Pagina 474 di 3800

The sergeant, who was evidently wiser than his general, goes up

to Auersperg and says: 'Prince, you are being deceived, here are

the French!' Murat, seeing that all is lost if the sergeant is

allowed to speak, turns to Auersperg with feigned astonishment

(he is a true Gascon) and says: 'I don't recognize the

world-famous Austrian discipline, if you allow a subordinate to

address you like that!' It was a stroke of genius. Prince

Auersperg feels his dignity at stake and orders the sergeant to

be arrested. Come, you must own that this affair of the Thabor

Bridge is delightful! It is not exactly stupidity, nor

rascality...."

* Bridgehead.

* (2) That their fire gets into his eyes and he forgets that he

ought to be firing at the enemy.

"It may be treachery," said Prince Andrew, vividly imagining the

gray overcoats, wounds, the smoke of gunpowder, the sounds of

firing, and the glory that awaited him.