Page 490 sur 3800

His face suddenly softened and tears came into his eyes. With his

left hand he drew Bagration toward him, and with his right, on

which he wore a ring, he made the sign of the cross over him with

a gesture evidently habitual, offering his puffy cheek, but

Bagration kissed him on the neck instead.

"Christ be with you!" Kutuzov repeated and went toward his

carriage. "Get in with me," said he to Bolkonski.

"Your excellency, I should like to be of use here. Allow me to

remain with Prince Bagration's detachment."

"Get in," said Kutuzov, and noticing that Bolkonski still

delayed, he added: "I need good officers myself, need them

myself!"

They got into the carriage and drove for a few minutes in

silence.

"There is still much, much before us," he said, as if with an old

man's penetration he understood all that was passing in

Bolkonski's mind. "If a tenth part of his detachment returns I

shall thank God," he added as if speaking to himself.