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Our enormous forces, undoubtedly superior to Napoleon's, were

concentrated in one place, the troops inspired by the Emperors'

presence were eager for action. The strategic position where the

operations would take place was familiar in all its details to

the Austrian General Weyrother: a lucky accident had ordained

that the Austrian army should maneuver the previous year on the

very fields where the French had now to be fought; the adjacent

locality was known and shown in every detail on the maps, and

Bonaparte, evidently weakened, was undertaking nothing.

Dolgorukov, one of the warmest advocates of an attack, had just

returned from the council, tired and exhausted but eager and

proud of the victory that had been gained. Prince Andrew

introduced his protege, but Prince Dolgorukov politely and firmly

pressing his hand said nothing to Boris and, evidently unable to

suppress the thoughts which were uppermost in his mind at that

moment, addressed Prince Andrew in French.