Page 787 sur 3800

He was evidently so busy that he even forgot to be polite to the

commander in chief. He interrupted him, talked rapidly and

indistinctly, without looking at the man he was addressing, and

did not reply to questions put to him. He was bespattered with

mud and had a pitiful, weary, and distracted air, though at the

same time he was haughty and self-confident.

Kutuzov was occupying a nobleman's castle of modest dimensions

near Ostralitz. In the large drawing room which had become the

commander in chief's office were gathered Kutuzov himself,

Weyrother, and the members of the council of war. They were

drinking tea, and only awaited Prince Bagration to begin the

council. At last Bagration's orderly came with the news that the

prince could not attend. Prince Andrew came in to inform the

commander in chief of this and, availing himself of permission

previously given him by Kutuzov to be present at the council, he

remained in the room.