Pagina 878 de 3800

While Rostov was thus arguing with himself and riding sadly away,

Captain von Toll chanced to ride to the same spot, and seeing the

Emperor at once rode up to him, offered his services, and

assisted him to cross the ditch on foot. The Emperor, wishing to

rest and feeling unwell, sat down under an apple tree and von

Toll remained beside him. Rostov from a distance saw with envy

and remorse how von Toll spoke long and warmly to the Emperor and

how the Emperor, evidently weeping, covered his eyes with his

hand and pressed von Toll's hand.

"And I might have been in his place!" thought Rostov, and hardly

restraining his tears of pity for the Emperor, he rode on in

utter despair, not knowing where to or why he was now riding.

His despair was all the greater from feeling that his own

weakness was the cause of his grief.