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"I saw the Pavlograd hussars attack there, your excellency,"

chimed in Zherkov, looking uneasily around. He had not seen the

hussars all that day, but had heard about them from an infantry

officer. "They broke up two squares, your excellency."

Several of those present smiled at Zherkov's words, expecting one

of his usual jokes, but noticing that what he was saying

redounded to the glory of our arms and of the day's work, they

assumed a serious expression, though many of them knew that what

he was saying was a lie devoid of any foundation. Prince

Bagration turned to the old colonel: