hiz hed. /nikalas txnd wiH a tendx smFl on hiz
fEs.
<p>
“/nytySa, /nytySa!” kEm /kQntas /mXi'z frFtand wispx from H
dP. “pypy wonts t slIp.”
<p>
“nO, /mymy, hI dazant wont t slIp,” sed lital /nytySa wiH
kanvikSan. “hI'z lAfiN.”
<p>
/nikalas lOxd hiz leã, rOz, n tUk hiz dYtx in hiz Rmz.
<p>
“kam in, /mXi,” hI sed t hiz wFf.
<p>
SI went in n sAt dQn bF hx hazband.
<p>
“F did not nOtis him folOiN mI,” SI sed timidli. “F Jast lUkt
in.”
<p>
hOldiN hiz lital gxl wiH wan Rm, /nikalas glAnst At hiz wFf n,
sIiN hx gilti iäpreSan, pUt hiz aHx Rm xQnd hx n kist
hx hX.
<p>
“mE F kis /mymy?” hI Askt /nytySa.
<p>
/nytySa smFld bASfali.
<p>
“agen!” SI kamAndad, pqntiN wiH a pxemptxi Jescx t H spot
wX /nikalas hAd plEst H kis.
<p>
“F dOnt nO wF V TiNk F Am kros,” sed /nikalas, riplFiN t H
kwescan hI nM woz in hiz wFf's mFnd.
<p>
“V hAv nO FdW hQ anhApi, hQ lOnli, F fIl wen V R lFk
HAt. it YlwEz sImz t mI...”
<p>
“mXi, dOnt tYk nonsens. V Yt t bI aSEmd v jPself!” hI
sed gEli.
<p>
“it sImz t bI HAt V kAnt lav mI, HAt F Am sO plEn... YlwEz...
n nQ... in His cond...”
<p>
“O, hQ absxd V R! it iz not bVti HAt indCz, it's lav HAt
mEä as sI bVti. it iz Onli /mylvInys n wimin v HAt kFnd hM R
lavd f HX bVti. bat dM F lav mF wFf? F dOnt lav hx, bat...
F dOnt nO hQ t pUt it. wiHQt V, P wen samTiN kamz bitwIn
as lFk His, F sIm lost n kAnt dM eniTiN. nQ dM F lav mF
fiNgx? F dOnt lav it, bat Jast trF t kat it of!”
<p>
“F'm not lFk HAt mFself, bat F andxstAnd. sO V'x not ANgri wiH
mI?”
<p>
“Yfali ANgri!” hI sed, smFliN n getiN ap. n smMHiN hiz hX
hI bigAn t pEs H rMm.
<p>
“dM V nO, /mXi, wot F'v bin TiNkiN?” hI bigAn, imIdWtli
TiNkiN alQd in hiz wFf's prezans nQ HAt HE hAd mEd it ap.
<p>
hI did not Ask if SI woz redi t lisan t him. hI did not kX. a
TYt hAd akxd t him n sO it biloNd t hx YlsO. n hI tOld
hx v hiz intenSan t pxswEd /piX t stE wiH Hem til spriN.
<p>
kQntas /mXi lisand til hI hAd finiSt, mEd sam rimRk, n in
hx txn bigAn TiNkiN alQd. hx TYts wx abQt H cildran.
<p>
“V kAn sI H wUman in hx Ylredi,” SI sed in /frenc, pqntiN t
lital /nytySa. “V riprOc as wimin wiH bIiN iloJikal. hC iz Qx
loJik. F sE: 'pypy wonts t slIp!' bat SI sez, 'nO, hI'z lAfiN.'
n SI woz rFt,” sed /kQntas /mXi wiH a hApi smFl.
<p>
“jes, jes.” n /nikalas, tEkiN hiz lital dYtx in hiz stroN hAnd,
liftad hx hF, plEst hx on hiz SOldx, held hx bF H leã, n
pEst H rMm wiH hx. HX woz an iäpreSan v kXfrI hApinas
on H fEsaz v bOT fyHx n dYtx.
<p>
“bat V nO V mE bI anfX. V R tM fond v His wan,” hiz wFf
wispxd in /frenc.
<p>
“jes, bat wot Am F t dM?... F trF not t SO...”
<p>
At HAt mOment HE hxd H sQnd v H dP pUli n fUtsteps in
H hYl n AntirMm, Az if samwan hAd xFvd.
<p>
“sambodi hAz kam.”
<p>
“F Am SUx it iz /piX. F wil gO n sI,” sed /kQntas /mXi n left
H rMm.
<p>
in hx Absans /nikalas alQd himself t giv hiz lital dYtx a
gAlap rQnd H rMm. Qt v breT, hI tUk H lAfiN cFld kwikli
from hiz SOldx n prest hx t hiz hRt. hiz kEpxz rimFndad
him v dAnsiN, n lUkiN At H cFld'z rQnd hApi lital fEs hI
TYt v wot SI wUd bI lFk wen hI woz an Old mAn, tEkiN hx
intM sasFati n dAnsiN H mazxka wiH hx Az hiz Old fyHx hAd
dAnst /dAnWl /kMpx wiH hiz dYtx.
<p>
“it iz hI, it iz hI, /nikalas!” sed /kQntas /mXi, rI-entxiN H rMm
a fV minits lEtx. “nQ Qx /nytySa hAz kam t lFf. V SUd hAv
sIn hx eätasi, n hQ hI kYt it f hAviN stEd awE sO loN.
wel, kam aloN nQ, kwik, kwik! it's tFm V tM wx pRtad,” SI
Adad, lUkiN smFliNli At H lital gxl hM klaN t hx fyHx.
<p>
/nikalas went Qt hOldiN H cFld bF H hAnd.
<p>
kQntas /mXi rimEnd in H sitiN rMm.
<p>
“F SUd nevx, nevx hAv bilIvd HAt wan kUd bI sO hApi,” SI
wispxd t hxself. a smFl lit ap hx fEs bat At H sEm tFm SI
sFd, n hx dIp Fz iäprest a kwFat sAdnas Az HO SI
felt, TrM hx hApinas, HAt HX iz anaHx sPt v hApinas
anatEnabal in His lFf n v wic SI involantXili TYt At HAt
instant.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/nytySa hAd mArid in H xli spriN v 1813, n in 1820 Ylredi hAd
TrI dYtxz bisFdz a san f hMm SI hAd loNd n hMm SI woz
nQ nxsiN. SI hAd grOn stQtx n brYdx, sO HAt it woz difikalt
t rekagnFz in His rObast, maHxli wUman H slim, lFvli /nytySa v
fPmx dEz. hx fIcxz wx mP difFnd n hAd a kym, soft,
n sxIn iäpreSan. in hx fEs HX woz nan v H evx-glOiN
AnimESan HAt hAd fPmxli bxnd HX n konstitMtad its cRm.
nQ hx fEs n bodi wx oftan Yl HAt wan sY, n hx sOl woz
not vizabal At Yl. Yl HAt strak H F woz a stroN, hAndsam, n
fxtFl wUman. H Old fFx veri rXli kindald in hx fEs nQ. HAt
hApand Onli wen, Az woz H kEs HAt dE, hx hazband ritxnd hOm,
P a sik cFld woz konvalesant, P wen SI n /kQntas /mXi spOk v
/prins /AndrM (SI nevx menSand him t hx hazband, hM SI imAJind
woz Jelas v /prins /AndrM'z memxi), P on H rX akEZanz wen
samTiN hApand t indMs hx t siN, a prAktis SI hAd kwFt
abAndand sins hx mAriJ. At H rX mOments wen H Old fFx
did kindal in hx hAndsam, fUli divelapt bodi SI woz Ivan mP
atrAktiv HAn in fPmx dEz.
<p>
sins HX mAriJ /nytySa n hx hazband hAd livd in /moskQ, in
/pItxzbxg, on HX istEt nC /moskQ, P wiH hx maHx, HAt iz t
sE, in /nikalas' hQs. H jaN /kQntas /bezMâOva woz not oftan sIn
in sasFati, n HOz hM met hx HX wx not plIzd wiH hx
n fQnd hx nFHx atrAktiv nP EmWbal. not HAt /nytySa lFkt
solitMd—SI did not nO weHx SI lFkt it P not, SI Ivan TYt
HAt SI did not—bat wiH hx pregnansiz, hx kanfFnmants, H nxsiN
v hx cildran, n SXiN evri mOment v hx hazband'z lFf, SI hAd
dimAndz on hx tFm wic kUd bI sAtisfFd Onli bF rinQnsiN sasFati.
Yl hM hAd nOn /nytySa bifP hx mAriJ wandxd At H cEnJ
in hx Az At samTiN iätrPdinXi. Onli H Old kQntas wiH hx
matxnal instiNkt hAd rWlFzd HAt Yl /nytySa'z Qtbxsts hAd bin dM
t hx nId v cildran n a hazband—Az SI hxself hAd wans iäklEmd
At /Otrydnqe not sO mac in fan Az in xnast—n hx maHx woz nQ
sxprFzd At H sxprFz iäprest bF HOz hM hAd nevx andxstUd
/nytySa, n SI kept sEiN HAt SI hAd YlwEz nOn HAt /nytySa
wUd mEk an iãemplxi wFf n maHx.
<p>
“Onli SI lets hx lav v hx hazband n cildran OvxflO Yl
bQndz,” sed H kQntas, “sO HAt it Ivan bikamz absxd.”
<p>
/nytySa did not folO H gOldan rMl AdvakEtad bF klevx fOk,
ispeSali bF H /frenc, wic sez HAt a gxl SUd not let hxself
gO wen SI mAriz, SUd not niglekt hx akompliSmants, SUd bI
Ivan mP kXfal v hx apCans HAn wen SI woz anmArid, n
SUd fAsinEt hx hazband Az mac Az SI did bifP hI bikEm hx
hazband. /nytySa on H kontrXi hAd At wans abAndand Yl hx wicxi,
v wic hx siNiN hAd bin an anVZMali pQxfal pRt. SI gEv it ap
Jast bikoz it woz sO pQxfali sidaktiv. SI tUk nO pEnz wiH
hx mAnxz P wiH delikasi v spIc, P wiH hx tqlat, P t SO
hxself t hx hazband in hx mOst bikamiN AtitMdz, P t avqd
inkanvInWnsiN him bF bIiN tM iãAktiN. SI Aktad in kontradikSan
t Yl HOz rMlz. SI felt HAt H alUxmants instiNkt hAd fPmxli
tYt hx t Vz wUd nQ bI mCli ridikVlas in H Fz v
hx hazband, t hMm SI hAd from H fxst mOment givan hxself ap
intFxli—HAt iz, wiH hx hOl sOl, lIviN nO kPnx v it hidan
from him. SI felt HAt hx Vniti wiH hx hazband woz not mEntEnd
bF H pOetik fIliNz HAt hAd atrAktad him t hx, bat bF samTiN
els—indefinit bat fxm Az H bond bitwIn hx On bodi n sOl.
<p>
t flaf Qt hx kxlz, pUt on fASanabal dresaz, n siN rOmAntik
soNz t fAsinEt hx hazband wUd hAv sImd Az strEnJ Az t adPn
hxself t atrAkt hxself. t adPn hxself f aHxz mFt pxhAps
hAv bin agrIabal—SI did not nO—bat SI hAd nO tFm At Yl f it.
H cIf rIzan f divOtiN nO tFm FHx t siNiN, t dres, P
t cMziN hx wxdz woz HAt SI rWli hAd nO tFm t spX f HIz
TiNz.
<p>
wI nO HAt mAn hAz H fAkalti v bikamiN kamplItli absPbd in
a sabJekt hQevx trivWl it mE bI, n HAt HX iz nO sabJekt sO
trivWl HAt it wil not grO t infinit prapPSanz if wan'z intFx
atenSan iz divOtad t it.
<p>
H sabJekt wic hOli ingrOst /nytySa'z atenSan woz hx fAmli:
HAt iz, hx hazband hMm SI hAd t kIp sO HAt hI SUd biloN
intFxli t hx n t H hOm, n H cildran hMm SI hAd t bX,
briN intM H wxld, nxs, n briN ap.
<p>
n H dIpx SI penitrEtad, not wiH hx mFnd Onli bat wiH hx hOl
sOl, hx hOl bIiN, intM H sabJekt HAt absPbd hx, H lRJx
did HAt sabJekt grO n H wIkx n mP inAdikwat did hx pQxz
apC, sO HAt SI konsantrEtad Hem hOli on HAt wan TiN n jet
woz anEbal t akompliS Yl HAt SI kansidxd nesisXi.
<p>
HX wx Hen Az nQ konvxsESanz n diskaSanz abQt wimin'z
rFts, H rilESanz v hazband n wFf n HX frIdam n rFts,
HO HIz TImz wx not jet txmd kwescanz Az HE R nQ; bat
HIz topiä wx not mCli anintxastiN t /nytySa, SI pozitivli
did not andxstAnd Hem.
<p>
HIz kwescanz, Hen Az nQ, iãistad Onli f HOz hM sI naTiN in
mAriJ bat H pleZx mArid pIpal get from wan anaHx, HAt iz,
Onli H biginiNz v mAriJ n not its hOl signifikans, wic
lFz in H fAmli.
<p>
diskaSanz n kwescanz v HAt kFnd, wic R lFk H kwescan v
hQ t get H grEtast grAtifikESan from wan'z dinx, did not Hen
n dM not nQ iãist f HOz f hMm H pxpas v a dinx iz H
nariSmant it afPdz; n H pxpas v mAriJ iz H fAmli.
<p>
if H pxpas v dinx iz t nariS H bodi, a mAn hM Its tM
dinxz At wans mE pxhAps get mP inJqmant bat wil not atEn hiz
pxpas, f hiz stamak wil not dFJest H tM dinxz.
<p>
if H pxpas v mAriJ iz H fAmli, H pxsan hM wiSaz t hAv
meni wFvz P hazbandz mE pxhAps abtEn mac pleZx, bat in HAt
kEs wil not hAv a fAmli.
<p>
if H pxpas v fMd iz nariSmant n H pxpas v mAriJ iz H
fAmli, H hOl kwescan rizolvz itself intM not ItiN mP HAn wan
kAn dFJest, n not hAviN mP wFvz P hazbandz HAn R nIdad f
H fAmli—HAt iz, wan wFf P wan hazband. /nytySa nIdad a hazband. a
hazband woz givan hx n hI gEv hx a fAmli. n SI not Onli sY nO
nId v eni aHx P betx hazband, bat Az Yl H pQxz v hx sOl
wx intent on sxviN HAt hazband n fAmli, SI kUd not imAJin
n sY nO intxast in imAJiniN hQ it wUd bI if TiNz wx
difxant.
<p>
/nytySa did not kX f sasFati in Jenxal, bat prFzd H mP H
sasFati v hx relativz—/kQntas /mXi, n hx braHx, hx maHx, n
/sonja. SI vAlVd H kampani v HOz t hMm SI kUd kam strFdiN
diSevald from H nxsxi in hx dresiN gQn, n wiH Jqfal fEs
SO a jelO insted v a grIn stEn on bEbi'z nApkin, n from hMm
SI kUd hC rIaSUxiN wxdz t H ifekt HAt bEbi woz mac betx.
<p>
t sac an iätent hAd /nytySa let hxself gO HAt H wE SI drest
n did hx hX, hx il-cOzan wxdz, n hx Jelasi—SI woz Jelas
v /sonja, v H gavxnas, n v evri wUman, priti P plEn—wx
habicMal sabJekts v Jest t HOz abQt hx. H Jenxal apinjan woz
HAt /piX woz andx hiz wFf's Tam, wic woz rWli trM. from H
veri fxst dEz v HX mArid lFf /nytySa hAd anQnst hx dimAndz.
/piX woz grEtli sxprFzd bF hiz wFf's vV, t him a pxfiktli
noval wan, HAt evri mOment v hiz lFf biloNd t hx n t H
fAmli. hiz wFf's dimAndz astoniSt him, bat HE YlsO flAtxd him,
n hI sabmitad t Hem.
<p>
/piX'z sabJekSan kansistad in H fAkt HAt hI not Onli dXd not
flxt wiH, bat dXd not Ivan spIk smFliNli t, eni aHx wUman; did
not dX dFn At H /klab Az a pAstFm, did not dX spend mani on a
wim, n did not dX Absant himself f eni leNT v tFm, iäept on
biznas—in wic hiz wFf inklMdad hiz intalekcMal pxsMts, wic
SI did not in H lIst andxstAnd bat t wic SI atribVtad grEt
impPtans. t mEk ap f His, At hOm /piX hAd H rFt t
regVlEt hiz lFf n HAt v H hOl fAmli iãAktli Az hI cOz. At
hOm /nytySa plEst hxself in H paziSan v a slEv t hx hazband,
n H hOl hQshOld went on tiptO wen hI woz okVpFd—HAt iz, woz
rIdiN P rFtiN in hiz stadi. /piX hAd bat t SO a pRSiAliti f
eniTiN t get Jast wot hI lFkt dan YlwEz. hI hAd Onli t iäpres a
wiS n /nytySa wUd Jamp ap n ran t fUlfil it.
<p>
H intFx hQshOld woz gavxnd akPdiN t /piX'z sapOzd Pdxz,
HAt iz, bF hiz wiSaz wic /nytySa trFd t ges. HX wE v
lFf n plEs v rezidans, HX akwEntansaz n tFz, /nytySa'z
okVpESanz, H cildran'z apbriNiN, wx Yl silektad not mCli
wiH rigRd t /piX'z iäprest wiSaz, bat t wot /nytySa from H
TYts hI iäprest in konvxsESan sapOzd hiz wiSaz t bI. n SI
didMst H isenSalz v hiz wiSaz kwFt kxektli, n hAviN wans
xFvd At Hem klaN t Hem tinESasli. wen /piX himself wontad t
cEnJ hiz mFnd SI wUd fFt him wiH hiz On wepanz.
<p>
Has in a tFm v trabal evx memxabal t him Aftx H bxT v HX
fxst cFld hM woz delikat, wen HE hAd t cEnJ H wet nxs
TrI tFmz n /nytySa fel il from dispX, /piX wan dE tOld hx
v /rMsO'z vV, wiH wic hI kwFt agrId, HAt t hAv a wet
nxs iz annAcxal n hRmfal. wen hx neät bEbi woz bPn, dispFt
H opaziSan v hx maHx, H doktxz, n Ivan v hx hazband
himself—hM wx Yl vigxasli apOzd t hx nxsiN hx bEbi hxself,
a TiN Hen anhxd v n kansidxd inJxWs—SI insistad on hAviN
hx On wE, n Aftx HAt nxst Yl hx bEbiz hxself.
<p>
it veri oftan hApand HAt in a mOment v iritESan hazband n wFf
wUd hAv a dispVt, bat loN Aftxwxdz /piX t hiz sxprFz n
dilFt wUd fFnd in hiz wFf's FdWz n AkSanz H veri TYt
agenst wic SI hAd RgVd, bat dFvestad v evriTiN sMpxflMas
HAt in H iäFtmant v H dispVt hI hAd Adad wen iäpresiN hiz
apinjan.
<p>
Aftx sevan jCz v mAriJ /piX hAd H Jqas n fxm
konSasnas HAt hI woz not a bAd mAn, n hI felt His bikoz hI sY
himself riflektad in hiz wFf. hI felt H gUd n bAd wiHin himself
ineätrikabli miNgald n OvxlApiN. bat Onli wot woz rWli gUd in
him woz riflektad in hiz wFf, Yl HAt woz not kwFt gUd woz riJektad.
n His woz not H rizalt v loJikal rIzaniN bat woz a direkt n
mistCWs riflekSan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/tM manTs prIvWsli wen /piX woz Ylredi stEiN wiH H /rOstOfs
hI hAd risIvd a letx from /prins /TWdP, AskiN him t kam
t /pItxzbxg t kanfx on sam impPtant kwescanz HAt wx bIiN
diskast HX bF a sasFati v wic /piX woz wan v H prinsipal
fQndxz.
<p>
on rIdiN HAt letx (SI YlwEz red hx hazband'z letxz) /nytySa
hxself saJestad HAt hI SUd gO t /pItxzbxg, HO SI wUd fIl
hiz Absans veri akVtli. SI atribVtad imens impPtans t Yl
hx hazband'z intalekcMal n AbstrAkt intxasts HO SI did not
andxstAnd Hem, n SI YlwEz dredad bIiN a hindrans t him in sac
mAtxz. t /piX'z timid lUk v inkwFxi Aftx rIdiN H letx SI
riplFd bF AskiN him t gO, bat t fiä a definit dEt f hiz ritxn.
hI woz givan fP wIä' lIv v Absans.
<p>
evx sins HAt lIv v Absans hAd iäpFxd, mP HAn a fPtnFt
bifP, /nytySa hAd bin in a konstant stEt v alRm, dipreSan, n
iritabiliti.
<p>
/denisOf, nQ a Jenxal on H ritFxd list n mac dissAtisfFd wiH
H prezant stEt v afXz, hAd xFvd dxiN HAt fPtnFt. hI
lUkt At /nytySa wiH sorO n sxprFz Az At a bAd lFknas v a
pxsan wans dC. a dal, diJektad lUk, rAndam riplFz, n tYk abQt
H nxsxi woz Yl hI sY n hxd from hiz fPmx incAntras.
<p>
/nytySa woz sAd n iritabal Yl HAt tFm, ispeSali wen hx maHx,
hx braHx, /sonja, P /kQntas /mXi in HX efxts t kansOl hx
trFd t iäkVz /piX n saJestad rIzanz f hiz dilE in ritxniN.
<p>
“it's Yl nonsens, Yl rabiS—HOz diskaSanz wic lId t naTiN
n Yl HOz idiotik sasFatiz!” /nytySa diklXd v H veri afXz
in H imens impPtans v wic SI fxmli bilIvd.
<p>
n SI wUd gO t H nxsxi t nxs /petja, hx Onli bq. nO wan
els kUd tel hx eniTiN sO kamfxtiN P sO rIzanabal Az His
lital TrI-manT-Old krIcx wen hI lE At hx brest n SI woz
konSas v H mMvmant v hiz lips n H snafaliN v hiz lital
nOz. HAt krIcx sed: “V R ANgri, V R Jelas, V wUd
lFk t pE him Qt, V R afrEd—bat hC Am F! n F Am hI...” n
HAt woz anAnsxabal. it woz mP HAn trM.
<p>
dxiN HAt fPtnFt v ANzFati /nytySa rizPtad t H bEbi f
kamfxt sO oftan, n fast Ovx him sO mac, HAt SI Ovxfed him n
hI fel il. SI woz terifFd bF hiz ilnas, n jet HAt woz Jast
wot SI nIdad. wFl atendiN t him SI bP H ANzFati abQt hx
hazband mP Izili.
<p>
SI woz nxsiN hx bq wen H sQnd v /piX'z slE woz hxd
At H frant dP, n H Old nxs—nOiN hQ t plIz hx
mistras—entxd H rMm inYdabli bat haridli n wiH a bImiN
fEs.
<p>
“hAz hI kam?” /nytySa Askt kwikli in a wispx, afrEd t mMv lest
SI SUd rQz H dOziN bEbi.
<p>
“hI'z kam, mAm,” wispxd H nxs.
<p>
H blad raSt t /nytySa'z fEs n hx fIt involantXili mMvd, bat
SI kUd not Jamp ap n ran Qt. H bEbi agen Opand hiz Fz n
lUkt At hx. “V'x hC?” hI sImd t bI sEiN, n agen lEzili
smAkt hiz lips.
<p>
kYSasli wiHdrYiN hx brest, /nytySa rokt him a lital, hAndad
him t H nxs, n went wiH rApid steps tPd H dP. bat At H
dP SI stopt Az if hx konSans riprOct hx f hAviN in
hx Jq left H cFld tM sMn, n SI glAnst rQnd. H nxs wiH
rEzd elbOz woz liftiN H infant Ovx H rEl v hiz kot.
<p>
“gO, mAm! dOnt wari, gO!” SI wispxd, smFliN, wiH H kFnd v
familiAriti HAt grOz ap bitwIn a nxs n hx mistras.
<p>
/nytySa rAn wiH lFt fUtsteps t H AntirMm.
<p>
/denisOf, hM hAd kam Qt v H stadi intM H dAnsiN rMm wiH hiz
pFp, nQ f H fxst tFm rekagnFzd H Old /nytySa. a flad v
brilWnt, Jqfal lFt pPd from hx trAnsfigjxd fEs.
<p>
“hI'z kam!” SI iäklEmd Az SI rAn pAst, n /denisOf felt HAt hI tM
woz dilFtad HAt /piX, hMm hI did not mac kX f, hAd ritxnd.
<p>
on rIciN H vestibVl /nytySa sY a tYl figjx in a fx kOt
anwFndiN hiz skRf. “it's hI! it's rWli hI! hI hAz kam!” SI sed
t hxself, n raSiN At him imbrEst him, prest hiz hed t hx
brest, n Hen pUSt him bAk n gEzd At hiz radi, hApi fEs,
kavxd wiH hPfrost. “jes, it iz hI, hApi n kantentad....”
<p>
Hen Yl At wans SI rimembxd H tPcxz v saspens SI hAd
iäpCWnst f H lAst fPtnFt, n H Jq HAt hAd lit ap hx
fEs vAniSt; SI frQnd n Ovxwelmd /piX wiH a torant v
riprOcaz n ANgri wxdz.
<p>
“jes, it's Yl veri wel f V. V R plIzd, V'v hAd a gUd
tFm.... bat wot abQt mI? V mFt At lIst hAv SOn kansidxESan
f H cildran. F Am nxsiN n mF milk woz spqld.... /petja woz At
deT's dP. bat V wx inJqiN jPself. jes, inJqiN...”
<p>
/piX nM hI woz not t blEm, f hI kUd not hAv kam sMnx; hI
nM His Qtbxst woz ansImli n wUd blO Ovx in a minit P tM;
abav Yl hI nM HAt hI himself woz brFt n hApi. hI wontad
t smFl bat dXd not Ivan TiNk v dMiN sO. hI mEd a pitWs,
frFtand fEs n bent dQn.
<p>
“F kUd not, on mF onx. bat hQ iz /petja?”
<p>
“Yl rFt nQ. kam aloN! F wandx V'x not aSEmd! if Onli V
kUd sI wot F woz lFk wiHQt V, hQ F safxd!”
<p>
“V R wel?”
<p>
“kam, kam!” SI sed, not letiN gO v hiz Rm. n HE went t
HX rMmz.
<p>
wen /nikalas n hiz wFf kEm t lUk f /piX hI woz in H nxsxi
hOldiN hiz bEbi san, hM woz agen awEk, on hiz hVJ rFt pym n
dAndaliN him. a blisfal brFt smFl woz fiät on H bEbi'z brYd fEs
wiH its tMTlas Opan mQT. H stPm woz loN sins Ovx n HX
woz brFt, Jqas sanSFn on /nytySa'z fEs Az SI gEzd tendxli At
hx hazband n cFld.
<p>
“n hAv V tYkt evriTiN wel Ovx wiH /prins /TWdP?” SI
Askt.
<p>
“jes, kApitali.”
<p>
“V sI, hI hOldz it ap.” (SI ment H bEbi'z hed.) “bat hQ hI did
frFtan mI... V'v sIn H prinsas? iz it trM SI'z in lav wiH
HAt...”
<p>
“jes, Jast fAnsi...”
<p>
At HAt mOment /nikalas n /kQntas /mXi kEm in. /piX wiH H bEbi
on hiz hAnd stMpt, kist Hem, n riplFd t HX inkwFxiz. bat
in spFt v mac HAt woz intxastiN n hAd t bI diskast, H bEbi
wiH H lital kAp on its anstedi hed evidentli absPbd Yl hiz
atenSan.
<p>
“hQ swIt!” sed /kQntas /mXi, lUkiN At n plEiN wiH H bEbi.
“nQ, /nikalas,” SI Adad, txniN t hx hazband, “F kAnt andxstAnd
hQ it iz V dOnt sI H cRm v HIz diliSas mRvalz.”
<p>
“F dOnt n kAnt,” riplFd /nikalas, lUkiN kOldli At H bEbi. “a
lamp v fleS. kam aloN, /piX!”
<p>
“n jet hI'z sac an afekSanat fyHx,” sed /kQntas /mXi,
vindikEtiN hx hazband, “bat Onli Aftx HE R a jC Old P sO...”
<p>
“nQ, /piX nxsaz Hem splendidli,” sed /nytySa. “hI sez hiz hAnd iz
Jast mEd f a bEbi'z sIt. Jast lUk!”
<p>
“Onli not f His...” /piX sadanli iäklEmd wiH a lAf, n
SiftiN H bEbi hI gEv him t H nxs.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
Az in evri lRJ hQshOld, HX wx At /bYld /hilz sevxal pxfiktli
distiNkt wxldz wic mxJd intM wan hRmOnWs hOl, HO Ic
ritEnd its On pikVliAritiz n mEd kanseSanz t H aHxz. evri
ivent, Jqfal P sAd, HAt tUk plEs in HAt hQs woz impPtant t Yl
HIz wxldz, bat Ic hAd its On speSal rIzanz t riJqs P grIv
Ovx HAt akxans indipendantli v H aHxz.
<p>
f instans, /piX'z ritxn woz a Jqfal n impPtant ivent n HE
Yl felt it t bI sO.
<p>
H sxvants—H mOst rilFabal JaJaz v HX mAstxz bikoz HE
JaJ not bF HX konvxsESan P iäpreSanz v fIliN bat bF HX
Akts n wE v lFf—wx glAd v /piX'z ritxn bikoz HE nM HAt
wen hI woz HX /kQnt /nikalas wUd sIs gOiN evri dE t atend
t H istEt, n wUd bI in betx spirits n tempx, n YlsO
bikoz HE wUd Yl risIv hAndsam prezants f H holidEz.
<p>
H cildran n HX gavxnasaz wx glAd v /piX'z ritxn bikoz
nO wan els drM Hem intM H sOSal lFf v H hQshOld Az hI did.
hI alOn kUd plE on H klAvikPd HAt IkosaFz (hiz Onli pIs)
t wic, Az hI sed, Yl posabal dAnsaz kUd bI dAnst, n HE felt
SUx hI hAd brYt prezants f Hem Yl.
<p>
jaN /nikalas, nQ a slim lAd v fiftIn, delikat n inteliJant,
wiH kxli lFt-brQn hX n bVtifal Fz, woz dilFtad bikoz
/aNkal /piX Az hI kYld him woz H obJekt v hiz rApcxas n
pASanat afekSan. nO wan hAd instild intM him His lav f /piX
hMm hI sY Onli akEZanali. kQntas /mXi hM hAd brYt him ap
hAd dan hx atmOst t mEk him lav hx hazband Az SI lavd him, n
lital /nikalas did lav hiz aNkal, bat lavd him wiH Jast a SEd v
kantempt. /piX, hQevx, hI adPd. hI did not wont t bI an hMsR P
a /nFt v /st /JPJ lFk hiz aNkal /nikalas; hI wontad t bI lxnd,
wFz, n kFnd lFk /piX. in /piX'z prezans hiz fEs YlwEz SOn
wiH pleZx n hI flaSt n woz breTlas wen /piX spOk t
him. hI did not mis a siNgal wxd hI atxd, n wUd Aftxwxdz,
wiH /desyl P bF himself, rikYl n rIkansidx H mIniN v
evriTiN /piX hAd sed. /piX'z pAst lFf n hiz anhApinas prFx
t 1812 (v wic jaN /nikalas hAd fPmd a vEg pOetik pikcx from
sam wxdz hI hAd Ovxhxd), hiz advencxz in /moskQ, hiz kAptiviti,
/platon /kRytFef (v hMm hI hAd hxd from /piX), hiz lav f /nytySa
(v hMm H lAd woz YlsO pxtikVlxli fond), n ispeSali /piX'z
frendSip wiH H fyHx hMm /nikalas kUd not rimembx—Yl His
mEd /piX in hiz Fz a hCO n a sEnt.
<p>
from brOkan rimRä abQt /nytySa n hiz fyHx, from H imOSan wiH
wic /piX spOk v HAt ded fyHx, n from H kXfal, revxant
tendxnas wiH wic /nytySa spOk v him, H bq, hM woz Onli Jast
biginiN t ges wot lav iz, dirFvd H nOSan HAt hiz fyHx hAd
lavd /nytySa n wen dFiN hAd left hx t hiz frend. bat H fyHx
hMm H bq did not rimembx apCd t him a diviniti hM kUd not
bI pikcxd, n v hMm hI nevx TYt wiHQt a sweliN hRt n
tCz v sAdnas n rApcx. sO H bq YlsO woz hApi HAt /piX hAd
xFvd.
<p>
H gests welkamd /piX bikoz hI YlwEz helpt t inlFvan n VnFt
eni kampani hI woz in.
<p>
H grOn-ap membxz v H fAmli, not t menSan hiz wFf, wx
plIzd t hAv bAk a frend hMz prezans mEd lFf ran mP smMHli
n pIsfali.
<p>
H Old lEdiz wx plIzd wiH H prezants hI brYt Hem, n
ispeSali HAt /nytySa wUd nQ bI hxself agen.
<p>
/piX felt H difxant QtlUä v HIz vXWs wxldz n mEd
hEst t sAtisfF Yl HX eäpektESanz.
<p>
HO H mOst Absant-mFndad n fxgetfal v men, /piX, wiH H Ed
v a list hiz wFf drM ap, hAd nQ bYt evriTiN, not fxgetiN
hiz maHx—n braHx-in-lY'z kamiSanz, nP H dres matCWl f
a prezant t /bjelOva, nP tqz f hiz wFf's nefVz. in H xli dEz
v hiz mAriJ it hAd sImd strEnJ t him HAt hiz wFf SUd iäpekt
him not t fxget t prakjUx Yl H TiNz hI andxtUk t bF, n hI
hAd bin tEkan abAk bF hx sCWs anqans wen on hiz fxst trip hI
fxgot evriTiN. bat in tFm hI grM Vst t His dimAnd. nOiN HAt
/nytySa Askt naTiN f hxself, n gEv him kamiSanz f aHxz
Onli wen hI himself hAd ofxd t andxtEk Hem, hI nQ fQnd an
aniäpektad n cFldlFk pleZx in His pxcas v prezants f
evriwan in H hQs, n nevx fxgot eniTiN. if hI nQ inkxd
/nytySa'z senSx it woz Onli f bFiN tM meni n tM iäpensiv
TiNz. t hx aHx dIfekts (Az mOst pIpal TYt Hem, bat wic
t /piX wx kwolitiz) v antFdinas n niglekt v hxself, SI nQ
Adad stinJinas.
<p>
from H tFm HAt /piX bigAn lFf Az a fAmli mAn on a fUtiN
intEliN hevi iäpendicx, hI hAd nOtist t hiz sxprFz HAt hI
spent Onli hAf Az mac Az bifP, n HAt hiz afXz—wic hAd bin
in disPdx v lEt, cIfli bikoz v hiz fxst wFf's dets—hAd bigan
t imprMv.
<p>
lFf woz cIpx bikoz it woz sxkamskrFbd: HAt mOst iäpensiv
lakSxi, H kFnd v lFf HAt kAn bI cEnJd At eni mOment, woz nO
loNgx hiz nP did hI wiS f it. hI felt HAt hiz wE v lFf hAd nQ
bin setald wans f Yl til deT n HAt t cEnJ it woz not in
hiz pQx, n sO HAt wE v lFf prMvd Ikanomikal.
<p>
wiH a meri, smFliN fEs /piX woz sPtiN hiz pxcasaz.
<p>
“wot dM V TiNk v His?” sed hI, anrOliN a pIs v staf lFk a
Sopman.
<p>
/nytySa, hM woz sitiN opazit t him wiH hx eldast dYtx on hx
lAp, txnd hx spRkaliN Fz swiftli from hx hazband t H TiNz hI
SOd hx.
<p>
“HAt's f /bjelOva? eäalant!” SI felt H kwoliti v H matCWl.
“it woz a rMbal an RSin, F sapOz?”
<p>
/piX tOld hx H prFs.
<p>
“tM dC!” /nytySa rimRkt. “hQ plIzd H cildran wil bI n
/mymy tM! Onli V nId not hAv bYt mI His,” SI Adad, anEbal t
sapres a smFl Az SI gEzd admFxiNli At a gOld kOm set wiH pxlz,
v a kFnd Hen Jast kamiN intM fASan.
<p>
“/adel temptad mI: SI kept on teliN mI t bF it,” ritxnd /piX.
<p>
“wen Am F t wX it?” n /nytySa stak it in hx kql v hX. “wen
F tEk lital /mySa intM sasFati? pxhAps HE wil bI fASanabal agen
bF Hen. wel, let's gO nQ.”
<p>
n kalektiN H prezants HE went fxst t H nxsxi n Hen t
H Old kQntas' rMmz.
<p>
H kQntas woz sitiN wiH hx kampAnjan /bjelOva, plEiN
grAnd-pESans Az VZMal, wen /piX n /nytySa kEm intM H drYiN
rMm wiH pRsalz andx HX Rmz.
<p>
H kQntas woz nQ Ovx siäti, woz kwFt grE, n wP a kAp wiH a
fril HAt sxQndad hx fEs. hx fEs hAd Srivald, hx apx lip
hAd saNk in, n hx Fz wx dim.
<p>
Aftx H deTs v hx san n hazband in sac rApid saäeSan, SI
felt hxself a bIiN Aäidentali fxgotan in His wxld n left
wiHQt Em P obJekt f hx iãistans. SI Et, drANk, slept, P kept
awEk, bat did not liv. lFf gEv hx nO nM impreSanz. SI wontad
naTiN from lFf bat trANkwiliti, n HAt trANkwiliti Onli deT
kUd giv hx. bat antil deT kEm SI hAd t gO on liviN, HAt iz,
t Vz hx vFtal fPsaz. a pikVliAriti wan sIz in veri jaN cildran
n veri Old pIpal woz pxtikVlxli evidant in hx. hx lFf hAd
nO eätxnal Emz—Onli a nId t eäxsFz hx vXWs faNkSanz n
inklinESanz woz apArant. SI hAd t It, slIp, TiNk, spIk, wIp,
wxk, giv vent t hx ANgx, n sO on, mCli bikoz SI hAd a
stamak, a brEn, masalz, nxvz, n a livx. SI did HIz TiNz not
andx eni eätxnal impals Az pIpal in H fUl vigx v lFf dM,
wen bihFnd H pxpas f wic HE strFv HAt v eäxsFziN HX
faNkSanz rimEnz annOtist. SI tYkt Onli bikoz SI fizikli
nIdad t eäxsFz hx taN n laNz. SI krFd Az a cFld daz,
bikoz hx nOz hAd t bI klCd, n sO on. wot f pIpal in HX
fUl vigx iz an Em woz f hx evidentli mCli a prIteät.
<p>
Has in H mPniN—ispeSali if SI hAd Itan eniTiN ric H dE
bifP—SI felt a nId v bIiN ANgri n wUd cMz Az H hAndWst
prIteät /bjelOva'z defnas.
<p>
SI wUd bigin t sE samTiN t hx in a lO tOn from H aHx end
v H rMm.
<p>
“it sImz a lital wPmx tadE, mF dC,” SI wUd mxmx.
<p>
n wen /bjelOva riplFd: “O jes, HE'v kam,” SI wUd matx
ANgrili: “O /lPd! hQ stMpid n def SI iz!”
<p>
anaHx prIteät wUd bI hx snaf, wic wUd sIm tM drF P tM dAmp
P not rabd fFn inaf. Aftx HIz fits v iritabiliti hx fEs
wUd grO jelO, n hx mEdz nM bF infAlabal simptamz wen /bjelOva
wUd agen bI def, H snaf dAmp, n H kQntas' fEs jelO. Jast
Az SI nIdad t wxk of hx splIn sO SI hAd samtFmz t eäxsFz
hx stil-iãistiN fAkalti v TiNkiN—n H prIteät f HAt woz a
gEm v pESans. wen SI nIdad t krF, H disIst kQnt wUd bI
H prIteät. wen SI wontad t bI AJitEtad, /nikalas n hiz helT
wUd bI H prIteät, n wen SI felt a nId t spIk spFtfali, H
prIteät wUd bI /kQntas /mXi. wen hx vOkal Pganz nIdad eäxsFz,
wic woz VZMali tPd sevan O'klok wen SI hAd hAd an Aftx-dinx
rest in a dRkand rMm, H prIteät wUd bI H rIteliN v H sEm
stPiz Ovx n Ovx agen t H sEm YdWns.
<p>
H Old lEdi'z kandiSan woz andxstUd bF H hOl hQshOld HO nO
wan evx spOk v it, n HE Yl mEd evri posabal efxt t sAtisfF
hx nIdz. Onli bF a rX glAns iäcEnJd wiH a sAd smFl
bitwIn /nikalas, /piX, /nytySa, n /kQntas /mXi woz H koman
andxstAndiN v hx kandiSan iäprest.
<p>
bat HOz glAnsaz iäprest samTiN mP: HE sed HAt SI hAd
plEd hx pRt in lFf, HAt wot HE nQ sY woz not hx hOl self,
HAt wI mast Yl bikam lFk hx, n HAt HE wx glAd t jIld t
hx, t ristrEn Hemselvz f His wans preSas bIiN fPmxli Az
fUl v lFf Az Hemselvz, bat nQ sO mac t bI pitid. “mimentO
mPi,” sed HIz glAnsaz.
<p>
Onli H rWli hRtlas, H stMpid wanz v HAt hQshOld, n H
lital cildran fEld t andxstAnd His n avqdad hx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIII
<p>
wen /piX n hiz wFf entxd H drYiN rMm H kQntas woz in
wan v hx kastamXi stEts in wic SI nIdad H mental iãxSan v
plEiN pESans, n sO—HO bF fPs v hAbit SI grItad him wiH
H wxdz SI YlwEz Vzd wen /piX P hx san ritxnd Aftx an
Absans: “hF tFm, mF dC, hF tFm! wI wx Yl wCi v wEtiN
f V. wel, TANk /god!” n risIvd hx prezants wiH anaHx
kastamXi rimRk: “it's not H gift HAt's preSas, mF dC, bat HAt
V giv it t mI, an Old wUman...”—jet it woz evidant HAt SI woz
not plIzd bF /piX'z xFval At HAt mOment wen it dFvxtad hx
atenSan from H anfiniSt gEm.
<p>
SI finiSt hx gEm v pESans n Onli Hen iãAmind H prezants.
HE kansistad v a boä f kRdz, v splendid wxkmanSip, a
brFt-blM /sevre tI kap wiH Sepxdasaz dipiktad on it n wiH
a lid, n a gOld snafboä wiH H kQnt's pPtrEt on H lid wic
/piX hAd hAd dan bF a minWcxist in /pItxzbxg. H kQntas hAd
loN wiSt f sac a boä, bat Az SI did not wont t krF Jast Hen SI
glAnst indifxantli At H pPtrEt n gEv hx atenSan cIfli t
H boä f kRdz.
<p>
“TANk V, mF dC, V hAv cCd mI ap,” sed SI Az SI YlwEz
did. “bat best v Yl V hAv brYt jPself bAk—f F nevx sY
eniTiN lFk it, V Yt t giv jP wFf a skOldiN! wot R wI
t dM wiH hx? SI iz lFk a mAd wUman wen V R awE. dazant sI
eniTiN, dazant rimembx eniTiN,” SI went on, ripItiN hx VZMal
frEzaz. “lUk, /Ana /timOfEevna,” SI Adad t hx kampAnjan, “sI wot
a boä f kRdz mF san hAz brYt as!”
<p>
/bjelOva admFxd H prezants n woz dilFtad wiH hx dres matCWl.
<p>
HO /piX, /nytySa, /nikalas, /kQntas /mXi, n /denisOf hAd mac t
tYk abQt HAt HE kUd not diskas bifP H Old kQntas—not
HAt eniTiN woz hidan from hx, bat bikoz SI hAd dropt sO
fR bihFndhAnd in meni TiNz HAt hAd HE bigan t kanvxs in hx
prezans HE wUd hAv hAd t Ansx inopxtMn kwescanz n t
ripIt wot HE hAd Ylredi tOld hx meni tFmz: HAt sO-n-sO woz
ded n sO-n-sO woz mArid, wic SI wUd agen bI anEbal t
rimembx—jet HE sAt At tI rQnd H sAmavR in H drYiN rMm from
hAbit, n /piX Ansxd H kQntas' kwescanz Az t weHx /prins
/vysili hAd EJd n weHx /kQntas /mXi /yleäEevna hAd sent grItiNz
n stil TYt v Hem, n aHx mAtxz HAt intxastad nO wan n
t wic SI hxself woz indifxant.
<p>
konvxsESan v His kFnd, intxastiN t nO wan jet anavqdabal,
kantinVd Yl TrM tItFm. Yl H grOn-ap membxz v H fAmli
wx asembald nC H rQnd tI tEbal At wic /sonja prizFdad bisFd
H sAmavR. H cildran wiH HX tMtxz n gavxnasaz hAd hAd
tI n HX vqsaz wx Ydabal from H neät rMm. At tI Yl sAt
in HX akastamd plEsaz: /nikalas bisFd H stOv At a smYl tEbal
wX hiz tI woz hAndad t him; /milka, H Old grE bPzq bic
(dYtx v H fxst /milka), wiH a kwFt grE fEs n lRJ blAk
Fz HAt sImd mP prominant HAn evx, lE on H RmcX bisFd
him; /denisOf, hMz kxli hX, mastAS, n wiskxz hAd txnd hAf
grE, sAt bisFd kQntas /mXi wiH hiz Jenxal'z tMnik anbatand;
/piX sAt bitwIn hiz wFf n H Old kQntas. hI spOk v wot hI
nM mFt intxast H Old lEdi n HAt SI kUd andxstAnd. hI
tOld hx v eätxnal sOSal ivents n v H pIpal hM hAd fPmd
H sxkal v hx kantempxXiz n hAd wans bin a rWl, liviN, n
distiNkt grMp, bat hM wx nQ f H mOst pRt skAtxd abQt H
wxld n lFk hxself wx gRnxiN H lAst Cz v H hRvists HE
hAd sOn in xlC jCz. bat t H Old kQntas HOz kantempxXiz
v hxz sImd t bI H Onli sCWs n rWl sasFati. /nytySa sY bF
/piX'z AnimESan HAt hiz vizit hAd bin intxastiN n HAt hI hAd
mac t tel Hem bat dX not sE it bifP H Old kQntas. /denisOf,
not bIiN a membx v H fAmli, did not andxstAnd /piX'z kYSan
n bIiN, Az a mAlkantent, mac intxastad in wot woz akxiN in
/pItxzbxg, kept xJiN /piX t tel Hem abQt wot hAd hApand in
H /semjOnOfsk reJimant, Hen abQt /RykcEef, n Hen abQt H /bFbal
/sasFati. wans P twFs /piX woz kArid awE n bigAn t spIk v
HIz TiNz, bat /nikalas n /nytySa YlwEz brYt him bAk t H
helT v /prins /ivyn n /kQntas /mXi /yleäEevna.
<p>
“wel, n Yl His idWsi—/gosnx n /tytywinOva?” /denisOf Askt. “iz
HAt wIli stil gOiN on?”
<p>
“gOiN on?” /piX iäklEmd. “wF mP HAn evx! H /bFbal /sasFati iz
H hOl gavxnmant nQ!”
<p>
“wot iz HAt, man /Ser Emi?” Askt H kQntas, hM hAd finiSt hx
tI n evidentli nIdad a prIteät f bIiN ANgri Aftx hx mIl. “wot
R V sEiN abQt H gavxnmant? F dOnt andxstAnd.”
<p>
“wel, V nO, /mymyn,” /nikalas intxpOzd, nOiN hQ t trAnzlEt
TiNz intM hiz maHx'z lANgwiJ, “prins /AliãAndx /gOlitsin hAz
fQndad a sasFati n in konsikwans hAz grEt inflMans, HE sE.”
<p>
“/RykcEef n /gOlitsin,” inkYSasli rimRkt /piX, “R nQ H
hOl gavxnmant! n wot a gavxnmant! HE sI trIzan evriwX n
R afrEd v evriTiN.”
<p>
“wel, n hQ iz /prins /AliãAndx t blEm? hI iz a mOst estimabal
mAn. F Vst t mIt him At /mXi /yntOnOvna'z,” sed H kQntas in an
afendad tOn; n stil mP afendad HAt HE Yl rimEnd sFlant,
SI went on: “nQadEz evriwan fFndz fYlt. a /gospal /sasFati! wel, n
wot hRm iz HX in HAt?” n SI rOz (evribodi els got ap tM)
n wiH a sivC iäpreSan sEld bAk t hx tEbal in H sitiN
rMm.
<p>
H melankoli sFlans HAt folOd woz brOkan bF H sQndz v H
cildran'z vqsaz n lAftx from H neät rMm. evidentli sam Joli
iäFtmant woz gOiN on HX.
<p>
“finiSt, finiSt!” lital /nytySa'z glIfal jel rOz abav Hem Yl.
<p>
/piX iäcEnJd glAnsaz wiH /kQntas /mXi n /nikalas (/nytySa hI
nevx lost sFt v) n smFld hApili.
<p>
“HAt's dilFtfal mVzik!” sed hI.
<p>
“it mInz HAt /Ana /mykROvna hAz finiSt hx stokiN,” sed /kQntas
/mXi.
<p>
“O, F'l gO n sI,” sed /piX, JampiN ap. “V nO,” hI Adad,
stopiN At H dP, “wF F'm ispeSali fond v HAt mVzik? it iz
YlwEz H fxst TiN HAt telz mI Yl iz wel. wen F woz drFviN
hC tadE, H nCx F got t H hQs H mP ANkSas F grM. Az F
entxd H AntirMm F hxd /yndrMSa'z pIlz v lAftx n HAt ment
HAt Yl woz wel.”
<p>
“F nO! F nO HAt fIliN,” sed /nikalas. “bat F masant gO
HX—HOz stokiNz R t bI a sxprFz f mI.”
<p>
/piX went t H cildran, n H SQtiN n lAftx grM stil
lQdx.
<p>
“kam, /Ana /mykROvna,” /piX'z vqs woz hxd sEiN, “kam hC intM
H midal v H rMm n At H wxd v kamAnd, '/wan, tM,' n
wen F sE 'TrI'... V stAnd hC, n V in mF Rmz—wel nQ! wan,
tM!...” sed /piX, n a sFlans folOd: “TrI!” n a rApcxasli
breTlas krF v cildran'z vqsaz fild H rMm. “tM, tM!” HE
SQtad.
<p>
His ment tM stokiNz, wic bF a sIkrat proses nOn Onli t
hxself /Ana /mykROvna Vst t nit At H sEm tFm on H sEm
nIdalz, n wic, wen HE wx redi, SI YlwEz trFamfantli drM,
wan Qt v H aHx, in H cildran'z prezans.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XIV
<p>
/sMn Aftx His H cildran kEm in t sE gUd nFt. HE kist
evriwan, H tMtxz n gavxnasaz mEd HX bQz, n HE went Qt.
Onli jaN /nikalas n hiz tMtx rimEnd. /desyl wispxd t H
bq t kam dQnstXz.
<p>
“nO, /masjx /desyl, F wil Ask mF ynt t let mI stE,” riplFd
/nikalas /bOlkOnski YlsO in a wispx.
<p>
“my tante, plIz let mI stE,” sed hI, gOiN ap t hiz ynt.
<p>
hiz fEs iäprest intrIti, AJitESan, n eätasi. kQntas /mXi
glAnst At him n txnd t /piX.
<p>
“wen V R hC hI kAnt tX himself awE,” SI sed.
<p>
“F wil briN him t V direktli, /masjx /desyl. gUd nFt!”
sed /piX, giviN hiz hAnd t H /swis tMtx, n hI txnd t jaN
/nikalas wiH a smFl. “V n F hAvant sIn eniTiN v wan anaHx
jet.... hQ lFk hI iz grOiN, /mXi!” hI Adad, adresiN /kQntas
/mXi.
<p>
“lFk mF fyHx?” Askt H bq, flaSiN krimzan n lUkiN ap At
/piX wiH brFt, iätAtik Fz.
<p>
/piX nodad, n went on wiH wot hI hAd bin sEiN wen H
cildran hAd intxaptad. kQntas /mXi sAt dQn dMiN wUlwxk; /nytySa
did not tEk hx Fz of hx hazband. /nikalas n /denisOf rOz, Askt
f HX pFps, smOkt, went t fec mP tI from /sonja—hM sAt wCi
bat rezalMt At H sAmavR—n kwescand /piX. H kxli-hedad,
delikat bq sAt wiH SFniN Fz annOtist in a kPnx, stRtiN
evri nQ n Hen n matxiN samTiN t himself, n evidentli
iäpCWnsiN a nM n pQxfal imOSan Az hI txnd hiz kxli hed,
wiH hiz Tin nek iäpOzd bF hiz txn-dQn kolx, tPd H plEs
wX /piX sAt.
<p>
H konvxsESan txnd on H kantempxXi gosip abQt HOz in pQx,
in wic mOst pIpal sI H cIf intxast v hOm politiä. /denisOf,
dissAtisfFd wiH H gavxnmant on akQnt v hiz On disapqntmants
in H sxvis, hxd wiH pleZx v H TiNz dan in /pItxzbxg
wic sImd t him stMpid, n mEd fPsabal n SRp koments on wot
/piX tOld Hem.
<p>
“wan Vst t hAf t bI a /Jxman—nQ wan mast dAns wiH /tytywinOva
n /madym /kwMdanx, n /wId Ecka'tshausen n H bweHwan. O, HE
SUd let HAt fFn felO /bOnapRt lMs—hI'd nok Yl His nonsens
Qt v Hem! fAnsi giviN H kamAnd v H /semjOnOf /wegimant t a
felO lFk HAt Schwa'tz!” hI krFd.
<p>
/nikalas, HO frI from /denisOf's redinas t fFnd fYlt wiH
evriTiN, YlsO TYt HAt diskaSan v H gavxnmant woz a veri
sCWs n wEti mAtx, n H fAkt HAt a hAd bin apqntad
/ministx v His n B /gavxnx /Jenxal v HAt, n HAt H /empxx
hAd sed sO-n-sO n His ministx sO-n-sO, sImd t him veri
impPtant. n sO hI TYt it nesisXi t tEk an intxast in HIz
TiNz n t kwescan /piX. H kwescanz pUt bF HIz tM kept H
konvxsESan from cEnJiN its PdinXi kAraktx v gosip abQt H
hFx gavxnmant sxkalz.
<p>
bat /nytySa, nOiN Yl hx hazband'z wEz n FdWz, sY HAt hI hAd
loN bin wiSiN bat hAd bin anEbal t dFvxt H konvxsESan t
anaHx cAnal n iäpres hiz On dIpli felt FdW f H sEk v
wic hI hAd gon t /pItxzbxg t kansalt wiH hiz nM frend /prins
/TWdP, n SI helpt him bF AskiN hQ hiz afXz wiH /prins
/TWdP hAd gon.
<p>
“wot woz it abQt?” Askt /nikalas.
<p>
“YlwEz H sEm TiN,” sed /piX, lUkiN rQnd At hiz lisanxz.
“evribodi sIz HAt TiNz R gOiN sO bAdli HAt HE kAnot bI
alQd t gO on sO n HAt it iz H dMti v Yl dIsant men t
kQntxAkt it Az fR Az HE kAn.”
<p>
“wot kAn dIsant men dM?” /nikalas inkwFxd, frQniN slFtli. “wot
kAn bI dan?”
<p>
“wF, His...”
<p>
“kam intM mF stadi,” sed /nikalas.
<p>
/nytySa, hM hAd loN iäpektad t bI fect t nxs hx bEbi, nQ
hxd H nxs kYliN hx n went t H nxsxi. kQntas /mXi
folOd hx. H men went intM H stadi n lital /nikalas /bOlkOnski
folOd Hem annOtist bF hiz aNkal n sAt dQn At H rFtiN tEbal
in a SEdi kPnx bF H windO.
<p>
“wel, wot wUd V dM?” Askt /denisOf.
<p>
“YlwEz sam fAntAstik skImz,” sed /nikalas.
<p>
“wF His,” bigAn /piX, not sitiN dQn bat pEsiN H rMm,
samtFmz stopiN SPt, JestikVlEtiN, n lispiN: “H paziSan
in /pItxzbxg iz His: H /empxx daz not lUk intM eniTiN. hI
hAz abAndand himself YltageHx t His mistisizam” (/piX kUd not
tolxEt mistisizam in eniwan nQ). “hI sIä Onli f pIs, n Onli
HIz pIpal sAnz foi /nI loi * kAn giv it him—pIpal hM reklasli
hAk At n strANgal evriTiN—/mygnitski, /RykcEef, n tMti
kwonti.... V wil agrI HAt if V did not lUk Aftx jP istEts
jPself bat Onli wontad a kwFat lFf, H hRSx jP stMxd woz H
mP redili jP obJekt mFt bI atEnd,” hI sed t /nikalas.
<p>
    * wiHQt fET P lY.
<p>
“wel, wot daz HAt lId ap t?” sed /nikalas.
<p>
“wel, evriTiN iz gOiN t rMin! robxi in H lY kPts, in H
Rmi naTiN bat flogiN, driliN, n /militXi /setalmants; H
pIpal R tPcxd, inlFtanmant iz saprest. Yl HAt iz jaN n
onast iz kraSt! evriwan sIz HAt His kAnot gO on. evriTiN iz
strEnd t sac a digrI HAt it wil sxtanli brEk,” sed /piX (Az
HOz hM iãAmin H AkSanz v eni gavxnmant hAv YlwEz sed sins
gavxnmants bigAn). “F tOld Hem Jast wan TiN in /pItxzbxg.”
<p>
“tOld hMm?”
<p>
“wel, V nO hMm,” sed /piX, wiH a mIniN glAns from andx
hiz brQz. “prins /TWdP n Yl HOz. t inkariJ kalcx n
filAnTropi iz Yl veri wel v kPs. H Em iz eäalant bat in H
prezant sxkamstAnsaz samTiN els iz nIdad.”
<p>
At HAt mOment /nikalas nOtist H prezans v hiz nefV. hiz fEs
dRkand n hI went ap t H bq.
<p>
“wF R V hC?”
<p>
“wF? let him bI,” sed /piX, tEkiN /nikalas bF H Rm n
kantinViN. “HAt iz not inaf, F tOld Hem. samTiN els iz nIdad.
wen V stAnd iäpektiN H OvxstrEnd striN t snAp At eni mOment,
wen evriwan iz iäpektiN H inevitabal katAstrafi, Az meni Az
posabal mast Jqn hAndz Az klOsli Az HE kAn t wiHstAnd H Jenxal
kalAmiti. evriTiN HAt iz jaN n stroN iz bIiN intFst awE n
diprEvd. wan iz lUxd bF wimin, anaHx bF onxz, a Txd bF AmbiSan
P mani, n HE gO Ovx t HAt kAmp. nO indipendant men, sac Az V
P F, R left. wot F sE iz wFdan H skOp v Qx sasFati, let H
mO d'ordre bI not vxcM alOn bat indipendans n AkSan Az wel!”
<p>
/nikalas, hM hAd left hiz nefV, iritabli pUSt ap an RmcX, sAt
dQn in it, n lisand t /piX, kofiN diskantentadli n frQniN
mP n mP.
<p>
“bat AkSan wiH wot Em?” hI krFd. “n wot paziSan wil V adopt
tPd H gavxnmant?”
<p>
“wF, H paziSan v asistants. H sasFati nId not bI sIkrat if H
gavxnmant alQz it. not mCli iz it not hostFl t gavxnmant, bat
it iz a sasFati v trM kansxvativz—a sasFati v Jentalmen in H fUl
mIniN v HAt wxd. it iz Onli t privent sam /pMgacjOf P aHx from
kiliN mF cildran n jPz, n /RykcEef from sendiN mI of t sam
/militXi /setalmant. wI Jqn hAndz Onli f H pablik welfX n H
Jenxal sEfti.”
<p>
“jes, bat it's a sIkrat sasFati n HXfP a hostFl n hRmfal wan
wic kAn Onli kYz hRm.”
<p>
“wF? did H /tMgendbMnd wic sEvd /jUxap” (HE did not Hen vencx
t saJest HAt /raSa hAd sEvd /jUxap) “dM eni hRm? H /tMgendbMnd
iz an alFans v vxcM: it iz lav, mVcMal help... it iz wot /krFst
prIct on H /kros.”
<p>
/nytySa, hM hAd kam in dxiN H konvxsESan, lUkt Jqfali At
hx hazband. it woz not wot hI woz sEiN HAt plIzd hx—HAt did not
Ivan intxast hx, f it sImd t hx HAt woz Yl iätrImli simpal
n HAt SI hAd nOn it a loN tFm (it sImd sO t hx bikoz SI
nM HAt it sprAN from /piX'z hOl sOl), bat it woz hiz AnimEtad
n inTVziAstik apCans HAt mEd hx glAd.
<p>
H bq wiH H Tin nek streciN Qt from H txn-dQn kolx—hMm
evriwan hAd fxgotan—gEzd At /piX wiH Ivan grEtx n mP
rApcxas Jq. evri wxd v /piX'z bxnd intM hiz hRt, n wiH a
nxvas mMvmant v hiz fiNgxz hI ankonSasli brOk H sIliN wAä
n kwil penz hiz hAndz kEm apon on hiz aNkal'z tEbal.
<p>
“it iz not At Yl wot V sapOz; bat HAt iz wot H /Jxman
/tMgendbMnd woz, n wot F Am prapOziN.”
<p>
“nO, mF fwend! H /tMgendbMnd iz Yl vewi wel f H sosiJ Itxz,
bat F dOnt andxstAnd it n kAnt Ivan pwanQns it,” intxpOzd
/denisOf in a lQd n rezalMt vqs. “F /EgwI HAt IvewiTiN hC iz
wotan n hQabal, bat H /tMgendbMnd F dOnt andxstAnd. if wI'x
not sAtisfFd, let as hAv a bant v Qx On. HAt's Yl wFt. Ze swI
vot'e Om!” *
<p>
    * “F'm jP mAn.”
<p>
<p>
/piX smFld, /nytySa bigAn t lAf, bat /nikalas nitad hiz brQz
stil mP n bigAn prMviN t /piX HAt HX woz nO prospekt v
eni grEt cEnJ n HAt Yl H dEnJx hI spOk v iãistad Onli in hiz
imAJinESan. /piX mEntEnd H kontrXi, n Az hiz mental fAkaltiz
wx grEtx n mP rIsPsfal, /nikalas felt himself kPnxd. His
mEd him stil ANgrC, f hI woz fUli kanvinst, not bF rIzaniN
bat bF samTiN wiHin him stroNgx HAn rIzan, v H Jastis v hiz
apinjan.
<p>
“F wil tel V His,” hI sed, rFziN n trFiN wiH nxvasli
twiciN fiNgxz t prop ap hiz pFp in a kPnx, bat fFnali
abAndaniN H atempt. “F kAnt prMv it t V. V sE HAt
evriTiN hC iz rotan n HAt an OvxTrO iz kamiN: F dOnt
sI it. bat V YlsO sE HAt Qx OT v alIJans iz a kandiSanal
mAtx, n t HAt F riplF: 'V R mF best frend, Az V nO,
bat if V fPmd a sIkrat sasFati n bigAn wxkiN agenst H
gavxnmant—bI it wot it mE—F nO it iz mF dMti t ObE H
gavxnmant. n if /RykcEef Pdxd mI t lId a skwodran agenst V
n kat V dQn, F SUd not hezitEt an instant, bat SUd dM it.'
n V mE RgV abQt HAt Az V lFk!”
<p>
an Ykwxd sFlans folOd HIz wxdz. /nytySa woz H fxst t spIk,
difendiN hx hazband n atAkiN hx braHx. hx difens woz wIk
n inApt bat SI atEnd hx obJekt. H konvxsESan woz rizMmd, n
nO loNgx in H anplezantli hostFl tOn v /nikalas' lAst rimRk.
<p>
wen HE Yl got ap t gO in t sapx, lital /nikalas /bOlkOnski went
ap t /piX, pEl n wiH SFniN, rEdWnt Fz.
<p>
“aNkal /piX, V... nO... if /pypy wx alFv... wUd hI agrI wiH
V?” hI Askt.
<p>
n /piX sadanli rWlFzd wot a speSal, indipendant, kompleä, n
pQxfal proses v TYt n fIliN mast hAv bin gOiN on in
His bq dxiN HAt konvxsESan, n rimembxiN Yl hI hAd sed hI
rigretad HAt H lAd SUd hAv hxd him. hI hAd, hQevx, t giv
him an Ansx.
<p>
“jes, F TiNk sO,” hI sed rilaktantli, n left H stadi.
<p>
H lAd lUkt dQn n sImd nQ f H fxst tFm t nOtis wot hI
hAd dan t H TiNz on H tEbal. hI flaSt n went ap t /nikalas.
<p>
“aNkal, fxgiv mI, F did HAt... anintenSanali,” hI sed, pqntiN t
H brOkan sIliN wAä n penz.
<p>
/nikalas stRtad ANgrili.
<p>
“Yl rFt, Yl rFt,” hI sed, TrOiN H bits andx H tEbal.
<p>
n evidentli sapresiN hiz veäESan wiH difikalti, hI txnd awE
from H bq.
<p>
“V Yt not t hAv bin hC At Yl,” hI sed.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XV
<p>
H konvxsESan At sapx woz not abQt politiä P sasFatiz, bat
txnd on H sabJekt /nikalas lFkt best—rekalekSanz v 1812. /denisOf
stRtad HIz n /piX woz pxtikVlxli agrIabal n amVziN abQt
Hem. H fAmli sepxEtad on H mOst frendli txmz.
<p>
Aftx sapx /nikalas, hAviN andrest in hiz stadi n givan
instrakSanz t H stMxd hM hAd bin wEtiN f him, went t H
bedrMm in hiz dresiN gQn, wX hI fQnd hiz wFf stil At hx
tEbal, rFtiN.
<p>
“wot R V rFtiN, /mXi?” /nikalas Askt.
<p>
kQntas /mXi blaSt. SI woz afrEd HAt wot SI woz rFtiN wUd
not bI andxstUd P aprMvd bF hx hazband.
<p>
SI hAd wontad t kansIl wot SI woz rFtiN from him, bat At H sEm
tFm woz glAd hI hAd sxprFzd hx At it n HAt SI wUd nQ hAf t
tel him.
<p>
“a dFxi, /nikalas,” SI riplFd, hAndiN him a blM eäxsFz bUk
fild wiH hx fxm, bOld rFtiN.
<p>
“a dFxi?” /nikalas ripItad wiH a SEd v Frani, n hI tUk ap H
bUk.
<p>
it woz in /frenc.
<p>
<p>
disembx 4. tadE wen /yndrMSa (hx eldast bq) wOk ap hI did not
wiS t dres n /mAdamwazel /lMIz sent f mI. hI woz nYti n
obstinat. F trFd Trets, bat hI Onli grM ANgrC. Hen F tUk H
mAtx in hAnd: F left him alOn n bigAn wiH nxs'az help t get H
aHx cildran ap, teliN him HAt F did not lav him. f a loN tFm
hI woz sFlant, Az if astoniSt, Hen hI Jampt Qt v bed, rAn t mI in
hiz Sxt, n sobd sO HAt F kUd not kym him f a loN tFm.
it woz plEn HAt wot trabald him mOst woz HAt hI hAd grIvd mI.
Aftxwxdz in H IvniN wen F gEv him hiz tikat, hI agen bigAn
krFiN pitWsli n kisiN mI. wan kAn dM eniTiN wiH him bF
tendxnas.
<p>
<p>
“wot iz a 'tikat'?” /nikalas inkwFxd.
<p>
“F hAv bigan giviN H eldx wanz mRä evri IvniN, SOiN hQ
HE hAv bihEvd.”
<p>
/nikalas lUkt intM H rEdWnt Fz HAt wx gEziN At him, n
kantinVd t txn Ovx H pEJaz n rId. in H dFxi woz set dQn
evriTiN in H cildran'z lFvz HAt sImd nOtwxHi t HX
maHx Az SOiN HX kAraktxz P saJestiN Jenxal riflekSanz
on eJakESanal meTadz. HE wx f H mOst pRt kwFt insignifikant
trFfalz, bat did not sIm sO t H maHx P t H fyHx FHx, nQ
HAt hI red His dFxi abQt hiz cildran f H fxst tFm.
<p>
andx H dEt “5” woz entxd:
<p>
<p>
/mitja woz nYti At tEbal. pypy sed hI woz t hAv nO pUdiN. hI hAd
nan, bat lUkt sO anhApili n grIdili At H aHxz wFl HE wx
ItiN! F TiNk HAt paniSmant bF diprFviN cildran v swIts Onli
divelaps HX grIdinas. mast tel /nikalas His.
<p>
/nikalas pUt dQn H bUk n lUkt At hiz wFf. H rEdWnt Fz
gEzd At him kwescaniNli: wUd hI aprMv P disaprMv v hx
dFxi? HX kUd bI nO dQt not Onli v hiz aprMval bat YlsO v hiz
AdmxESan f hiz wFf.
<p>
pxhAps it nId not bI dan sO pidAntikli, TYt /nikalas, P Ivan
dan At Yl, bat His antFxiN, kantinVal spiricMal efxt v wic H
sOl Em woz H cildran'z mPal welfX dilFtad him. hAd /nikalas
bin Ebal t AnalFz hiz fIliNz hI wUd hAv fQnd HAt hiz stedi,
tendx, n prQd lav v hiz wFf restad on hiz fIliN v wandx At
hx spiricMAliti n At H lofti mPal wxld, YlmOst bijond hiz rIc,
in wic SI hAd hx bIiN.
<p>
hI woz prQd v hx inteliJans n gUdnas, rekagnFzd hiz On
insignifikans bisFd hx in H spiricMal wxld, n riJqst Yl H
mP HAt SI wiH sac a sOl not Onli biloNd t him bat woz pRt v
himself.
<p>
“F kwFt, kwFt aprMv, mF dCast!” sed hI wiH a signifikant lUk,
n Aftx a SPt pYz hI Adad: “n F bihEvd bAdli tadE. V
wxnt in H stadi. wI bigAn dispVtiN—/piX n F—n F lost mF
tempx. bat hI iz imposabal: sac a cFld! F dOnt nO wot wUd
bikam v him if /nytySa didant kIp him in hAnd.... hAv V eni FdW
wF hI went t /pItxzbxg? HE hAv fPmd...”
<p>
“jes, F nO,” sed /kQntas /mXi. “/nytySa tOld mI.”
<p>
“wel, Hen, V nO,” /nikalas went on, grOiN hot At H mC
rekalekSan v HX diskaSan, “hI wontad t kanvins mI HAt it iz
evri onast mAn'z dMti t gO agenst H gavxnmant, n HAt H OT
v alIJans n dMti... F Am sori V wxnt HX. HE Yl fel on
mI—/denisOf n /nytySa... /nytySa iz absxd. hQ SI rMlz Ovx him! n
jet HX nId Onli bI a diskaSan n SI hAz nO wxdz v hx On
bat Onli ripIts hiz sEiNz...” Adad /nikalas, jIldiN t HAt
irizistabal inklinESan wic tempts as t JaJ HOz nCast n
dCast t as. hI fxgot HAt wot hI woz sEiN abQt /nytySa kUd
hAv bin aplFd wxd f wxd t himself in rilESan t hiz wFf.
<p>
“jes, F hAv nOtist HAt,” sed /kQntas /mXi.
<p>
“wen F tOld him HAt dMti n H OT wx abav evriTiN, hI
stRtad prMviN gUdnas nOz wot! a piti V wx not HX—wot
wUd V hAv sed?”
<p>
“Az F sI it V wx kwFt rFt, n F tOld /nytySa sO. /piX sez
evribodi iz safxiN, tPcxd, n bIiN kxaptad, n HAt it
iz Qx dMti t help Qx nEbx. v kPs hI iz rFt HX,” sed
/kQntas /mXi, “bat hI fxgets HAt wI hAv aHx dMtiz nCx t as,
dMtiz indikEtad t as bF /god /himself, n HAt HO wI mFt iäpOz
Qxselvz t risä wI mast not risk Qx cildran.”
<p>
“jes, HAt's it! HAt's Jast wot F sed t him,” pUt in /nikalas, hM
fAnsid hI rWli hAd sed it. “bat HE insistad on HX On vV:
lav v wan'z nEbx n /kristiAniti—n Yl His in H prezans v
jaN /nikalas, hM hAd gon intM mF stadi n brOk Yl mF TiNz.”
<p>
“y, /nikalas, dM V nO F Am oftan trabald abQt lital /nikalas,”
sed /kQntas /mXi. “hI iz sac an iäepSanal bq. F Am afrEd F
niglekt him in fEvx v mF On: wI Yl hAv cildran n rilESanz wFl
hI hAz nO wan. hI iz konstantli alOn wiH hiz TYts.”
<p>
“wel, F dOnt TiNk V nId riprOc jPself on hiz akQnt. Yl HAt
H fondast maHx kUd dM f hx san V hAv dan n R dMiN f
him, n v kPs F Am glAd v it. hI iz a fFn lAd, a fFn lAd! His
IvniN hI lisand t /piX in a sPt v trAns, n fAnsi—Az wI wx
gOiN in t sapx F lUkt n hI hAd brOkan evriTiN on mF tEbal t
bits, n hI tOld mI v it himself At wans! F nevx nM him t tel an
antrMT. a fFn lAd, a fFn lAd!” ripItad /nikalas, hM At hRt woz
not fond v /nikalas /bOlkOnski bat woz YlwEz ANkSas t rekagnFz HAt
hI woz a fFn lAd.
<p>
“stil, F Am not H sEm Az hiz On maHx,” sed /kQntas /mXi. “F
fIl F Am not H sEm n it trabalz mI. a wandxfal bq, bat F Am
dredfali afrEd f him. it wUd bI gUd f him t hAv kampAnjanz.”
<p>
“wel it wOnt bI f loN. neät samx F'l tEk him t /pItxzbxg,”
sed /nikalas. “jes, /piX YlwEz woz a drImx n YlwEz wil bI,”
hI kantinVd, ritxniN t H tYk in H stadi wic hAd evidentli
distxbd him. “wel, wot biznas iz it v mFn wot gOz on
HX—weHx /RykcEef iz bAd, n Yl HAt? wot biznas woz it v
mFn wen F mArid n woz sO dIp in det HAt F woz Tretand wiH
prizan, n hAd a maHx hM kUd not sI P andxstAnd it? n
Hen HX R V n H cildran n Qx afXz. iz it f mF On
pleZx HAt F Am At H fRm P in H ofis from mPniN t nFt?
nO, bat F nO F mast wxk t kamfxt mF maHx, t rIpE V, n not
t lIv H cildran sac begxz Az F woz.”
<p>
kQntas /mXi wontad t tel him HAt mAn daz not liv bF bred alOn
n HAt hI atAct tM mac impPtans t HIz mAtxz. bat SI nM
SI mast not sE His n HAt it wUd bI Vslas t dM sO. SI Onli
tUk hiz hAnd n kist it. hI tUk His Az a sFn v aprMval n
a konfxmESan v hiz TYts, n Aftx a fV minits' riflekSan
kantinVd t TiNk alQd.
<p>
“V nO, /mXi, tadE /ilFas /mitrOfynic” (His woz hiz OvxsIx) “kEm
bAk from H /tymbOf istEt n tOld mI HE R Ylredi ofxiN Eti
TQzand rMbalz f H fPist.”
<p>
n wiH an Igx fEs /nikalas bigAn t spIk v H posabiliti v
rIpxcasiN /Otrydnqe bifP loN, n Adad: “anaHx ten jCz v lFf
n F SAl lIv H cildran... in an eäalant paziSan.”
<p>
kQntas /mXi lisand t hx hazband n andxstUd Yl HAt hI tOld
hx. SI nM HAt wen hI TYt alQd in His wE hI wUd samtFmz
Ask hx wot hI hAd bin sEiN, n bI veät if hI nOtist HAt SI
hAd bin TiNkiN abQt samTiN els. bat SI hAd t fPs hxself t
atend, f wot hI woz sEiN did not intxast hx At Yl. SI lUkt
At him n did not TiNk, bat felt, abQt samTiN difxant. SI felt
a sabmisiv tendx lav f His mAn hM wUd nevx andxstAnd Yl
HAt SI andxstUd, n His sImd t mEk hx lav f him stil
stroNgx n Adad a tac v pASanat tendxnas. bisFdz His
fIliN wic absPbd hx YltageHx n hindxd hx from folOiN
H dItElz v hx hazband'z plAnz, TYts HAt hAd nO kanekSan wiH
wot hI woz sEiN flitad TrM hx mFnd. SI TYt v hx nefV.
hx hazband'z akQnt v H bq'z AJitESan wFl /piX woz spIkiN
strak hx fPsabli, n vXWs trEts v hiz Jental, sensitiv
kAraktx rikxd t hx mFnd; n wFl TiNkiN v hx nefV SI
TYt YlsO v hx On cildran. SI did not kampX Hem wiH him, bat
kampXd hx fIliN f Hem wiH hx fIliN f him, n felt
wiH rigret HAt HX woz samTiN lAkiN in hx fIliN f jaN
/nikalas.
<p>
samtFmz it sImd t hx HAt His difxans xOz from H
difxans in HX EJaz, bat SI felt hxself t blEm tPd him n
promist in hx hRt t dM betx n t akompliS H imposabal—in
His lFf t lav hx hazband, hx cildran, lital /nikalas, n Yl
hx nEbxz, Az /krFst lavd mAnkFnd. kQntas /mXi'z sOl YlwEz
strOv tPd H infinit, H itxnal, n H AbsalMt, n kUd
HXfP nevx bI At pIs. a stxn iäpreSan v H lofti, sIkrat
safxiN v a sOl bxdand bF H bodi apCd on hx fEs. /nikalas
gEzd At hx. “O /god! wot wil bikam v as if SI dFz, Az F YlwEz
fC wen hx fEs iz lFk HAt?” TYt hI, n plEsiN himself bifP
H Fkon hI bigAn t sE hiz IvniN prExz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XVI
<p>
/nytySa n /piX, left alOn, YlsO bigAn t tYk Az Onli a hazband
n wFf kAn tYk, HAt iz, wiH iätrPdinXi klCnas n rapiditi,
andxstAndiN n iäpresiN Ic aHx'z TYts in wEz kontrXi t
Yl rMlz v loJik, wiHQt premisaz, didakSanz, P kanklMZanz, n in
a kwFt pikVlC wE. /nytySa woz sO Vst t His kFnd v tYk wiH hx
hazband HAt f hx it woz H SUxast sFn v samTiN bIiN roN
bitwIn Hem if /piX folOd a lFn v loJikal rIzaniN. wen hI
bigAn prMviN eniTiN, P tYkiN RgVmentativli n kymli n SI,
led on bF hiz iãAmpal, bigAn t dM H sEm, SI nM HAt HE wx on
H vxJ v a kworal.
<p>
from H mOment HE wx alOn n /nytySa kEm ap t him wiH
wFd-Opan hApi Fz, n kwikli sIziN hiz hed prest it t hx
bUzam, sEiN: “nQ V R Yl mFn, mFn! V wOnt iskEp!”—from HAt
mOment His konvxsESan bigAn, kontrXi t Yl H lYz v loJik n
kontrXi t Hem bikoz kwFt difxant sabJekts wx tYkt abQt At
wan n H sEm tFm. His sFmaltEnWs diskaSan v meni topiä did
not privent a klC andxstAndiN bat on H kontrXi woz H SUxast
sFn HAt HE fUli andxstUd wan anaHx.
<p>
Jast Az in a drIm wen Yl iz ansxtan, anrIzaniN, n
kontradiktxi, iäept H fIliN HAt gFdz H drIm, sO in His
intxkPs kontrXi t Yl lYz v rIzan, H wxdz Hemselvz wx
not kansekVtiv n klC bat Onli H fIliN HAt promptad Hem.
<p>
/nytySa spOk t /piX abQt hx braHx'z lFf n dMiNz, v hQ SI
hAd safxd n lAkt lFf dxiN hiz On Absans, n v hQ SI
woz fondx HAn evx v /mXi, n hQ /mXi woz in evri wE betx HAn
hxself. in sEiN His /nytySa woz sinsC in aknoliJiN /mXi'z
sMpCiPiti, bat At H sEm tFm bF sEiN it SI mEd a dimAnd on
/piX HAt hI SUd, Yl H sEm, prifx hx t /mXi n t Yl
aHx wimin, n HAt nQ, ispeSali Aftx hAviN sIn meni wimin in
/pItxzbxg, hI SUd tel hx sO afreS.
<p>
/piX, AnsxiN /nytySa'z wxdz, tOld hx hQ intolxabal it hAd bin
f him t mIt lEdiz At dinxz n bYlz in /pItxzbxg.
<p>
“F hAv kwFt lost H nAk v tYkiN t lEdiz,” hI sed. “it woz
simpli dal. bisFdz, F woz veri bizi.”
<p>
/nytySa lUkt intentli At him n went on:
<p>
“mXi iz sO splendid,” SI sed. “hQ SI andxstAndz cildran! it iz Az
if SI sY strEt intM HX sOlz. jestxdE, f instans, /mitja woz
nYti...”
<p>
“hQ lFk hiz fyHx hI iz,” /piX intxJektad.
<p>
/nytySa nM wF hI menSand /mitja'z lFknas t /nikalas: H
rekalekSan v hiz dispVt wiH hiz braHx-in-lY woz anplezant n
hI wontad t nO wot /nytySa TYt v it.
<p>
“/nikalas hAz H wIknas v nevx agrIiN wiH eniTiN not Jenxali
aäeptad. bat F andxstAnd HAt V vAlV wot Opanz ap a freS lFn,”
sed SI, ripItiN wxdz /piX hAd wans atxd.
<p>
“nO, H cIf pqnt iz HAt t /nikalas FdWz n diskaSanz R
an amVzmant—YlmOst a pAstFm,” sed /piX. “f instans, hI iz
kalektiN a lFbrXi n hAz mEd it a rMl not t bF a nM bUk
til hI hAz red wot hI hAd Ylredi bYt—/sismOndi n /rMsO n
/monteskV,” hI Adad wiH a smFl. “V nO hQ mac F...” hI bigAn
t sofan dQn wot hI hAd sed; bat /nytySa intxaptad him t SO
HAt His woz annesisXi.
<p>
“sO V sE FdWz R an amVzmant t him....”
<p>
“jes, n f mI naTiN els iz sCWs. Yl H tFm in /pItxzbxg F
sY evriwan Az in a drIm. wen F Am tEkan ap bF a TYt, Yl els iz
mC amVzmant.”
<p>
“y, F'm sO sori F wozant HX wen V met H cildran,” sed
/nytySa. “wic woz mOst dilFtad? /lIsa, F'm SUx.”
<p>
“jes,” /piX riplFd, n went on wiH wot woz in hiz mFnd. “/nikalas
sez wI Yt not t TiNk. bat F kAnt help it. bisFdz, wen F woz in
/pItxzbxg F felt (F kAn sE His t V) HAt H hOl afX wUd gO
t pIsaz wiHQt mI—evriwan woz pUliN hiz On wE. bat F saäIdad
in VnFtiN Hem Yl; n Hen mF FdW iz sO klC n simpal. V sI,
F dOnt sE HAt wI Yt t apOz His n HAt. wI mE bI mistEkan.
wot F sE iz: 'Jqn hAndz, V hM lav H rFt, n let HX bI bat
wan bAnx—HAt v Aktiv vxcM.' prins /sergE iz a fFn felO n
klevx.”
<p>
/nytySa wUd hAv hAd nO dQt Az t H grEtnas v /piX'z FdW,
bat wan TiN diskansxtad hx. “kAn a mAn sO impPtant n nesisXi t
sasFati bI YlsO mF hazband? hQ did His hApan?” SI wiSt t iäpres
His dQt t him. “nQ hM kUd disFd weHx hI iz rWli klevxx
HAn Yl H aHxz?” SI Askt hxself, n pAst in rivV Yl HOz
hMm /piX mOst rispektad. JaJiN bF wot hI hAd sed HX woz nO wan
hI hAd rispektad sO hFli Az /platon /kRytFef.
<p>
“dM V nO wot F Am TiNkiN abQt?” SI Askt. “abQt /platon
/kRytFef. wUd hI hAv aprMvd v V nQ, dM V TiNk?”
<p>
/piX woz not At Yl sxprFzd At His kwescan. hI andxstUd hiz
wFf's lFn v TYt.
<p>
“platon /kRytFef?” hI ripItad, n pondxd, evidentli sinsCli
trFiN t imAJin /kRytFef's apinjan on H sabJekt. “hI wUd not hAv
andxstUd... jet pxhAps hI wUd.”
<p>
“F lav V Yfali!” /nytySa sadanli sed. “Yfali, Yfali!”
<p>
“nO, hI wUd not hAv aprMvd,” sed /piX, Aftx riflekSan. “wot
hI wUd hAv aprMvd v iz Qx fAmli lFf. hI woz YlwEz sO ANkSas
t fFnd sImlinas, hApinas, n pIs in evriTiN, n F SUd
hAv bin prQd t let him sI as. HX nQ—V tYk v mF Absans,
bat V wUdant bilIv wot a speSal fIliN F hAv f V Aftx a
sepxESan....”
<p>
“jes, F SUd TiNk...” /nytySa bigAn.
<p>
“nO, it's not HAt. F nevx lIv of laviN V. n wan kUdant lav
mP, bat His iz samTiN speSal.... jes, v kPs—” hI did not
finiS bikoz HX Fz mItiN sed H rest.
<p>
“wot nonsens it iz,” /nytySa sadanli iäklEmd, “abQt hanimMnz,
n HAt H grEtast hApinas iz At fxst! on H kontrXi, nQ iz
H best v Yl. if Onli V did not gO awE! dM V rimembx hQ
wI kworald? n it woz YlwEz mF fYlt. YlwEz mFn. n wot wI
kworald abQt—F dOnt Ivan rimembx!”
<p>
“YlwEz abQt H sEm TiN,” sed /piX wiH a smFl. “/JWlO...”
<p>
“dOnt sE it! F kAnt bX it!” /nytySa krFd, n hx Fz glitxd
kOldli n vindiktivli. “did V sI hx?” SI Adad, Aftx a pYz.
<p>
“nO, n if F hAd F SUdant hAv rekagnFzd hx.”
<p>
HE wx sFlant f a wFl.
<p>
“O, dM V nO? wFl V wx tYkiN in H stadi F woz lUkiN At
V,” /nytySa bigAn, evidentli ANkSas t dispxs H klQd HAt hAd
kam Ovx Hem. “V R Az lFk him Az tM pIz—lFk H bq.” (SI
ment hx lital san.) “O, it's tFm t gO t him.... H milk's
kam.... bat F'm sori t lIv V.”
<p>
HE wx sFlant f a fV sekandz. Hen sadanli txniN t wan
anaHx At H sEm tFm HE bOT bigAn t spIk. /piX bigAn wiH
self-sAtisfAkSan n inTVziAzam, /nytySa wiH a kwFat, hApi smFl.
hAviN intxaptad wan anaHx HE bOT stopt t let H aHx
kantinV.
<p>
“nO. wot did V sE? gO on, gO on.”
<p>
“nO, V gO on, F woz tYkiN nonsens,” sed /nytySa.
<p>
/piX finiSt wot hI hAd bigan. it woz H sIkwal t hiz kamplEsant
riflekSanz on hiz saäes in /pItxzbxg. At HAt mOment it sImd t
him HAt hI woz cOzan t giv a nM direkSan t H hOl v /raSan
sasFati n t H hOl wxld.
<p>
“F Onli wiSt t sE HAt FdWz HAt hAv grEt rizalts R YlwEz
simpal wanz. mF hOl FdW iz HAt if viSas pIpal R VnFtad n
konstitMt a pQx, Hen onast fOk mast dM H sEm. nQ HAt's simpal
inaf.”
<p>
“jes.”
<p>
“n wot wx V gOiN t sE?”
<p>
“F? Onli nonsens.”
<p>
“bat Yl H sEm?”
<p>
“O naTiN, Onli a trFfal,” sed /nytySa, smFliN stil mP brFtli.
“F Onli wontad t tel V abQt /petja: tadE nxs woz kamiN t tEk
him from mI, n hI lAft, Sat hiz Fz, n klaN t mI. F'm SUx
hI TYt hI woz hFdiN. Yfali swIt! HX, nQ hI'z krFiN. wel,
gUd-bF!” n SI left H rMm.
<p>
<p>
mInwFl dQnstXz in jaN /nikalas /bOlkOnski'z bedrMm a lital lAmp
woz bxniN Az VZMal. (H bq woz afrEd v H dRk n HE kUd
not kjUx him v it.) /desyl slept propt ap on fP pilOz n hiz
/rOman nOz imitad sQndz v riHmik snPiN. lital /nikalas, hM hAd
Jast wEkt ap in a kOld pxspxESan, sAt ap in bed n gEzd bifP him
wiH wFd-Opan Fz. hI hAd awEkt from a teribal drIm. hI hAd drImd
HAt hI n /aNkal /piX, wXiN helmats sac Az wx dipiktad in
hiz /plMtRk, wx lIdiN a hVJ Rmi. H Rmi woz mEd ap v wFt
slAntiN lFnz HAt fild H X lFk H kobwebz HAt flOt abQt in
Ytam n wic /desyl kYld /lez filz de ly /viXZ. in frant woz
/glPi, wic woz similx t HOz Tredz bat rAHx Tikx. hI n
/piX wx bPn aloN lFtli n Jqasli, nCx n nCx t HX
gOl. sadanli H Tredz HAt mMvd Hem bigAn t slAkan n bikam
intANgald n it grM difikalt t mMv. n /aNkal /nikalas stUd bifP
Hem in a stxn n TretaniN AtitMd.
<p>
“hAv V dan His?” hI sed, pqntiN t sam brOkan sIliN wAä n
penz. “F lavd V, bat F hAv Pdxz from /RykcEef n wil kil
H fxst v V hM mMvz fPwxd.” lital /nikalas txnd t lUk
At /piX bat /piX woz nO loNgx HX. in hiz plEs woz hiz
fyHx—/prins /AndrM—n hiz fyHx hAd nFHx SEp nP fPm, bat hI
iãistad, n wen lital /nikalas pxsIvd him hI grM fEnt wiH lav:
hI felt himself pQxlas, limp, n fPmlas. hiz fyHx kxest n
pitid him. bat /aNkal /nikalas kEm nCx n nCx t Hem. terx
sIzd jaN /nikalas n hI awOk.
<p>
“mF fyHx!” hI TYt. (HO HX wx tM gUd pPtrEts v /prins
/AndrM in H hQs, /nikalas nevx imAJind him in hVman fPm.) “mF
fyHx hAz bin wiH mI n kxest mI. hI aprMvd v mI n v /aNkal
/piX. wotevx hI mE tel mI, F wil dM it. /mMsWs /sIvala bxnd
hiz hAnd. wF SUd not H sEm sPt v TiN hApan t mI? F nO
HE wont mI t lxn. n F wil lxn. bat samdE F SAl hAv
finiSt lxniN, n Hen F wil dM samTiN. F Onli prE /god HAt
samTiN mE hApan t mI sac Az hApand t /plMtRk's men, n F
wil Akt Az HE did. F wil dM betx. evriwan SAl nO mI, lav mI,
n bI dilFtad wiH mI!” n sadanli hiz bUzam hIvd wiH sobz n
hI bigAn t krF.
<p>
“R V il?” hI hxd /desyl' vqs AskiN.
<p>
“nO,” Ansxd /nikalas, n lE bAk on hiz pilO.
<p>
“hI iz gUd n kFnd n F Am fond v him!” hI TYt v /desyl.
“bat /aNkal /piX! O, wot a wandxfal mAn hI iz! n mF fyHx? O,
/fyHx, /fyHx! jes, F wil dM samTiN wiH wic Ivan hI wUd bI
sAtisfFd....”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/sekand /epilog
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx F
<p>
/histxi iz H lFf v nESanz n v hVmAniti. t sIz n pUt intM
wxdz, t diskrFb direktli H lFf v hVmAniti P Ivan v a siNgal
nESan, apCz imposabal.
<p>
H Encant histPWnz Yl implqd wan n H sEm meTad t diskrFb
n sIz H apArantli ilMsiv—H lFf v a pIpal. HE diskrFbd
H Aktiviti v indiviJMalz hM rMld H pIpal, n rigRdad H
Aktiviti v HOz men Az reprizentiN H Aktiviti v H hOl nESan.
<p>
H kwescan: hQ did indiviJMalz mEk nESanz Akt Az HE wiSt n bF
wot woz H wil v HIz indiviJMalz Hemselvz gFdad? H Encants
met bF rekagnFziN a diviniti wic sabJektad H nESanz t H wil v
a cOzan mAn, n gFdad H wil v HAt cOzan mAn sO Az t akompliS
endz HAt wx prIdestind.
<p>
f H Encants HIz kwescanz wx solvd bF a bilIf in H direkt
pRtisipESan v H /dIiti in hVman afXz.
<p>
modxn histxi, in TCi, riJekts bOT HIz prinsapalz.
<p>
it wUd sIm HAt hAviN riJektad H bilIf v H Encants in mAn'z
sabJekSan t H /dIiti n in a prIditxmind Em tPd wic nESanz
R led, modxn histxi SUd stadi not H mAnifestESanz v pQx bat
H kYzaz HAt pradMs it. bat modxn histxi hAz not dan His. hAviN
in TCi riJektad H vV held bF H Encants, it stil folOz Hem
in prAktis.
<p>
insted v men indQd wiH divFn YToriti n direktli gFdad bF
H wil v /god, modxn histxi hAz givan as FHx hCOz indQd wiH
iätrPdinXi, sMpxhVman kapAsitiz, P simpli men v veri vXWs
kFndz, from monRä t Jxnalists, hM lId H mAsaz. insted v H
fPmx divFnli apqntad Emz v H /JMiS, /grIk, P /rOman nESanz,
wic Encant histPWnz rigRdad Az reprizentiN H progres v
hVmAniti, modxn histxi hAz poscalEtad its On Emz—H welfX v H
/frenc, /Jxman, P /iNgliS pIpal, P, in its hFast AbstrAkSan, H
welfX n sivilizESan v hVmAniti in Jenxal, bF wic iz VZMali
ment HAt v H pIpalz okVpFiN a smYl nPTwestxli pPSan v a
lRJ kontinant.
<p>
modxn histxi hAz riJektad H bilIfs v H Encants wiHQt
riplEsiN Hem bF a nM kansepSan, n H loJik v H sicMESan hAz
ablFJd H histPWnz, Aftx HE hAd apArantli riJektad H divFn
YToriti v H kiNz n H “fEt” v H Encants, t rIc H sEm
kanklMZan bF anaHx rOd, HAt iz, t rekagnFz (1) nESanz gFdad
bF indiviJMal men, n (2) H iãistans v a nOn Em t wic HIz
nESanz n hVmAniti At lRJ R tendiN.
<p>
At H bEsis v H wxä v Yl H modxn histPWnz from /giban t
/bakal, dispFt HX sImiN disagrImants n H apArant novalti v
HX QtlUä, lF HOz tM Old, anavqdabal asampSanz.
<p>
in H fxst plEs H histPWn diskrFbz H Aktiviti v indiviJMalz
hM in hiz apinjan hAv direktad hVmAniti (wan histPWn kansidxz
Onli monRä, Jenxalz, n ministxz Az bIiN sac men, wFl anaHx
inklMdz YlsO Patxz, lxnd men, rifPmxz, filosafxz, n pOats).
sekandli, it iz asMmd HAt H gOl tPd wic hVmAniti iz bIiN led
iz nOn t H histPWnz: t wan v Hem His gOl iz H grEtnas v
H /rOman, /spAniS, P /frenc relm; t anaHx it iz libxti, ikwoliti,
n a sxtan kFnd v sivilizESan v a smYl kPnx v H wxld kYld
/jUxap.
<p>
in 1789 a fxment xFzaz in /pAris; it grOz, spredz, n iz iäprest
bF a mMvmant v pIpalz from west t Ist. sevxal tFmz it mMvz
Istwxd n kalFdz wiH a kQntxmMvmant from H Ist westwxd.
in 1812 it rIcaz its iätrIm limit, /moskQ, n Hen, wiH rimRkabal
simitri, a kQntxmMvmant akxz from Ist t west, atrAktiN t
it, Az H fxst mMvmant hAd dan, H nESanz v midal /jUxap. H
kQntx mMvmant rIcaz H stRtiN pqnt v H fxst mMvmant in H
west—/pAris—n sabsFdz.
<p>
dxiN HAt twenti-jC pCWd an imens nambx v fIldz wx left
antild, hQzaz wx bxnd, trEd cEnJd its direkSan, milWnz
v men mFgrEtad, wx impovxiSt, P wx inrict, n milWnz
v /kriscan men prafesiN H lY v lav v HX felOz slM wan
anaHx.
<p>
wot daz Yl His mIn? wF did it hApan? wot mEd HOz pIpal bxn
hQzaz n slE HX felO men? wot wx H kYzaz v HIz ivents?
wot fPs mEd men Akt sO? HIz R H instiNktiv, plEn, n
mOst liJitimat kwescanz hVmAniti Asä itself wen it inkQntxz H
monVmants n tradiSan v HAt pCWd.
<p>
f a riplF t HIz kwescanz H koman sens v mAnkFnd txnz t H
sFans v histxi, hMz Em iz t inEbal nESanz n hVmAniti t nO
Hemselvz.
<p>
if histxi hAd ritEnd H kansepSan v H Encants it wUd hAv
sed HAt /god, t riwPd P paniS hiz pIpal, gEv /napOlWn pQx n
direktad hiz wil t H fUlfilmant v H divFn endz, n HAt riplF
wUd hAv bin klC n kamplIt. wan mFt bilIv P disbilIv
in H divFn signifikans v /napOlWn, bat f eniwan bilIviN in
it HX wUd hAv bin naTiN aninteliJabal in H histxi v HAt
pCWd, nP wUd HX hAv bin eni kontradikSanz.
<p>
bat modxn histxi kAnot giv HAt riplF. sFans daz not admit H
kansepSan v H Encants Az t H direkt pRtisipESan v H /dIiti
in hVman afXz, n HXfP histxi Yt t giv aHx Ansxz.
<p>
modxn histxi riplFiN t HIz kwescanz sez: V wont t nO wot
His mMvmant mInz, wot kYzd it, n wot fPs prOdMst HIz
ivents? Hen lisan:
<p>
“/lMi XIV woz a veri prQd n self-konfidant mAn; hI hAd sac n sac
mistrasaz n sac n sac ministxz n hI rMld /fryns bAdli. hiz
disendants wx wIk men n HE tM rMld /fryns bAdli. n HE hAd
sac n sac fEvxits n sac n sac mistrasaz. mPOvx, sxtan
men rOt sam bUä At HAt tFm. At H end v H EtInT sencxi
HX wx a kapal v dazan men in /pAris hM bigAn t tYk abQt Yl
men bIiN frI n Ikwal. His kYzd pIpal Yl Ovx /fryns t bigin
t slAS At n drQn wan anaHx. HE kild H kiN n meni aHx
pIpal. At HAt tFm HX woz in /fryns a mAn v JInWs—/napOlWn. hI
koNkxd evribodi evriwX—HAt iz, hI kild meni pIpal bikoz
hI woz a grEt JInWs. n f sam rIzan hI went t kil /Afrikanz, n
kild Hem sO wel n woz sO kaniN n wFz HAt wen hI ritxnd t
/fryns hI Pdxd evribodi t ObE him, n HE Yl ObEd him. hAviN
bikam an /empxx hI agen went Qt t kil pIpal in /itali, /ostrW,
n /praSa. n HX tM hI kild a grEt meni. in /raSa HX
woz an /empxx, /AliãAndx, hM disFdad t ristP Pdx in /jUxap n
HXfP fYt agenst /napOlWn. in 1807 hI sadanli mEd frendz
wiH him, bat in 1811 HE agen kworald n agen bigAn kiliN meni
pIpal. /napOlWn led siä handrad TQzand men intM /raSa n kApcxd
/moskQ; Hen hI sadanli rAn awE from /moskQ, n H /empxx
/AliãAndx, helpt bF H advFs v /stFn n aHxz, VnFtad /jUxap t
Rm agenst H distxbx v its pIs. Yl /napOlWn'z AlFz sadanli
bikEm hiz enamiz n HX fPsaz advAnst agenst H freS fPsaz hI
rEzd. H /AlFz difItad /napOlWn, entxd /pAris, fPst /napOlWn t
AbdikEt, n sent him t H Fland v /elba, not diprFviN him v H
tFtal v /empxx n SOiN him evri rispekt, HO fFv jCz bifP
n wan jC lEtx HE Yl rigRdad him Az an QtlY n a brigand.
Hen /lMi XVIII, hM til Hen hAd bin H lAfiNstok bOT v H
/frenc n H /AlFz, bigAn t rEn. n /napOlWn, SediN tCz
bifP hiz /Old /gRdz, rinQnst H TrOn n went intM eäFl. Hen
H skilfal stEtsmen n diplOmatists (ispeSali /tAlirAnd, hM
mAniJd t sit dQn in a pxtikVlx cX bifP eniwan els n
HXbF iätendad H frantCz v /fryns) tYkt in /viena n bF
HIz konvxsESanz mEd H nESanz hApi P anhApi. sadanli H
diplOmatists n monRä nCli kworald n wx on H pqnt v
agen PdxiN HX Rmiz t kil wan anaHx, bat Jast Hen /napOlWn
xFvd in /fryns wiH a batAlWn, n H /frenc, hM hAd bin hEtiN
him, imIdWtli Yl sabmitad t him. bat H /AlFd monRä wx
ANgri At His n went t fFt H /frenc wans mP. n HE difItad
H JInWs /napOlWn n, sadanli rekagnFziN him Az a brigand, sent him
t H Fland v /st /helena. n H eäFl, sepxEtad from H bilavad
/fryns sO dC t hiz hRt, dFd a liNgxiN deT on HAt rok n
bikwITt hiz grEt dIdz t posteriti. bat in /jUxap a riAkSan
akxd n H sovranz wans agen Yl bigAn t apres HX
sabJekts.”
<p>
it wUd bI a mistEk t TiNk HAt His iz Fronik—a kArikacx v H
histPikal akQnts. on H kontrXi it iz a veri mFld iäpreSan v
H kontradiktxi riplFz, not mItiN H kwescanz, wic Yl H
histPWnz giv, from H kampFlxz v memwRz n H histxiz
v sepxat stEts t H rFtxz v Jenxal histxiz n H nM
histxiz v H kalcx v HAt pCWd.
<p>
H strEnJnas n absxditi v HIz riplFz xFz from H fAkt HAt
modxn histxi, lFk a def mAn, Ansxz kwescanz nO wan hAz Askt.
<p>
if H pxpas v histxi bI t giv a diskripSan v H mMvmant v
hVmAniti n v H pIpalz, H fxst kwescan—in H Absans v a
riplF t wic Yl H rest wil bI inkomprihensabal—iz: wot iz H
pQx HAt mMvz pIpalz? t His, modxn histxi labPWsli riplFz
FHx HAt /napOlWn woz a grEt JInWs, P HAt /lMi XIV woz veri
prQd, P HAt sxtan rFtxz rOt sxtan bUä.
<p>
Yl HAt mE bI sO n mAnkFnd iz redi t agrI wiH it, bat it iz not
wot woz Askt. Yl HAt wUd bI intxastiN if wI rekagnFzd a divFn
pQx bEst on itself n YlwEz kansistantli direktiN its nESanz
TrM /napOlWnz, /lMi-es, n rFtxz; bat wI dM not aknoliJ sac
a pQx, n HXfP bifP spIkiN abQt /napOlWnz, /lMi-es, n
YTxz, wI Yt t bI SOn H kanekSan iãistiN bitwIn HIz men
n H mMvmant v H nESanz.
<p>
if insted v a divFn pQx sam aHx fPs hAz apCd, it SUd
bI iäplEnd in wot His nM fPs kansists, f H hOl intxast v
histxi lFz prisFsli in HAt fPs.
<p>
histxi sImz t asMm HAt His fPs iz self-evidant n nOn t
evriwan. bat in spFt v evri dizFx t rigRd it Az nOn, eniwan
rIdiN meni histPikal wxä kAnot help dQtiN weHx His nM
fPs, sO vXWsli andxstUd bF H histPWnz Hemselvz, iz rWli
kwFt wel nOn t evribodi.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx II
<p>
wot fPs mMvz H nESanz?
<p>
bFagrAfikal histPWnz n histPWnz v sepxat nESanz andxstAnd
His fPs Az a pQx inherant in hCOz n rMlxz. in HX nArESan
ivents akx sOli bF H wil v a /napOlWn, n /AliãAndx, P in
Jenxal v H pxsanz HE diskrFb. H Ansxz givan bF His kFnd
v histPWn t H kwescan v wot fPs kYzaz ivents t hApan R
sAtisfAktxi Onli Az loN Az HX iz bat wan histPWn t Ic ivent.
Az sMn Az histPWnz v difxant nASanAlitiz n tendansiz bigin
t diskrFb H sEm ivent, H riplFz HE giv imIdWtli lMz Yl
mIniN, f His fPs iz andxstUd bF Hem Yl not Onli difxantli
bat oftan in kwFt kontradiktxi wEz. wan histPWn sez HAt an
ivent woz prOdMst bF /napOlWn'z pQx, anaHx HAt it woz prOdMst bF
/AliãAndx'z, a Txd HAt it woz dM t H pQx v sam aHx pxsan.
bisFdz His, histPWnz v HAt kFnd kontradikt Ic aHx Ivan
in HX stEtmant Az t H fPs on wic H YToriti v sam
pxtikVlx pxsan woz bEst. /tiX, a /bOnapRtist, sez HAt /napOlWn'z
pQx woz bEst on hiz vxcM n JInWs. /lonfrE, a /ripablikan, sez it
woz bEst on hiz trikxi n disepSan v H pIpal. sO H histPWnz
v His klAs, bF mVcMali distrqiN wan anaHx'z paziSanz, distrq
H andxstAndiN v H fPs wic prOdMsaz ivents, n fxniS nO
riplF t histxi'z isenSal kwescan.
<p>
rFtxz v Vnivxsal histxi hM dIl wiH Yl H nESanz sIm t
rekagnFz hQ irOnWs iz H speSalist histPWnz' vV v H fPs
wic prOdMsaz ivents. HE dM not rekagnFz it Az a pQx inherant in
hCOz n rMlxz, bat Az H risaltant v a maltiplisiti v vXWsli
direktad fPsaz. in diskrFbiN a wP P H sabJagESan v a pIpal, a
Jenxal histPWn lUä f H kYz v H ivent not in H pQx
v wan mAn, bat in H intxAkSan v meni pxsanz kanektad wiH H
ivent.
<p>
akPdiN t His vV H pQx v histPikal pxsaniJaz, reprizentad
Az H prodakt v meni fPsaz, kAn nO loNgx, it wUd sIm, bI rigRdad
Az a fPs HAt itself prOdMsaz ivents. jet in mOst kEsaz Vnivxsal
histPWnz stil implq H kansepSan v pQx Az a fPs HAt itself
prOdMsaz ivents, n trIt it Az HX kYz. in HX eäpaziSan, an
histPik kAraktx iz fxst H prodakt v hiz tFm, n hiz pQx Onli
H risaltant v vXWs fPsaz, n Hen hiz pQx iz itself a fPs
prOdMsiN ivents. /gervinUs, /Slosx, n aHxz, f instans, At wan
tFm prMv /napOlWn t bI a prodakt v H /revalMSan, v H FdWz v
1789 n sO fPT, n At anaHx plEnli sE HAt H kAmpEn v 1812
n aHx TiNz HE dM not lFk wx simpli H prodakt v /napOlWn'z
misdirektad wil, n HAt H veri FdWz v 1789 wx xestad in HX
divelapmant bF /napOlWn'z kaprIs. H FdWz v H /revalMSan n H
Jenxal tempx v H EJ prOdMst /napOlWn'z pQx. bat /napOlWn'z
pQx saprest H FdWz v H /revalMSan n H Jenxal tempx v
H EJ.
<p>
His kjUxWs kontradikSan iz not Aäidental. not Onli daz it akx At
evri step, bat H Vnivxsal histPWnz' akQnts R Yl mEd ap v
a cEn v sac kontradikSanz. His kontradikSan akxz bikoz Aftx
entxiN H fIld v anAlasis H Vnivxsal histPWnz stop hAfwE.
<p>
t fFnd kompOnant fPsaz Ikwal t H kompozit P risaltant fPs, H
sam v H kompOnants mast Ikwal H risaltant. His kandiSan iz nevx
abzxvd bF H Vnivxsal histPWnz, n sO t iäplEn H risaltant
fPsaz HE R ablFJd t admit, in adiSan t H insafiSant
kompOnants, anaHx aniäplEnd fPs afektiN H risaltant AkSan.
<p>
speSalist histPWnz diskrFbiN H kAmpEn v 1813 P H restxESan
v H /bxbanz plEnli asxt HAt HIz ivents wx prOdMst bF H
wil v /AliãAndx. bat H Vnivxsal histPWn /gervinUs, rifVtiN His
apinjan v H speSalist histPWn, trFz t prMv HAt H kAmpEn v
1813 n H restxESan v H /bxbanz wx dM t aHx TiNz bisFd
/AliãAndx'z wil—sac Az H Aktiviti v /stFn, /metxniâ, /madym de
/Styl, /tAlirAnd, /fiâta, /SytObriynd, n aHxz. H histPWn
evidentli dIkampOzaz /AliãAndx'z pQx intM H kompOnants: /tAlirAnd,
/SytObriynd, n H rest—bat H sam v H kompOnants, HAt iz,
H intxAkSanz v /SytObriynd, /tAlirAnd, /madym de /Styl, n H
aHxz, evidentli daz not Ikwal H risaltant, nEmli H finominon
v milWnz v /frencmen sabmitiN t H /bxbanz. HAt /SytObriynd,
/madym de /Styl, n aHxz spOk sxtan wxdz t wan anaHx Onli
afektad HX mVcMal rilESanz bat daz not akQnt f H sabmiSan
v milWnz. n HXfP t iäplEn hQ from HIz rilESanz v HXz
H sabmiSan v milWnz v pIpal rizaltad—HAt iz, hQ kompOnant
fPsaz Ikwal t wan a gEv a risaltant Ikwal t a TQzand tFmz a—H
histPWn iz agen ablFJd t fYl bAk on pQx—H fPs hI hAd
dinFd—n t rekagnFz it Az H risaltant v H fPsaz, HAt iz, hI
hAs t admit an aniäplEnd fPs AktiN on H risaltant. n HAt iz
Jast wot H Vnivxsal histPWnz dM, n konsikwantli HE not Onli
kontradikt H speSalist histPWnz bat kontradikt Hemselvz.
<p>
pezants hAviN nO klC FdW v H kYz v rEn, sE, akPdiN t
weHx HE wont rEn P fFn weHx: “H wind hAz blOn H klQdz
awE,” P, “H wind hAz brYt ap H klQdz.” n in H sEm wE H
Vnivxsal histPWnz samtFmz, wen it plIzaz Hem n fits in wiH
HX TCi, sE HAt pQx iz H rizalt v ivents, n samtFmz,
wen HE wont t prMv samTiN els, sE HAt pQx prOdMsaz ivents.
<p>
a Txd klAs v histPWnz—H sO-kYld histPWnz v
kalcx—folOiN H pAT lEd dQn bF H Vnivxsal histPWnz hM
samtFmz aäept rFtxz n lEdiz Az fPsaz prOdMsiN ivents—agen
tEk HAt fPs t bI samTiN kwFt difxant. HE sI it in wot iz
kYld kalcx—in mental Aktiviti.
<p>
H histPWnz v kalcx R kwFt kansistant in rigRd t HX
prOJenitxz, H rFtxz v Vnivxsal histxiz, f if histPikal
ivents mE bI iäplEnd bF H fAkt HAt sxtan pxsanz trItad wan
anaHx in sac n sac wEz, wF not iäplEn Hem bF H fAkt HAt
sac n sac pIpal rOt sac n sac bUä? v H imens nambx v
indikESanz akampaniiN evri vFtal finominon, HIz histPWnz silekt
H indikESan v intalekcMal Aktiviti n sE HAt His indikESan iz
H kYz. bat dispFt HX indevxz t prMv HAt H kYz v ivents
lFz in intalekcMal Aktiviti, Onli bF a grEt strec kAn wan admit
HAt HX iz eni kanekSan bitwIn intalekcMal Aktiviti n H
mMvmant v pIpalz, n in nO kEs kAn wan admit HAt intalekcMal
Aktiviti kantrOlz pIpal'z AkSanz, f HAt vV iz not kanfxmd bF
sac fAkts Az H veri krMal mxdxz v H /frenc /revalMSan rizaltiN
from H doktrin v H ikwoliti v mAn, P H veri krMal wPz n
eäikVSanz rizaltiN from H prIciN v lav.
<p>
bat Ivan admitiN Az kxekt Yl H kaniNli divFzd RgVmants wiH
wic HIz histxiz R fild—admitiN HAt nESanz R gavxnd bF
sam andifFnd fPs kYld an FdW—histxi'z isenSal kwescan stil
rimEnz anAnsxd, n t H fPmx pQx v monRä n t H
inflMans v advFzxz n aHx pIpal intradMst bF H Vnivxsal
histPWnz, anaHx, nMx fPs—H FdW—iz Adad, H kanekSan v
wic wiH H mAsaz nIdz eäplanESan. it iz posabal t andxstAnd
HAt /napOlWn hAd pQx n sO ivents akxd; wiH sam efxt wan mE
Ivan kansIv HAt /napOlWn tageHx wiH aHx inflMansaz woz H kYz
v an ivent; bat hQ a bUk, /lU /kontrAt /sOSal, hAd H ifekt v mEkiN
/frencmen bigin t drQn wan anaHx kAnot bI andxstUd wiHQt an
eäplanESan v H kYzal neäas v His nM fPs wiH H ivent.
<p>
andQtadli sam rilESan iãists bitwIn Yl hM liv kantempxEnWsli,
n sO it iz posabal t fFnd sam kanekSan bitwIn H intalekcMal
Aktiviti v men n HX histPikal mMvmants, Jast Az sac a
kanekSan mE bI fQnd bitwIn H mMvmants v hVmAniti n komxs,
hAndikrAft, gRdaniN, P eniTiN els V plIz. bat wF intalekcMal
Aktiviti iz kansidxd bF H histPWnz v kalcx t bI H kYz P
iäpreSan v H hOl histPikal mMvmant iz hRd t andxstAnd.
Onli H folOiN kansidxESanz kAn hAv led H histPWnz t sac
a kanklMZan: (1) HAt histxi iz ritan bF lxnd men, n sO it iz
nAcxal n agrIabal f Hem t TiNk HAt H Aktiviti v HX klAs
saplFz H bEsis v H mMvmant v Yl hVmAniti, Jast Az a similx
bilIf iz nAcxal n agrIabal t trEdxz, Agrikalcxists, n sOlJxz
(if HE dM not iäpres it, HAt iz mCli bikoz trEdxz n sOlJxz
dM not rFt histxi), n (2) HAt spiricMal Aktiviti, inlFtanmant,
sivilizESan, kalcx, FdWz, R Yl indistiNkt, indefinit kansepSanz
andx hMz bAnx it iz veri Izi t Vz wxdz hAviN a stil les
definit mIniN, n wic kAn HXfP bI redili intradMst intM eni
TCi.
<p>
bat not t spIk v H intrinsik kwoliti v histxiz v His kFnd
(wic mE posabli Ivan bI v Vs t samwan f samTiN) H
histxiz v kalcx, t wic Yl Jenxal histxiz tend mP n mP
t aproäimEt, R signifikant from H fAkt HAt Aftx sCWsli
n mFnMtli iãAminiN vXWs riliJas, filasofik, n politikal
doktrinz Az kYzaz v ivents, Az sMn Az HE hAf t diskrFb an
AkcMal histPik ivent sac Az H kAmpEn v 1812 f instans, HE
involantXili diskrFb it Az rizaltiN from an eäxsFz v pQx—n sE
plEnli HAt HAt woz H rizalt v /napOlWn'z wil. spIkiN sO, H
histPWnz v kalcx involantXili kontradikt Hemselvz, n SO HAt
H nM fPs HE hAv divFzd daz not akQnt f wot hApanz in
histxi, n HAt histxi kAn Onli bI iäplEnd bF intradMsiN a pQx
wic HE apArantli dM not rekagnFz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx III
<p>
a lOkamOtiv iz mMviN. samwan Asä: “wot mMvz it?” a pezant sez
H deval mMvz it. anaHx mAn sez H lOkamOtiv mMvz bikoz its
wIlz gO rQnd. a Txd asxts HAt H kYz v its mMvmant lFz in
H smOk wic H wind kAriz awE.
<p>
H pezant iz irifVtabal. hI hAz divFzd a kamplIt eäplanESan. t
rifVt him samwan wUd hAf t prMv t him HAt HX iz nO deval,
P anaHx pezant wUd hAf t iäplEn t him HAt it iz not H deval
bat a /Jxman, hM mMvz H lOkamOtiv. Onli Hen, Az a rizalt v H
kontradikSan, wil HE sI HAt HE R bOT roN. bat H mAn hM
sez HAt H mMvmant v H wIlz iz H kYz rifVts himself, f
hAviN wans bigan t AnalFz hI Yt t gO on n iäplEn fxHx wF
H wIlz gO rQnd; n til hI hAz rIct H altimat kYz v H
mMvmant v H lOkamOtiv in H preSx v stIm in H bqlx, hI
hAz nO rFt t stop in hiz sxc f H kYz. H mAn hM iäplEnz
H mMvmant v H lOkamOtiv bF H smOk HAt iz kArid bAk hAz
nOtist HAt H wIlz dM not saplF an eäplanESan n hAz tEkan H
fxst sFn HAt akxz t him n in hiz txn hAz ofxd HAt Az an
eäplanESan.
<p>
H Onli kansepSan HAt kAn iäplEn H mMvmant v H lOkamOtiv iz
HAt v a fPs kamensxat wiH H mMvmant abzxvd.
<p>
H Onli kansepSan HAt kAn iäplEn H mMvmant v H pIpalz iz HAt
v sam fPs kamensxat wiH H hOl mMvmant v H pIpalz.
<p>
jet t saplF His kansepSan vXWs histPWnz tEk fPsaz v
difxant kFndz, Yl v wic R inkamensxat wiH H mMvmant
abzxvd. sam sI it Az a fPs direktli inherant in hCOz, Az H
pezant sIz H deval in H lOkamOtiv; aHxz Az a fPs rizaltiN
from sevxal aHx fPsaz, lFk H mMvmant v H wIlz; aHxz agen
Az an intalekcMal inflMans, lFk H smOk HAt iz blOn awE.
<p>
sO loN Az histxiz R ritan v sepxat indiviJMalz, weHx
/sIzxz, /AliãAndxz, /lMTxz, P /vOltXz, n not H histxiz
v Yl, AbsalMtli Yl HOz hM tEk pRt in an ivent, it iz kwFt
imposabal t diskrFb H mMvmant v hVmAniti wiHQt H kansepSan
v a fPs kampeliN men t direkt HX Aktiviti tPd a sxtan end.
n H Onli sac kansepSan nOn t histPWnz iz HAt v pQx.
<p>
His kansepSan iz H wan hAndal bF mInz v wic H matCWl v
histxi, Az At prezant iäpQndad, kAn bI delt wiH, n eniwan hM
brEä HAt hAndal of, Az /bakal did, wiHQt fFndiN sam aHx meTad
v trItiN histPikal matCWl, mCli diprFvz himself v H wan
posabal wE v dIliN wiH it. H nisesiti v H kansepSan v
pQx Az an eäplanESan v histPikal ivents iz best demanstrEtad bF
H Vnivxsal histPWnz n histPWnz v kalcx Hemselvz, f HE
prafesadli riJekt HAt kansepSan bat inevitabli hAv rIkPs t it At
evri step.
<p>
in dIliN wiH hVmAniti'z inkwFxi, H sFans v histxi ap t nQ
iz lFk mani in sxkVlESan—pEpx mani n kqn. H bFografiz n
speSal nASanal histxiz R lFk pEpx mani. HE kAn bI Vzd n
kAn sxkVlEt n fUlfil HX pxpas wiHQt hRm t eniwan n Ivan
AdvantEJasli, Az loN Az nO wan Asä wot iz H sikjUxiti bihFnd Hem.
V nId Onli fxget t Ask hQ H wil v hCOz prOdMsaz ivents, n
sac histxiz Az /tiX' wil bI intxastiN n instraktiv n mE
pxhAps Ivan pazes a tinJ v pOatri. bat Jast Az dQts v H rWl
vAlV v pEpx mani xFz FHx bikoz, bIiN Izi t mEk, tM mac
v it gets mEd P bikoz pIpal trF t iäcEnJ it f gOld, sO YlsO
dQts kansxniN H rWl vAlV v sac histxiz xFz FHx bikoz
tM meni v Hem R ritan P bikoz in hiz simplisiti v hRt
samwan inkwFxz: bF wot fPs did /napOlWn dM His?—HAt iz, wonts
t iäcEnJ H karant pEpx mani f H rWl gOld v AkcMal
komprihenSan.
<p>
H rFtxz v Vnivxsal histxiz n v H histxi v kalcx R
lFk pIpal hM, rekagnFziN H dIfekts v pEpx mani, disFd t
sabstitMt f it mani mEd v metal HAt hAz not H spasifik grAviti
v gOld. it mE indId mEk JiNgaliN kqn, bat wil dM nO mP HAn
HAt. pEpx mani mE disIv H ignxant, bat nObodi iz disIvd bF
tOkanz v bEs metal HAt hAv nO vAlV bat mCli JiNgal. Az gOld iz
gOld Onli if it iz sxvisabal not mCli f iäcEnJ bat YlsO f Vs,
sO Vnivxsal histPWnz wil bI vAlVabal Onli wen HE kAn riplF t
histxi'z isenSal kwescan: wot iz pQx? H Vnivxsal histPWnz
giv kontradiktxi riplFz t HAt kwescan, wFl H histPWnz v
kalcx ivEd it n Ansx samTiN kwFt difxant. n Az kQntxz
v imitESan gOld kAn bI Vzd Onli amaN a grMp v pIpal hM agrI t
aäept Hem Az gOld, P amaN HOz hM dM not nO H nEcx v
gOld, sO Vnivxsal histPWnz n histPWnz v kalcx, not AnsxiN
hVmAniti'z isenSal kwescan, sxv Az karansi f sam pxpasaz v
HX On, Onli in Vnivxsitiz n amaN H mAs v rIdxz hM hAv a
tEst f wot HE kYl “sCWs rIdiN.”
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IV
<p>
/hAviN abAndand H kansepSan v H Encants Az t H divFn
sabJekSan v H wil v a nESan t sam cOzan mAn n H sabJekSan
v HAt mAn'z wil t H /dIiti, histxi kAnot wiHQt kontradikSanz
tEk a siNgal step til it hAz cOzan wan v tM TiNz: FHx a ritxn
t H fPmx bilIf in H direkt intxvenSan v H /dIiti in hVman
afXz P a definit eäplanESan v H mIniN v H fPs prOdMsiN
histPikal ivents n txmd “pQx.”
<p>
a ritxn t H fxst iz imposabal, H bilIf hAz bin distrqd; n
sO it iz isenSal t iäplEn wot iz ment bF pQx.
<p>
/napOlWn Pdxd an Rmi t bI rEzd n gO t wP. wI R sO
akastamd t HAt FdW n hAv bikam sO Vst t it HAt H kwescan:
wF did siä handrad TQzand men gO t fFt wen /napOlWn atxd
sxtan wxdz, sImz t as senslas. hI hAd H pQx n sO wot hI
Pdxd woz dan.
<p>
His riplF iz kwFt sAtisfAktxi if wI bilIv HAt H pQx woz givan
him bF /god. bat Az sMn Az wI dM not admit HAt, it bikamz isenSal t
ditxmin wot iz His pQx v wan mAn Ovx aHxz.
<p>
it kAnot bI H direkt fizikal pQx v a stroN mAn Ovx a wIk wan—a
dominESan bEst on H AplikESan P Tret v fizikal fPs, lFk
H pQx v /hxkVlIz; nP kAn it bI bEst on H ifekt v mPal fPs,
Az in HX simplisiti sam histPWnz TiNk hM sE HAt H lIdiN
figjxz in histxi R hCOz, HAt iz, men giftad wiH a speSal
streNT v sOl n mFnd kYld JInWs. His pQx kAnot bI bEst on
H pridominans v mPal streNT, f, not t menSan hCOz sac Az
/napOlWn abQt hMz mPal kwolitiz apinjanz difx wFdli, histxi
SOz as HAt nFHx a /lMi XI nP a /metxniâ, hM rMld Ovx
milWnz v pIpal, hAd eni pxtikVlx mPal kwolitiz, bat on H
kontrXi wx Jenxali mPali wIkx HAn eni v H milWnz HE
rMld Ovx.
<p>
if H sPs v pQx lFz nFHx in H fizikal nP in H mPal
kwolitiz v him hM pazesaz it, it mast evidentli bI lUkt f
elswX—in H rilESan t H pIpal v H mAn hM wIldz H pQx.
<p>
n HAt iz hQ pQx iz andxstUd bF H sFans v JUxisprMdans,
HAt iäcEnJ bANk v histxi wic ofxz t iäcEnJ histxi'z
andxstAndiN v pQx f trM gOld.
<p>
pQx iz H kalektiv wil v H pIpal trAnsfxd, bF iäprest P
tAsit kansent, t HX cOzan rMlxz.
<p>
in H dOmEn v JUxisprMdans, wic kansists v diskaSanz v hQ a
stEt n pQx mFt bI xEnJd wx it posabal f Yl HAt t
bI xEnJd, it iz Yl veri klC; bat wen aplFd t histxi HAt
definiSan v pQx nIdz eäplanESan.
<p>
H sFans v JUxisprMdans rigRdz H stEt n pQx Az H Encants
rigRdad fFx—nEmli, Az samTiN iãistiN AbsalMtli. bat f histxi,
H stEt n pQx R mCli finomina, Jast Az f modxn fiziä
fFx iz not an elimant bat a finominon.
<p>
from His fandamental difxans bitwIn H vV held bF histxi n
HAt held bF JUxisprMdans, it folOz HAt JUxisprMdans kAn tel
mFnMtli hQ in its apinjan pQx SUd bI konstitMtad n wot
pQx—iãistiN imVtabli QtsFd tFm—iz, bat t histxi'z kwescanz
abQt H mIniN v H mVtESanz v pQx in tFm it kAn Ansx
naTiN.
<p>
if pQx bI H kalektiv wil v H pIpal trAnsfxd t HX
rMlx, woz /pMgacjOf a reprizentativ v H wil v H pIpal? if not,
Hen wF woz /napOlWn F? wF woz /napOlWn III a kriminal wen hI woz
tEkan prizanx At /bMlon, n wF, lEtx on, wx HOz kriminalz hMm
hI xestad?
<p>
dM pAlas revalMSanz—in wic samtFmz Onli tM P TrI pIpal tEk
pRt—trAnsfx H wil v H pIpal t a nM rMlx? in intxnASanal
rilESanz, iz H wil v H pIpal YlsO trAnsfxd t HX
koNkxx? woz H wil v H /kanfedxESan v H /rFn trAnsfxd
t /napOlWn in 1806? woz H wil v H /raSan pIpal trAnsfxd
t /napOlWn in 1809, wen Qx Rmi in alFans wiH H /frenc went t
fFt H /ostrWnz?
<p>
t HIz kwescanz TrI Ansxz R posabal:
<p>
FHx t asMm (1) HAt H wil v H pIpal iz YlwEz
ankandiSanali trAnsfxd t H rMlx P rMlxz HE hAv cOzan, n
HAt HXfP evri imxJans v a nM pQx, evri stragal
agenst H pQx wans apqntad, SUd bI AbsalMtli rigRdad Az an
infrinJmant v H rWl pQx; P (2) HAt H wil v H pIpal
iz trAnsfxd t H rMlxz kandiSanali, andx definit n nOn
kandiSanz, n t SO HAt Yl limitESanz, konflikts, n Ivan
distrakSanz v pQx rizalt from a nonabzxvans bF H rMlxz v H
kandiSanz andx wic HX pQx woz intrastad t Hem; P (3) HAt
H wil v H pIpal iz deligEtad t H rMlxz kandiSanali, bat
HAt H kandiSanz R annOn n indefinit, n HAt H apCans
v sevxal YToritiz, HX stragalz n HX fYlz, rizalt sOli
from H grEtx P lesx fUlfilmant bF H rMlxz v HIz annOn
kandiSanz on wic H wil v H pIpal iz trAnsfxd from sam
pIpal t aHxz.
<p>
n HIz R H TrI wEz in wic H histPWnz dM iäplEn H
rilESan v H pIpal t HX rMlxz.
<p>
sam histPWnz—HOz bFagrAfikal n speSalist histPWnz Ylredi
rifxd t—in HX simplisiti fEliN t andxstAnd H kwescan v
H mIniN v pQx, sIm t kansidx HAt H kalektiv wil v
H pIpal iz ankandiSanali trAnsfxd t histPikal pxsanz, n
HXfP wen diskrFbiN sam siNgal stEt HE asMm HAt pxtikVlx
pQx t bI H wan AbsalMt n rWl pQx, n HAt eni aHx fPs
apOziN His iz not a pQx bat a vFalESan v pQx—mC vFalans.
<p>
HX TCi, sMtabal f primitiv n pIsfal pCWdz v histxi,
hAz H inkanvInWns—in AplikESan t kompleä n stPmi pCWdz in
H lFf v nESanz dxiN wic vXWs pQxz xFz sFmaltEnWsli n
stragal wiH wan anaHx—HAt a /liJitimist histPWn wil prMv
HAt H /nASanal /kanvenSan, H /direktxi, n /bOnapRt wx mC
infrinJxz v H trM pQx, wFl a /ripablikan n a /bOnapRtist wil
prMv: H wan HAt H /kanvenSan n H aHx HAt H /empFx woz H
rWl pQx, n HAt Yl H aHxz wx vFalESanz v pQx.
evidentli H eäplanESanz fxniSt bF HIz histPWnz bIiN mVcMali
kontradiktxi kAn Onli sAtisfF jaN cildran.
<p>
rekagnFziN H fYlsiti v His vV v histxi, anaHx set v
histPWnz sE HAt pQx rests on a kandiSanal deligESan v H wil
v H pIpal t HX rMlxz, n HAt histPikal lIdxz hAv pQx
Onli kandiSanali on kAriiN Qt H prOgrAm HAt H wil v H
pIpal hAz bF tAsit agrImant priskrFbd t Hem. bat wot His prOgrAm
kansists in HIz histPWnz dM not sE, P if HE dM HE kantinVali
kontradikt wan anaHx.
<p>
Ic histPWn, akPdiN t hiz vV v wot konstitMts a nESan'z
progres, lUä f HIz kandiSanz in H grEtnas, welT, frIdam,
P inlFtanmant v sitizanz v /fryns P sam aHx kantri. bat not
t menSan H histPWnz' kontradikSanz Az t H nEcx v His
prOgrAm—P Ivan admitiN HAt sam wan Jenxal prOgrAm v HIz
kandiSanz iãists—H fAkts v histxi YlmOst YlwEz kontradikt HAt
TCi. if H kandiSanz andx wic pQx iz intrastad kansist in H
welT, frIdam, n inlFtanmant v H pIpal, hQ iz it HAt /lMi
XIV n /ivyn H /teribal end HX rEnz trANkwili, wFl /lMi XVI
n /cRlz F R eäikVtad bF HX pIpal? t His kwescan histPWnz
riplF HAt /lMi XIV'z Aktiviti, kontrXi t H prOgrAm, riAktad on
/lMi XVI. bat wF did it not riAkt on /lMi XIV P on /lMi XV—wF
SUd it riAkt Jast on /lMi XVI? n wot iz H tFm limit f sac
riAkSanz? t HIz kwescanz HX R n kAn bI nO Ansxz. Ikwali
lital daz His vV iäplEn wF f sevxal sencxiz H kalektiv
wil iz not wiHdrYn from sxtan rMlxz n HX Xz, n
Hen sadanli dxiN a pCWd v fifti jCz iz trAnsfxd t H
/kanvenSan, t H /direktxi, t /napOlWn, t /AliãAndx, t /lMi XVIII,
t /napOlWn agen, t /cRlz X, t /lMi /filIp, t a /ripablikan
gavxnmant, n t /napOlWn III. wen iäplEniN HIz rApid trAnsfxz
v H pIpal'z wil from wan indiviJMal t anaHx, ispeSali in vV
v intxnASanal rilESanz, koNkwests, n alFansaz, H histPWnz R
ablFJd t admit HAt sam v HIz trAnsfxz R not nPmal deligESanz
v H pIpal'z wil bat R Aäidants dipendant on kaniN, on
mistEä, on krAft, P on H wIknas v a diplOmatist, a rMlx, P a
pRti lIdx. sO HAt H grEtx pRt v H ivents v histxi—sivil
wPz, revalMSanz, n koNkwests—R prizentad bF HIz histPWnz
not Az H rizalts v frI trAnsfxansaz v H pIpal'z wil, bat Az
rizalts v H il-direktad wil v wan P mP indiviJMalz, HAt iz,
wans agen, Az VzxpESanz v pQx. n sO HIz histPWnz YlsO sI
n admit histPikal ivents wic R iäepSanz t H TCi.
<p>
HIz histPWnz rizembal a botanist hM, hAviN nOtist HAt sam
plAnts grO from sIdz prOdMsiN tM kotilIdanz, SUd insist HAt Yl
HAt grOz daz sO bF sprQtiN intM tM lIvz, n HAt H pym, H
maSrMm, n Ivan H Ok, wic blosam intM fUl grOT n nO loNgx
rizembal tM lIvz, R dIviESanz from H TCi.
<p>
histPWnz v H Txd klAs asMm HAt H wil v H pIpal
iz trAnsfxd t histPik pxsaniJaz kandiSanali, bat HAt H
kandiSanz R annOn t as. HE sE HAt histPikal pxsaniJaz hAv
pQx Onli bikoz HE fUlfil H wil v H pIpal wic hAz bin
deligEtad t Hem.
<p>
bat in HAt kEs, if H fPs HAt mMvz nESanz lFz not in H
histPik lIdxz bat in H nESanz Hemselvz, wot signifikans hAv
HOz lIdxz?
<p>
H lIdxz, HIz histPWnz tel as, iäpres H wil v H pIpal:
H Aktiviti v H lIdxz reprizents H Aktiviti v H pIpal.
<p>
bat in HAt kEs H kwescan xFzaz weHx Yl H Aktiviti v H
lIdxz sxvz Az an iäpreSan v H pIpal'z wil P Onli sam pRt
v it. if H hOl Aktiviti v H lIdxz sxvz Az H iäpreSan v
H pIpal'z wil, Az sam histPWnz sapOz, Hen Yl H dItElz
v H kPt skAndalz kantEnd in H bFografiz v a /napOlWn P
a /kATxin sxv t iäpres H lFf v H nESan, wic iz evidant
nonsens; bat if it iz Onli sam pxtikVlx sFd v H Aktiviti v an
histPikal lIdx wic sxvz t iäpres H pIpal'z lFf, Az aHx
sO-kYld “filasofikal” histPWnz bilIv, Hen t ditxmin wic
sFd v H Aktiviti v a lIdx iäpresaz H nESan'z lFf, wI hAv
fxst v Yl t nO in wot H nESan'z lFf kansists.
<p>
met bF His difikalti histPWnz v HAt klAs divFz sam mOst
abskjUx, impAlpabal, n Jenxal AbstrAkSan wic kAn kavx Yl
kansIvabal akxansaz, n diklX His AbstrAkSan t bI H Em v
hVmAniti'z mMvmant. H mOst VZMal JenxalizESanz adoptad bF YlmOst
Yl H histPWnz R: frIdam, ikwoliti, inlFtanmant, progres,
sivilizESan, n kalcx. poscalEtiN sam JenxalizESan Az H gOl
v H mMvmant v hVmAniti, H histPWnz stadi H men v hMm H
grEtast nambx v monVmants hAv rimEnd: kiNz, ministxz, Jenxalz,
YTxz, rifPmxz, pOps, n Jxnalists, t H iätent t wic in
HX apinjan HIz pxsanz hAv pramOtad P hindxd HAt AbstrAkSan.
bat Az it iz in nO wE prMvd HAt H Em v hVmAniti daz kansist in
frIdam, ikwoliti, inlFtanmant, P sivilizESan, n Az H kanekSan
v H pIpal wiH H rMlxz n inlFtanxz v hVmAniti iz Onli bEst
on H RbitrXi asampSan HAt H kalektiv wil v H pIpal iz
YlwEz trAnsfxd t H men hMm wI hAv nOtist, it hApanz HAt H
Aktiviti v H milWnz hM mFgrEt, bxn hQzaz, abAndan Agrikalcx,
n distrq wan anaHx nevx iz iäprest in H akQnt v H
Aktiviti v sam dazan pIpal hM did not bxn hQzaz, prAktis
Agrikalcx, P slE HX felO krIcxz.
<p>
histxi prMvz His At evri txn. iz H fxment v H pIpalz v
H west At H end v H EtInT sencxi n HX drFv Istwxd
iäplEnd bF H Aktiviti v /lMi XIV, XV, n XVI, HX mistrasaz
n ministxz, n bF H lFvz v /napOlWn, /rMsO, /didxO,
/bOmRSE, n aHxz?
<p>
iz H mMvmant v H /raSan pIpal Istwxd t /kyzyn n /sFbCW
iäprest bF dItElz v H mPbid kAraktx v /ivyn H /teribal n bF
hiz korispondans wiH /kMrbski?
<p>
iz H mMvmant v H pIpalz At H tFm v H /krMsEdz iäplEnd bF
H lFf n Aktiviti v H /godfriz n H /lMi-es n HX lEdiz?
f as HAt mMvmant v H pIpalz from west t Ist, wiHQt
lIdxz, wiH a krQd v vEgrants, n wiH /pItx H /hxmit, rimEnz
inkomprihensabal. n jet mP inkomprihensabal iz H sesESan v HAt
mMvmant wen a rASanal n sEkrad Em f H /krMsEd—H dilivxans
v /JxMsalem—hAd bin klCli difFnd bF histPik lIdxz. pOps, kiNz,
n nFts insFtad H pIpalz t frI H /hOli /lAnd; bat H pIpal
did not gO, f H annOn kYz wic hAd prIvWsli impeld Hem t
gO nO loNgx iãistad. H histxi v H /godfriz n H /minisiNxz
kAn evidentli not kavx H lFf v H pIpalz. n H histxi v H
/godfriz n H /minisiNxz hAz rimEnd H histxi v /godfriz
n /minisiNxz, bat H histxi v H lFf v H pIpalz n HX
impalsaz hAz rimEnd annOn.
<p>
stil les daz H histxi v YTxz n rifPmxz iäplEn t as H
lFf v H pIpalz.
<p>
H histxi v kalcx iäplEnz t as H impalsaz n kandiSanz v
lFf n TYt v a rFtx P a rifPmx. wI lxn HAt /lMTx hAd
a hot tempx n sed sac n sac TiNz; wI lxn HAt /rMsO woz
saspiSas n rOt sac n sac bUä; bat wI dM not lxn wF Aftx
H /refxmESan H pIpalz mAsakxd wan anaHx, nP wF dxiN H
/frenc /revalMSan HE gilatInd wan anaHx.
<p>
if wI VnFt bOT HIz kFndz v histxi, Az iz dan bF H nMast
histPWnz, wI SAl hAv H histxi v monRä n rFtxz, bat not
H histxi v H lFf v H pIpalz.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx V
<p>
H lFf v H nESanz iz not kantEnd in H lFvz v a fV men, f
H kanekSan bitwIn HOz men n H nESanz hAz not bin fQnd.
H TCi HAt His kanekSan iz bEst on H trAnsfxans v H
kalektiv wil v a pIpal t sxtan histPikal pxsaniJaz iz an
hFpoTisis ankanfxmd bF H iäpCWns v histxi.
<p>
H TCi v H trAnsfxans v H kalektiv wil v H pIpal t
histPik pxsanz mE pxhAps iäplEn mac in H dOmEn v JUxisprMdans
n bI isenSal f its pxpasaz, bat in its AplikESan t histxi, Az
sMn Az revalMSanz, koNkwests, P sivil wPz akx—HAt iz, Az sMn Az
histxi biginz—HAt TCi iäplEnz naTiN.
<p>
H TCi sImz irifVtabal Jast bikoz H Akt v trAnsfxans v H
pIpal'z wil kAnot bI verifFd, f it nevx akxd.
<p>
wotevx hApanz n hMevx mE stAnd At H hed v afXz, H
TCi kAn YlwEz sE HAt sac n sac a pxsan tUk H lId bikoz
H kalektiv wil woz trAnsfxd t him.
<p>
H riplFz His TCi givz t histPikal kwescanz R lFk H
riplFz v a mAn hM, wociN H mMvmants v a hxd v kAtal n
pEiN nO atenSan t H vXiiN kwoliti v H pAscxiJ in difxant
pRts v H fIld, P t H drFviN v H hxdzman, SUd atribVt
H direkSan H hxd tEä t wot Animal hApanz t bI At its hed.
<p>
“H hxd gOz in HAt direkSan bikoz H Animal in frant lIdz
it n H kalektiv wil v Yl H aHx Animalz iz vestad in HAt
lIdx.” His iz wot histPWnz v H fxst klAs sE—HOz hM asMm
H ankandiSanal trAnsfxans v H pIpal'z wil.
<p>
“if H Animalz lIdiN H hxd cEnJ, His hApanz bikoz H
kalektiv wil v Yl H Animalz iz trAnsfxd from wan lIdx t
anaHx, akPdiN t weHx H Animal iz P iz not lIdiN Hem in
H direkSan silektad bF H hOl hxd.” sac iz H riplF histPWnz
hM asMm HAt H kalektiv wil v H pIpal iz deligEtad t
rMlxz andx kandiSanz wic HE rigRd Az nOn. (wiH His meTad
v obzxvESan it oftan hApanz HAt H abzxvx, inflManst bF H
direkSan hI himself prifxz, rigRdz HOz Az lIdxz hM, OiN t H
pIpal'z cEnJ v direkSan, R nO loNgx in frant, bat on wan sFd,
P Ivan in H rC.)
<p>
“if H Animalz in frant R kantinVali cEnJiN n H direkSan v
H hOl hxd iz konstantli Yltxd, His iz bikoz in Pdx t folO
a givan direkSan H Animalz trAnsfx HX wil t H Animalz HAt
hAv atrAktad Qx atenSan, n t stadi H mMvmants v H hxd
wI mast woc H mMvmants v Yl H prominant Animalz mMviN on Yl
sFdz v H hxd.” sO sE H Txd klAs v histPWnz hM rigRd Yl
histPikal pxsanz, from monRä t Jxnalists, Az H iäpreSan v
HX EJ.
<p>
H TCi v H trAnsfxans v H wil v H pIpal t histPik
pxsanz iz mCli a pArafrEz—a rIstEtmant v H kwescan in aHx
wxdz.
<p>
wot kYzaz histPikal ivents? pQx. wot iz pQx? pQx iz H
kalektiv wil v H pIpal trAnsfxd t wan pxsan. andx wot
kandiSan iz H wil v H pIpal deligEtad t wan pxsan? on
kandiSan HAt HAt pxsan iäpresaz H wil v H hOl pIpal. HAt
iz, pQx iz pQx: in aHx wxdz, pQx iz a wxd H mIniN v wic
wI dM not andxstAnd.
<p>
if H relm v hVman noliJ wx kanfFnd t AbstrAkt rIzaniN,
Hen hAviN sabJektad t kritisizam H eäplanESan v “pQx” HAt
JUxidikal sFans givz as, hVmAniti wUd kanklMd HAt pQx iz mCli
a wxd n hAz nO rWl iãistans. bat t andxstAnd finomina mAn
hAz, bisFdz AbstrAkt rIzaniN, iäpCWns bF wic hI verifFz hiz
riflekSanz. n iäpCWns telz as HAt pQx iz not mCli a wxd bat
an AkcMali iãistiN finominon.
<p>
not t spIk v H fAkt HAt nO diskripSan v H kalektiv Aktiviti
v men kAn dM wiHQt H kansepSan v pQx, H iãistans v pQx iz
prMvd bOT bF histxi n bF abzxviN kantempxXi ivents.
<p>
wenevx an ivent akxz a mAn apCz P men apC, bF hMz wil H
ivent sImz t hAv tEkan plEs. /napOlWn III iSVz a dikrI n H
/frenc gO t /meäikO. H /kiN v /praSa n /bizmRk iSV dikrIz n
an Rmi entxz /bOhImW. /napOlWn F iSVz a dikrI n an Rmi entxz
/raSa. /AliãAndx F givz a kamAnd n H /frenc sabmit t H
/bxbanz. iäpCWns SOz as HAt wotevx ivent akxz it iz YlwEz
rilEtad t H wil v wan P v sevxal men hM hAv dikrId it.
<p>
H histPWnz, in akPd wiH H Old hAbit v aknoliJiN divFn
intxvenSan in hVman afXz, wont t sI H kYz v ivents in
H iäpreSan v H wil v samwan indQd wiH pQx, bat HAt
sapaziSan iz not kanfxmd FHx bF rIzan P bF iäpCWns.
<p>
on H wan sFd riflekSan SOz HAt H iäpreSan v a mAn'z wil—hiz
wxdz—R Onli pRt v H Jenxal Aktiviti iäprest in an ivent,
Az f instans in a wP P a revalMSan, n sO wiHQt asMmiN an
inkomprihensabal, sMpxnAcxal fPs—a mirakal—wan kAnot admit HAt
wxdz kAn bI H imIdWt kYz v H mMvmants v milWnz v men.
on H aHx hAnd, Ivan if wI admitad HAt wxdz kUd bI H kYz
v ivents, histxi SOz HAt H iäpreSan v H wil v histPikal
pxsaniJaz daz not in mOst kEsaz pradMs eni ifekt, HAt iz t sE,
HX kamAndz R oftan not eäikVtad, n samtFmz H veri opazit
v wot HE Pdx akxz.
<p>
wiHQt admitiN divFn intxvenSan in H afXz v hVmAniti wI
kAnot rigRd “pQx” Az H kYz v ivents.
<p>
pQx, from H stAndpqnt v iäpCWns, iz mCli H rilESan HAt
iãists bitwIn H iäpreSan v samwan'z wil n H eäikVSan v
HAt wil bF aHxz.
<p>
t iäplEn H kandiSanz v HAt rilESanSip wI mast fxst istAbliS a
kansepSan v H iäpreSan v wil, rifxiN it t mAn n not t H
/dIiti.
<p>
if H /dIiti iSVz a kamAnd, iäpresaz /hiz wil, Az Encant histxi
telz as, H iäpreSan v HAt wil iz indipendant v tFm n iz not
kYzd bF eniTiN, f H /diviniti iz not kantrOld bF an ivent. bat
spIkiN v kamAndz HAt R H iäpreSan v H wil v men AktiN
in tFm n in rilESan t wan anaHx, t iäplEn H kanekSan v
kamAndz wiH ivents wI mast ristP: (1) H kandiSan v Yl HAt
tEä plEs: H kontinMiti v mMvmant in tFm bOT v H ivents n
v H pxsan hM kamAndz, n (2) H inevitabiliti v H kanekSan
bitwIn H pxsan kamAndiN n HOz hM eäikVt hiz kamAnd.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VI
<p>
Onli H iäpreSan v H wil v H /dIiti, not dipendant on tFm, kAn
rilEt t a hOl sCIz v ivents akxiN Ovx a pCWd v jCz P
sencxiz, n Onli H /dIiti, indipendant v evriTiN, kAn bF /hiz
sOl wil ditxmin H direkSan v hVmAniti'z mMvmant; bat mAn Akts
in tFm n himself tEä pRt in wot akxz.
<p>
rIinstEtiN H fxst kandiSan Omitad, HAt v tFm, wI sI HAt nO
kamAnd kAn bI eäikVtad wiHQt sam prisIdiN Pdx hAviN bin givan
rendxiN H eäikVSan v H lAst kamAnd posabal.
<p>
nO kamAnd evx apCz spontEnWsli, P itself kavxz a hOl sCIz
v akxansaz; bat Ic kamAnd folOz from anaHx, n nevx rifxz
t a hOl sCIz v ivents bat YlwEz t wan mOment Onli v an ivent.
<p>
wen, f instans, wI sE HAt /napOlWn Pdxd Rmiz t gO t wP,
wI kambFn in wan sFmaltEnWs iäpreSan a hOl sCIz v kansekVtiv
kamAndz dipendant wan on anaHx. /napOlWn kUd not hAv kamAndad
an invEZan v /raSa n nevx did sO. tadE hI Pdxd sac n sac
pEpxz t bI ritan t /viena, t /bxlin, n t /pItxzbxg;
tamorO sac n sac dikrIz n Pdxz t H Rmi, H flIt, H
komisXWt, n sO on n sO on—milWnz v kamAndz, wic fPmd
a hOl sCIz korispondiN t a sCIz v ivents wic brYt H
/frenc Rmiz intM /raSa.
<p>
if TrMQt hiz rEn /napOlWn gEv kamAndz kansxniN an invEZan
v /iNgland n iäpendad on nO aHx andxtEkiN sO mac tFm n efxt,
n jet dxiN hiz hOl rEn nevx wans atemptad t eäikVt HAt
dizFn bat andxtUk an eäpidiSan intM /raSa, wiH wic kantri hI
kansidxd it dizFxabal t bI in alFans (a kanvikSan hI ripItadli
iäprest)—His kEm abQt bikoz hiz kamAndz did not korispond t
H kPs v ivents in H fxst kEs, bat did sO korispond in H
lAtx.
<p>
f an Pdx t bI sxtanli eäikVtad, it iz nesisXi HAt a mAn SUd
Pdx wot kAn bI eäikVtad. bat t nO wot kAn n wot kAnot bI
eäikVtad iz imposabal, not Onli in H kEs v /napOlWn'z invEZan v
/raSa in wic milWnz pRtisipEtad, bat Ivan in H simpalast ivent,
f in FHx kEs milWnz v obstakalz mE xFz t privent its
eäikVSan. evri Pdx eäikVtad iz YlwEz wan v an imens nambx
aneäikVtad. Yl H imposabal Pdxz inkansistant wiH H kPs v
ivents rimEn aneäikVtad. Onli H posabal wanz get liNkt ap wiH a
kansekVtiv sCIz v kamAndz korispondiN t a sCIz v ivents, n
R eäikVtad.
<p>
Qx fYls kansepSan HAt an ivent iz kYzd bF a kamAnd wic prisIdz
it iz dM t H fAkt HAt wen H ivent hAz tEkan plEs n Qt v
TQzandz v aHxz HOz fV kamAndz wic wx kansistant wiH HAt
ivent hAv bin eäikVtad, wI fxget abQt H aHxz HAt wx not
eäikVtad bikoz HE kUd not bI. apRt from HAt, H cIf sPs
v Qx erx in His mAtx iz dM t H fAkt HAt in H histPikal
akQnts a hOl sCIz v inMmxabal, dFvxs, n peti ivents, sac
f instans Az Yl HOz wic led H /frenc Rmiz t /raSa, iz
JenxalFzd intM wan ivent in akPd wiH H rizalt prOdMst bF HAt
sCIz v ivents, n korispondiN wiH His JenxalizESan H hOl
sCIz v kamAndz iz YlsO JenxalFzd intM a siNgal iäpreSan v wil.
<p>
wI sE HAt /napOlWn wiSt t invEd /raSa n invEdad it. in
riAliti in Yl /napOlWn'z Aktiviti wI nevx fFnd eniTiN rizembaliN an
iäpreSan v HAt wiS, bat fFnd a sCIz v Pdxz, P iäpreSanz v
hiz wil, veri vXWsli n indefinitli direktad. amid a loN sCIz
v aneäikVtad Pdxz v /napOlWn'z wan sCIz, f H kAmpEn v 1812,
woz kArid Qt—not bikoz HOz Pdxz difxd in eni wE from H
aHx, aneäikVtad Pdxz bat bikoz HE kOinsFdad wiH H kPs v
ivents HAt led H /frenc Rmi intM /raSa; Jast Az in stensal wxk
His P HAt figjx kamz Qt not bikoz H kalx woz lEd on from
His sFd P in HAt wE, bat bikoz it woz lEd on from Yl sFdz Ovx
H figjx kat in H stensal.
<p>
sO HAt iãAminiN H rilESan in tFm v H kamAndz t H ivents,
wI fFnd HAt a kamAnd kAn nevx bI H kYz v H ivent, bat HAt a
sxtan definit dipendans iãists bitwIn H tM.
<p>
t andxstAnd in wot His dipendans kansists it iz nesisXi t
rIinstEt anaHx Omitad kandiSan v evri kamAnd prOsIdiN not from
H /dIiti bat from a mAn, wic iz, HAt H mAn hM givz H kamAnd
himself tEä pRt in H ivent.
<p>
His rilESan v H kamAndx t HOz hI kamAndz iz Jast wot iz
kYld pQx. His rilESan kansists in H folOiN:
<p>
f koman AkSan pIpal YlwEz VnFt in sxtan kombinESanz, in wic
rigRdlas v H difxans v H Emz set f H koman AkSan, H
rilESan bitwIn HOz tEkiN pRt in it iz YlwEz H sEm.
<p>
men VnFtiN in HIz kombinESanz YlwEz asMm sac rilESanz tPd
wan anaHx HAt H lRJx nambx tEk a mP direkt SX, n H
smYlx nambx a les direkt SX, in H kalektiv AkSan f wic
HE hAv kambFnd.
<p>
v Yl H kombinESanz in wic men VnFt f kalektiv AkSan wan v
H mOst strFkiN n definit iãAmpalz iz an Rmi.
<p>
evri Rmi iz kampOzd v lOx grEdz v H sxvis—H rANk n
fFl—v hMm HX R YlwEz H grEtast nambx; v H neät hFx
militXi rANk—kPpxalz n nonkamiSand ofisxz v hMm HX R
fVx, n v stil-hFx ofisxz v hMm HX R stil fVx,
n sO on t H hFast militXi kamAnd wic iz konsantrEtad in wan
pxsan.
<p>
a militXi PganizESan mE bI kwFt kxektli kampXd t a kOn, v
wic H bEs wiH H lRJast dFAmitx kansists v H rANk n fFl;
H neät hFx n smYlx sekSan v H kOn kansists v H neät
hFx grEdz v H Rmi, n sO on t H Epeä, H pqnt v wic
wil reprizent H kamAndx in cIf.
<p>
H sOlJxz, v hMm HX R H mOst, fPm H lOx sekSan v
H kOn n its bEs. H sOlJx himself daz H stAbiN, hAkiN,
bxniN, n piliJiN, n YlwEz risIvz Pdxz f HIz AkSanz
from men abav him; hI himself nevx givz an Pdx. H nonkamiSand
ofisxz (v hMm HX R fVx) pxfPm H AkSan itself les
frIkwantli HAn H sOlJxz, bat HE Ylredi giv kamAndz. an
ofisx stil les oftan Akts direktli himself, bat kamAndz stil mP
frIkwantli. a Jenxal daz naTiN bat kamAnd H trMps, indikEts H
abJektiv, n hRdli evx Vzaz a wepan himself. H kamAndx in cIf
nevx tEä direkt pRt in H AkSan itself, bat Onli givz Jenxal
Pdxz kansxniN H mMvmant v H mAs v H trMps. a similx
rilESan v pIpal t wan anaHx iz sIn in evri kombinESan v men
f koman Aktiviti—in Agrikalcx, trEd, n evri administrESan.
<p>
n sO wiHQt pxtikVlxli AnalFziN Yl H kontigVas sekSanz v
a kOn n v H rANä v an Rmi, P H rANä n paziSanz in
eni administrativ P pablik biznas wotevx from H lOast t H
hFast, wI sI a lY bF wic men, t tEk asOSiEtad AkSan, kambFn
in sac rilESanz HAt H mP direktli HE pRtisipEt in pxfPmiN
H AkSan H les HE kAn kamAnd n H mP nMmxas HE R,
wFl H les HX direkt pRtisipESan in H AkSan itself, H mP
HE kamAnd n H fVx v Hem HX R; rFziN in His wE from
H lOast rANä t H mAn At H top, hM tEä H lIst direkt SX
in H AkSan n direkts hiz Aktiviti cIfli t kamAndiN.
<p>
His rilESan v H men hM kamAnd t HOz HE kamAnd iz wot
konstitMts H esans v H kansepSan kYld pQx.
<p>
hAviN ristPd H kandiSan v tFm andx wic Yl ivents akx,
wI fFnd HAt a kamAnd iz eäikVtad Onli wen it iz rilEtad t a
korispondiN sCIz v ivents. ristPiN H isenSal kandiSan v
rilESan bitwIn HOz hM kamAnd n HOz hM eäikVt, wI fFnd HAt
bF H veri nEcx v H kEs HOz hM kamAnd tEk H smYlast pRt
in H AkSan itself n HAt HX Aktiviti iz iäklMsivli direktad t
kamAndiN.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VII
<p>
wen an ivent iz tEkiN plEs pIpal iäpres HX apinjanz n wiSaz
abQt it, n Az H ivent rizalts from H kalektiv Aktiviti v
meni pIpal, sam wan v H apinjanz P wiSaz iäprest iz SUx t bI
fUlfild if bat aproäimatli. wen wan v H apinjanz iäprest
iz fUlfild, HAt apinjan gets kanektad wiH H ivent Az a kamAnd
prisIdiN it.
<p>
men R hYliN a log. Ic v Hem iäpresaz hiz apinjan Az t hQ n
wX t hYl it. HE hYl H log awE, n it hApanz HAt His iz
dan Az wan v Hem sed. hI Pdxd it. HX wI hAv kamAnd n pQx
in HX prFmXi fPm. H mAn hM wxkt mOst wiH hiz hAndz kUd not
TiNk sO mac abQt wot hI woz dMiN, P riflekt on P kamAnd wot
wUd rizalt from H koman Aktiviti; wFl H mAn hM kamAndad
mP wUd evidentli wxk les wiH hiz hAndz on akQnt v hiz grEtx
vxbal Aktiviti.
<p>
wen sam lRJx konkPs v men direkt HX Aktiviti t a koman Em
HX iz a jet SRpx diviZan v HOz hM, bikoz HX Aktiviti iz
givan t direktiN n kamAndiN, tEk les pRt in H direkt wxk.
<p>
wen a mAn wxä alOn hI YlwEz hAz a sxtan set v riflekSanz wic
Az it sImz t him direktad hiz pAst Aktiviti, JastifF hiz prezant
Aktiviti, n gFd him in plAniN hiz fVcx AkSanz. Jast H sEm iz
dan bF a konkPs v pIpal, alQiN HOz hM dM not tEk a direkt
pRt in H Aktiviti t divFz kansidxESanz, JastifikESanz, n
sxmFzaz kansxniN HX kalektiv Aktiviti.
<p>
f rIzanz nOn P annOn t as H /frenc bigAn t drQn n kil
wan anaHx. n korispondiN t H ivent its JastifikESan apCz in
pIpal'z bilIf HAt His woz nesisXi f H welfX v /fryns, f
libxti, n f ikwoliti. pIpal sIst t kil wan anaHx, n
His ivent woz akampanid bF its JastifikESan in H nisesiti f a
sentralizESan v pQx, rizistans t /jUxap, n sO on. men went
from H west t H Ist kiliN HX felO men, n H ivent
woz akampanid bF frEzaz abQt H glPi v /fryns, H bEsnas v
/iNgland, n sO on. histxi SOz as HAt HIz JastifikESanz v H
ivents hAv nO koman sens n R Yl kontradiktxi, Az in H kEs v
kiliN a mAn Az H rizalt v rekagnFziN hiz rFts, n H kiliN
v milWnz in /raSa f H hVmiliESan v /iNgland. bat HIz
JastifikESanz hAv a veri nesisXi signifikans in HX On dE.
<p>
HIz JastifikESanz rilIs HOz hM pradMs H ivents from mPal
risponsabiliti. HIz tempxXi Emz R lFk H brMm fiät in frant
v a lOkamOtiv t klC H snO from H rElz in frant: HE klC
men'z mPal risponsabilitiz from HX pAT.
<p>
wiHQt sac JastifikESan HX wUd bI nO riplF t H simpalast
kwescan HAt prizents itself wen iãAminiN Ic histPikal ivent. hQ
iz it HAt milWnz v men kamit kalektiv krFmz—mEk wP, kamit
mxdx, n sO on?
<p>
wiH H prezant kompleä fPmz v politikal n sOSal lFf in /jUxap
kAn eni ivent HAt iz not priskrFbd, dikrId, P Pdxd bF monRä,
ministxz, pRlaments, P nMzpEpxz bI imAJind? iz HX eni
kalektiv AkSan wic kAnot fFnd its JastifikESan in politikal
Vniti, in pEtrWtizam, in H bAlans v pQx, P in sivilizESan? sO
HAt evri ivent HAt akxz inevitabli kOinsFdz wiH sam iäprest
wiS n, risIviN a JastifikESan, prizents itself Az H rizalt v
H wil v wan mAn P v sevxal men.
<p>
in wotevx direkSan a Sip mMvz, H flO v H wEvz it kats
wil YlwEz bI nOtisabal ahed v it. t HOz on bPd H Sip H
mMvmant v HOz wEvz wil bI H Onli pxseptabal mOSan.
<p>
Onli bF wociN klOsli mOment bF mOment H mMvmant v HAt flO n
kampXiN it wiH H mMvmant v H Sip dM wI kanvins Qxselvz HAt
evri bit v it iz akEZand bF H fPwxd mMvmant v H Sip,
n HAt wI wx led intM erx bF H fAkt HAt wI Qxselvz wx
impxseptabli mMviN.
<p>
wI sI H sEm if wI woc mOment bF mOment H mMvmant v histPikal
kAraktxz (HAt iz, rI-istAbliS H inevitabal kandiSan v Yl HAt
akxz—H kontinMiti v mMvmant in tFm) n dM not lMz sFt v H
isenSal kanekSan v histPikal pxsanz wiH H mAsaz.
<p>
wen H Sip mMvz in wan direkSan HX iz wan n H sEm wEv
ahed v it, wen it txnz frIkwantli H wEv ahed v it YlsO txnz
frIkwantli. bat wXevx it mE txn HX YlwEz wil bI H wEv
AntisipEtiN its mMvmant.
<p>
wotevx hApanz it YlwEz apCz HAt Jast HAt ivent woz fPsIn
n dikrId. wXevx H Sip mE gO, H raS v wYtx wic nFHx
direkts nP inkrIsaz its mMvmant fOmz ahed v it, n At a distans
sImz t as not mCli t mMv v itself bat t gavxn H Sip's
mMvmant YlsO.
<p>
iãAminiN Onli HOz iäpreSanz v H wil v histPikal pxsanz
wic, Az kamAndz, wx rilEtad t ivents, histPWnz hAv asMmd
HAt H ivents dipendad on HOz kamAndz. bat iãAminiN H ivents
Hemselvz n H kanekSan in wic H histPikal pxsanz stUd t
H pIpal, wI hAv fQnd HAt HE n HX Pdxz wx dipendant on
ivents. H inkantestabal prMf v His didakSan iz HAt, hQevx meni
kamAndz wx iSVd, H ivent daz not tEk plEs anles HX R
aHx kYzaz f it, bat Az sMn Az an ivent akxz—bI it wot it
mE—Hen Qt v Yl H kantinVali iäprest wiSaz v difxant pIpal
sam wil YlwEz bI fQnd wic bF HX mIniN n HX tFm v
atxans R rilEtad Az kamAndz t H ivents.
<p>
xFviN At His kanklMZan wI kAn riplF direktli n pozitivli t
HIz tM isenSal kwescanz v histxi:
<p>
(1) wot iz pQx?
<p>
(2) wot fPs prOdMsaz H mMvmant v H nESanz?
<p>
(1) pQx iz H rilESan v a givan pxsan t aHx indiviJMalz,
in wic H mP His pxsan iäpresaz apinjanz, pridikSanz, n
JastifikESanz v H kalektiv AkSan HAt iz pxfPmd, H les iz
hiz pRtisipESan in HAt AkSan.
<p>
(2) H mMvmant v nESanz iz kYzd not bF pQx, nP bF intalekcMal
Aktiviti, nP Ivan bF a kombinESan v H tM Az histPWnz hAv
sapOzd, bat bF H Aktiviti v Yl H pIpal hM pRtisipEt in
H ivents, n hM YlwEz kambFn in sac a wE HAt HOz tEkiN
H lRJast direkt SX in H ivent tEk on Hemselvz H lIst
risponsabiliti n vFs vxsa.
<p>
mPali H wIldx v pQx apCz t kYz H ivent; fizikli
it iz HOz hM sabmit t H pQx. bat Az H mPal Aktiviti iz
inkansIvabal wiHQt H fizikal, H kYz v H ivent iz nFHx in
H wan nP in H aHx bat in H VnWn v H tM.
<p>
P in aHx wxdz, H kansepSan v a kYz iz inaplikabal t H
finomina wI R iãAminiN.
<p>
in H lAst anAlasis wI rIc H sxkal v infiniti—HAt fFnal limit
t wic in evri dOmEn v TYt mAn'z rIzan xFvz if it iz not
plEiN wiH H sabJekt. ilektrisiti prOdMsaz hIt, hIt prOdMsaz
ilektrisiti. Atamz atrAkt Ic aHx n Atamz ripel wan anaHx.
<p>
spIkiN v H intxAkSan v hIt n ilektrisiti n v Atamz, wI
kAnot sE wF His akxz, n wI sE HAt it iz sO bikoz it iz
inkansIvabal aHxwFz, bikoz it mast bI sO n HAt it iz a lY. H
sEm aplFz t histPikal ivents. wF wP n revalMSan akx wI dM
not nO. wI Onli nO HAt t pradMs H wan P H aHx AkSan,
pIpal kambFn in a sxtan fPmESan in wic HE Yl tEk pRt, n
wI sE HAt His iz sO bikoz it iz anTiNkabal aHxwFz, P in aHx
wxdz HAt it iz a lY.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx VIII
<p>
if histxi delt Onli wiH eätxnal finomina, H istAbliSmant v His
simpal n obvWs lY wUd safFs n wI SUd hAv finiSt Qx
RgVmant. bat H lY v histxi rilEts t mAn. a pRtikal v mAtx
kAnot tel as HAt it daz not fIl H lY v atrAkSan P ripalSan
n HAt HAt lY iz antrM, bat mAn, hM iz H sabJekt v histxi,
sez plEnli: F Am frI n Am HXfP not sabJekt t H lY.
<p>
H prezans v H problam v mAn'z frI wil, HO aniäprest, iz
felt At evri step v histxi.
<p>
Yl sCWsli TiNkiN histPWnz hAv involantXili inkQntxd His
kwescan. Yl H kontradikSanz n abskjUxitiz v histxi n H
fYls pAT histPikal sFans hAz folOd R dM sOli t H lAk v
a salMSan v HAt kwescan.
<p>
if H wil v evri mAn wx frI, HAt iz, if Ic mAn kUd Akt Az hI
plIzd, Yl histxi wUd bI a sCIz v diskanektad insidants.
<p>
if in a TQzand jCz Ivan wan mAn in a milWn kUd Akt frIli, HAt
iz, Az hI cOz, it iz evidant HAt wan siNgal frI Akt v HAt mAn'z
in vFalESan v H lYz gavxniN hVman AkSan wUd distrq H
posabiliti v H iãistans v eni lYz f H hOl v hVmAniti.
<p>
if HX bI a siNgal lY gavxniN H AkSanz v men, frI wil kAnot
iãist, f Hen mAn'z wil iz sabJekt t HAt lY.
<p>
in His kontradikSan lFz H problam v frI wil, wic from mOst
Encant tFmz hAz okVpFd H best hVman mFndz n from mOst Encant
tFmz hAz bin prizentad in its hOl trimendas signifikans.
<p>
H problam iz HAt rigRdiN mAn Az a sabJekt v obzxvESan
from wotevx pqnt v vV—TWloJikal, histPikal, eTikal, P
filasofik—wI fFnd a Jenxal lY v nisesiti t wic hI (lFk Yl
HAt iãists) iz sabJekt. bat rigRdiN him from wiHin Qxselvz Az wot
wI R konSas v, wI fIl Qxselvz t bI frI.
<p>
His konSasnas iz a sPs v self-kogniSan kwFt apRt from n
indipendant v rIzan. TrM hiz rIzan mAn abzxvz himself, bat Onli
TrM konSasnas daz hI nO himself.
<p>
apRt from konSasnas v self nO obzxvESan P AplikESan v rIzan
iz kansIvabal.
<p>
t andxstAnd, abzxv, n drY kanklMZanz, mAn mast fxst v Yl bI
konSas v himself Az liviN. a mAn iz Onli konSas v himself Az
a liviN bIiN bF H fAkt HAt hI wilz, HAt iz, iz konSas v
hiz vOliSan. bat hiz wil—wic fPmz H esans v hiz lFf—mAn
rekagnFzaz (n kAn bat rekagnFz) Az frI.
<p>
if, abzxviN himself, mAn sIz HAt hiz wil iz YlwEz direktad bF
wan n H sEm lY (weHx hI abzxvz H nisesiti v tEkiN
fMd, VziN hiz brEn, P eniTiN els) hI kAnot rekagnFz His
nevx-vXiiN direkSan v hiz wil aHxwFz HAn Az a limitESan v
it. wx it not frI it kUd not bI limitad. a mAn'z wil sImz t him
t bI limitad Jast bikoz hI iz not konSas v it iäept Az frI.
<p>
V sE: F Am not frI. bat F hAv liftad mF hAnd n let it fYl.
evriwan andxstAndz HAt His iloJikal riplF iz an irifVtabal
demanstrESan v frIdam.
<p>
HAt riplF iz H iäpreSan v a konSasnas HAt iz not sabJekt t
rIzan.
<p>
if H konSasnas v frIdam wx not a sepxat n indipendant
sPs v self-konSasnas it wUd bI sabJekt t rIzaniN n
t iäpCWns, bat in fAkt sac sabJekSan daz not iãist n iz
inkansIvabal.
<p>
a sCIz v iäperimants n RgVmants prMvz t evri mAn HAt hI, Az
an obJekt v obzxvESan, iz sabJekt t sxtan lYz, n mAn sabmits t
Hem n nevx rizists H lYz v grAviti P impxmWbiliti wans hI
hAz bikam akwEntad wiH Hem. bat H sEm sCIz v iäperimants
n RgVmants prMvz t him HAt H kamplIt frIdam v wic hI iz
konSas in himself iz imposabal, n HAt hiz evri AkSan dipendz
on hiz PganizESan, hiz kAraktx, n H mOtivz AktiN apon him; jet
mAn nevx sabmits t H didakSanz v HIz iäperimants n RgVmants.
hAviN lxnd from iäperimant n RgVmant HAt a stOn fYlz
dQnwxdz, a mAn indMbitabli bilIvz His n YlwEz iäpekts H lY
HAt hI hAz lxnd t bI fUlfild.
<p>
bat lxniN Jast Az sxtanli HAt hiz wil iz sabJekt t lYz, hI daz
not n kAnot bilIv His.
<p>
hQevx oftan iäperimant n rIzaniN mE SO a mAn HAt andx H
sEm kandiSanz n wiH H sEm kAraktx hI wil dM H sEm TiN Az
bifP, jet wen andx H sEm kandiSanz n wiH H sEm kAraktx
hI aprOcaz f H TQzandT tFm H AkSan HAt YlwEz endz in H
sEm wE, hI fIlz Az sxtanli kanvinst Az bifP H iäperimant
HAt hI kAn Akt Az hI plIzaz. evri mAn, sAviJ P sEJ, hQevx
inkantestabli rIzan n iäperimant mE prMv t him HAt it iz
imposabal t imAJin tM difxant kPsaz v AkSan in prisFsli H
sEm kandiSanz, fIlz HAt wiHQt His irASanal kansepSan (wic
konstitMts H esans v frIdam) hI kAnot imAJin lFf. hI fIlz
HAt hQevx imposabal it mE bI, it iz sO, f wiHQt His kansepSan
v frIdam not Onli wUd hI bI anEbal t andxstAnd lFf, bat hI wUd
bI anEbal t liv f a siNgal mOment.
<p>
hI kUd not liv, bikoz Yl mAn'z efxts, Yl hiz impalsaz t lFf,
R Onli efxts t inkrIs frIdam. welT n povxti, fEm n
abskjUxiti, pQx n sabPdinESan, streNT n wIknas, helT n
dizIz, kalcx n ignxans, wxk n lIZx, riplISan n haNgx,
vxcM n vFs, R Onli grEtx P lesx digrIz v frIdam.
<p>
a mAn hAviN nO frIdam kAnot bI kansIvd v iäept Az diprFvd v
lFf.
<p>
if H kansepSan v frIdam apCz t rIzan t bI a senslas
kontradikSan lFk H posabiliti v pxfPmiN tM AkSanz At wan n
H sEm instant v tFm, P v an ifekt wiHQt a kYz, HAt Onli
prMvz HAt konSasnas iz not sabJekt t rIzan.
<p>
His anSEkabal, irifVtabal konSasnas v frIdam, ankantrOld bF
iäperimant P RgVmant, rekagnFzd bF Yl TiNkxz n felt bF evriwan
wiHQt iäepSan, His konSasnas wiHQt wic nO kansepSan v mAn
iz posabal konstitMts H aHx sFd v H kwescan.
<p>
mAn iz H kriESan v an Yl-pQxfal, Yl-gUd, n Yl-sIiN /god.
wot iz sin, H kansepSan v wic xFzaz from H konSasnas v
mAn'z frIdam? HAt iz a kwescan f TiolaJi.
<p>
H AkSanz v men R sabJekt t Jenxal imVtabal lYz iäprest in
statistiä. wot iz mAn'z risponsabiliti t sasFati, H kansepSan v
wic rizalts from H kansepSan v frIdam? HAt iz a kwescan f
JUxisprMdans.
<p>
mAn'z AkSanz prOsId from hiz inEt kAraktx n H mOtivz AktiN
apon him. wot iz konSans n H pxsepSan v rFt n roN
in AkSanz HAt folOz from H konSasnas v frIdam? HAt iz a
kwescan f eTiä.
<p>
mAn in kanekSan wiH H Jenxal lFf v hVmAniti apCz sabJekt
t lYz wic ditxmin HAt lFf. bat H sEm mAn apRt from HAt
kanekSan apCz t bI frI. hQ SUd H pAst lFf v nESanz n
v hVmAniti bI rigRdad—Az H rizalt v H frI, P Az H rizalt v
H kanstrEnd, Aktiviti v mAn? HAt iz a kwescan f histxi.
<p>
Onli in Qx self-konfidant dE v H popVlxizESan v noliJ—TANä
t HAt mOst pQxfal enJin v ignxans, H difVZan v printad
mAtx—hAz H kwescan v H frIdam v wil bin pUt on a leval on
wic H kwescan itself kAnot iãist. in Qx tFm H maJPiti v
sO-kYld advAnst pIpal—HAt iz, H krQd v ignxEmasaz—hAv tEkan
H wxk v H nAcxalists hM dIl wiH wan sFd v H kwescan f a
salMSan v H hOl problam.
<p>
HE sE n rFt n print HAt H sOl n frIdam dM not iãist,
f H lFf v mAn iz iäprest bF maskVlx mMvmants n maskVlx
mMvmants R kandiSand bF H Aktiviti v H nxvz; H sOl n
frI wil dM not iãist bikoz At an annOn pCWd v tFm wI sprAN
from H Eps. HE sE His, not At Yl saspektiN HAt TQzandz v
jCz agO HAt sEm lY v nisesiti wic wiH sac Rdx HE R nQ
trFiN t prMv bF fiziolaJi n kampArativ zOolaJi woz not mCli
aknoliJd bF Yl H riliJanz n Yl H TiNkxz, bat hAz nevx
bin dinFd. HE dM not sI HAt H rOl v H nAcxal sFansaz in
His mAtx iz mCli t sxv Az an instramant f H ilMminESan
v wan sFd v it. f H fAkt HAt, from H pqnt v vV v
obzxvESan, rIzan n H wil R mCli sikrISanz v H brEn, n
HAt mAn folOiN H Jenxal lY mE hAv divelapt from lOx Animalz
At sam annOn pCWd v tFm, Onli iäplEnz from a freS sFd
H trMT admitad TQzandz v jCz agO bF Yl H riliJas n
filasofik TCiz—HAt from H pqnt v vV v rIzan mAn iz
sabJekt t H lY v nisesiti; bat it daz not advAns bF a hX'z
bredT H salMSan v H kwescan, wic hAz anaHx, opazit, sFd,
bEst on H konSasnas v frIdam.
<p>
if men disendad from H Eps At an annOn pCWd v tFm, HAt iz
Az komprihensabal Az HAt HE wx mEd from a hAndfUl v xT At a
sxtan pCWd v tFm (in H fxst kEs H annOn kwontiti iz H
tFm, in H sekand kEs it iz H PiJin); n H kwescan v hQ
mAn'z konSasnas v frIdam iz t bI rekansFld wiH H lY v
nisesiti t wic hI iz sabJekt kAnot bI solvd bF kampArativ
fiziolaJi n zOolaJi, f in a frog, a rAbit, P an Ep, wI kAn
abzxv Onli H maskVlx nxvas Aktiviti, bat in mAn wI abzxv
konSasnas Az wel Az H maskVlx n nxvas Aktiviti.
<p>
H nAcxalists n HX folOxz, TiNkiN HE kAn solv His
kwescan, R lFk plAstxxz set t plAstx wan sFd v H wYlz v
a cxc hM, avEliN Hemselvz v H Absans v H cIf
sMpxintendant v H wxk, SUd in an Aäes v zIl plAstx Ovx H
windOz, Fkonz, wUdwxk, n stil anbatrast wYlz, n SUd bI
dilFtad HAt from HX pqnt v vV Az plAstxxz, evriTiN iz nQ
sO smMH n regVlx.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx IX
<p>
f H salMSan v H kwescan v frI wil P inevitabiliti, histxi
hAz His advAntiJ Ovx aHx brAncaz v noliJ in wic H
kwescan iz delt wiH, HAt f histxi His kwescan daz not rifx
t H esans v mAn'z frI wil bat its mAnifestESan in H pAst n
andx sxtan kandiSanz.
<p>
in rigRd t His kwescan, histxi stAndz t H aHx sFansaz Az
iäperimental sFans stAndz t AbstrAkt sFans.
<p>
H sabJekt f histxi iz not mAn'z wil itself bat Qx prIzantESan v
it.
<p>
n sO f histxi, H insolVbal mistxi prizentad bF H
inkampAtabiliti v frI wil n inevitabiliti daz not iãist Az it daz
f TiolaJi, eTiä, n filosafi. histxi sxvEz a prIzantESan v
mAn'z lFf in wic H VnWn v HIz tM kontradikSanz hAz Ylredi
tEkan plEs.
<p>
in AkcMal lFf Ic histPik ivent, Ic hVman AkSan, iz veri klCli
n definitli andxstUd wiHQt eni sens v kontradikSan, YlHO
Ic ivent prizents itself Az pRtli frI n pRtli kampalsxi.
<p>
t solv H kwescan v hQ frIdam n nisesiti R kambFnd n
wot konstitMts H esans v HIz tM kansepSanz, H filosafi
v histxi kAn n SUd folO a pAT kontrXi t HAt tEkan bF aHx
sFansaz. insted v fxst difFniN H kansepSanz v frIdam n
inevitabiliti in Hemselvz, n Hen rEnJiN H finomina v lFf
andx HOz definiSanz, histxi SUd didMs a definiSan v H
kansepSan v frIdam n inevitabiliti Hemselvz from H imens
kwontiti v finomina v wic it iz kognizant n HAt YlwEz apC
dipendant on HIz tM elimants.
<p>
wotevx prIzantESan v H Aktiviti v meni men P v an indiviJMal
wI mE kansidx, wI YlwEz rigRd it Az H rizalt pRtli v mAn'z frI
wil n pRtli v H lY v inevitabiliti.
<p>
weHx wI spIk v H mFgrESan v H pIpalz n H inkxZanz
v H bRbXWnz, P v H dikrIz v /napOlWn III, P v samwan'z
AkSan an Qx agO in cMziN wan direkSan Qt v sevxal f hiz
wYk, wI R ankonSas v eni kontradikSan. H digrI v frIdam n
inevitabiliti gavxniN H AkSanz v HIz pIpal iz klCli difFnd
f as.
<p>
Qx kansepSan v H digrI v frIdam oftan vXiz akPdiN t
difxansaz in H pqnt v vV from wic wI rigRd H ivent, bat
evri hVman AkSan apCz t as Az a sxtan kombinESan v frIdam n
inevitabiliti. in evri AkSan wI iãAmin wI sI a sxtan meZx v
frIdam n a sxtan meZx v inevitabiliti. n YlwEz H mP
frIdam wI sI in eni AkSan H les inevitabiliti dM wI pxsIv, n
H mP inevitabiliti H les frIdam.
<p>
H prapPSan v frIdam t inevitabiliti dikrIsaz n inkrIsaz
akPdiN t H pqnt v vV from wic H AkSan iz rigRdad, bat
HX rilESan iz YlwEz wan v invxs prapPSan.
<p>
a siNkiN mAn hM klacaz At anaHx n drQnz him; P a haNgri maHx
iãYstad bF fIdiN hx bEbi, hM stIlz sam fMd; P a mAn trEnd
t disiplin hM on dMti At H wxd v kamAnd kilz a difenslas
mAn—sIm les gilti, HAt iz, les frI n mP sabJekt t H lY v
nisesiti, t wan hM nOz H sxkamstAnsaz in wic HIz pIpal wx
plEst, n mP frI t wan hM daz not nO HAt H mAn woz himself
drQniN, HAt H maHx woz haNgri, HAt H sOlJx woz in H rANä,
n sO on. similxli a mAn hM kamitad a mxdx twenti jCz agO n
hAz sins livd pIsabli n hRmlasli in sasFati sImz les gilti
n hiz AkSan mP dM t H lY v inevitabiliti, t samwan hM
kansidxz hiz AkSan Aftx twenti jCz hAv ilApst HAn t wan hM
iãAmind it H dE Aftx it woz kamitad. n in H sEm wE evri
AkSan v an insEn, intoäikEtad, P hFli iäFtad mAn apCz les
frI n mP inevitabal t wan hM nOz H mental kandiSan v him
hM kamitad H AkSan, n sImz mP frI n les inevitabal t wan
hM daz not nO it. in Yl HIz kEsaz H kansepSan v frIdam
iz inkrIst P diminiSt n H kansepSan v kampalSan iz
korispondiNli dikrIst P inkrIst, akPdiN t H pqnt v vV
from wic H AkSan iz rigRdad. sO HAt H grEtx H kansepSan v
nisesiti H smYlx H kansepSan v frIdam n vFs vxsa.
<p>
riliJan, H koman sens v mAnkFnd, H sFans v JUxisprMdans,
n histxi itself andxstAnd alFk His rilESan bitwIn nisesiti n
frIdam.
<p>
Yl kEsaz wiHQt iäepSan in wic Qx kansepSan v frIdam n
nisesiti iz inkrIst n diminiSt dipend on TrI kansidxESanz:
<p>
(1) H rilESan t H eätxnal wxld v H mAn hM kamits H dIdz.
<p>
(2) hiz rilESan t tFm.
<p>
(3) hiz rilESan t H kYzaz lIdiN t H AkSan.
<p>
H fxst kansidxESan iz H klCnas v Qx pxsepSan v H mAn'z
rilESan t H eätxnal wxld n H grEtx P lesx klCnas
v Qx andxstAndiN v H definit paziSan okVpFd bF H mAn
in rilESan t evriTiN kOiãistiN wiH him. His iz wot mEä it
evidant HAt a drQniN mAn iz les frI n mP sabJekt t nisesiti
HAn wan stAndiN on drF grQnd, n HAt mEä H AkSanz v a mAn
klOsli kanektad wiH aHxz in a Tikli popVlEtad distrikt, P v wan
bQnd bF fAmli, afiSal, P biznas dMtiz, sIm sxtanli les frI
n mP sabJekt t nisesiti HAn HOz v a mAn liviN in solitMd n
siklMZan.
<p>
if wI kansidx a mAn alOn, apRt from hiz rilESan t evriTiN xQnd
him, Ic AkSan v hiz sImz t as frI. bat if wI sI hiz rilESan
t eniTiN xQnd him, if wI sI hiz kanekSan wiH eniTiN
wotevx—wiH a mAn hM spIä t him, a bUk hI rIdz, H wxk on
wic hI iz ingEJd, Ivan wiH H X hI brIHz P H lFt HAt
fYlz on H TiNz abQt him—wI sI HAt Ic v HIz sxkamstAnsaz
hAz an inflMans on him n kantrOlz At lIst sam sFd v hiz Aktiviti.
n H mP wI pxsIv v HIz inflMansaz H mP Qx kansepSan v
hiz frIdam diminiSaz n H mP Qx kansepSan v H nisesiti HAt
wEz on him inkrIsaz.
<p>
H sekand kansidxESan iz H mP P les evidant tFm rilESan v
H mAn t H wxld n H klCnas v Qx pxsepSan v H plEs
H mAn'z AkSan okVpFz in tFm. HAt iz H grQnd wic mEä H
fYl v H fxst mAn, rizaltiN in H pradakSan v H hVman rEs,
apC evidentli les frI HAn a mAn'z entri intM mAriJ tadE. it iz
H rIzan wF H lFf n Aktiviti v pIpal hM livd sencxiz agO
n R kanektad wiH mI in tFm kAnot sIm t mI Az frI Az H lFf
v a kantempxXi, H konsikwansaz v wic R stil annOn t mI.
<p>
H digrI v Qx kansepSan v frIdam P inevitabiliti dipendz in His
rispekt on H grEtx P lesx lAps v tFm bitwIn H pxfPmans
v H AkSan n Qx JaJmant v it.
<p>
if F iãAmin an Akt F pxfPmd a mOment agO in aproäimatli H sEm
sxkamstAnsaz Az HOz F Am in nQ, mF AkSan apCz t mI andQtadli
frI. bat if F iãAmin an Akt pxfPmd a manT agO, Hen bIiN in
difxant sxkamstAnsaz, F kAnot help rekagnFziN HAt if HAt Akt hAd
not bin kamitad mac HAt rizaltad from it—gUd, agrIabal, n Ivan
isenSal—wUd not hAv tEkan plEs. if F riflekt on an AkSan stil
mP rimOt, ten jCz agO P mP, Hen H konsikwansaz v mF AkSan
R stil plEnx t mI n F fFnd it hRd t imAJin wot wUd hAv
hApand hAd HAt AkSan not bin pxfPmd. H fRHx F gO bAk
in memxi, P wot iz H sEm TiN H fRHx F gO fPwxd in mF
JaJmant, H mP dQtfal bikamz mF bilIf in H frIdam v mF
AkSan.
<p>
in histxi wI fFnd a veri similx progres v kanvikSan kansxniN
H pRt plEd bF frI wil in H Jenxal afXz v hVmAniti. a
kantempxXi ivent sImz t as t bI indMbitabli H dMiN v Yl H
nOn pRtisipants, bat wiH a mP rimOt ivent wI Ylredi sI its
inevitabal rizalts wic privent Qx kansidxiN eniTiN els posabal.
n H fRHx wI gO bAk in iãAminiN ivents H les RbitrXi dM
HE apC.
<p>
H /ostrO-/praSan wP apCz t as andQtadli H rizalt v H
krAfti kondakt v /bizmRk, n sO on. H /napOlionik wPz stil sIm
t as, HO Ylredi kwescanabli, t bI H Qtkam v HX hCOz'
wil. bat in H /krMsEdz wI Ylredi sI an ivent okVpFiN its definit
plEs in histxi n wiHQt wic wI kAnot imAJin H modxn histxi
v /jUxap, HO t H kronikalxz v H /krMsEdz HAt ivent apCd
Az mCli dM t H wil v sxtan pIpal. in rigRd t H mFgrESan
v H pIpalz it daz not entx eniwan'z hed tadE t sapOz HAt
H renavESan v H /jUxapWn wxld dipendad on /atila'z kaprIs. H
fRHx bAk in histxi H obJekt v Qx obzxvESan lFz, H mP
dQtfal daz H frI wil v HOz kansxnd in H ivent bikam n
H mP mAnifest H lY v inevitabiliti.
<p>
H Txd kansidxESan iz H digrI t wic wI Aprihend HAt
endlas cEn v kYzESan inevitabli dimAndad bF rIzan, in wic Ic
finominon komprihendad, n HXfP mAn'z evri AkSan, mast hAv
its definit plEs Az a rizalt v wot hAz gon bifP n Az a kYz v
wot wil folO.
<p>
H betx wI R akwEntad wiH H fizWloJikal, sFkaloJikal, n
histPikal lYz didMst bF obzxvESan n bF wic mAn iz kantrOld,
n H mP kxektli wI pxsIv H fizWloJikal, sFkaloJikal,
n histPikal kYzaz v H AkSan, n H simpalx H AkSan wI R
abzxviN n H les kompleä H kAraktx n mFnd v H mAn in
kwescan, H mP sabJekt t inevitabiliti n H les frI dM Qx
AkSanz n HOz v aHxz apC.
<p>
wen wI dM not At Yl andxstAnd H kYz v an AkSan, weHx a
krFm, a gUd AkSan, P Ivan wan HAt iz simpli nonmPal, wI askrFb a
grEtx amQnt v frIdam t it. in H kEs v a krFm wI mOst xJantli
dimAnd H paniSmant f sac an Akt; in H kEs v a vxcMas Akt wI
rEt its merit mOst hFli. in an indifxant kEs wI rekagnFz in it
mP indiviJMAliti, xiJinAliti, n indipendans. bat if Ivan wan v
H inMmxabal kYzaz v H Akt iz nOn t as wI rekagnFz a sxtan
elimant v nisesiti n R les insistant on paniSmant f H krFm,
P H aknoliJmant v H merit v H vxcMas Akt, P H frIdam
v H apArantli xiJinal AkSan. HAt a kriminal woz rCd amaN
mAlifAktxz mitigEts hiz fYlt in Qx Fz. H self-sAkrifFs v a fyHx
P maHx, P self-sAkrifFs wiH H posabiliti v a riwPd, iz mP
komprihensabal HAn gratMitas self-sAkrifFs, n HXfP sImz les
dizxviN v simpaTi n les H rizalt v frI wil. H fQndx v a
sekt P pRti, P an inventx, impresaz as les wen wI nO hQ P bF
wot H wE woz pripXd f hiz Aktiviti. if wI hAv a lRJ rEnJ
v iãAmpalz, if Qx obzxvESan iz konstantli direktad t sIkiN H
koralESan v kYz n ifekt in pIpal'z AkSanz, HX AkSanz
apC t as mP andx kampalSan n les frI H mP kxektli wI
kanekt H ifekts wiH H kYzaz. if wI iãAmind simpal AkSanz n
hAd a vAst nambx v sac AkSanz andx obzxvESan, Qx kansepSan v
HX inevitabiliti wUd bI stil grEtx. H disonast kondakt v H
san v a disonast fyHx, H miskondakt v a wUman hM hAd fYlan
intM bAd kampani, a draNkxd'z rilAps intM draNkannas, n sO on R
AkSanz HAt sIm t as les frI H betx wI andxstAnd HX kYz.
if H mAn hMz AkSanz wI R kansidxiN iz on a veri lO stEJ v
mental divelapmant, lFk a cFld, a mAdmAn, P a simpaltan—Hen,
nOiN H kYzaz v H Akt n H simplisiti v H kAraktx n
inteliJans in kwescan, wI sI sO lRJ an elimant v nisesiti n sO
lital frI wil HAt Az sMn Az wI nO H kYz promptiN H AkSan
wI kAn fPtel H rizalt.
<p>
on HIz TrI kansidxESanz alOn iz bEst H kansepSan v
irisponsabiliti f krFmz n H iätenVEtiN sxkamstAnsaz admitad
bF Yl leJislEtiv kOdz. H risponsabiliti apCz grEtx P les
akPdiN t Qx grEtx P lesx noliJ v H sxkamstAnsaz in
wic H mAn woz plEst hMz AkSan iz bIiN JaJd, n akPdiN
t H grEtx P lesx intxval v tFm bitwIn H kamiSan v H
AkSan n its investigESan, n akPdiN t H grEtx P lesx
andxstAndiN v H kYzaz HAt led t H AkSan.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx X
<p>
/Has Qx kansepSan v frI wil n inevitabiliti grAJMali diminiSaz
P inkrIsaz akPdiN t H grEtx P lesx kanekSan wiH H
eätxnal wxld, H grEtx P lesx rimOtnas v tFm, n H
grEtx P lesx dipendans on H kYzaz in rilESan t wic wI
kontamplEt a mAn'z lFf.
<p>
sO HAt if wI iãAmin H kEs v a mAn hMz kanekSan wiH H
eätxnal wxld iz wel nOn, wX H tFm bitwIn H AkSan n
its iãAminESan iz grEt, n wX H kYzaz v H AkSan R mOst
aäesabal, wI get H kansepSan v a mAäimam v inevitabiliti n a
minimam v frI wil. if wI iãAmin a mAn lital dipendant on eätxnal
kandiSanz, hMz AkSan woz pxfPmd veri rIsantli, n H kYzaz v
hMz AkSan R bijond Qx ken, wI get H kansepSan v a minimam v
inevitabiliti n a mAäimam v frIdam.
<p>
in nFHx kEs—hQevx wI mE cEnJ Qx pqnt v vV, hQevx plEn
wI mE mEk t Qxselvz H kanekSan bitwIn H mAn n H eätxnal
wxld, hQevx inaäesabal it mE bI t as, hQevx loN P SPt H
pCWd v tFm, hQevx inteliJabal P inkomprihensabal H kYzaz
v H AkSan mE bI—kAn wI evx kansIv FHx kamplIt frIdam P
kamplIt nisesiti.
<p>
(1) t wotevx digrI wI mE imAJin a mAn t bI iãempt from H
inflMans v H eätxnal wxld, wI nevx get a kansepSan v frIdam
in spEs. evri hVman AkSan iz inevitabli kandiSand bF wot sxQndz
him n bF hiz On bodi. F lift mF Rm n let it fYl. mF AkSan sImz
t mI frI; bat AskiN mFself weHx F kUd rEz mF Rm in evri
direkSan, F sI HAt F rEzd it in H direkSan in wic HX woz
lIst abstrakSan t HAt AkSan FHx from TiNz xQnd mI P from
H kanstrakSan v mF On bodi. F cOz wan Qt v Yl H posabal
direkSanz bikoz in it HX wx fVast obstakalz. f mF AkSan
t bI frI it woz nesisXi HAt it SUd inkQntx nO obstakalz. t
kansIv v a mAn bIiN frI wI mast imAJin him QtsFd spEs, wic iz
evidentli imposabal.
<p>
(2) hQevx mac wI aproäimEt H tFm v JaJmant t H tFm v H
dId, wI nevx get a kansepSan v frIdam in tFm. f if F iãAmin
an AkSan kamitad a sekand agO F mast stil rekagnFz it Az not
bIiN frI, f it iz irevakabli liNkt t H mOment At wic it woz
kamitad. kAn F lift mF Rm? F lift it, bat Ask mFself: kUd F hAv
abstEnd from liftiN mF Rm At H mOment HAt hAz Ylredi pAst? t
kanvins mFself v His F dM not lift it H neät mOment. bat F Am
not nQ abstEniN from dMiN sO At H fxst mOment wen F Askt H
kwescan. tFm hAz gon bF wic F kUd not ditEn, H Rm F Hen
liftad iz nO loNgx H sEm Az H Rm F nQ rifrEn from liftiN,
nP iz H X in wic F liftad it H sEm HAt nQ sxQndz mI. H
mOment in wic H fxst mMvmant woz mEd iz irevakabal, n At HAt
mOment F kUd mEk Onli wan mMvmant, n wotevx mMvmant F mEd
wUd bI H Onli wan. HAt F did not lift mF Rm a mOment lEtx daz
not prMv HAt F kUd hAv abstEnd from liftiN it Hen. n sins F
kUd mEk Onli wan mMvmant At HAt siNgal mOment v tFm, it kUd not
hAv bin eni aHx. t imAJin it Az frI, it iz nesisXi t imAJin
it in H prezant, on H bQndri bitwIn H pAst n H fVcx—HAt
iz, QtsFd tFm, wic iz imposabal.
<p>
(3) hQevx mac H difikalti v andxstAndiN H kYzaz mE bI
inkrIst, wI nevx rIc a kansepSan v kamplIt frIdam, HAt iz,
an Absans v kYz. hQevx inaäesabal t as mE bI H kYz v H
iäpreSan v wil in eni AkSan, Qx On P anaHx'z, H fxst dimAnd
v rIzan iz H asampSan v n sxc f a kYz, f wiHQt a
kYz nO finominon iz kansIvabal. F rEz mF Rm t pxfPm an AkSan
indipendantli v eni kYz, bat mF wiS t pxfPm an AkSan wiHQt a
kYz iz H kYz v mF AkSan.
<p>
bat Ivan if—imAJiniN a mAn kwFt iãempt from Yl inflMansaz, iãAminiN
Onli hiz mOmentXi AkSan in H prezant, anivOkt bF eni kYz—wI wx
t admit sO infinitli smYl a rimEndx v inevitabiliti Az Ikwald
zCO, wI SUd Ivan Hen not hAv xFvd At H kansepSan v kamplIt
frIdam in mAn, f a bIiN aninflManst bF H eätxnal wxld, stAndiN
QtsFd v tFm n indipendant v kYz, iz nO loNgx a mAn.
<p>
in H sEm wE wI kAn nevx imAJin H AkSan v a mAn kwFt divqd v
frIdam n intFxli sabJekt t H lY v inevitabiliti.
<p>
(1) hQevx wI mE inkrIs Qx noliJ v H kandiSanz v spEs
in wic mAn iz sicMEtad, HAt noliJ kAn nevx bI kamplIt, f H
nambx v HOz kandiSanz iz Az infinit Az H infiniti v spEs. n
HXfP sO loN Az not Yl H kandiSanz inflMansiN men R difFnd,
HX iz nO kamplIt inevitabiliti bat a sxtan meZx v frIdam
rimEnz.
<p>
(2) hQevx wI mE prOloN H pCWd v tFm bitwIn H AkSan wI R
iãAminiN n H JaJmant apon it, HAt pCWd wil bI fFnFt, wFl
tFm iz infinit, n sO in His rispekt tM HX kAn nevx bI AbsalMt
inevitabiliti.
<p>
(3) hQevx aäesabal mE bI H cEn v kYzESan v eni AkSan, wI
SAl nevx nO H hOl cEn sins it iz endlas, n sO agen wI
nevx rIc AbsalMt inevitabiliti.
<p>
bat bisFdz His, Ivan if, admitiN H rimEniN minimam v frIdam t
Ikwal zCO, wI asMmd in sam givan kEs—Az f instans in HAt v a
dFiN mAn, an anbPn bEb, P an idWt—kamplIt Absans v frIdam, bF
sO dMiN wI SUd distrq H veri kansepSan v mAn in H kEs wI R
iãAminiN, f Az sMn Az HX iz nO frIdam HX iz YlsO nO mAn. n
sO H kansepSan v H AkSan v a mAn sabJekt sOli t H lY v
inevitabiliti wiHQt eni elimant v frIdam iz Jast Az imposabal Az
H kansepSan v a mAn'z kamplItli frI AkSan.
<p>
n sO t imAJin H AkSan v a mAn intFxli sabJekt t H lY v
inevitabiliti wiHQt eni frIdam, wI mast asMm H noliJ v an
infinit nambx v spEs rilESanz, an infinitli loN pCWd v tFm,
n an infinit sCIz v kYzaz.
<p>
t imAJin a mAn pxfiktli frI n not sabJekt t H lY v
inevitabiliti, wI mast imAJin him Yl alOn, bijond spEs, bijond tFm,
n frI from dipendans on kYz.
<p>
in H fxst kEs, if inevitabiliti wx posabal wiHQt frIdam
wI SUd hAv rIct a definiSan v inevitabiliti bF H lYz v
inevitabiliti itself, HAt iz, a mC fPm wiHQt kontent.
<p>
in H sekand kEs, if frIdam wx posabal wiHQt inevitabiliti wI
SUd hAv xFvd At ankandiSand frIdam bijond spEs, tFm, n
kYz, wic bF H fAkt v its bIiN ankandiSand n anlimitad wUd
bI naTiN, P mC kontent wiHQt fPm.
<p>
wI SUd in fAkt hAv rIct HOz tM fandamentalz v wic mAn'z
hOl QtlUk on H Vnivxs iz kanstraktad—H inkomprihensabal
esans v lFf, n H lYz difFniN HAt esans.
<p>
rIzan sez: (1) spEs wiH Yl H fPmz v mAtx HAt giv it
vizabiliti iz infinit, n kAnot bI imAJind aHxwFz. (2) tFm iz
infinit mOSan wiHQt a mOment v rest n iz anTiNkabal aHxwFz.
(3) H kanekSan bitwIn kYz n ifekt hAz nO biginiN n kAn
hAv nO end.
<p>
konSasnas sez: (1) F alOn Am, n Yl HAt iãists iz bat mI,
konsikwantli F inklMd spEs. (2) F meZx flOiN tFm bF H fiät
mOment v H prezant in wic alOn F Am konSas v mFself Az liviN,
konsikwantli F Am QtsFd tFm. (3) F Am bijond kYz, f F fIl mFself
t bI H kYz v evri mAnifestESan v mF lFf.
<p>
rIzan givz iäpreSan t H lYz v inevitabiliti. konSasnas
givz iäpreSan t H esans v frIdam.
<p>
frIdam not limitad bF eniTiN iz H esans v lFf, in mAn'z
konSasnas. inevitabiliti wiHQt kontent iz mAn'z rIzan in its
TrI fPmz.
<p>
frIdam iz H TiN iãAmind. inevitabiliti iz wot iãAminz. frIdam
iz H kontent. inevitabiliti iz H fPm.
<p>
Onli bF sepxEtiN H tM sPsaz v kogniSan, rilEtad t wan anaHx
Az fPm t kantent, dM wI get H mVcMali iäklMsiv n sepxatli
inkomprihensabal kansepSanz v frIdam n inevitabiliti.
<p>
Onli bF VnFtiN Hem dM wI get a klC kansepSan v mAn'z lFf.
<p>
apRt from HIz tM konsepts wic in HX VnWn mVcMali difFn wan
anaHx Az fPm n kontent, nO kansepSan v lFf iz posabal.
<p>
Yl HAt wI nO v H lFf v mAn iz mCli a sxtan rilESan v frI
wil t inevitabiliti, HAt iz, v konSasnas t H lYz v rIzan.
<p>
Yl HAt wI nO v H eätxnal wxld v nEcx iz Onli a sxtan
rilESan v H fPsaz v nEcx t inevitabiliti, P v H esans v
lFf t H lYz v rIzan.
<p>
H grEt nAcxal fPsaz lF QtsFd as n wI R not konSas v
Hem; wI kYl HOz fPsaz grAvitESan, inxSa, ilektrisiti, Animal
fPs, n sO on, bat wI R konSas v H fPs v lFf in mAn n
wI kYl HAt frIdam.
<p>
bat Jast Az H fPs v grAvitESan, inkomprihensabal in itself bat
felt bF evri mAn, iz andxstUd bF as Onli t H iätent t wic wI
nO H lYz v inevitabiliti t wic it iz sabJekt (from H fxst
noliJ HAt Yl bodiz hAv wEt, ap t /nMtan'z lY), sO tM H
fPs v frI wil, inkomprihensabal in itself bat v wic evriwan iz
konSas, iz inteliJabal t as Onli in Az fR Az wI nO H lYz v
inevitabiliti t wic it iz sabJekt (from H fAkt HAt evri mAn dFz,
ap t H noliJ v H mOst kompleä Ikanomik n histPik lYz).
<p>
Yl noliJ iz mCli a briNiN v His esans v lFf andx H
lYz v rIzan.
<p>
mAn'z frI wil difxz from evri aHx fPs in HAt mAn iz direktli
konSas v it, bat in H Fz v rIzan it in nO wE difxz from
eni aHx fPs. H fPsaz v grAvitESan, ilektrisiti, P kemikal
afiniti R Onli distiNgwiSt from wan anaHx in HAt HE R
difxantli difFnd bF rIzan. Jast sO H fPs v mAn'z frI wil
iz distiNgwiSt bF rIzan from H aHx fPsaz v nEcx Onli bF H
definiSan rIzan givz it. frIdam, apRt from nisesiti, HAt iz,
apRt from H lYz v rIzan HAt difFn it, difxz in nO wE from
grAvitESan, P hIt, P H fPs HAt mEä TiNz grO; f rIzan,
it iz Onli a mOmentXi andifFnabal sensESan v lFf.
<p>
n Az H andifFnabal esans v H fPs mMviN H hevanli bodiz,
H andifFnabal esans v H fPsaz v hIt n ilektrisiti, P
v kemikal afiniti, P v H vFtal fPs, fPmz H kontent v
astronami, fiziä, kemistri, botani, zOolaJi, n sO on, Jast in H
sEm wE daz H fPs v frI wil fPm H kontent v histxi.
bat Jast Az H sabJekt v evri sFans iz H mAnifestESan v His
annOn esans v lFf wFl HAt esans itself kAn Onli bI H
sabJekt v metafiziä, Ivan H mAnifestESan v H fPs v frI wil
in hVman bIiNz in spEs, in tFm, n in dipendans on kYz fPmz
H sabJekt v histxi, wFl frI wil itself iz H sabJekt v
metafiziä.
<p>
in H iäperimental sFansaz wot wI nO wI kYl H lYz v
inevitabiliti, wot iz annOn t as wI kYl vFtal fPs. vFtal fPs iz
Onli an iäpreSan f H annOn rimEndx Ovx n abav wot wI nO
v H esans v lFf.
<p>
sO YlsO in histxi wot iz nOn t as wI kYl lYz v inevitabiliti,
wot iz annOn wI kYl frI wil. frI wil iz f histxi Onli an
iäpreSan f H annOn rimEndx v wot wI nO abQt H lYz v
hVman lFf.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XI
<p>
/histxi iãAminz H mAnifestESanz v mAn'z frI wil in kanekSan
wiH H eätxnal wxld in tFm n in dipendans on kYz, HAt iz, it
difFnz His frIdam bF H lYz v rIzan, n sO histxi iz a sFans
Onli in sO fR Az His frI wil iz difFnd bF HOz lYz.
<p>
H rekagniSan v mAn'z frI wil Az samTiN kEpabal v inflMansiN
histPikal ivents, HAt iz, Az not sabJekt t lYz, iz H sEm f
histxi Az H rekagniSan v a frI fPs mMviN H hevanli bodiz
wUd bI f astronami.
<p>
HAt asampSan wUd distrq H posabiliti v H iãistans v lYz,
HAt iz, v eni sFans wotevx. if HX iz Ivan a siNgal bodi
mMviN frIli, Hen H lYz v /keplx n /nMtan R negativd n nO
kansepSan v H mMvmant v H hevanli bodiz eni loNgx iãists. if
eni siNgal AkSan iz dM t frI wil, Hen not a siNgal histPikal lY
kAn iãist, nP eni kansepSan v histPikal ivents.
<p>
f histxi, lFnz iãist v H mMvmant v hVman wilz, wan end
v wic iz hidan in H annOn bat At H aHx end v wic a
konSasnas v mAn'z wil in H prezant mMvz in spEs, tFm, n
dipendans on kYz.
<p>
H mP His fIld v mOSan spredz Qt bifP Qx Fz, H mP
evidant R H lYz v HAt mMvmant. t diskavx n difFn HOz lYz
iz H problam v histxi.
<p>
from H stAndpqnt from wic H sFans v histxi nQ rigRdz its
sabJekt on H pAT it nQ folOz, sIkiN H kYzaz v ivents in
mAn'z frI wil, a sFantifik inansiESan v HOz lYz iz imposabal,
f hQevx mAn'z frI wil mE bI ristriktad, Az sMn Az wI rekagnFz
it Az a fPs not sabJekt t lY, H iãistans v lY bikamz
imposabal.
<p>
Onli bF ridMsiN His elimant v frI wil t H infinitesimal, HAt
iz, bF rigRdiN it Az an infinitli smYl kwontiti, kAn wI kanvins
Qxselvz v H AbsalMt inaäesabiliti v H kYzaz, n Hen
insted v sIkiN kYzaz, histxi wil tEk H diskavxi v lYz Az
its problam.
<p>
H sxc f HIz lYz hAz loN bin bigan n H nM meTadz v
TYt wic histxi mast adopt R bIiN wxkt Qt sFmaltEnWsli
wiH H self-distrakSan tPd wic—evx dFsektiN n dFsektiN
H kYzaz v finomina—H Old meTad v histxi iz mMviN.
<p>
Yl hVman sFansaz hAv trAvald aloN HAt pAT. xFviN At
infinitesimalz, mATamAtiä, H mOst iãAkt v sFansaz, abAndanz H
proses v anAlasis n entxz on H nM proses v H intigrESan
v annOn, infinitli smYl, kwontitiz. abAndaniN H kansepSan
v kYz, mATamAtiä sIä lY, HAt iz, H propxti koman t Yl
annOn, infinitli smYl, elimants.
<p>
in anaHx fPm bat aloN H sEm pAT v riflekSan H aHx sFansaz
hAv prOsIdad. wen /nMtan inansiEtad H lY v grAviti hI did not sE
HAt H san P H xT hAd a propxti v atrAkSan; hI sed HAt Yl
bodiz from H lRJast t H smYlast hAv H propxti v atrAktiN
wan anaHx, HAt iz, lIviN asFd H kwescan v H kYz v H
mMvmant v H bodiz, hI iäprest H propxti koman t Yl bodiz
from H infinitli lRJ t H infinitli smYl. H sEm iz dan bF
H nAcxal sFansaz: lIviN asFd H kwescan v kYz, HE sIk f
lYz. histxi stAndz on H sEm pAT. n if histxi hAz f its obJekt
H stadi v H mMvmant v H nESanz n v hVmAniti n not H
nArESan v episOdz in H lFvz v indiviJMalz, it tM, setiN
asFd H kansepSan v kYz, SUd sIk H lYz koman t Yl H
insepxabli intxkanektad infinitesimal elimants v frI wil.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
/cAptx XII
<p>
from H tFm H lY v /kapxnikas woz diskavxd n prMvd, H mC
rekagniSan v H fAkt HAt it woz not H san bat H xT HAt mMvz
safFst t distrq H hOl kozmografi v H Encants. bF disprMviN
HAt lY it mFt hAv bin posabal t ritEn H Old kansepSan v
H mMvmants v H bodiz, bat wiHQt disprMviN it, it wUd sIm
imposabal t kantinV stadiiN H /tolemEik wxldz. bat Ivan Aftx
H diskavxi v H lY v /kapxnikas H /tolemEik wxldz wx stil
stadid f a loN tFm.
<p>
from H tFm H fxst pxsan sed n prMvd HAt H nambx v bxTs
P v krFmz iz sabJekt t mATamAtikal lYz, n HAt His P HAt
mOd v gavxnmant iz ditxmind bF sxtan JWgrAfikal n Ikanomik
kandiSanz, n HAt sxtan rilESanz v popVlESan t sql pradMs
mFgrESanz v pIpalz, H fQndESanz on wic histxi hAd bin bilt
wx distrqd in HX esans.
<p>
bF rifVtiN HIz nM lYz H fPmx vV v histxi mFt hAv bin
ritEnd; bat wiHQt rifVtiN Hem it wUd sIm imposabal t kantinV
stadiiN histPik ivents Az H rizalts v mAn'z frI wil. f if a
sxtan mOd v gavxnmant woz istAbliSt P sxtan mFgrESanz
v pIpalz tUk plEs in konsikwans v sac n sac JWgrAfik,
eTnagrAfik, P Ikanomik kandiSanz, Hen H frI wil v HOz
indiviJMalz hM apC t as t hAv istAbliSt HAt mOd v gavxnmant
P akEZand H mFgrESanz kAn nO loNgx bI rigRdad Az H kYz.
<p>
n jet H fPmx histxi kantinVz t bI stadid sFd bF sFd wiH H
lYz v statistiä, Jiografi, politikal ikonami, kampArativ filolaJi,
n JiolaJi, wic direktli kontradikt its asampSanz.
<p>
H stragal bitwIn H Old vVz n H nM woz loN n stabxnli
fYt Qt in fizikal filosafi. TiolaJi stUd on gRd f H
Old vVz n akVzd H nM v vFalEtiN revalESan. bat wen trMT
koNkxd, TiolaJi istAbliSt itself Jast Az fxmli on H nM
fQndESan.
<p>
Jast Az prOloNd n stabxn iz H stragal nQ prOsIdiN bitwIn
H Old n H nM kansepSan v histxi, n TiolaJi in H sEm wE
stAndz on gRd f H Old vV, n akVzaz H nM vV v sabvxtiN
revalESan.
<p>
in H wan kEs Az in H aHx, on bOT sFdz H stragal pravOä
pASan n stFfalz trMT. on H wan hAnd HX iz fC n rigret f
H los v H hOl edifis kanstraktad TrM H EJaz, on H aHx
iz H pASan f distrakSan.
<p>
t H men hM fYt agenst H rFziN trMHz v fizikal filosafi,
it sImd HAt if HE admitad HAt trMT it wUd distrq fET in
/god, in H kriESan v H fxmamant, n in H mirakal v /JoSMa H
san v /nan. t H difendxz v H lYz v /kapxnikas n /nMtan, t
/vOltX f iãAmpal, it sImd HAt H lYz v astronami distrqd
riliJan, n hI VtilFzd H lY v grAvitESan Az a wepan agenst
riliJan.
<p>
Jast sO it nQ sImz Az if wI hAv Onli t admit H lY v
inevitabiliti, t distrq H kansepSan v H sOl, v gUd n Ival,
n Yl H institMSanz v stEt n cxc HAt hAv bin bilt ap on
HOz kansepSanz.
<p>
sO tM, lFk /vOltX in hiz tFm, aninvFtad difendxz v H lY v
inevitabiliti tadE Vz HAt lY Az a wepan agenst riliJan, HO
H lY v inevitabiliti in histxi, lFk H lY v /kapxnikas in
astronami, fR from distrqiN, Ivan streNTanz H fQndESan on wic
H institMSanz v stEt n cxc R irektad.
<p>
Az in H kwescan v astronami Hen, sO in H kwescan v histxi
nQ, H hOl difxans v apinjan iz bEst on H rekagniSan P
nonrekagniSan v samTiN AbsalMt, sxviN Az H meZx v vizabal
finomina. in astronami it woz H imMvabiliti v H xT, in histxi
it iz H indipendans v pxsanAliti—frI wil.
<p>
Az wiH astronami H difikalti v rekagnFziN H mOSan v H xT
lE in abAndaniN H imIdWt sensESan v H xT's fiäiti n v
H mOSan v H plAnats, sO in histxi H difikalti v rekagnFziN
H sabJekSan v pxsanAliti t H lYz v spEs, tFm, n kYz
lFz in rinQnsiN H direkt fIliN v H indipendans v wan'z On
pxsanAliti. bat Az in astronami H nM vV sed: “it iz trM HAt wI
dM not fIl H mMvmant v H xT, bat bF admitiN its imObiliti
wI xFv At absxditi, wFl bF admitiN its mOSan (wic wI dM not
fIl) wI xFv At lYz,” sO YlsO in histxi H nM vV sez: “it iz
trM HAt wI R not konSas v Qx dipendans, bat bF admitiN Qx
frI wil wI xFv At absxditi, wFl bF admitiN Qx dipendans on
H eätxnal wxld, on tFm, n on kYz, wI xFv At lYz.”
<p>
in H fxst kEs it woz nesisXi t rinQns H konSasnas v an
anrWl imObiliti in spEs n t rekagnFz a mOSan wI did not fIl;
in H prezant kEs it iz similxli nesisXi t rinQns a frIdam
HAt daz not iãist, n t rekagnFz a dipendans v wic wI R not
konSas.
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
        
            *** /end v H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /IbUk /wP n /pIs ***
        
<p>
    
<p>
/apdEtad ediSanz wil riplEs H prIvWs wan—H Old ediSanz wil
bI rInEmd.
<p>
kriEtiN H wxä from print ediSanz not pratektad bF U.S. kopirFt
lY mInz HAt nO wan Onz a /VnFtad /stEts kopirFt in HIz wxä,
sO H /fQndESan (n V!) kAn kopi n distribVt it in H /VnFtad
/stEts wiHQt pxmiSan n wiHQt pEiN kopirFt
rqaltiz. speSal rMlz, set fPT in H /Jenxal /txmz v /Vs pRt
v His lFsans, aplF t kopiiN n distribVtiN /proJekt
/gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxä t pratekt H /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
konsept n trEdmRk. proJekt /gMtanbxg iz a reJistxd trEdmRk,
n mE not bI Vzd if V cRJ f an /IbUk, iäept bF folOiN
H txmz v H trEdmRk lFsans, inklMdiN pEiN rqaltiz f Vs
v H /proJekt /gMtanbxg trEdmRk. if V dM not cRJ eniTiN f
kopiz v His /IbUk, kamplFiN wiH H trEdmRk lFsans iz veri
Izi. V mE Vz His /IbUk f nCli eni pxpas sac Az kriESan
v dirivativ wxä, ripPts, pxfPmansaz n rIsxc. proJekt
/gMtanbxg /IbUä mE bI modifFd n printad n givan awE—V mE
dM prAktikli /eniTiN in H /VnFtad /stEts wiH /IbUä not pratektad
bF U.S. kopirFt lY. rIdistribVSan iz sabJekt t H trEdmRk
lFsans, ispeSali kamxSal rIdistribVSan.
<p>
<p>
/stRt: /fUl /lFsans
<p>
H /fUl /proJekt /gMtanbxg /lFsans
<p>
/plIz /rId His /bifP V /distribVt P Vz His wxk
<p>
t pratekt H /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ miSan v pramOtiN H frI
distribVSan v ilektronik wxä, bF VziN P distribVtiN His wxk
(P eni aHx wxk asOSiEtad in eni wE wiH H frEz “proJekt
/gMtanbxg”), V agrI t kamplF wiH Yl H txmz v H /fUl
/proJekt /gMtanbxg™ /lFsans avElabal wiH His fFl P onlFn At
www.gutenberg.org/lFsans.
<p>
sekSan 1. Jenxal /txmz v /Vs n /rIdistribVtiN /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
ilektronik wxä
<p>
1.a. bF rIdiN P VziN eni pRt v His /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
ilektronik wxk, V indikEt HAt V hAv red, andxstAnd, agrI t
n aäept Yl H txmz v His lFsans n intalekcMal propxti
(trEdmRk/kopirFt) agrImant. if V dM not agrI t abFd bF Yl
H txmz v His agrImant, V mast sIs VziN n ritxn P
distrq Yl kopiz v /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxä in jP
pazeSan. if V pEd a fI f abtEniN a kopi v P Aäes t a
/proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxk n V dM not agrI t bI bQnd
bF H txmz v His agrImant, V mE abtEn a rIfand from H pxsan
P entiti t hMm V pEd H fI Az set fPT in pAragrAf 1.I.8.
<p>
1.B “proJekt /gMtanbxg” iz a reJistxd trEdmRk. it mE Onli bI
Vzd on P asOSiEtad in eni wE wiH an ilektronik wxk bF pIpal hM
agrI t bI bQnd bF H txmz v His agrImant. HX R a fV
TiNz HAt V kAn dM wiH mOst /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxä
Ivan wiHQt kamplFiN wiH H fUl txmz v His agrImant. sI
pAragrAf 1.C bilO. HX R a lot v TiNz V kAn dM wiH /proJekt
/gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxä if V folO H txmz v His
agrImant n help prizxv frI fVcx Aäes t /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
ilektronik wxä. sI pAragrAf 1.I bilO.
<p>
1.C H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan (“H
/fQndESan” P PGLAF), Onz a kompilESan kopirFt in H kalekSan
v /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxä. nCli Yl H indiviJMal
wxä in H kalekSan R in H pablik dOmEn in H /VnFtad
/stEts. if an indiviJMal wxk iz anpratektad bF kopirFt lY in H
/VnFtad /stEts n V R lOkEtad in H /VnFtad /stEts, wI dM not
klEm a rFt t privent V from kopiiN, distribVtiN, pxfPmiN,
displEiN P kriEtiN dirivativ wxä bEst on H wxk Az loN Az
Yl refxansaz t /proJekt /gMtanbxg R rimMvd. v kPs, wI hOp
HAt V wil sapPt H /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ miSan v pramOtiN
frI Aäes t ilektronik wxä bF frIli SXiN /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
wxä in kamplFans wiH H txmz v His agrImant f kIpiN H
/proJekt /gMtanbxg™ nEm asOSiEtad wiH H wxk. V kAn Izili
kamplF wiH H txmz v His agrImant bF kIpiN His wxk in H
sEm fPmAt wiH its atAct fUl /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ /lFsans wen
V SX it wiHQt cRJ wiH aHxz.
<p>
1.D H kopirFt lYz v H plEs wX V R lOkEtad YlsO gavxn
wot V kAn dM wiH His wxk. kopirFt lYz in mOst kantriz R
in a konstant stEt v cEnJ. if V R QtsFd H /VnFtad /stEts,
cek H lYz v jP kantri in adiSan t H txmz v His
agrImant bifP dQnlOdiN, kopiiN, displEiN, pxfPmiN,
distribVtiN P kriEtiN dirivativ wxä bEst on His wxk P eni
aHx /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ wxk. H /fQndESan mEä nO
reprizentESanz kansxniN H kopirFt stAtas v eni wxk in eni
kantri aHx HAn H /VnFtad /stEts.
<p>
1.I. anles V hAv rimMvd Yl refxansaz t /proJekt /gMtanbxg:
<p>
1.I.1. H folOiN sentans, wiH Aktiv liNä t, P aHx
imIdWt Aäes t, H fUl /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ /lFsans mast apC
prominantli wenevx eni kopi v a /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ wxk (eni wxk
on wic H frEz “proJekt /gMtanbxg” apCz, P wiH wic H
frEz “proJekt /gMtanbxg” iz asOSiEtad) iz Aäest, displEd,
pxfPmd, vVd, kopid P distribVtad:
<p>
    His /IbUk iz f H Vs v eniwan eniwX in H /VnFtad /stEts n mOst
    aHx pRts v H wxld At nO kost n wiH YlmOst nO ristrikSanz
    wotsOevx. V mE kopi it, giv it awE P rI-Vz it andx H txmz
    v H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /lFsans inklMdad wiH His /IbUk P onlFn
    At www.gutenberg.org. if V
    R not lOkEtad in H /VnFtad /stEts, V wil hAf t cek H lYz
    v H kantri wX V R lOkEtad bifP VziN His /IbUk.
  
1.I.2. if an indiviJMal /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxk iz
dirFvd from teäts not pratektad bF U.S. kopirFt lY (daz not
kantEn a nOtis indikEtiN HAt it iz pOstad wiH pxmiSan v H
kopirFt hOldx), H wxk kAn bI kopid n distribVtad t eniwan in
H /VnFtad /stEts wiHQt pEiN eni fIz P cRJaz. if V R
rIdistribVtiN P pravFdiN Aäes t a wxk wiH H frEz “proJekt
/gMtanbxg” asOSiEtad wiH P apCiN on H wxk, V mast kamplF
FHx wiH H rikwFxmants v pAragrAfs 1.I.1 TrM 1.I.7 P
abtEn pxmiSan f H Vs v H wxk n H /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
trEdmRk Az set fPT in pAragrAfs 1.I.8 P 1.I.9.
<p>
1.I.3. if an indiviJMal /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxk iz pOstad
wiH H pxmiSan v H kopirFt hOldx, jP Vs n distribVSan
mast kamplF wiH bOT pAragrAfs 1.I.1 TrM 1.I.7 n eni
adiSanal txmz impOzd bF H kopirFt hOldx. adiSanal txmz
wil bI liNkt t H /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ /lFsans f Yl wxä
pOstad wiH H pxmiSan v H kopirFt hOldx fQnd At H
biginiN v His wxk.
<p>
1.I.4. dM not anliNk P ditAc P rimMv H fUl /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
/lFsans txmz from His wxk, P eni fFlz kantEniN a pRt v His
wxk P eni aHx wxk asOSiEtad wiH /proJekt /gMtanbxg™.
<p>
1.I.5. dM not kopi, displE, pxfPm, distribVt P rIdistribVt His
ilektronik wxk, P eni pRt v His ilektronik wxk, wiHQt
prominantli displEiN H sentans set fPT in pAragrAf 1.I.1 wiH
Aktiv liNä P imIdWt Aäes t H fUl txmz v H /proJekt
/gMtanbxg™ /lFsans.
<p>
1.I.6. V mE kanvxt t n distribVt His wxk in eni bFnXi,
kamprest, mRkt ap, nonpraprFatXi P praprFatXi fPm, inklMdiN
eni wxd prosesiN P hFpxteät fPm. hQevx, if V pravFd Aäes
t P distribVt kopiz v a /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ wxk in a fPmAt
aHx HAn “plEn /vanila /Aski” P aHx fPmAt Vzd in H afiSal
vxZan pOstad on H afiSal /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ websFt
(www.gutenberg.org), V mast, At nO adiSanal kost, fI P iäpens
t H Vzx, pravFd a kopi, a mInz v eäpPtiN a kopi, P a mInz
v abtEniN a kopi apon rikwest, v H wxk in its xiJinal “plEn
/vanila /Aski” P aHx fPm. eni Yltxnat fPmAt mast inklMd H
fUl /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ /lFsans Az spesifFd in pAragrAf 1.I.1.
<p>
1.I.7. dM not cRJ a fI f Aäes t, vViN, displEiN,
pxfPmiN, kopiiN P distribVtiN eni /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ wxä
anles V kamplF wiH pAragrAf 1.I.8 P 1.I.9.
<p>
1.I.8. V mE cRJ a rIzanabal fI f kopiz v P pravFdiN
Aäes t P distribVtiN /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxä
pravFdad HAt:
<p>
    • V pE a rqalti fI v 20% v H grOs profits V dirFv from
        H Vs v /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ wxä kAlkVlEtad VziN H meTad
        V Ylredi Vz t kAlkVlEt jP aplikabal tAäaz. H fI iz Od
        t H Onx v H /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ trEdmRk, bat hI hAz
        agrId t dOnEt rqaltiz andx His pAragrAf t H /proJekt
        /gMtanbxg /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan. rqalti pEmants mast bI pEd
        wiHin 60 dEz folOiN Ic dEt on wic V pripX (P R
        lIgali rikwFxd t pripX) jP pCiodik tAä ritxnz. rqalti
        pEmants SUd bI klCli mRkt Az sac n sent t H /proJekt
        /gMtanbxg /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan At H adres spesifFd in
        /sekSan 4, “infxmESan abQt dOnESanz t H /proJekt /gMtanbxg
        /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan.”
    
    • V pravFd a fUl rIfand v eni mani pEd bF a Vzx hM nOtifFz
        V in rFtiN (P bF I-mEl) wiHin 30 dEz v risIt HAt z/hI
        daz not agrI t H txmz v H fUl /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
        /lFsans. V mast rikwFx sac a Vzx t ritxn P distrq Yl
        kopiz v H wxä pazest in a fizikal mIdWm n diskantinV
        Yl Vs v n Yl Aäes t aHx kopiz v /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
        wxä.
    
    • V pravFd, in akPdans wiH pAragrAf 1.f.3, a fUl rIfand v
        eni mani pEd f a wxk P a riplEsmant kopi, if a dIfekt in H
        ilektronik wxk iz diskavxd n ripPtad t V wiHin 90 dEz v
        risIt v H wxk.
    
    • V kamplF wiH Yl aHx txmz v His agrImant f frI
        distribVSan v /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ wxä.
    
<p>
1.I.9. if V wiS t cRJ a fI P distribVt a /proJekt
/gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxk P grMp v wxä on difxant txmz HAn
R set fPT in His agrImant, V mast abtEn pxmiSan in rFtiN
from H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan, H mAniJx v
H /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ trEdmRk. kontAkt H /fQndESan Az set
fPT in /sekSan 3 bilO.
<p>
1.f.
<p>
1.f.1. proJekt /gMtanbxg volantCz n implqIz iäpend kansidxabal
efxt t FdentifF, dM kopirFt rIsxc on, trAnskrFb n prMfrId
wxä not pratektad bF U.S. kopirFt lY in kriEtiN H /proJekt
/gMtanbxg™ kalekSan. dispFt HIz efxts, /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
ilektronik wxä, n H mIdWm on wic HE mE bI stPd, mE
kantEn “dIfekts,” sac Az, bat not limitad t, inkamplIt, inAkjxat
P kxapt dEta, trAnskripSan erxz, a kopirFt P aHx
intalekcMal propxti infrinJmant, a difektiv P dAmiJd disk P
aHx mIdWm, a kampVtx vFras, P kampVtx kOdz HAt dAmiJ P
kAnot bI red bF jP ikwipmant.
<p>
1.f.2. /limitad /woranti, /disklEmx v /dAmiJaz - /iäept f H “rFt
v /riplEsmant P /rIfand” diskrFbd in pAragrAf 1.f.3, H /proJekt
/gMtanbxg /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan, H Onx v H /proJekt
/gMtanbxg™ trEdmRk, n eni aHx pRti distribVtiN a /proJekt
/gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxk andx His agrImant, disklEm Yl
lFabiliti t V f dAmiJaz, kosts n iäpensaz, inklMdiN lIgal
fIz. V /agrI HAt V hAv nO /remadiz f /negliJans, /strikt
/lFabiliti, /brIc v /woranti P /brIc v /kontrAkt /iäept /HOz
/pravFdad in /pAragrAf 1.f.3. V /agrI HAt H /fQndESan, H
/trEdmRk /Onx, n eni /distribVtx /andx His /agrImant /wil not bI
/lFabal t V f /AkcMal, /direkt, /indirekt, /konsikwenSal, /pVnitiv P
/insidental /dAmiJaz Ivan if V giv /nOtis v H /posabiliti v /sac
/dAmiJ.
<p>
1.f.3. /limitad /rFt v /riplEsmant P /rIfand - if V diskavx a
dIfekt in His ilektronik wxk wiHin 90 dEz v risIviN it, V kAn
risIv a rIfand v H mani (if eni) V pEd f it bF sendiN a
ritan eäplanESan t H pxsan V risIvd H wxk from. if V
risIvd H wxk on a fizikal mIdWm, V mast ritxn H mIdWm
wiH jP ritan eäplanESan. H pxsan P entiti HAt pravFdad V
wiH H difektiv wxk mE ilekt t pravFd a riplEsmant kopi in
lM v a rIfand. if V risIvd H wxk ilektronikli, H pxsan
P entiti pravFdiN it t V mE cMz t giv V a sekand
opxtMniti t risIv H wxk ilektronikli in lM v a rIfand. if
H sekand kopi iz YlsO difektiv, V mE dimAnd a rIfand in rFtiN
wiHQt fxHx opxtMnitiz t fiä H problam.
<p>
1.f.4. iäept f H limitad rFt v riplEsmant P rIfand set fPT
in pAragrAf 1.f.3, His wxk iz pravFdad t V 'Az-iz', wiH nO
aHx /worantiz v eni /kFnd, /iäpres P /implFd, /inklMdiN bat not
/limitad t /worantiz v /mxcantabiliti P /fitnas f eni /pxpas.
<p>
1.f.5. sam stEts dM not alQ disklEmxz v sxtan implFd
worantiz P H iäklMZan P limitESan v sxtan tFps v
dAmiJaz. if eni disklEmx P limitESan set fPT in His agrImant
vFalEts H lY v H stEt aplikabal t His agrImant, H
agrImant SAl bI intxpratad t mEk H mAäimam disklEmx P
limitESan pxmitad bF H aplikabal stEt lY. H invaliditi P
aninfPsabiliti v eni praviZan v His agrImant SAl not vqd H
rimEniN praviZanz.
<p>
1.f.6. /indemniti - V agrI t indemnifF n hOld H /fQndESan, H
trEdmRk Onx, eni EJant P implqI v H /fQndESan, eniwan
pravFdiN kopiz v /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxä in
akPdans wiH His agrImant, n eni volantCz asOSiEtad wiH H
pradakSan, pramOSan n distribVSan v /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
ilektronik wxä, hRmlas from Yl lFabiliti, kosts n iäpensaz,
inklMdiN lIgal fIz, HAt xFz direktli P indirektli from eni v
H folOiN wic V dM P kYz t akx: (a) distribVSan v His
P eni /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ wxk, (b) YltxESan, modifikESan, P
adiSanz P dilISanz t eni /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ wxk, n (c) eni
/dIfekt V kYz.
<p>
sekSan 2. infxmESan abQt H /miSan v /proJekt /gMtanbxg™
<p>
/proJekt /gMtanbxg™ iz sinonimas wiH H frI distribVSan v
ilektronik wxä in fPmAts rIdabal bF H wFdast vxFati v
kampVtxz inklMdiN obsalIt, Old, midal-EJd n nM kampVtxz. it
iãists bikoz v H efxts v handradz v volantCz n dOnESanz
from pIpal in Yl wYä v lFf.
<p>
volantCz n fFnAnSal sapPt t pravFd volantCz wiH H
asistans HE nId R kritikal t rIciN /proJekt /gMtanbxg™'z
gOlz n inSUxiN HAt H /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ kalekSan wil
rimEn frIli avElabal f JenxESanz t kam. in 2001, H /proJekt
/gMtanbxg /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan woz kriEtad t pravFd a sikjUx
n pxmanant fVcx f /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ n fVcx
JenxESanz. t lxn mP abQt H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /litxXi
/RkFv /fQndESan n hQ jP efxts n dOnESanz kAn help, sI
/sekSanz 3 n 4 n H /fQndESan infxmESan pEJ At www.gutenberg.org.
<p>
/sekSan 3. infxmESan abQt H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan
<p>
H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan iz a non-profit
501(c)(3) eJakESanal kPpxESan PganFzd andx H lYz v H
stEt v /misisipi n grAntad tAä iãempt stAtas bF H /intxnal
/revanM /sxvis. H /fQndESan'z /Fn P fedxal tAä FdentifikESan
nambx iz 64-6221541. kontribVSanz t H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /litxXi
/RkFv /fQndESan R tAä didaktabal t H fUl iätent pxmitad bF
U.S. fedxal lYz n jP stEt's lYz.
<p>
H /fQndESan'z biznas ofis iz lOkEtad At 809 /nPT 1500 /west,
/sYlt /lEk /siti, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. ImEl kontAkt liNä n ap
t dEt kontAkt infxmESan kAn bI fQnd At H /fQndESan'z websFt
n afiSal pEJ At www.gutenberg.org/kontAkt
<p>
/sekSan 4. infxmESan abQt /dOnESanz t H /proJekt /gMtanbxg
/litxXi /RkFv /fQndESan
<p>
/proJekt /gMtanbxg™ dipendz apon n kAnot sxvFv wiHQt wFdspred
pablik sapPt n dOnESanz t kAri Qt its miSan v
inkrIsiN H nambx v pablik dOmEn n lFsanst wxä HAt kAn bI
frIli distribVtad in maSIn-rIdabal fPm aäesabal bF H wFdast
xE v ikwipmant inklMdiN QtdEtad ikwipmant. meni smYl dOnESanz
($1 t $5,000) R pxtikVlxli impPtant t mEntEniN tAä iãempt
stAtas wiH H IRS.
<p>
H /fQndESan iz kamitad t kamplFiN wiH H lYz regVlEtiN
cAritiz n cAritabal dOnESanz in Yl 50 stEts v H /VnFtad
/stEts. kamplFans rikwFxmants R not VnifPm n it tEä a
kansidxabal efxt, mac pEpxwxk n meni fIz t mIt n kIp ap
wiH HIz rikwFxmants. wI dM not salisit dOnESanz in lOkESanz
wX wI hAv not risIvd ritan konfxmESan v kamplFans. t /send
/dOnESanz P ditxmin H stAtas v kamplFans f eni pxtikVlx stEt
vizit www.gutenberg.org/dOnEt.
<p>
wFl wI kAnot n dM not salisit kontribVSanz from stEts wX wI
hAv not met H salisitESan rikwFxmants, wI nO v nO prOhibiSan
agenst aäeptiN ansalisitad dOnESanz from dOnxz in sac stEts hM
aprOc as wiH ofxz t dOnEt.
<p>
intxnASanal dOnESanz R grEtfali aäeptad, bat wI kAnot mEk
eni stEtmants kansxniN tAä trItmant v dOnESanz risIvd from
QtsFd H /VnFtad /stEts. U.S. lYz alOn swomp Qx smYl stAf.
<p>
plIz cek H /proJekt /gMtanbxg web pEJaz f karant dOnESan
meTadz n adresaz. dOnESanz R aäeptad in a nambx v aHx
wEz inklMdiN ceä, onlFn pEmants n kredit kRd dOnESanz. t
dOnEt, plIz vizit: www.gutenberg.org/dOnEt.
<p>
sekSan 5. Jenxal /infxmESan abQt /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ ilektronik wxä
<p>
/prafesx /mFkal /z. hRt woz H xiJinEtx v H /proJekt
/gMtanbxg™ konsept v a lFbrXi v ilektronik wxä HAt kUd bI
frIli SXd wiH eniwan. f fPti jCz, hI prOdMst n
distribVtad /proJekt /gMtanbxg™ /IbUä wiH Onli a lMs netwxk v
volantC sapPt.
<p>
proJekt /gMtanbxg™ /IbUä R oftan kriEtad from sevxal printad
ediSanz, Yl v wic R kanfxmd Az not pratektad bF kopirFt in
H U.S. anles a kopirFt nOtis iz inklMdad. Has, wI dM not
nesisXili kIp /IbUä in kamplFans wiH eni pxtikVlx pEpx
ediSan.
<p>
mOst pIpal stRt At Qx websFt wic hAz H mEn /pJ sxc
fasiliti: www.gutenberg.org.
<p>
His websFt inklMdz infxmESan abQt /proJekt /gMtanbxg™,
inklMdiN hQ t mEk dOnESanz t H /proJekt /gMtanbxg /litxXi
/RkFv /fQndESan, hQ t help pradMs Qx nM /IbUä, n hQ t
sabskrFb t Qx ImEl nMzletx t hC abQt nM /IbUä.
<p>
<p>