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Boris was excited by the thought of being so close to the higher

powers as he felt himself to be at that moment. He was conscious

that here he was in contact with the springs that set in motion

the enormous movements of the mass of which in his regiment he

felt himself a tiny, obedient, and insignificant atom. They

followed Prince Dolgorukov out into the corridor and met-coming

out of the door of the Emperor's room by which Dolgorukov had

entered-a short man in civilian clothes with a clever face and

sharply projecting jaw which, without spoiling his face, gave him

a peculiar vivacity and shiftiness of expression. This short man

nodded to Dolgorukov as to an intimate friend and stared at

Prince Andrew with cool intensity, walking straight toward him

and evidently expecting him to bow or to step out of his way.

Prince Andrew did neither: a look of animosity appeared on his

face and the other turned away and went down the side of the

corridor.

"Who was that?" asked Boris.