Pagina 839 di 3800

In the Emperors' suite were the picked young orderly officers of

the Guard and line regiments, Russian and Austrian. Among them

were grooms leading the Tsar's beautiful relay horses covered

with embroidered cloths.

As when a window is opened a whiff of fresh air from the fields

enters a stuffy room, so a whiff of youthfulness, energy, and

confidence of success reached Kutuzov's cheerless staff with the

galloping advent of all these brilliant young men.

"Why aren't you beginning, Michael Ilarionovich?" said the

Emperor Alexander hurriedly to Kutuzov, glancing courteously at

the same time at the Emperor Francis.

"I am waiting, Your Majesty," answered Kutuzov, bending forward

respectfully.

The Emperor, frowning slightly, bent his ear forward as if he had

not quite heard.

"Waiting, Your Majesty," repeated Kutuzov. (Prince Andrew noted

that Kutuzov's upper lip twitched unnaturally as he said the word

"waiting.") "Not all the columns have formed up yet, Your

Majesty."