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The Tsar heard but obviously did not like the reply; he shrugged

his rather round shoulders and glanced at Novosiltsev who was

near him, as if complaining of Kutuzov.

"You know, Michael Ilarionovich, we are not on the Empress' Field

where a parade does not begin till all the troops are assembled,"

said the Tsar with another glance at the Emperor Francis, as if

inviting him if not to join in at least to listen to what he was

saying. But the Emperor Francis continued to look about him and

did not listen.

"That is just why I do not begin, sire," said Kutuzov in a

resounding voice, apparently to preclude the possibility of not

being heard, and again something in his face twitched-"That is

just why I do not begin, sire, because we are not on parade and

not on the Empress' Field," said he clearly and distinctly.